Professional Groundscare October 2020

The changing face of football stadium developments

The opening of the 62,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur stadium in 2019 pushed new boundaries for football stadiums, with the new ground offering a number of unique and interesting features.

As well as featuring the world’s first dividing, retractable football pitch and the UK’s largest single-tier stand, the £1 billion stadium also became home to Europe’s longest bar and even a microbrewery, showing that nowadays stadiums are looking to cater to more than just their fan’s footballing appetite.

Construction industry analysts Glenigan have taken an indepth look at the ways in which football is changing its approach to the modern venue.

In many cases, clubs choose to develop their existing stadiums to offer increased capacity and additional/improved facilities, in order to improve profitability.

Liverpool Football Club are choosing to extend rather than build a new ground. The £60 million extension to the Anfield Road stand will provide an additional 4,800 seats, bringing the overall capacity up to 61,000.

In several cases, such as Crystal Palace’s £100 million Selhurst Park development this will also enable clubs to meet UEFA regulations around pitch sizes, and make them eligible to host tournament football.

Hospitality is becoming an exceptionally lucrative area for football clubs. “People follow the American model, where hospitality is playing a big part,” says Davendra Dabasia, director for major programmes and infrastructure at Mace. Hospitality has been a particularly successful way of generating revenue at Wembley, the Emirates Stadium and the Etihad Stadium.

Fulham Football Club are an example who chose this path. The Riverside Development at Craven Cottage is currently on-going and due to complete on-site in 2021. The £97 million extension is due to increase capacity at Craven Cottage to 29,600 as well as provide state-of-the-art concourses and hospitality lounges on matchdays.

Despite many clubs abandoning traditional plans to build new stadiums, some clubs are still choosing to do so. Most notably is the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, the new 52,000 capacity ground home to Everton Football Club. Laing O’Rourke is the preferred bidder on the £500 million project, who have submitted detailed planning. Architects described its brick and steel construction as appearing to have “risen from the dock” in tribute to the city’s maritime history.

Away from the Premier League, other clubs are also preparing to build new stadiums, one with

an environmental focus. Forest Green Rovers have received outline planning consent for a new stadium made entirely out of wood. The £100 million, 5,000-capacity ground follows the club being officially recognised as the world’s first vegan football club in 2017.

Stadiums are increasingly being developed to include residential units. The number of both approvals and submissions for £10 million or more stadium developments, which

Kubota upgrades its popular G-Series line-up

Building on its reputation for developing innovative solutions for customers in the Groundcare market, Kubota is pleased to announce the launch of its newly updated and popular G-Series range of mowers.

These mowers have been specially developed to meet the professional groundcare needs of key customer segments such as councils, contractors and large property owners. There are two models in the new G-Series line-up, G231 and

G261, both available with low and high dump grass collectors. These models have eyecatching developments such as a new hydrostatic transmission (HST) designed to increase traction and grip.

The mowers are also equipped with powerful Kubota engines offering 23hp and 26hp, as well as an electromagnetic PTO clutch which replaces the hydraulic PTO, offering a more positive drive for consistent cutting performance.

Additionally, users of these new cutting-edge models will benefit from improved output, increased speed and greater comfort. G-Series mowers have been engineered to run faster and deliver improved mowing performance; saving time, money and effort for customers. The enhanced performance and adaptability of Kubota’s new G-Series also enables operators to work more efficiently across various types of terrain which can pose a multitude of challenges.

include residential units, was at its highest level between 2015-19, according to Glenigan data.

The new £62 million Brentford Community Stadium development (Project ID: 02419209), soon to be completed on-site, comprises 910 residential units. This new 17,250 capacity stadium will be home to both Brentford FC and London Irish RFC.

Glenigan

Wet or dry grass, long or short, collect or mulch, the PH 1250 and PH 1500 models take it all in their stride.

And it’s that flexibility that sets the Profihopper apart from the crowd.

The sharpened wing blades on the horizontal SmartCut rotor cleanly cut and shred the grass before conveying it via the cross auger on to that unique second vertical auger to be packed into the collection hopper - meaning less time emptying and more time mowing. To add to that versatility, the sward is rolled after cutting and scarifying comes as standard.

The more than adequate power is provided by engines that are already Stage V Exhaust emission compliant and require no AdBlue.

Don’t compromise - choose the machine that comes with more compaction built-in for maximum work rates and less emptying.

Contact the Amazone Team on: 01302 755 725.

Kubota

New Reform Metrac H75 is launched

quick hitch system while the high efficiency of the electrohydraulic power shift PTO provides power precisely when needed.

When four-wheel steering is active, the front and rear wheels run exactly in the same line, ensuring tension-free traction on more difficult terrain. Front, rear, four wheel and crab steering as well as offset fourwheel steering can easily be switched at the push of a button.

Operator comfort is catered for with a newly designed cab which has been completely decoupled from other vehicle components.

