Professional Groundscare September 2022

The GMA’s CEO, Geoff Webb joined England Manager, Gareth Southgate and stars from cricket, rugby union and rugby league to mark a game-changing multisport, multi-million-pound investment announcement.

As part of a £92 million, threeyear multi-sport investment commitment, the Football Foundation has extended use of their FREE revolutionary pitch inspection app, PitchPower, to cricket, rugby union and rugby league clubs.

Through PitchPower, community clubs and organisations are able to carry out their own grass pitch inspections and receive bespoke advice and recommendations from experts at the Grounds Management Association to improve the quality of their grass pitches.

PitchPower has already been a game-changer in transforming the country’s grass football pitches. In its trial alone, PitchPower helped to inspect almost 5,000 football pitches, leading to £8.6m of Football Foundation investment.

The app is now available to rugby league and is set to go live for rugby union at the season opener on 17/18th September,

whilst cricket will follow at the next season.

Beyond inspections, from Spring 2023, a new £15m funding pot will also be made available via the Football Foundation over the next three years enabling cricket, rugby league and rugby union clubs to apply for a grant funded by the Sport England National Lottery fund.

Football Foundation says, “Grass pitches are essential to grassroots sport. Better grass pitches will mean fewer matches will be postponed and more people can play more rugby, cricket, and football. The PitchPower app will help revolutionise the quality of grass pitches across England. We know that more opportunities to

play improves not only physical health but also mental wellbeing, the places we live and the local economy too.”

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb says, “The Ground Management Association is proud to have been a key delivery partner in the pilot for the PitchPower app and continues to work closely with the Football Foundation as we extend the service to a wider sporting community enabling cricket and rugby to also start reaping the benefits.

“If there’s no ground, there’s no game. As simple as that, so we welcome this additional investment to support grounds management.”

GMA Enquiry 35

Dennis PRO 34R’s are supreme at BT Murrayfield

A trio of Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers have impressed Jim Dawson, Scottish Rugby’s Head Groundsman at BT Murrayfield, with him labelling them “supreme machines”.

Having been a greenkeeper and a groundsman, the well-respected Jim Dawson has worked in the turf industry throughout his whole career picking up several prestigious awards and accolades along the way.

After leaving his last position at Falkirk FC he has nurtured the pitch at Scotland’s largest stadium for just over a decade. Throughout his career, Jim has always been familiar with the Dennis brand.

“When I first think of Dennis I think of very sound and robust

machines,” he said. “They are very trustworthy, reliable and the construction of them is first class whether it be one of their cylinder or rotary mowers.”

Jim has been a long-term admirer of the Dennis G860 cylinder mower claiming it was a ‘gamechanger’ when it was first launched. Therefore, he welcomed the news of Dennis manufacturing a 34-inch rotary mower.

“Dennis made sure they got the right machine in terms of quality, usability and for the overall customer experience. It was key for them, and it absolutely worked.

“We got a demo of the mower and we thought it was out of this world. I put it to the board to request three PRO 34R’s and they supported my decision.”

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34inch (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface.

It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful

vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently. Many operators of the PRO 34R have praised the size and speed of the machines, claiming that they save a huge amount of time and resources. Jim and his team at BT Murrayfield are no exception.

Dennis Enquiry 37

Headland Greens Programme praised for transformation

After previously suffering with the side effects of excessive thatch content, the Course Manager at Gillingham Golf Club has praised a programme from Headland Amenity for its role in transforming the health and presentation of the greens.

Together with a comprehensive cultural regime, the improvement in course condition has seen a reduction in disease activity and reduced reliance on fungicides, and saw Gillingham proudly play host to a Kent Golf Captains event for the very first time.

John Hunnisett joined as Course Manager just over a year ago, where he was faced with a course that lacked any definition – with multiple areas including bunker surrounds and tee banks left completely unmaintained.

Soil analysis taken by Andy Ward, Headland Technical Manager, highlighted high levels of organic matter in the top 20mm which, combined with an increase in aeration, scarification and topdressing, has been improved with a new nutritional regime.

