Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away

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Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away: Former SISIS sales director Arthur Harrison has sadly passed away earlier this month, aged 88.

His career at SISIS spanned over 30 years, beginning in 1960 initially as assistant sales office manager when the company was based at Cheadle, Stockport, before being appointed sales director in 1979 until his retirement in 1996.

Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away

Former SISIS Sales Director Arthur Harrison passes away

Arthur was renowned as being one of the turfcare industry’s true gentlemen and largely responsible for building a strong SISIS dealer network throughout Western Europe in the 1970’s and expanding export into Asia, Canada, South Africa and Australia.

Arthur had since enjoyed the 24 years since his retirement caravanning, cruising and spending time with family and friends before passing away peacefully on 2nd November 2020.

Everyone at SISIS wish to extend our condolences to his family at this sad time.

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Makita launches new brushless disc cutter

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Makita launches new brushless disc cutter: Suitable for dry and wet cutting, the Twin 18V DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter is Makita’s latest addition to its world renowned LXT range. Powerful, compact and packed with safety features, this new construction tool is ideal for heavy-duty applications.

The new cordless DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter features a powerful 36V brushless motor with a no-load speed of 6,600rpm and maximum cutting capacity of 88mm, and is powered by two 18V LXT Lithium-ion batteries.

Makita launches new brushless disc cutter

Makita launches new brushless disc cutter

The tool has been designed with safety in mind and includes Makita’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) which shuts down the current to the motor if the rotation speed suddenly slows down, as well as an electric brake, a soft start feature that gradually increases speed to eliminate start-up shock, and a lock-off button to prevent accidental start-up.

In addition, the tool will alert the user to any risk of motor burnout caused by overloading, with its in-built overload indicator lamp. If the user continues, the electronic current limiter will cut off the power to protect both the batteries and the tool from damage.

With a fully loaded weight of just 6.3kg, the disc cutter is easy to manoeuvre and includes a rubberised ergonomic, soft grip for further user comfort. For wet cutting applications, the tool can be connected to a water supply kit for effective dust suppression, whilst the plastic battery cover (included) protects the batteries from water contact.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK says, “The Twin 18V DCE090 joins the line-up of over 250 cordless products within our LXT range, offering users wider flexibility on site and the ability to switch between jobs easily. The tool has been engineered with user safety and productivity in mind as well as incorporating features that optimise battery and tool performance, so that users benefit from an extended life cycle.”

For more information on Makita’s range of power tools, please visit www.makitauk.com.

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New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

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New Reesink sales manager for Midlands: Daniel Tomberry is relocating to the Midlands from South West Scotland to take on the role of sales manager for the area.

Daniel has almost fifteen years’ experience in sports turf management in various roles including head groundsman at East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and three years sales experience working with all Reesink brands in Glasgow and West Scotland. It is this mix of sales set against a practical background ‘in the field’ that Daniel, and Reesink Turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair Rowell, say will benefit customers in the Midlands.

New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

New Reesink sales manager for Midlands

Daniel comments: “My time in various greenkeeping positions and as a head groundsman has certainly enabled me to relate to customers in my sales role with Reesink over the last few years. It’s given me a practical understanding of what they want to achieve, and which products will best suit their needs.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Reesink in Scotland and I feel fortunate that my experience and sales record affords me this new opportunity to work with Reesink customers in the Midlands. I’m excited about making a new home in the area and look forward to carrying on the good relationships the company has with existing customers and creating new ones with those who have not benefited from fantastic brands such as Toro before.”

Daniel’s role covers both fine turf and grounds customers and turfcare equipment sales manager Alastair says Daniel is ideal to cover both markets: “The Midlands is a key area for us, so it was imperative we get the right person in the role. The remit includes all turfcare customers from golf clubs and sports venues, to local authorities and contractors, which matches with Daniel’s experience to date. He not only understands sales, but also the pressures and requirements of all those working in the turfcare sector. I believe he is a strong replacement for our open sales area.”

Daniel can be contacted via Reesink HQ from 1 November on 01480 226800.

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Greensward supporting local clubs

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Greensward supporting local clubs: A southwest contractor is doing his part to help clubs at all levels come through turbulent times

Andy Boyce, Director of Greensward sports consultancy, based in Bath, says if pitches are playable for whatever part of the season that remains, then officials can more easily focus on business matters and financial survival.