This results in a major reduction in noise level and significantly lowered vibrations.

One hundred per cent power and zero emissions

Available

UK

range Simon Richard Ltd, Reform Werke have announced the launch of the 75hp hydrostatic drive Metrac H75, the latest model in their multifunctional tool carrier range, serving the professional contractor, local authority and golf sectors.

The H75 is powered by a common rail diesel engine from Perkins, which complies with Tier V emissions level Classified as emissions level 5, the tractor has an impressive lifting force of 1500kg to both front and rear linkage for categories 1 or 2 and the rear can be equipped with a

The hydrostatic drive with two speed ranges and two terrain gear reductions enables continuous adaptation of the driving speed.

The system is completed by the electro-hydraulic spring brake with an auto hold function which allows smooth and judder-free setting off on slopes.

The ergonomic armrest with its central controls forms the basis for the easy operation of the new Metrac H75. It is attached to the driver’s seat, allowing fatigue-free working on any terrain, without interference from vibrations or slopes.

The multi-function joystick combines all functions for driving and for controlling the attachments. The focus here was on logical and intuitive operation.

The Cramer 82V range has over 30 commercial garden products designed specifically for the professional user, making it one of the most comprehensive and competitive cordless ranges in today’s market.

For the Autumn / Winter months Cramer have an extensive range including blowers (handheld and backpack), chainsaws, telescopic pole pruners, powered sweepers and powered utility carts, all of which work in all weather conditions thanks to their IPX4 classification, ensuring maximum productivity.

The powerful 82V battery offers market leading performance without overheating, as well as innovative features such as Magnesium components, fleet

connectivity, and ultra-high torque motors to offer true petrol rivalling performance for a fraction of the running costs, lower vibration and noise, and with zero emissions.

“We are delighted with the feedback from our customers on the exceptional performance of the 82V Commercial platform,” said Alan Wilson, Handy Distributions Cramer Specialist, UK distributor for Cramer.

“We are fortunate to have the widest commercial range on the market, from lawnmowers to chainsaws, sweepers and even utility carts, all powered from a single 82V battery.”

Insightful ICL technical update videos now available

With Anthracnose appearing to be on the increase in recent years, ICL Technical Managers Henry Bechelet and Dr Andy Owen, along with Dr Kate Entwistle from The Turf Disease Centre recently put together a short series of technical update videos that give an insight into the disease and the research that has been carried out looking at the various methods and ways in which it can be managed.

The videos will provide you with an opportunity to learn various successful methods and treatments and will enable you

to gain the upper hand when it comes to managing this all too common disease.

• Video 1: The disease and identification - With Dr Andy Owen and Dr Kate Entwistle

• Video 2: Background factors for developmentWith Dr Andy Owen and Henry Bechelet

• Video 3: Best management advice for control - With Dr Andy Owen and Henry Bechelet

through

Agent for the Reform

Simon Richard

Handy Distribution

SCH has solutions to keep you working

When it comes to efficiency and practicality, nothing compares to the Professional Leaf Suction Unit (PSU) which is hungry to clear up large areas of fallen leaves.

The PSU features a powerful 9hp Honda engine which is mounted next to the fan on a two-wheeled chassis.

An essential feature is that the fan is belt driven and not connected directly to the crankshaft; this increases the lifespan of the engine, as the engine does not get jolted if a rock is accidentally sucked up and hits the fan blades.

The green waste passing through the fan is chopped up and

propelled into the trailer, greatly increasing the storage density, allowing for fewer empties per day and saving a great deal of time and cost in labour.

The favourite way of using the unit is to attach it to the rear of a leaf collecting trailer. SCH manufacture specially adapted trailers with impressive storage, allowing leaves to be emptied somewhere more suitable.

Alternatively, they can send you a trailer adaption kit, allowing you to modify your own trailer, and SCH can even collect your trailer and modify it for you.

Supplies

Bionema launches BioProtection digital, classroom and bespoke training courses

Dennis keeping up appearances at Topsham BC

John Brand, Greenkeeper at Topsham Bowls Club in Exeter, insists that the Dennis FT510 and the Dennis Razor Ultra 560 are helping him to keep the reputation of Devon’s finest bowls green intact.

John chooses to use his trusty Dennis FT510 cylinder mower, which he has had for over a decade, as well as his newly purchased Dennis Razor Ultra 560.

The Dennis FT510, a 510mm (20”) cylinder mower fitted with the innovative interchangeable cassette system, is unrivalled as a mower and turf maintenance machine on all areas of fine turf.

A range of 11 cassettes mean that one machine can be used for several key maintenance tasks including scarifying, verticutting or brushing.

developed specifically to meet the demands of fine turf such as bowling greens, golf greens and cricket pitches.

With a 560mm (22”) cutting width, the Razor Ultra 560 incorporates many key features including an 11 bladed cutting cylinder, ultra-short wheelbase for undulating surfaces, tungsten tipped groomer, compact handle design for extra maneuverability, click height adjusters and stub free transport wheels for easy transport from site to site.

