Professional Groundscare September 2018

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Latest health and safety guidelines for turf professionals ‘could save lives’

The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) has launched a free-to-use web-based platform created by the Xact Group that aims to ensure golf club employers un¬derstand their roles and responsibilities towards health and safety with regard to golf course maintenance.

In 2017, the GTC’s Board of Directors commissioned a review of the highly-acclaimed Health and Safety Guidance Notes and the committee is pleased to announce the release of the updated guidelines.

The GTC first worked together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 1994 to produce the first edition of the Health and Safety in Golf Course

Management and Maintenance booklet. By 2000, the health and safety consultants to the GTC, Jon Allbutt and John Davies, were commissioned to review the materials, in line with the many changes in legislation that were happening at that time.

While much of the guidance and best practice was still relevant, the GTC felt it appropriate to review and update and refresh the look and accessibility of the guidance notes.

Scottish Golf and Wales Golf in the build and support of their health and safety online systems and provision of additional onsite health and safety and human resources services to member clubs.

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Over 130 cricket groundsmen made their way to Cheltenham College for the second ever Dennis and SISIS’ Cricket Pitch Renovation Day, which featured a mix of thought provoking indoor presentations and outdoor practical demonstrations. The event was supported by Boughton

The GTC consulted with Chris Hammond, health and safety director at The Xact Group, to build on what has been produced before and help to design and implement a web-based platform. The Xact Group work with BIGGA, England Golf, Loam, CricketWorld.com, Stuart Canvas, Limagrain UK, Lister Wilder, Poweroll and Headland Amenity. Following a series of informative presentations from some of the industry’s leading figures, three workshops focused on a variety of techniques that would be beneficial for

GTC Chairman Alistair Booth said: “The aim of the newlypublished guidance notes has been to give anyone at a golf club, or associated with a golf club, an overview of their roles and responsibilities towards health and safety and best practice. They have been moved to a web-based platform, making them easier for everyone to access.

BIGGA

Dennis & SISIS event a hit with cricket groundsmen

cricket groundsmen and saw an impressive fleet of machinery carrying out tasks such as aeration, seeding, brushing, top dressing and scarifying.

Christian Brain, head of grounds at Cheltenham College and host for the day, felt that the day was a huge success for all involved.

“It’s been fantastic to see so many passionate groundsmen here mixing with one another and sharing ideas,” he said. “We’ve had some great feedback from the delegates and overall it’s been a hugely successful day.”

Dennis

Preventative fungicide treatments excel in STRI research trials

Recent STRI research trials prove that preventative disease control programmes outperform curative options when analysed for turf quality, colour and presence of Microdochium Patch.

STRI research manager, Mark Ferguson, explains these results and stresses the importance of preventative programmes in light of the recent loss of curative active ingredient iprodione.

“When measuring disease presence, the STRI team looked specifically at the level of

Microdochium Patch cover on the plots. As expected, the preventative treatments performed significantly better than the curative ones.

“The trials ran over the course of eight months, comparing nine preventative and three curative programmes, as well as one untreated plot.

“The first three programmes used purely preventative fungicides from Bayer. “

STRI

The web-based platform is packed full of information and guidance on all aspects of golf course management and maintenance, covering areas such as: roles and responsibilities; legislation; greenkeeping safety; events; clubhouse management; establishing a health and safety management system.

The new website can be accessed by visiting the GTC’s website and clicking on the Health & Safety link. Visitors who require further guidance, such as risk assessments and

documentation, can consult their relevant full guidance Health & Safety website, such as BIGGA, England Golf, Scottish Golf or Wales Golf.

GTC Work Equipment – Record of Training and Competencies wallchart has been a feature in greenkeeping facilities for a number of years.

The wallchart is used to aid with the recording of staff training and competence and will continue to be a useful tool.

The wallchart can be purchased from the GTC shop online.

Dennis G860

Club finds BLEC

Multiseeder creates minimum disruption to course

Set within Scotland’s Golf Coast, the 18 hole links course at Dunbar Golf Club demands accuracy and judgement as play follows natural contours and a rocky shoreline.

Currently in the middle of a sward conversion programme, Course Manager Paul Armour recently took delivery of a BLEC Multiseeder, allowing him to increase the frequency of overseeding whilst leaving minimal disruption on the greens.

“At present the greens are a mix of fescue/bent and poa, and our aim is to increase the fescue population” explains Paul, who has been at the club for just over 2 years. “We were previously using a disc seeder which left lines in the greens meaning we were restricted to only overseeding between competitions.”

On the back of recommendations from his colleagues, Paul had a demonstration of a BLEC Multiseeder with Ian Lauder of Charterhouse Turf Machinery and local dealers Henderson Grass Machinery.

“The main idea of moving over to Multiseeder was that it’s a

dimple seeder which leaves much less disruption on the greens, keeping the golfers and visitors happy. This means we can get out with it more frequently throughout the season.”

Though restricted by the unusually dry weather throughout the summer, Paul and his team of eight have already covered all 18 greens since they took delivery of the Multiseeder in April, with imminent plans to cover eight again when the weather allows, and all 18 once again at the back end of the year.

“With this machine we get fantastic accuracy with the quantity of seed distribution, so by simply adjusting the rate I know exactly what I’m going to get. The spiked rollers follow the contours, and with the precision of seed delivery, we’re achieving good levels of germination. The installation and training delivered by Henderson’s was fantastic and we know they’re at the end of the phone if we need them – but so far we’ve had no need to call.”

Turf Machinery

Merchant Taylors’ continue to choose Dennis

After a complete fleet renewal at Merchant Taylors’ School, grounds manager Richard Ayling has continued to put his trust in Dennis by purchasing a G860 and a G30D cylinder mower to add to the two G860’s and Razor mowers the school already had.

There are over 80 acres of magnificent playing fields with an additional 200 acres of estates providing outstanding opportunities for a wide range of sports including rugby, football, hockey and cricket.

The new Dennis G860 cylinder mower is lightweight at just 166kg; easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The

handlebar console houses the controls for - throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

The mower also features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion.

The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks which gives Richard the ability to use the G860 across more than one sports pitch.

With over 30 acres of lawns and other grass areas to maintain, Richard completed his Dennis

line-up with the purchase of a Dennis G30D cylinder mower.

Designed and built following the same concept as the Dennis G860, the G30D incorporates

H2Pro key to Lansdowne’s moisture management programme

The Lansdowne course at Blairgowrie Golf Club in Perthshire, Scotland has seen huge benefits since using a range of ICL’s H2Pro moisture management products –according to Course Manager Craig Stewart.

Craig Stewart is the man responsible for maintaining the magnificent championship course and has six full-time staff with two seasonal workers alongside him. As a long-term user of ICL products, Craig first started applying the H2Pro range of products five years ago after a successful trial.