“Our summer programme consists of Protec Plus, TeMag Elite, Turfite Elite and Ascoflex Plus. This combination of products delivers a long-lasting, balanced supply of nitrogen together with maximising health and recovery following periods of heat and/or stress.

We have received lots of positive comments from the members about the

presentation, with many saying that the greens have never looked better.”

“In the autumn and winter we switch to Headland’s 20-2030 tank-mix which is probably my favourite discovery and has made the biggest difference to the greens.

“The combination of reducing organic matter and enhancing plant health with monthly applications of 20-20-30 between September and March drastically reduced the amount of disease we registered – and what we did get was easily recoverable and didn’t lead to scarring.”

Headland’s industry-leading 20-20-30 tank-mix combines Liquid Turf Hardener, Turfite Elite and Seamac ProTurf Fe, proven to deliver enhanced plant strength and disease resistance when applied as part of a preventative approach.

Headland Amenity Enquiry 38

VALE ATV weed spraying system can save time, staff resources and

VALE Engineering is the UK’s leading supplier of weed control and winter maintenance equipment for the municipal and amenity sectors.

The company supplies highspecification Yamaha ATV quad bikes fitted with weed spraying equipment that can save time, staff resources and money - according to Paul Eccles of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

The PKL Spraying System is generally considered to be

one of the most robust and reliable in the marketplace, being one of the only spraying systems suitable for kerb-edge spraying, hard surfaces and mowing margins.

Paul Eccles, Operations Supervisor at Tameside, comments: “VALE has saved us time, staff resources and, most of all, money.

“Their PKL system has allowed us to utilise our time and resources much more efficiently, keeping on top of

the weed growth as well as all our other commitments. I would definitely recommend the VALE equipment and training to others.

“For the cost, I genuinely can’t see a better way as these ATVs mean my team can get around easily and spray every street within the Borough. I would recommend the VALE PKL system to any authority with weed control responsibility.”

VALE

Enquiry 41

Vermorel knapsacks put grounds team in their comfort zone

Head groundsman Jason O’Keele and his six-strong Epsom College team are all dab hands with knapsack sprayers.

“Everyone has their PA6 certificate so they can use them whenever we need to weed and feed,” says Jason.

The team manage an 85acre estate, 12 hectares devoted to sport, including five cricket squares, 12 turf pitches, two synthetics and plenty of planted-up borders lining college staff and pupil accommodation at the 1,200-head co-educational independent school, so there’s plenty of opportunity for them to hone their spray skills.

Part of Commercial Groundscare Services’ team of professionals who tend school sports facilities throughout Surrey, the Epsom College contingent are based permanently on site.

“I like to give team members different jobs to tackle as that creates more interest for them, rather than doing the same thing all the time,” explains Jason, whose allegiance to Hozelock Exel knapsack brands dates back some years.

“Our Cooper Pegler professional sprayer has always run without any trouble but I wanted a couple more knapsacks so that we could speed up the effi ciency of our spraying programme,” he says.

“I trialled the 16l capacity Pro Comfort 2000 sprayer in the

Berthoud Vermorel range, liked it, and have just bought another one. What impressed me were the chest and back strap supports. Ergonomically designed, they make spraying comfortable, and that’s important if you are out there for a day non stop.

“Also helpful is the zip bag of spare nozzles and accessories and the extendable lance, which lets us reach into corners and the back of borders.”

Jason keeps the weed and feed programmes separate, using each Vermorel knapsack for discrete duties.

“In spring and summer we’re out every fortnight for a couple of days, applying liquid iron across the ornamental lawns with one of the knapsacks while using a mix of systemic herbicide and liquid nitrogen with the other.

Winter sees the team applying moss and algae treatment liquid monthly to the two synthetic

pitches. Each of the three premium grade knapsacks –Vermorel 1800, Pro Comfort 2000 and top-range 3000 Electric – come with ergonomically contoured, sturdy backframe as standard.

Safety harnesses provide rising levels of support progressing through the line – from padded shoulder straps on the ‘1800’, to padded shoulder, waist and chest strapping on the ‘2000’ and fully specified ‘3000’.

