Kubota B Series Packs A Punch

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Kubota B Series Packs A Punch: For users over smaller areas looking to purchase a new compact tractor in 2018, Kubota UK has a new and improved B Series range that will leave them spoilt for choice.

The market leading manufacturer of groundcare equipment has introduced its new B1 (standard spec) and B2 Series (premium spec) tractors, which supersede its existing B Series range of compact tractors.

Kubota B Series Packs A Punch

Adrian Langmead, Groundcare Business Development Manager for Kubota UK, said: “The launch of the B1 and B2 Series is all about evolution not revolution. Our B Series has been one of the most popular compact tractors on the market for years based on its performance, reliability, comfort and ability to cross different markets. The B1 and B2 Series capitalise on this even further, with a host of enhanced features to benefit our end-user customers.

“The premium B2 Series builds on from the industry leading B50 Series. The four new models, ranging from 20-31kw, boast a wide range of features, including Kubota’s unique Bi-speed turn. This enables operators to achieve a significantly reduced turning radius for increased maneuverability in tighter spaces. Three of the models feature Kubota’s renowned 3-cylinder diesel engine, whilst the 31hp model is powered by Kubota’s powerful 4-cylinder diesel engine.

“The introduction of the B2 Series is all about raising the bar in the compact tractor sector. Kubota invests heavily in research and development and talking to the market, to ensure our products and solutions meet and exceed the requirements of our customers. The B50 was the first tractor in its class to feature an integrated cab design, giving operators 5% more interior space and reduced noise. The range also includes a rear 3-point hitch for substantial lifting capacity across a wide range of implements.”

For those looking for more of a standard spec machine, the new B1 Series is the ideal choice. With three models ranging from 16 to 24hp, this latest series is an evolution of Kubota’s most iconic and long standing B1 utility tractor range.  Featuring refreshed styling, with a new slanted bonnet offering a clear view of all operations, the new B1 significantly enhances safety, control and comfort, whilst also reflecting the power and dependability the series has long been associated with.

Adrian concluded: “Kubota has been synonymous with innovation, performance and reliability within the groundcare industry for many years. Our latest standard and premium compact tractor ranges are a further reflection of our continued commitment to providing the industry with the best machines on the market that don’t let users down and enable all professionals to get the job done, time and again, efficiently and effectively.”

For more information on Kubota’s market leading groundcare solutions and to find your nearest dealer, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call + 44 1844 268000.

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New Toro Deal At Moor Hall

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New Toro Deal At Moor Hall: The latest fleet of machinery at Moor Hall Golf Club has been curated to bring the club the latest technological developments, tackle particular environmental considerations and make specific improvements.

Course manager Wayne Ganning at the club based in Sutton Coldfield created a wish list and with the help of Reesink Turfcare and dealer Redtech Machinery now has a fleet he can rely on to produce results, make savings and implement a more responsible course management programme.

New Toro Deal At Moor Hall

The fleet features two of Toro’s latest UK launches – the brand new GreensPro 1260 and the GeoLink Precision Spray System, the industry’s first turf-based spray system – and 15 greens, tees and roughs mowers, top dressers, aerators and UTVs vehicles.

Wayne says: “Despite being a 100 percent Toro club, this is actually the first fleet we’ve brought in. Our machinery replacement programme for the last decade has seen us bring in a couple of new machines a year, but this year I presented my colleagues Jon Lewis at Reesink and Graham Hall at Redtech with plan of what I wanted to achieve with the course and they pulled out all of the stops to make sure I got what I needed.”

In opting for the GeoLink, Moor Hall was one of the first clubs in the country to reap the benefits of precision spraying. GPS technology and a single nozzle level control means application is accurate to within 10mm. The system automatically turns individual sprinklers on and off based on the machine’s exact location and the boundaries set, and thus virtually eliminates waste. Wayne says of this decision: “We are making a concerted effort to be more environmentally friendly in our approach to course management. The GeoLink is a fantastic and effective way to do this. Not only do we make a difference to the amount of chemicals we’re putting on the ground, but there are significant savings to be made when there is far less wastage.”

Among the many technological improvements in the GreensPro 1260 is a hydraulic drive system. This replaces the hydro and chain drive and eliminates leaks and potential contamination of the grass as well as reducing the amount of maintenance required with chain drive systems. Wayne says this is already proving to be “more reliable and easier for the team to use”.

