Love at first sight

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Love at first sight: Two ISEKI compact tractors are making a difference at Powfoot Golf Club and Head Greenkeeper Neil Hamilton claims they struck a chord from the very first demonstration.

Set in breathtaking scenery in Dumfriesshire, South West Scotland, Powfoot Golf Course presents a mixture of both links and parkland golf. Opened in 1903 and redesigned by the legendary James Braid in 1923, the course offers a superb test of golf with its many challenging holes which are set among whins and rough and has earned Powfoot the tag of ‘one of golf’s best kept secrets’.

Love at first sight

Love at first sight

Neil and his two trusty assistants maintain this wonderful course and for the last 5 years the team has had a little help from two ISEKI tractors in the TG range. It was love at first sight according to Neil.

“We originally had a demonstration with a few various tractors from different manufacturers, but we just loved the ISEKI models from the very first minute,” he said.

lSEKI’s TG Series sets the benchmark for compact tractor performance. Designed and manufactured in Japan, the TG Series is built to exceptional standards of quality — starting from the front lights through to the back three-point linkage. Every component, including the engine and transmission, features lSEKI’s stamp of approval for quality and excellence that is rarely seen in the compact tractor category. With a host of options and features to choose from, the lSEKI TG Series provides unrivalled reliability to get the job done fast, efficiently and in comfort.

Neil opted for the TG6495 – a 47 hp tractor with the innovative IQ dual-clutch 24-speed transmission and the TG6675 – a 65 hp tractor with a 6-speed hydrostatic transmission.

He provided a glimpse of how the two are commonly used on the course.

“We use the TG6675 with the front loader on it to do some flailing work – this is to thin out the roughs, to get rid of the coarse grasses and to promote the fine grasses.

“The TG6495 is used to pull the trailer and then we tip all the grass cuttings into it and then dispose of them. With the IQ transmission we can change gear without dipping the clutch, which is a massive advantage when you are working and doing flailing jobs.

“I also like the Headland management system, which is very important when you are vertidraining. It helps a lot because at the end of each line you don’t need to keep operating levers, you can just lift it to the desired height that you have set it to.”

Users of the TG range also frequently praise the spacious factory fitted cabins which are available on all models and come fitted with air conditioning as standard. All control elements are extremely clear and positioned in a readily accessible manner within the field of vision of the driver, reducing fatigue.

“The main benefits of these tractors are the ease of use and the comfort in the cab,” continued Neil. “If you are in it for long periods of time, it has everything you need from air conditioning to a radio which keeps us entertained.

“The way everything is situated around the operator is also great – from the PTO button, the throttle shifter, to the lifter which enables you to lift the arms at the back.

“We have had the tractors for approximately five years, and we will continue to use ISEKI in the future because of the reliability of them and the ease of operation.

“The dealer (Rickerby Horticulture) has been brilliant through the whole process, but I can’t really comment on the back-up because nothing has ever gone wrong with them – so in this respect, the less we see of the dealer the better!

“Ultimately, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the ISEKI tractors to any golf course.”

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Trencher Hire service just the job

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Trencher Hire service just the job: A Toro TRX-16 pedestrian trencher – supplied with operator – dug-out 400 metres of trenching in challenging land conditions in just one and a half days to the delight of customer Steve Stringfellow.

Steve, who lives in a remote farmhouse in Lincolnshire, wanted to lay a new water line from his house to the main water main, as the old existing iron water pipe ran across the farmer’s field and during ploughing often got damaged.

Trencher Hire service just the job

Trencher Hire service just the job

He commented: “We expected some problems with the property being built in 1850. The ground is fairly heavy clay agricultural land, with lots of trees and other obstacles within it. My initial reaction was to get a JCB for the job, but realised that this would have caused a great deal of disruption. I also calculated that around 84 tons of sand would have been needed to backfill the trenches, which would have proved costly both in terms of buying the sand and the labour needed to do the work.

“One of my colleagues, who had used Trencher Hire UK in the past, recommended them. When I contacted the Operations Manager Steve Kingdom, he ran through a few options open to me and I selected a Toro TRX-16 with operator.

“Not only was the trencher cheaper to hire than a JCB but, with its narrow-gauge cutter, could access areas a digger couldn’t. In addition, the narrow neat channels created by the Toro meant that probably only 30 tons of sand would be needed to backfill afterwards – saving both material and labour costs compared to a digger.

