Bobcat Expand Attachment Range

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Bobcat Expand Attachment Range: Bobcat is a major player worldwide in the attachment market. For the company’s market-leading range of compact loaders, the attachment range has just been expanded with the launch of the new Bobcat Remote Control System.

All Bobcat compact loaders are equipped with the quick-change Bob-Tach attachment mounting system, facilitating the quick and safe interchange of over 100 different types of Bobcat attachment. The new Remote Control System has been designed in the same way – it is a plug and play system comprising an easily portable and industrial radio remote control solution that can be mounted and dismounted on machines very quickly, leaving behind the standard machine in its original form.

Bobcat Expand Attachment Range

A new video demonstrates how simple it is to set up and use the Remote Control System. Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/nNUI9Ve0Prc

In the Remote Control video, a Bobcat T450 compact track loader and an S100 skid-steer loader are shown working with Grapple, Pallet Fork and Combination Bucket attachments, but of course there are many more, including Vibratory Roller, Soil Conditioner, Auger, Trencher, Landplane, 2D/3D Laser Grader and Dozer Blade attachments from Bobcat.

Increased Safety and Productivity

Remote control aims to increase safety, comfort and productivity by distancing the operator from dust, noise, vibrations and other hazards encountered at the workface or on job sites that require special safety precautions. Work can be done faster with higher precision and, in some applications, with fewer personnel on the job site. For increased safety, the system also features an emergency stop button and drop and tilt detection.

It allows direct sight of the work in progress, further increasing the versatility of the loader and a comprehensive range of attachments including angle brooms, augers, breakers, buckets and snow blowers. With trenchers and wheelsaws, where the operator specifically needs to drive backwards with the loader, this solution offers perfect visibility of the project. It also allows operators to talk face-to-face with project partners and manage the surroundings (verbally or non-verbally) at the same time.

Other applications include demolition environments with poor air quality and distracting noise, where the Remote Control System gives the operator the ability to do work from a distance, free from dirt, dust and noise.

In shipyards and in vessels with limited space in the hold, distancing the operator from the loader keeps them away from other loading machinery such as grabs and the materials they are carrying, separating them from hazardous chemicals and other airborne pollutants as well as falling heavy objects such as scrap metal and other items. The job can be done more easily, with better visibility for managing tight spaces in and around containment areas.

In the waste and recycling industries, the remote control solution allows operators to handle dangerous or toxic materials from a safe distance, minimizing the risk of exposure. With the remote control solution, operators can work on hazardous applications (such as detecting and removing land mines) and also disasters like floods, forest fires, mud or rock slides and in other places where operators can be subjected to dangerous situations.

Installed in a matter of minutes as the video shows, the new Remote Control System allows operators to leave their seat in the cab and control their Bobcat loader remotely. It is compatible with Bobcat skid-steer, compact track and all wheel steer loader models equipped with the company’s Selectable Joystick Controls.

“After comprehensive testing and licensing of the new Remote Control System, Bobcat is the first company to provide an attachment product of this type as original ‘Plug&Play’ equipment, rather than offering it as an add-on development from a third party,” said Alastair Jones, Bobcat Attachments District Manager (UK, Ireland and Nordics & Baltics).

“The Remote Control System can be used in many applications with the focus on limitless visibility, the ability to communicate with the surroundings without the need to be present in the cab, comfort enhancement for applications with noise, vibration and harshness or even in dangerous areas,” Alastair Jones explained.

He continued: “Complementing the applications described above, remote control solutions have proved their qualities and abilities to save lives in the toughest environments all around the world by providing service during disasters like floods, forest fires, mud or rock slides and in other places where operators can be subjected to dangerous situations.”

Simple Plug and Play

The new plug and play system comprises an easily portable and industrial radio remote control solution that can be mounted and dismounted on machines very quickly, leaving behind the standard machine in its original form.

Every remote-control kit is protected by a dedicated password, with two-way communication providing all the important information about the loader (such as fuel and oil status, warnings, etc.) on a 3.5-inch transflective colour backlit LCD display.

The system provides most of the functions that can be performed via direct loader operation, including throttle, light, creep and float controls. There is also speed management control to ensure easier operation in certain applications (such as trenching, tilling, scarifying and so on). The system is very intuitive to use and the training for end users will be provided by Bobcat dealers.

The Remote Control System is supplied with two exchangeable batteries offering a long 20-hour battery life. The protective case ensures it is easier to transport from one job site to another. This forms part of an updated state-of-the-art ergonomic design with the system housed in a rugged and weatherproof enclosure.