Greensward supporting local clubs

Greensward supporting local clubs

“Every effort must be taken to ensure surfaces are optimal prior to Christmas. Effective deep aeration and recovery time will rejuvenate turf in preparation for the coldest and wettest part of winter that lies ahead.

“We’re keeping our rates as keen as we can and supporting existing customers who are having it tough. When halted matches are able to resume we want everyone to get back into their sport and start enjoying life again,” he said.

A former greenkeeper for 15 years, nine of those as Course Manager at The Bath GC, Andy set up Greensward in 2008.

“A background in golf genuinely does prepare you for most turfing matters; all the H&S protocols transfer across and experience of dealing with committees comes in handy. I just fancied steering my career in a slightly different direction with more renovation and construction projects.  Gradually we’ve built to a team of eight and we have a lot of repeat business.

“Aeration is probably the most significant intervention you can make to a turf surface to keep it healthy.  I’ve been in the industry 30 years and I don’t think anything has come along to surpass the effect of deep aeration.  In the early days, as an apprentice greenkeeper, the contractor would come in once a year and spike your greens but gradually more and more golf courses have access to their own machine.

“Regular aeration is vital for rugby, football and cricket outfields. Much of our work is for local clubs, we’ve probably aerated nearly 30 different sites across October, then there are maintenance contracts for schools and for Parish Councils.

“We use a Wiedenmann Terra Spike XF8 paired to New Holland T495 tractor which covers it out perfectly and has the right amount of power. We spike a full size pitch to a depth of 220 mm in less than three hours, which suits us fine as much of the ground is bult on stone with fairly  shallow rootzone.

“Across 2019 there was huge amounts of rainfall and lying water; when the rain started it never seemed to stop.  But in this part of the world, the weather here has been kinder, so this season’s winter maintenance on a firmer footing. But it’s still a bit of a patience game doing spiking in the right conditions. When the prevailing conditions are right you need to take full advantage.” said Andy Boyce.

GreenSward can be contacted on 07972 630518 info@greenswardsports.co.uk

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Irrigation control made easy

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Irrigation control made easy: Reesink Turfcare is the new and exclusive distributor of two new irrigation 2-wire controllers, the SRC Ranger 4000 D and the SRC Grower 6000 D. Both deliver all the control you need for your irrigation system while keeping things simple yet effective.

Web-based for mobile, PC or stand-alone, these ‘boxes on a wall’ are a cost-effective, uncomplicated irrigation solution, according to Robert Jackson, water division sales manager for Reesink Turfcare, which also stocks Toro’s irrigation control systems, sprinklers and wireless technology and Otterbine pond and lake aerators: “These decoder-based 2-wire systems are straight-forward to install and use, but deliver great results,” he says.

Irrigation control made easy

Irrigation control made easy

“The Ranger has a scheduling capacity of 1-100 stations with also 10 programmes and can operate up to 12 stations simultaneously and run 10 programmes concurrently. It’s ideal for sports venues and training pitches where lower numbers of stations are required across a single visible area.”

The roll call of the Ranger’s benefits includes flow sensor capability including various alarm options, flow management with the stacking of up to 10 simultaneous programmes and a 14-day calendar run of odd or even days. It’s also fully ET capable with local and remote weather stations.

SRC is a global provider of irrigation system controls and Reesink Turfcare is delighted to be bringing the Ranger, which is described by the company as a ‘best-in-class’ controller, to the UK and Ireland. Robert continues: “Less cabling means installation is straight-forward, but there’s the option to expand later if needed giving the product longevity. For customers who need less of the reporting and detailed irrigation and are looking for a relatively simple controller that does not require a PC with multiple interaction options, but instead a wall-mounted controller that offers programmes and a more on/off approach, then this is the one for you.”

The Grower meanwhile has a scheduling capacity of up to 200 stations and can operate up to 15 stations and five pumps simultaneously and run 10 programmes. It has flow sensor capability including various alarm options and can be used via a mobile or PC.

Robert concludes: “Both these products are a perfect fit for our product portfolio, filling a gap for easy to use, simple to install, box on the wall irrigation solutions. They’re sold as seen and in stock for immediate dispatch to our customers.”

To find out more about the SRC Ranger 4000 D and SRC Grower 6000, contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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