All Vermorel knapsacks are easy to use and dismantle for servicing and repair.

They are also suitable for applying sanitisers and disinfectants and are available with a host of spares and accessories such as spray shields, seal and nozzle kits and multinozzle spray booms to give operators even greater flexibility.

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HYDRO TRACTION DRIVE

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.

Cooper Pegler Enquiry

GPS sprayer leads step change in philosophy as new fleet beds in

A major overhaul of equipment and the adoption of cuttingedge technology is driving a new, long-term strategy at The Leicestershire Golf Club (TLGC).

Led by Course Manager, Steve Hardy, and backed up by the club’s management committee, the grounds team is now able to perform their roles to a higher level while also making significant efficiency gains.

Steve proposed sweeping changes. Within weeks he had organised demonstrations with major brands of the mowers, sprayers and utility vehicles he felt the club needed.

Working with Jacob Shellis from John Deere dealer Farol, Steve ordered four 2750

Precision Cut greens mowers, two 7500A fairway mowers, a 9009 Terrain Cut for roughs and surrounds, and a HPX Gator for picking up on the driving range and general course transport.

But the stand-out purchase for Steve is the HD200 GPS precision sprayer which has revolutionised the way the team applies herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers.

The 757-litre capacity PrecisionSprayer is based on Deere’s ProGator heavy-duty

utility vehicle chassis and is packed full of technology such as AutoTrac, which guides the machine for the operator, and automatic section control to turn on and shut off individual nozzles.

This means spraying greens becomes far more accurate as there is no overlap or nontarget areas sprayed with expensive chemicals.

Steve estimates that he is now spraying at least 30% less chemical, purely due to the accuracy of the machine – his chemical budget for disease control has already been reduced to reflect the change.

Smithco Spray Star for Hunstanton Golf Club

Located on the north Norfolk coast, Hunstanton Golf Club, with its superb championship links course, has recently purchased a Spray Star 2000 self-propelled sprayer from local dealer, Ernest Doe and Sons.

Commenting on the new machine, head greenkeeper Peter Read said, “This sprayer is a big leap forward and is really simple to operate. The guidance system is superb and you only spray the areas you want to.

“I’m saving around £600 every time I apply a wetting agent and that’s twice a month on greens and three times on fairways during the summer. I’ll probably save a further £2,000 on fungicide applications during the year.”

Smithco Enquiry

Alongside accuracy and convenience, Steve says he appreciates the time saving.

All the new machines are fitted with Modular Telematics Gateways (MTG) receivers, allowing Steve to track the status and performance of each model. The fully connected fleet is also remotely monitored by Farol so, when scheduled maintenance is required, TLGC is contacted without needing to act.

The information is fed to the John Deere Operations Center and so far, shows a great step forward in efficiency.

John Deere Enquiry 45

Weed removal without chemicals

Bema’s latest sweeper - the Groby Light – which allows easy and effective weed removal without using chemicals, is proving extremely popular with local authorities, municipalities and their contractors.

The Groby Light can be fitted to a range of small carrier vehicles and offers a broad choice of brushes, from steel fl at wire to PPN. The machine also features plastic-coated, steel fl at wire tufts to remove weeds from gutters, joints and other hardto-reach places.

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“There is growing pressure to remove weeds from the public realm without using chemicals, as they can pose of health risk to people, flora and fauna,” says Philip Bryant of Bema Sweepers UK.

Foamstream helping to drive the rise in councils going chemical-free

As tighter controls come into force on the use of Glyphosatebased products around Europe, it is perhaps unsurprising that a recent study has found increasing numbers of councils in the UK have voluntarily turned to chemical-free weed control solutions.

One of the driving factors for this could be the improvement in the effectiveness of non-herbicidal methods available, with Foamstream from Weedingtech proven to deliver vegetation control comparable to that of Glyphosate in independent trials.

Effective from 1st July, rules regarding the application of Glyphosate have been extended in France – banning its use not just in municipality settings, but now in all public and private areas including residential properties.

However, despite its known toxicity and negative impact on

both the operator and environment, its use is still permitted in all situations in the UK.

