Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years

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Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years: Gullane Golf Club in Scotland and Toro certainly have history. With the latest deal taking it to 25 years, it’s a partnership claimed to have produced putting surfaces as close to perfection as nature will allow. 

That accolade was made about the effect of the Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 mowers on the course for the Scottish Open three years ago and with a new machine in the club’s last order, clearly the Toro effect continues.

Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years

Gullane and Toro partnership to hit 25 years

“Toro gave us the attention to detail to create near-perfect conditions. It always has, and it’s why this latest deal takes our relationship to a quarter of a century,” says course manager Stewart Duff.

With three 18-hole courses, Gullane No. 1 carved into ancient links turf, Gullane No. 2 sweeping down to a nature reserve, and Gullane No. 3 with views across Aberlady Bay to the Firth of Forth and beyond, it’s no wonder the club is regarded as one of the most picturesque golf spots in the world. And with a state of the art short game practice area, driving range and children’s course as well, Toro certainly has a lot of area to cover when it comes to maintaining the course. Helping with that is the Groundsmaster 4700-D, which is a like-for-like replacement in the last order from Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Stewart explains: “We split our Toro fleet between the courses as we have so much ground to cover, but there are a couple of machines we use across all three; the Groundsmaster 4700-D is one of those machines. With a cutting width of 12.5ft alongside a high-powered engine it’s incredibly productive.”

And it certainly gets put to good use at Gullane, says Stewart: “In the growing season we have the machine in use five days a week across all the courses, doing three times the amount of work compared to our machines that just work on the one course. So the 4700-D that we had in our last fleet for four years, actually did the equivalent of 12 years’ worth of work – but even then, it was still going strong when we signed the new agreement.”

Joining the Groundsmaster 4700-D and the Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 mowers in the last fleet purchase was the Toro Workman utility vehicle and ProPass 200 topdresser.

Stewart continues: “We’re constantly looking at small tweaks we can make in order to get the best possible results and improve the courses for all, and Toro plays a big part in that. For example, we opted for the two Reelmaster 3550-D fairway mowers as the smaller sized cutting units allowed us to follow the contours better, which results in a better quality of cut. The slick tyres on the machines also prevent any turf damage when turning.”

Included as part of Gullane’s tournament support fleet in 2018 were Toro’s GTX electric utility vehicles and they certainly impressed Stewart with him saying at the time he’d be changing his utility vehicles to be Toro based on his positive experience. The arrival of three Workman utility vehicles in the last order sees Stewart true to his word and it sounds as though Toro will be around for many more years to come at Gullane.

Stewart concludes: “The team and I are delighted to have Toro here at the club for another five years; although realistically that’s more than likely going to be another 10 years. We really do feel as though we have the best possible machinery for the courses and with a club that wholeheartedly supports that relationship, I can only see us continuing to invest in Toro in the future.”

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Choosing the right topdressing brush

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Choosing the right topdressing brush: Topdressing has been an essential greenkeeping technique for over 150 years, since the days of Old Tom Morris.  It serves multiple purposes; to help maintain a true surface, to balance and dilute the buildup of organic matter, to fill coring holes, and to maintain a free-draining surface.

Modern topdressers can apply both heavy and light dressings

Topdressing is spread in different thicknesses, from just a frequent light dusting, to a heavy dressing after hollow coring. Over the years various methods have been used to incorporate the topdressing into the turf canopy.  For many years metal link drag-mats were the norm, but these tended to scrape the dressing across the surface, and were particularly aggressive on the crowns of undulations.

Choosing the right topdressing brush

Choosing the right topdressing brush

In recent years, brushes have become accepted as the optimal tool for working-in topdressing.  However, even these have significant subtle differences between different types.

Which type of brush is best for different greens?

Since its introduction in the 1990’s the Greens-Groomer has been recognized as one of the most effective topdressing brushes ever invented. It has 16 separate brushes mounted in a triple zig-zag pattern.  As the Greens-Groomer passes over the turf, the brushes move the sand forwards and sideways in three directions, making it ideal for filling coring holes. The absence of power-driven rotating brushes ensures that the turf is not bruised and unpleasant dust is not generated, even when operating at speed.

