33 minute read
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KUBOTA OPENS NEW PARTS CENTRE
Kubota has opened a new European Parts Centre to strengthen its global parts supply chain network.
Located in Thionville in the French region of Moselle, the new warehouse was built specifically to supply dealers and distributors across Europe and the UK, but with the ability to also support key regions such as the US and Japan.
Built at a cost of €15 million, the new EUPC covers a footprint of 20,000 square metres, and currently employs around 90 staff.
“The development of this extensive parts centre will provide greater access and availability to further support our existing regional parts supply operation in the UK,” explained Simon Chadbone, Kubota (UK)’s Business Development Manager for parts.
“Having a European Parts Centre will greatly benefit our dealer and distributor network.”
Globally, Kubota has a spare parts strategy to build distribution centres that cover key regions in Japan, Europe and north America. This latest hub has a vital role in stocking a variety and quantity of parts to ensure the best product availability across Europe.
Rigby Taylor launch new Tiny Pro X line marker
Tiny Mobile Robots, marketed and distributed in the UK by Rigby Taylor, has launched the Tiny Pro X robotic line marker to the UK market.
Reinforcing their commitment to giving customers the best tools to carry out their line marking projects, the Tiny Pro X hosts a range of brand-new features designed to enhance the end users experience and make GPS robotic line marking easier and more accurate than ever.
Perhaps the most soughtafter new feature is the ability to mark out custom logos. This is something that the company has been asked for constantly and has been under development for a long-time. It is now a standard feature on the Tiny Pro X and is a simple 3-step feature for the end user, allowing them to customise fields for events or occasions in a way that was not easily possible before.
The ’Multi-Select’ tool is another time-saving and efficient new feature which enables users to queue up multiple fields to be marked out in a specific order.
A simple yet revolutionary feature is the new low paint alert system. When the robot is running low on paint, an automatic alert is sent to the user’s handheld tablet notifying them of the paint levels. This is a much-welcomed feature which avoids time being wasted marking out a field with no paint in the tank.
In addition to these, the Tiny Pro X offers many more improvements, including general upgrades to the hardware and software for a largely improved experience on what was already a solid offering from the existing range of robots.
“I’m thrilled at the launch of the Tiny Pro X robotic line marker. It’s an exciting time as this has been a long time in development and testing. This new model offers the end user many increased features and the initial feedback from our salespeople and test customers has been fantastic,” said Jayne Leyland, Product Manager for Rigby Taylor.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing it rolled out across the UK following the launch.” n https://tinymobilerobots.
com/tinymobilerobots-uk/
SAGE OPENS BOOKINGS FOR EARLY BIRD EXHIBITORS
SAGE has opened its books to exhibitors for the 2023 Show which will be held on July 19/20, with discounts for those who book their space early.
Hosted at the 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.
“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,” said Exhibition Manager, Vicky Panniers.
“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.”
Sustainability is an important focus for the 2023 event, and it will proudly play host to the Sustainability Solutions for Grounds Specialists Summit live, in partnership with GRASS, and show organisers will be setting sustainability targets for SAGE to meet.
Discussing the show, Head of Environmental and Sustainability Stadia Projects at Bio-Circle, Mark Tomlinson said: “This is exactly what the industry has asked for and brings quality visitors to a trade show who can see my products and services in action.”
Stands are currently available with a 15% early bird discount until 11th November. Early birds will also benefit 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. n sportsandgrounds.events
Peter Stewart Bernhard and Company has appointed a new Business Development Manager for Asia.
Peter Stewart will assume his new role with immediate effect. Working closely with the Bernhard Asian Territory team, Stewart will be directly responsible for overseeing the development of the company’s grinding machinery and turf technologies business in Asia.
Speaking on Peter’s appointment, Bernhard and Company Managing Director, Steven Nixon, said they were thrilled to be welcoming Peter to the Business Development team in the Asia region.
“Peter brings with him some fantastic experience from varying corners of the golf and turf industries. It’s great that we’ve been able to add such a dynamic, seasoned professional to our team and we are confident that he’ll take our business in Asia to the next level.”
Discussing his new role, Peter added that he felt extremely privileged to be joining a true market leader, and one of the turf industry’s powerhouses.
