Professional Groundscare May 2019

Industry told to take proactive approach to disease management

The challenge of protecting turf and soil has arguably never been greater with the threat of disease and pests causing havoc for both high-profile sports and amenity surfaces as well as grass roots and local community sites.

A variety of challenges, from changing climate patterns to new rules on the use of chemicals as part of treatment and prevention programmes, are combining to increase the threat level.

An emergency summit was held with the aim of finding industryled solutions to the threat of Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets

in the turf industry took place on May 9 2019 at Burton Albion Football, Staffordshire.

Now that many of the chemicals which were routinely used to keep golf courses and sports pitches free of pests have been withdrawn, we need to find alternatives.

This Summit explored the current challenges in sustaining turf quality in a chemical-free environment.

The event was supported by Bionema, Rigby Taylor, Maxstim, EcoSpray and E.

Marker A/S and is held in association with both The IOG and BIGGA.

Dr Minshad A Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema, said: “This summit is the first step in working together as an industry -pooling our knowledge and using all the tools we have in an integrated way to achieve control of these devastating pests.”

The Amenity Forum’s 2019 Conference will be entitled 21st Century Amenity Management. The forum has been holding a series of updating events to highlight some of these issues and

A robust and reliable synthetic turf maintenance machine

GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are able to provide you with the solution thanks to the GKB Infiller which can perform these different actions.

Equipped with a rotatable driver’s seat, the innovative GKB Infiller can be driven in both directions and has the ability to efficiently apply several types of infill material like sand, SBR rubber, TPE rubber and cork in two directions.

The precision control valve can be set from 0 to 100mm to determine how much infill material is sprinkled which is

manually adjustable as well as hydraulically operated.

This flap in the front of the bunker gives you the possibility to regulate the amount of sand that is distributed whilst there are specially designed agitators in the bunker to break up rubber crumb infill and guarantee an even spreading pattern.

The GKB Infiller is also provided with aluminium extensions to enlarge the bunker capacity of the bunker mounted on top of the chassis.

The bunker is increased by these extensions from 1.06m3 to 3m3

GKB Machines

also how important collaboration and sharing best practice within the industry has become.

As a result of the feedback and discussions generated by the events, the Amenity Forum is developing a standard for the sector.

Professor John Moverley, Chairman of the Forum, said “I would like to see this standard as an essential requirement when employing anyone involved in amenity management.

“There are a number of well recognised assurance schemes in our sector, this new standard

seeks to embrace these and in a simple way, provide everyone of an assured standard and best practice. I would like to see the logo associated the standard to be proudly displayed across the UK in our parks, golf courses, sports grounds and indeed all our public spaces.”

The new standard is due to be launched later this year and in the meantime, everyone is urged to seek evidence of a recognised assurance scheme when employing those charged with amenity management in all its forms.

Amenity Forum

Details of SoilsCon 2019 unveiled

SoilsCon, the landscape industry’s ‘go to’ conference for soil-related topics, will be returning once again to the elegant Phyllis Court in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, on Thursday, September 26.

This year’s event will be the fourth soils conference to be organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare.

It promises landscape architects and specifiers, contractors, garden designers, developers, topsoil manufacturers, local government officers, and wider industry professionals a day of invaluable professional development, discussion and

debate, with presentations by some of the country’s leading experts in their respective fields.

This year’s conference will again include a Soil Surgery, held during the day’s networking periods. Members of the Tim O’Hare Associates team will be on hand to help delegates with their specific soil issues.

The final programme and conference details will be issued shortly but to express your interest in attending, please email info@toha.co.uk or call 01491 822653.

SoilsCon

Brookfield Groundcare has recently invested in a Toro LT3340 triple cylinder mower because of the “excellent back up service provided by Reesink Turfcare” says company owner, Danny Wright.

“Reesink is known for providing really good customer support particularly when it comes to its backup service,” says Danny.

“I know that if there was ever a problem with our machine, they would get a replacement out to me immediately. When you’re a relatively small business with a wide client base, that’s vital. I’d actually say that the backup is just as important, if not more than, the quality of the machine itself.”

Afterrecentlysecuringmoreschool and council clients, the company neededanewmachinetohelpcope withtheincreaseinwork.

“Tororeallyisleadingthemarket at the moment, so it made sense to go to them first,” he said. “The LT3340 impressed me so much I didn’t see the need to test out anyotherbrands.Idecidedpretty much there and then to get it.”

The LT3340 heavy-duty triple cylinder mower, with its sheer durability and strength makes for a perfect addition to a groundscare fleet. With such a powerful and versatile machine, it’s no wonder Danny is already seeing an improvement.

Reesink Turfcare

Dennis and SISIS kickstart the bowling season

With the season fast approaching, an overwhelming number of greenkeepers have made their way to the recent Dennis and SISIS Bowling Green Maintenance Seminar series in order to gain advice and tips on best practice.

The popular seminars, which are designed to educate greenkeepers on how to maintain and look

after bowling greens, have been credited for improving the greens at numerous bowls clubs throughout the country.

Combining insightful seminars and practical tips, a number of industry experts take to the stage to discuss a wide range of key topics.

Dennis and SISIS

Next generation woodchipper at the Arb Show 2019

BLEC Laser Grader is a winner for Total Equestrian

Managing Director of Total Equestrian, Steve Keen, is delighted with their purchase of a Laser Grader 2400 from BLEC, which has improved both the speed and accuracy with which they can prepare and level flat areas.

Since its addition to their fleet, the LG 2400 has come in particularly useful for preparation groundworks on outdoor and indoor arena projects.