“The green is in great condition and that is partially because of these two mowers,” said John. “We’ve had the FT510 for a long time now and it has never let us down – I’ll still use that for verticutting.

to get rid of the long ends of the grass. It has worked wonders and it has really helped in thinning the turf which makes the bowl move more quickly across the green.

We normally cut down to 4mm and it offers a fantastic finish every time – the presentation is unrivalled.

Bionema, a UK based BioProtection (Biopesticide) technology developer, has launched digital, classroom and bespoke training courses to educate end-users, distributors and consultants on the effective use of BioProtection products as an alternative to chemical pest control.

BioProtection products are being developed and used across the world to ensure safe and sustainable agricultural.

However, many end users are not fully familiar with the effective use of biocontrol agents – such as nematodes fungi, bacteria, viruses and beneficial insects and need a better understanding of how best to apply them, as the way they are stored, handled, and applied are important considerations and can result in improved efficacy.

Bionema’s courses have been developed to maximise the efficacy

of biological products in a learning environment that suits customer needs and ensures product success.

The digital training courses are designed to allow self-paced learning in the delegate’s own time - giving flexibility to study around other commitments.

These courses have been written with the needs of commercial distributors and end users - such as growers, farmers, greenkeepers, grounds personnel, foresters, agronomists and integrated pest management practitioners – in mind.

Delegates can also learn in a classroom format and a bespoke version can be designed to reflect a client’s environment, knowledge and individual needs. Each course is worth 12 BASIS or 4 NRoSO CPD points.

John’s most recent addition, the Dennis Razor Ultra 560, has been Drayton Park Golf Club a course for all abilities designed and set out by James Braid, a five-time winner of the British Open Golf Championship, has recently added the GKB Sandspreader to maintain their picturesque grounds.

“The main reason we purchased the Razor Ultra 560 was because we wanted the grooming facility

“I really like the weight of the Razor Ultra too and it is doing the rolling at the same time.

The first of many GKB machines for Drayton Park GC

The GKB Sandspreader can also be delivered with four pivoting balloon tires for the perfect distribution of the weight on the grounds.

Removing the necessity of complicated and intricate use, the GKB Sandpsreader offers effortless and simple control.

With impeccable standards and a policy of continuous improvement, the GKB Sandspreader was the obvious choice for course manager Dale Housden.

Ranging from 1m3 to 4m3, there are several hopper capacity options in four different designs. The shape and design of the sand hoppers ensure efficient operation and a clear view along the machine. Dale adds, “Even with a slightly larger hopper capacity, the weight distribution is seriously impressive.”

“A top dresser is generally a simple machine to use, yet I have used a variety of brands before this GKB machine that seem to complicate controls. The GKB Sandspreader is simplistic yet effective,” praises Dale.

Impressed with GKB Machines for their fantastic customer service, Dale continues “Being a new customer to GKB I am thoroughly impressed with the sales, installation support and

aftercare thus far. With a team of nearly 200 people in Holland looking after sports fields and landscaping maintenance, GKB pulls experience directly from the field when developing machines.

Dale resumes, “The fact that GKB design from hands-on experience

“I would suggest that both of these mowers are essential for any greenkeeper.”

Dennis Mowers

with the end-users as their priority is thoroughly refreshing.”

Dale is excited to grow the relationship with GKB and is looking to purchase a GKB Sandfiller very soon.

GKB Machines

SCH

Bionema

Full maintenance programme with quality equipment from Campey

After 20-years of vying for control of their main Smiths Field site from Trafford Council, Unicorn Athletic JFC has begun life in charge with equipment from Campey Turf Care Systems.

The club is home to 34 teams and operates at different schools and pitches in the local area, with their main site used by the under-8’s Saturday club, youth teams from 14 years old and upwards and their open age group teams.

The New Holland Boomer 35, Trimax 190 Striker and SISIS Quadraplay will be vital for the community club as they aim to improve the condition of their site.

The story of their pitches over two decades is a sadly familiar one, with budgets cuts in the council leading to less and less maintenance and inconsistent mowing.

For Darren Storey, treasurer, part-time groundsman and operator of the walking football team, finally taking control of the maintenance will allow the club to give children playing in their teams the pitches they deserve.

He paid tribute to Campey: “From costing, to specifications and the equipment that we needed, and more importantly could afford, they’ve been great. They kept us updated at each stage, and we asked for upgrades like a tracker on the tractor, and although they don’t normally do it, they sorted it.

“We put a grant application into the Football Foundation which they helped us with, and without that, we wouldn’t have the equipment, so John Campey and his team have been very good.”

Campey Turf Care Systems

First impressions count with the SISIS Quadraplay

Nigel Mortimore, Head Groundsman at Topsham Rugby Football Club, is a strong believer in first impressions – and his SISIS Quadraplay is helping him to create a pitch that opposition teams will long remember.

