GKB launch innovative DTA

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GKB launch innovative DTA: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are providing the solution to ground compaction with the launch of the revolutionary GKB Deep Tine Aerator (DTA).

From the use of heavy-duty machinery to a footfall of thousands on sports pitches over time, many grounds staff do not comprehend how bad compaction really is and can be. Compaction is considered one of the major causes of poor sward density, root development and water logging. Designed to relieve compaction, the GKB DTA works on natural sports pitches to relieve the surface, compaction enabling water to travel through and for stronger roots to develop.

GKB launch innovative DTA

GKB launch innovative DTA

Consistently developing their product range through innovative research and expert engineering, Tom Shinkins, Operation Manager said, “We’re really pleased to have this machine added to our range, it now enables us to offer golf clubs and sport pitches the full maintenance package.” He continues, “it was the missing piece to our catalogue and now being able to offer customers the full range of reliable and robust machinery will allow us to truly stand out from the crowd.”

With an adjustable 25-degree heave angle, the GKB DTA’s tine holding system allows you to take control on removing compaction. From varying depths up to 16 inches. Featuring a 3-speed heavy duty gearbox, you can adjust the speed on the tines to create the required hole pattern in the turf, and with its unique tine mounting system, quick changeover for different size tines has never been easier.  In addition, built on the understanding that ‘the worker is king’, GKB Machines ensure that the GKB DTA requires minimal maintenance as it’s fitted with a heavy-duty sealed bearings on the crank shaft, ensuring focus is always on improving the ground and less on maintaining the machine.

Launching to market early April, the GKB DTA will be out for demos from now. If you’re interested in learning more or booking a demo, please contact Tom Shinkins on 07495883617.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com.

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Turf management under lockdown

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Turf management under lockdown: A new research project is set to provide vital answers to the pressing questions of ‘Managing turf under lockdown.’ Crucially, the results will be reported as the trial progresses to enable greenkeepers to make decisions over the coming weeks.

Sponsored by Syngenta, in association with ICL and the STRI, the initiative will give an insight into the implications of lower intensity mowing regimes on fine turf surfaces, along with some of the techniques to more effectively manage growth.

Turf management under lockdown

Turf management under lockdown

The trial at Bingley in Yorkshire, led by STRI’s Dr Christian Spring, will deliver up to the minute results of the effects on turf quality, along with suggested actions to help maintain playing surfaces for when normal service can resume.

Syngenta Technical Manager, Marcela Munoz, commented: “At a time when many courses have been forced into actions to reduce mowing frequency, turf managers need answers to what the effects will be on turf quality for the future.

“Rapid reporting of the findings from the trial as they happen could help to make better decisions to maintain turf more efficiently and effectively through this period,” she added.

Assessed weekly, the STRI team will provide a weekly trial update and advice of suggested actions from observations of sward height, uniformity, clipping yield, colour and overall turf health.

Managing turf under lockdown will investigate the results of different mowing regimes on a poa/bentgrass green, with five, three or one cut per week. Further treatments will assess the effects of Primo Maxx II growth regulator applications, at various intervals. It will indicate opportunities to reduce mowing requirement and better maintain turf quality under lower intensity regimes.

The research is also set to validate a new Growing Degree Day calculator, developed by Syngenta to tailor Primo Maxx II application intervals more precisely. For the first time, there will be scientifically assessed GDD data for cool season grasses under UK growing conditions, to enable turf managers to better interpret existing turf growth models for their own individual situations.

Marcela Munoz added the height of cut for all of the treatments would be raised to five mm, to reflect current practice to ease off intensity and to enable turf to optimise use of water and nutrient resources, as well as reduce stress related disease pressure.

“It recognises that most courses are in a holding position to maintain turf without long-term loss of quality. It will enable them to return to previous levels of playability as quickly as possible – without recourse to expensive and time consuming remedial actions.”

She highlighted the information and generated by the research will be applicable for all sports turf surfaces.