“Essentially, our aim was to keep the surface and the profile dry on the greens and approaches throughout winter. We tried a few products and then Jamie Lees (ICL Technical Area Sales Manager, Scotland) suggested trialling H2Pro TriSmart. We trialled it for two months in the middle of that summer, saw great results and we just carried on from there. I like

the fact that you can go from TriSmart to FlowSmart carrying on the moisture management programme all through the year.”

Craig first applies H2ProTriSmart in April at a rate of 10L/ha. He continues with monthly applications before switching to H2Pro FlowSmart in September or October depending on the weather conditions.

“As soon as the weather begins to change and it turns a bit cooler then we know that it is time to switch to FlowSmart. We then use that for as long as it’s needed just to pull the moisture through the surface and the profile to dry the greens out.

“It is such a flexible programme and you can tailor it to your everyday conditions rather than having a fixed plan. If we get a wet spring or summer then we use FlowSmart until it starts to dry up a bit and then we switch back over to TriSmart, but it can work both ways.

“We’ve also noticed a big reduction in irrigation and hand watering. Since using H2Pro TriSmart we very seldom use another wetting agent because quite simply we have no need. It is labour saving because we no longer have guys out with hoses looking for dry patches on the greens and of course we are saving money on water usage too.”

The H2Pro range of products are not the only ICL products that Craig uses and he gave his reasons as to why the company plays such big role in his maintenance procedures.

a large-diameter eight bladed cutting cylinder to cater for a wide range of uses to leave a precise cut.

“The majority of the products we use at Lansdowne are from ICL. Jamie helps me put a programme together every year and if we ever have any problems then he is always around for support. From a technical point of view, I just cannot fault the advice I get.

“We know the amount of money and research that goes into their products and I think that gives you confidence. Every product is consistently good. For example, when we get a bag of fertilizer from ICL we know exactly what we are getting - it is always consistent.”

ICL

Charterhouse

Dennis

New E2 Pro Elicitor from Sherriff Amenity

Sherriff Amenity has announced the launch of E2 Pro Elicitor - a new unique soluble plant biostimulant which contains Harpin aβ.

E2 Pro from Sherriff Amenity is a brand of turf care products which is viewed as being synonymous with quality, and the ever-expanding portfolio features a range of both high performing water soluble and liquid fertilisers.There are currently five different

analyses within the water soluble range and eight in the liquid portfolio, ensuring that there is a solution to suit a wide range of nutrient requirements throughout the year.

Elicitor is the latest product to be welcomed to the E2 Pro family and by all accounts it appears that turf managers will be more than pleased with addition.

This unique soluble biostimulant contains an elicitor that

Additional Ventrac attachments to maintain world class training centre

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club continues to invest in their world-class training centre with the recent purchase of additional attachments for their Ventrac 4500 compact tractor.

Darren Baldwin, Head of Playing Surfaces and Estates at the club, has taken delivery of two Ventrac Power Brooms for maintaining the pathways, car parking areas and synthetic pitches around the impressive 77-acre training facility.

Commenting on the new equipment he said: “These

brooms are excellent; they simply blitz any moss on our tarmac pathways, remove moss, weeds and leaves from the blockpaved areas and we use one on synthetic grass pitches. The height adjustment is simple and quick and it gets the debris out, where other brushes have failed.

“Our second broom has more flexible and less aggressive bristles and this is used on the synthetics; it helps us relieve the compaction of the rubber crumb infill and is an integral part of our synthetic turf maintenance programme.”

The Power Brooms can be hydraulically angled left or right and lifted up or down all from the seat of the tractor. An electric actuator also allows the operator to adjust the speed and direction of the broom rotation, maximizing its effectiveness. A self-leveling feature keeps the broom horizontal at all times, and the nylon bristle broom cores can be changed in just a few minutes.

stimulates gene expression in plants, delivering improved abiotic stress tolerance and better plant growth. Elicitors are known to activate a variety of biosynthetic pathways within the plant and the inclusion of Harpin aβ can significantly enhance results. Rigorous trial work has concluded that Harpin aβ specifically stimulates plant growth (above and below ground), nutrient absorption and tolerance to abiotic stress, including drought,

temperature stress and pesticide detoxification. Further benefits include increased photosynthesis and enhanced root development.

Harpins are acidic, heat-stable, glycine-rich proteins produced by Gram-negative bacteria, which trigger defence responses in diverse plant species. When applied as a foliar spray, the Harpin proteins bind to plant receptors, initiating jasmonic acid and ethylene dependent signalling pathways; known

First for rugby as Emerald Headingley Stadium takes delivery of INFINICUT mowers

Cub Cadet INFINICUT mowers make it a ‘first’ for Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

Home to both Rugby Union and Rugby League, the club is currently in the midst of a £41m redevelopment and the INFINICUT purchase is a ‘first’ for a rugby club in the UK. However, these aren’t the only new additions for Head Groundsman Ryan Golding to contend with as the redevelopment includes two new stands.

“I’ve demonstrated the INFINICUT previously and had been impressed with it, and after a few conversations with Vinny Tarbox of MTD, it was evident the mowers could make a big difference to the quality of our playing surface,” he explained.

“The fact the INFINICUT’s can be powered electrically went a long way in making a viable case. The reduced noise, as well as emissions, it produces have meant that despite our inner-city location, we have been able to mow

earlier in the mornings and therefore cope better with the recent hot conditions.”

Following their delivery in June 2018, the mowers are in use three to four times a week, including in the build-up to games, thanks to the cleanliness of cut and quality of finish they produce. With the work ongoing and play continuing throughout, Ryan’s favourite feature however, is something else.

MTD

as a Hypersensitive Response (HR). Harpins induce the expression of genes involved in cell wall development, cellular communication, and signalling and defence responses.

Harpin aβ proteins can be applied as either a seed treatment, or as a foliar spray. When used as a foliar spray, application every 3-4 weeks during growth is recommended. As Harpin aβ activates genes within the plant, there is no requirement

for full coverage at the time of application. Once the genes are activated, the plant response is initiated within 24 hours.

Sherriff Amenity

The New ISEKI SF224 and SF235 are high performance out-front collector mowers.

A class leading, turbine driven, 950 litre collector combined with either 54” or 60” mower decks, ensures highly productive grass cutting and collection in wet or dry conditions.

When full it can be emptied at any height upto 2125mm. Belt-free mower decks and easy access service items simplify maintenance and increasing productivity.

It never rains but it pours

Pontarddulais Bowls Club and Graig Merthyr Bowls Club share the same council-owned green in Coedbach Park, Pontarddulais, Swansea.

The green there has seen around ninety years of play and until early in 2018 had always been free draining, with regular treatment such as Vertidraining, although it had become noticeable the green was changing.