After learning the fundamental skills of groundsmanship, Nigel’s attention soon turned towards new maintenance machinery. The SISIS Quadraplay had previously caught his eye and an evening with Keith Kent helped him make the final decision.

The SISIS Quadraplay multiple-purpose, single-pass maintenance incorporates a mounted frame for up to four implements such as grooming

rakes, spikers, slitters, rollers and brushes.

The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect.

Compact, robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations simultaneously – the Quadraplay makes life a lot easier for many groundsmen.

Nigel believes that the machine has signalled major improvements to the pitches. He also claims that it is not just the home team that these improvements have had an impact on.

SISIS

Hard wearing 100% perennial ryegrass blend with tetraploid technology

Sports Field Renovation mix from Rigby Taylor is much more than a hard-wearing 100% amenity perennial ryegrass blend.

With robust tetraploid perennial ryegrass, this well-balanced blend grows and recovers in colder conditions and deep, dense rooting, provides improves stabilisation.

Tetraploid seed is higher energy than ultra-fine ryegrass, providing rapid germination and fast establishment when renovation windows are short.

Key features include:

• Germinates and grows in cold temperatures down to 40°C

• Quick establishment & Very hard wearing

• Excellent recovery with strong re-growth

• Early spring green-up and excellent winter colour

• Exceptional tolerance to a range of turf grass diseases including Leaf Spot

• Excellent colour and presentation

“We seeded 2 hectares of junior section match and development pitches with the Sports Field Renovation mix during the drought in August,” said Paul Wilson, Head Groundsman at Redcar Athletics FC.

“We had no rain, only a sea fret, which lasted around 24 hours, yet we had unbelievable germination just 5 days after sowing.

“|It’s established really fast and has beaten anything else I have ever used before hands down, especially on the problem area where we usually struggle.”

Rigby Taylor

“Even in wet weather, the Major Swift leaves a really great finish.”

Shaun Edwards, Cropper Grounds Management Ltd

Headland tank-mix protects Leicester Tigers

A weather forecast of significant rainfall combined with warm, humid temperatures means only one thing for grounds managers – high disease pressure.

For Leicester Tigers Rugby Club Head Groundsman Ed Mowe, the question was how to maximise the efficacy of a fungicide application given the approaching conditions.

The answer was a tank mix of Dedicate and Tangent SDR from Headland Amenity – applied in a window of just 60 minutes with phenomenal results.

“We sprayed the Dedicate and Tangent SDR mix, it ‘stuck’ to the plant and we emerged from the extremely high-pressure period with a stadium pitch clear of disease,” said Ed. “I have no doubt that without the inclusion of Tangent SDR, we would not have seen such impeccable protection.”

Applied in June, Tangent SDR is a natural spray additive that utilises the sticking effect of Terpineol to enhance spray retention on the grass leaf and improve uptake of the applied spray.

“It has fantastic low dilution rates making it a cost-effective way of making applications rainfast to maximise results” comments Ed. On this occasion, it was tank-mixed with Dedicate turf fungicide as a protectant against Fusarium Patch and Leaf Spot.

“We have also been using Tangent SDR with a plant growth regulator at our training ground which is frequently subject to strong winds. The ‘sticking’ effect has undoubtably helped us to save on chemical, and therefore money, there as well.”

ICL’s Riptide makes an impact

Exclusive to ICL, Riptide is the no1 ranked creeping bentgrass variety on the STRI lists. It is ideal for seeding new areas or when used for interseeding as part of a course renovation programme.

This fine-leaved, denselyshooting, creeping bentgrass establishes quickly, especially in spring, growing upright but low to the ground with high tiller shoot density and keeping its bright mid-green colour right through autumn and winter. In fact, Riptide, has gained a wide following throughout Europe and has been adopted by several UK courses due to its adaptability in a wide range of growing conditions.

When Ed Stant, Course Manager at Trentham Golf Club in Stoke-on-Trent, was looking to

incorporate a new seed for a new project, he found that Riptide was highly recommended.

Riptide responds very well to lower nutritional inputs and less frequent watering, potentially significantly reducing costs involved in a higher maintenance programme and offering a more sustainable approach; less fertilizer, fungicide, scarification and verti-cutting.

Riptide provides the opportunity to create excellent greens surface with lower inputs of fertilization and disease management. High tolerance against Michrodochium patch and Dollar spot reduces the frequency for fungicide applications.

ICL

OxyShot helps Air2Root fight against compaction

Air2Root Turfcare Limited pride themselves on using market leading machinery to bring a ‘breath of fresh air’ to compacted sports surfaces in and around the West Midlands.

The latest weapon in their armoury is an OxyShot from Charterhouse Turf Machinery which, with enhanced manoeuvrability and airinjection down to 500mm (20”), is helping them to shatter compaction easier and deeper in the profile than ever before.

