#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact

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#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact: Following the first-ever #GroundsWeek (1-7 March 2021), an awareness campaign for the turf-care sector launched by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), polling reveals its positive impact for the future of groundscare. Following the campaign, the not-for-profit membership organisation measured results to inform future activities.

In a survey issued to professional and volunteer groundspeople, as well as industry suppliers, 79% of respondents stated that the week had helped celebrate the sector, fulfilling one the initial aims of the campaign; to mark the challenging year brought on by the pandemic.

#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact

#GroundsWeek polling reveals positive impact

Over 61% of respondents said that #GroundsWeek helped educate them on the turf-care sector and the tasks involved in grounds maintenance. These individuals agreed that they had learned something new and felt better-connected as a result of the week taking place.

#GroundsWeek also peaked interest in volunteering with 76% agreeing that the week raised awareness of the sector and 50% responding that they had got involved during the week itself. Individuals also shared their availability across social media for volunteering opportunities.

Scott Tingley, Head Groundsman at Watford FC, following #GroundsWeek, said:

“GroundsWeek enabled myself and so many others to promote our industry. We are in a very fortunate position at top level football clubs, but the industry is so much more than that. It’s important the industry is recognised at all levels to ensure we are attracting the next generation, and the Grounds Management Association has given us the platform to demonstrate that with their #GroundsWeek initiative.”

Overall, 29 million people were reached by #GroundsWeek content across social media and through media coverage, with over 6,000 positively engaging with #GroundsWeek content on social media platforms.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, commented:

“We were thrilled with the response and impact of this year’s #GroundsWeek campaign. It surpassed expectations and I was overwhelmed with the level of interaction online – especially seeing potential volunteers reaching out to grounds staff to find out how they could get involved.

“We are committed to helping further educate the wider public, and those who rely on the surfaces that grounds staff maintain, through #GroundsWeek 2022 to keep our industry thriving.”

The GMA has confirmed that #GroundsWeek will be happening once again next year from 28th February – 6th March 2022. So far confirmed as sponsors for next year’s event are; Agrigem Ltd (Nutrigow), British Sugar Topsoil, Infinicut, Premier Pitches, Kubota, SIS-Grass, John Deere Ltd, Redexim, Origin Amenity Solutions, Husqvana, and idverde.

For brands looking to support the campaign, please contact communications@thegma.org.uk

For further information about this year’s #GroundsWeek, visit: www.thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

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Equestrian excellence from Mansfield Sand

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Equestrian excellence from Mansfield Sand: SE Hill, a highly regarded company which specialises in the design and construction of equestrian manege facilities, has revealed why it has relied on Mansfield Sand products for over fifteen years.

Over the years SE Hill has built a reputation of a company that can deliver a professional and reliable service. As well as providing drainage, access tracks, earthworks and landscaping and numerous other constructions works, the company also specialises in equestrian facilities – and that is where Mansfield Sand comes in.

Equestrian excellence from Mansfield Sand

Equestrian excellence from Mansfield Sand

“We’ve been working with Mansfield Sand and have been using their products for over fifteen years,” said Managing Director Steve Hill. “I wouldn’t dream of using anyone else.”

Steve relies on Fibresand and Equestrian Silica Sand for his various manege projects.

Fibresand is a simple but highly effective concept, of using synthetic fibres to stabilise a silica sand in order to produce a free draining yet relatively firm, sure footing surface.

The rot proof, polypropylene fibres stabilise the silica sand by providing a high degree of resistance to sand particle movement when the surface is subjected to compressive and/or shear forces from the horses’ hooves.

Fibresand is a cost effective, durable and resistant surface which works as an excellent base layer that is free draining with a sure footing.

Alternatively, Equestrian Silica Sand provides an excellent riding surface which is free draining. Ideally suited as a base sand, it is recommended that the Equestrian Silica be incorporated into a fibre stabilising product to provide structure and further stability.

Commenting on SE Hill’s use of Mansfield Sand products, Louise Barrington-Earp, Equestrian and Landscaping Sales Representative, said:

“Steve finds the Equestrian Silica Sand as a very good sub-base which he then blends a stabilising fibre into.

“The Fibresand, on the other-hand, comes pre-mixed so it means contractors can apply the product immediately with no on-site mixing.

“Overall, Mansfield Sand is delighted and proud to have SE Hill as a customer. We have built a very good business relationship over the years and Steve’s workmanship is second-to-none.”

Steve was equally complimentary: “There is a reason I have been using Mansfield Sand for so long,” he said. “The products are of great quality and are always consistent; the haulage aspect is fantastic and obtaining quotations from Louise is a professional and speedy process.

“From products to service, I put my trust in Mansfield Sand.”

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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F391 continues Kubota mowing legacy

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F391 continues Kubota mowing legacy: Kubota has updated its renowned F series front mowers, with the F391 offering a host of new features to further increase its performance and productivity. It joins the F251 introduced earlier in the year, with this duo of tough, powerful ride-on mowers providing the ideal solution for commercial mowing.

Powered by the latest 38hp Kubota Stage V engine, the F391 is designed to give the ultimate in output, operator comfort and practicality, continuing and enhancing the F series’ position as the choice of professionals for parks, open spaces and local authority work.

F391 continues Kubota mowing legacy

F391 continues Kubota mowing legacy

Meeting the latest emission control standards, the four-cylinder Kubota diesel engine provides the power to tackle the toughest mowing jobs, all day long; a 61 litre fuel tank gives long intervals between fill-ups.

Drive is via a two-range hydrostatic transmission with on-demand four-wheel drive to enhance grip in wet conditions and on sloping land.