“I have been a part of this industry for many years, and I’ve always admired Bernhard and Company, not only for the quality and innovation of its machinery, but also for the phenomenal reputation the company has for customer service and satisfaction. I can’t wait to get to work on further enhancing the company’s presence and reputation within Asia.”
He starts his new role at Bernhard and Company with experience spanning more than two decades in the turf and golf industries. After being awarded an Ohio State University Scholarship in Turf Management, he progressed his greenkeeping career from the St Andrews Old Course to TPC Sawgrass, Royal Melbourne, and Dubai’s Emirates Golf Club, further extending his knowledge in warm and cool season grasses.
Stewart has also built strong experience in sales and business development with SubAir Systems and has developed relationships with a vast network of distributor partners.
More recently he has worked with Beau Welling Design/Tiger Woods Design to implement new Tiger Woods Design golf courses from planning to completion. n www.bernhard.co.uk
Case IH’s range of tractors well suited to amenity use
From the classic Farmall, to the powerful and compact Vestrum CVX, plus the Maxxum and Luxxum models, Case IH has a wide range of tractors perfectly suited to many applications in amenity use.
Case IH has been producing agricultural machinery for more than 175 years, and now manufacturers tractors from 55 to over 600 horsepower (hp). All models share the Case IH tradition of safety and operator comfort and can be specified with a range of implements including loaders, as well as tyres to match the demands of every application.
As a global brand, Case IH operates an extensive network of authorised dealerships across the UK and Ireland, meaning you are never far away from a Case IH specialist.
The Farmall name is deeply rooted in the history of Case IH, with the first tractors to bear this name being produced back in 1923. Today’s Farmall tractors share a design emphasis on manoeuvrability, compact dimensions, ease of operation and a high power-to-weight ratio.
This means that whether you are working with mounted machinery, trailed equipment, transport duties or with a loader, there’s a Farmall to suit your needs. This range starts from 55hp, with cab and cabless options available.
Some things make jobs so much easier that you wonder how you ever managed without them. With greater manoeuvrability, higher levels of comfort and better visibility than any other Case IH tractor of this size, the Case IH Luxxum ensures greater productivity from both tractor and driver. There are three models in this series offering horsepower from 100 to 120.
The Maxxum series provides superior performance and fuel efficiency thanks to the use of Efficient Power technology. Available with a range of transmission options including four- or eight-speed powershift delivering class-leading fuel efficiency, or a CVXDrive for the ultimate stepless transmission, the Maxxum makes work easy. A huge 13 models are available ranging from 116 to 150hp.
This series stands out from the crowd, combining the compact dimensions of a manoeuvrable four-cylinder tractor with the premium cab comfort design of larger Case IH models. The result is the first Case IH tractor in the 100hp class with the continuously variable CVXDrive transmission with a high power-to-weight ratio. Choose from four models from 100 to 130hp.
The new L-front loader series offers three front loader ranges, tailored perfectly to Case IH tractors to help you to get jobs done faster. Choose from entry level A-range, the U-range for every day handling tasks or the premium T-range including hydraulic self-levelling for increased lifting power. Whichever loader you choose, you will benefit from maximum precision and rapid response for exceptional ease of handling. n caseih.com
Corvus’s 100% electric UTV
Corvus Off-Road Vehicles are leading the off-road sector into the future, taking UTV efficiency and performance to the next level with its new all-electric work vehicle. The official launch took place at the Game Fair at the Ragley Hall estate in Warwickshire and is expected to make Corvus a new market share leader. It is the only European manufacturer with fully electric UTVs. It is a UTV that offers a more pleasant ride thanks to its quiet operation and it has a large total load capacity of up to 620 kg.
Unrivalled durability, low maintenance costs and efficient vehicle performance are hallmarks of the new Terrain EX4.
The new vehicle expands the product portfolio of this company, hailing from Murcia, which already offers a powerful and robust 4X4 diesel vehicle: the Terrain DX4 is already the market leader in its category of diesel off-road vehicles. This is a highly equipped work UTV, perfect for farming, livestock and forestry work, capable of carrying up to 450 kilos in its rear box.
“From the outset, our commitment to innovation focused on bringing the best driving experience to workers has been a priority. We want to provide our customers with what they really need to be able to cope with the toughest work situations in the best way possible,” said Juan José Bernal-Quirós, Managing Director.