Weekly reports and videos from the Managing turf under lockdown initiative will be available on a dedicated webpage of the GreenCast website: www.greencast.co.uk and with further practical advice and commentary on the GreenCast Advisory blog and Twitter @syngentaturfuk

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Iseki launch virtual demonstrations

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Iseki launch virtual demonstrations: The day after the UK Government announced a further lockdown of “at least three weeks”, David Withers, Managing Director of Iseki UK has produced the first in a series of virtual demonstrations showcasing the benefits of ISEKI ownership.

With turf care workers mainly unaffected by the lockdown and with grass continuing to grow as spring blossoms, Withers was looking for a way in which he could keep in contact with his customer base, ensuring that when the UK finally comes out of lockdown, grounds care professionals up-and-down the country are fully prepared.

“Demos are an important aspects of our sales process,” explained Withers, “so given the current restrictions concerning COVID-19, I thought that if customers can’t come to us, we’ll try to come to them, albeit even if it’s only in a virtual sense.”

The video, which was filmed by a member of Withers’ immediate family, was shot using an iPhone in a nearby paddock close to their family home in Suffolk, and as Withers explains, helps demonstrate an Iseki SXG323+ mower.

“Over the past few weeks, I’ve received a number of calls from prospective customers as well as our dealer network, saying that they’ve had a number of demos that have needed to be postponed due to the lockdown, so I thought that it made sense to try and answer as many questions about the SXG323+ as possible. ”

“I’m not sure we will win any awards for the narrative or the production quality of the video, but I felt that it was important to try to connect with as many of our community as possible in a light-hearted and informative manner.”

“We wanted to try and pretend that you were here with us in person rather than watching ‘virtually’ and hopefully we’ve been able to achieve that aim. These are challenging times for everyone working within the turf care sector, and I genuinely look forward to the time – hopefully, next month – when I’ll be able to demonstrate our range personally, rather than virtually.”

The video can be viewed on YouTube, the link is:  https://youtu.be/GVvM4Kbvi8Q

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MHM get tanked up

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MHM get tanked up: “Deciding to invest in a range of fluid tanks was one of the easier decisions we’ve had to make during our ten years in business,” comments Mat Llewellyn, MHM’s managing director. “Naturally, our line of generators, lighting towers, and welders all need refuelling from time to time, so having the option to offer our clients a complete package seemed a sensible conclusion.”

The first of these fluid tanks that MHM have brought to the market place is the Fuel Buddy. The Fuel Buddy is available in both 950, 2000 and 3000 litre sizes with the 950 and 2000 models available either skid mounted or fitted onto road tow braked trailers.  Presently, the 3000 litre version is only available skid mounted. All are delivered with a three year warranty. To assist against ground contamination, they each feature a fully bunded base which retains all spilt fluids and their handy stackable design is particularly useful for safe storage, when space is at a premium. Each Fuel Buddy is equipped with a lockable access/storage hatch for the pump kit (electric or hand) and the generator or heater connection kit. For added versatility, the tanks have been designed to be quickly interchangeable, as only a few bolts are required to secure the tank to the trailer. A user also has the alternative to either manually operate the fuel delivery pump or take up the option of a 12, 110, or 230 volt system.  There is also a further option for petrol driven pump. For added protection, an anti-slip chequered plate is fitted at the front for steady access to the cabinet space.

MHM get tanked up

MHM get tanked up

All of these features help to make the Fuel Buddy ideally suited for hire companies – enabling a rental firm to offer either static or towable tanks with their clients’ preferred transfer pump option. It only takes around fifteen minutes to change to the preferred pump.

For sound loading and unloading the Fuel Buddy is supplied with four forklift pockets and lifting eyes. Its attractive and protective galvanised framework with a durable powder coated paint finish, renders the Fuel Buddy robust, rugged and ‘rental-ready’ in just about any environment.