The OxyShot uses a single 25mm probe to inject air into the soil in

four directions, at a pressure of up to 110psi and to a maximum depth of 500mm (20”).

It can also be fitted with an optional 14mm probe, to reduce the working depth to 250mm.

Together with use on cricket outfields, football and rugby pitches, Kevin also notes the demand for the OxyShot to deliver targeted air-injection around trees on golf courses and estates.

Headland Amenity

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Stopping the alien invasion – how to control invasive weed species

Non-native weeds are an ongoing concern for the UK with 36 species currently documented by the government as ‘invasive alien plants’.

Among these, Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed are particularly hard to control and are most likely to be encountered by an amenity contractor.

Dr Colin Mumford, technical support manager at Bayer, explains why they are a problem and what to do in response.

“Non-native species are very damaging to our ecosystems,” says Colin. “They will rapidly establish and takeover an area, limiting the growth and spread of native plant species, which are the foundation food source and habitat for insects and ultimately the whole food chain.

“For example, giant hogweed is a very big plant, as the name suggests. It grows on riverbanks and by limiting the growth of other vegetation, which would naturally provide stability to the riverbank, there is the risk of erosion,” he says.

“This weed also presents a significant health and safety concern as its sap can cause blistering if it comes into contact with skin.”

Colin adds that not only do these species cause damage to our natural habitats but can also cause problems in our homes.

“Japanese knotweed has hit the headlines in recent years because of its potential to cause damage to residential property. Because of this, laws have been passed that allow prosecution of anyone who permits the plant to spread to a neighbouring property.

“Mortgage companies have also been reluctant to support

the purchase of a house with a known Japanese knotweed infestation,” he adds.

“Essentially these weeds aren’t welcome on our shores and can cause severe knock-on effects to the entire food chain and ecosystem, meaning it’s vital to do everything possible to eliminate these damaging species,” says Colin.

A strategy for controlling invasive species Colin explains that because these weeds are all different, a bespoke approach is needed to ensure they are controlled effectively.

Japanese Knotweed

Notoriously hard to control, this weed is best controlled with a strict chemical control strategy.

The world’s largest ongoing field trial on Japanese knotweed control, cited in Jones (2020) , found the use of glyphosate-based herbicides at the time when the plant was most vulnerable, was the most effective way of controlling the weed.

“Timings are very important when it comes to controlling Japanese knotweed and this study found that glyphosatebased herbicides were most effective when applied from mid-summer to late autumn, when active growth is occurring,” says Colin.

“This is because resources are being drawn down from above ground growth into the roots, which means the herbicide can be translocated into the rhizome (roots), which is how the plant spreads.

“One thing to remember is that there’s no quick fix and a strict and ongoing control programme will be needed.”

This research suggests three different control methods: biannual foliar spray at half the maximum application rate; stem injection into the plant stump in the first year of treatment; annual foliar spray once a year at the maximum application rate.

“For more information on this Japanese knotweed trial and how to control it visit the Welsh government website for their public information guide,” says Colin.

Giant hogweed Colin explains that as with Japanese knotweed, timing of control is vital with giant hogweed.

“Herbicides need to be applied to the plant when it’s actively growing, so that the active ingredient is translocated around the whole plant.

“It’s important not to apply when the plant is flowering but at either the leaf stage ahead

of stem extension or after flowering but while the plant is still actively growing. As this plant thrives near watercourses, it’s important to only use control strategies that are safe to use in these areas,” explains Colin.

“Roundup Proactive and Provantage (both containing glyphosate) are both safe to use near water and can be used on aquatic plants, so are a good herbicide option in this instance.”

Colin adds that these plants can be controlled by digging with a spade but warns that this isn’t as effective, can cause seeds to spread and add further risks to operators from the dangerous sap of the plant.

Considering this he advises anyone called out to control this weed to wear full PPE to protect against the damaging effects of the sap.

Bayer

Minimise maintenance and maximise productivity

Two new trailed Major Swift roller mowers are pushing Cropper Grounds Management to higher productivity and improved commercial efficiency in Staffordshire, England.

Cropper Grounds Management Ltd, based in Stoke-on-Trent, is a full-service grounds maintenance and management company.

The company was founded in 2001 and focuses on providing a high-quality service to its customer base and today, employs over 90 staff members.

Managing Director, Shaun Edwards stated, “Our services include grass cutting, sports field maintenance, playground management and a whole host more.

“We take pride in ensuring our customers are totally satisfied with our services and many of our existing customers have been with us since the early days.”

With such a high number of schools and sports facilities within their customer remit, wide areas of grassland maintenance accounts for a high proportion of their daily work demands.

Since they started their business, Cropper Grounds Management have gained considerable experience in

which machines work best and deliver best value-for-money.

Added Shaun, “With us having a lot of acreage to cover in a strict time period, downtime is something we must avoid. Recently, we took delivery of two new 6m Major trailed roller mowers, through our local dealer GGM Groundscare.