The Greens-Groomer is fast and very effective, and doesn’t bruise the turf

The Greens-Groomer’s large 1.8 x 1.2m (6’ x 4’) footprint has a luting effect, keeping the surface of the green flat and true.

However, if your greens are intentionally undulating, you need a totally different type of brush that will accurately follow the contours and evenly brush-in the dressing.  This is the purpose of the Thatch-Away topdressing brushes.  These fit into the Thatch-Away interchangeable cassette system, and attach to all popular greensmowers.  The three individual brush units run on their own front and rear guide wheels to accurately follow the contours of the green without scraping the crowns or filling up the hollows.

Thatch-Away topdressing brushes accurately follow the contours of the green

Topdressing technology has come a long way since the days of Old Tom, but were he still here he would surely be pleased to see the way that the correct choice of topdressing brush can help to maintain the original characteristics of the greens.

For a free demonstration of these innovative brushes, contact GreenTek on 0113 267 7000.

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No stone left unturned

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No stone left unturned: The Kongskilde Stonebear is the perfect choice for ground care professionals who need a hard-working machine to remove stones and rubbish from construction sites, sports grounds, golf courses and other outdoor venues. Designed to collect stones from approx. 2.8 cm to 30cm diameter, the Stonebear can be deployed effectively before drilling and planting operations.

Available in two specifications the SB4000 with a 4m working width and SB5200 with a 5.2m working width, both models are perfect for one-man operator use. The Stonebear is also fitted with wide low-pressure tyres which reduce compaction and rakes that are specially designed to follow the contours of uneven land and rotate in the opposite direction to forward travel. The heavy-duty rake spikes draw the stones on to a sieve in the centre of the machine, where the stones are sieved by the tines in the rotor and thrown on to the hopper.  Any extra soil is distributed through the sieve and back into the ground. When the hopper is full, a unique hydraulic dumping system, with a tipping height up to 2.3m allows easy discharge into a trailer. Unlike many conventional stone-picking machines, the Stonebear operates with a low tractor power requirement, SB4000 – 72 hp and the SB5200 – 80 hp.

No stone left unturned

No stone left unturned

Delivered with a 12-month warranty and supported by an established Kongskilde network, the Stonebear range is your perfect partner in any field of operation.

Neil Bodymore, Kongskilde product specialist says, “The Kongskilde Stonebear is an excellent machine for clearing stones from cultivated soil. We have supplied machines into several applications. We have machines out preparing ground for producing turf, and with companies preparing ground for sports fields. Also, the Stonebear is used for reclaiming land that has been cleared of buildings, I have even heard of a machine being used to collect flint stones for building”

Discover more about the Kongskilde Stonebear range at Kongskilde – Search

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Only Mansfield Sand for Motherwell FC

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Only Mansfield Sand for Motherwell FC: Paul Matthew, Head Groundsman at Motherwell FC, believes that Mansfield Sand is the only company to work with if you have a Fibresand pitch.

It is well documented how the experienced and highly skilled Paul Matthew has transformed the previously infamous pitch at Fir Park into one of the best playing surfaces in the country. Hard work, dedication, and an eye for selecting the correct products have been key in Paul’s six-year journey at Motherwell.

Only Mansfield Sand for Motherwell FC

Only Mansfield Sand for Motherwell FC

After entering the grounds management industry as a greenkeeper, he moved into football and Motherwell is the third club he has worked for. In that time, he has always been familiar with Mansfield Sand.

“I’ve used products from Mansfield Sand between the three football clubs I’ve worked at – Rangers FC, Wolves FC and now here at Motherwell FC so that’s a period of about 19 years,” he said.

“If you have a Fibresand pitch – then you have to go to Mansfield – it’s as simple as that. They deliver a very solid product and service, and they are a good British company.”

As Paul says, Mansfield Sand is a company with history and pedigree – in fact, its origins can be traced as far back to 1840. It has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium sand-based products and boasts the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry.

From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all. In Paul’s case, he sees Mansfield Sand as a key component in his end of season renovations.

