A first from Ariens

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A first from Ariens: Ariens has introduced the APEX 48 RD rear discharge, petrol zero-turn mower, designed specifically for the European and UK markets. Manufacturing the APEX 48 RD with rear discharge deck shows the company’s firm commitment to their European presence, says Ariens. They will build the new model in their Oxfordshire factory.   

A rear discharge zero-turn offers the professional operator significant benefits, especially for council, local authority and amenity work. There is less risk of objects being ejected from the side and hitting pedestrians or causing damage to cars and property, which may incur compensation. The operator can also trim on either side of the deck without the need to change direction in order to avoid discharging grass cuttings on the road, pavement or flower beds. Containing the clippings behind the wheels and dropping them in the zero-turn’s path saves time and cleaning up.

A first from Ariens

A first from Ariens

The APEX 48 RD boasts the same class-leading specifications as Ariens APEX 48, but with the 122cm (48”) rear discharge deck which is fully fabricated, 10-gauge, and offers superior airflow with exceptional cutting performance. The deck lift system is foot-operated, and a spring-assisted lift allows you to adjust effortlessly between 15 cutting positions. The industry-leading solid and fully welded frame supports the overall design and an optional ROPS (Rollover Protection System) can be fitted to order. Large tyres, 55.9cm (22”) rear and 33cm (13”) front, provide solid traction and a comfortable ride. All-day comfort is also emphasised with the high-back plush seat and padded armrests. Power comes from a Kawasaki FR691 V-Twin engine and a self-adjusting belt drive minimises wear and tear with little to no maintenance required.

The APEX 48 RD comes with a 4-year or 500 hours warranty and a range of other optional accessories is available. For further information on the APEX 48 RD, contact your dealer or visit ariens-uk.com

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Ventrac exposure at The Game Fair

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Ventrac exposure at The Game Fair: Rupert Price and the team from Price Turfcare had a superb response to their first visit as exhibitors at The Game Fair, held at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire at the end of July.

With almost 120,000 visitors across the three-day event, the exposure for the Ventrac brand was outstanding. It was the busiest ever opening day in The Game Fairs 62-year history, with a three-day total of 119,378 people enjoying the return of the festival of the Great British countryside.

Ventrac exposure at The Game Fair

Ventrac exposure at The Game Fair

Commenting a couple of days after the show, Rupert Price said,

“This was our first time as exhibitors at The Game Fair and it was an incredible experience. Visitors to this event are a prime section of the target audience for our Ventrac all-terrain compact tractor together with its range of attachments and there was huge interest. We marketed it as the Estate Manager’s Swiss Army Knife and it certainly drew a lot of attention.

“I think it helped that we had moving demonstrations on our stand, which enabled visitors to get a glimpse of what the machine can do. We had ramps at 20 and 30 degrees to demonstrate its unique climbing ability and also had a bit of fun when we balanced a football in the airflow of one of the leaf blower attachments, which tended to stop people in their tracks. This is a family-friendly event and it was great to see so many young children besotted with machinery, especially tractors. We had hundreds of photos taken with them sitting on our static display and we exhausted our supply of ‘Venny Ventrac’ colouring books midway through the second day.

“At this type of event you don’t expect to sell large price-ticket equipment such as ours, but it does provide the opportunity for exposure and to talk to prospective purchasers. I have to say that we have come away with some superb leads and it’s going to take quite some time to follow them up, but that’s a nice problem to have. We’ll definitely return next year.”

The Ventrac all-terrain compactor has over 30 different attachments that can be front-mounted to provide an extremely versatile machine for a wide range of estate management applications. With a choice of eight mowing decks, it can maintain grassed areas ranging from fine turf to thick brush. Other attachments include aerators, aera-vators, brushes, blowers, overseeders, rotovators, buckets and grabs, stump grinders, trenchers and snow removal accessories. In its eight-wheel configuration it can operate on slopes of 30 degrees – the only ride-on machine in the UK certificated for such steep gradients.

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STIHL’s new kids toy range

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STIHL’s new kids toy range: Adding to its extensive range of clothes and toys specifically designed for young children who love the outdoors, STIHL has launched a battery powered, fully functioning toy blower and brushcutter, giving young STIHL fans a child friendly power tool experience.

Suitable for children from three years old, the design of the toy blower is based on STIHL’s popular BGA 57 machine, featuring three length adjustments to help keep the blower tube close to the ground for optimised blowing force. Not only does the trigger mechanism playfully reflect the operation of STIHL’s AK tools, but the toy blower also has a light blowing force for clearing a small amount of leaves, allowing kids to help out with regular garden tasks.