“We chose these because we wanted to minimise maintenance and maximise productivity. These new mowers are working ten hours a day and their productivity means we are saving at least an hour a day over previous equipment.”

The new Major mowers that Cropper Grounds Management acquired are gear-driven and therefore don’t have a belt drive, which can often become a maintenance issue.

Folding wings brings down the transport width of just 2.6m, ideal for road work when travelling from one customer to the next.

Commented Shaun, “We’ve found that even in the recent wet weather conditions we’ve experienced, it doesn’t hold us up because the Major Swift just gets on with its job and leaves a really great finish. I just can’t fault it.”

Major Equipment

MM60 turns on the style at the Kassam Versatile Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi 8HD gives peace of mind

Mark Walker, owner of Grasstek, has been widely praised for improving the pitch at Oxford United FC’s Kassam Stadium – with the club’s manager, Karl Robinson, even claiming that it has played a huge part in helping to improve the team’s style of play.

Mark took on the maintenance of the pitch at the Kassam Stadium in December 2018 and immediately knew that it was a project which would require his undivided attention.

With an expert team in place, Grasstek got straight to work. The previous summer’s renovations had not been highly successful so Mark knew that they would have to delve deeper.

“I had used Limagrain seed previously in which I overseeded driving range outdoor teeing areas and target greens with MM50 so I already knew that it would be a good seed,” he said.

“MM60 was recommended to me by an agronomist friend and I’m pleased I took his advice.”

MM60 is a 100% ryegrass formula which is renowned for producing an excellent playing surface – particularly on winter pitches. It is perfect for renovation and divot repair, has a high disease resistance, fantastic aesthetic qualities and offers extremely fast germination –which is boosted by the inclusion of Headstart GOLD.

Limagrain

Toro’s Titan tines built to last up to four times longer

Built to take on the toughest of tasks, Toro’s Titan tines last up to four times longer than standard tines, meaning fewer change-outs and replacements for greater productivity.

There’s a reason the titans of the tines industry are known as the turf professional’s secret weapon when it comes to aerating.

When you choose Toro’s Titan tines, you’re guaranteed more choice, more longevity, more productivity, more strength, more play and more reliability too.

Made by combining a strong alloy with a unique heat treatment process, Toro’s Titan tines provide maximum strength and resistance to wear.

The durable tungstencarbide tips produce superior, consistent holes for faster turf recovery and a speedier return to play.

The tough design of Toro’s Titan tines, with hard-wearing brazed tip joints for in-built resistance to separation and breakage, importantly help maintain consistent aeration depths and reduces costly change-out and associated downtime.

But the benefits don’t end there. There are over 150 Toro Titan tines available covering all possible aeration applications.

Whether you’ll be coring, slicing or spiking, hollow, solid or deep tining, or using

water injection cultivation or ‘linear’ aeration, there’s a Titan tine for every need.

Plus, all Titan tines fit current and late model Toro aerators

and the standard mount size fits other manufacturer aerators, too.

The course has seen additional member traffic, prompting the purchase of a deep aerator.

For head greenkeeper, Shaun Conway it marks another positive step for the northern club.

“Immediately after installation we got all tees spiked with 20 mm tines to 10 cm with 5 degrees of heave,” he said.

“Next day, one of the lads started tackling the fairways to 15 cm. You don’t need extra spanners; it’s a tool free and

runs quietly and quickly. The speed is just great, it buys peace of mind that the job will get done.

“After the initial phase, the aeration programme going forward is to be out little and often. The speed and easy operation mean every three to four weeks.

“Even across the summer, we can get some discreet work done without golfers knowing.”

Bentham Golf Club is supplied by local dealer Balmer’s Gar den Machinery, at Burnley. Wiedenmann

The INFINICUT® Professional Sports Turf range is proof positive of innovation through experience.

The INFINICUT® range provides more functionality than any other pedestrian mower - while providing an unrivalled quality of cut.

Lancashire’s Bentham Golf Club has chosen a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD to help its team make the most of weather windows.

Reesink Turfcare

FieldLazer

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Grassline keeps customers on track

Family-owned Grassline has been offering specialist sports and groundscare products and services for more than 25 years.

It manufactures high quality and performance line marking paints, as well as a range of quality line marking machines which are supplied throughout the UK and Europe from grassroots to clubs elite and professional sports.

All Grassline’s line marking paints are safe, non-hazardous, organic and bio-degradable.

The company’s products are available direct and the Grassline website includes full product information, as well as useful technical data and information sheets for each of their products.

Grassline

Turf Tank make Robotic LineMarking affordable

Makers of the world’s most accurate GPS line marking robot, Turf Tank, has announced new and affordable subscription options for the United Kingdom.

Android-based Supaturf SWOZI raises the bar

GPS-guided linemarking has further advanced with the Generation 3 SWOZI from Vitax Supaturf.