As for the rest of the fleet, the Groundsmaster 4700-D is cutting the roughs with two more units than the club’s previous mower and that’s making a big difference in terms of productivity, while the SandPro 5040 has won Wayne the thanks of the six-strong greenkeeping team: “The extra hydraulics on the front of the machine is making a huge impact on raking especially in inclement weather. It’s certainly saving our backs!”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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2018 Groundsman Award

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2018 Groundsman Award: Now taking place for the 11th year, The FA’s Groundsman of the Year awards were created to recognise the contribution of these unsung heroes of the grassroots game and encourage the development of groundsmanship.

The majority of football in this country is played outside the Football League. Quality pitches are therefore essential for the development of football at every level. Grassroots groundspeople, the vast majority of whom are volunteers, play a huge role in ensuring pitches are in their best possible condition, week in, week out.

2018 Groundsman Award

The current award structure is as follows. There are separate awards for:

• The Football Conference (Steps 1 and 2)
• Northern Premier League
• Southern League
• Isthmian League
• Steps 3 and 4 National Award
• Steps 5 and 6 National Award
• Step 7 and Below National Award

Step 1 – 6 Clubs are nominated by their respective Leagues, while Step 7 and below clubs are selected by their County FA following local nominations. The top recommendations from each League and County are visited by FA judges who draw up the final shortlist.

These six judges are all groundsmen at Premier League and Championship football clubs across the country. They not only look at the quality of the pitch, but also take into consideration the groundsman’s skills and knowledge, their ambitions for the pitch, the resources available, how often the pitch is used, and the amount of time they are able to work on the pitch.

Each local winning groundsperson will be presented with a trophy at their respective home grounds on the day of a pre-season friendly or league game and then are recognised again at the Oxfordshire FA Awards Evening later this year. The Groundsman of the Year Awards Presentation brings together all the award winners, runners-up and highly commended groundsman for a day at St. George’s Park which includes lunch, a tour of the facility and the awards presentation.

Oxfordshire nominations for Step 7 and below are now OPEN!

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Tributes Paid To Greenkeeper

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Tributes Paid To Greenkeeper: Tributes have been flooding in to a multi-talented sportsman who has been described as “marvellous with people”.

Former Norwich City player and Thetford Golf Club member and greenkeeper Richard ‘Dick’ Scott died on February 11 aged 76.

Tributes Paid To Greenkeeper

Born on October 26 1941 in Thetford, on his 17th birthday he became part of Norwich City’s ground staff and played for the youth team and reserves. The right half made 36 appearances and scored three goal for the first team during his spell with the Canaries between 1961 and 1963, and was part of the 1962 League Cup winning team.

A spokesman for Norwich City Football Club said: “We are always saddened to hear of the passing of any former Canary. Dick was a local player that worked his way to the first team through the ranks.

“Our thoughts are with Dick’s friends and family during this difficult time.”

He moved to Cardiff City where he was honoured to play in the same team as Welshman John Charles and also had spells at Scunthorpe United, Lincoln City, King’s Lynn Town, and Thetford Town and Rovers.

Outside of football he was married to Judy for 56 years and had two children, Timothy and Veronica, and three grandchildren, Alex, Maxime and Robert.

“He was a great joker and was always making people laugh,” said Mrs Scott. “He was marvellous with people. He was a character.

“Everyone has got their own little funny stories about him. He was very strong minded.”

Mr Scott was a member of Thetford Golf Club from 1978 until 2005. He was head greenkeeper and was involved in planning and construction at other clubs in Norfolk.

The club’s manager Malcolm Grubb said: “Dick was a multi-talented sportsman and a very capable golfer.

“He represented Thetford in many inter-club county events with considerable success. He was also a very competent head greenkeeper, helping to build Thetford’s reputation as having one of the best-maintained golf courses in the area.

“He will be fondly remembered at Thetford Golf Club and will be sadly missed.”

A tribute from Mick Askew said: “I had the pleasure of his company for around two years as he built and designed Richmond Park Golf Club [near Watton]. A true gentleman and a very talented man in all aspects of sport.

“So sad to hear of his passing I have lots of memories of our time together. My condolences to his family.”

He and his wife spent 15 years of their retirement in Cyprus and returned to live in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, last year.

Mrs Scott added: “Richard always thought he was fortunate because he earned a living from sports that he loved. And on retirement he spent 15 years in the sun in Cyprus.”

A celebration of his life will take place at Bury St Edmunds Crematorium on February 27 at 10.30am. All are welcome to attend.

A get together will take place after at Thetford Golf Club.

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