Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

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Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare: Ground-Guards Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of high performance temporary access solutions, has launched a brand new ground protection system that can be installed in support of the Government’s social distancing policy.

Ideal for use in the groundscare industry, Ground-Guards’ FastCover PLUS is made from environmentally friendly 100% recycled PVC and can be configured with highly visible yellow markers every 2m as a constant reminder for people to maintain a safe distance from each other.

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare

Ground-Guards strengthens support for groundscare


This innovative and cost-effective system is an extension of Ground-Guard’s popular FastCover range and features unique interlocking flanges for improved ease of use and a superior trip-free surface. Lighter and easier to install, FastCover PLUS is a versatile ground protection solution suitable for a wide range of applications, from surface protection for block paving and interior floors, to creating safe clean paths and walkways during site works.

Weighing just 14.5kg per mat, FastCover PLUS, can be laid directly onto grass, footpaths or stone bases, with its superior anti-slip surface delivering maximum health and safety benefits. Furthermore, the mats have built-in hand holes, providing ultimate ease-of-use for the handler. Built with durability and longevity in mind, FastCover PLUS features an innovative honeycomb underside, providing strong structural support and ultimately increasing the useable life of the product.

Marcus Oliver, Product Development Manager at Ground-Guards, commented: “As Britain’s groundscare sector continues to play a vital role in the nationwide effort against Coronavirus, we’re committed to supporting the sector do its work as quickly – and safely – as possible.

“That’s one of the key reasons we’ve launched our FastCover PLUS social distancing walkways.  The solution is cost-effective and sustainable, with the versatile matting system not only delivering a superior trip-free surface, for maximum safety, but it’s also quick and easy-to-install for visible two metre social distancing implementation – a key consideration for a sector reliant on safe and seamless operations.”

Backing up the launch of FastCover Plus is Ground-Guards commitment to provide its customers with a first class service offering, which includes product warranties and access to training at the company’s state-of-the-art facilities in Yorkshire.

To find out more about Ground-Guards’ FastCover Plus visit https://www.ground-guards.co.uk/products/fastcover-plus/ or 0113 267 6000.

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Zero-turn versus ride-on lawnmower

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Zero-turn versus ride-on lawnmower: Zero-turn mowers are rapidly growing in popularity among domestic users in the UK. What is leading amateur gardeners to follow the professionals away from traditional ride-on lawnmowers to the benefits of zero-turn mowing?

A major factor is the speed of operation and time-saving associated with zero-turns. Are we to believe a zero-turn can chop the time spent cutting the grass by half, with effortless mowing around obstacles and tight spaces?

Zero-turn versus ride-on lawnmower

Zero-turn versus ride-on lawnmower

Firstly, what is a zero-turn mower? It may seem an odd question to ask when there are now so many working away across the UK. But with the ubiquitous garden tractor having been around for so long, to many people the term ‘zero-turn’ still may not mean a lot. Opinions are rapidly changing, led by early adopters, and the arguments for using zero-turn mowers are becoming indisputable.

Zero-turn refers to the turning radius of the mower. A zero-turn can turn on the proverbial sixpence, in other words in its footprint. Now among many professionals, this operating characteristic has been known for a long time and is one reason for the fast growth in UK sales for commercial zero-turns. The same zero-turn technology has also been built into lawnmowers to suit homeowners and their budgets. We’re seeing a shift away from the comparatively inefficient, slow lawn tractor towards growing popularity in domestic users for the virtues of zero-turn mowing. The features and benefits apply equally to the residential user and the professional operator.

Driving a zero-turn mower is easy. You simply push the right steering lever forward and the left lever back to make a left turn or push the left steering lever forward and the right steering lever back to make a right turn. The steering levers allow your zero-turn to make manoeuvres in its own footprint. Slow and gradual operation of the steering levers makes the machine move slowly and gradually in any direction. Operating the steering levers quickly and more aggressively makes your mower turn more sharply and drive faster. With zero-turn mower technology, the operator has total control of the manoeuvres. Driving a lawn tractor through rows of uncut grass is like manoeuvring into a parking space. Turn, reverse, turn again and finally straighten out. Being limited in turning radius there’s a lot of forward and backward movement on your lawn resulting in a non-uniform, messy cut pattern and extra time spent mowing.

Zero-turn mowers make tight turns at any angle and in any direction. At the end of your cutting row make a one-eighty degree turn, align your mower to the crisp edge left by the path just mowed and drive forward. This smooth motion eliminates the need for unnecessary backing and with a roller fitted to the machine you preserve those stylish stripes left behind by single-pass mowing.

Fine, we now know how to drive a zero-turn but what other benefits should drive us towards change from tradition? Zero-turn mowing is fast. You can whizz around at 5-8 mph, and at the end of the line do that one-eighty degree turn, align the deck edge with the row you’ve just cut and keep on going. You’ve reduced the cutting time by 50% over mowing with a lawn tractor. For some, whiling away the hours doing three-point turns on the garden tractor, at the end of every line, may suit on a lazy Sunday. But as our lives get busier, and time-saving becomes more critical, wouldn’t it make a difference if your time cutting the grass was halved? Increase the cutting deck size and you cut even more time off the work.

Another factor in your choice of zero-turn over garden tractor is comfort. With a zero-turn, the plush seat and armrests complement the controls that are all positioned in ergonomic and easily accessible locations, so you can simply enjoy the ride. Zero-turns are also generally more durable, built with thicker steel, and a fully welded tubular frame design, much stronger than the traditional C-channel frames of lawn tractors.* With options for deep decks made from fully fabricated steel, cutting decks are more durable and promote maximum airflow. Fabricated decks on zero turn models are aerodynamically designed so grass is pulled toward the blades and clippings are discharged evenly. The result is a superior cut quality without stragglers or clumps.

