Professional Groundscare November 2022

Workforce development at the heart of the GMA’s Strategy

“The issues are far-reaching and to make a positive difference at pace, working together as a sector, we need a shift in mindset and outlook. Working collaboratively is key to success. Members and others working in grounds care, those employing grounds staff, industry partners and suppliers, national governing bodies, professional leagues, the media, local authorities, and the education sector all have a role to play. It’s a team effort.”

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has, after the impact of the pandemic and following the impact of global events, combined with the cost-ofliving crisis, focused on tackling the key issues highlighted by volunteers and professionals as priority areas to address in the grounds care industry.

Published alongside the GMA’s 2022 Workforce Survey, the reset of the GMA’s Five-Year Strategy first launched in 2021, outlines six key priority areas

that will inform and influence the association’s work to help achieve three long-term goals:

• To attract new talent and accelerate the growth of a diverse workforce

• To support sustainable business growth and protect the sector’s interests

To build industry reputation and promote the sector’s contribution to society and the economy

The six strategic priority areas are: workforce development;

people and culture; services and support; industry representation; data and digitisation; and funding and investment.

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb said: “We know the challenges that those working in the grounds care industry face and the findings from our Annual Workforce Survey echo those issues year after year. Whilst we have made progress since revealing the results of ‘Groundsmanship Sports Vital Profession’ in 2019, the trends first identified remain.

The GMA’s latest report estimates that over 3,200 professional grounds managers are due to retire in the next three years and over a third of all grounds professionals are over the age of 55.

The lack of young people joining the profession is evident with only 3% being under 25. A clear indication that the industry is facing a recruitment crisis and must act now to attract the next generation.

A lack of diversity also continues to be an issue in grounds management with white men still being the most dominant demographic working in the industry. 96% of professional grounds staff are male and only 3% are non-white, which is far from representative of the communities across the UK.

The report also highlights an issue with underinvestment in grounds management, both in terms of procuring the necessary equipment, and the salary levels paid to grounds staff. The association believes that there is a widespread lack of understanding of what skills, technical expertise, and equipment are required to maintain sports grounds to a satisfactory standard. An issue that will be addressed by proactively promoting the work of grounds people and reiterating the message that with no ground, there’s no game.

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GMA Enquiry

Cultivating new turf technologies

including the Trebro AutoStack 3 harvester and a range of Fendt tractors.

The machinery brings considerable benefits to production, particularly in improving Rolawn’s accuracy and efficiency.

Jonathan Hill, Rolawn’s sales director said: “The consistent, superior quality of our turf is no accident. It is the result of years of research, refinement, and improvement.

“We are meticulous about the equipment and technology we introduce, investing time and money to ensure each element introduced positively contributes to the turf growing process and the quality of the product for our customers.

“We’re all driven by something,” Jonathan continues, “At Rolawn we are driven by innovation, by the desire to solve the everchanging challenges faced by landscapers, groundskeepers, stockists, house builders and homeowners, and to do it in a responsible way that limits our impact on the environment.

Aberdeen FC purchase brace of INFINICUT mowers

Aberdeen Football Club have made a major step forward in their aim of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 with the purchase of a brace of battery-powered mowers from INFINICUT.

The combination of an INFINICUT SM34 rotary and 34” fl oating head mower form part of a wider sustainability strategy for The Dons – reducing not just their carbon footprint but noise pollution too.

The Club have recently added their signature to the UN Sports for Climate Change framework - underlining its intent to

become carbon neutral, and are implementing a plan across all areas of operation to meet this commitment.

In charge of this for the fibre-sand stadium pitch is Head Groundsperson David Nicholson, who alongside his team of four are now discovering the many benefits of battery-power.

“We thought the cut quality of our previous petrol-driven machine would be hard to beat but the cut we get from the INFINICUT SM34, together with the powerful suction, is superb,” said David.

Used for the post-match clean-up cut, another thing that has impressed David and the team is the noise – or lack of it – emitted from the mower, equipped with a UXR lithium battery.

Also delivered in July 2022 was an INFINICUT ® FL34. “This has been another fantastic purchase and the floating head has without doubt improved the quality of cut and, in turn, had a really positive impact on plant health even in this relatively short period of time.”

INFINICUT Enquiry 37

Rolawn is strengthening its commitment to the future of turf growing by calling on its long history, finding new solutions to overcome some of the industry’s biggest challenges.

Rolawn, the UK’s marketleading supplier of turf and topsoil, thrives on innovation, a culture that was initiated in

1975 by the founding members of the family-run business and that continues to inform the research and development which keeps Rolawn’s turf production at the forefront of the industry today.

As part of its growing fleet of vehicles, Rolawn has invested in an impressive line-up of sophisticated machinery

“We stand behind each and every one of our products, we take pride in our turf and we’re confident that it’s the technology, processes and people we put in place that make our products so exceptional.”

Rolawn

Enquiry 36

SAGE opens for early bird exhibitors

in partnership with GRASS, and show organisers will be setting sustainability targets for SAGE to meet.

It is also the nominated home event for the new forum GRASS, who will play a key role in the Sustainability section.

The UK’s biggest outdoor trade show for the sports and grounds maintenance industry, SAGE, (19th – 20th July 2023) has opened its books to exhibitors for 2023, with exclusive discounts for those who book their space early.

Hosted at the stunning Three Counties venue in Malvern, Worcestershire, SAGE focuses on live demonstrations and experiences, which is a unique draw for exhibitors and visitors, granting them the opportunity to thoroughly “try before they buy”.

The show returns in 2023, with sponsorship from Weibang UK, and is set to be a highlight of the year for the sports and outdoor maintenance industries, offering visitors and businesses the chance to get hands-on with products to see how they perform. Exhibition Manager, Vicky Panniers stated:

“We’re so excited that SAGE is returning in 2023. We have had a great response from previous exhibitors and are really looking forward to being joined by many new names too.