Getting the job done on difficult terrain is now possible with the 13 kW electric motor, which provides the power to transport or tow large loads with ease.
In addition, the 15 KwH lithium-ion battery is designed for fast and convenient charging, making the driving experience enjoyable from start to finish. n www.bossorv.co.uk
Vibrant mix of machinery and sustainability at RTM Show
It was a delight for dealer RT Machinery to welcome 300 people in person for their first full RTM Show Live since 2019. The farm location was once again alive with the hum of conversation and machinery as guests took advantage of the opportunity to talk with over 30 manufacturers, watch demos and enjoy ride-and-drive trials.
In addition to the machinery, visitors were able to hear from five excellent speakers in the new hay loft during the morning, including Jo Little from Planet Mark, one of the UK’s leading organisations in sustainability – such a hot topic for our industry.
Indeed, Planet Mark had recently certified RT Machinery’s carbon footprint and Jo took advantage of the occasion to congratulate Richard Taylor at the end of her talk.
Guests also enjoyed Colonel Dan Rex MVO, from The Queen’s Green Canopy – one of many great legacies of Her Majesty The Queen.
Set up to encourage people to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee, the QGC has already inspired over a million trees to be planted across the UK and is now extended to the end of March 2023, giving people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam to honour Her Majesty.
Ed Charles, from Perennial, was able to give visitors more insight into how it offers support and financial assistance to all the workers in our industry – anyone working with grass, trees, flowers or plants. Many had never heard of the charity before and were interested to learn what help is available.
Of course, there was a pig roast and the famous Becky’s cakes too!
“I’d like to thank all our customers, suppliers,speakers and colleagues who made the Show such a great day after the challenges of the last couple of years. Equally we all have a responsibility to improve the sustainability of the industry and the Show created a perfect opportunity to explore machinery innovations and a lot more in this regard,” said Richard.
Getting data on your side
Adam Sedgewick, Founder of Sports Turf Data Solutions, gives an insight about what data can do for you
Data! What does it mean? What can you do with it? What’s its true value? How does my property make changes with it?
All of the above are the frequent questions all turf managers ask either the provider, or even themselves, when investigating the investment into data gathering technology.
Since the onset of these new technologies designed to aid and assist your decision making, so many sales people (myself included) have been guilty of selling/supplying the hardware, with a way of viewing the info, providing a basic walk through, then pretty much just walking away and leaving you to it.
I have been involved in technology from many different angles, be that GPS, Autosteer, machine control, right through to weather stations, hand held sensors and in-ground sensors. So being in a position now, with effectively a blank canvas, I am able to look at all these new concepts, overlay them, and look at pattern building and trend analysis, to see where there is correlation between all of these platforms.
August this year saw the birth of my first lone venture, Sports Turf Data Solutions Ltd. My aim is to do exactly what I have just said above. We are in the most giving three levels of what we do, BASIC – we will work with your existing nonconnectable technology, manually enter the data for you, then once a month have a call or visit to run through all findings, and give some assistance to using factual evidence to making better or simpler decisions. PRO – As basic, but working with your existing connectable hardware, pulling info in via API, then again having the call or visit to assist with utilsation of the information. Then finally ELITE – as before, but we will supply and install all of the tech, be it soil sensors, weather station, hand held etc, as well as the industries best weather forecasting service.
Once all together, and run in conjunction with some artificial intelligence, a GDD table, and growth probability chart, we can look at minimising disease risk, energy usage, water usage, more timely application or nutrition and pesticide etc.
A huge thing to bear in mind is also the lack of available skilled staff, if used right, this form of digital agronomy, will free up a large percentage of time, giving that time back to carry on with tasks created by staff shortages.
The final piece of the Jigsaw is GPS guidance, and accurate auto steering, we are now the official sports turf, golf and amenity supplier for the amazing Patwork GPS solutions. A full spectrum from basic on screen follow the line guidance, right through to auto steer, and spreader/ sprayer control. This Patchwork solution is backed by an industry leading software package, aiding the ability to task manage and plan, as well as project planning via using the high levels of accuracy to plot irrigation systems, drainage lines etc.