World Leader in Attachments

As a market leader worldwide in attachments, Bobcat offers customers many advantages in this market. They include the company‘s One-Stop-Shop approach – providing every possible combination of machine and attachment from one source and an impressive stock of products available for immediate shipment. This is backed by the service support of the comprehensive Bobcat dealer network in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, offering Service Specialists and excellent Parts availability to reduce downtime.

The warranty protection available from Bobcat allows customers to avoid the disputes that may arise from the compatibility and operating problems that are caused by the use of non-approved attachments. In contrast, all Bobcat attachments are engineering approved, ensuring that they are optimized for efficiency, performance and greater productivity. This results in lower operating and maintenance costs.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com

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Landini Tractors Back At SALTEX

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Landini Tractors Back At SALTEX: Landini tractors new to the turf management and groundscare sectors will feature at this year’s Saltex event on October 30/31 at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham as manufacturer Argo Tractors raises the profile of its Italian marque.

The compact and mid-range models are well-suited to turf care, grounds maintenance and related applications, providing high levels of productivity and fuel efficiency, and a safe and comfortable working environment for operators spending long hours at the controls.

Landini Tractors Back At SALTEX

“Landini is an established range of products from one of the World’s largest agricultural tractor manufacturers,” notes Adrian Winnett, UK & Ireland managing director at the Argo Tractors group.

“They benefit from considerable resources in terms of design and development, manufacturing and distribution, and owners can rely on comprehensive parts and technical back-up from us and from our independent dealers.”

While the complete Landini range extends to highly sophisticated tractors with up to 225hp for agricultural tillage operations, the focus at Saltex will be on the smaller models in the range, mechanical drive compact tractors from 54hp to 75hp, and full-size mid-range tractors from 70hp to 113hp.

“These products are well suited to groundscare and turf management applications thanks to a choice of specifications and features that enable buyers to find the best build for their needs,” says Adrian Winnett.

“You can go for a simple unit for light grounds maintenance duties or one with heavier-duty build and more comprehensive transmissions and implement drives to handle larger implements or equipment with greater demands for power and hydraulics.”

Argo Tractors decided to return to the Saltex event as part of a campaign to raise the profile of its Landini range, show new models added to the line-up and engage face-to-face with potential customers and prospective new dealers.

“As the undisputed number one shop-window for the groundscare and turf management sectors, we felt it was the right time to showcase our latest products at Saltex,” says Mr Winnett. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand to see these tractors in the metal.”

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Mark Richardson Associates Launched

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Mark Richardson Associates Launched: Industry veteran, Mark Richardson of Stewart Landscape Construction announces the formation of Mark Richardson Associates, a new consulting business that will offer the landscape industry a broad range of experience and expertise including project management, feasibility studies and sourcing of products and services.

Richardson, who has worked in the UK landscape sector for 33 years, 20 of which have been spent managing his multi award winning company, Stewart Landscape Construction Ltd says, “Through my time delivering many complex projects I have often felt that my clients would benefit from the services of an independent consultant who could provide a much needed project management role or indeed act as an intermediary between the clients and the landscaper. Often clients do not understand the complexities in delivering a landscape project on time and to budget and so having someone to help them through that process would be invaluable.”

Mark Richardson Associates Launched

Richardson, who has been planning his new consultancy business over the last year launches Mark Richardson Associates in August 2019. Commenting on the launch he says, “During the planning phase of this business I spoke to many industry movers and shakers who have expressed an interest in my services. Excitingly some of that interest has been from international clients so I have decided to offer my services to a global market.”

Richardson has used a business development advisor to help him create his new consultancy practice. Neville Stein, who is an expert in business diversification believes that Richardson can offer something new to the landscape industry and says, “Mark has a real passion is to help clients turn their ideas into a tangible reality, enabling them to achieve a landscape project that exceeds their expectations.” Stein, who has a real understand of the landscape market also says, “Often landscape clients need someone to ‘sense check’ their ideas to ensure that they are implementable and then to help them deliver the project to the right specification, within the financial budget and the required timescales and this is just what Mark is so good at doing.”

Richardson will continue to operate his landscape company in the medium term, and in particular will continue to build award winning show gardens at Chelsea.

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Transformation At Teesside GC

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Transformation At Teesside GC: In the last 10 years Teesside Golf Club at Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees has undergone the biggest transformation of any club in the area, both on and off the course, which has been altered dramatically with the introduction of new tees, ponds and bunkers and the planting of more than 30,000 trees.

The 18-hole parkland course is situated on what used to be the old Stockton racecourse, while the clubhouse was originally a granary to which ships coming up the Tees delivered their grain. This has been fully renovated and extended, and future plans include improvements to both the practice and course facilities. Additional significant investment has more recently been made in new drainage, irrigation and John Deere course maintenance equipment to take the course and its presentation up to the desired level.

