Private Gated Community Chooses Iseki Mower

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Shotwick Park, located in Chester, U.K. has taken delivery of an Iseki SXG326 cut and collect compact tractor mower to help maintain the eight-acre private residential area. European and U.K. Iseki distributor Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd. supplied the machine and local dealer, F.R. Sharrock Ltd., made the delivery.

Tony Kinkead has been the Estate Manager at Shotwick Park since 2000. Tony owns one of the 14 apartments on-site and maintains the land with the help of fellow gardeners Mick Williams and Paul Long.

Commenting on purchasing the Iseki SXG326 to maintain the estate, Tony said:
“Our main priority when looking for a suitable ride-on mower was the ability of the machine to mulch leaves and to cope well with the amount of grass that we need to cut here. The area is surrounded by many trees which deposit leaves and pine nuts in autumn, so it is important that we are able to keep the area tidy and presentable throughout the year.”

The Iseki SXG326 has been purchased after previously using a different brand for a period of 10 years. The new tractor mower will cut grass in the summer months and has had a tow bar fitted which will assist with other tasks such as maintaining flower beds, shrubs and transporting branches when cutting back trees. During the autumn and winter seasons, the Iseki machine will help with general maintenance tasks and mulching leaves.

“We purchased an Iseki this time around partly because our dealer F.R. Sharrock made us aware of the Iseki brand and the range of products available,” said Tony. “The machine was also better value for money, more comfortable and easier to use; it ticked all of our boxes.”

The Iseki SXG326 is powered by a high torque 1123cc diesel engine and features a brand new instrument panel and dial in height-of-cut adjustment. The machine is able to cut and collect in wet conditions and boasts a 600-litre collector capacity that is engineered to be easily removed, providing simple cleaning and maintenance.

Commenting on the service provided, Tony said:
“Our dealer has been absolutely fantastic. We have now had a 10-year relationship with F.R. Sharrock, and we have always been very well looked after, in particular by Adrian, the area sales manager. Adrian has helped us to find the perfect fit for Shotwick Park and has also attached a tow bar to the machine so that we are able to tow a trailer and deposit any organic materials. We are very happy with our new Iseki machine and the unwavering level of service we continue to experience.”

Shotwick Park is a private, gated residential estate featuring 14 apartments and one detached house. The estate was built, and privately owned, in 1876 by the Vernon family before being purchased by Cheshire County Council in the 1930s. Shotwick Park was used as a home for senior citizens for many years, and also served as a military hospital for a period of time during the Second World War.

Former Groundsman Praises Playability of SISGrass

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Former Hull City groundsman Craig Backhouse believes more football clubs should join the SISGrass revolution.

Backhouse, who now works as an Installation Supervisor at SIS Pitches, worked at Hull City for nine years, two of which he spent working with a SISGrass pitch installed by SIS Pitches.

He now travels the world to help install the product in his new role, and has carried out work in the Middle East, Germany, Greece, Turkey as well as a number of projects in the UK.

Having worked on a quick-fire SISGrass installation at Derby County’s iPro Stadium and witnessed AFC Bournemouth becoming the first Premier League club to have a new SISGrass hybrid pitch installed, Backhouse believes more football clubs should follow suit.

“The playability of SISGrass pitches is fantastic, the quality can make a groundsmans’ life so much easier and obviously I have worked on both sides,” said Backhouse.

“It is very important that our team are made up of groundsmen who understand both the grass and also what football clubs want.

“The feedback that we have had from players and clubs across the UK and also abroad has been incredible. It is an important part of the job to ensure that players enjoy playing on the surface.

“Of course, the pitch has to be maintained but my advice to football clubs would be to have SISGrass installed, it is one of the best playing surfaces in the world.

“The yarn and polypropylene fibres that we use stand up in the grass and as a result the ball moves faster across the surface. This means that the chances of playing more free-flowing football are increased greatly.”

Having spent a number of years working for a football club, Backhouse has only been at SIS Pitches for a little over six months. However, he has already seen a rapid rise in the company.

SIS Pitches have landed a number of prestigious projects across the country but have also confirmed deals to design, construct and maintain four pitches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, including the Luzhniki Stadium, which will host the final.

“SIS Pitches and in particular SISGrass will continue to grow from strength to strength, it is incredible what has been achieved in the last six months alone.

“There is so much variety to the work we do and to be able to travel around building pitches and dealing with different groundsmen every day is fantastic.

“The team we have is excellent, everyone has a great spirit about them but also a determination to ensure that our clients receive the best possible service.”

Fleet Line Markers Preview New Machine

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On Wednesday 8Th March 2017 line marking specialist, Fleet Line Markers Ltd previewed its latest innovation in line marking technology. The company invited a select number of representatives from industry leading publications to spend some time at Fleet, getting a tour of the premises and being introduced to a ground-breaking new GPS line marking system, the MAQA line marking machine.

The MAQA line marking machine (release date TBC) is the new era in line marking, using GPS technology to save both labour and time. This innovative line marking technology has had numerous IP rights registered and granted. The MAQA line marking system can reduce the time it takes to initial mark by 3/4. Mike Lewis of Highground Maintenance has said “I can initial mark a full sized football pitch in 20 minutes, on my own. The results have left us speechless!”. The MAQA has a free life time guarantee and also free life time software updates!

The attendees had a tour of Fleet Line Markers head office, based in Malvern, Worcestershire. Then the group all actively took part in a demo at the Malvern Rugby Club. Line marking has never been so easy, with novis line markers producing an excellent first line attempt. The MAQA line marking machine handles circles in a way never seen before, producing exciting results with ease. A thoroughly good day was had by all!