“I am predominately a Fibresand user and I will apply this at the end of the season at the renovation stage,” he said. “So, after we have taken the top off the pitch, we will then incorporate approximately 120 tonnes of Fibresand into the surface – but it all depends on how much organic matter the pitch has produced. Throughout the year, soil samples will be taken by Mansfield Sand to determine exactly how much Fibresand is required.”

Paul uses a pure sand and polypropylene fibre reinforcement product that is particularly advantageous when grass cover has been reduced due to heavy usage and wear during the winter period. It is incorporated into an upper sand soil rootzone and consolidated to provide a stable divot-free environment.

“What I would say, is that the quality and the consistency of the material, and the clean nature of the product is why we purchase it,” continued Paul. “Then there is the service you get from them as well. I predominately deal with Gary Cunningham (Football & Golf Sales Representative for Mansfield Sand) and if he tells me the order will be there on a certain day then it absolutely will be. They are never late, and I never find myself sitting there with the contractor waiting for the sand to be delivered – that just does not happen with Mansfield Sand.

“They are just a very professional company and absolutely reliable with solid advice at all times – that is how most would describe them.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Engcon signs agreement with John Deere

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Engcon signs agreement with John Deere: Engcon, the world’s leading tiltrotator manufacturer, and John Deere have entered into a major agreement focusing on the US and Canada markets.

Through this preferred supplier agreement, Engcon’s products will be available to end users through the John Deere and Hitachi excavator dealer network throughout the US and Canada. This collaboration will ensure that customers are able to purchase their John Deere and Hitachi excavators equipped with Engcon’s productivity enhancing products.

Engcon signs agreement with John Deere

Engcon signs agreement with John Deere

Engcon’s mission is to change the world of digging. With Engcon the excavator is turned into a tool carrier changing the way operators dig and enabling new ways to use an excavator. Engcon’s tiltrotator together with an Engcon quick hitch gives operators the ability to change tools without leaving the cabin and use them in new ways that increase the flexibility and efficiency of their excavators. All this ultimately leads to increased productivity and profitability for customers. Engcon is now a preferred supplier of John Deere, which means end users can access Engcon’s smart products from the John Deere and Hitachi excavator dealer network throughout the United States and Canada.

“This journey started in the Nordic countries 30 years ago based on the idea that it was possible to dig and utilise excavators in a better way. At Engcon we are thrilled to increase the pace of this journey together with John Deere, we believe that we will both benefit by making Engcon’s proven solutions available in the US and Canada together with John Deere and Hitachi excavators. However, the real winners in this are the operators and end customers that will be able to work in new ways and be more productive and profitable”, says Krister Blomgren, CEO Engcon.

Thanks to the new collaboration, customers will be able to choose Engcon’s tiltrotators and automatic quick mounting system with EC-Oil, where the driver can connect hydraulic tools without leaving the cab, through authorised John Deere and Hitachi dealers in the USA and Canada.

“At John Deere, we have always been focused on providing products and technology that enable our customers to optimise efficiency and uptime on the job site. Through this agreement with Engcon, customers are further equipped to benefit from enhanced jobsite performance and ultimately profitability”, says David Thorne, senior vice president, sales & marketing, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

This agreement makes it possible for customers to benefit from easier and quicker access to Engcon’s products through their local John Deere and Hitachi excavator dealers. This marks a milestone in making the tiltrotator concept more accepted and known globally, particularly in the US and Canada where Engcon is expecting an increased rate of growth in the coming years.

Facts:

  • Through authorised John Deere and Hitachi excavator dealers in the US and Canada customers will be able to select Engcon’s tiltrotators for the John Deere excavator range from 26G to 345G and the Hitachi excavator range from ZX26 through ZX345.
  • Engcon’s EC-Oil automatic quick hitches will also be available through authorised John Deere and Hitachi excavator dealers for the John Deere 75G to the 380G excavators and Hitachi ZX75 to the ZX380 excavators where the operator can connect hydraulic tools without leaving the cab, Engcon’s standard locking control QSC and the proportional DC2 control system.

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