EGO to unveil new product at SALTEX

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EGO to unveil new product at SALTEX: EGO, the specialists in battery-powered outdoor power equipment, will be showcasing brand new products for lawn care professionals at this year’s SALTEX, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 3rd-4th November.

Leading the line-up of new products is the EGO Z6 – the first ride-on lawn mower in the market-leading EGO range. SALTEX 2021 will provide visitors with their first opportunity to see the product, which will be available to professionals from January.

EGO to unveil new product at SALTEX

EGO to unveil new product at SALTEX

Demonstrating the capability of battery power, the Zero Turn mower allows users to load up to six ordinary EGO batteries, combining their power to cut up to three acres on a single charge. Living up to EGO’s reputation for high quality zero emission tools, the Z6 ensures consistent quality of cut and provides users with a number of useful features – from three driving modes through to ten height adjustments.

Vince Brauns, Group Product Manager at EGO, said: “As our first major exhibition since the easing of restrictions, we’re really excited to be coming to SALTEX with brand new products to share with visitors, including something very special. EGO’s new Z6 Zero Turn ride-on mower is now launching across Europe and we can’t wait for the show to open to pull back the covers on this exciting product.”

EGO will be on stand H090 at SALTEX from 3rd-4th November.

For more information, visit www.egopowerplus.co.uk.

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Kubota tractor supports the air ambulance

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Kubota tractor supports the air ambulance: A new Kubota L1-452 HST tractor has joined the armoury at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

A charity that relies on generous donations from the public, Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been supported by local Kubota dealer Howard & Sons, who have gifted the brand-new Kubota tractor for the next two years.

Kubota tractor supports the air ambulance

Kubota tractor supports the air ambulance

The 45hp tractor, which is powered by the latest Kubota Stage V emissions legislation-compliant engine, will be used to transport the fuel bowser around the base for refuelling the helicopter.

It will also aid the upkeep of the charity’s land, with a 1.5m cut Kubota FA 1500 finishing mower used to cut the large final approach and take-off (FATO) area and the option for a snow plough in wintry conditions. The tractor’s hydrostatic transmission makes for ease of operation, while its 1750kg rear linkage lift capacity can be matched to a wide range of implements.

Devizes-based Howard & Sons is a family company which has been involved in the agricultural industry for three generations.

The business sells farm machinery and tractors across the UK and exports worldwide. Howard & Sons have been preferred Kubota suppliers for the past three years.

Sales Manager Jason Howard said: “Wiltshire is an extremely rural area and we know the air ambulance is regularly called out to incidents on remote farm land and involving machinery.

“We wanted to play our small part and, having spoken to the staff at the airbase, it was felt this new Kubota tractor will be important for their work.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance ground base manager Richard Miller said: “We can’t thank Howard & Sons enough for their support with the gifting of this tractor, as well as taking care of its servicing and insurance.

“It will be a huge help to our team as we look to carry out our lifesaving service up to 19 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Each year it costs £4 million a year to keep the air ambulance flying and the charity receives no regular direct funding from the Government or National Lottery grants.

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Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

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Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft: Hard Graft Garden Services, based in East Lothian, Scotland, believes that Pellenc is a ‘superior’ brand of battery-powered technology.

Hard Graft Garden Services is a family-run business based in Longniddry, East Lothian. Founded by father Stuart, the day-to-day running of the business now largely falls his three sons Sam, Fraser and Lewis.

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Over the years, the family has built a reputation for supporting the local community and providing an unrivalled customer service. Always looking to the future, Lewis revealed that green technology is integral to the company’s future plans.

“I would say that 90% of our equipment is now battery powered, and now that we have discovered Pellenc, we are planning on investing in a lot more of the products.”

Lewis admits that he only turned to Pellenc after being dissatisfied with a product from another manufacturer. It was at this point that he got in touch with Etesia – exclusive UK distributors of Pellenc products.

“We had an electric brushcutter from another manufacturer, but the battery just wasn’t lasting as long as we needed it to and there were a few other build quality issues,” he said. “I did some research, found Pellenc and watched some YouTube videos of the products in action and read some end-user reviews. I then got in contact with Etesia and a demonstration was quickly arranged with our local dealer Agrovista Amenity. As soon as I saw that brushcutter in action, I knew it was the one for us.”

The brushcutter Lewis saw being demonstrated was the powerful Excelion 2. With a rotational speed of 6,600rpm and a cutting diameter of 420mm, the Excelion 2 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 indication.

“We are using the Excelion 2 every day,” said Lewis. “Sometimes there will be days when we are using it from morning till night. The battery life on it is fantastic and the run time is something that we just don’t have to worry about anymore. I also like the way the digital screen monitors the way you are working, and it provides you with information on your current speed and your battery life.

“To be honest, the Excelion can probably go longer than I can,” he continued. “The other day I was on 89% battery, and I still had seven hours of run time left and that is way beyond how long I would want to strim for!

