Switch to in-house maintenance with Redexim proves a win-win for Bonnyton Thistle FC

Redexim a “win” for Bonnyton Thistle FC

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Redexim a “win” for Bonnyton Thistle FC: Bonnyton Thistle Football Club now have complete flexibility and control over the maintenance of their full-size synthetic pitch thanks to the recent purchase of a Verti-Groom EV and Dragmat from Redexim. Having previously hired in sub-contractors, the switch to an in-house programme has not only saved the club money but has improved the condition of the playing surface.

The synthetic surface was installed at the club in Kilmarnock three years ago and, ordinarily, hosts training for all age groups from seven upwards, along with matches at the weekends. The pitch is inspected regularly against the FIFA standards by Sports Labs which was the first port of call for Ian Higgins – Club & Communities Development Manager and Pitch Maintenance Manager – to discuss the purchase of equipment.

Redexim a "win" for Bonnyton Thistle FC

Redexim a “win” for Bonnyton Thistle FC

“The results we were getting with our contactors was not up to the standard we were looking for, so Sports Labs pointed us in the direction of Ian Lauder at Redexim” explains Ian, who has been involved with the club in various capacities since 1978. “We decided on a Dragmat which we’re using for the regular brushing three times a week, and a Verti-Groom EV to conduct a deeper, more thorough brush once a week.”

“In a short space of time, these two machines have already improved both the visual appearance and playability of our pitch. Before, we had issues with fibres laying flat causing the ball to ‘slip’, not to mention the potential hazard this posed to the players… Now the fibres are upright improving not only the safety but the look of the pitch.”

The Redexim Verti-Groom EV features a combination of tines and brushes to decompact, redistribute and level the infill. Its 2.0m working width means surfaces can be covered quickly, with the working depth of up to 5.5mm easily adjustable to suit conditions. “Hamilton Brothers supplied the equipment and delivered fantastic product training at the installation. Now that I’m on my own with it, I’ve had no issues whatsoever, it’s all nice and straight forward to set-up and use.”

Ian adds, “The club and I are extremely grateful for the funding and support from the Suez Communities Trust Fund, without which, the purchase of the tractor and associated equipment would not have been possible. Thanks to this, we now have the flexibility to conduct the maintenance as and when we need to which should also help to maximise the longevity of our carpet.”

 

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A free ECHO 50V battery worth up to £264

A free ECHO 50V battery worth up to £264

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A free ECHO 50V battery worth up to £264: Purchase an ECHO 50V electric outdoor power tool kit between April and September 2021 and you get a free additional battery worth up to £264.00.

A free ECHO 50V battery worth up to £264: ECHO’s 50V range is an interchangeable battery system whereby one battery fits multiple power tools. So, when you are on the go and busy it is really useful to have a spare battery charged up and ready to minimise downtime. You will also make a considerable saving. For the professional user making the move from petrol powered products to battery, it makes great sense to take advantage of the offer. All you need to do is purchase an ECHO kit comprising a 50V power tool, battery and charger and the second battery comes free.

A free ECHO 50V battery worth up to £264

A free ECHO 50V battery worth up to £264

That means you could choose any of these tools in the 50V 2Ah range with a battery and charger and get the free additional battery: the top handle chainsaw DCS-2500T (you need a valid top handle chainsaw licence to purchase), the rear handle chainsaw DCS-1600, power blower DPB-600, double-sided hedgetrimmer DCH-200, a trimmer DSRM-300 and multi-tool power head DPAS-300 when bought with a battery and charger. The DCS-1600 chainsaw and DPB-600 power blower kits include a second 4Ah battery with the offer. Note the offer does not apply to standalone 50V tools.

The benefits of using battery-driven products have become increasingly appealing to professional users. Like-for-like they compare well in performance terms with their petrol counterparts. Plus, they operate with low noise, low vibration and low running costs with zero emissions when in use. They are easy and safer to operate with no electric plugs or leads and you get maintenance-free brushless motors for long-lasting performance. The top handle chainsaw has a cutting performance on a par with the ECHO petrol equivalent CS-2511TES and the rear handle chainsaw is comparable to a 35-40cc petrol model. The hedgetrimmer features an ergonomic front handle and 62cm double-sided blades and the power blower, trimmer and multi-tool share energy-efficient motor and variable speed controls.

All ECHO 50v products come with a 5-year domestic or 2-year commercial warranty and a 2-year warranty on batteries. The offer runs from 1st April 2021 to 30th September 2021 or whilst stocks last and cannot be combined with any other deal. Find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer. You can also visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 01844 278800 for more information.

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Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

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Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain: John Stewart, Head Groundsman at Deportivo Alaves FC in Spain, has said that his new Dennis G860 cylinder mower is ‘right up there at the very top’ when it comes to turf maintenance machinery.

John’s story is unique and while it may end in Spain; it began a lot further away in America. The proud Scotsman originally moved to North Carolina to teach the bagpipes but to help make ends meet he started working on the greens and fairways at the renowned Pinehurst Golf Course. It was here that he discovered his love for all things turf.

Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

Dennis G860 is top for a Scotsman in Spain

After heading back to his native homeland and gaining the necessary qualifications he switched golf for football while in Spain and took up the Head Groundsman’s role at Real Sociedad FC. He later moved to Deportivo Alaves which is where he has since settled with his wife and children.

 

In that time, he has seen the club complete an amazing comeback. Having been left languishing in Spain’s regional divisions, Deportivo Alaves are now back in Spanish football’s top division, the prestigious La Liga. To cap an incredible decade at the club, John was named the best groundsman in Spanish football last year.

