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HOWARDSON ACQUIRE LLOYDS MOWERS AND HUNTER GRINDERS
Howardson Group, manufacturers of the Dennis and SISIS range of grounds maintenance equipment, have acquired Lloyds Mowers of Letchworth and Hunter Grinders.
This strategic alliance builds on the Dennis range of mowers with the addition of the Lloyds Paladin cylinder mower - renowned for cricket, bowls and golf along with the trailed Leda and Giant gangs.
Hunter Grinders is known worldwide in golf and stadia for their superior grinding performance on cutting cylinders and bottom blades.
“We see a lot of potential with both brands,” said Ian Howard MD of Howardson Group.
“We have been in discussion with Lloyds for quite some time. We consider the brands much like our existing ones - well built, designed to do the job and with longevity.”
Clive Nottingham, the wellknown face of Lloyds and Hunters, will work closely with the Howardson senior management team as the two brands are embedded into the wider group of companies at Kirk Langley.
Television fame for your favourite magazine
It was always a joke in the MacCallum household that one of my magazines would eventually feature on Have I Got News For You.
I was always a little conflicted because, while I’d been a fan of the show since it was first aired in 1990, I also knew that many of the publications featured brought new meaning to the term “niche” and that they were there to be laughed at.
Well.
I’m here to tell you that Turf Matters did feature on the recent series of HIGNFY, or to be more precise, HIGABMNFY.
I was approached by a programme researcher the Monday of Saltex week and asked if I would be happy for Turf Matters to be considered for the show. Having had a similar request a couple of times before, only to be overlooked I didn’t get overly excited.
However, I was told that this time it was very likely that we would be featuring that same week, and with Gary Neville the guest presenter, and the World Cup about to start, I could see why they might want a sports-focussed Guest Publication.
Suitably encouraged, I awaited positive news of our appearance of the show, which featured as guests, Richard Madeley and comedian, Maisie Adam.
What transpired hit the national headlines and, to a certain extent, kyboshed our moment in the spotlight.
Ian Hislop ambushed Gary Neville about his Qatar stance and upcoming World Cup punditry stint, and the ensuing debate took a couple of minutes of programme time and Turf Matters lost out in the edit.
However, we were “on”, and appeared on the episode of Have I Got A Bit More News For You which was broadcast the following Monday evening, albeit around midnight!
What was gratifying, was that the title wasn’t ridiculed and three issues on Turf Matters were presented on the familiar red HIGNFY background –and looked great!
Scott MacCallum
ETESIA LAUNCHES NEW HYDRO 80 MODEL
Etesia UK has launched the Hydro 80 MKHPF ride-on mower which has been designed specifically for long, rough grass areas.
The new MKHPF combines the working comfort of a Hydro 80 with the mowing power of the ATTILA SKD brushcutter.
The MKHPF can mow in any weather and is the ideal model for users with high mowing demands. Compact, flexible and efficient, the new Hydro 80 MKHPF is suitable for mowing any terrain. It boasts four cutting heights for perfect mowing from 50 to 92 mm. Furthermore, its extremely short turning radius makes it ideal for small areas or heavily wooded fields.
The Hydro 80 MKHPF has been built with the operator in mind and is extremely user friendly. It boasts hydrostatic transmission for instant advancing, reversing, and braking with differential lock; easy maintenance thanks to quick access to all mechanical parts; perfect visibility of the working environment and all functions are accessible from the driver’s seat.
The powerful Kawasaki engine, based on the latest technology, ensures a very high quality of work. The chassis of the MKHPF has already proven itself in the Hydro 80 models, and the bumper has been reinforced and adapted for mowing so that the MKHPF can pass through even the tallest grass.
This robustness is also apparent in the Hydro’s mastershock mowing deck. It is impact resistant and durable. Steel reinforcements on both sides allow for a side opening for easy cleaning of the interior of the housing and for sharpening the blades. It is also corrosion resistant.
GroundsFest gains momentum
Following the announcement of GroundsFest an influx of exhibitors have committed to the event.
Taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20-21 September, and dubbed as the event the industry has been waiting for, GroundsFest will bring together all grounds management sectors to build communities, nurture collaboration, and facilitate relationships that last.