Come and see us on stand D105 at SALTEX, to learn how we can build a bespoke solution tailored solely to your property.
Trencher Hire was just the job
A Toro TRX-16 pedestrian trencher – supplied with operator – dug out 400 metres of trenching in challenging land conditions in just one and a half days to the delight of customer Steve Stringfellow.
Steve, who lives in a remote farmhouse in Lincolnshire, wanted to lay a new water line from his house to the main water main, as the old existing iron water pipe ran across the farmer’s field and during ploughing often got damaged. “We expected some problems with the property being built in 1850. The ground is fairly heavy clay agricultural land, with lots of trees and other obstacles within it,” said Steve.
“My initial reaction was to get a JCB for the job, but realised that this would have caused a great deal of disruption.
“I also calculated that around 84 tonnes of sand would have been needed to backfill the trenches, which would have proved costly both in terms of buying the sand and the labour needed to do the work.
“One of my colleagues, who had used Trencher Hire UK in the past, recommended them. When I contacted the Operations Manager, Steve Kingdom, he ran through a few options open to me and I selected a Toro TRX-16 with operator.
“Not only was the trencher cheaper to hire than a JCB but, with its narrow-gauge cutter, could access areas a digger couldn’t. In addition, the narrow neat channels created
by the Toro meant that probably only 30 tonnes of sand would be needed to backfill afterwards – saving both material and labour costs compared to a digger.
“The trencher operator Paul was brilliant and cracked on with the job straight away, but was also honest and upfront highlighting patches of ground where he could not get the Toro through and had to find another path.
“The new 32mm water pipe has been re-routed, but did have to pass over the old one and Paul was able to dig down without damaging it.
Most of the trenching was dug-out to a depth of 650mm and 100mm wide, but in some places adjustments were needed to be made because of large rocks and other obstacles. This meant that in some areas he only dug down to a depth of 500mm, or even as low as 400mm.
“I could not fault the service from Trencher Hire – it was spoton. They arrived on time, did the job that they agreed to do and with no excess costs.” n www.trencherhire.com
Time to make the switch to battery power
This year has seen some of the highest recorded petrol prices since the turn of the millennium – and it is not just motorists who are struggling to cope. Emma Gayler, Ambassador for Challenge 2025, discusses why it is time for professional gardeners to leave petrol in the past and make the switch to battery-powered outdoor equipment.
With energy price cap rises and extortionate bills across almost every consumable product; record high petrol prices are the last thing that anyone needs – especially those who rely on fuel to run their business. Clearly, petrol users are experiencing an incredibly raw deal at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is being felt so strongly.
Professional turf managers using two-stroke engines are already starting to see these extra fuel costs eating away at their bottom lines, and with a multitude of batterypowered alternatives available on the market, there is no better time for trade users to begin exploring the advantages that making the switch could have on their businesses.
Recently, EGO conducted a cost comparison test between three of its products (Hedge Trimmer HTX7500, Line Trimmer STX3800 and leaf blower LBX6000) and three petrol-powered alternatives.
The tools had an average annual power cost of £142.80 while the petrol tools had an average annual power cost of £1,295.40.
When the total cost of ownership over five years was calculated, including purchasing the tools and the running costs, this resulted in a considerable price difference overall. Over five years, the cost of owning three tools, two 10Ah batteries, a backpack harness and a rapid charger came to £2,893.00 which is an average annual cost of £578.60.
Whereas, owning three petrol tools, including the purchase, and running costs, came to £8,134.00 over five years – an average annual cost of £1,626.80.
Overall, across a period of five years, on average it is £1,048.20 cheaper per year to own and run battery-operated tools. This is because, after the initial purchase, the tools do not require any further investment other than general wear and tear. As a result, products can deliver in excess of a 40% cost saving over petrol power: leading to long-term savings for any gardening business.
One of the most stand-out statistics uncovered by Challenge 2025, is that the most widely used outdoor power tool, the leaf blower, uses more than half of the petrol required to run a Ford Fiesta for the same amount of time. This means that users of petrolpowered tools will be hit even harder than the average motorist.
Even though we have also seen a rise in our energy bills, by switching }
to battery power, trade users will notice a considerable difference in how much they must set aside for running costs, and instead will be able to take back control of their outgoings and invest more into the growth of the business.