With environmental considerations at the forefront, MHM have included the option of having a 30w solar panel fitted to the Fuel Buddy. This system is designed to trickle feed a charging kit situated inside the cabinet, which in turn, provides a similar charge to a 12v battery. This dual operation results in supplying sufficient power to the 12v fuel transfer pump.

All MHM tanks are available for purchase brand new or, quality used. They are also available for rehire to bona fide UK and Ireland rentals firms. Currently MHM have an extra offer of some attractively priced ex demo units which include the three year warranty.

MHM have appointed Brad Ireland as their new UK and Ireland sales manager, with a particular responsibility for marketing the MHM range of fuel, fluid and water storage distribution systems. Brad already has a wealth of experience in these market places and he is keen to impart his knowledge to all interested organisations.

“Brad is a key appointment for MHM as we expand our range of equipment and in particular our new line of fluid distribution products. His experience in this area will be invaluable as we expand this range,” concluded Mat.

MHM was incorporated in 2010 and supplies their range of equipment throughout the UK and Ireland via its’ nationwide three depot network. The MHM plant head office is based in Port Talbot, South Wales. The company supplies power generation, solar-hybrid-generators, fuel storage, lighting towers, engine driven welders and product related accessories to the UK and Irish rental markets, for both hire and purchase.

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Irish surfaces kept pitch perfect

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Irish surfaces kept pitch perfect: There may be no games taking place in the Danske Bank Premiership right now, but a small band of individuals up and down the country are still having to prepare as if there are.

The day that football does return is still a long way down the line as the coronavirus continues to make its presence felt across the world, but pitches still need to be maintained in the meantime and it’s down to groundsmen across the league to ensure that they’re ready to go when sport gets the green light again.

Irish surfaces kept pitch perfect

Irish surfaces kept pitch perfect

Tommy Doherty, the groundsman at the Coleraine Showgrounds, said: “It’s just about keeping it ready while we’re waiting for a call from the Irish League to get back to playing again.”

The general duties tend to be the same around most grounds right now, bar those clubs who have 4G pitches, in that the grass needs mowed and the white lines need repeatedly marked.

It’s vital work done behind the scenes to little fanfare, and if it isn’t done now then the Irish League wouldn’t be able to return as soon as it will. Instead, every ground should be up to scratch when needed.

Glentoran groundsman William Kirkwood explained: “If Mick McDermott rang me right now and told me there’s a match tomorrow then the pitch would be ready to go. It’s not panic time. We do keep on top of things.”

It’s a thankless task, especially because no fans are even able to see the fruits of the groundsmen’s labour at the moment, and it’s frustrating as well. After all, the season could, theoretically, be cancelled at any point.

Dungannon Swifts groundsman Davy Magee said: “It’s tough when you’re cutting the grass and marking the pitch and there’s no football at the weekend. It’s all for nothing, you know?”

Doherty agreed, and added: “It keeps you busy, although you miss the football. There may not be any football for the rest of the year and all my work is for nothing, but you can’t take that chance. They could step onto the pitch at any time.”

In the meantime, Kirkwood and Magee are trying to get ahead of the curve by completing some of the work that they were hoping to do over the off-season.

Kirkwood’s intentions are to spread 100 tonnes of sand on The Oval pitch and then re-seed the surface so that it’s in pristine condition for the start of next season, plans which have been halted both by the lack of rain and the lockdown.

“I want to try and do it now, but most of my suppliers are closed. Most of the sand comes from Emerson’s in Lurgan but they’re closed up. Because it’s heavy work, I usually bring in a contractor but he’s closed up too,” he explained. “I’m preparing to do it myself, but hopefully at the start of May those guys might be able to work again.”

Magee has already seeded his pitch but has run into similar problems.

“We seeded it three weeks ago and now it’s just about waiting for the new stuff to come up,” said the Swifts man. “We can’t get sand or anything like that because everywhere is closed, and we need sand to fill holes. We can’t get the machinery either.”

But at the end of the day, for all the work they can do, what all three groundsmen are united on is that football can’t return soon enough and they’ll see their pristinely prepared pitches back in use once more.

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