The F391 has a lift capacity of 260kg, enabling the choice of 1.51 or 1.82m (60 or 72in) side or rear discharge deck, with optional mulch kit, for outstanding workrates. Mower deck tilt of 90deg makes for easy cleaning and maintenance and is operated via a hydraulic lever with minimal effort. Puncture proof tyres on the deck avoid frustrating downtime in tough conditions.

Deck height is adjustable from 25-129mm simply by slotting a pin at the chosen height on the front caster wheels, for quick adaptation to different tasks and grass surfaces.

With power steering and its out-front deck, the F391 is highly manoeuvrable for mowing around play equipment and street furniture, yet with a travel speed of 19.6kph can cover large areas in the working day.

Operator comfort and convenience has been considered at every stage of the design with a tilting and adjustable steering wheel, ergonomic controls, new bright dashboard for visibility and a folding ROPS, while the large platform offers easy access.  A new one-piece bonnet and removable radiator screen make for easy routine maintenance.

The F391 will be available from Kubota dealers at the end of the year.

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Kubota adds rear discharge model to G-Series

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Kubota adds rear discharge model to G-Series: Kubota has introduced a new version of its G261 ride-on mower designed to offer productivity and convenience where collection is not required.

The G261 RD is available with a 1.2m (48in) rear discharge rotary deck with optional mulching kit and has a travel speed up to 19kph -the fastest in the industry –  giving high outputs in a variety of amenity applications including parks, sportsfields and open spaces.

Kubota adds rear discharge model to G-Series

Kubota adds rear discharge model to G-Series

Powered by a 25hp Kubota Stage V engine, the G261 RD has a new hydrostatic transmission with cruise control, offering extra traction and grip, plus a differential lock for ease of operation and confident performance on sloping terrain.

An electromagnetic pto clutch makes for improved transmission of power and smooth engagement of the deck; for further ease of use, independent height of cut control gives mowing height selection from 25-102mm.

The rear discharge deck has been adapted from Kubota’s well-regarded BX compact tractor and thus has a very strong and robust design. Versatility is added with the option of a mulching kit – the G261 RD can handle lush, long grass in rear discharge format, or give a really clean finish on shorter grass, mulching the clippings and returning valuable organic matter to the soil.

Operator comfort is afforded by a generous platform with easy access and folding ROPS for work under trees or in other height restricted areas, and access for maintenance is improved with a one-piece bonnet.

Delivering high workrates yet capable of accessing restricted sites such as play areas and gardens via a 4ft gate, the G261 RD is an ideal mowing solution for businesses needing a versatile, capable ride-on mower.

It is offered alongside the recently-launched G261 which is available with low and high dump grass collectors, and further enhances Kubota’s range of purpose-designed, operator-focused professional mowing equipment.

The G261 RD will be available from Kubota dealers in October.

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Two new Pellenc innovations at SALTEX

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Two new Pellenc innovations at SALTEX: Pellenc, the world’s leading expert in battery-powered tools for maintaining landscapes, will be proudly showcasing two new innovations on stand C085 at SALTEX 2021.

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and enough power to enable professional users to work for a full day on a single charge, it’s no wonder more and more professional users are turning to Pellenc.

Two new Pellenc innovations at SALTEX

Two new Pellenc innovations at SALTEX

The ever-expanding Pellenc product portfolio consists of chainsaws, blowers, hedge cutters, pole saws, road sweepers, grass strimmers and mowers – offering a solution for every requirement.

A variety of these products will be on display at SALTEX 2021 with a particular focus on two of Pellenc’s latest innovations, which address the questions of Petrol Vs battery power.

Excelion V2 Brushcutter

This new high powered brush cutter delivers the equivalent of 70cc of power, as much as some of the largest petrol machines on the market, it can easily cope with clearance work and is just as happy on maintenance duties at lower speeds, with a rotational speed of 6,600rpm and a cutting diameter of 420mm, the Excelion V2 battery-powered brushcutter offers superior performance for professional intensive landscaping and forestry work.

Weighing 30% less than petrol-powered brushcutters, it also has a newly designed smart handle that enables agile manoeuvring and displays digital information in real-time including current speed, battery life (as a percentage and in minutes) and power indicator.

The Excellion V2 is available in two versions – loop handle and cow handle. Each come standard with the new ‘smart’ control allowing the user to select the ‘head’ while in use. This then allows the brushcutter to adjust the power for different types of work, enabling users to complete brush clearing, weeding, mulching, sawing or mowing thick vegetation.

As an added benefit the Excelion V2 comes with IP54 water-proof rating, and its battery life lasts up to three hours of continual use.

Airion Backpack Blower

The Airion Backpack blower is the most powerful battery-powered backpack blower on the market. With an airflow of 1,280m³/h and a thrust of 24N, its performance is suitable for day-to-day road green space maintenance work in all seasons.

With its wide, thick shoulder straps and integrated adjustable belt, the Airion Backpack blower offers great comfort during prolonged working sessions. Its inclined pivot gives full freedom of movement with the nozzle, allowing manoeuvrability reminiscent of a hand-held blower. Its handle can also be adjusted to the user’s height with all controls are always within easy reach.

The large backlit display on the smart handle provides the user with real-time information including current speed, battery life (as a percentage and in minutes), option currently selected (boost and cruise control) and time worked on the current work site.

The Airion Backpack’s design optimises its aerodynamic efficiency by 15% compared to competing tools and its battery life has been extended up to three hours – depending on the battery used.

As with other tools in the Pellenc range, the Airion Backpack blower comes with IP54 water-proof rating and can be fitted with three different nozzles depending on usage – angled, angled-flat or flat.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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