“There has been a great deal of work put into SAGE to develop the show for 2023 to offer more for exhibitors and visitors, including the development of a new and improved website, which includes a fantastic service directory. On top of this, we have appointed a new, specialist PR agency to support with brand and event awareness to attract more visitors. We have also already secured a great deal of interest from new sectors.”

Sustainability is an important focus for the 2023 event, and it will proudly play host to the Sustainability Solutions for Grounds Specialists Summit live,

Stands are currently available with a 15% early bird discount until 11th November. Early birds will also benefi t from a free demonstration plot (where available) and free entry into the all-new online service directory – maximising their exposure and enhancing their promotion to visitors. For more information, or to book exhibition space, please visit sportsandgrounds. events or contact Vicky Panniers vp@sportsandgrounds.co.uk

SAGE Enquiry 40

SCH products customised to suit requirements

New battery powered weed rippers from

Westermann

Unveiled at SALTEX 2022 by SPA Power Machinery, the Westermann WKB330 Weed Ripper is a compact yet powerful landscaping machine, a smaller version of the larger 660 model.

Available as a battery powered option for working in environmentally sensitive areas and for the today’s landscape professionals looking to invest in a carbon-free fleet of machines.

Efficient and highly productive, Westermann Weed Rippers can clear thick, overgrown weeds in one pass, saving time and money on-site. Lightweight and very portable the new WKB300 features the same heavy-duty

rotating brushes as the larger model. It works fully to the edges of walls and curbs, using the guard side flap to clean-up close to edges.

Westermann machines feature innovative brush technology, powerful enough for the toughest weeds while gentle enough for delicate paving.

The braids apply even pressure, which means there are no scratches to the surface. Its sweeping principle guarantees all edges and corners are cleaned thoroughly, something most other producers consider a challenge. Westermann’s moss brushes, weed rippers, scrapers

and sweepers with ride-on and pedestrian options help maintain weed-free and moss-free facilities and get to work on all types of hard landscaped areas: block paving, verges, carparks, driveways and pavements.

The Westermann range are proven reliable machines from Germany, this professional range are designed for landscapers, grounds maintenance and facilities management.

Westermann machines available from Sheffield-based SPA Power Machinery.

SCH Supplies Ltd has listened to their customers over the past 30 years and has developed a wide range of essential labour and time-saving products.

The Large Capacity Plastic Trailer (LCPTP) is perfect where a bulk, rot-proof transporter is required. The tough, tear-proof plastic can often have a lifespan longer than a steel equivalent.

The wide profi le wheels give the trailer necessary stability over rough or wet ground, and the chassis is built from strong steel, providing the plastic body essential support. A metal buffer is fi tted around the top roll of the trailer to protect the rim when tipping.

The trailer tipping device features an extendable handle,

making the tipping operation an easy task.

The Four Wheel Turn Table Trolley (FBT2) soon becomes an essential part of so many smallholding tasks. The trolley runs on four pneumatic wheels, and the design of the handle allows the trolley to be pulled by hand or towed.

The Hydraulic Tipping Trailer (HTRL) is the largest of the trailer range and has a vast one-tonne capacity meaning fewer trips, saving crucial time. It has four different hydraulic options; each version features a powerful hydraulic ram which can easily lift the unit’s 1-tonne capacity.

The most cost-effi cient model utilises a compact tractor’s single or twin-line hydraulic

system. Alternatively, a manual pump or a 12V electric pump is available for those towing with a garden tractor or an ATV.

The trailer has its wheels mounted under the chassis so the sides can be dropped down unhindered. Alternatively, you can remove the sides for a large-scale platform trolley.

High mesh-covered extension sides more than double the trailer carrying capacity.

Making it perfect for bulky cargo and winter clearance, so the hydraulic tipping trailer can handle it all, whether it’s transporting green waste, animal feed, building materials or machinery.

SCH Supplies Ltd

Enquiry 42

CLEAN UP .... with WESTERMANN

Power Cleaning Products designed for Landscaping and Groundscare. With brushes, scrapers, and rippers and ride-on machines the Westermann range cleans-up the toughest moss, weeds and overgrowth.

High Performance • Radial Brush Technology • Honda Powered

Council chooses agria 9500 for high slope mowing

Scottish Borders Council has purchased an agria 9500 hybrid remote controlled banks mower from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM. Kenneth Naylor, Scottish Borders Council’s Fleet Manager, based at Newtown St Boswells, said the purchase prioritised H&S for the Council’s operations team.

SPA Power Machinery Enquiry 43 Scottish Borders Council has opted for the 70 cm version agria 9500. With brushless motors and electromechanical breaking it takes manoeuvrability to a new level, literally on to banks and hilly areas up to 45 degrees.

Power Cleaners

Call

www.westermannuk com

“We’ve used handheld tools and hired ride-on mowers but tipping and stability were always concerns. Slopes need something safe. The Agria is an unusual and distinctive piece of equipment. I saw something remarkably similar a few years ago in Portugal, which reminded me of a tank, and I thought, that’s the future. It is great; they go anywhere, do anything. You don’t have trips, falls or vibration worries. Your team is safely positioned on the flat up to 100 metres away. It really is the way forward,” he said.

Operated with a handheld control pad and joystick it has a hybrid power system which helps to minimise fuel use.

“Primarily we’ll be using ours anywhere that’s on a slope, so high banking at a housing estate, a park or cemetery, or in a town centre. Instantly they reduce risk for our operating team. It works equally well on the flat, too, but our focus until the end of the season is cutting high areas and making them more presentable.”

agria Enquiry 45

Moss Brushes

Weed Rippers

Muratori distributed in UK by ISEKI

Farmtrac’s best-seller for a compact performance

As Farmtrac’s dealership has expanded, one thing that has become apparent across the country is the popularity of the FT26 and FT26H tractors, distributor Reesink Agriculture reveals. It appears the appeal is universal for those who need results in smaller areas.