The legacy of GroundsFest is also taking shape with profits going towards encouraging new people into the industry through funding apprenticeship programmes and also mental health first aid training specifically for grounds staff, greenkeepers and landscapers.
The trade’s top brands, suppliers, manufacturers, service providers and distributors will showcase and demonstrate their latest products at the event, which also features live working stations and a free education programme with an accredited training provider.
Commenting on Campey Turf Care Systems’ decision to exhibit at GroundsFest, Chairman Richard Campey said that the idea of a groundscare event in the UK which combines indoor and outdoor stand space, was particularly appealing.
“There is no better way to prove how good your products are than to show them in action. This is what our customers ask for and we are delighted to be able to fill that request.”
Guy Overton, Director of Overton UK, was also upbeat:
“GroundsFest is a refreshing and exciting concept which will enable us to demonstrate our wide product portfolio in an outdoor setting. It is a great venue, at the right time of year, and we are really looking forward to it.”
Simon Christensen, Head of Marketing for Turf Tank, is looking forward to demonstrating the company’s innovative technology.
“We are excited to join GroundsFest 2023! As an outdoor show, we believe this to be the perfect environment for grounds managers to interact with machinery and see it live. We’re looking forward to meeting everyone in September and showing the Turf Tank robot in action!”
Charles Neale, GroundsFest’s Sales Director, is delighted with how the event is progressing.
“The support we have received for the event has been overwhelming – particularly so early in the show cycle. We are receiving new exhibitor enquiries daily and a large percentage of the floorplan has already been allocated.
“We have researched the market, talking to both exhibitors and visitors, listening, and learning, and feel confident that GroundsFest will deliver the best possible experience across its two days.” n www.groundsfest.com
Brilliant memories of the old Wembley
Don Gallacher was Head Groundsman at the old Wembley Stadium from 1974 to 1985 – a period which covered the Scottish pitch invasion of 1977, Live Aid, and a host of international matches and huge finals in a range of sports.
In a labour of love Don’s son, Colin, has taken Don’s diaries and pulled together an entertaining tale of a remarkable decade, not just for his father, but for the Stadium itself.
The book takes us through Don’s early life, as the son of a groundsman, to his time at Tottenham Hotspur, his tentative and speculative application for the Wembley job and how, having got the role, how he moved maintenance practices at Wembley into the modern age.
His words will resonate with so many groundsmen up and down the country and the stories from behind the scenes will bring many a knowing chuckle.
Broken down into chapters, each with a snappy title, the book takes us through Don’s life and career, touching on many event and matches which we can all recall but for which Don has the inside track.
None more so than that 1977 Home International when Scotland defeated England 2-1 and delirious fans stormed the pitch and took turf and posts and corner flags home as souvenirs. The fact that the match was played shows the dedication and ingenuity of groundsmen and the downright pig-headedness of the breed not to be beaten by any problem or challenge.
Colin has done a fabulous job of bringing his dad’s stories to life and the book is a fitting tribute, not just to Don, but to all groundsmen and women.
Available on Amazon as a hardcover (£14.99), a paperback (£10.99) or Kindle (£1.25) editions.
Safeguarding against slips and trips
Wrapping chicken wire around a sleeper to prevent someone from slipping on hazardous elevated stepped access, or tripping or falling from steep sided tees just doesn’t solve the problem, it contributes to it, as do many other cheaper methods on railway sleepers and new laid steps.
For many years now GripClad is synonymous with pedestrian safety in golf courses. Over 850 Golf clubs in the UK and Europe have been supplied a well proven long-term solution and there is a good chance your neighbouring golf club uses it.
There are clubs who have no choice but to cut corners by realising that there are potential slip hazards but use inferior materials that don’t actually work, so this is a false economy. You get what you pay for as they say,
Buying the right product now means making immediate savings now. GripClad have golf clubs that have had these antislip sheets down in excess of 15 years and they still look like they were put down yesterday. Showing no signs of wear or tear, and totally weatherproof, frost proof, and spike proof.
