IKON XD Range Increases

/in , /by

IKON XD Range Increases: Ariens is adding to its IKON XD range of zero-turn mowers with two new models; the IKON XD 42 and IKON 52, both featuring the new 764cc twin cylinder Ariens engine – designed to be powerful yet fuel efficient.

This new engine has an enhanced combustion chamber that burns fuel mixture quicker, resulting in greater combustion efficiency. Couple this with its carburettor and the finely tuned fuel spray it produces and the Ariens engine is one of the most fuel-efficient engines available today – but this doesn’t impact on its power.

IKON XD Range Increases

IKON XD Range Increases

The IKON XD 42 Ariens engine is rated at 15.5kW of power @2800RPM whilst the IKON 52 Ariens engine is rated at 16.6kW of power @3000RPM. Both models with the Ariens engine also have over 50Nm of torque for optimum cutting performance. The engine is also easy to maintain thanks to toolless access to the air filter and well positioned oil drain. It is also long lasting and durable thanks to its design and anti-wear components.

The IKON XD’s innovative zero-turn capability means it can turn in its own footprint, ensuring no lawn is left unfinished. This is achieved through its ability to drive and steer from the back wheels via two independent transmissions. This guarantees it not only produces excellent finishes but reduces mowing time by up to 50 percent compared to a garden tractor. Additionally, its fully fabricated commercial style deck with advanced airflow and range of cutting sizes ensures exceptional cutting performance every time.

Furthermore, the high back seat with padded arm rests and large tyres makes it a comfortable ride – perfect for tackling large lawns.

The IKON XD 42 and 52 is now available with the Ariens 764cc engine. For further information on the IKON XD range, contact your dealer or visit https://www.ariens.eu/series/ikon-xd

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

CEORA™ arrives with first customers

/in , /by

CEORA™ arrives with first customers: HUSQVARNA, the pioneer in smart commercial grounds care and robotic mowing, today announces that the highly anticipated CEORA™ has arrived with its first customers, offering a brand-new solution for commercial turf care management in the UK.

Expected to revolutionise an industry dominated by heavy, conventional fuel-driven machinery that require manual operation, high levels of maintenance and expose the environment to harmful emissions, Husqvarna CEORA™ can independently mow an area of up to 75,000m² (the equivalent of up to eight football pitches) day or night, significantly reducing overall costs by approximately 30%, improving the quality of the turf and allowing staff to focus on other tasks.

CEORA™ arrives with first customers

CEORA™ arrives with first customers

Operating through Husqvarna’s satellite navigation system, EPOS (Exact Positioning Operating System), CEORA™ uses GPS coordinates to map out its work areas and navigates with a precision of 2-3 cm. The satellite-based technology enables CEORA™ to work within virtual boundaries, making it an easy and flexible solution for sports pitches, golf courses – and all other large green areas. Customers are able to map out different zones within the work area and set different cutting schedules and heights. All of this is controlled via their smartphones, meaning maintenance during the cutting season is limited to changing blades and cleaning.

Husqvarna has launched two autonomous models into the UK market – Husqvarna CEORA™ 544 EPOS (RRP £14,199.00) and Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 EPOS (RRP £18,199.00), which are used in combination with the Husqvarna Razor 43M Cutting Deck (RRP £7,499.00). In the future, the ground-breaking solution of CEORA™ will expand with more attachments designed with turf care professionals in mind, with ideas including to help with fertilising, lawn striping, or even collecting golf balls from playing areas.

Following the UK roll-out, The Ridge Golf Club in Kent was the first to have CEORA™ arrive on its course, with an installation carried out in partnership with Ernest Doe, an authorised Husqvarna CEORA™ dealer.

Hannah Cooper, Professional Segment Manager, at Husqvarna UK said: “Since announcing CEORA™ last year, we have had an overwhelming response from all corners of the industry who are desperate to get their hands on the new models. We are excited to finally see this revolutionary new product with customers and to have stock available through our approved CEORA™ network of dealers. CEORA™ is set to change the game in turf care, and we are confident it will be a much-appreciated addition to any fleet.”

CEORA™ is available to order now from selected authorised dealerships across the UK. CEORA™ is also available in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Poland.

For more information on Husqvarna and CEORA™, visit www.husqvarna.com/uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

The latest 36V equipment from Makita

/in , /by

The latest 36V equipment from Makita: Makita UK has expanded its leading LXT outdoor power equipment range with the launch of the LM001CX3 LXT 36V 53cm Lawnmower, UB001CX2 LXT 36V Blower, UR101CX1 LXT 36V Brush Cutter, and UR101CX1 and UR201CX1 LXT 36V Linetrimmers.

Now supplied complete with Makita’s PDC1200A02 back-pack battery pack, these newly listed CX1, CX2 and CX3 models enable users to work for longer in comfort, without having to recharge or change batteries frequently. This makes them ideal for contractors who need to carry out a variety of demanding applications, all from a single charge.#

The latest 36V equipment from Makita

The latest 36V equipment from Makita

LM001CX3 LXT 36V 53cm Lawnmower

To ensure a clean and efficient cut every time, the LM001CX3 includes a self-propelled motor, with variable speed control, 10-stage height adjustment (from 20-100mm) and three operation modes. It also includes a 70L cloth catcher that allows for efficient grass collection – with a useful grass level indicator to let the user know when it needs emptying.