The good news is that recent reports published in The Guardian demonstrate that the number of councils, from parish to county level, turning to natural alternatives is on the rise – with an estimated 80 councils around the UK now proudly chemical-free.

“This rise is brilliant news and indicates the increasing concern that councils and the wider public now have about Glyphosate” comments Thomas Hamilton, CoFounder of Weedingtech. “But for this positive growth to continue, Councils needs to be assured that the non-chemical alternatives available are effective and viable – from both a commercial and financial perspective.”

Since its launch in 2011, Foamstream has proved a

Nomix Enviro helps meet the challenge of climate change

successful solution to users from all corners of grounds and green space management.

The active ingredient is hot water, insulated by a biodegradable, organic foam derived from natural plant oils and sugars which keeps the water in the ‘kill zone’ of 57oC and above for longer. As well as killing the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, preventing future weed growth and resulting in half the number of treatment cycles required when compared to other non-chemical options.

In four separate trials conducted by the University of Athens, the overall efficacy of hot foam used to treat a wide range of broadleaf weeds - including species that can be difficult to control by conventional methods - was found to be comparable to that of glyphosate. It was concluded that Foamstream

provided an environmentally friendly and effective alternative, outperforming other nonchemical methods which only provided a moderate level of weed control.

One of the many councils now using Foamstream is Glastonbury Town Council, having previously used traditional herbicides to treat spaces in the town centre, residential areas and school perimeters. “A lot of our residents, myself included, are concerned at the use of chemical herbicides around the places where our children play” explains Councillor Emma George.

“One of the greatest things about Foamstream is its complete nontoxicity, backed up by its Soil Association stamp of approval, and its viability on all types of weeds and all types of surfaces.”

Weedingtech Enquiry 50

After an exceptionally hot, dry summer, many parts of the UK are facing severe drought. In planning their weed control programmes, amenity users are looking to reduce their use of water and adapt to the increasing challenge of climate change.

Conventional herbicide application, along with some nonherbicide treatments, rely on using large volumes of fresh water to treat weed growth. This can result in thousands of litres being sprayed on streets and other amenity areas, completely avoidably.

At a time when the use of water for domestic needs is being restricted, these practices are rightly being called into question.

Nomix’s Total Droplet Control system requires NO water at the point of application. All products are ready-to-use (no mixing needed) and applied at extremely low volumes. This protects a precious and diminishing natural resource and helps users deal with the impact of our changing climate. Additionally, some weed control

methods can consume significant amounts of fossil fuel during application. This can be from vehicles, burners, or generators, with some non-herbicide methods being particularly resource intensive. This results in unnecessary pollutants being released into the atmosphere, posing a risk to urban air quality, which has been proven as a major contributor to respiratory diseases and other illnesses.

Nomix Total Droplet Control helps users reduce their emissions, and thereby lessening the impact on the environment. Nomix’s hand-held applicators eliminate emissions at the point of application, being entirely powered by clean battery technology. No vehicles or machinery are required.

Nomix can help you meet the challenge of climate change, reduce your glyphosate usage, and reduce the number of applications needed by using our market-leading residual herbicide, Nomix Dual –the only extended-action product approved for use on UK streets.

Nomix Enquiry 51

Introducing the new and improved WeedMaster S

Multevo are the sole UK distributor of Waterkracht’s range of hot water weed control solutions.

Waterkracht’s Boiling Hot Water Technique delivers hot water at low pressure consistently at 98 C to kill the cellular structure of the weed. Their range of equipment requires absolutely no additives to kill weeds, eliminating the associated risks and additional costs.

The WeedMaster S is the most compact, manoeuvrable, and lightweight model in the range.

The system is powered electrically and features and integrated trolley for ease

of transportation. Users can achieve up to 1700m 2 daily weed killing coverage, with most common weeds completely eradicated in 3-4 treatments.

The new version allows for the equipment to be effectively used for high-pressure cleaning, adjustable up to 60 bar.

This greatly adds value to your operations, through the ability to cleanse street furniture and signs as well as remove gum and graffiti.

The upgraded model is fast becoming the chosen model for industries such as leisure, education, private estates, and national trusts.

