Keep your knapsack for longer

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Keep your knapsack for longer: Land-based Awarding Organisation Lantra has launched a short course to help heighten awareness of the key role that due care of knapsack sprayers plays in maximising lifetime and safety of the equipment.

Lantra added the Knapsack & Handheld Sprayer Maintenance course to its portfolio in October, before announcing it at Saltex in early November.

Keep your knapsack for longer

Keep your knapsack for longer

Adopting material supplied by professional knapsack sprayer manufacturer Hozelock-Exel, Lantra-accredited training providers Outlook Training, Greenscope Training and Harper Adams University collaborated to design the course, intended “to prolong equipment lifetime, ensure correct application of liquids and save time and money”.

“The course is designed to develop the knowledge to maintain and service handheld pesticide, feeds and control products applicators,” says David Fisher, Lantra Head of Industry Partnerships, “and is available for learners aged 16-plus who hold Safe Use of Pesticides and Handheld Application of Pesticides qualifications.

“For pesticides and general users, it is vital to ensure equipment is safe, fully calibrated and in good working order,” he adds. “The outcome from taking the course is that operators can prolong the life of their sprayers, while also helping the environment by using trusted equipment.”

The new course, embracing theory and practice, will equip learners with the knowledge and understanding to:

Strip down the knapsack;

Identify damaged or broken parts that need replacing;

Pursue safe working practices and personal safety;

Reduce risk of incorrect/off-target application;

Enable companies to ensure compliance with the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Operators can recertify after five years, confirms Lantra, which says that after completing the course, operators will keep their knapsacks in good working condition for longer by identifying damaged or broken parts, then replacing them, rather than disposing of the whole unit, so boosting their cost-effectiveness.

Allan Wainwright, Hozelock-Exel Sales Manager (Commercial Spraying) adds: “Raising awareness of the importance of knapsack maintenance has been a cornerstone of our strategy for some time.

“I’m delighted that the knowledge operators need to extend sprayer lifetime has been assembled into a certification of training by Lantra. This is a major advance for the sprayer sector.”

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Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX

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Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX: Versatility, manoeuvrability and precise cut quality are all assured with the introduction of the new Centre Collect Front Mower (CCFM) from Kubota, on show in the UK for the very first time this week at SALTEX. The CCFM is the inaugural unit from the Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L division, created in July 2022 following the announcement of the incorporation of Officine BIEFFEBI (BFB), and its subsidiary Gianni Ferrari (GF), into Kubota Holdings B.V.   

At the heart of the CCFM is a powerful and economic 3-cylinder diesel engine and hydrostatic transmission, which guarantees excellent performance and control. The patented HTC™ hydrostatic traction control device minimises surface damage, eliminates skidding traditionally caused by the hauling effect and guarantees permanent 4-wheel traction, even when working on slopes or rough ground.

Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX

Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX

The ‘floating’ out-front mower deck conforms to undulations in the ground and features twin, retractable anti-collision blades to deliver a precision cut at all times. Available with 126 or 130cm cutting widths, the height of cut can be quickly and easily adjusted on the CCFM via a spring lever located on the upper part of the deck. A high-capacity turbine then ensures efficient collection of the clippings into the 600 or 800L collector, which can in turn be emptied with ease thanks to the hydraulic high-tip function.

Ideally suited to landscapers, local authorities and parks & green space managers, the efficiency of the Kubota CCFM has not come at the cost of operator comfort. An easy-access platform, adjustable suspension seat and steering column, power steering and an easy-to-read dashboard enhance usability and performance, while LED front lights and guards come as standard for optimal safety.

Commenting on its debut, Kubota’s Ground Care Product Manager Phil Catley, said “The CCFM market has been growing steadily in the UK for the last few years and this new CCFM from Kubota will work well alongside our very successful F Series range of out-front rear discharge mowers.”

More information about the Kubota CCFM can be found by stopping by stand C070 at SALTEX 2022, taking place this week at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.

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STRI analysis results

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STRI analysis results: British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Sports&Turf topdressing and Sports10 pitch repair medium could help to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers to encourage grass establishment and growth.

Analysis being carried out at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), under the auspices of Principal Scientist Dr Christian Spring, show that both products contain a plentiful supply of potassium and calcium, together with phosphorus and magnesium.

STRI analysis results

STRI analysis results

These findings have implications for greenkeepers and grounds professionals using soil-based topdressings such as Sports&Turf or pitch repair products such as Sports10. The nutrient loading in the soil component of both products should be taken into account when planning a fertilizer programme as it could reduce the amount of costly inorganic fertilizer required.