The risk of slip accidents is serious enough, the cost in prevention is very low compared to any potential claim that can run into thousands of pounds if it goes to court.
GripClad provides an extremely tough 4.0mm thick rigid tread designed for the long term.
This product solves slippery problems better than any other method being used. If you have wet sleepers, slippery footbridges, damp ramps then this is the product for you. It is easy to fit with a few screws and has no weak spots, no chipping, no peel back, no layering, just the toughest, most durable, and longer lasting antislip product available n gripclad.co.uk/
industries/golf-industry/
People with something to say, say it on the Turf Matters YouTube channel
Go to YouTube.com, search for ‘Turf Matters’ and find out why we’re our industry’s most watched channel. New, views, glimpses behind the scenes and opinions from those at grass roots level, to those at the top of their game.
More than a magazine… our cameras search out and bring you stories from across the UK
Green tree huggers launched
Agrovista Amenity has launched Tree Hugger Biodegradable Shelters - a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic tree shelters or guards.
Made from organic cotton encapsulated in renewable pine tree rosin, the Tree Hugger Biodegradable Shelters have a minimum five-year lifespan giving the tree valuable protection during its critical establishment period.
They will completely biodegrade at the end of their lifespan meaning that the removal of single use plastic shelters is no longer required, saving time and money, and ultimately reducing the amount of plastic waste that is left in the environment.
The woven material structure provides strong protection against damage from grazing animals but is gentle on the plant offering little friction which could cause damage to the newly planted whip.
Agrovista Amenity has partnered with BMP Europe, the inventor and manufacturer of the Tree Hugger, and will be exclusively distributing the product.
“BMP Europe has a rich history in processing polymers and textile materials and has manufactured a product of the highest quality which meets all the criteria of a biodegradable guard, “ said Ed Smith, Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity.
“Our visions align - we have established a great partnership and we are looking forward to where we can take it.
“Plastic guards are further adding to a growing problem which is plastic pollution in the environment and there is a big movement towards sustainable planting.”
They are available in two different heights: 0.6m which protect against small browsing animals such as rabbits and 1.2m which protect against larger grazing animals such as deer.
Agrovista Amenity also distributes WhiptecBio tree and hedge guards which offer a smaller alternative to the Tree Hugger Biodegradable Shelters.
ICL tank mix ‘radically improves’ greens at Houghwood Golf Club
In less than a year, an ICL fortnightly tank-mix has radically improved the greens at Houghwood Golf Club according to Head Greenkeeper Michael Abbott.
“When I show photos of the greens last September compared to this September, people cannot believe it,” said Michael, pictured, who has worked at Houghwood for 22 years.
Michael has seen the young course develop into one of the best in the area. Based in Lancashire, the course is an 18-hole, private, parkland golf course and was the creation of two farmers in 1994.
Michael and his team of three have their challenges – particularly with some parts of the course which consists of heavy clay. He admits that his small team can feel stretched at times, and it is for this reason that he likes to be as prepared as possible.
“We believe we can tackle any task put in front of us and I feel our experience is invaluable,” he said.
“From a management point of view, I like having a plan in place and ICL has given me a superb integrated turf management (ITM) plan to follow.”
Houghwood’s ITM programme was devised by ICL Technical Area Sales Manager Rob Ainscough and was based on the results of soil testing.
As part of the programme, Michael applies a fortnightly tank-mix on his greens which consists of Sportsmaster WSF Spring & Summer 28-5-19+TE, H2Pro TriSmart, Vitalnova Links and Primo Maxx II.
The 4-way tank-mix offers balanced nutrition for responsible growth and plant health through the playing season, residual wetting agent to allow consistent dry down of surfaces and avoid dry patch development; growth regulator to improve turf density and wear tolerance; biostimulants in the form of seaweed and carbohydrates to promote increased rooting, improve stress tolerance and increase microbial activity to improve nutrient cycling in the rootzone.
“Since using this tankmix, I’ve noticed improved playability. There are no bare areas, no moss, just a nice, lovely coverage with great colour throughout all the greens., said Michael.