Undertaking the construction of various equestrian facilities including gallops, stable blocks and schooling areas, Total Equestrian operates throughout the UK and Europe and is currently celebrating its 25th year.

“This machine has made a massive difference to our ground preparations, especially for the final soil grades or stone trimming for outdoor arenas,” says Steve.

“We also use it to quickly and precisely apply the dust layer for indoor show areas.

“For arenas, it’s imperative to achieve a flat surface and the Laser Grader ensures accuracy every time - no matter the conditions or the operator carrying out the task.

“The larger the area to prepare, the more grateful we are to have the Laser Grader at our disposal and now that it’s part of our fleet, we are equipped to deal with most groundwork projects, no matter what size.”

The BLEC Laser Grader is available in a variety of working widths, from 1.5m to 2.4m, and comes complete with ripping tines for the effective loosening of heavily compacted ground.

The range is fitted with twin Danfoss proportional valves and a rear 4-wheel frame, with each pair of wheels controlled independently for dual grading.

Allmodelsarealsosetuptoaccept anymakeoflaserequipment.

Visitors to stands C8/9 and D8/9 will be the first to see the brand-new machine, which promises to extend GreenMech’s portfolio in the arb sector.

Alongside this, other highlights will include the recently

introduced SURE-Trak 19-28, now available as a stand-alone model, and their petrol-powered Arb 150p chipper.

For occasions where operators encounter either challenging ground undulations, or where levels differ significantly between the two tracks, GreenMech’s new SURE-Trak 19-28 model safely overcomes both challenges.

GreenMech

The ARB Show will see a new product launch from GreenMech that is set to be the next evolution of woodchippers.

BLEC

Efficiency breakthroug -save money, time and headaches

Efficieny is what all businesses, companies, organisations and municipalities strive for. Greater efficieny equals lower input costs with the same or greater output of production. In terms of mowing for municipalities and public spaces this has never been more urgent than today, as Trimax Mowing Systems explains.

With sports fields, golf clubs and municipalities all needing to tighten their belts, they are relying on mowers and machinery more than ever not to let them down.

Historically, groundsmen opted for cylinder mowers which were known for their ability to achieve a top quality cut.

Most cylinder mowers had rollers which left a beautiful stripe guaranteed to get people’s attention; but as time went on groundsmen all over the world were starting to realise the cost implications of running such machines.

In order to ensure the best possible cut the cylinders needed frequent sharpening of blades. Not only was this a timely and costly process, it also meant downtime. With downtime came grass, lots of it, and this exposed the other limitation of the cylinder mower.

Whilst cylinder mowers performed well in ideal conditions, they struggled with grass which was long or wet. Manufacturers came to realise that there was an opportunity in the market.

The groundsmen’s requirements had changed: not only did they require a machine which ensured a top quality cut, but they also required a machine which could handle less than perfect conditions and provided low maintenance costs. This saw the development of rotary mowers.

Trimax Mowing Systems, now a market leader in the field, spent many years researching new technologies to find a solution for the modern groundsman - the rotary mower!

This innovation offered a slightly different cut method –rather like an inverted helicopter.

As the mower moved over the grass, the airflow formed from the fast spin of the blades, created an uplift enabling a clean cut and excellent finish.

Although priced similar to the cylinder mowers, rotary mowers were far more robust and reliable machines.

The versatility of the rotary mower meant that it was now possible to cut longer grass even in wet conditions, which gave far greater flexibility and cost savings to the groundsman.

Whilst almost impossible to tell the difference between a cylinder and a rotary cut, the difference in maintenance costs were significant.

Trimax Mowing Systems carried out a study to compare the maintenance costs between a cylinder mower and one of their rotary mowers.

The analysis confirmed that a cylinder mower averaged an annual maintenance cost of £5,000 whereas the maintenance cost of a Trimax rotary mower of comparable size were a mere £700 per year.

Looking at the maintenance costs of running a mower for a time period of only 5 years, that comes to a staggering difference of £25,000 vs £3,500.

These maintenance costs exclude both labour inefficiencies and mower downtime.

Whilst a few stalwart Groundsmen remain loyal to the cylinder mowers, the majority have realised the huge potential of the new Trimax rotary mowers and are already reaping the benefits, as Wolverhampton Council have testified:

“Maintenance is considerably less than cylinders.

“Each set of 7-gangs requires around 154 hours of workshop maintenanceperseasononthecutter heads alone. The Trimax Pegasus requires70%lessmaintenance.”

Trimax pride themselves on their continuous commitment to providing innovative solutions. The highest level of finish with minimal downtime and maintenance has always been at the core of their engineering and manufacturing.

For more information, or to talk with other municipalities about how their new fleet of Trimax machines has increased business efficiency, then please call 01933 652235 or visit www.trimaxmowers.co.uk

Trimax

Eliet speeds up scarifying with the new C550ZR de-thatcher

Leading Belgian manufacturer Eliet have launched an innovative new machine, set to dramatically reduce the time landscapers and groundsmen spend undertaking scarifying operations and disposing of thatch and moss.

The new C550ZR Collector, available in the UK from PSD Groundscare, brings a new standard in turf maintenance, collecting moss and thatch into narrow rows for easier disposal, resulting in huge time savings for the operator by reducing the cleaning time by up to 50%.

The C55OZR Collector provides efficient scarification, moss and thatch removal with improved collection.

As material is removed from the turf, it is deposited into a discharge channel with an Archimedean screw that carries it to the side of the machine.

Thisnewmachineisself-propelled and features an above-average 55cm working width which limits the number of rows to collect, and opreatesat2.5km/hr.