National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch has long been an advocate of soil-based dressings and pitch repair products, citing not least their valuable nutrient content in these days of rising fertilizer costs:

“The independent scientific analysis currently being undertaken by the STRI is important as it gives greenkeepers and grounds professionals objective information on which to base their purchasing decisions. Soil-based top dressings such as Sports&Turf and pitch and goalmouth repair products such as Sports10 can play an important part in helping to mitigate the cost of regular golf course and pitch maintenance.”

This latest analysis is just part of a series of trials and studies commissioned by British Sugar TOPSOIL to provide customers with independent scientific information on its products. A study by Cranfield University has recently reported on the soil health of TOPSOIL products, and other work is monitoring their total carbon content and sequestration potential.

All study and trial reports are freely available to view and download on the TOPSOIL Academy section of the website.

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PSD partnership with Canycom

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PSD partnership with Canycom: PSD Groundscare are delighted to announce a new partnership with Canycom, the world-class Japanese manufacturer of brushcutting solutions.

Founded in 1955, Chikusui Canycom Inc is renowned for the quality and excellence associated with Japanese manufacture. The company has progressed from a specialist in farm tools into a wide range of product categories̶, from agriculture and forestry to brush mowing and construction̶, supplying machinery to many different countries across the world.

PSD partnership with Canycom

PSD partnership with Canycom

CANYCOM Brushcutters are designed to work in the toughest conditions. These machines effectively clear long grass, bushes, weeds, bracken, and brambles in a variety of sites such as woodland trails and orchards. AWD enables ease in operation and manoeuvrability to ensure high energy efficiency and great results.

Key product benefits include:

Quick blade changing – no tools are needed,

Shaft driven – no belts,

Versatility – suitable for up to 25 degrees mowing, grass height of up to 2.5m

The perfect solution – Robust, powerful and highly efficient even in toughest conditions

PSD has a long-standing track record of expertise in brush cutting solutions and the Canycom range of mowers are perfectly set up for working in UK conditions.

The new range of machinery from Canycom is set to be unveiled to the industry at Saltex on the 2nd & 3rd November on PSD Groundscare’s bigger than ever stand (E081).

PSD Groundscare is the exclusive UK distributor of niche specialist landscaping equipment, with an extensive range of products from market-leading names and innovative European manufacturers including Eliet and Koppl.

PSD Managing Director Chris Gibson said:

“We’re extremely excited to add Canycom to our portfolio and to be at the forefront in the UK distribution of this fantastic product line and we look forward to showcasing them at this year’s Saltex. The capabilities of the Canycom range of ride-on brushcutters is outstanding and we can’t wait to get out and about offering demonstrations to customers.”

Canycom President Yoshimitsu Kaneyuki said:

“We are truly delighted to start this new partnership with PSD Groundscare. We hope to expand our presence in the UK and explore new markets. Together with PSD, we will work hard to give our best to satisfy our customers. We are committed to building trustful, strong, and long-lasting business relationships.”

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Kubota announces further expansion

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Kubota announces further expansion: Kubota (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that George Browns Ltd has opened a new depot. Located in Witney, West Oxfordshire, this new site creates a wider spread of dealership locations across its sales area, that better meets the needs of its customers.

Essentially a depot relocation, the opening of the Witney branch has seen George Browns’ groundcare-only Haddenham depot close its doors to enable the development of this latest full-line tractor dealership in West Oxfordshire.

Kubota announces further expansion

Kubota announces further expansion

“Geographically, our new depot in West Oxfordshire puts George Browns and Kubota within easier reach for many more customers,” explains Steve Brown, managing director of George Browns. “This is another strategic move for our long-term business partnership with Kubota, to grow the groundcare and agricultural machinery aspects of the business.”

As a result of good infrastructure in west Oxfordshire, the new site offers easy access for customers and more usable space for the workshops – both internally and externally. Longer term, the plan is to employ a total of 12 staff at the depot, and the business is keen to encourage an uptake of apprentices across the business, for parts and service roles.

“It’s great to be part of the local economy, by bringing business and job creation into the area,” says George Browns’ group sales manager for agriculture, James Gibbins. “And as a full-line depot, Witney will be providing sales, service, parts and support for the Kubota tractor and implement ranges, in addition to Kubota groundcare equipment.”

Henry Bredin, general manager of Kubota (UK)’s Tractor Business Unit, fully supports the relocation.

“We’re delighted that George Browns continues to develop its partnership with Kubota,” he says. “This new depot is a tactical move that actively supports a wider customer base in both agricultural and groundcare sectors, across the Browns’ area.”

George Browns’ Witney location complements existing depots in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex, with the Chesham and Buckingham branches now supporting those existing groundcare customers who used the former Haddenham site.

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