Transformation At Teesside GC

Supplied as a John Deere Financial lease package by dealer salesman Alastair Briggs of Greenlay at Cramlington, the latest equipment includes a new 9009A rotary rough mower; a used 3235C fairway cylinder mower that was specified for the practice area, but also fills in as back-up fairway mower; 2653B & 2653A tees & surrounds mowers, the latter an older machine that was refurbished as part of the deal; and a 2500B greens triplex mower.

Greens chairman Tony Foster joined Teesside Golf Club’s committee last year, and straight away consulted with long-serving head greenkeeper Gary Evans over the choice of new equipment and supplier. “Downtime is an invisible but huge cost,” says Tony. “We don’t want our greenkeepers to be in the workshop, we need them out on the course, which is our most important asset.

“Repairs and breakdowns were becoming uneconomic, not only in terms of the maintenance expense but also the time it was costing the club – it was not cost-effective for us to keep having to repair an ageing fleet. It had got to the point where it was simply unsustainable, so the timing was right to bring in some new kit.

“We’ve bought a few John Deere machines over the years, and we did look at other makes, but no-one did as much as Alastair and Greenlay to get the deal. They put on a robust series of demonstrations, which showed off all the key equipment and their capabilities really well to the greenkeeping team. They also spent a lot of time with us on the different finance options and quotes, to get the deal just right for the club.”

Transformation At Teesside GC

Gary Evans picks up the story: “There’s a huge amount of grass here, with big areas of rough to cover,” he says. “We’re cutting around 160 acres across 18 holes, compared to a normal average of about 120 acres – plus I like to cut the grass as often as possible, to keep it tidy and clean, so there’s a lot of work involved to achieve this.

“Therefore, the first machine we considered was the 9009A TerrainCut, as the rough was what we were really struggling with. It needed two men and machines before, but the John Deere did the job on its own in different cutting conditions, with no problems. We then went for the 2500B greens mower with QA5 cutting units, and the 2653B utility mower was the final choice – the older model has never failed us, so that was a no-brainer.

“It’s all about making the team more efficient and giving us more flexibility to cope with the course conditions, weather and timing of operations. The better the cut quality and finish, the better the course is for the golfers, it’s that simple.”

“Greenlay and John Deere gave us the confidence that they could provide the right back-up and support, which is the basis of a good working relationship,” Tony Foster adds. “Their whole approach to delivering a complete package of advice, equipment and training also meant we could promote the investment to both our members and new golfers as a really positive benefit to the club.

“I’m a great believer that you need the right tools to do the job, and with these John Deere machines we have them.”

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£40,000 Mower At Inverness Castle

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£40,000 Mower At Inverness Castle: Highland Council is planning to use a £40,000 remote-control lawn mower to target difficult-to-reach steep slopes around Inverness – including at the city’s famous Castle.

While the lush green banks by the castle and the River Ness are regarded as a major tourist attraction, they come with serious grass-cutting problems.

£40,000 Mower At Inverness Castle

The local authority, while aware that keeping these areas well trimmed contributes significantly to the visitor experience, acknowledges that the safe maintenance of the banks has presented significant challenges.

Over the last three summers it had employed a contractor with specialist equipment to safely maintain the steep slopes.

But next week, at the City of Inverness Area Committee, councillors will be asked to consider buying their own machinery and completing the work in-house.

Purchasing the equipment would also allow enhanced maintenance of similar locations throughout the city.

The health and safety concerns associated with cutting the steep banks including the castle and river banks are being drawn to the attention of councillors.

They will be asked to approve the funding from the Common Good Fund for the 2019 season contractor, costing £14,430.

But officers are recommending the direct purchase of their own machinery at a cost of £40,000.

This would include a contribution from the Common Good Fund of £20,000. The remaining capital cost, plus the annual maintenance and operational running costs of the machine, would be met by the service.

In a report before the committee members, amenities manager Debbie Sutton says: “If the option to purchase a remote mower was approved then the added value this could facilitate would be cutting at numerous locations throughout the city including General Booth Road, Suilven Way, Leachkin Road, Scorguie Drive, Overton Avenue and Balnafettack Road.

“In addition to this, numerous other steep bank locations could be identified which have not previously been considered as safe to cut.

“Furthermore, outright ownership of this machinery would give the council greater control over the timing of the operation to ensure that it takes place at the most appropriate time rather than depending on the availability of the contractor.”

Over the last three years, a contractor has been engaged to cut the north side of the castle banks and the banks of the River Ness two or three times per summer using a remote-controlled mower.

Ms Sutton continued: “Whilst this has resulted in a high standard of maintenance of these areas, better value for money for the council could be achieved through the outright purchase of this type of machine.”

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