PSD Groundscare

Tractor proves itself at training ground and now at stadium

Elland Road, home of Leeds United Football Club, has been using TYM at its training grounds since 2017 and has now chosen the tractor brand for the stadium too.

And the reason for that is TYM has proven to provide highquality performance and deliver the results required across both surfaces says head groundsman, Kiel Barrett.

“We’ve recently invested in another TYM tractor because what we’ve been using has performed so well,” he says.

“Thanks to the range of tractors available, we’ve found models to suit the surfaces at both the stadium and the training grounds which are very different despite being the same length and width.”

It all started in 2017 with the arrival of the T503 at the training ground: “The T503 has delivered over and above expectations and worked brilliantly for our annual renovation work at the training ground as well as for topdressing and stripping turf off. It’s a really reliable workhorse.”

With such an assured performance it made sense to invest in TYM again for Elland Road, but with such different requirements at the stadium Kiel requested a demonstration from local dealer Russell Groundcare who brought the mid-duty T393 for Kiel and the team to trial.

Kiel says: “The demonstration proved the T393 could deliver the same quality of work at Elland Road, although in less heavy-duty roles. Its user-friendly operation really impressed me as well as the cab, which is really comfortable to work in. It’s a productive allrounder and we use it to help move equipment, carry out drainage, aeration and spraying.”

Since having the machine, Kiel has not been disappointed: “The T393 is the perfect addition to the stadium’s maintenance fleet. Like the T503 at the training ground, the T393 is a huge improvement from the previous equipment we were using and we can really tell the difference.”

Wake up and smell the biochar

With years of trading, testimonials, case studies and third-party trials that support enriched biochar’s effect on tree health, it’s great to see the industry is finally catching on to its benefits. But things are still moving slowly and, if you’re not thinking about geo-injecting some Tree Soil Improver every time you drive past an ailing ash or an off-colour oak, it’s time to wake up and smell the biochar…

I recommended that a wych elm with sparse foliage be geo-injected with enriched biochar last spring. The difference in appearance of the tree from 2017 to 2018 is striking. It now looks in better condition, with a denser canopy of healthy foliage.

- Steve Cox, Tree Consultant, Treecall Consulting.

I have used Carbon Gold’s enriched biochar on urban trees which have previously been under hard surfacing and I’ve noticed a marked improvement in vitality one year on in a tree I regularly monitor. I encourage landscape architects to include enriched biochar in new tree planting schemes and I welcome the ongoing research into its use.’’

- Sharon Hosegood, Tree Consultant, Sharon Hosegood Associates.

For more information about the geo-injector, contact: martin@apextreesurgeons.com For more information about enriched biochar, the science, trial results, and additional case studies, contact: james@carbongold.com

SIS Pitches makes £1.8m commitment to the UK

SIS Pitches has invested £1.8m in a new turf production facility, safeguarding more than 50 jobs, and creating an additional 15 positions by 2022.

The purchase of a new backing plant will allow SIS Pitches to extend its current site in Maryport, Cumbria, increase production volumes and grow its workforce.

SIS Pitches is a world-leading fullservice provider in specialist sports pitches and landscaping grass.

Last year, SIS Pitches designed, constructed and installed SISGrass hybrid pitches at six 2018 World Cup venues, including the Luzhniki Stadium pitch for the opening match and the Final.

The new factory, which covers an area of more than 2,100 square metres, is one of the most technologically-advanced production facilities in Europe.The company will use the new factory to deliver the highest quality, longlasting synthetic surfaces.

“This investment in new state-of-the-art facilities and technology will support our ambitious growth plans while also creating and safeguarding jobs in the local community,” said George Mullan, SIS Pitches Owner and CEO.

“The Glasson Industrial Estate has been at the heart of manufacturing for more than 50 years and, despite business uncertainty in the face of Brexit, we are very proud to be able to continue that tradition through this significant investment.

“We are also grateful to Cumbria LEP for their investment in the project. Our new factory will ensure we continue to provide the highest quality products and increased output, maintaining our position as the market leader in the manufacturing of synthetic turf.”

TYM

Council invests in third Toro machine

East Devon District Council has recently invested in a third Toro Groundsmaster 360 after its previous two models purchased in 2015, have proved to be a huge success with the Council’s groundscare department.

Dan Haydon, from the groundscare department, says that there were a lot of boxes for these machines to tick with reliability at the fore and the Groundsmaster 360 has ticked them all.

“We have so many different kinds of grounds to maintain, from communal gardens and children’s play areas to sports pitches and cemeteries,” says Dan. “Having a robust, reliable machine that can adapt is vital and the Groundsmaster 360 does just that.

“Our machines need to be in use every day for eight and a half hours from spring until November; it’s a big task.

“With the two GM360s we’ve been using for four years, we’ve never had a problem, so it wasn’t a hard decision to purchase another one.”

The Council had been using triple cylinder mowers before purchasing the new GM360 rotary mowers.

Due to government cuts, the frequency of cutting areas had to be reduced and its previous mowers weren’t able to keep the grass short for long enough, which is why the department opted to trial the GM360 zeroturn mower.

The quad-steer all-wheel drive steering of the GM360 provides maximum productivity even in undulatingterrain.Abletoclimb hills without slipping and make 180 degree turns without tearing turf, Dan couldn’t be happier with the machine.

“Whatever the weather or type of terrain – it performs across the board. We’ve seen a real improvement, and so have our other teams.

“We currently have eight teams acrossDevon,threeofwhichhave Toromachines,butnoweveryone is noticing the difference with Toroandthereisdefinitepotential in the future for Toro to pushed outacrossalltheteams.”