Club Treasurer Bryan Gillard remembered reading about Terrain Aeration’s treatment for bowling greens and sports pitches and invited the specialist aeration company to come along and advise on the situation.

It became immediately clear that much deeper aeration was needed than the usual Vertidraining, to relieve the compaction and panning beneath the surface. Bryan sought approval from Swansea City Council and with the help of two local councillors the funds were raised to do the work in March 2018.

Terrain Aeration’s deep penetration aeration system uses their Terralift machine to drive a probe one metre deep into the soil, through the

compaction, where it releases a blast of compressed air, fracturing the soil

On the tail end of the air blast dried seaweed is injected, which sticks to the walls of the fissures. This is finished with the probe hole being filled with porous Lytag aggregate and topped with the usual top dressing. Here the seaweed will remain, swelling and contracting with the moisture in the soil, maintaining the aeration, drainage and allowing oxygen to get to the roots. In some instances water-storing polymers may also be added with the seaweed

The process is repeated over a staggered grid every two metres to ensure the fissures are fully interlinked.

The result is immediate and vastly improved draining, allowing play to commence straight away.

Terrain Aeration

Price Turfcare

AMS scores with pitch care mowing

Automated Managed Services Ltd (AMS) is the UK’s official distributors for Belrobotics robots and offers a contract based robotic maintenance service solution for turf care. Looking to build on its unrivalled success in the golf industry, which incorporated automated outfield mowing and ball management into all-in-one service solution for driving ranges.

AMS kick starts its expansion into sport pitch/field care with upcoming installations at Barking FC and Halesowen FC.

These football clubs will be home to the new BigMow Connected Line robotic mower, released into the UK market in April of this year it will be showcased at this years SALTEX show.

Its features include a large working area capacity of 24,000 m 2, up from the 20,000m 2 coverage offered by its predecessor the BigMow Classic. Design improvements to the shell/body design contribute to low noise level output of 52db. It has five sonars used to navigate its surroundings and to perform

effective obstacle avoidance. A Belrobotics smartphone app has also been introduced to allow customers to programme mowing schedules and monitor performance.

With 45 plus robot locations across the UK, a single BigMow robotic mower can mow a pitch 5 to 7 times per week and imposes no stress to the grass due to its lightweight design. It has 15 razor sharp blades that trim the top of the grass into tiny clippings, which then decompose quickly acting as a

natural fertiliser. This in turn reduces the need for chemical fertilisers and frees up personnel to focus on other aspects of pitch care. The BigMow’s manicure style mulching also means there is no green waste to collect, store or remove.

Additionally due to a regular mowing schedule, the grass roots grip is strengthen allowing better anchoring into the soil. Creating a denser sward that is better resistant to wear and tear.

AMS

Otterbine and Toro irrigation involved in hole refresh at John O’Gaunt

When it was time for a hole four refresh at Bedfordshire’s John O’Gaunt Golf Club the par three hole on the John O’Gaunt course was enhanced by a 1500m 2 lake with two Otterbine fountains and eight Toro Infinity sprinklers.

Course manager Nigel Broadwith and head greenkeeper Kevin Armstrong, chose two Otterbine Sunburst aerating fountains, from UK distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Both are three horsepower units but one has a one horsepower impeller for the smaller end of the lake and the other has a two horsepower impeller for the wider end. The reasons for these choices were primarily aeration, to the keep the water clean and clear all year round, and secondarily for aesthetic purposes.

Four years ago, John O’Gaunt’s Carthagena course had its irrigation system updated to

Toro Lynx and Golf Decoder Controller irrigation system, operated with dual trajectory series full or part circle sprinklers, and as that concluded it became the turn of the John O’Gaunt course. This time Nigel chose Infinity:

“The system on Carthagena has performed brilliantly,” he says. “It was always the plan that we would move straight on to updating the John

O’Gaunt course sprinklers after Carthagena, and as we finished Infinity launched in the UK. I was immediately impressed with their accessibility for maintenance and made the decision that we should try this new technology on the John O’Gaunt course.”

The addition of four Infinity sprinklers on the fairways and four on the greens too, means that Nigel is half way through renovating the 18 holes on the John O’Gaunt course with Infinity. Nigel says he aims to have the remaining nine updated within the next three years.

According to Robert Jackson, irrigation field sales manager at Reesink, this is a classic example of how the little things can make big differences, he says: “The inclusion of a fountain in a new or existing lake can so easily elevate it to being a beauty spot.

“Similarly, the John O’Gaunt course installation shows how innovation through renovation can be easily and gradually applied to an irrigation system.”

Otterbine

Dundee City Council go for a second Reform

Through Cupar-based Double A Trading, Dundee City Council have taken delivery of a Reform Hydrostatic, 4 wheel drive, 70hp H7X bank tractor.

Simon Richard UK Agent for the Reform range said the 4 cylinder H7X covers all eventualities for the amenity, utility, contractor and golf sectors.

“A range of optional implements, combined with Metrac’s light footprint and ‘crab-steer’ mode for working on sloping terrain at up to 45 degrees, give a multitude of work options from the one machine, while also addressing operator health and safety issues,” he added.

Simon Richard

DuPont Plantex Platinium is a reliable ally against invasive weeds

Newly optimised Plantex Platinium delivers the longlasting resistance required against invasive weeds, without the need for toxic herbicides or mowing.

A high-performance landscaping fabric that has been thoroughly and extensively tested, DuPont Plantex Platinium now has further enhanced manufacturing technology for even greater protection.

Plantex Platinium forms a highly-effective, chemicalfree barrier against weed penetration, while also being permeable to air and water and so enhancing soil health and stability. Easy to install, Plantex Platinium offers very high tensile strength and comes

in two convenient widths for a variety of site areas and needs.

Invented and manufactured by DuPont, Plantex Platinium has undergone numerous and rigorous tests by the company’s Research & Development team. Over several years and in natural environments, it has demonstrated powerful resistance to weed penetration, while observations in the field have led to further improvements in its manufacture and application.

Main advantages of Plantex Platinium include:

• Easy, quick and worry-free installation with immediate and long-term results.

Ecoplug Max prevents re-growth in Yorkshire

Martin Lingard, Contracts Manager for Lowther Forestry, has reported that ICL’s Ecoplug Max is helping him manage an extensive tree and shrub clearance project throughout Yorkshire.

Lowther Forestry – a nationwide forestry, landscaping and fencing contractor was established in 1979 and now has four regional

offices. Over the years the company has significantly grown and prides itself on providing exceptional quality, value and sustainability to businesses and organisations throughout the United Kingdom.

Martin Lingard has been with the company for 19 years and after looking for an alternative to liquid glyphosate for stump control, he turned to Ecoplug Max – which he purchased through ICL distributor Green-tech.