“It gives us consistency throughout the year with no flushes of growth and applying it fortnightly saves us time – which is another major reason for using the mixture.” n www.icl-sf.co.uk
Why I opted for Pellenc equipment
Tony Chalkley, General Manager of D. Horne Services, has explained why he chose Pellenc above other brands of batterypowered equipment.
“The products have been 100% in every single way,” he said.
The Ayrshire company offers grounds maintenance and management services to a diverse client base.
“We’ve been looking for alternatives to machinery using fossil fuels. It is important to us to be able to promote zero emissions, and there are many other benefits to using electric equipment.
“We contacted our local Pellenc dealer, Agrovista Amenity, and they set up a demo. We researched other battery-powered products, but we were so impressed by the demonstration that we felt the Pellenc equipment would be best for us.”
The Pellenc range features an impressive portfolio – from chainsaws, pole saws and hedge cutters to grass strimmers, brushcutters, blowers and mowers.
“We work very close to offices, and it is essential to be able to cut grass, strim, and maintain the areas without disturbing the client. The Pellenc equipment enables us to do this because it is so quiet.
“Another reason is because fuel prices are escalating. The savings that we are making compared to fossil fuels, is significant.”
Tony’s Pellenc fleet features Rasion mowers, Helion hedge-cutters, Excelion strimmers and Airion blowers – and he can’t imagine ever switching back to petrolbased machinery.
“These Pellenc tools easily go on for hours on end with a full battery life. You don’t get the vibrations, they are lightweight and easy to use, and we’ve never had any issues whatsoever. The difference between this equipment and petrol-based machinery is night and day.” n www.pellencuk.com
Dennis brings ideas to life
After comparing various batterypowered cylinder mowers, Head Groundsman of Bundesliga football club VfL Wolfsburg, Peter Sauer, has chosen the new Dennis ES-860.
“Technology in this industry is evolving faster and faster and electric equipment is at the forefront,” said Peter, pictured above.
“It is important to speak to all the manufacturers to identify any new and upcoming products. I want to be involved and am always asking to test products, so if there is something I like, I can then plan accordingly to put it into my budget.
“Dennis Mowers is a company that really listens to their customers. They then put those ideas into their machines.”
Peter, who has also been a greenkeeper and worked at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, admitted to being excited when he first heard that Dennis was developing a range of battery-powered equipment.
Ever the perfectionist, he flew to England to find out more.
“I first got to see the ES-860 cylinder mower in action at Derby County FC. It was great to see it working on a pitch as it gives you a better idea of how it will perform as opposed to seeing it in the factory. Dennis then brought it over to Germany and we tested it, and we knew it was going to be a great machine. We purchased two of them.”
The ES-860 is a 34” battery powered turf management system which delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks.
Furthermore, traditional G860 cassettes will also fit into the ES860, meaning that customers will not have to purchase additional cassettes, something which Peter was impressed with.
“We did try other brands of battery-powered mowers, but I was not as happy with them. I also really like the fact that we can use the G860 cassettes with the ES860. I have the brush cassette, the spiker, the spring tine rake, and a couple of other cassettes, so it was a big bonus not having to purchase any new cassettes.”
The aim with the Dennis E-Series is to help professionals meet sustainability and environmental initiatives, reduce carbon footprint emissions, running costs and noise without any range anxiety. Peter believes the ES-860 certainly ticks all the boxes.
“The battery life is incredible – they hold long enough without having to charge them regularly. In fact, we never have to worry about them running out and we can comfortably mow up to two and a half, maybe three pitches on one single charge.
“They are much better for the person using them too. Vibration levels are very low, and you obviously get far less noise – I often have my earphones in and can still take phone calls when using the ES-860. They have had a huge impact and every member of staff loves the ES-860s – no-one wants to use petrol mowers anymore.”
The well-respected Peter, who started his career in chemistry before turning to turf management, also praised the consistency and quality of the Dennis ES-860s.
“With petrol mowers everyone drives at a different speed so the cuts per square metre are always different. However, with the ES860 you can set the speed of the mower. This means that you get good consistency with everyone achieving the same number of cuts per square metre. Quality wise it is the same as a Dennis petrol cylinder mower or even better.”