Reesink Turfcare

New advancements in the Ferris range

A number of innovations have been introduced for Ferris mowers, importer TH White has announced.

On ISX800, IS2100Z and IS3200Z models a new two-belt drive system offers enhanced reliability and productivity, with a 3-year limited belt warranty as standard.

The system includes steel arms which help to prevent the belt from dislodging from the castiron backside idler and deep grooved spindle drive pulleys for smoother engagement and less likelihood of the belt dislodging or rolling from the pulley.

Heavy duty Optibelt V-belts are engineered for superior resistance to stretching and premature wear with a profile that transmits more power than classic v-belt profiles.

Exclusive to Ferris mowers with Vanguard EFI engines, the Oil Guard system offers productivity gains by allowing users to operate their mower for 500 hours between oil changes instead of 100 hours.

Oil Guard uses a larger volume of oil, halving contamination and features a large oil filter with fine filtration ability.

Consistent engine lubrication is provided during off-angle operation, up to 45 degrees and the engines come with a threeyear commercial engine warranty.

Ferris has also introduced a next generation, patented ForeFront suspension system, on the new ISX800.

This double wishbone technology incorporates four upper and lower control rods which ensure the front caster bearing remains vertical

through the full range of travel, following the terrain precisely and resulting in a smoother ride and improved cut.

This allows faster mowing over rough terrain and gives increased comfort for operators, preventing fatigue and increasing productivity. The mower benefits from reduced shocks to the chassis and better stability, reducing the need for servicing and repairs.

The INFINICUT® line of all electric precision mowers was designed to be user-adjustable to match the conditions of any given day. From the dynamic return floating head mechanism to the variable clip speed, height of cut adjustment and moveable bedknife the INFINICUT® provides more functionality than any other pitch mower. Combine that with today’s highly technical approach to pitch construction and unpredictable microclimates, the INFINICUT® ensures a healthy turf while providing an unrivalled quality of cut.

Introducing a new Fixed Head option Engineered for flat surfaces, the new fixed head mower provides the same cut quality without sacrificing precision, all at an unmatched value.

TH White

Spring trim the lawn

Compact, stylish and powerful, the new Cobra MX3440V walkbehind mower, is ideal for any typical UK garden.

With its high-performance 34cm rotary cutting system and 40v lithium-ion Samsung powered battery technology, this mower makes mowing truly effortless. Cutting as low as 25mm, for a manicured lawn finish, but

equally capable of dealing with longer grass up to 75mm, it is perfect for all garden conditions.

The height of cut adjustment makes changing very easy.

When mowing is finished, the handles fold conveniently for easy storage.

Cobra

Toro hits the mark at Altcar Training Camp

The UK’s premier facility for small arms marksmanship training, Altcar Training Camp in Merseyside, recently invested in a Toro Groundsmaster 7210 and LT-F3000 triple flail mower for their sports and residential grounds maintenance.

With a football and rugby pitch, general-purpose field and residential green areas, having robust and high-performance mowers to tackle a variety of jobs was essential for Altcar Training Camp.

After a competitive demonstration process where Toro and multiple other brands were tested, Toro hit the mark and came out on top.

Mark Byrne, infrastructure resource manager, explains: “Our previous machines were on their way out and so we wanted to get the best possible replacements. That was when we got in touch with Cheshire Turf Machinery and set up a demonstration with several brands.

“We wanted a zero-turn mower again because that suited our needs here perfectly. We were looking for something that would be simple to use and

would be a seamless transition from our previous machine. With the triple flail mower, we wanted to get a robust alternative that would be more reliable.”

With the help of Cheshire Turf Machinery a competitive demonstration was organised in order to trial several machines and find the perfect replacements for the camp.

“It became quite clear fairly soon thatTorowaswinning,”saysMark. “The combination of performance and price was just what we were looking for, and with simple and easy to use operation, it meant we could get straight onto using the newmachineswhentheyarrived.”

Having had the machines since September 2018, the GM7210 and the LT-F3000 have proved to be right on target. “They’re both really good machines and doing everything we expect from them.”

And with Toro impressing Mark, future investment is definitely on the cards. “We’ve had Toro before and been impressed and would definitely consider going with Toro again.”

Work smarter and safer with Aspen Alkylate Petrol

Regular pump fuel is produced during the crude oil refinement process where the result is a mixture of around 100 hundred substances, many of these substances are extremely hazardous and toxic to humans and the environment. Benzene is a known carcinogen and under guidance from the HSE should be avoided in the workplace.

Aspen Alkylate Petrol is produced synthetically from

the pure gases which are released when crude oil is refined. This is the key to creating a very clean petrol.

Aspen consists of around ten of the least harmful substances and is virtually free from benzene, aromatic hydrocarbons, sulphur and olefins.

Anglo American Oil

Reesink Turfcare

Get the right player in your corner with the Toro

The Toro® ProStripe 560 puts you in control of creating a high-quality striped finish without sacrificing speed or manoeuvrability.

Compact and lightweight, the ProStripe is designed with premier sports venues, municipalities, resorts and golf clubs in mind, combining the benefits of a precise cut and clean striped finish with the simplicity of a walk power mower.

The ProStripe delivers great precision, productivity, reliability and durability, as well as exclusive MatchCut

technology to quickly fine tune the cutting height with its halfincrement (3.25 mm) setting.

This makes it the ideal machine to use on highly manicured areas where multiple machines are used to create an accurate, uniform height of cut.

An optional Groomer Brush Kit can be attached to promote healthier turf while creating a cleaner cut and appearance by reducing lateral blade growth.