 

Under his remit, he concentrates on Deportivo Alaves’ Mendizorrotza Stadium pitch and the training ground. As a self-confessed perfectionist, John is very particular in what machinery and products he uses to maintain the two sites.

 

“I’ve got a wide range of turf maintenance machinery, but I believe in using only the very best,” he said. “I knew that Dennis mowers were up there with the very best and getting one of their machines was always at the back of my mind. Our budget allowed for one and we bought the Dennis G860 eight months ago. As soon as we got it out on the pitch, we saw that it was a fantastic machine.”

 

John claims that the Dennis G860’s interchangeable cassette system, which assists with a wide range of maintenance tasks such as scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting, was one of the main reasons behind purchasing it.

 

“The cassette system is so simple to use and you can change them in less than two minutes,” said John. “Even changing the cutting height is straightforward – it is just two bolts. This is how it should be because as a groundsman you are always pushed for time. You need equipment which will give you a helping hand.”

 

John has the 8-bladed cutting cassette, verticutting cassette and brush: “The brush has been a gamechanger,” he added. “I am constantly brushing the pitch to keep it clean – it does a brilliant job at removing debris and other bits that fly around the pitch during a game.”

The Dennis G860 features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion. Lightweight at just 166kg; it is also easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate.

 

The handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

 

“It is incredibly comfortable to operate and for me this is one of its best features,” continued John. “We have a seat attached to the mower and it is just like sitting in your car. When you are using a machine for three or four hours at a time, then ensuring that you are comfortable is a top priority.

 

“It is just a great machine to have and in the growing season it is out on the pitch every single day.”

 

When John is not tending to the Deportivo Alaves’ pitches, he is fully focussed on his other passion – the GroundsmanSport magazine, which has been developed to support professionals in the sports turf sector.

 

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

 

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK.You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

 

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Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

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Duncan Ross Works to Maintain Wetland Habitats While Improving Playability at Aberdovey Golf Club : Duncan Ross has worked closely with Aberdovey Golf Club to ensure the wetland habitats for flora and fauna were maintained during vital drainage works to improve playability of the course.

Since 2005 Aberdovey started to experience an increase in the frequency and length of course closures due to a combination of reduced ditch maintenance, ageing and collapsing clay field drains in the fairways and changing weather patterns.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

The course, which is flanked by Cardigan Bay and a long sandy foreshore incorporating a semi mobile dune system, is highly valued as a rich source of ecology and biodiversity and is classed as a site of special scientific interest and also serves as a special area of conservation. As such, the club works with the STRI, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Gwynedd County Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

The ditch system in the centre and northern end of the course supports a population of lesser water plantain which used to be scattered throughout the country but is now mainly found in coastal regions and the East Anglian fens. A vital part of the project was to improve the stormwater run-off from the site while retaining sufficient water in the ditches to maintain the population.

A significant part of the project was lowering the water table, which was high due to the original ditches and pumps not being installed at the lowest possible level. This practise has been commonplace at numerous links courses to prevent drying out in the summer but remains playable in winter. However, due to more regular rainfall during July and August courses no longer dry out in the same way, and the shallow ditches, warm days, and low ditch maintenance have helped the lesser water plantain flourish and the determent of the course.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

David Tomkinson, Greens Chairman at Aberdovey Golf Club, explains: “The contribution made by Duncan and his employees was central to the success of the improved drainage scheme. Work was carried out from first light until dusk, deadlines adhered to and all operations carried out professionally with the very minimum of disruption to the golfers on the course.

“The success of the drainage improvement project has resulted in many fewer days lost to course closures while maintaining the population of lesser water plantain.

“Duncan arrived on site in February 2018, and it was soon established that while the pumping station near the Clubhouse end of the course was effective, the natural flow outfall at the far end was not. Duncan very quickly found that a 250mm drop to the stream, off-site, combined with the fall across an existing seemingly horizontal culvert near the outfall would provide the basis to drop the water table by 750mm.

“The base of the main ditch was increased in depth across half its width, with levelling techniques maintaining a steady fall of 750mm over a 3km length. The area of ditch where the plantain is most prevalent may have caused a problem so Duncan’s suggestion, not taken up by NRW, was to dig a parallel ditch to improve the drainage without disturbing the rare plants.

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

Duncan Ross Maintain Habitats While Improving Playability

“The solution chosen was to reduce the disturbance to the fairway by leaving the old clay pies in place, avoiding damaging the fairway by removing them, and putting in new pipes in parallel but at the new, lower, water level. A sluice was installed near the main outfall to hold back at least 50mm of water in the ditch system while allowing the run-off of stormwater.

“A requirement from NRW was the excavation of wetland scrapes in low lying areas near the 11th green which were constructed and provide an additional area for the plantain to colonise. Also, Duncan was able to weld an extension onto the pumped outfall pipe on the beachside of the dunes, which reduced the amount of sand washed away at the dune base. On the golf course side of this pipe, an area of redundant dry ditch was filled in, and the turf replaced, making the area playable by golfers.”

The club continues to work with NRW and Duncan Ross on several projects relating to the management of the site including monitoring coastal erosion, protecting the wetland areas from seawater ingress, creation of further wetland scrapes and sand scrape areas, monitoring the population of sand lizards, management of rank grass areas to improve grazing for sheep and management of areas of degenerate gorse.

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