THE AIM WITH THE DENNIS E-SERIES IS TO HELP PROFESSIONALS MEET SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES… WITHOUT ANY RANGE ANXIETY.
Innovation award winner enjoys real world success
Ayear since Enclean won a top innovation award at Saltex 2021 and commercial usage backs up its performance with positive user feedback.
Enclean is a unique sustainable biocide ideal for de-greening a wide range of surfaces in the Amenity sector. It is a plant originbased biocide from Certis Belchim which is marketed and distributed by Origin Amenity Solutions.
“The successful launch of the product in 2020 has culminated in recent approval for use by Organic Farmers and Growers across all organic systems,” said Peter Corbett, of Origin Amenity Solutions.
Having witnessed the development of Enclean from initial trials Peter is well placed to discuss the new biocide, now widely heralded as a ‘game-changer’ in the professional biocide market.
Peter, who manages the Chemical Products portfolio for Origin Amenity Solutions, first saw the biocide in its development phase in 2017 and was impressed with both its speed of action in eradicating algae and its positive effect on dealing with other green deposits that built up on hard, porous and wooden surfaces.
“From the outset when trials began on the active Nonanoic acid, from which Enclean is derived, I saw the potential for this unique Biocide. As a company, we recognised that there was a gap in the biocide market for an efficacious, sustainable, and easy-to-use product.”
Most de-greening biocides/surface cleaners are applied in large volumes of both active ingredient i.e. product circa 100 litres plus per Ha combined with circa 1,000 to 2,000 l/ha of water to control algae and green deposits. The active ingredients used in the formulation of most hard surface cleaners are based on chemically synthesised quaternary ammonia-based products.
These actives, despite being used for many years, are not registered under the latest GB biocide products registrations (BPR). Many experts and environmentalists are concerned about this group, due to the quantities being applied, and the danger to the aquatic environment. Water Authorities and the Environment Agency are picking up these actives in surface waters, so it is very possible that the use of these actives will be severely restricted in the future.
Enclean is fundamentally different in that it can be applied at low water volumes. Compared to most traditional biocide products, only a fifth to a tenth of the spray volume needs to be applied. One litre of Enclean mixed with 14 litres of water will treat 555m2. The product can be applied using any pressure knapsack fitted with the correct nozzles.
“Enclean is plant derived, safe to use, and it has no environmental hazard classification. It is fast acting and, once applied, it quickly degrades into natural elements without leaving harmful residue. Using a red 80-degree nozzle and maintaining the correct speed of application, 555m2 of coverage is readily achievable; this is especially important for sprayer contractors who need to limit downtime spent on refilling” he said.
The key customer feedback on Enclean that Peter noted is the speed of activity and the wider range of weather conditions that the biocide can be successfully applied in.
“Many traditional biocides cannot be applied in frosty conditions, or within 24 hours of rain. But with Enclean the application window is much wider, and very good results can be achieved even when temperature and weather conditions are far from perfect. The most important factor is correct dilution and application of the product and a few hours for the spray solution to dry.”
Peter Todd, Director, and Estates Manager at Royal Norwich Golf Club, explained that during the
MANY BIOCIDES CANNOT BE APPLIED IN FROSTY CONDITIONS… BUT WITH ENCLEAN THE APPLICATION WINDOW IS MUCH WIDER
2020/21 lockdown the clubhouse patio became covered with algae.
“Due predominantly to lack of footfall, our high-quality stone slabs had become discoloured and dangerously slippery when wet. We sprayed with Enclean and over the next two to three days the algae had been controlled and the wet surface was no longer slippery, thus removing a real hazard.
“Enclean removed the algae completely giving us lasting control, with no detrimental effect on the stone. The treated area remained clean and the surface regained its original colour, despite the cold and wet conditions in February/March being less than ideal for biocide application. We also applied the product at the front of the building where the porous surface had a mixture of algae and moss. Again, the control was rapid despite the wet and cold weather conditions. Using a shroud on the knapsack boom allowed us to spray neatly and obtain a sharp edge alongside the fine grass,” said Peter
Royal Norwich is now a regular user of this product. They also use Enclean to keep signage and course equipment in shaded areas free from green growth. This includes the turf centre, which is shaded and prone to algae infestation which can make the building look unkempt.