Council doubles number of Muthing flails on fle

East Lothian Council have doubled the number of Muthing MU-FM-4 flails on their fleet.

Dougie Fox, Amenity Technician said: “We found the MU-FM-4 reliability and cut quality to be far superior to the rotary mowers we were using, with a finish almost identical to that of a cylinder mower.

“Our decision to add another five MU-FM-4’s to our fleet is based entirely on performance. We cut in all conditions, without height adjustment, including on longer, wetter growth.”

SimonRichard,UKAgentforthe Muthing range, said the ability of local authorities to achieve better cut quality is increased by using flail mowers, which generally cost less to purchase and maintain.

Simon Richard

The Electric Advantage

mowing depending on terrain, operator and grass conditions.

With the optional Michelin Tweels the lighter footprint from this puncture proof tyre gives excellent grip with little or no marking of the ground

For more information please see www.meangreenmowers.co.uk

Overton

batteries can give up to 7-Hours

Cub Cadet XM3 ER53 – the ideal professional machine for continued use

The Cub Cadet XM3 ER53 delivers everything you could want from a professional variablespeed lawnmower; exceptional mowing performance, high efficiency, low vibrations and comfortable handling - it makes short work of large lawns.

Special axle dampers and the gel cushioning in the handle absorb vibrations from the engine making for more comfortable mowing.

Developed for professional use and tested at 2.3/1.15m/s2 Hand/ arm K-Factor, this machine is designed for up to 8 hours a day continuous mowing owing to its significantly lower vibrations.

High performance comes from the powerful Kawasaki FJ 180 V Kai engine that gets more output from every cubic cm of engine displacement giving the power to mow slopes up to 30°.

The blade-brake clutch keeps the engine running even when the blade is disengaged to empty the grass bag, saving time and increasingproductivity.

A specially developed geometry inside the mower housing ensures allcuttingsaretransportedthrough a turbo tunnel into the grass bag improvingmowingperformance.

The aluminium housing on the heavy-duty transmission gives you moredurabilityandlongermachine life and the tough front and side bumpersprotectthemower.

An integrated mowing deck washing nozzle and special cleaning position mean that raising, rinsing and cleaning is a quick and easy job when the work is done.

Cub Cadet

Toro

Keep it sharp with Toro’s rotary blades

With grass growth fast and furious make sure you and your machines are ready for high season with Toro’s rotary blades.

Too often, we talk about how important it is to have a good quality mower and forget that, just as important as the mower, are the parts you put in it.

Reesink Turfcare’s parts manager Michael Hampton says: “Spring sees groundsmen tackle large areas of grass much more frequently than other times of the year; activity that can quickly dull rotary blades.

Here we look at how to prevent unnecessary downtime and out-of-action machines, with proper maintenance and parts stock planning.

“To stay on top of maintenance while mowers are being used more regularly, I highly recommend Toro customers stock up on replacement rotary blades now, rather than waiting until there is an issue.

In order to prevent damage to your machine and ensure operator safety, when signs of wear are identified, the blade must be replaced immediately – making on-hand spares extremely useful.”

If councils or landscape contractors don’t have sufficient stock or aren’t visually inspecting their blades frequently, the situation can quickly lead to serious issues during spring and summer, when footfall and the use of grounds increases.

Choosing blades produced by the manufacturer of your machine is recommended, as is “choosing blades with a toughened steel microstructure to improve wear resistance”, says Michael.

“Choosing a generic blade that is not precisely manufactured for the mower may result in poor quality of cut due to incorrect blade angle and height.”

There’s a precisely engineered blade carefully crafted for specific turf needs.

Best suited to a grounds environment are the ‘No Sail’ (flat) blade as its particularly effective for areas that are not mowed as regularly making quick work of cutting down weeds, and the ‘Atomic Sail’ which works well later in the season for mulching up leaves or for use with a recycling deck to mulch the grass.

Genuine Toro rotary blades are designed to work harder for longer, reducing the risk of unexpected wear and breakages other non-genuine parts can suffer. They will not need replacing as often as ‘will-fit’ parts and mowers will be operational for longer, with less downtime.

Reesink Turfcare

New zero turn option from Ariens

Ariens is adding a new zero turn mower to its range for this season.

The Zenith 60 is the largest zero-turn in the company’s range and features a high capacity 152cm cutter deck and ground speed of 14kph going forwards and 6.7kph in reverse, which combined with the ability to turn on the spot, is

designed to significantly improve productivity.

The 10-gauge deck is designed with 14cm depth providing the optimal airflow needed to tackle tough mowing conditions.

A constant belt tension system ensures the correct tension, minimising wear and heat while

Manufactured in the UK to take on the world Machines to tackle all terrain

Grillo manufacture an extensive range of mowing equipment all hand built to an exacting standard. For banks and overgrown areas there is the Climber range of 2 & 4wd models to choose from.

If a manicured lawn type finish is required then Grillo produce some of the most outstanding collecting machines on today’s market.

Cutter deck sizes range from a small 80cm domestic machine to its top model the FD2200TS.

This has a huge 180cm deck with 48hp Yanmar diesel engine, 1400ltr hi tip collector and permanent 4wd with auto diff lock.

Manufactured in Wessex’ own factory in the UK the CRX-320 is an exceptional mowing experience.

Full width rollers front and rear and 3.2m wide, it’s nothing short of a precision cut and outstanding stripe.

Keeping the rollers as close as possible maximises ground contour following, with excellent floating capabilities to closely hug the undulations.

The renowned CRX swing tip Gold Cut blades give you the superb cut and make for easy maintenance, while the wideangle PTO gives you tight-turn capabilities for increased manoeuvrability.

