Wiedenmann Terra Spike Makes Aeration Faster For Knighton Heath

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Extra 40cm Wiedenmann Terra Spike width makes aeration ever faster for Knighton Heath GC: When Alan Magee, Course Manger at Knighton Heath GC, upgraded his existing Wiedenmann Terra Spike, he simply chose a wider version thanks to having a bigger tractor.

The Bournemouth club enjoyed the excellent service of its GXi 6 which had been both nimble and quick.  However, in August a switch was made to the 1.8 m wide GXi8 HD, hoping those crucial extra 40 cm would make the operation even more efficient.

Wiedenmann Terra Spike Makes Aeration Faster For Knighton Heath

After full course circuits in August and September, Alan Magee couldn’t praise his new Terra Spike highly enough.  “On its first outing it got round all 18 greens and the putting green in seven hours when previously the narrower machine took 12.  The tees and approaches were virtually done in a day, just spilling into an extra hour the following morning to finish the final two. Time saved there was six hours – even using the 22 mm tines. ”

Fewer passes and turns speeded up the whole process but didn’t detract from the neatness and negligible disturbance.

“We’re very pleased indeed. The machine is quiet, smooth and exceptionally balanced. During the playing season on the greens we’ll use 10 mm tines and 12 mm in the winter, with tees and approaches the 22 mm.”

At the same time Alan Magee and his team of six  also took delivery of a Whisper Twister, Wiedenmann’s all-action blower with 180* of swivel and an airflow rate of 200 m³/minute.

“Can’t fault that one either,” he said. “Primarily it’s for managing the broader leaves and then  later in the season the pine needles.  Every day we find more tasks.  Last week we cut the rough and scarified the fairways. Tidy up would normally have involved four people with back pack blowers.  But after letting it dry a little we followed through with the Whisper Twister which required only one person on the tractor, again making everything more efficient.”

On hand throughout the sales process was, Andy Frost, grounds care specialist from Wiedenmann dealer, EG Coles at Shaftesbury.

For more information, visit: www.wiedenmann.co.uk

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Jobs Lost As Sports Turf Contractor Slips Into Administration

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Jobs lost as sports turf contractor slips into administration: The majority of the workforce has been made redundant after a 47-strong sports turf contractor with an operation in Cheshire slipped into administration.

Souters Sports entered administration on 3 November 2017, with Paul Dounis and Steve Ross of RSM Restructuring Advisory appointed joint administrators. The business provides turf for sporting venues across the UK with services including construction, reconstruction, drainage, aeration and maintenance.

Jobs Lost As Sports Turf Contractor Slips Into Administration

At the date of administration, Souters Sports had 47 employees across sites at Cumbernauld in Scotland and Knutsford in Cheshire.

RSM said that the decision to appoint administrators was made due to increased competition from artificial pitches and creditor pressure.

Dounis said: “Following a difficult trading position, measures have been taken to protect assets and maximise realisations for creditors through the administration process.

“Regrettably due to viability and the seasonality of work, we have had to make the majority of the workforce redundant and we are assisting all employees with their claims. We have however retained a small number of employees to complete certain high-profile contracts and to assist the administrators in their duties.

“The business has a strong pipeline of projects for next year and we would invite any interested parties to get in touch.”

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SALTEX 2017 – The Best Yet

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SALTEX 2017 – The Best Yet: SALTEX 2017 has been hailed as a huge success.

A year’s worth of meticulous and strategic planning from show organisers culminated in what is being hailed by many as the best ever SALTEX.

SALTEX 2017 – The Best Yet

The two-day exhibition has quickly grown to become the premier annual grounds care event in Europe and on 1 and 2 November, the halls of the NEC, Birmingham were a hub of innovation, inspiration and opportunity.

Ahead of the 9am opening, a huge queue of visitors stretched beyond the three mighty halls of 6,7 and 8 and it wasn’t long before the show floor was packed with grounds care enthusiasts from all over the globe.

More than 300 exhibitors showcased their products and services; Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s all-encompassing education programme, featured over 100 high-profile speakers who tackled a number of key issues, and other show features – including Pathology and Soil Science Live, Ask The Expert and the Job Clinic offered invaluable free advice and career progression opportunities. The Outdoor Demonstrations area enabled visitors to see some of the latest equipment in action and attendees also had the chance to see every entry in SALTEX’s new Innovation of the Year Award.

Exhibitors reported constant engagement with a high calibre of attendees across the two day event as visitors immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and unparalleled interaction. The SALTEX buzz was captured by all and social media channels became a frenzy of show photos, selfies, videos and positive comments – so much so that at 11am on 1 November, #SALTEX17 registered as the third most trending topic in the UK.

Furthermore, not a moment was missed through the all new SALTEX TV. Learning LIVE discussions, panel debates and presentations, as well key interviews with visitors, experts and exhibitors were all broadcasted live on four large screens throughout the show floor.