Hard landscaping weed control from Becx

Fentons of Bourne Ltd is the sole UK distributor for Becx Machines, the Netherlandsbased manufacturer of high-end mechanical weed control and hedge cutting equipment for tool carriers and excavators.

Becx weed control implements feature weeding heads with diameters of 50 cm or 90 cm and are available with edging blades to complete two jobs in a single pass. They are compatible with almost all tool carriers, tractors

or loaders providing a costeffective solution for weeding applications

Fentons of Bourne are the UK distributor of Becx machine and director, Glen Bellamy says, “The quality of the Becx equipment is exceptional and the growth in their business in just over a decade is testament to the machinery they produce.”

Fentons of Bourne Ltd Enquiry 54

Multevo Enquiry 53

deepest surface

SISIS is marvellous for Merthyr Town Football Club

A range of SISIS synthetic turf maintenance equipment is helping to keep the ‘Wembley of South Wales’ in excellent condition.

Merthyr Town FC is a nonleague team from South Wales. It is a 100% fan owned community club that play in the Southern League Premier Division at its historical home of The MET Coaches Stadium at Penydarren Park, right in the heart of the Merthyr Tydfil Community.

The club has had its ups and downs over the years, but the installation of a synthetic pitch has helped turn fortunes around, as Merthyr man Julian Axhorn explains.

“Part of the improvement plan was to have a new synthetic pitch,” he said. “Previously, in winter the grass would disappear, and we couldn’t use the pitch. Now we can use it all year round and it also creates a vital revenue stream. We wanted to make it a community asset, and now everyone uses it – they

love it, and I love it. I call it the Wembley of South Wales.”

Julian is known as the Merthyr man for good reason - not only does he maintain the pitch, but he is on the board as the Treasurer, works on the turnstiles, and helps with numerous other tasks on a matchday. Therefore, when it comes to his own little slice of Wembley – he wants only the best.

“The pitch was replaced with a new surface a year ago and I thought the time was right to invest in new equipment,” he said. “We had a very old tractor with a little brush on the back and it was very slow and antiquated. We wanted an improvement and after doing some research we identified the SISIS Brush-Pro and the SISIS SSS1000 as the ideal equipment.”

Specially designed for synthetic surfaces, the Brush-Pro is a ride-on brushing system consisting of a pair of mid mounted oscillating brush units and three rear mounted brushes.

The oscillating brushes are ideal for periodic aggressive brushing to keep infill mobile, prevent algae accumulation, surface compaction and loss of porosity.

Equally impressive is the SISIS SSS1000 - a tractor mounted sweeper that can be pulled by any machine. The rotary brush has been designed for use on synthetic surfaces to remove surface debris, lift the carpet pile and redistribute sand or rubber crumb infill giving the surface maximum performance and extended life.

Julian explained how the two SISIS machines play a part in his maintenance programme. “After every twenty hours of use we carry out one hour of maintenance, and this pitch is always in use,” he said. “Typically, we try and stick to a cycle, so one week we will do the brushing; the following week we will use the oscillating brushes, and then the next week we will do the sweeping with the SSS1000.”

SISIS Enquiry 58

The benefits of regular brushing on synthetic surfaces are well documented – keeping fibres upright and retaining the durability, safety and longevity of your artificial pitch.

For surface managers, this could be further enhanced with a pass by the GKB Aerator.

Considered by a leading carpet manufacturer to be even more effective at decompacting sand and rubber infill, the Aerators ability to tackle compaction regenerates a surfaces’ technical, play and drainage characteristics.

Compacted pitches processed with a brush could be considered a ‘quick fix’, with often just the top few millimetres of

infill being agitated. The GKB Aerator by comparison is equipped with twin spiked rollers which penetrate down to the bottom of the fibres.

Linked together with a chain drive, the spiked rollers generate a slight ‘heave’ effect, similar to that achieved with tines on natural playing surfaces, to open up the surface, return infill to the upper layers of the system and lever debris up to the surface for convenient collection.

The Aerator is available in three working widths up to 2m, with an option of either four, six or eight spiked rollers offering decompaction down to depths of 35mm.