Ecoplug Max is a patented tree stump control application method which delivers glyphosate directly into the tree stump, killing its root system and preventing re-growth.

Each plug contains 300mg of granular glyphosate which are simply placed into holes drilled into the stump using the Ecoplug drill bit. The plugs are then hammered in forcing out the sides of the

Lightweight, Plantex Platinium is available in widths of 2.5m and of 5m which requires fewer joints when covering large surface areas, thus reducing labour time and minimising potential points of vulnerability. (Installation guidelines should be carefully followed.)

• Exceptional resistance to damage or tearing, which is particularly important during installation. Furthermore, the high integral strength of Plantex Platinium ensures that the strands and filaments of the fabric will not fray or become displaced once installed.

• Excellent water permeability

which prevents the build-up of differential hydrostatic pressures, as can occur with a closed membrane system, and eliminates the need for additional drainage systems.

• This highly effective water vapour and air permeability also supports the balance and natural processes of condensation and flow in the covered soil, avoiding mildew growth from trapped humidity beneath the fabric, so reducing any greenhouse effect and improving soil health.

• Offer a vital solution to EU regulations and UK HSE. Both UK and EU regulations will very likely limit or even prohibit the use of pesticides

in the near future. Today, there is increasing awareness of the value of Plantex Platinium as an economical, ecological and aesthetic solution for the protection of sensitive areas such as drinking water zones.

Alongside this typical-use offering, DuPont now also offers

a specialised version of the fabric called Plantex Platinium Solar. This product is dedicated to uncovered applications such as solar farms, or other such sensitive technical installations, where weed control presents particular challenges or can cause safety issues.

Emergency Authorisation for new Acelepryn soil pest control

plug, releasing the glyphosate into the phloem.

“We have been using Ecoplug Max for the past few years as part of a tree and shrub clearance project for the Environment Agency,” says Martin. Based on the work last year we have seen fantastic results - we’ve had no comeback or re-growth of willows.”

Ecoplug Max supports requirements of the sustainable use directive to minimise use of pesticides. With the glyphosate encapsulated inside the unit, it never gets in direct contact with anything else but the plant, in turn minimizing the risk of the operator coming into contact with chemical or chemical spillage. Furthermore, it also eliminates the risk of damage to surrounding trees and vegetation. Quite simply, it stays where it belongs – inside the plant.

ICL

An Emergency Authorisation has been granted for the use of the Syngenta insecticide, Acelepryn, for the control of Chafer grubs and leatherjacket on golf course greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields.

The approval was applied for by STRI, on behalf of and with support from the amenity industry. Chafer Grubs and leatherjackets cause damage to turf through extensive feeding on roots, which can be severe in localised patches. Furthermore, extreme damage can occur when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the grubs.

The Emergency Authorisation permits Acelepryn use in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified advisor.

With the loss of available control options independent advisors, ADAS, has calculated

the economic cost of Chafer Grubs alone at up to £85 million a year for golf courses in the UK, from lost income and damage repair. The report also highlighted that on the 40% of racecourses affected by the pest’s damage, lost income could amount to up to £605,000 per course.

“Since the withdrawal of effective insecticides, economic damage from chafer grubs and leatherjackets has been of major concern to many of us,” reported STRI Head of Research, Dr Ruth Mann.

“Obtaining this Emergency Authorisation of Acelepryn enables us to manage the most damaging effects of these soil pests as part of an integrated turf management programme.”

The UK Emergency Authorisation for Acelepryn has been granted from 7 June to 30 September 2018, to cover the key Chafer Grub and leatherjacket treatment timing.

The Emergency Authorisation covers golf greens and tees, horse racing courses and airfields, specifically where there has been a history of pest damage or a recognised risk of damage. In all instances the use of Acelepryn must be recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.

The authorised label permits application at the rate of 0.6 litres per hectare, applied in 500-1000 l/ha water. Ideally Acelepryn should irrigated in after application. One application per year is permitted, with the latest time of treatment being 30 September.

Turf managers or owners who believe they have suffered economically damaging effects of Chafer grubs and leatherjackets are advised to contact their BASIS agronomist or ICL Area Manager in the first instance.

Syngenta

DuPont

The eco-friendly weed removal solution

PSD Groundscare offer a range of weed strippers and brushes that offer the ideal solution to unwanted weeds. Eco-friendly and entirely chemical free, these devices offer an easy and effective solution to weeding.

The weed strippers from Koppl & AS Motor provide completely green weed removal, they will eliminate all traces of weeds, algae, moss and lichen and the debris that they thrive in, making regular maintenance simple and effective.

The weed strippers offer outstanding performance on many surfaces, including cobbles and block paving and with the

quick change functionality of the Koppl power unit it can be used for many other tasks such as sweeping or snow clearance.

PSD Groundscare

Weedingtech expands into New Zealand

Weedingtech, manufacturer of the leading herbicide-free weed control solution, Foamstream, has expanded in to its third continent with its patented Foamstream process and machinery now available in New Zealand.

The expansion has happened in partnership with Matt Kirby, who is MD of WeedingtechNew Zealand and is responsible for setting up the Weedingtech offering in his country.

This has come about as demand for herbicide-free alternatives across the world increases as public and private entities look to move away from using traditional methods of weed control like the herbicide glyphosate, in favour of greener alternatives.

by municipalities around the world across North America and Europe by notable clients such as Central Park, NYC, City of Munich and London Boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The process works to kill unwanted vegetation including moss and algae by insulating hot water using a bio-degradable foam made from natural plant oils and sugars.

BASIS celebrates its 40th anniversary

The future of disease prevention

With the removal of key active ingredients, turf disease management will have to focus on prevention rather than cure.

Strategies will have to be introduced that involve early identification, local knowledge of the conditions that are conducive to their development and historical records that could identify where an outbreak may occur.

This proactive approach will allow for a preventative fungicide to be applied prior to damage occurring. The majority of turf diseases, once they are visible

to the naked eye, have already caused damage to turf tissue. If fungicides are applied at this stage they can only limit further spread of the disease, therefore, the adoption of a preventative programme is critical to success.

Rigby Taylor has produced a free, interactive Fungicide Programme Wall Calendar with removal ‘stickers’, supported by a 12-page brochure containing 11 different fungicide programme packages with 5 different modes of action.

Rigby Taylor

Weedingtech’s CEO, Leo de Montaignac spoke of the partnership: “Never has there been a better time to implement herbicide-free solutions in to public spaces. Great pressure is amounting from the public and legislation for change.”

Foamstream is a patented process which is already being used

The foam acts as a blanket over the hot water, trapping the heat on the plant for longer, keeping it in the critical temperature zone (57 oC and above) to deliver the most effective kill of the vegetation. It sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, leading to reduced future regrowth.