Many of those who make the switch to battery are very vocal in expressing how much more they enjoy their work. No more aches and pains as the tools are lighter and vibrate less, no more clothes smelling of petrol fumes, and the significantly reduced noise provides extra work opportunities in environments that require minimal disruptions.
The UK has already taken bold steps towards reaching Net Zero by 2050, including bringing forward the end of sales of new petrol and diesel cars to 2030. With numerous ambitious strategies planned to cut emissions, professional gardeners can also join this movement, replacing one tool at a time is a step towards securing the longevity of their business and getting ahead of competitors before they press the button on battery power.
Over the last four decades, huge efforts have been made in the automotive industry to improve engine efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. However, the same efforts were not reflected in the engines used in outdoor power equipment meaning that many still in use today operate from outdated designs and have significantly less emission control technology.
EGO wants this to change. A huge part of its commitment to innovation is to create superior alternatives to petrol that are also cost-effective.
The EGO ARC Lithium battery is more than a match for petrolpowered equipment, eliminating the harmful emissions, noise pollution and health issues associated with petrol power while maintaining the performance that users expect and need.
The only maintenance required is regular charging and even the largest handheld battery – the 12.0Ah – would be fully charged in 80 minutes with a rapid charger. Plus, with batteries designed to be used interchangeably across all EGO products, users can get multiple jobs done across a range of tools.
Petrol has reigned supreme for decades, not because it was the right choice, but because it was the only choice. Now, with the current cost of living crisis, the Government’s plans for a Net Zero future, and a growing public concern for the environment, battery power provides a progressive solution to ensuring that businesses do not get left in the past. Instead, they will be at the forefront of securing a safer, cleaner, and more profitable future.
Challenge 2025 is a campaign which aims to educate and empower outdoor power equipment users to understand why petrol power belongs in the past. Its mission is that by 2025, battery power will become the principal power source for outdoor power equipment, leading to huge reductions in emissions, noise disturbance, and health risks, whilst increasing safety and user comfort.
Knowing how damaging petrolpowered tools are for both the environment and the health of professional gardeners, it is worrying that they are still used to maintain outdoor spaces – including those surrounding hospitals and school grounds. Challenge 2025 wants to make trade users aware of the dangers of petrol-powered tools, not just for the environment but also for the health of themselves and the communities that they work in. n https://egopowerplus.co.uk/
about-ego/technology/cost
GroundsFest is coming
A new and exciting event featuring outdoor demonstrations, indoor zones, free education, interactive workstations, machinery workshops, a wellbeing hub, a live music festival plus much more, is set to be an annual fixture for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, local authorities, estate managers and contractors.
GroundsFest has been developed by award-winning event specialists Purple Ash Media, whose Directors, Chris Bassett, Chris Bennett and Charles Neale, have worked in the grounds care industry for over two decades.
The event will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.
Main features will include: n Outdoor demonstrations – visitors will get to see machinery in action on large outdoor areas. n Indoor zones – a wide variety of exhibitor stands, dedicated sector areas, catering outlets and seminar theatres. n Live interactive stations – a chance to find out the latest trial data on pesticides, fertilisers, bio-stimulants and many more. n Machinery workshops – learn how to maintain and get the very best out of a wide range of machinery and equipment. n Educational seminars – free educational seminars delivered by top speakers and industry experts. n Wellbeing hub – designed to provide information, advice, and guidance about emotional and mental wellbeing. n Festival – after an actionpacked day, unwind and continue networking with live music, delicious street food, and fun, skill-based activities.
The event has been created based on extensive research and independent surveys over the past six years. The results show that September is the most favoured time of year and that a mix of both indoor space and outdoor demonstrations is the preferred format.
From an exhibitor point of view, GroundsFest will be an extremely cost-effective option and one which will opens its doors to a much wider range of companies.
“We have spent a considerable time talking with the industry to unpick what they really want from a trade show and we have built the GroundsFest concept based on the responses received together with ideas we have brought in from our own experience,” explained Chris Bennett.
“We have been delighted with the positive responses we have had in what are the very early stages of our discussions with potential exhibitors,” added Charles.