All you need is a 35hp tractor and only one spool valve, which makes it economical to operate with the simplest machinery.

Wessex

providing enhanced belt life with minimal adjustments.

Frame design is based on large tubular frame rails as a backbone to support the machine load, and the frame itself is fitted with a ROPS as standard.

The high back padded seat features armrests and integrated seat isolators to help absorb impacts on uneven surfaces.

Ergonomic controls include a foot operated deck lift system for raising the deck when travelling over paths and gravel areas, and there is a choice of 15 cutting positions in 0.6cm increments which can be simply adjusted using the ertical pin selector.

PowerissuppliedbyaKawasaki V-Twin 726cc engine.

The Zenith comes with a twoyear commercial warranty or three-year residential warranty, and is available from the end of March.

Grillo

Ariens

Woods BW12 Batwing is the answer for Channels Estate

Through local dealer R C Boreham, the Channels Estate, Chelmsford, Essex, has taken delivery of their first Woods BW12 batwing rotary cutter.

Estate Manager Ray Clark says: “We had been cutting with gang mowers but when our remit changed we needed a multi-purpose machine for maintaining both fairly flat areas and set-aside.

“We have found the Woods BW12 batwing to be the ideal model for us. It is solid, well made and delivers excellent cut quality and distribution of cut material, all at the right price. Easy transport and hook-up reduce preparation time when we change from one cutting area to another. We would definitely go for Woods again”

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Woods rotary cutter range, feels local authorities and a range of other users can benefit from adding the new Woods BW12 Batwing rotary mower to their fleet.

He says: “Requiring only 35hp at the pto it is ideal for working with compact tractors. A cut capability of up to 10 acres in just 45 minutes make it the solution for large parkland and golf course maintenance.

“The BW12 has the Woods legendary precise and easily adjusted cut height and quality and there is a six-year gearbox warranty, including seals.”

MAJOR Swift scores for the top league clubs

Since 1976, H&I Kelly Landscape has a reputation for quality workmanship and demands no less from its equipment.

The family-managed business has high profile customers including professional football and rugby clubs, sports arenas, schools, and commercial facilities across Dorset, Hampshire and parts of Wilshire.“Twenty years ago the mainstay of our grass maintenance programme was a MAJOR mower,” begins Chris Kelly.

“That lasted for years - it was a really good bit of kit. In looking for a new mower, we kept coming back to our experience with MAJOR -we were looking for longevity, reliability and quality of finish.”

Andy Frost at E G Coles in Shaftesbury confirmed that the MAJOR brand was as good as it gets. “It’s well-priced and good value for money. We decided on the MAJOR Swift MJ71-240 Rigid Deck Roller Mower. It leaves a finish equal to any cylinder mower, without leaving windrows - it’s incredible,” exclaims Chris.

The MAJOR Swifts are made of high-performance Strenx 700MC steel and hot-dipped galvanised for increased lifespan.

Four rotors with eight blades that overlap by 60cm delivers accurate cut across the entire width of the machine and grass clippings are chopped fine enough to be quickly absorbed back into the soil.

Smart addition by Amazone

Amazone’s new Profihopper 1500 SmartLine self-propelled mower is capable of high outputs thanks to a working speed of up to 10 km/h and a cutting width of 1.50 m.

As a fine flail mower, the machine is designed to provide an excellent cutting quality in both short and long grass, with cut heights from 0-9cm.

It is equipped with the SmartCut exact cut rotor

with a chevron-shaped blade arrangement for improved cutting and pick-up quality.

Grass is compacted immediately after being picked up by the PowerCompactor auger conveyor system consists of both a longitudinal and a transverse auger, which enables the Profihopper to have higher conveying rates, and thus better forward speed, even in long grass.

Amazone

“We look after the pitch for Poole Town FC and the Directors have commented on how well the playing surface is since we began using the MAJOR Swift,” continues Chris.

“Chelsea Football Club trained on the pitch before their game with Bournemouth and it was a member of their support staff who asked how we did it.

“Some team representatives even thought that the grass pitch looks just like a 3G surface - that’s an amazing compliment!”

“The MAJOR Swift mower is an absolute dream mower,” says Chris.

“It’s easy to set the cutting height, easy to maintain, is a light and very strong machine - not too heavy to avoid compaction yet firm enough to leave a very level finish.

“It handles thick and wet grass easily.

“It produces the ideal finish that reflects the quality of workmanship that we as a company strive to achieve.

“If it’s anything like the original MAJOR mower we had, it’s going to last us twenty years of more,” he concluded.

MAJOR Equipment

Simon Richard

Dennis G860

Killeen Castle invests in the future

Killeen Castle Golf Club in Co Meath, Ireland is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, as well as its recent investment in a state of the art golf course equipment fleet deal with John Deere and local dealer Dublin Grass Machinery worth over €500,000, with finance arranged through Deere’s partner Bank of Ireland.

The machinery acquisition represents a significant investment on the part of Killeen Castle in the future of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, as the club enters its second decade of golf operations.

The championship golf course opened in 2009 and was described by the 18-time Major winner and course designer as “one of my proudest designs”.

The upgraded equipment fleet includes tees, fairway, greens and rough mowers, utility tractors, Gator utility vehicles, sprayers, top dressers and bunker rakes – with the latest John Deere E-Cut hybrid electric mowers now playing an important part in futureproofing the work of course superintendent Mark Collins and his team.

Killeen

The 630-acre estate also features a number of signature residential properties, The Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, Fore Golf Custom Club Fitters and a Norman castle dating back to 1181.