Despite a turbulent year of economic uncertainty, SALTEX successfully united every corner of the grounds care industry. As the only independently-audited show of its kind in the UK, the IOG has never shied away from being transparent with visitor numbers and the official figure will be released as soon as the audit has been completed.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

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Quinta Do Lago Chooses John Deere

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Quinta Do Lago Chooses John Deere: A major investment in John Deere golf course maintenance equipment has been made by Quinta do Lago, for use on the Portuguese resort’s three 18-hole championship courses in the Algarve. A similar deal has also been signed with sister resort PGA Catalunya in Spain.

The revamped North Course, the South Course and Laranjal are complemented by extensive practice facilities including the first Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Centre in Southern Europe. Machines will also be used at the resort’s new professional level training and coaching development The Campus. Targeted at both elite and amateur sports, this will feature the first independent hybrid Desso GrassMaster training facility in Europe.

Quinta Do Lago Chooses John Deere

Quinta do Lago was voted Portugal’s number one golfing venue in Golf World magazine’s inaugural Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe rankings list in 2016. It has also been named Europe’s Best Golf Destination at the World Golf Awards in 2015 and 2016, and been given the Editors’ Choice Award for Best International Resorts in 2016 and 2017 by Golf Digest, ensuring the venue’s place among the world’s golfing elite.

An initial fleet of 27 John Deere machines including tractors, fairway & rough mowers and Gator utility vehicles along with other ancillary equipment, supported by PowerGard extended warranty and maintenance contracts, were delivered this summer by the local, family owned John Deere golf & turf dealership Torre Marco SA. The dealership has its own fully equipped maintenance facility, the only one of its kind in the Algarve.

The choice of John Deere as Quinta do Lago’s preferred equipment supplier was made on the recommendation of golf course superintendent Paul O’Mahony, following what he describes as a “very strenuous process”. Paul previously worked his way up through the ranks at Old Head of Kinsale in Ireland, becoming course superintendent there in 2003 before moving to Quinta do Lago in 2011.

Paul formulated a unique model to measure a series of performance and quality parameters that were applied to each of the main machinery suppliers before going through the usual tender process. The model was specifically built to satisfy the resort’s full fleet requirements over a 10 year period, keeping each machine ‘in range’ in terms of life expectancy and residual value, with points awarded for service, machine quality, value and additional aspects such as training and support.

“Downtime is no time may be a cliché but that’s because it’s true,” says Paul O’Mahony. “It’s very important to have reliable, fully functioning equipment, and this has to provide the same levels of precision and quality that we as a team set out to achieve every day across all our golf operations. Having worked with John Deere equipment at Old Head and initially brought in tractors and Gators to the courses here at Quinta do Lago, I’m very comfortable that we can establish an effective partnership with the company and the dealership.

“Our staff are always put under pressure to meet expectations, and the same will apply to the machinery we use – everything will continue to be measured, to ensure we make the most of the assets we invest in. That applies not just to the equipment but to the whole package, including aftersales service and support, parts delivery, reaction times and so on.

“We are a commercial entity – our aim is to be the best and provide the best golfing experience we can. The faster, more efficient and more productive the machinery can be, the better – it all leads back to that commercial imperative.”

For more information, visit: www.johndeere.co.uk

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APEX Zero-turn Cuts Time As Well As Grass

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APEX Zero-turn Cuts Time As Well As Grass: Designed and built with the professional in mind, Ariens Company has recently introduced the new APEX zero-turn mower to the UK.

The Ariens name has been built on a reputation for engineering excellence and the APEX zero-turn continues this tradition with its ‘built to last’ quality. Well-crafted components, Hydro-Gear® transaxles and a robust 4-point cutting deck bring you commercial performance. The APEX features an industry-leading frame design, with large formed tubular rails serving as the backbone to support the loads of the machine.

APEX Zero-turn Cuts Time As Well As Grass

The highly durable 10-gauge steel deck is 14cm (5 ½”) deep with a reinforced leading edge providing the airflow needed to tackle tough mowing conditions. It boasts fifteen cutting positions in 0.6cm (¼”) increments. These are easily selected using a foot-operated deck lift and vertical pin system. There is a Constant Belt Tension System to ensure the belt is always at the right tension to minimise wear and heat, while providing enhanced belt life with minimal adjustments necessary. The category leading large tyres provide superior traction and ride quality.

The APEX is comfortable too, featuring an adjustable high-back seat with padded arm rests helping to reduce operator fatigue. The frame on the APEX can also be fitted with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS) for added protection. Powering you through the work is a reliable premium grade Kawasaki V-Twin (726cc) engine – ideal when you have a lot of ground to cover. The APEX zero-turn is available in two models: APEX 48 with a 122cm (48”) cutter deck and the APEX 52 with a 132cm (52”) cutter deck. With its commercial grade DNA, the APEX is a highly durable zero-turn and will outlast most other machines in its class.

The Ariens brand has been family owned for over 80 years and is rapidly growing in the UK with a large network of dealers. To find your local dealer visit www.ariens-uk.com, or for more information contact Ariens Company on 0800 597 7777

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