“We are also meeting with the industry bodies and are keen that we can do as much as we can to assist them to meet their own particular objectives,” said Chris Bassett. n www.groundsfest.com
Bernhard and Company: Industry leader in sports turf technologies
SALTEX 2022 is just around the corner, and one of the industry’s powerhouses, Bernhard and Company, will once again be at the show to display its impressive array of turf products and services. The company will descend on Birmingham at the start of November to show off a selection of key products, including SubAir Systems, TurfBreeze fans, the Rotamaster 4000, and Rapid facer.
SUBAIR SYSTEMS
Bernhard and Company is the official supplier of SubAir Systems to distributors and customers in EMEA and parts of Asia.
As a concept, SubAir Systems is a subsurface aeration and moisture control system for natural grass pitches and golf courses. The basic principle is that, with a SubAir System installed, pitch or field managers can manipulate the levels of moisture, oxygen, and gas transfer within their subsoil, to create the optimal growing conditions for their grass plant.
While the system can operate autonomously, it has two main user modes: pressure and vacuum. In pressure mode, the system simply pushes clean oxygen into the selected root zone of any pitch or field. Grass naturally develops waste gas that formulates around the root zone, so being able to replace those gases with fresh oxygen means that growing conditions can be continually regulated.
The vacuum mode essentially works in the opposite way, by pulling air down and out away from the bottom of the root zone. When you remove air from this zone, it also pulls away moisture at the same time. This allows the user to be very calculated in determining the amount of moisture they want within the soil profile. This use of SubAir Systems is perhaps the most globally recognised, and is certainly one that customers appreciate - because it allows them to maintain a constant moisture level, despite any large storms or deluges of water that might otherwise cause flooding.
SubAir was developed to help and improve any natural grass pitch, field, or green. The system can be installed across multiple different platforms; from cricket to football, horse racing, golf and rugby, to name just a few. As such, each installation is totally bespoke – engineers will examine the space provided, then custom engineer a system to fit that location.
A SubAir System could be the ideal insurance policy for sporting venues that host major events or tournaments. Without the system installed, it is completely feasible that some pitches would quickly become unplayable after a downpour, and the cancellation of games in international tournaments can cost organisers millions.
Each system that gets installed has to contend with a different growing environment, and therefore needs to be programmed differently to tackle each unique climate. Bernhard and Company work closely with the turf manager at each site to determine the exact treatment requirements to create a bespoke plan that will deliver the
best possible results.
On Wednesday 2nd November at SALTEX 2022, Bernhard and Company will be offering a ‘Learning Live’ seminar in Theatre 3. The session – ‘Why subsurface ventilation matters: How healthy turf is more important to athletes’ health than you think’ – will take a deep dive into how creating an ultra-healthy grass plant can be key to playing performance and safety for athletes. There will also be 30-minute faceto-face demos with Steve Wilson, Business Development Manager at Bernhard and Company, on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd November, at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.
TURFBREEZE FANS
The leading global name in sports surface aeration, TurfBreeze fans have been designed to generate essential surface air movement to aid the development of highquality playing surfaces.
The system works by allowing pitch and field managers to manipulate both surface temperature and manage the level of moisture on the turf canopy. Certain areas of pitches or turfed areas may not benefit from any natural air movement, or suffer from excessive heat. So, by having TurfBreeze fans in place, cold air can be blown into those problem areas to lower the temperature of the canopy, hence reduce the soil temperature for healthier growth across the turf.
Additionally, some pitches or sporting venues will suffer from having certain parts of the field that are covered by shade for large parts of the day. By operating the TurfBreeze fans in these areas, pitch managers can keep excess moisture from settling on the canopy of the turf and prevent disease breakouts.
RAPID FACER 1000
The Rapid Facer 1000 is unique and precise. It is a fast, easy to use maintenance tool that has the ability to restore the front face of a bedknife in just 90 seconds, enabling mowers to spend more time cutting grass than in the workshop. With speed, convenience, and accuracy, you can re-sharpen your bedknife weekly, or even daily as needed.
This unique tool secures magnetically to a bedknife, allowing for simple and precise adjustments. The cleaner cut delivered will produce a healthier grass plant as well as a consistent grass height for superior uniformity. In addition to prolonging the life of a bedknife, this process will also help to reduce wear on the cylinder, and subsequently the cutting unit.