The castle will become the focal point of the estate following a recent grant of planning permission for a 177-room luxury hotel, including the renovation and restoration of the original structure which will house 17 suites and a number of luxury dining rooms.

The new three-storey structure partnering this renovation will incorporate 160 rooms, a day spa, function rooms and a winter garden restaurant.

The investment in new equipment also included an upgrade and enhancement of the club’s rental golf cars and trolleys to the latest state of the art GPS units, as well as rekerbing of the entire clubhouse compound.

This was in addition to significant works around the golf course and peripheral areas to enhance the sanding and drainage profile of the course, all designed to ensure championship standard golfing conditions for members and visitors alike all year round.

“There were many key factors in choosing John Deere equipment,” said Mark Collins.

“The relationship with Dublin Grass Machinery and sales manager Noel Bennett was high up the list, with the excellent technical and back-up service provided for the past 12 years.

“The quality of John Deere machinery is quite simply second to none, and the company’s advances in technology with the hybrid electric mowers made the decision an easy one.

“The overall package will allow us to continue to improve our work practices and deliver even better standards of course presentation to our members and guests.”

John Deere

The Ventrac 4500 – a ride-on mower with five deck option

The Ventrac 4500 is an excellent ride-on mower with the versatility to be used for multiple applications.

This agile, power-packed compact tractor-mower is in a class of its own with a choice of both rotary and cylinder cutting units.

An innovative design combines all-wheel drive, an articulating frame and a powerful 25 hp Kubota diesel engine providing unmatched stability and control to get a wide range of jobs done.

Five different mowing decks provide the versatility for multiple applications and with

Ventrac’s unique coupling system, the experienced operator can switch between mowing options in less than a minute.

This versatility makes it ideal for landscape contractors and golf course operators.

Peter Pattenden, the Estates and Golf Courses Manager at Carden Park, purchased a Ventrac 4500 in 2017 with Contour and Tough Cut mowing decks.

The package also included a Stump Grinder, Edger, Blower and Power Broom.

“The Contour deck is great out on the golf courses, especially on sloping tee banks and around

bunkeredges.Withitseightlarge tyres it great in the wet and the lack of marking is unreal. The Tough Cut deck has to be seen to be believed.

“It goes anywhere and is superb for land management as it can cut through saplings, bracken and gorse, helping to maintain the areas that consume manhours. It really is impressive.

“Changing over from one implementtoanother,beitcutting decks or the stump grinder or edger, is quick and easy. In fact, there’snotimetostopforacuppa asitcanbedonesoseamlessly.”

Price Turfcare

AS 901 SM: THE FLAIL MOWER FOR LARGE AREAS, DIFFICULT TERRAIN AND STEEP SLOPES

90 cm cutting width for economic work rates. Unique single-wheel steering brake for effortless manoeuvring. Vanguard 16 hp 2-cylinder engine for extreme power. 26 pairs of strong Y-flails for a perfect mulching result. Optimal balance and a well thought-out lightweight design. All of this for impressive performance in high grass, dense undergrowth and naturally on steep slopes.

PSD Groundscare Ltd Tel: 01282 856819 Email: sales@psdgroundscare.com Web: www.psdgroundscare.com

Double-wall mower deck with horizontal flail mowing unit and multiple stone impact guards.

Castle has hosted The 2011 Solheim Cup between Europe and USA in addition to three Ladies Irish Opens from 2010 to 2012.

AS Motor brushcutters – for extraordinary mowing tasks

The range of AS Motor Brushcutters available from PSD Groundscare are made for use in tough conditions including areas of extremely dense growth, slopes and rough terrain whilst still manoeuvring effortlessly around obstacles and trees.

The range of Pedestrian Brushcutters includes the AS 63 which offers a high performance and easy handling solution to cutting high grass even on steep slopes or where access is limited.

Its low weight, vibration damping and handlebar adjustment makes the AS 63 exceptionally user friendly, and its fold down handles ease transportation and storage.

There are also twin wheel kits available and the AS 63 is available with either a 4-Stroke engine or a 2-Stroke engine which offers an extremely powerful machine with outstanding climbing ability.

Features include:

• Mulch & Mow in one step: The cross-blade system easiuly cuts and chops even high growth with excellent mulching results.

• Permanent traction: The robust transmission with limited slip differential ensures reliable and safe working even on difficult, steep terrain.

• Vibration damping: Through vibration and impact damping, hand-arm vibration is reduced to a minimum.

AS Motor also offer an extensive range of Ride-On Brushcutters and the AS Motor 940 Sherpa has taken the market by storm, taking man and machine into places that previously were inaccessible, including into brush and brambles that are thicker and up to 1.5 in height with features including:

• Bl ade System: AS brush cutter mowing deck with interchangeable flexibly mounted blades cut and shred at the same time.

• Wi th All-wheel drive: Permanent all-wheel drive, better traction on up and downhill, as well as the ability to brake when riding downhill, when compared with a 2-wheel drive model.

• Comfort seat: Variable adjustment bucket seat and i nnovative suspension system ensure operator comfort.

• Surfing cutting deck: The blade cover allows vertically evasive movements in uneven terrain, to protect the mower deck and provide greater ground clearance.

The AS 940 is also available as a remote control model which with a 300m range offers a great safe solution for mowing areas where the operator can’t access eg steep slope, under trees or into nettles and brambles.

PSD Groundscare

Makita’s back-pack brushcutter

The Makita EM4350RH backpack brushcutter is designed for use by grounds care contractors where large areas of rough vegetation need to be cleared.