STIHL's new kids toy range

STIHL’s new kids toy range

The new toy brushcutter is modelled on STIHL’s popular FSA 57, featuring length adjustment and an adjustable handle to suit any children’s height and give them the best user experience. Offering hours of fun in the garden, the new toy brushcutter has added blade lights during operation, giving a clear view of the cutting diameter for an accurate ‘cut’.

Both toy models feature cordless batteries that mimic STIHL’s professional Lithium-Ion range, which can easily be inserted into each machine and offers a power indicator gauge for an authentic cordless power tool experience.

For more information on STIHL’s extensive range of children’s clothing and toys, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists

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Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists: After a year’s hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are returning for 2021, with the search on to find the country’s best up-and-coming greenkeepers.

Each year the awards enable BIGGA, the UK’s only membership association for golf greenkeepers, to work alongside turf maintenance equipment manufacturer Toro and distributor Reesink Turfcare to celebrate the next generation of talented and dedicated greenkeepers.

Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists

Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists

A record 49 nominees from across the United Kingdom participated in regional interviews. These candidates were nominated by their employers or colleague tutors and from those candidates a final 12 have been chosen to contest the grand final this September.

For the first time, the finals of the awards will take place at Celtic Manor Resort, providing an incredible backdrop to the event and giving the opportunity for the finalists to learn more and be inspired by the maintenance of the championship venue.

September’s event will be the 32nd staging of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards and just the fifth time the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, open to greenkeepers aged 21 or under, will take place. To be eligible to take part, candidates must be registered on a qualifying greenkeeping qualification and must be nominated by their course manager or college tutor.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Leon Brant, assistant greenkeeper at Wexham Park Golf Club
  2. John Le Cappelain, apprentice greenkeeper at Royal Jersey Golf Club
  3. Daryn Curtis, greenkeeper at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club
  4. Matthew McCreadie, greenkeeper at Daventry & District Golf Club
  5. Matthew Milligan, first assistant at Rudding Park Golf Club
  6. Michael Russell, greenkeeper and ecology manager at Preston Golf Club

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year finalists are:

  1. Rhian Barton, apprentice greenkeeper at The Wisley Golf Club
  2. Greg Manson, apprentice greenkeeper at Mortonhall Golf Club
  3. Callum Marjoribanks, apprentice greenkeeper at Mortonhall Golf Club
  4. Ross McKie, apprentice greenkeeper at St Andrews Links
  5. Will Pallister, apprentice greenkeeper at Cleckheaton & District Golf Club
  6. Cameron Shanks, apprentice greenkeeper at Bothwell Castle Golf Club

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive an eight-week all expenses-paid scholarship to America when restrictions allow, including a six-week residential turf management study course at the University of Massachusetts, a trip to the Golf Industry Show in San Diego, California, and a visit to Toro manufacturing facilities.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner will receive a work experience placement at the exclusive Vidauban Golf Club in southern France. They will also receive a trip to Continue to Learn at BTME and enjoy a five-night package that includes hotel, four days of education, travel and £125 expenses, plus a Toro training voucher.

Sami Strutt, head of learning & development at BIGGA, said: “I was delighted to learn that a record number of student greenkeepers had been nominated for this year’s award, especially after the challenges of the past year. For so many employers and tutors to recognise the commitment of the students, despite the difficulties we have all faced, is testament to what a wonderful industry we are working in. There can be no better introduction to the greenkeeping community than a nomination for these awards and, these 12 finalists should be incredibly proud of everything they have achieved thus far.

“Taking place in the grand setting of Celtic Manor Resort, this year’s finals will be unlike any other and I can’t wait to meet everyone this September for what stands to be a wonderful few days. My thanks go to Toro and Reesink Turfcare for their continued support and also thanks go to everyone who took part or nominated a candidate this year.”

David Cole, Reesink Turfcare managing director and award sponsor, said: “From the interviewing process to identify our finalists, we can take that the greenkeeping profession continues to be in bright and focused hands. Reesink Turfcare and Toro’s long support of this educational award is constantly rewarded by the enthusiasm, career passion and commitment to personal development that we come across every year. That is the significant element that sustains these long-standing, career-enhancing awards.”

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year finals take place at Celtic Manor Resort on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 September 2021.

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