Due to its highly effective process, operators need to apply Foamstream fewer times per year than any other alternative method, bringing great cost savings and labour efficiencies to the organisations using it.

Standard setting, training and auditing organisation, BASIS Registration, is celebrating its 40th year of service to agricultural and related industries throughout 2018. This key milestone is a testament to the developing industry, proving that training and continued development is not only essential for production, but it’s here to stay, as the need for increased knowledge across the board grows. To showcase the past four decades of both the organisation and the industry, Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, looks back to 1978 when BASIS was founded to regulate agrochemical suppliers and advisers.

“One key player in the organisation’s development was former chief executive, Barrie Orme, who instigated the examination and training side, for which it is now so well known,” says Stephen. Once this was well established, Barrie saw the further need for ongoing professional development for agronomists to keep abreast of developments in crop protection, so set about launching the highly regarded BASIS Professional Register to meet this need in the early 1990’s.”

Stephen goes on to explain that the role of an adviser has also changed over time, so BASIS continually updates its courses and syllabuses and ensures that CPD points can be obtained on an array of topic areas.

“While Integrated Pest Management recommendations

are still key, advisers now have a much wider remit, offering assistance with all aspects of agronomy from variety choices to soil quality improvement or wildlife enhancement on farms.”

Hazel Doonan, AIC sector head of crop protection, backs this point, highlighting the need for a good understanding of soil management for improved productivity and sustainability. She adds that training and recognised qualifications are also important for the wider image of agriculture.

“The fact that agronomists are qualified and undertake CPD demonstrates and reassures the public that plant protection products, when required, are only recommended by professionals who have assessed the need very carefully. Going forward, training and CPD will continue to be a high priority to help agronomists stay up-to-date with new developments in all aspects of their work. So, it’s important that course content and delivery is regularly reviewed, and all parties can access relevant training,” says Hazel.

Because of these ongoing new developments, BASIS plans to stay ahead of the curve with its ‘2020 digital transformation project’. This will bring improved efficiency and service to stakeholders while enhancing member benefits, to continue to support the industry in years to come.

Weedingtech

BASIS

Redexim helps contractors to improve efficiency

The latest addition to their vast fleet of machinery at South Wales Sports Grounds (SWSG) is a Redexim Verti-Top 1200 from Charterhouse Turf Machinery.

SWSG undertake a wide variety of grounds maintenance contracts for a range of clients

from local authorities, major contracting groups, universities and colleges through to individual sports clubs and private clients - with no two days bringing the same tasks and demands.

The Verti-Top conducts surface and deep-cleaning, utilising a rotary brush to lift the pile and extract up to the top 15mm of infill and foreign material.

The infill is then sieved to remove dust and detritus before being returned and brushed into the surface leaving a clean, level and aesthetically pleasing finish.

The company has noticed a better quality of finish, and at 1.2m, its wider working width than our previous machine means efficiency has also improved.

Hove haven gets upgraded 3G pitch

Effective drainage is ‘paramount’ to pitch perfect performance of 3G sports surfaces

Ltd manufactured and provided 225m of its Duo8 Super Rebound sports fencing system plus two pairs of double gates and one single leaf pedestrian gate.

With the UK’s leading sporting associations continuing to invest heavily in 3G astroturf sports pitches, Aggregate Industries is reminding contractors that effective drainage has never been more important to the successful design and management of these all-weather surfaces.

supported by an infill rubber crumb and a thin layer of sand.

The project consisted of the resurfacing of an existing Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with a modern 3G artificial grass surface, fencing, pitch divider, sports equipment & associated works.

AGPs are commonly Astroturf, but ETC combine this surface with their 3G surface to make a more durable pitch that is all-weather.

ETC worked alongside Desso Sports UK, who supplied the iQ3 50 artificial grass, while Zaun

Duo8 Super Rebound forms a robust play area that is highly durable, low maintenance and ‘graffiti-proof’, with great rebound properties similar to a wall and rubber inserts between panels and posts to keep ‘rattle’ during play to a minimum.

The 3G football surface is growing in popularity among clubs and schools as one of the best synthetic pitches.

Zaun

SISIS Flexicomb extends pitch life at UKC

Lee Ballard, senior groundsperson at the University of Kent (UKC) in Canterbury, believes that his new SISIS Flexicomb is the perfect tool to help extend the life of one of the University’s synthetic sports surfaces.

Overseeing the maintenance of the sports pitches is Lee Ballard, who admits that one of the synthetic surfaces requires extra special attention due to its age and heavy usage.

Designed primarily for use on synthetic surfaces, the Flexicomb ensures even distribution of infi ll materials

and lifts the pile. The adjustable setting ensures the effect of a rake, but with the softness of a brush, reducing the risk of damage to the fibres. The bristle sections are replaceable and the Flexicomb is designed for a long working life with minimal maintenance.

Furthermore, it can be used with SISIS Singleplay, Twinplay or Quadraplay mounting frames, which can all be connected to any tractor with 3 point linkage and utility trucks with suitable frames.

SISIS

ACO stabilisation tile system reduces weed growth

ACO’s lightweight reinforced gravel tile, GravelGrid, is designed for driveway applications, as well as paths and gardens. The robust system is suitable for loads of up to 40 tonnes per square metre, so is ideal for properties with vehicles of varying sizes.

GravelGrid’s incorporated Dupont Typar geo-textile fabric allows for easy

installation and reduces the likelihood of weed growth.

What’s more, the structure of the tile eliminates the risk of potholes and the porous SUDs solution also allows for an unimpeded flow of surface water, decreasing the rate of run-off and leading to significant cost savings where conventional drainage solutions are not necessary.

It comes as recent findings by the Football Association show that just one in three football pitches at grassroots level is currently of adequate quality - a stark statistic the sporting body hopes to address by building over 400 new 3G pitches by 2021.

At the same time, UK average rainfall is increasing, with wetter summers and higher annual rainfalls predicted to increase further in the coming years - placing a greater emphasis on the essential role drainage plays when it comes to the construction of these much-needed synthetic pitches.

Tom Wise, General Manager for Aggregate Industries’ Garside Sands Division, comments: “As more and more sports clubs are investing in their facilities, particularly with the ongoing large-scale construction of 3G pitches to boost grassroots level sport, the importance of correct maintenance has risen to the top of the agenda for many.

Traditionally, 3G surfaces consist of three layers; the top pile of artificial grass blades is

“However, what’s often overlooked is the vital role that infill silica sands play in providing an effective drainage system for the pitch. This in turn is key to ensuring playability in all weather conditions and guaranteeing the legacy of these high-tech surfaces will last the test of time.”