Owning a smaller piece of land doesn’t mean you need less power, but it does mean you need to think about the size of your tractor. That’s where Farmtrac’s FT26 and FT26H come in: the perfect options to get the job done in tighter areas without compromising on

results. The differences between the two models start and end with the FT26 sporting a three-range hydrostatic transmission instead of a mechanical one. All the rest of the performance possibilities of each are the same.

Steven Haynes, tractor sales manager for Reesink Turfcare, explains: “The popularity of these models stems from their light and narrow body that effortlessly fits in tighter indoor spaces, as well as their short turning radius which makes them highly manoeuvrable and opens them up to multiple audiences – such as smallholdings,

equestrian centres and growers. And they’re powerful enough to handle fieldwork, boasting an impressive 750kg lift capacity at hitch point. Both the FT26 and FT26H deliver class-leading performance while offering serious value for money.”

Powerful and with highly fuel efficient three-cylinder engines, there is a choice of two transmission options including a three-range hydrostatic transmission with mid PTO bring the performance.

Muratori products are now available to buy from distributors ISEKI UK & Ireland, through their current dealer network.

Muratori designs and manufactures a wide range of tractor mounted implements that can be used in countless applications, from hobby farming, landscaping, professional gardening and horticulture to fruit growing and cultivation on agricultural land.

The range of Muratori implements is one of the most comprehensive in the industry:

• Rotary Tillers for tractors from 12 to 120 HP, with working width from 85 cm (34”) to 305 cm (120”)

• Stoneburiers for tractors from 12 to 240 HP, with working width from 85 cm (34”) to 405 cm (160”)

• Power Harrow for tractors from 15 to 120 HP, with working width from 90 cm (35”) to 300 cm (118”)

• Finishing Mowers for tractors from 12 to 50 HP, with working width from 120 cm (47”) to 230 cm (91”)

• Flail Mowers for grass for tractors from 15 to 120 HP,

with working width from 85 cm (34”) to 280 cm (110”)

• Fertilizer Spreader for powder or granular fertilizers, or salt and sand for use on snowy or icy roads for tractors up to 50 HP

Muratori is renowned for excellent product reliability and customer service thanks to consistent manufacturing experience and development for over 60 years. With customers in over 40 countries, on 5 continents, there is an implement suitable for anyone.

ISEKI Enquiry 46

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry 47

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

A Trilo S4 is proving that multi-functional machinery doesn’t have to mean compromised performance for the team at Calcot Park Golf Club.

Assisting Course Manager Tom Jennings with various maintenance tasks including scarification and cut and collect of the sites biodiversity areas, the S4 is currently tasked with keeping on top of leaf collection with assistance from their new Trilo BL960.

The undulating 18-hole parkland course designed by Harry Colt resides within an exclusive private estate in Berkshire, providing the

picture-perfect backdrop for players of all abilities.

Pre-empting the amount of time and resources that would be required to keep on top of leaf clearance, an S4 was one of the first investments Tom made when he joined Calcot Park four years ago.

“With such a huge number of trees, investing in equipment to collect leaves as quickly and efficiently as possible was a priority. As soon as we saw the Trilo S4 it was a no brainer. We purchased the whole package, including flail and scarifier heads which converts the machine into one we can use year-round.”

To complement the S4, the club have recently purchased a BL960 blower from Trilo, delivered by local dealer Lister Wilder.

“The blower we had on our fleet ran on unleaded and with fuel costs going up, we worked out it was costing us £50 per day to run.

“I had used a BL960 at my previous club and it’s bulletproof so bearing this in mind, along with the savings we could make by running it straight off the PTO shaft and tractor, it was an easy decision.”

Machinery That’s Helping Turf Care Professionals Achieve Perfection

Campey supply market leading, innovative turf care machinery worldwide, we’re continually researching new techniques and refining existing practices.

Adrian Brown appointed Trimax’s Southern Area Sales Manager

Trimax Mowing Systems have appointed Adrian Brown as the Sales Manager for Southern UK.

Taking over from Rikki Bown, who is now Trimax’s Business Development Manager, Adrian brings more than 32 years’ experience within the grounds care and agricultural sector.

From day one, Adrian has been flat out getting to know the Trimax range, meeting new people and re-establishing old contacts.

Adrian has nothing but high praise for Trimax and the spirit flowing through the company.

As for the equipment, every aspect of the Trimax product range is awe inspiring.

“They are the market leaders because of their dedication.

“The design and engineering teams are always improving and upgrading the Trimax range with the customer as the sole focus.

“Everything is aimed at durability, lower cost of ownership, ease of maintenance and longer service cycles.”

Adrian is focused on getting to know the dealer network, driving brand awareness and sales within the south of the country, and supporting customers throughout their Trimax journey.

Trimax Mowing Systems Enquiry 53

Vanmac Enquiry 50

Husqvarna upgrades robotic mower with systematic cutting

Husqvarna, the pioneer in smart commercial grounds care and robotic mowing, presents an upgrade of Husqvarna Automower 550 EPOS – the company’s first ever robotic mower with virtual boundary EPOS technology.

The upgrade which will be available in 2023 will enable a leap in productivity, including doubling the work area capacity to up to 10,000m² due to systematic cutting, which also allows for customised mowing patterns.

In 2020, Husqvarna launched its first virtual boundary robotic mower. Husqvarna Automower 550 EPOS may look the same, but the new version has three major upgrades to increase productivity.

Firstly, the system is now able to cut systematically rather than randomly unlike the previous model, resulting in twice the capacity of the original,

making it the perfect solution for commercial customers with larger turfs to maintain.

Secondly, the mower is equipped with a fi ve-blade cutting disc with enhanced high-speed steel blades, leading to a cleaner cut and longer blade change intervals.