The Supaturf SWOZI marked a quantum leap in the speed and efficiency of linemarking, with turfcare professionals able to mark out a football pitch in an average time of just 30 minutes.

The technology already allows sports contractors and site-based

grounds professionals to mark out far more pitches in a day than when using traditional machines.

Generation 3 SWOZI features upgraded control system, electronics and communications, using a Windows-based app now ported to Android, introducing variable or constant rate paint outflow to give users more flexible work patterns.

Vitax

The new subscription packages aim to make robotic line marking affordable for all, take the customer experience to an entirely new level and allow users to benefit from an instant return on investment.

The benefits of a subscription include unlimited software updates, access to a worldclass support team, limited product warranty and an annual supply of paint.

Lettering and number stencilling, plus all the accessories for operating the robot including the tablet and nozzles come as standard, and customers can choose from three different subscriptions

for a package that best suits their needs.

Turf Tank CEO, Olav Jørgensen, said: “With positive feedback from our US customers, we are now ready to focus more on the European market and introduce our subscription choice to sports facilities all over the UK.

“Our generous leasing options are suitable for organisations of all types and sizes.

“We offer services for small clubs with one sports field to more complex packages for schools, universities, parks and recreation, pro teams and stadiums, which include annual paint supply, 24/7 customer support, logo creation and unique robot wrapping solutions.”

Turf Tank

Graco

Expert advice is part of the Fleet Line Markers package

McGuffie, Managing Director Fleet Line Markers Ltd,

How does a groundsman choose a line marker and the best paint to mark his grass football fields?

A very good question. First decide on the standard of marking.

If quality of line is the most important then a Beamrider is recognised as the most accurate line marker in the world today.

The Lines are straighter and combined with Fleet paint are simply the best.

If you have a lot of fields to mark, speed and cost effectiveness is paramount, then the MAQA must be the choice for the discerning groundsman. This is a semi-automated GPS line marker.

of GPS line markers. Foreign branded machines could have back-up problems compounded by COVID-19.

How about a cost-effective standard line marker?

The Kombi is the most popular line marker in the world.

Fleet are extremely proud to have designed and manufactured this truly iconic line marker. There is no better evidence of success than the 50,000+ Kombis that have been sold.

Are there any future developments coming? We have been working hard throughout lockdown on a new ready to use machine. This will be released next year.

Alongside this a new, even more cost effective, ready to use paint is due to be launched early 2021, making Fleet’s future extremely exciting.

Surely it is better to have a robot?

In my opinion the reliability and the ease of use is not there yet with the robot.

The price of robots have fallen considerably but still you are going to pay over £10,000 for a robot.

Fleet have more GPS guided machines by far in the UK than any other company, but we have had a long learning curve.

The MAQA can mark the equivalent of 21 full sized football fields from scratch before lunch (proven data, fully documented).

I believe line marking robots are getting better, and maybe when they are available for under £5000, it may be a viable choice.

Is there a good support network for the MAQA?

Yes. Fleet’s GPS engineers are based in the UK, and Fleet are the only UK manufacturers

How do I choose the best paint?

Simple, first call Fleet, and the sales can advise, or a salesman can demonstrate.

Fleet paints are the most advanced paints that are available, but also the most cost effective.

Giving the lowest possible price per field and still giving a quality line.

What about future plans for Fleet?

Fleet are the largest specialised sports line marking paint manufacturers. A great UK success story.

Our 5 year plan includes building more factories, this will add to our 9 factories across the world, and increase our production and buying power, giving our customers the best products and value for money.

Iain

takes part in a Q&A on choosing the right products for the right tasks.

Fleet Line Markers

Remarkable robotic technology - the future is here

Rigby Taylor’s new TinyLineMarker (TLM) SPORT features the latest GPS-RTK technology to deliver mm levels of line accuracy.

Operation of the TLM Sport is so easy. Using the supplied tablet and selected template the robot is positioned on the pitch to be marked, the paint flow tube is inserted into the 5 litre Impact paint container and the robot does the rest.

In the case of a football pitch, the TLM Sport will mark all the perimeter lines, the corner arcs, centre circle, the ‘D’, goal mouth box and even the penalty spot, using just 3 litres of paint to mark the complete pitch, in just 20 minutes.

Marking out lines on natural grass sports pitches and athletic surfaces, is time-consuming as well as labour and equipment intensive.

The operator can carry out additional tasks such as aeration, mowing, spraying, spreading etc. simultaneously whilst the TLM SPORT does the marking, making the most of valuable resources particularly when seasonal workload is at its’ peak.

With TLM Sport you have access to over 50 templates that can be downloaded onto the supplied tablet. In the case of initial marking, once the surfaces scheduled to be marked has been completed, the location and markings are stored and can be retrieved and replicated at any time.