According to Aggregate Industries, essential to a superior drainage system is the use of silica sand infills such as ProPitch Elite, an innovative solution made from larger rounded particles in order to provide superior void space, making it ideal for synthetic sports pitches exposed to extreme weather conditions.

Reducing the risk of flooding, independent tests have proven ProPitch Elite to have the best drainage rates available to the UK market, draining a record 116% better than the most popular competitor sand. This means it is particularly suited to not only 3G surfaces, but also tennis courts, hockey pitches and bowling greens, which require shorter pile carpets where the sands layer is crucial in offering stability to the carpet fibres as well as draining fast enough to guarantee there is no standing water during a game.

Aggregate Industries

ACO

Charterhouse Turf Machinery

Brighton & Hove City Council appointed Essex-based ETC Sports Surfaces to the 70x31m pitch reconstruction at Hove Park, East Sussex.

School calls in Replay to restore all-weather surface

The Minster School in Southwell may be one of the oldest schools in England, having been founded in 956, but its sports facilities are up to date. To complement its natural rugby and football pitches it has a state-of-theart all-weather pitch. After experiencing problems with it in early 2018 David Everett, Acting School Business Manager called on the expertise of Replay Maintenance.

David oversees the maintenance of the playing surfaces and has a team of 3 site staff and a grounds person working hard to maintain the natural surfaces. “We had a problem with the all-weather surface as the sand had become very dirty and compacted due to the use over a number of years and this had a major impact on drainage.

“We therefore approached various companies with a view to undertaking a rejuvenation and Replay Maintenance

provided the most comprehensive quotation” explained David. We were impressed by the process and we’ve now entered into a quarterly maintenance contract with them for the next five years.“

The Replay Rejuvenation process can restore compacted and contaminated synthetic football, rugby, hockey and tennis surfaces to ‘as new’ performance and appearance.

The first stage of the process is to extract the contaminated infill from the surface. Replays’ Beaver machines feature unique constant air-flow plenum technology and uses compressed air to remove the contaminated layer of infill and fully decompact the surface. It can extract the infill to any chosen depth, including to the carpet backing if necessary. The pile fibres are cleaned, untangled and restored to vertical.

The operator will then assess the general condition of the carpet,

repairing any weak or damaged seams. A purpose-built spreading machine then distributes the fresh infill to the correct depth. An integral centrally-mounted oscillating brush then works this infill down into the surface, completing the rejuvenation.

The process can fully restore a synthetic surface’s porosity, ball bounce and roll and player comfort. Unlike replacing a surface, the Replay Rejuvenation procedure can be completed in days, minimising downtime and the important revenue stream that a synthetic pitch can bring. It also

goes without saying that it also comes at a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.

David again: “The all-weather surface is used during the school day and also most evenings by external groups including different Football and Hockey Clubs. With such a busy schedule it’s important that the maintenance regime keeps downtime to a minimum. The planned maintenance programme with Replay will ensure this.”

Replay Maintenance

Slatter offers the perfect solutions

Concerned about the condition of your artificial sports pitch?

Is it creating issues due to: inconsistent ball bounce; playing too fast or slow; too firm underfoot; poor drainage; or seam failures?

Even the best artificial turf systems need to be regularly maintained to retain their optimum condition and performance. Maintenance should follow a planned

Frilford Heath’s Yellow Course proves invaluable in extreme temperatures

Frilford Heath Golf Club’s Yellow Course, is going from strength to strength in the year since it was opened by European Tour Professional Eddie Pepperell in August 2017.

The Par 3 Yellow Course sits alongside Frilford Heath’s three existing championship courses but uniquely, it was created using Huxley Golf allweather surfaces.

The Yellow Course was designed to cater for all standards of golfer: beginners who want a gentle introduction to the game, experienced players who want to improve their short game, and

the rapidly expanding group of golfers that find it hard to find time to play regularly.

Executive Chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, Alistair Booth, commented: “When we opened this course, I said how proud I was to have extended our offering by creating such a high quality facility that could be used by young and old, novices and professionals alike. I was hopeful that it would attract the wider community and encourage people who wouldn’t normally play golf to give it a go.

“One year on, I’m delighted that we are achieving these goals.

This summer, the course enabled us to introduce golf to over 30 juniors in the Eddie Pepperell Academy. And, just a few weeks ago, I was delighted to see three generations of one family playing the Yellow Course together. That, for me, demonstrated that our unique all-weather course achieved all it set out to do.”

Head Greenkeeper and former President of BIGGA, Sid Arrowsmith, added: “The course looks amazing. We seeded grass around the all-weather greens for the fairways and approaches: this has now settled in and looks extremely natural. When courses all around are struggling to look

their best during the prolonged heatwave, our Yellow Course still looks perfect – with zero irrigation and just a couple of hours a week in maintenance time required, it frees my team up to look after the rest of our facilities. It also proved invaluable during last winter’s heavy snow. While other courses were shut, we just swept the snow off our all-weather greens and members were able to keep on playing!”

Divided into two accessible loops of three holes each, the Frilford Heath Yellow Course’s six greens all measure 1350 sq. ft (125 sq. mtrs) but all are unique

in shape and undulations. There are 12 Huxley Golf Premier Nylon Tee Mats, two for each hole, creating a variety of approach shots from differing angles and length with increasing difficulty. The light, bright course meanders its way through avenues of trees with bird boxes to encourage wildlife and natural grass fairways and approaches.

programme of specialist care to ensure your pitch plays as it should.

But if you’ve concerns about the condition of your facility, act now - before we’re too far into the winter seasons.

The PGA accredited Huxley Golf provides premier allweather surfaces for golf around the world for individuals, training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many top-flight courses.

Huxley Golf

All-in-one solution from SCH

SCH (Supplies) Ltd have developed an all-in-one, economical solution to artificial surface maintenance needs.

Their ASM Package comprises of a new or pre owned towing tractor (dependant on budget), with a choice of attachments such as a grooming rake, a de-

compaction unit, drag mats, brushes, a chemical applicator and more.

The company is currently developing a variety of new products for the synthetic surface market.

SCH

Slatter Sports Maintain provides a National specialist maintenance service with highly trained mobile technicians.

S&C Slatter

Finalists announced for IOG Industry Awards 2018

The finalists have been announced for this year’s prestigious Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards 2018.

This year, celebrating their 10th anniversary, the awards acknowledge the passion, dedication and challenges faced by grounds staff, volunteers and professionals across all levels of sport.

Independent judging at each venue will now take place. The winners will be announced Oscar-style at the IOG Industry Awards dinner by host Mark Saggers from talkSPORT radio at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, on Wednesday 31 October – the evening of the opening day of the SALTEX exhibition at the nearby NEC.

The finalists are:

Toro Most Promising Sports Turf Student of the Year

Tom Bacon, Devonshire Park, Eastbourne; Matthew Skingle, Coventry City FC.

Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Grounds Person of the Year Dan Sparks, Bristol Bears (Ashton Gate Stadium); John Wright, Southampton FC.

AMS Volunteer Sports Grounds Team/Person of the Year Crowborough RFC, East Sussex; David Lane, Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social Cricket Club (Norwood Road), West Midlands.

National Governing Bodies’ Community Sports Club Grounds Team/Person of the Year Hanwell Town FC, Middlesex; Stanningley Sports & Amateur Rugby League Club, Leeds.

The National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) award is cosponsored by the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club), ECB (the England and Wales Cricket Board), The FA (Football Association), the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), the Premier League, the RFU (Rugby Football Union) and Sport England.

Public Sector Sports Ground Team of the Year

Gavin Jones Ltd (Aspire Defence, Project Allenby/ Connaught), Surrey; Devonshire Park, Eastbourne.

Bowling Grounds Team/ Person of the Year

Burleys (Crouch Bowling Club, East Sussex); Rolls-Royce Leisure Association, Derby.

SCH Supplies Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year Beversbrook Sports Facility, Swindon; Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow.

Ransomes Environmental and Ecology Strategy Award Cardiff University; Forest Green Rovers FC, Gloucestershire.

National Governing Bodies’ Professional Multi-Sports Ground/Facility Team of the Year Bath Recreation Ground; London Stadium 185; Manchester City FC.

The National Governing Bodies of sport (NGB’s) award is co-sponsored by the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club), ECB (the England and Wales Cricket Board), The FA (Football Association), the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), the Premier League, the RFU (Rugby Football Union) and Sport England.

Headland Amenity Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year Fenner’s – Cambridge University; Warwickshire CCC, Edgbaston.

CubCadet INFINICUT Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team/Person of the Year Devonshire Park, Eastbourne; Magdalen College School, Oxford.

John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year

Lingfield Park Racecourse, Surrey; Warwick Racecourse.

Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team of the Year Castleford Tigers, West Yorkshire; Leeds Rhinos (Leeds Rugby); Salford Red Devils.

Kubota Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team of the Year Bristol Bears (Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol); Scottish RFU (BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh); Leicester Tigers; Yorkshire Carnegie (Leeds Rugby).

SISGrass Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (English Leagues 1 & 2, National League, National League North/

South, Scottish Championship & Leagues 1 & 2, Ireland & Wales Professional Leagues) Rotherham United FC; Swindon Town FC.

SGL Professional Football Grounds Team or the Year (Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League) Leicester City FC; Manchester City FC.

Redexim Charterhouse/ Kubota University/College Grounds Team of the Year Loughborough University; University of Leicester; University of St Andrews, Fife.

Growth Products Independent School Grounds Team of the Year Abingdon School, Oxford; St Joseph’s College, Ipswich.

International Ambassador of the Year Jonathan Calderwood, Paris Saint-Germain FC; Phil Fifield, iTurf Management.

The Ransomes/DLF Johnsons Alex R Millar Award – chosen from the outstanding winner across all award categories – and the Special Recognition and the GrassMaster Solutions Lifetime/ Outstanding Achievement Awards will be announced on the night.

The 2018 IOG Industry Awards are sponsored by AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club), AMS (Automated Managed Services), CubCadet INFINICUT, DLF Trifolium, ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board), Growth Products, Headland Amenity, John Deere, Johnsons Sports Seed, Kubota, LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), the Premier League, Ransomes, Redexim Charterhouse, RFU (Rugby Football Union), Rigby Taylor, SISGrass, SCH Supplies, SGL, Sport England, GrassMaster (Tarkett Sports), The FA (The Football Association), Top Green and Toro.

Price Turfcare return to the NEC

Price Turfcare, the UK and Ireland distributor of the Ventrac multi-implement compact tractor and Ryan turf maintenance equipment, is returning to SALTEX on stand B124.

With the business celebrating its second anniversary in January 2019, it has been an exciting time

for Managing Director Rupert Price. To understand why these respected businesses have been impressed by the Ventrac product and to see the latest equipment from Ryan come along and visit stand B124.

Price Turfcare

Boosting your EGO at SALTEX 2018

Since its launch, EGO has truly established itself as a pioneer of outdoor power technology.

With its 56V Arc Lithium battery, EGO has been going from strength to strength – making huge waves in the industry.

The ground-breaking brand will be exhibiting at leading turf

management event, SALTEX in Birmingham, from 31st October to 1st November, aiming to show grounds care volunteers and professionals how you can get the power of petrol, minus the petrol.

EGO will be giving SALTEX visitors the opportunity to have a chance to look at exciting and revolutionary products, never-

seen-before in the EU market. It will also allow people to view products and accessories that are included in the commercial range, such as battery backpacks. Steve Roskell, Marketing Director EMEA at EGO, is looking forward to the event: “This will be our 4th time at SALTEX and we’re making sure this year will be the best yet. Our new products launching in 2019 will debut exclusively at the exhibition, so make sure you come down and visit our stand!

“It will also give visitors the chance to ask any question they may have about our extensive offering and how cordless outdoor power tools can shape their lives, and their businesses.”

EGO will be on stand J062 at SALTEX from 31st October to 1st November.

Customer Driven

WITH TOTAL LIFETIME CARE

Are you ready to experience the

EGO

Places for People embrace Pellenc battery power

Places for People, one of the UK’s largest property management companies, has reported a number of significant benefits since investing in a large fl eet of Pellenc battery powered equipment.

For the grounds maintenance side of the business, the landscapes team recently purchased a fleet of Pellenc battery powered equipment which included Airion 2 hand blowers powered by 1100 ultra-lithium batteries.

Gary Slater (North East), Julian Chapman (South) and Paul Hodgson (North West) are the three regional operations managers for Places for People Landscapes and they explained their reasons for choosing the Pelllenc equipment.

“I think there was probably three main driving factors in us choosing the Pellenc equipment,” says Julian. “There were the environmental benefits, the

health and safety benefits, and the reduction in servicing and fuel costs.”

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. With a record capacity of up to one

day’s use on a single charge, these quality products are a perfect fit for Places for People – according to Gary.

All Pellenc batteries and tools come with a three-year commercial warranty and are distributed in the UK and Ireland exclusively by Etesia UK.

Etesia UK

Multi-tasking machines from Wessex

If you’re struggling to keep on top of fallen leaves or scattered debris in your garden, field or park, a leaf collector could be the solution.

There’s no need to struggle with a rake for hours with one of these innovative machines.

The selection of leaf collectors available from Wessex International showcases some of the most innovative and functional machines on the market. Browse our collection to find leaf collectors for all manner of applications, including those specifically designed for golf courses and those which can handle almost any type of terrain.