The third improvement is an improved EPOS reference station coverage, simplifying more complex installations in large areas, such as golf courses.

“The upgraded version of Husqvarna Automower 550 EPOS is particularly designed for facility and sports turf management crews with high demands on esthetics, productivity and with minimum noise and CO2 emissions during use”, says Hannah Cooper, Professional Segment Manager at Husqvarna UK.

Husqvarna UK

Enquiry 54

The natural approach with Smithco

There’s no finer natural turf than that found on golf greens and for discerning golfer true greens with consistent ball roll are more important than fast greens.

Smithco’s Tournament greens rollers provide these true putting surfaces. With rolling widths from 91 cm to 1.78 metres, there’s a machine ideal for maximum efficiency on

any golf course. Smithco were one of the first companies to introduce GPS technology for spraying, when their Star Command system debuted in 2012. Today they are on the

third generation of the system on their Spray Star range of industry-leading sprayers.

Smithco Enquiry 55

Top dress with Turfco

Turfco turf maintenance equipment is ideal for natural turf management with a range of topdressing machines that can be tractor-mounted and towedbehind a suitable transport unit.

WideSpin 1550 topdressers are available in truck-mounted and tow-behind models with petrol engine or hydraulic power options.

They are available with standard electronic control or a patented

digital Smart Controller, which provides rate calculation and programmable pre-sets for greater productivity and labour savings. Save preferred applications into four programmable pre-sets, changing widths and rates on the fly, increasing productivity, eliminating guesswork and freeing up your time.

Turfco Enquiry 56

Trilo

and flatbed options,it is extremely popular due to its durability and comfort.Payload of up to 1000 kg (or 6m³).DistributedbyISEKIUK&IrelandacrosstheUK

Creating a professional fi nish with help from ISEKI

Your life easier this winter when clearing up after turf maintenance, whether you are scarifying, vertidraining or just picking up leaves the collection can be done with the ISEKI cut and collect mowers.

Thanks to the powerful collection system on the SF and SXG mower ranges, not only can they collect wet grass easily and

Terra Float Air helps Royal Dornoch’s quest

Imagine your club is in the northerly outreaches of the UK and has truly unpredictable Scottish coastal weather.

Next, factor in that you are a bucket list destination, with 36 holes, and the whole season’s tee times are fully booked months in advance.

That is the reality of Eoin Riddell, Course Manager at The Royal Dornoch Golf Club, renowned the world over for its 18-hole Championship Links and sister course, the Struie.

Now in his 37th year at the club, Eoin, and his skilled team of 20, are accomplished at executing their maintenance tasks efficiently at speed, to accommodate the unique demands of their inspirational surroundings.

Mother Nature also cuts them a little bit of slack, bringing over 18 hours of daylight in their busiest months.At the start of summer, Eoin took delivery of a Wiedenmann Terra Float Air, a 3-in 1 pneumatic overseeder from Wiedenmann UK’s Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Inverness. In just two months,

efficiently, they can also pick up all the scarifying or cores from vertidraining plus any fallen autumn leaves.

The SF range operates a turbine driven collection system, drawing all debris from the rotary deck straight through the chute and propelled into the back of the 950 or 1300 litre collector via an oscillating chute, ensuring maximum capacity

filling, compacting down for the ultimate productivity.

The large collector makes the job very efficient, not having to empty so often saves time plus the high tip of 2.25m allows the user to tip into trailers, avoiding the tedious runs back to the tipping point each time. For a smaller alternative there is the SXG range of mowers, built with

a straight through chute from cutting deck to the collector to avoid any blockages.

ISEKI mowers can truly be used all year round thanks to their extremely capable collect abilities, not just for grass but for turf maintenance clear up and autumn leaf drop too.

ISEKI Enquiry 59

it is already revolutionising the way his team seed their greens and other areas across the vast links courses.

“Traditionally, using a disc seeder, once a year, we’d give the greens a double-pass during the end-of season maintenance week.

“But I’ve been looking for something more dependable that could go out during the season without disruption,” explained Eoin. “When the Air came out at first, I liked it, but its spikerheaded tools that make the seed bed holes weren’t so good for fescue; the holes were too small.

“Then I saw it again at The Links Club at Carnoustie in April this year. Wiedenmann UK’s Mike James demonstrated the new conical roller sleeves which make holes especially for fescue. Instantly, it resonated with me, and I thought, ‘Yes, that’s exactly what I need’.

“The Air is a game changer. We can seed mid-season, with minimal disruption.”

Wiedenmann Enquiry 61

Presentation enhanced at The Mere

The 18-hole, 6,882-yard, par-71 course at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa in Knutsford, Cheshire was designed by James Braid, and created out of 150 acres of Cheshire parkland in 1934.

John Quinn, a native of Donegal in Ireland, has been the Course Manager for the past 4 years, after joining the prestigious resort’s greenkeeping team 6½ years ago. He leads a team of 10 comprising of 8 greenkeepers and two full-time gardeners.

The Mere has joined an everburgeoning list of sports and leisure organisations that have purchased a Ventrac all-terrain compact tractor and selection of attachments. Supplied by local dealer, Cheshire Turf Machinery, the attachments

include a Contour deck, a Stump grinder and Turbine blower.

Commenting on the Ventrac he said: “We are a destination resort and we pride ourselves with the visual appearance of the property and the immaculate presentation of the golf course.

This Ventrac is probably the best innovation in course maintenance in the past 20 years. It will go almost anywhere and its versatility is unparalleled. It’s great in wet areas and ticks all the boxes from a health and safety point of view.

“What other machine allows you to switch out of a mowing deck and attach a stump grinder, then switch again to blowing leaves? It’s an adaptable piece of equipment with

an ingenious coupling system that lets you change implements in under a minute.

“The eight wheels gives it a low centre of gravity, which makes it very safe on slopes, especially around tee banks and bunker surrounds.