For heavily compacted surfaces, there is also the option of adding additional weight to the unit to maximise the penetration of the carbide teeth. The hinged design of the unit also ensures optimum manoeuvrability, making it user friendly and efficient during turns.

In addition to improving the playing ability and meeting those required industry-approved standards, drainage will also be improved, which can help to reduce instances of algae and moss growth.

The GKB Aerator is most effective when combined with regular brushing and deeper surface cleans.

GKB Machines Enquiry 57

For the fast removal and collection of leaves and other debris, the Speed-Clean from Redexim is a land-driven surface sweeper which efficiently lifts and separates infill and contaminants in a single pass.

It is important that surface cleaning takes place as soon as any material is present on the top of the carpet. If left, allowing the debris to be broken down and trodden into the carpet, bigger problems with

drainage and compromised play performance and safety are likely to follow. The paddle brush system of the Speed-Clean effectively lifts the infill from the surface, where detritus is separated via an oscillating sieve and collected in bins on the rear of the unit. The cleaned infill is then returned to the surface, restoring a carpets permeability and playability.

Mega Twister blows in new era at Buchanan Castle GC Turfco Torrent 2 – Yearround precision clean-up

Buchanan Castle Golf Club, at Drymen, is within touching distance of Loch Lomond.

Twenty miles from both Glasgow and Stirling, the parkland course, designed by the legendary James Braid, lies in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands.

At the start of summer, Buchanan Castle’s well known head greenkeeper, Ronnie Myles, retired after 15 years, and his role has been taken up by two joint Head Greenkeepers, Chris Prior and James Macdonald.

“It’s turning circle comes in very handy. Getting in and around greens and bunkers is a whole lot easier. With our earlier blower you had to drive over greens to blow cuttings and debris out of play. This has extra power, incab hydraulic controls and easy rotation. You can park up in one spot yet still achieve more.

“Making fewer tractor movements ultimately is kinder to the turf and quicker. The Mega Twister has been here less than a fortnight but already we are saving lots of time on the fairways alone.”

leaves into sections and the Super 500 lifted them. That made a real difference. Come this autumn when the leaves start to fall, the Mega Twister and the Super 500 combined, will make the whole operation easier and faster still.”

Fairways GM’s Stuart Cameron, said: “The continuous airflow on the Mega Twister is powerful enough to shift leaves and debris effectively across wide areas, even while damp.

Turfco’s Torrent 2 is powerful all-purpose blower, available in tow-behind or tractormounted pto-driven formats and delivering unprecedented control over air speed, air direction, noise management and fuel consumption.

This is a precision clean-up tool that can used year-round to give golf courses or grounds a new level of polish and playability.

Talking to end users, power and airflow were important factors, but better control and precision would lead to greater productivity. As a result, the Torrent 2 features a faster, more precise nozzle rotation that’s operated by a wireless, handheld controller with productivityenhancing features.

Built on a heavy-duty frame with a rugged draw bar and adjustable hitch the Torrent 2 is designed for durability. The one-piece nozzle is made of impact resistant molded polyethylene. The enclosed deck dramatically reduces debris pickup from below the blower, decreasing wear on the turbine

and minimising overall dust and debris around the operator.

The wireless controller allows the operator to dial in the exact nozzle direction for optimal performance with fast, 360-degree nozzle rotation enhancing productivity and control.

Multiple air speed settings make it quick and easy to increase or decrease blowing force, while a dedicated button allows the operator to idle down when

people are near, and then quickly resume operation at the original setting once they clear the area.

The controller also features a shutdown switch that stops the engine at the press of a button.

An optional auxiliary control kit is available should the wireless controller be lost or damaged. The operator simply flips a switch from wireless to auxiliary and can then control the machine’s speed and direction.

Chris and James have been with the club for 3 years and 4 years, respectively. They share a commitment to present the best course they can for members and visitors all year round.

“Communication is key and, so far, we’re into a good system,” said Chris. “We discuss and agree priorities and projects well ahead. Every morning, first thing, we confirm that day’s tasks. We know what the other is working on,” continued James. “When things change, we keep in touch.”

