Makita launches self righting light

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Makita launches self righting light: Makita has launched a new self-balancing area site light – the latest addition to its range of LED site lighting solutions. The DML810 18V Self Righting Site Light LXT delivers up to 5,500 lumens (lm) and 360 degree illumination with the option for corded or cordless operation.

The self-balancing design of the Makita DML810 means that it remains upright even when knocked or bumped, making it ideal for busy sites. The 202 super luminous daylight white LEDs provide high quality illumination without the heat of halogens or incandescent lights. It features three operation modes, High (5,500 lm), Medium (3,000 lm) or Low (1,500 lm), and three illumination direction modes – full 360 degrees or 180 degrees to the left or right.

Makita launches self righting light

Makita launches self righting light

For versatility, the DML810 offers corded or cordless operation and utilises two Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries, using one battery at a time. This means the light delivers up to 15 hours of continuous illumination on Low with two 5.0Ah 18V batteries, and over 3 hours on High. When using AC power, the batteries function as a power back up to keep the area lit if the power fails.

This durable light unit is 787mm high and 420mm wide and is both dust and water resistant, with an IP54 rating when using battery power. It is also possible to connect up to 8 units together using the AC inlets and outlets to deliver light across the whole job site area. Convenient carrying handles and a balanced side position allow for easy movement, transportation and storage.

With over 270 products compatible with Makita’s Lithium-ion LXT battery technology it is one of the largest battery / cordless platforms in the world. This allows users to use just one battery type and seamlessly swap between different pieces of equipment as required.

Lyndsey Bailey, Assistant Product Manager at Makita UK said: “The DML810 18V Self Righting Site Light has been engineered to provide a robust, durable and versatile lighting solution that is suitable for the toughest site conditions. The high quality illumination makes work easier and safer, especially as the LEDs eliminate the hazards associated with the heat of halogen and incandescent lights.”

To find out more about the Makita DML810 18V Self Righting Site Light and the full Makita range visit www.makitauk.com.

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NW Pitch Maintenance make their mark

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NW Pitch Maintenance make their mark: With 54 pitches to mark including Salford City Football Club’s training ground and stadium, owner of NW Pitch Maintenance, Andy O’Sullivan, brought the Turf Tank robotic line marker https://turftank.com/row/ on board to improve the efficiency of his line marking operation.

Andy, who was initially sceptical about robotic line markers, arranged a demonstration of the machine at one of his most challenging grassroots pitches with Matt Murray, Northern Area Manager for Turf Tank. After seeing the accuracy of the lines despite the difficult undulations, he knew it would be an asset.

NW Pitch Maintenance make their mark

NW Pitch Maintenance make their mark

“When Matt from Turf Tank came out to me, I took him to one of the worst pitches I have to look, after in terms of we can’t always get on it because it’s always a bit rutted,” Andy explains. “It was raining heavily, but the lines were really, really straight, and that convinced me to buy it because I thought if it can do that on there, then I’ve got a chance with this thing.

“The difference with the Turf Tank right now is really apparent because no one is playing football.  Previously we would have had to keep the lines otherwise we’d lose them and need to set them up again which is another three-hour job on every pitch.  With the Turf Tank we have set the pitches up, and we won’t have to go back and overmark them until the pitches are required again.

“Now we turn up, put the base station up and off we go because the pitches are already set-up on the tablet and it’s only 20 minutes to mark. The time we save being able to do that justifies the robot alone. And I’d say the lines are undoubtedly better because when you’ve got a grassroots pitch with undulations, even when you string a pitch with an undulation, you’re going to follow that yourself naturally and the string doesn’t stay on the ground, it rises above that dip. Whereas the Turf Tank will follow that dip down because it’s low to the ground as well.

“I can send my son Liam off to another site, and he can be cutting, and I can take the Turf Tank with me and the tractor to cut as well. I cut one pitch at the training ground and set the Turf Tank off on the other one. I’m then cutting while that’s doing its work, we finish at similar times, and I set it off on the pitch I’ve cut and by the time I’ve packed my trailer up it’s ready to go. It’s like having another staff member with me, and in total, I’d say it’s saving us 20 to 25 hours a week on line-marking time.

“From the off the robot has been great for us and Matt’s training when he installed the machine and back-up service since has been brilliant. He went with Liam and me to a site and talked us through it and made sure we both knew what we were doing and whenever I’ve had questions, he’s sorted me out on the phone or FaceTime, so he’s been excellent the whole time.”

Since having the Turf Tank, Andy has been able to diversify his line marking offering and is scheduled to line a lacrosse pitch for the first time and plans to mark running tracks in the summer. Templates for a large number of sports are pre-loaded into the tablet to make marking them quick and easy, with the operator simply having to plot them and push go.

For more information about the Turf Tank One visit www.turftank.com or contact matt@turftank.co.uk (northern UK) or alex@turftank.co.uk (southern UK).