“It’s up there with the best machines I’ve used. It’s just a case of getting to know its capabilities and getting the confidence to go where no other ride-on can go.

“It helps us to maintain difficult areas on a regular basis and has certainly enhanced the presentation of the course.”

Price Turfcare Enquiry 62

G-Rake is a game changer

Launched earlier this year by Galloway Steel, the G-Rake is a Patent Pending Excavator Attachment for Soil Conditioning and Stone Raking.

The new, game-changing attachment for the Landscaping sector has had a resounding response so far, with sales, including repeat orders, in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Hunter helps to futureproof the Tigers

A newly installed Hunter irrigation system, supplied by KAR UK, is part of a long-term plan to help futureproof Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, according to Head Groundsman Ed Mowe.

The pitch construction was carried out by Premier Turf who worked with Prime Irrigation.

It was decided that the pitch would benefit from a mixture of Hunter TTS-885 and I-80 rotors, which were supplied by KAR UK - the leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment in the UK.

The 885 rotor belongs to the Hunter TTS-800 portfolio and provides maximum uniformity and longevity. The high-torque gear drives are the strongest in the industry, so the challenges of reclaimed water use, or poor water quality are mitigated.

The TTS-885 also benefits from Hunter’s patented TTS (TotalTop-Service) technology which allows for every serviceable element of the rotor to be accessed through the top.

Mechanical and electrical, big and small, you can get to every component without disturbing the playing surface. That means

there’s no more digging, no more unsightly scars, and more importantly, one less item on a busy turf manager’s schedule.

Other notable features of the TTS-885 include true full-circle and adjustable part-circle (60° to 360 ), exclusive PressurePort nozzle technology, and a radius of 11.3 to 28.7 m.

Meanwhile the I-80 is built with a robust, dirt-tolerant gear drive that offers the highest torque output of any rotor in the commercial sphere, and extends a radius range from 11.3 to 29.6 m. To accompany the rotors Ed opted for the mobile-friendly Centralus irrigation management platform and the Roam remote – which eliminates the need to go back and forth to the sprinkler controller.

This connectivity allows you to view a controller’s status, change settings, view forecasts, save water, and receive instant notifications of important system alarms — all without costly and time-consuming travel and site visits.

There has also been worldwide interest in the product following videos published on social media by Galloway Steel and the end users.

The G-Rake is available in three working widths of 1500mm, 1200mm and 900mm to suit Mini-Diggers ranging from 1.5 Tonne to 8 Tonne.

The Spray Star 1200 features industry leading options such as the TeeJetTM Radion Auto-Rate Controller, Radion with Dyna-JetTM Pulse Width Modulation, or Smithco’s Star Command II providing consistently less than 1in/2.5cm corrections, turn compensation, and featuring industry-leading 10in/25cm nozzle spacing offering a 100% greater accuracy than our competitors.

HYDRO TRACTION DRIVE

Centre mounted engine and hydropump providing the ultimate quality in serviceability and balance. Hydrostat allows for constant engine RPM providing flow and pressure to the spray system for a consistent spray application across any terrain. Smithco’s Spray system features unmatched control in maintaining ground speed, all while tackling any obstacles in its way.

ULTRA HIGH FLOW

Rocker switch operated pump. 70 gpm (225 lpm). 10-60 psi (0-7.4 bar). Stainless high volume centrifugal with silicon carbide seals. Making for a high performance and costefficient pumping system.

CAB-FORWARD DESIGN

Ergonomically designed for superior visibility, handling, and comfort, the Spray Star 1200’s cab-forward design makes the work simple, comfortable, and enjoyable.

Smithco Spraystar ad 183x130mm.indd 1

The flexible design also allows for a range of hydraulic motor sizes to be fitted, ensuring you have the correct pressure and flow for your excavator.

The product features three main components, when combined together, dramatically reduces labour to save time and money:

• Front Rake – for separating larger stones prior to raking.

• Hardox Teeth Rotor –for gathering and raking stones.

• Rear Roller – for leaving a firm seed bed.

All of the wear plates on the three components are made from Hardox 450 steel to guarantee impact toughness and longer wear life, so you can achieve even greater savings.

The three components are also easily adjusted, in either height or angle, giving the attachment real versatility depending on the project or soil condition.

The reaction so far has been very clear that the G-Rake is an innovative attachment that is

massively reducing labour costs and stress of the traditional raking and soil conditioning methods. Scan the QR Code with your camera to see the G-Rake in action.

Galloway Steel Enquiry 64

SISIS Maxislit proves beneficial for club

Pastures Golf Club in Derby no longer need to rely on a contractor to aerate their fairways after they recently purchased a SISIS Maxislit.

Set in the grounds of the old Pastures Hospital, Pastures Golf Club is a well-established course built on meadowland. The SISIS Maxislit is a tractor mounted deep slitting aerator for sports field maintenance, golf course maintenance and amenities, with deep, clean penetration.

Sturdy Stoneburier proves the ideal investment

After years of hiring various makes and models of stoneburier with varying levels of success, ATV Contract Services Limited decided the time was right to purchase their own machine and went for the most robust model they could find - the Stoneburier from GKB Machines.

Managing Director Paul Hensman noticed the superior build quality Stoneburier at a dealer open day, and in the few months since its delivery it has more than lived up to expectations - taking commercial groundwork projects, on tough terrain, in its stride.

The Stoneburier utilises blades that rotate against the direction of travel to effectively screen stones and other debris from the

top 7” of the surface, creating an optimal seedbed in a single pass.

One particular feature that has impressed Paul and the team is the 45o angle on the GKB blades meaning that when they turn in the ground, no pan layer is created. He explains, “Other stoneburiers we’ve used with blades at 90o to the rotor can actually compact the ground in such a way that restricts drainage and negatively impacts seed germination.

“That simple design feature on the GKB Stoneburier makes a huge difference to not only the quality of finish, but how often the machine will jam or clog up.”