Time is on your side with Turf Tank line marking robot
The University of Nottingham, has been named the best university in the UK for sports, several times in a row. Furthermore, its outstanding facilities and world-class academics enable students to excel on every level. With such an array of resources at their disposal, students are able to pursue their dreams while also having access to a wide range of recreational activities that keep them active and inspired.
Providing a world-class sports programme for such a distinguished institution is no easy job.
The seven members in the grounds crew frequently found themselves up against the clock to finish the pitches on time. On top of that, the university faced a big challenge in finding grounds people with an extensive knowledge of turf management for all the different sports the university offers.
The University of Nottingham decided to automate their line marking operations, so in the summer of 2022 they got their Turf Tank line marking robot. The Turf Tank proved to be an indispensable tool for their sports programmes, which greatly improved the grounds crew’s productivity and resource management.
Peter Bullimore is the Sport and Sutton Bonington Operations Manager who oversees the maintenance of all the sport facilities for the university.
Thinking about the challenges they faced when manual marking their pitches, Peter highlights the continuous time pressure the grounds crew experiences, especially during busy periods, when the university hosts a lot of different sports events.
“Through summer, we have quite a few tournaments so we’re going weekend to weekend. We very rarely get a break,” said Peter.
“Last year we had three separate events within a five-day period. We’re only a seven-man team. So if I’m having to lose two guys for marking out minimum, you’re losing another two guys for mowing, another few guys for looking after everything else. It just would not be feasible, honestly.
“Usually it will take us over three weeks, to get the basic football and rugby through summer. But now with the Turf Tank we can get it into just about a week, for one person, as previously it was three weeks with two people – massive time savings,” he said.
Peter takes the examples of a rugby pitch to do a clear comparison. Before, two people would manually mark the pitch and it used to take them three hours. With the Turf Tank robot, marking the same pitch will take only 30 minutes.
It’s the same for a football pitch.
“You can mark out a football pitch in 25 minutes from scratch. Whereas the quickest I’ve done conventionally takes an hour and a half, with two blokes.”
Not only can the crew mark the sports in record time, making sure their pitches are always ready for their sports events, but they are also free now to take care of other tasks around the facility.
The university has always been dedicated to being more sustainable, even more so as the conversation about our environmental impact gains more and more attention. So in order to stay true to their sustainability mission, the university has to prove the environmental impact of any }
Turf Tank’s line marking robot
equipment before they can buy it.
“We won’t get any capital funds unless we can prove that it’s going to be sustainable for the environment and probably cheaper to run as well”, Peter explained.
Before they could get a Turf Tank, the university had to understand the environmental impact of this new technology. And they were delighted to see the comparison with their traditional line marking methods.
“Currently, with the setup we’re using with the Turf Tank, we can mark out two and a half pitches per 10 litres. Whereas in the past, if you go back to strings, the push markers will use something like 7.5 litres per pitch.”
Peter also tells how they started with a robot from another brand, but the superiority of the technology the Turf Tank robot uses popped up, especially in more challenging conditions.
“The accuracy is far better, far superior, especially on the trees. On most of our sites, we’ve got trees. With the Turf Tank, we can literally mark up to about three, four metres away from trees, and it doesn’t have a problem. It’s just straight lines everywhere.”
Peter is proud that the university employs highly skilled staff for their grounds maintenance, but usually those have a football or rugby background. As he explains, it is difficult to find people that can have complete turf management knowledge for every imaginable sport. And for a university which offers a great variety of sports, that is a big limitation.
But with their Turf Tank robot, they haven’t had to worry about that anymore.
The robot comes preprogrammed with layouts for all sports — all with the correct dimensions according to the regulations of the governing bodies. Now, the university can rest assured that all of their pitches, from football and rugby, to lacrosse, frisbee, American football, rugby league and more, will have perfect lines with minimum effort.
Plus, with the time saved on actual line marking, the crew is free to focus their attention on improving the facilities in other areas.
“On one of their sites they have tennis courts, which used to get neglected in the past. But now I’ve got staff that can go and do that.”