One of their first decisions was the purchase of a Wiedenmann Mega Twister blower from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Inchinnan, Renfrew, when their existing blower started to fail. The Mega Twister offers a 390 m³/minute capacity and a 230° swivel action.

Buchanan Castle’s team of five normally cut grass across the whole course on Mondays and Thursdays during the season, using a blower to tidy loose clippings from the surface.

“This blower has everything we were looking for,” said James.

The Mega Twister is the second Wiedenmann machine in the club’s fleet.

“Last season, we purchased a Super 500 primarily for leaf collection,” continued Chris. “When you have as many leaves as we do, there comes a point where collecting them is the only way. Last year the old blower blew

“With the hydraulic ram option, the operator in the cab can adjust the nozzle height up and down as well as from side to side, letting you react to conditions. With all that swivel going on there’s no need to back up or stop.

“The goose neck nozzle which Chris and James chose, provides even more precision. The support wheels also protect the turf. It’s a topflight blower.”

Wiedenmann Enquiry 62

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

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

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

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

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

Contact the Amazone Team on: 01302 755 725.

Turfco Enquiry 61

Ventrac for autumn clearing and sweeping operations

Leaf fall is earlier this year as trees shed their leaves due the extremely dry summer. That’s certainly not a problem for the Ventrac owner, as there’s a range of attachments that can help with the annual clear-up event.

The Ventrac KA160 Power Blower features a vertical shaft design that delivers powerful, yet quiet performance. The blower housing can be rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal axis allowing the operator to move debris in the desired direction without hindering operation.

Two guide wheels maintain a consistent distance from the surface to maximise operational efficiency. This blower can be used to remove leaves, light snow, water and other debris.

The Ventrac ET202 Turbine blower makes quick work of any clean up job and is designed to move large volumes of air and is much quieter than conventional

debris blowers. The powerful front discharge nozzle can be hydraulically rotated through 360 degrees from the operator’s seat and a front bumper protects the nozzle from damage.

Power and control allows clean-up work to be done simply, quietly, and efficiently. The Ventrac Mount System allows the blowers to mounted and detached quickly and then move on to the next job. The ET200 can be used to blow leaves, light snow, and remove debris from paths, car parks and other areas.

Demonstrating the versatility of Ventrac, it’s possible to swap out the blowers and in less than a couple of minutes attach the KJ520 Narrow Broom for sweeping operations.

It can be hydraulically angled left or right and lifted up or

down - all from the seat of the tractor. An optional electric actuator also allows the operator to adjust the speed and direction of the broom rotation, maximising its effectiveness.

The KJ520 Narrow Broom is designed for sweeping and removal of material such as snow, leaves, dirt, light gravel, and even thatch. It is designed to fi t narrow walkways 1.22 metres wide.

Price Turfcare Ltd, , is the UK & Ireland distributor of the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor and implements.

Price Turfcare Enquiry 64

Autumn preparation with SCH Supplies

After a hot and dry summer, the autumn months will be a relief for many that have struggled to keep their plants, trees and grass hydrated and alive.

However, autumn brings challenges, and there’s still plenty of work facing those who care for the outdoors.

Leaves will soon be thick underfoot, and a rake is often woefully inadequate even with hours of backbreaking labour.

Making life easier for those with the diffi cult task of caring for the land is the passion and expertise of SCH Supplies. As a British manufacturer of leaf collectors and sweepers, no one is better suited to help you with the task of leaf removal.

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

The PSU features a powerful 9hp Honda engine, which is mounted next to the fan on a two-wheeled chassis. The fan is belt driven and not connected directly to the crankshaft, adding longevity to the engine’s lifespan.

The green waste passing through the fan is chopped up and propelled into the trailer, significantly increasing the storage density, allowing for fewer empties per day, and saving a great deal of time and cost in labour.

The favourite way of using the unit is to attach it to the rear of a leaf collecting trailer. SCH manufacture specially adapted

trailers with impressive storage, allowing leaves to be emptied somewhere more suitable. Alternatively, they can send you a trailer adaption kit, allowing you to modify your trailer; SCH can even collect your trailer and modify it for you.