GKB Machines Enquiry 67

Don’t fall foul to

Suitable for maintenance of football, rugby and cricket pitches and golf courses, it can also be used for lawns and formal garden areas.

Aeration is needed to improve drainage, reduce turf compacting, thatch build up and boost the health of turf.

The Maxislit produces outstanding underground cultivation due to the angle of the tines and spiral design of tine shaft assist penetration and

its simple design requires little maintenance.

“As a minimum, our aim is to use the Maxislit twice a year in spring – to help get the grass ready to grow and also in autumn – to open it up ready for when it needs to hold moisture,” said Head Greenkeeper Paul Smith. “We’ll use it on the fairways and approaches initially and then eventually look to use it on the greens.”

SISIS Enquiry 66

Mortonhall joins hybrid machinery ranks

The latest club to join the hybrid machinery ranks with Toro is Mortonhall Golf Club in Edinburgh.

The club which is widely regarded as one of the best parkland courses in the Lothians has acquired two Reelmaster 5010-H hybrid fairway mowers and two Greensmaster 3420 TriFlex hybrid riding greensmowers from distributor Reesink Scotland as part of a series of efforts to reduce the club’s environmental impact and help protect the course’s biodiversity.

Course manager Grant Moran explains how this is part of a huge undertaking in course improvements to assist the club in becoming one of Edinburgh’s must-play courses: “We are undergoing major renovations to ensure we stay at the top of the list of best Edinburgh courses to play.”

This list of work includes but is not limited to habitat enhancing projects, awareness campaigns and the switch to more

sustainable energy sources like solar power, all of which made it possible for the club to receive the Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Charter Award in 2010. And the hard work continues with the gradual replacement of the club’s machinery fleet with more ecofriendly alternatives.

These machines’ hybrid credentials come from Toro’s patented PowerMatch with an in-line motor generator and a self-recharging 48-volt battery pack for the Reelmaster 5010-H, while the Greensmaster 3420 is the first product to earn Toro’s EnergySmart label.

They both maximise fuel economy to improve cost of ownership (about 20 percent over a conventional mower), are quieter and greatly reduce the risk of hydraulic leaks.

Proving hybrid machines can match their diesel counterparts in longevity too, all four are used machines.

Reesink Turfcare Enquiry

The rise of the robot

Line marking products and practices have progressively evolved over many decades. GPS/ RTK (Global Positioning System/ Real Time Kinematics) technology has been used for many decades in agriculture and turf production for crop management and for surveying construction and road building projects.

Recently harnessed for emerging, cutting-edge robotic technologies for grounds maintenance, it is fast becoming as commonplace and indispensable as the technologies we use in daily life for example, a standard GPS receiver in-car satellite navigation system.

“Using the most advanced robotic technology allows the operator to carry out other essential tasks such as mowing, aeration, spraying and spreading while the robot does the marking; making the most of valuable resources when seasonal workload is at its peak,” explains Jayne Leyland, Product Manager from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS).

“In addition, robots are designed to spray ready to use paint technology such as Impact, using from as little as 1.1 litres of paint per standard sized football pitch and eliminating

the messy, time-consuming inconsistencies associated with dilutable concentrate paints. With significant time and money saving benefits all round, robots are increasingly valued as the smart investment.

“In fact, autonomous robotic technologies for precision initial and over-marking have proven so successful since their introduction 5 years ago that there are now two Tiny Mobile Robot models to choose from.”

The recently launched Tiny PRO X is designed for multiple venue, multiple sport marking for metropolitan authorities, contractors, service providers and larger educational

Pitchmark takes its place on world stage

Preparations at England’s World Cup 2022 training camp at the Al-Wakrah Sports Complex started much sooner with Pitchmark shining brightest in the Middle East.

Since Pitchmark’s inception in 2010, the Bristol-based company have supplied line marking paints, equipment, and machinery to top international stadia like Wembley Stadium and international sporting events.

In 2019, Pitchmark was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade after demonstrating an exceptional growth record and success overseas – and the past twelve months have been no different.

Pitchmark’s Managing Director Tim Rodman and Group Sales Manager Oliver Boys have built strong relationships throughout the Middle East over the past few years, and their recent trip to Qatar focused on tailor-made

training and education sessions to suit the unique conditions.

Hand-built to the highest standards and proudly bearing the Made in Britain mark, Pitchmark’s Classic transfer wheel marker and the innovative three-wheeled Hybrid spray marker were on display at Stadium 974, Khalifa International Stadium and Lusail Stadium, as well as the LineFix System.

Using semi-permanent ground sockets that remain installed in the pitch, LineFix is a unique system developed by the Pitchmark R&D team that has benefitted customers at grassroots and professional stadia by not only increasing accuracy but simplifying the remarking process.

This will allow the grounds staff in Qatar to string out completely accurately every time.

Pitchmark Enquiry 71

establishments, while the Tiny SPORT is ideal for training grounds, sports clubs, schools and district councils.

Origin Amenity Solutions Enquiry 70

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“It was also about helping the team, so they didn’t feel under pressure all the time. With the robot, where it’s taken us six or seven weeks to mark everything, we can effectively do that in a week now. Suddenly, the pressure has gone, and if we have staff on holiday or off sick, it keeps us out of trouble ”

Lee Marshallsay, Head Grounds Manager, Eton College

Impact Match

Turf Tank unveils latest robotic software

Turf Tank, leading robotic line marking company and winner of the 2017 Saltex Innovation Award, brought the revolutionary Turf Tank One back to the event this year.

It also unveiled the next generation robotic line marking software that improves usability, make the process even faster and easier, and offer more customisation options.

Turf Tank is the Danish robotics company that created the Turf Tank One, world’s first autonomous line marking robot. The innovative system is already proving successful for groundscare professionals across the UK.