*Based on Ariens zero-turn mowers

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PM36 serves up competition-ready courts

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PM36 serves up competition-ready courts: As a sole Groundsman, Robin Wilcox has his work cut out looking after the 19 courts and 5 croquet lawns that make up East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (EDLTCC).

On the sites nine grass courts, DLF’s ProMaster 36, and its tolerance of low cutting heights, has given Robin the advantage – freeing up time for the other tasks which keep the courts and lawns competition ready.

PM36 serves up competition-ready courts

PM36 serves up competition-ready courts

One of Robin’s key goals when he joined EDLTCC two years ago was to bring the grass courts up to standard required to be selected, once again, as a host for the qualifying stages of The County Cup. “Over the years the courts had accumulated layers of thatch, so we could have gone down the road of scarifying and adding additional loam, but we decided to go for a full renovation.” During his first year at the club, Robin skimmed off the top layer, cultivated, levelled and seeded with Masterline PM36 perennial ryegrass mix.

“A great combination of warmth and rain in the late summer/early autumn of 2018 meant the courts were green in under three weeks and I carried out the first cut at six weeks – everybody at the club was amazed at the germination. Our artificial and clay courts took the strain while the grass courts were under renovation but when they re-opened for play in 2019, there was a new wave of members wanting to play on the grass and they coped, and recovered, from the high levels of wear very well.”

The decision to go for a pure-rye mix gives Robin the playing and resistance characteristics he requires, even under close mown conditions. “Because of my workload, I have to split my time between the artificial courts, grass courts and lawns so this means I am limited to mowing just twice a week. With the PM36 mix, it is hardy enough to cope with going as low as 5mm without any detrimental impact on turf quality.”

While a final decision by the LTA is expected at the end of May, at the time of writing the County Cup remains in the tournament calendar and the improvements Robin has achieved sees EDLTCC chosen as a host venue, after a few years absence. “It’s fantastic news for the club.” Robin concludes, “Everybody is delighted with the results of the renovations – the PM36 has delivered great quality courts fit for top level play once again.”

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Vintage Toro cuts like a dream

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Vintage Toro cuts like a dream: Some eBay finds are just pure gold. In this case, a vintage circa. 1971, unused and undoubtably collectable Toro 21” Greensmaster pedestrian mower, which cuts like a dream. 

The listing was won by Toro’s Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award 2018 winner Dan Ashelby’s dad, Mark from Mark Ashelby Grounds who has spent 25 years in sports turf management and knows a good deal when he sees one.

Vintage Toro cuts like a dream

Vintage Toro cuts like a dream

One of the precursors to the hugely successful and enduring Toro Greensmaster 1000 greens mowers range, Dan says of his Dad’s win: “We couldn’t believe it when we saw the listing. The machine was bought new by a cricket club in the early 1970s but never used. It’s in mint condition with no wear anywhere. It came with the original user manual and the original stickers on the engine. The red paint is still freshly painted like new on the cutting reels!

“It was bought as a collectible and is too good to use, but we couldn’t resist setting it up and giving it a quick one-off outing on a bowling green. And she cut like a dream.”

Greenkeeping is in the Ashelbys’ blood with Dan’s greenkeeping education beginning at a young age. His father was head greenkeeper at Gatley Golf Club and Dan has been helping out around the course since he was eight years old. Since winning the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award in 2018 and benefitting from a once-in-a-lifetime six-week worldclass certificate programme at the University of Massachusetts Winter School for Turf Managers prize, Dan has achieved head greenkeeper position at Hartford Golf Club in Cheshire.

He says: “Greenkeeping is definitely a shared interest Dad and I have. Things like this recent eBay find are good fun and it’s great to bring a bit of its history into the family. I’m a big Toro fan and love using the new machines at work, so it’s been great to have the opportunity to see and use one of the very first Toro machines to arrive in the UK, which was well before I eventually did!”

So, what’s next for this rare vintage find? Dan says: “The rest of its life will be much like that of a classic car, enjoying the occasional run out on a nice sunny day!”

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Golf green light could come ‘overnight’

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Golf green light could come ‘overnight’: Greenkeepers across the country have been advised to prepare for their courses re-opening at very short notice, “perhaps even overnight”.

That is one of two scenarios outlined in a document published by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA).

Golf green light could come 'overnight'

Golf green light could come ‘overnight’

In a statement, the organisation said: “BIGGA has had no official guidance from government about either topic. However, golfers are eager to get back out on the course and golf facilities will re-open to the public eventually.”

It has been speculated that the UK government could ease some coronavirus-enforced restrictions within the next few days, paving the way for golf courses to re-open as has happened in numerous other countries.

Play resumed in Portugal on Monday, with France, Switzerland and Spain expected to allow its courses to re-open this Monday coming (May 11). That date has also been touted for the UK’s courses, whilst the Republic of Ireland revealed late last week that it will be relaxing its own restrictions from May 18.

With no clear guidelines forthcoming, BIGGA is advising its members to prepare for getting short notice and “one to two weeks'” notice for play resuming.

“For matters of safety and to ensure essential maintenance continues, it is important that agreed times are set aside when greenkeepers have priority. It is essential that golfers strictly adhere to this.”

Factors BIGGA recommends considering are prohibiting before a given time each day; strictly limiting the number of starting points; scheduled course closures; agreeing a pace of play schedule, especially for early in the day, so golfers don’t catch up with greenkeepers; and splitting greenkeeping shifts to maximise the time available for course maintenance during the day.

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