The TLM Sport has front and side bumper strips and integral ultra sonic, intelligent sensors to protect from damage and detect any obstacle, pedestrian or an animal in its path.

When activated the robot slows down and if the object does not move, will gently bump against it, stop and immediately notify the operator via the tablet.

The TLM Sport weighs just 25 kilos but with its robust design, electric brushless motor, reliable ball bearings and bumper protection it has a long service life and requires little maintenance.

CO 2 emissions and water conservation continue to attract an increasing level of interest, making the TLM SPORT the instinctive choice for initial and over-marking pitches time after time. With its batter powered, low energy consumption, zero

fuel or emissions and, with the use of Impact ready to use paint, no added water, the TLM Sport is the eco-smart choice.

The combination of TLM Sport and Impact delivers fast and accurate spray application with bright white, long lasting lines.

The award-winning Impact paint is used straight from its container; no measuring, no mixing, no waste.

Rigby Taylor

Cost efficiency

Headland Amenity praised for pitch transformation

Carel Fourie has been turning his hand to the maintenance at Holwell Sports FC.

Assisting Carel with the transition from fine turf to sports turf has been Alex Hawkes of Headland Amenity, who has overseen the construction of a nutritional programme that has boosted the health, appearance and playability of the Welby Road pitch.

Following soil sampling and analysis by Alex, a programme was introduced based around Multigreen temperaturecontrolled release fertiliser.

With field longevity of five to six months, Carel applies

Multigreen 28-3-15 in early summer and follows this up with an application of the 150-22 formulation in September.

While Carel uses a range of Headland products in his nutritional programme, worth particular note are a tank mix of Elevate Fe, Xtend and Clipless NT which is applied every six weeks through the summer to boost the visual qualities, together with a combination of Turfcomplex and TriCure AD which has proven to successfully nurse the pitch through periods of dry weather and drought.

Nutri-Link fertiliser feeds turf surface nutritional demands

Rigby Taylor’s Nutri-Link nutritional and bio-stimulant system is suitable for a wide range of turf surfaces, including sand-based constructions.

Comprising six specially formulated liquid fertilisers, the Nutri-Link fertiliser is applied as a foliar spray that is taken up by both the leaf and the root.

Designed and formulated to supplement granular applications, and for use either stand-alone or in support of an in-season programme, Nutri-Link provides a host of benefits: enhanced root mass

and depth; increased tillering and denser sward; improved disease tolerance; better drought resistance; rapid recovery from wear and mechanical damage; enhanced and extended greening; more rapid germination; reduced salt toxicity; greater tolerance to excessive temperature; improved photosynthetic capability; and enhanced carbon sequestration.

Nutri-Link’s components provide multiple solutions to both the macro and micro problems that confront today’s grounds staff - including soil structure, microbial activity, biotic and abiotic stresses.

DJ Turfcare has new Autumn Lawn Treatment

Viano’s all-new Autumn Lawn Treatment is now back in stock with DJ Lawncare and ready for delivery to UK garden centres.

Launched just last month, this innovative treatment which provides a unique organic-based fertiliser specifically designed for use between August and November to destroy moss, stimulate strong roots and provide 100 days of treatment for greener, thicker, more diseaseresistant lawns, has proven incredibly popular with retailers who were quick to snap up stock.

With the first consignment selling out in record time, there is now a second opportunity for garden centres to secure stock ahead of this vital period for lawn maintenance.

Simply put, Autumn Lawn Treatment – exclusively

available from DJ Turfcare - is the first defence against the ravages of winter and is designed to prepare the lawn for the spring.

Like its popular Recovery product, DJ Turfcare’s new Autumn Lawn Treatment will benefit from the inclusion of Humifirst. This unique ingredient creates biological activity and acts as a plant growth stimulant, making it perfect to use as an autumn lawn treatment. Autumn Lawn Treatment is safe to use around pets and children.

DJ Turfcare’s wider organicbased product offering includes the bestselling RHS-endorsed MO Bacter, MO Bacter Instant, Recovery and Bio-Lime. All products are supported by quick delivery within five days.

DJ Turfcare

This synergistic approach results in improved plant health and performance; the components’ individual strengths when

working together provide greater benefits than if used singly.

Sports and amenity turfgrass specialist, Germinal GB, has announced the launch of a new range of off-the-shelf seed and fertiliser packages aimed at simplifying the process of selecting and purchasing sports pitch renovation products.

Containing everything needed to overseed and feed tired and worn sports pitches, the budget-friendly packages contain top quality grass seed and the necessary fertilisers required to ensure the new sward germinates as quickly as

possible and continues to thrive once established.

Three sport pitch renovation packages have been announced, all of which are based around the use of Germinal’s A30 Rapid Sports Renovator Plus seed mixture and NovaTec Premium slow release fertiliser.

The third ‘Pro-Pitch’ option also includes Germinal’s G13 ProteKt autumn/winter fertiliser.

Headland Amenity

Rigby Taylor