“We’re dealing with an establishment where people are investing a lot of money sending their kids to a private school which excels in all areas of education on and off the pitch,” explained Lee Marshallsay, Grounds Manager, Eton College. “So, I want to make sure that the pitches reflect that level of expectation.

The Turf Tank robot brings a quality of perfomance and reliability that we expect..”

Richard Hare, Head Groundsperson at Bromsgrove School, said with the traditional way of marking pitches, there was a lot of time wasted.

“Today we’ve marked five pitches, which would have taken our staff three-four days,” he added. “With the robot, we’ve done that in an afternoon! It’s the future of line marking.”

For Ewan Hunter, Grounds Manager at Nottingham Forest FC, it is the quality of the finished lines that make the investment worthwhile. “It wasn’t until we used the GPS machine that it highlighted the fact that when you come to mark a line freehand, they creep a bit,” he said.

“And then they creep a little bit more. And then they creep a little bit more, and you don’t really notice the little bit of creeping until you get a GPS line marker overmarking the pitches that were already there.

“You realise that they’ve moved a considerable amount of distance, and it kind of highlights that the lines were actually in the wrong place.”

Turf Tank Enquiry 73

Tiny Pro X

Switch to Suståne delivers strong and sustainable greens

A greens programme from Suståne has been praised for delivering sustainable, steady and healthy growth at Wildernesse Golf Club.

After making the switch six years ago, Course Manager Mark Todd cites that the combination of bi-monthly granular feeds and regular liquid applications has actively encouraged the natural soil biology, helping to reduce disease occurrence and in turn costly fungicide applications.

The programme consists of Suståne’s 4-6-4 slow-release fertiliser, 5-2-4+Fe and Suståne Turf Revival® 6-2-4 which is

applied regularly, in addition to being Mark’s ‘go-to’ for post renovation recovery. Turf Revival 6-2-4 combines sources of water-soluble nitrogen with Suståne’s unique organic compost base which supplies a range of nutrients to enhance recovery and replenish soilincluding a rich supply of humus and mycorrhizal fungi which contribute to effi cient nutrient uptake and overall plant health.

“We have definitely noticed an improvement in plant health, less disease activity and steady growth – not peaks and troughs which tend to be evident with other products,” said Mark.

A liquid fertiliser with essential plant oils

To help minimise disease pressure, Indigrow have developed Diamond Green, the latest innovation to the turf managers fight against well know turf diseases.

Diamond Green is a liquid fertiliser based on potassium, calcium and magnesium which contains essential plant oils to enhance plant health and increase disease resistance.

The combination of potassium, calcium and magnesium included in the Diamond Green formulation helps increase cell wall strength within the plant and enhance root mass. The increased resistance to disease in achieved through this improvement in cell wall strength and increased root mass.

“We have also seen an increase in our bent population which is obviously beneficial for a more sustainable management approach moving forwards.

“In addition to our regular feeds, we’ve also had great success with Suståne’s Bolster liquid plant biostimulant.” Bolster is specially formulated to prepare plants for stress conditions by increasing root mass and growth, and accelerating chlorophyll production, improving its tolerance to heat, cold and frost and minimising pressure from parasitic nematodes.

Suståne Greens Enquiry 75

ICL is the one for Chart Hills

Neil Lowther, Course Manager at Chart Hills Golf Club, has revealed how utilising a range of ICL products has resulted in vastly improved fairways and greens.

Neil admits that a lack of investment previously prevented him from using the products that he wanted to, but the new owners gave him an opportunity to reassess exactly what he needed.

Neil credits Craig Brisley, Sales Director at Collier Turf Care, for suggesting ICL products and says that he was sold on them following a trial with Sierrablen

Plus Turf Starter 5.28.0 which features Pearl technology to aid early establishment.

Through independent trials, data has revealed significantly increased rooting when Sierrablen Plus with Pearl technology is used as part of a seedbed preparation and during turflaying. Furthermore, there was a 2.5 x increase in rooting when compared to another existing high-performing product.

Neil continues to use a range of ICL products from the

Sierrablen Plus range and says Sierrablen Plus Stress Control 15-5-22 fertiliser helped his fairways recover after a Red thread disease outbreak and loss of coverage at the end of 2021.

As part of his ICL programme, Neil also relies on products such as Sportsmaster Spring & Summer 9.7.7, Sierrablen Plus Mini 37.0.0, H2Pro AquaSmart wetting agent on his fairways and a range of SierraformGT products on the greens.

ICL Enquiry 76

Green-tech now distributor of NUE-TREE FERT

Green-tech have added NUETREE FERT to their range of forestry planting products. This move enables Green-tech to offer a complete nutritional range of fertilisers for the forestry industry.

NUE-TREE FERT has been developed by Origin Fertilisers who have over 50 years technical experience of supplying woodland reforestation schemes. This is a tried and tested range that focuses on nutrient use efficiency. Green-tech will be adding five

products to its range:

1. NUE-TREE FERT CRFA high quality, controlled release fertiliser developed specifically for planting hole application.

2. NUE-TREE FERT GAFSA P - A rock phosphate in an easy to apply granular form. Extremely versatile with no risk of leaching.

3. NUE-TREE FERT GAFSA PK - Most suitable phosphate for trees in UK conditions. It combines

Nutrition is the answer

As well as the macro and micro nutrients, Diamond Green also contains essential plant oils which further enhance plant health and the ability of the turf grass plant to resist disease pressure.

The latest research undertaken has proven that these essential plant oils have shown to directly have an effect on the pathogen, in terms of slowing down the growth inhibiting the disease.

All of these benefits to the turf grass plant help to improve the plants natural resistance to many known pathogens.

rock phosphate and potash.

4. NUE-TREE FERT NPProvides essential nutrients for establishment and maintenance in high K soils. It combines nitrogen and rock phosphate.