By designing and manufacturing their equipment, SCH has excellent fl exibility when it comes to customers

requesting variations to their standard products.

Their vast array of suction units, sweepers, and trailers can be customised to suit the user’s requirements, allowing them to keep their land looking beautiful as efficiently as possible.

SCH Supplies Enquiry 65

Pellenc

Backpack Blower

Pellenc, the world’s leading expert in battery-powered tools for maintaining landscapes, has announced the latest product in its vast range – the Airion BackPack blower.

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and enough power to enable professional users to work for a full day on a single charge, it’s no wonder more and more professional users are turning to Pellenc.

The ever-expanding Pellenc product portfolio consists of chainsaws, blowers, hedge cutters, pole saws, road sweepers, grass strimmers and mowers – offering a solution for every requirement.

The Airion Backpack blower is the most powerful batterypowered backpack blower on the market. With an airflow of 1,280m³/h and a thrust of 24N,

its performance is suitable for day-to-day road green space maintenance work in all seasons.

With its wide, thick shoulder straps and integrated adjustable belt, the Airion Backpack blower offers great comfort during prolonged working sessions. Its inclined pivot gives full freedom of movement with the nozzle, allowing manoeuvrability reminiscent of a hand-held blower. Its handle can also be adjusted to the user’s height with all controls are always within easy reach.

The large backlit display on the smart handle provides the user with real-time information including current speed, battery life (as a percentage and in minutes), option currently selected (boost and cruise control) and time worked on the current work site.

The Airion Backpack’s design optimises its aerodynamic efficiency by 15% compared to competing tools and its battery life has been extended up to three hours – depending on the battery used.

As with other tools in the Pellenc range, the Airion Backpack blower comes with IP54 water-proof rating and can be fitted with three different nozzles depending on usage –angled, angled-fl at or fl at.

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

Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

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They say that out of adversity, comes opportunity, and that’s exactly how the team at Mount Kelly are approaching a devastating fi re that destroyed their equipment store in November 2021.

With a need to replace the entire fleet of machinery, Grounds Manager Mat Stevens says that the purchase of the multifunctional S3 from Trilo has not only saved them buying multiple machines, but halved the workload on some of the sites most time-consuming tasks.

“I was actually on my way to SALTEX on the morning that the fire happened” explains Mat, who oversees the 140 acres that make up the college and prep school site alongside a team of nine.

“I was trying to make a mental note of everything we’d lost, which included a brush that we used to put on the back of a tractor for leaf and debris clearance. As soon as I arrived at SALTEX, the first stand I stopped on was Trilo and it quickly became evident that an S3 would be a great replacement.”

The ability to equip brush, scarifier and flail shafts makes the Trilo S3 a maintenance machine for all seasons. Featuring powerful vacuum suction and a 3m3 hopper capacity, Mat is quickly discovering the benefits the S3 can bring.

“We purchased the S3 along with the additional scarifier cassette, which was delivered by Vincent Tractors in June and since it arrived the team have been nothing but impressed.

“Its first outing was to clear hedge cuttings from a very hard to reach location, which was no problem whatsoever with the S3’s 6m wanderhose. It halved the time that job would have previously taken.”

Mat is also predicting similar labour-savings when it comes to autumn maintenance.

“The Trilo will absolutely transform leaf collection. In other years this would involve four or five people, blowing or brushing the leaves into piles and collecting them by hand.

“Now it will be two people maximum, collecting leaves and other debris in one pass. We’re also looking forward to scarifying our sports fields which hasn’t previously been feasible with the resources required but now, with the S3, we can really drive to improve the quality of our pitches.”

“It’s like five machines in one and has drastically reduced the amount of money we would have otherwise had to find to replace what we lost.”

Not only has Mat been over the moon with the machine, the service that came with the S3 has also been second to none.

He adds, “On the day the machine was delivered, Jeremy Vincent from Vanmac spent hours with the team and I going through set-up, and how everything works, even little things like how to clean it after use. The whole process has been faultless from start to finish.”

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