“The trencher operator Paul was brilliant and cracked on with the job straight away, but was also honest and upfront highlighting patches of ground where he could not get the Toro through and had to find another path.

“The new 32mm water pipe has been re-routed, but did have to pass over the old one and Paul was able to dig down without damaging it.

Most of the trenching was dug-out to a depth of 650mm and 100mm wide, but in some places adjustments were needed to be made because of large rocks and other obstacles. This meant that in some areas he only dug down to a depth of 500mm, or even as low as 400mm.

“I could not fault the service from Trencher Hire – it was ‘spot-on’. They arrived on time, did the job that they agreed to do and with no excess costs.

To find out how Trencher Hire UK call help, contact us on: 0121 751 9319, or email: team@trencherhire.com or visit our website: www.trencherhire.com

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Learn how to create perfect surfaces

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Learn how to create perfect surfaces: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has revealed a spectacular seminar lineup as part of the SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE Programme designed to help grounds people to create the best playing surfaces across a range of sports and settings.

Following on from the Lionness’ success in the Euros, and with the Rugby League World Cup and the first ever winter Football World Cup coming up, what better time to find out how the surfaces that make such events possible are created.

Learn how to create perfect surfaces

Learn how to create perfect surfaces

There’s something for most sports surfaces from some of the best in the business. For rugby, Catherine Hall (Premiership Rugby), Dr David James (Labosport) and Dan Prest (GMA) talk about raising Premiership Rugby pitch standards. For cricket, Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), Karl McDermott (Lord’s) and Steve Birks (Nottinghamshire CCC) discuss how new cricket formats impact on the modern-day grounds manager. Tennis is covered off by Neil Stubley (Wimbledon) who presents the All England Tennis and Croquet Club’s court expansion project.

But all top level surfaces start somewhere – at grassroots level – and Rob Sullivan presents the Football Foundation’s strategic ambitions to improve grass pitch quality and Chris Smith tackles the funding process to improve pitches. Perhaps there’s a role for hybrid pitches in the community – Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) reveals data findings from the Sport England hybrid pitch pilot for community use in London’s Regents Park.

Those in the education sector will no doubt be interested to hear how Whitgift School’s recent hybrid pitch installation was the first in the independent school sector and panelists Daniel Ratling (Whitgift School), Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) and D James Welsh (Whitehorse Contractors) session look at the rationale, the design/planning process, the construction, the project outcomes and the ongoing maintenance and renovation of the project.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says: “So many visitors to SALTEX work in grounds maintenance and this series of seminars provides relevant, invaluable information whatever the playing surface they work on from speakers and panelists with a wealth of experience and solutions to real-time projects. Anybody wanting to stay ahead of the game in the grounds care industry will benefit from the learning and connections they can make whilst at SALTEX. We are grateful to all those industry experts and leaders that are taking time out to speak at Learning LIVE and support those working hard across the industry to make sport possible across the UK.”

The SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, they are free to attend across the two days of the show on 2-3 November and contribute to CPD-accreditation. More information can be found on the event’s website at www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live. Free visitor registration is now open at saltex.org.uk / register here.

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Electrifying Line-Up from Dennis and SISIS

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Electrifying Line-Up from Dennis and SISIS: Continuing their long history of exhibiting at SALTEX, Dennis and SISIS will be showcasing a wide-range of pedestrian battery-powered products on stand E070, located in the centre of the show.

2022 has been an exciting year for the innovative British manufacturers – not only does it see Dennis celebrating its 100-year anniversary and SISIS their 90th anniversary, but both companies are experiencing a record-breaking year for orders. This has all been possible due to their commitment to continual investment – investment in facilities, marketing, exhibitions, staff, export and of course products – which is where the battery-powered products come in.

Electrifying Line-Up from Dennis and SISIS

Electrifying Line-Up from Dennis and SISIS

Since making its debut at SALTEX last year, the Dennis E-Series has taken the industry by storm standing out from the competition in terms of power, battery-range and performance.

Reliable and long lasting, the exciting Dennis E-Series is a range of battery powered mowers that are no compromise alternatives to its popular range of petrol machines. Ultra-low noise, low vibration, user friendly and super low CO2 footprint, the new range of mowers are helping users towards the carbon neutral goal.

SALTEX visitors can expect to see the following products on the Dennis and SISIS stand.