Powered by a 43cc 2hp version of Makita’s advanced MM4 4-stroke engine, this back-pack brush cutter weighs just 12kg. With the fully padded harness it is comfortable to operate and vibrations are minimal.

With the engine effectively separated from the carry frame

by four isolating springs, which damp out any vibrations, the vibration effect on the operator is greatly reduced.

Operator controls are at the handgrip position controlling throttle opening and cutting drive. A useful accessory pouch is fitted at the back of the harness for carrying replacement blades and the required multi-tool spanner.

Spring starts with a new ECHO

The new ECHO DST-58V2AH

58 Volt battery trimmer is small, lightweight and yet packs the power of a petrol trimmer to take on the toughest jobs.

Run time is thirty minutes and fully charging the 2Ah battery takes just thirty minutes with the quick charger supplied.

There is the option of a 4Ah battery for longer run time.

When the trimmer line runs ergonomic out the SpeedFeed 400 trimmer head, which comes as standard, reloads in seconds without disassembly. The ECHO DST-58V2AH is ideally suited to use in noise and emission sensitive areas such as schools and hospital grounds, parks and public gardens as well as around domestic properties.

Makita

ECHO

STIHL enhances professional cordless brushcutter range

The advent of the new FSA 130 and 130 R brushcutters mark yet another addition to STIHL’s ever-expanding PRO range. These powerful but lightweight brushcutters are specifically designed for professionals working on large areas of thick grass.

The FSA 130 is well suited to clearing large patches of grass and scrub quickly and efficiently thanks to the bike handle, whilst the FSA 130 R features a loop handle that makes it perfect for use in tighter spaces.

The tools boast three adjustable power settings that can be changed via the handle depending on the task in hand and to help conserve battery power when full speed is not required. Powered by a 36 V Lithium-Ion battery with an electric motor, the FSA

130 and FSA 130 R are extremely energy efficient, lightweight and well balanced, weighing just 4.4kg excluding the battery. They run quietly, making them well suited for use in noise-sensitive areas, and the low vibrations during operation provide excellent operator comfort.

Both tools can be powered by STIHL’s range of 36V battery systems, AP batteries or AR backpack batteries. The new STIHL AR 1000 backpack battery is ideal for use in conjunction with the powerful FSA 130 and 130 R brushcutters and will run for up to 230 minutes on a single charge.

The AR 1000 is also well suited to the HSA 94 R/ HSA 94 T hedge trimmers and BGA 100 blower, which will run for 380 minutes and 225 minutes respectively.

When used in conjunction with the AL 500 charger, the AR 1000 backpack battery can be charged in as little as two hours, cutting down the time expenditures usually necessary for charging.

STIHL

New commercial line trimmer from EGO

Last year EGO launched its first dedicated range of commercial cordless outdoor power equipment. And this year the brand is expanding this range even further! New for 2019 EGO has the EGO Power+ STX3800 Commercial Line Trimmer.

The EGO Power+ Commercial Range has been specially developed to meet the needs of the professional market. Designed with the user in mind to ensure comfort, durability and high performance.

Each tool in the range features a high efficiency brushless motor to maximise performance, prolong product lifetime and reduce vibration.

Importantly for outdoor work, they deliver impressive run times and are housed in robust

the professional market.

The tough answer to rough ground. Perfectly balanced for comfortable use, the EGO Power+ Commercial Line Trimmer and Brush Cutter make short work of even the roughest ground.

The power comes from any of EGO’s range of technology leading batteries, from the 1P 2.5Ah battery all the way through to the Commercial Backpack Battery which in turn power the robust 2KW motor.

All this is channelled through the light, yet amazingly strong carbon fibre shaft.

Unlike alloy shafts, it won’t bend and lose its shape over time, keeping vibration levels to a minimum.

When using the BAX1500 Backpack Battery the new EGO Power+ STX3800 Commercial Line Trimmer runs for up to 300 minutes or up to 420 minutes when being used in the brush cutting mode.

In real-life terms this represents a full day’s work without the need to recharge.

EGO

Multiple applications for Bobcat forestry cutters

Mounted on T590H and T770H loaders, Bobcat forestry cutters have very varied applications, particularly for those with compact or limited site access.

The cutters are ideal for forestry including cutting fire breaks in woods and forests, clearing work and removing/thinning unwanted undergrowth, shrubs and trees; wildlife, national park, leisure, golf club and country estate management; perimeter maintenance of facilities such as schools and military bases; to site development in construction for removing undergrowth and

trees before site and hazardous waste survey work.

The forestry cutters can also be used to maintain vegetation, brambles and shrubs next to Path and Ride areas, pathways and other right-of-ways, including removal of invasive species such as Rhododendron plants; utilities (electric lines, walkways, bridges, canals and riversides); rail lines and embankments and roadside verges and banks next to highways as well as clean-up work after storms and floods.

Battery power makes the difference

Pellenc’s Excelion 2000 brushcutters forms part of the company’s battery powered equipment range that is finding favour with customers for a wide variety of reasons.

The exclusive Pellenc technology allows for a drastic reduction in the production of greenhouse gases and noise pollution. It is also comfortable for users, meets new sustainable development demands and offers excellent economic profitability. Since the Pellenc group was created in 1973, the company has based its development on a policy of constant innovation.

The group’s ability to be able to anticipate changes in its markets has led to the registering of 1081 patents –winning numerous awards for the excellence of its products. While the products do indeed contribute towards protecting the environment, these innovative tools also do not compromise on power. All Pellenc batteries and tools come with a three-year commercial warranty and are distributed in the UK and Ireland exclusively by Etesia UK.

Pellenc

Bobcat