Choose from large tractor mounted leaf collectors or ones which are suitable for ATV and UTV, or infact any machine with a ball hitch.

If you’re looking for a leaf collector which is low maintenance and easy to use, Wessex has the right solution for you.

Fitted with a unique emptying hopper these multi-functional

collectors will seamlessly brush the leaves together and collect them – all you have to do is remove and dispose of the leaves at the end of your collection. These machines are also fully adjustable and boast a range of protective features to ensure that they operate well, even in long grass and rough terrain.

Wessex International

Debris clearance enhanced with the new Imants RotoBlast

Campey Turf Care Systems continue to make clearing debris a breeze with the new Imants RotoBlast. The latest innovation from Imants joins a highly successful portfolio of exclusive products including the Koro FIELD TOPMAKER,

ShockWave, SandCat and RotoKnife. The RotoBlast adds to this impressive line of machines with a 3,750-rpm blower that produces an air velocity of 130m3/ min.

The tractor mounted blower is typically used for clearing greens and tees, fairways, pathways and other sports turf areas, but it is also designed to move leaves, grass clippings, thatch, litter and other unwanted surface debris from any area that requires clear access or to be kept tidy.

As with all Imants machines, the RotoBlast has been designed with the practical user experience

at the forefront. Attached by a 3-point linkage, the powerful blower is mounted on a wheeled chassis to enhance its ability to follow contours on undulating terrain whilst maintaining a constant nozzle height above the ground. There is also an option to invert the wheels and revert to a fully mounted operation. The lightweight machine only weighs 100kg and can be lifted and moved by one person when not mounted on the tractor. It has a capacity of 300m2/min with an operating speed of 0.6 -6.2mph, requiring only 25 -50 hp tractor power.

Campey Turf Care Systems

Make short work of autumn clean up

Billy Goat wheeled vacuums are suitable for all residential, commercial and municipal property clean up requirements.

Designed for use on both lawns and hard surfaces, Billy Goat wheeled vacuums are built to last, with many now being in service around the world for more than 20 years.

The Billy Goat range of vacuums features 13 products, the newest

of which, added in 2018, is the KV601. The KV601 builds on Billy Goat’s 40-year legacy of strong suction, simple operation and reliable design that makes outdoor vacuum clean-up easy.

It is part of the KV series which is designed to meet the needs of both the domestic and residential markets, however, the KV601 boats a Briggs & Stratton Professional series engine which is designed to tackle the toughest

of tasks. Not only that, but it has low emissions which meet the latest EU directive EU-V for emissions.

Whether it’s residential clean-up for your patio, lawn, driveway, walkway, shrubs, beds, decks, trees, or fence edges – the KV inhales and bags all clean-up debris. An optional hose kit helps between shrubs and beds and harder to reach areas. The series has both hand and self-propelled models, and has a 27” width with a five blade impeller and serrated edges. The KV Series maximises suction and tackles debris with ease. It is also available with an on-board 2” chipper to help clear branches too.

For smaller jobs, the lightweight Little Billy is perfect for domestic and residential applications; it is 20” wide with a wide nozzle that provides superior suction and instantaneous clearance. For additional suction all Billy Goat vacuums are available with optional hose kits.

Billy Goat

Golf club re-establishes heather with help from Trilo

Strong and steady Wiedenmann Super 500 prioritises versatility and safety

A mark of a top machine is when R&D engineers prioritise versatility and safety equally, then deliver both in abundance.

Wiedenmann’s Super 500 is such a machine. It’s a sweeper collector with a difference because it also verticuts, flail mows and fraise mows, making it a worthy recipient of the name ‘Super’.

Most users choose the multi head base unit and then select from a range of flail and verticutting blades to suit their purpose.

Infinitely variable high dump at any height up to 2.1 m elevates the Super 500’s status to work with all kinds of trailers. Productivity is maximised as time and fuel are saved with fewer journeys for emptying.

Safety features begin with the Super 500’s floating head which follows contours and allows sweeping without changing implements. The parallelogram guided suspension helps the operator find an optimal working position.

The eco-friendly chute, which guides the dust toward the ground, reduces dust to the operator and the surrounding area.

Further options are the golf course kit which fits to the front roller and replaces two tyres, enabling the multi-function head to follow the contours even more accurately. The super contour kit assists those with deep ridges

and furrows. An additional back roller with additional anti scalp rollers fits inside the rotor drum brings the anti- scalp wheels even closer to the centre of the rotor drum.

Finally, you can opt to have all hydraulic functions operated by electric controls from the tractor seat.

Wiedenmann

Nestled in the Hertfordshire countryside, Mid Herts Golf Club is one of only a few heathland courses in Hertfordshire.

Having been neglected for a number of years, a project is underway to re-establish the native heather around the 18 holes by Course Manager Jody Wilson.

Assisting Jody in creating the ideal growing conditions, is his team of five greenkeepers, and a fleet of machinery from Trilo.

“I first came across the Trilo product during my time at Woburn Golf Club, where we purchased one of the first machines in the UK” explains Jody, who has now been at Mid Herts for 13 years. “In my opinion they are leading the market for leaf and debris collection so when our previous machine started causing us problems, I turned to Trilo to look at alternatives.” With two Trilo BL740 blowers already in the shed, he added an S4 vacuum sweeper to his collection over the winter of 2017/18.

The club has been working closely with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust on a plan to open up woodland areas to encourage the regeneration of heather, which has been a big project for Jody. “We have a lot of oak

trees which have encroached on the course over the years which means our leafing season goes on and on. Heather and long grasses don’t like organic matter, so in an effort to create the right conditions, we collect every single leaf that falls - a daily task in the winter. We use our BL740’s to blow the debris off the course where it is then collected up in the S4.” In use from the moment it arrived, the S4 collected over 140 loads (or 560m3!) of leaves over the autumn/winter period.

While mainly used for leaf collection, Jody also has the flail attachment for the S4 meaning they can now cut and collect the long roughs in one pass, which was previously conducted by two separate machines. “Now we can do both jobs simultaneously, we’re saving time and manpower and the interchangeable attachments make it a versatile, year-round machine.”

“Where we’ve been clearing the leaves away, the heather has been naturally reoccurring across the course. It’s been an ongoing project for me for the last 10-11 years, but we’re now making real progress. Both us as greenkeepers, and the players, are delighted.”

Trilo

Blades can be set to 57 mm, 38 mm or 19 mm spacings. Collected clippings make their way to a 2.5 cubic metre hopper, the airflow path ensuring the container is completely filled and tightly packed whether it be leaves, grass or other debris.

The fully floating head allows for ideal ground adaptation so takes uneven ground in its stride.

Next special flotation tyres with a large contact area and low ground pressure protect the surface together with a pair of anti-scalp rollers.