“I also like the way there are four speed settings. Level one manages the small gardens perfectly, and if you come across a bigger section with larger grass, then a quick tap of the button and you are up to level 3 or 4 and away you go. You can use it no matter what the size of the garden.”

Lewis and the Hard Graft team power the Excellion 2 with the Pellenc ULiB 1500 backpack battery, which gives the user freedom of movement and optimal work quality.

“We thought we would go for the ULiB1500 battery because it is the biggest battery in the range and we plan to invest in more Pellenc equipment, which can all be used with this battery.

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Everything feels great, it is very comfortable, and you have no issues with your back – because of the harness.

“It is a great design and very compact for something so powerful – it is not as big as some of its competitors, and it fits nicely in the van when you are storing it.”

Lewis is being looked after by Pellenc dealer Agrovista UK, and Allan Wright has been on hand to ensure Hard Graft are happy with their Pellenc purchase. From the product to support – it is safe to say that Lewis is a happy customer.

“Both Allan and Stephen Muir from Eteisa UK have been very helpful – both of their knowledge is fantastic – I simply cannot fault the service. They walked us through everything, explained everything thoroughly, and that is what you want because you are investing in premium products.

“For the more money you spend, you are getting battery powered technology which is far superior and a first-class service. The products are built to last, and this is backed by the four-year battery warranty.

“As I say, I did a lot of research and I looked at what other manufacturers had to offer. It was clear that Pellenc is a cut above the rest.”

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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A Major Step Forward

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A Major Step Forward: James Bonfield, the Course Manager at Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club, has revealed how utilising ICL’s range of ProSelect grass seed has resulted in vastly improved fairways and greens. 

James has been at the Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club for just over 12 years and claims that the new owners, Elysium Golf Limited, have signalled exciting times.

A Major Step Forward

A Major Step Forward

“We have new fleets of equipment, new budgets, new ways of working, new holes to build and it is a fascinating time to be here. The owners have really backed us and now the course is reaping the rewards.”

The 18-hole parkland course was designed by renowned course designer Jack Nicklaus II and has been in play since 1995. Membership has steadily risen over the years but has nearly doubled since the new owners came in.

“Our main goal is to give members great value for money,” said James. “Our targets have changed rapidly under the new management – we want to break into the top 10 clubs in Hertfordshire and then, in time, make it into the top 100 in the UK.”

With more resources at his disposal James was insistent on first targeting the fairways: “The fairways were always lacking behind everything else, so that was our main priority. Choosing the correct seed was imperative,” he said.

Working alongside Matt Nutter from ICL, James decided on the ProSelect Classic – a multi-purpose seed blend which contains Torsion TRT Perennial ryegrass offering the unique Turf Repairing Tiller growth habit.

He overseeded the fairways with this mixture in late April and explained that the sowing rate was adjusted dependent on the condition: “Some areas were weaker than others, so they needed more seed; others were stronger so needed less – each fairway got exactly what I thought was required,” he said.

Once the overseeding had been completed, James maximised the results of the seed by applying a granular feed to the fairways. The fertiliser he used, ICL’s Sierrablen Plus Spring & Summer CalMag 23-0-5, has proven to be extremely popular with many greenkeepers and course managers this year.

“The seed and the granular feed went hand in hand to give the full effect,” he said. “Sierrablen Plus allowed us to get nutrient into the soil to give the seed something to kick off and it came through beautifully. We now have a nice, uniformed consistent growth whereas before we had a lot of patches.

“This approach has resulted in much improved fairways that are far more tolerant to heat, stress and disease. The combination of the seed working with the granular nutrition has seen the fairways holding the colour a lot better, and they have great definition.

“In the space of six months we have gone from fairways that were really struggling to some of the most envied in Hertfordshire. That is a major step forward.”

Following his work on the fairways, James’ attention turned to the greens and alongside Matt, the two of them worked together to identify the most suitable seed.

“Based on the pH levels we have round here, which are between 6.5 and 7.5, we felt that creeping bent was going to be the best for the greens. Anthracnose is also an issue, and with this in mind, we felt that the ProSelect Piranha creeping bent would be the best option.”

A Major Step Forward

A Major Step Forward

As James says, due to the genetics of the seed, Piranha has been proven to be excellent in combatting the likes of Anthracnose, Dollar spot and Brown patch disease. It is the latest creeping bent grass mixture to be added to the ICL seed portfolio and recently gained EU registration.

“The plan was to move away from fungicides where possible and to instead try and get more creeping bents into the greens because they will help with playability and ease the stresses that Poa can cause,” said James.

“We’ve seen great results from the Piranha already, but it is going to be a long-term commitment in which we overseed the greens twice a year. Matt and I have already discussed the possibility of sowing ProSelect Riptide creeping bent, at the start of the year and then continuing with ProSelect Piranha in September. The two of us will monitor the situation and will fine tune where needed.”

“That is the beauty of working with ICL – you get the whole package,” continued James. “Everything Matt and I have discussed and have applied has worked. His recommendations have always been spot-on, and his on-going advice has always helped to get the best out of the products.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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