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Hughes Bros and Battlefield take on Kubota equipment

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Hughes Bros and Battlefield take on Kubota equipment: Kubota (UK) Ltd continues to strengthen its dealer network by announcing that two of its machinery dealers are to add the Kubota ground care equipment range to their existing Kubota tractor businesses, with immediate effect.

Shropshire-based dealers Hughes Bros and Battlefield Machinery will extend their product offerings to include a full range of compact tractors from 18-60hp, RTV utility vehicles, and commercial and domestic ride-on mowers, putting both dealerships on a path for further expansion into new markets.

Hughes Bros and Battlefield take on Kubota equipment

Hughes Bros and Battlefield take on Kubota equipment

“We’re extremely pleased to be able to support both Hughes Bros and Battlefield Machinery with the opportunity for further growth in these important sectors,” explains Tim Yates, agricultural and ground care sales manager, Kubota (UK). “This partnership will help Kubota to further strengthen its position in these key markets with the ability to cross-sell between agriculture and ground care customers.”

Hughes Bros Agricultural Engineers based at Oswestry, was established in 1973 by brothers Gary, Roy and Roger Hughes. A Kubota tractor dealer since 2012, the family-run business also has Kubota implements and Vicon machinery among its portfolio.

The business operates with a team of over 20 staff, and sees the expansion into ground care as an opportunity to strengthen its business, further enhancing its reputation as a supplier of premium quality tractors and equipment.

“There are great opportunities ahead, supplementing our existing agricultural business with Kubota’s prestigious ground care equipment,” says Richard Hughes, sales manager and partner in the family business. “We’ve been looking after many ground care customers with parts and servicing – now we can reinforce that with sales of new equipment.”

Battlefield Machinery was formed in 2017 as a Kubota tractor dealer based in Shrewsbury. Run by company directors Richard Evans and Meyrick Pope, the business is one that comprises a team of 14, of which six are mobile engineers. Battlefield Machinery has built a reputation on delivering first class service for its customers, and the extended portfolio will sit alongside the supply of Kubota Implements and Kverneland machinery.

“We’re delighted to have been given this opportunity to expand our business into new sectors,” says company director Richard Evans. “Ground care fits very well with what we already do – and the ability to now provide sales, service and support to schools, golf clubs, parks and sports grounds is a fantastic opportunity for all involved.”

“Our customer base has evolved, and a lot of that is linked to the prestigious brands we supply and service,” he says. “We also want to apply our ‘can-do’ approach to customer service and back-up to the ground care sector. All our customers must benefit from the same level of service and support.”

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Agrovista Amenity appoints Katy Richards

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Agrovista Amenity appoints Katy Richards: “I have already found my path – digital marketing is all I’ve ever wanted to do,” said Katy.

Born and raised in rural Shropshire, Katy wanted to experience ‘city life’ and it is for this reason that she opted to attend university in the heart of vibrant Birmingham. Her three-year degree course was Digital Marketing, and she was so keen to get started that she began working in a marketing role before she had even graduated.

Agrovista Amenity appoints Katy Richards

Agrovista Amenity appoints Katy Richards

“My degree course very much focused on the creative side of digital marketing and so working for a marketing agency also enabled me to learn the practical side,” she said.

Even after graduating, Katy continued to work for the marketing agency and was quickly promoted from an assistant to an executive – most notably after excelling in search engine optimisation (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns. However, after four years of experiencing ‘city life’ her heart still belonged in Shropshire.

“I discovered that it just isn’t for me,” she said. “I am very much a country girl and I needed more greenery back in my life. Therefore, I left the job in Birmingham and moved back to my family home in Shropshire.”

With an impressive marketing portfolio Katy started freelancing and worked on a variety of different projects for just over a year. She admitted to missing an office environment and the camaraderie of working in a team and it was at this point that she came across the job at Agrovista Amenity.

“The job obviously caught my eye because it was a digital marketing role, but it was the company culture which really appealed to me,” said Katy. “The amenity and agricultural aspects of Agrovista is all very much part of life when you live in a Shropshire village – it just felt a good fit for me.”

The office environment will have to wait a little longer after the country went back into lockdown on the day before her start date, but Katy is already settling into her new role.

“It is all very exciting and there is lots to do,” she said. “At the moment I am working on a variety of projects such as e-commerce, SEO, social media advertising and I’m also starting to learn HTML coding.

“I’m part of a great team here and my line manager, Siân Workman, has so many excellent plans in place – I’m looking forward to supporting her and playing an important role.

“We are all working from home at the moment,” Katy continued. “It is working really well, and the company has put some excellent procedures in place to ensure that we have excellent communication with one another.

“I find every aspect of this role fascinating and I’m very much looking forward to the road ahead.”

For more information about Agrovista Amenity, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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