To ensure optimal operation, the LM001CX3 has four swing back blades that work to keep the machine working efficiently, even if it encounters a solid object in the lawn.

UB001CX2 LXT 36V Blower

This high-power blower delivers high air volume and speed, making light work of any clearing task – in fact, it delivers up to 20N maximum blowing force (when in boost mode), 70m/sec maximum air velocity and 17.6m3/min maximum air volume.

Powered by a 36V high power drive system, this machine has been designed for usability and comfort, with a cruise control function that maintains the power output and a lightweight and compact design that makes single handed operation easy. The UB001CX2 is also compatible with a shoulder belt for added stability and comfort and thanks to its easy to grip frame, it can be effortlessly operated in a sweeping motion. The UB001CX2 has a three-stage telescopic long nozzle for added accuracy.

What’s more, the UB001CX2 delivers low noise emissions, which is better for both the user and those on site.

UR101CX1 LXT 36V Brush Cutter and UR201CX1 LXT 36V Linetrimmer

These 1kW high-power machines are a must in any landscaper’s toolkit. Powered by Makita’s 36V portable power pack, these tools feature three electronic speeds and a reverse switch to ensure easy removal of grass clippings. The UR101CX1 and UR201CX1 also feature Makita’s Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT) that automatically adjusts the cutting speed according to the load conditions.

To protect the machine during use and ensure optimal performance, these machines have a high cooling capacity that suppresses heat generation of the controller and motor. Further to this, Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) adds additional protection by shutting down the tool if the rotation speed suddenly slows, preventing overload and kickback.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “We’re delighted to launch the LM001CX3, UB001CX2, UR101CX1 and UR201CX1, which were only previously available as body-only models. These new cordless garden machines have been innovatively designed to be compatible with Makita’s portable back-pack power units, enabling users to tackle large areas without the constrains of powers leads or health and safety hazards associated with petrol”.

To find out more about Makita visit: www.makitauk.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

/in , /by

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra: The Amenity Forum already offers a series of guidance notes and video material on integrated approaches to weed, pest and disease management and, in 2020, published an extensive document on the subject in relation to weed control, along with a template to help amenity organisations produce integrated plans.

Integrated approaches are long established in the sector but it is clear that, with the great emphasis being placed by government on this topic, it would be beneficial to further improve both access to and content of guidance to all operating in amenity and sports surface management. As such the Forum is in positive and collaborative dialogue with Defra as to how this can be achieved.

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

Amenity Forum in collaboration with Defra

Defra published its Pollinator Action Plan recently and in it was the following reference to part of this work.

Work with stakeholders, including local authorities, to:

  1. support the development of guidance on the use of pesticides by amenity managers, including IPM and sustainable approaches for weed control which consider pollinators.
  2. explore ways to maximise uptake of IPM by amenity users

John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, said ‘’We have been in dialogue for some time with the Defra team about creating better access to guidance on integrated management. Whilst the publication of the much anticipated UK National Action Plan has been delayed, it is clear that the production of Integrated Plans will feature strongly. As such we welcome direct input into helping improve guidance. Integrated approaches involve creating plans for management making use of all tools available including pesticides  to provide the required outcome in a way which protects the environment and minimises carbon emissions’’

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Obituary – Barry Huxley

/in , /by

Obituary – Barry Huxley: Huxley Golf, the well-known supplier of premier quality all-weather surfaces for golf, are very sad to announce the unexpected death of Barry Huxley, who founded the Huxley Golf business with his brother Paul in 2000.

Barry had been a Director of the Huxley family business Huxley (UK) Ltd for over 50 years, before its transfer to an Employee Owned Trust in 2020. The business was started in 1946 by Barry’s and Paul’s father Ted Huxley, who began selling Allen Motor Scythe grasscutters in London and the home counties when he was demobbed after war service in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm flying Spitfires and Seafires. Until 2000, The Huxley Grass Machinery business manufactured and supplied commercial grass cutting and turf maintenance machinery to golf courses and sports grounds throughout the UK and overseas as far away as Japan.

Obituary - Barry Huxley

Obituary – Barry Huxley

Barry Huxley joined the family business in 1970, after an apprenticeship at Ransomes in Ipswich, to learn about the manufacture, servicing and sales of mowing machinery. The firm continued to prosper, introduced the Cushman Turf Care System to this country in 1975 and began to develop and manufacture its own range of Huxley mowers, turf care implements and trucks. When the Huxley Grass Machinery business was sold in 2000, Barry and his brother Paul started the Huxley Golf business, having spotted the need for low maintenance, realistic and innovative all-weather golf surfaces.

It was clear from the start that high quality installation was key to the new business and Barry led from the front, supervising the installation of all-weather practice greens and tees for Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam as well as many other world-famous tour professionals and championship courses. As Huxley Golf’s reputation grew, the firm carried out installations in many countries and now have appointed Distributors as far away as China.

From an early age, Barry excelled at every sport he took up. At Bradfield College, he captained the school cricket team, scoring several hundreds, was chosen to captain the ESCA southern schools against the north and then played for Berkshire. He played golf at Sunningdale and New Zealand, where he had many friends and, over the years, he achieved high standards at croquet, tennis, gliding, riding, ballroom dancing and clay-pigeon shooting.

The Huxley family are grateful to the many friends from all over the world who have shared their memories of Barry and expressed their sympathy and sadness about Barry’s sudden death.

Huxley Golf extends heartfelt condolences to Barry’s family and his many friends.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.