ES-860

Users of the Dennis G860 cylinder mower will no doubt see familiarities in the new ES-860.

This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks. The power of the battery system ensures the machine is capable of cutting at least 2 3-4 pitches on a single charge or verticutting a full pitch without anxiety. Furthermore, current G860 cassettes will also fit the ES-860.

ES-34R

The ES-34R rotary mower has twin contra rotating blades with the height of cut controlled by an easy to use ‘click’ system. Suction and blade speed can be adapted to meet the most challenging collection conditions. The mower is also available with optional front wheels, smooth or wiele roller, and has excellent sight lines.

ES-36

Based on the Dennis Premier, the ES-36 provides a perfect finish every time and capable of cutting 2-3 pitches on a single charge. The powerful battery system allows the addition of a trailer seat to be attached and still achieve a minimum of 20km of cutting. A uniquely developed micro adjuster makes it very easy to set the bottom blade to cylinder.

ES-510

This new mower is based on the Dennis FT510 – which is, historically, the company’s most popular machine. With a choice of 12 interchangeable cassettes, the ES-510 is capable of scarifying down to -10mm. Ideal for fine turf it has the power to cut 4-5 bowling greens or approximately 10km on a single charge.

ES-22 Ultra

Users of the Dennis Razor Ultra will be familiar with this machine, which features an ultra-short wheelbase for undulating surfaces. Using a 7 or 11 bladed cutting cylinder and groomer reel, this 560mm (22”) battery mower produces a quality of cut which provides an ultra-fine finish on bowling greens, golf greens and tees, and cricket pitches.

ES Verticut TT

Designed with ease-of-operator-control in mind and providing the ultimate verti-cutting, regular use of the Verticut TT will help reduce thatch, improve the sward, and encourage finer grasses to flourish.

ES-26

Easy to use, superb balance, control, and easy pull back for accurate alignment of next run are just some of the features of the ES-26. With a 26” cutting width, this mower is available with a standard front roller for maintaining fine turf sports surfaces such as golf greens and tees.

The E-Series features a robust LCD keypad screen which provides the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information. The mowers take just 2-3 hours for an ultra-fast full battery recharge.

The two companies look forward to welcoming you to the stand at SALTEX 2022.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK.You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Bernhard unveils new Business Development Manager

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Bernhard unveils new Business Development Manager: Industry-leader in sports turf technologies, Bernhard and Company, has announced the appointment of a new Business Development Manager for Asia.

The company’s latest senior hire, Peter Stewart will assume his new role with immediate effect. Working closely with the Bernhard Asian Territory team, Stewart will be directly responsible for overseeing the development of the company’s grinding machinery and turf technologies business in Asia.

Bernhard unveils new Business Development Manager

Bernhard unveils new Business Development Manager

Speaking on Stewart’s appointment, Bernhard and Company Managing Director, Steven Nixon, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Peter to our Business Development team in the Asia region. Peter brings with him some fantastic experience from varying corners of the golf and turf industries. It’s great that we’ve been able to add such a dynamic, seasoned professional to our team and we are confident that he’ll be instrumental in taking our business in Asia to the next level.”

Discussing his new role, Peter Stewart added: “I feel extremely privileged to be joining a true market leader, and one of the turf industry’s powerhouses. I have been a part of this industry for many years, and I’ve always admired Bernhard and Company, not only for the quality and innovation of its machinery, but also for the phenomenal reputation the company has for customer service and satisfaction. I can’t wait to get to work on further enhancing the company’s presence and reputation within Asia.”

Stewart starts his new role at Bernhard and Company with experience spanning more than two decades in the turf and golf industries. After being awarded an Ohio State University Scholarship in Turf Management, he progressed his greenkeeping career from the St Andrews Old Course to TPC Sawgrass, Royal Melbourne, and Dubai’s Emirates Golf Club, further extending his knowledge in warm and cool season grasses.

Stewart has also built strong experience in sales and business development with SubAir Systems and has developed relationships with a vast network of distributor partners. More recently he has worked with Beau Welling Design/Tiger Woods Design to implement new Tiger Woods Design golf courses from planning to completion.

To find out more about Bernhard and Company, head online to: www.bernhard.co.uk

To contact Peter Stewart, Bernhard and Company Business Development Manager – Asia, please email: peter.stewart@bernhard.co.uk

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