5. NUE-TREE FERT NPK - Promotes strong root development. Combines nitrogen, rock phosphate and potash in an easy to apply granular form.

Green-tech Enquiry 77

Most Multigreen® analyses contain an uncoated, ‘fast start’ portion and a polymer-coated, controlled release prill. The prill takes up moisture through pores in the polymer-resin coating. The initial release period provides quick turf response at low soil temperatures.

Soil temperatures of 6°C facilitate release from the polymer coated portion triggering grass growth.

See us at Saltex 2022 on Stand G060

EGO unveils new products for 2023

EGO Power Plus, the batterypowered outdoor power equipment specialist, has debuted its new 2023 range for grounds care professionals

A new year will need a new world’s first and EGO can deliver, its latest Line Trimmer featuring Line IQ, the world’s first automatic line feeding technology which requires no bumping of the head while tackling areas of long grass.

Dubbed the industry’s easiest line loading, the EGO Line IQ Trimmer is not one to miss.

EGO’s new lifestyle range including the world’s most

powerful cordless area light, the brand-new Nexus Escape, which includes a 240V AC power outlet, allowing you to charge devices up to 400 Watts and the 18-inch cordless misting fan, all of which use EGO’s powerful ARC lithium batteries.

Vince Brauns, Group Product Manager at EGO, comments: “The rising cost of living and increasing cost of petrol will be hitting every business hard this year. With EGO, they can reduce these costs by making the switch to battery, all whilst producing less noise, less vibration, and no fumes.”

EGO Enquiry 81

Pellenc is Grade A at Marchmont House

A range of Pellenc batterypowered equipment is helping to maintain the grounds at one of Scotland’s grandest mansions.

Marchmont House is a ‘Grade

A’ listed Palladian mansion

in Berwickshire built in 1750 by Hugh Hume-Campbell, 3rd Earl of Marchmont.

It is regarded as one of the grandest mansions in Scotland and over the years has been home to makers and creators

who have inspired many through creativity.

The new fleet consisting of Helion hedge-cutters, Rasion mowers, Excelion strimmers and Airion blowers, which he purchased through Agrovista

Amenity. Pellenc offers an industry leading four-year commercial warranty for all batteries and a three-year warranty for all tools.

Etesia Enquiry 80

Husqvarna launch chainsaws with heated handles

Husqvarna has introduced the first-ever battery-powered chainsaws with heated handles, allowing tree professionals to be able to stay comfortably warm in cold conditions and keep going for longer periods.

Available in the first quarter of 2023, this feature will be included in Husqvarna’s T540i

XP G top-handle and 540i

XP G rear-handle chainsaws, which are upgraded versions of the company’s popular battery chainsaws for professionals. The chainsaws will also feature a digital oil sensor reminding users to refill the chain oil, which improves performance and reduces maintenance.

Tree care professionals work outdoors for long periods and

in all types of weather therefore heated handles make their work significantly more comfortable and help them maintain focus on the task at hand even in freezing temperatures or rain.

Husqvarna Enquiry 83

Makita launches high performance blower

Expanding its range of grounds maintenance tools and machines, Makita has launched the UB002C 36V Battery Backpack Blower.

Designed to meet the needs of professional contractors, the UB002C matches the performance of a 50cc petrol machine and delivers the long run-times required but with minimal noise and vibration.

The powerful UB002C features a simple variable speed control and produces a blowing force of 22 newtons, a maximum air volume of up to 19.0 m3 /min and an air velocity of up to 76.0 m/sec.

The 36V power is supplied by the Makita PDC1200 portable backpack battery, which can be

used with a range of compatible Makita cordless machines.

The PDC1200 includes a 33Ah solid state battery and with the UB002C provides approximately a 45-minute continuous run-time at maximum power, offering most contractors enough to cover a day’s work based on actual trigger time.

One of the key advantages of the backpack confi guration of the UB002C is that it reduces user fatigue, especially when used for longer periods of time.

With the weight of the machine and battery transferred to the user’s back, rather than supported by their arm, the UB002C can be operated more comfortably for

STIHL offers most powerful cordless top handle chainsaw

STIHL has launched the MSA 220 T and MSA 220 TC-O, the manufacturers most powerful and durable cordless top handled chainsaws to date, designed for tree care professionals to remove larger branches or perform crown maintenance with ease.

Recommended with a lightweight 14” guide bar, both MSA 220 T models use a high performing PS3 full-chisel saw chain to achieve a fast, high-quality cut. The recommended AP 300 S battery delivers 2.1 kW of electrical power, providing up to 29 minutes of working time and plenty of power for cutting larger sized branches.

Both models have an adjustable oil pump, an ergonomic trigger system and a 180 LED display, ensuring the operator always has a clear overview of key information such as the operating status of the saw and the chain brake position. In addition to these features, the MSA 220

TC-O also has an oil sensor that will notify the user when the chain oil tank is empty, helping to reduce potential downtime, premature wear to the cutting attachment and the risk of overheating.

The MSA 220 T and TC-O top handle chainsaws are built with durability in mind and are suitable for use in the toughest conditions thanks to the hard-wearing components.

Maintenance of the machine is kept simple via the MSA 220 T’s modular design, allowing housing parts to be removed and replaced quickly and simply.

Other features include sidemounted chain tensioning, captive nut on the sprocket cover and tool-free oil tank cap as standard. In addition, the MSA 220 T boasts an easy-to-clean air filter for long service life and optimum motor cooling.

STIHL Power Enquiry 85

longer. The design of the harness, with padding in key areas, also makes it comfortable to wear.

For ease of use, the UB002C has a cruise control feature, an adjustable control grip position and LED battery gauge indicator for simple power monitoring.

It is also IPX4 rated meaning it is showerproof and can therefore be used in changeable weather conditions.

The UB002C is available as a body only (UB002CZ) option or supplied with the PDC1200A02 portable battery pack (UB002CX3).

Makita Enquiry 84