Moreover, the process of using the Rapid Facer will help maintain a sharp edge on the bedknife, resulting in a prolonged quality of cut.
Bernhard and Company can be found in Hall 8 at SALTEX 2022, on stand E026.
ROTAMASTER 4000
The Bernhard and Company Rotamaster 4000 is a rotary blade grinding machine that is designed to ensure that both ends of a blade are sharpened with automated precision. It delivers a superior edge with consistent balance for a better quality of cut. The result? Longer lasting blades and fantastic looking grass.
With a clamp mechanism and fastaligning bars, blade mounting is quick and easy, improving the overall cycle time – you can set it up and walk away. The Rotamaster 4000 is also easy and safe to use, with an ergonomic design for operator safety. n For more
information on Bernhard and Company and its full range of turf management products and solutions, head to www.bernhard.co.uk
Cultivating new turf technologies
Rolawn is furthering its commitment to the future of turf growing by calling on its history for new ways to overcome the industry’s biggest challenges.
The company 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.
Whether investing in state-ofthe-art equipment or developing and building its own cutting-edge technology, Rolawn applies the depth of knowledge gained during its 47-year history, to meet and exceed the needs of the market and to drive the turf industry forward.
Farming an extensive acreage of turf, Rolawn supplies to the domestic, amenity, landscape and house building markets and considers consistent upgrades to its turf growing process part of its commitment to quality, its customers, and the environment.
The expertise and experience Rolawn have in turf growing informs and drives much of the pioneering technology that is developed at the company’s Yorkshire-based facilities. Expert engineers at Rolawn are kept busy, devising, and developing leading-edge equipment to address and adapt to the ever-changing challenges as they arise. In-house projects include producing the world’s largest turf pneumatic seed drill, developing the patented ProFresh system as a unique way to tackle sod heating and, what is believed to be, the UK’s largest turf roll harvester.
As part of its growing fleet of vehicles, Rolawn has invested in an impressive line-up of sophisticated machinery 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.
Designed and engineered in-house, the Seed Drill Mark 2 has greatly enhanced Rolawn’s sowing process and is considered the secret to its seeding success. Specially selected, best quality grass seed is sown by the drill, using a multi-directional pattern to ensure weak spots are eliminated, providing a higher grade of turf. The drill’s dual seed application and its ability to level the ground provides unrivalled seed distribution which has resulted in improved establishment.
The pneumatic seed drill was entirely built by the Rolawn fabrication team and is believed to be the most advanced pneumatic turf seed drill in the country.
Described as “the most refined, high-production machine on the market,” the Auto-Stack 3 from Trebro is an important addition to Rolawn’s fleet as it offers innovative features that set it apart from others. Having already invested in the Trebro-TSR turf
harvester, Rolawn is the first in Europe to have the Montana-made AutoStack 3, believing that it helps reinforce their commitment to quality and attention to detail.
The technology of this machine matches the ambitions of Rolawn, bringing the benefits of its many features, including sophisticated cutterhead accuracy and depth control, precise roll-up process, articulated steering for manoeuvrability, dual harvesting capabilities and improved weight distribution, which have allowed Rolawn to further increase productivity and build on the superior quality of the turf it grows.
Rolawn uses three Fendt 314 machines. The power to weight ratio and onboard tech-nology of the 314s offers improved accuracy when mowing, creating fewer scalpings and resulting in a betterquality product. With the aim of 60 hectares of mowing per tractor per day, this is now achievable with the flexibility and geared forward speed these Fendt machines offer.
Rolawn’s fleet also includes the Fendt 516 tractor, which incorporates revolutionary live, real time grass plant analysis linked by sprayer and applicator control systems. This technology allows Rolawn to optimise field outputs, such as fertilisers, which has led to marked improvements in quality with reduced environmental impact.
All the Fendt machines Rolawn operates have been specifically chosen to boost efficiency and offer better overall turf consistency. Its move to Fendt machines has been “a real eye-opener” for the business and it intends to add more to its fleet in the future.
“The consistent, superior quality of our turf is no accident. It is the result of years of research, refinement, and improvement” said Sales Director Jonathan Hill.
“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 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,” said Jonathan.
