New Toro technology at BTME

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New Toro technology at BTME: New machinery from Toro, the next big thing for sustainable machinery cleaning and a wealth of innovative technology to make the job of turfcare and ground management professionals easier from Reesink UK will be at BTME 2023.

New machinery from Toro is always a big draw and this year there are two machines debuting – the new Toro ProCore 648s and Toro Workman UTX 4×4.

New Toro technology at BTME

New Toro technology at BTME

The Toro ProCore 648s builds on the greenkeeper favourite – the ProCore 648, introducing even more features to the time-tested machine that changed the way customers aerate. With 10 new patents, the technology in this machine more than warrants the s in its name which stands for superior.

Now, with all the primary controls at the operator’s fingertips, this machine can be operated single-handedly. Hole spacing and true tine depth can be set and saved in the InfoCentre and there’s a broader range of 5mm (0.25 inches) for the ultimate control. Of course, there are plenty more features and benefits, visit stand 622 and speak to a Reesink representative to hear all about them.

The next new entry from Toro is the Workman UTX 4×4. This robust four-wheel drive, full-sized utility vehicle can handle curbs, inclines, hillsides, slopes and drops and all weathers. It has a high ground clearing (25.4cm/10ins), a towing capacity of up to 2000lbs and 25 percent more cargo capacity than that of others in its class.

It’s road-ready and comes with a proprietary speed control system to guarantee the right speed and power for the job at hand, meaning customers can choose between lower RPMs for lower fuel consumption and sound in sensitive areas, or higher RPMs for more power to haul a heavier load up hills and inclines.

Also on stand will be an example of Toro’s sustainable machinery options: the electric Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 riding mower, Greensmaster eFlex 1021 pedestrian mower and Workman GTXe utility vehicle.

The Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 is the industry’s first lithium-ion battery powered ride-on greensmower. As well as being whisper quiet allowing for earlier start times, the eTriFlex 3370 avoids emissions, pollution and damaging hydraulic leaks. While the all-electric Greensmaster eFlex 1021 takes electrical efficiency to a new level mowing 35,000sqft on a single charge. And with Flex suspension, it hugs the contours for that iconic Toro cut. Meanwhile, the lithium-ion battery-powered Workman GTX-L with hundreds of configurable options that include front and rear attachments, a flat bed and four-seat option, to name but a few.

Carrying on the sustainability theme, Reesink will have product from their UK Golf cleaning and sustainability partner Bio-Circle. On the stand will be Bio-Circle’s new EKO Natural Cleaning System and also GT Maxi, the parts cleaner that requires no water and eliminates pollutant runoff into the water system.

Further technology comes in the shape of the Toro myTurf Pro app, that allows parts to be ordered, service activities to be scheduled and utilisation data to be tracked in real-time.

Finishing off the line up from Reesink Hydro-Scapes are the most advanced central control irrigation system, controllers, sprinklers and soil systems from Toro, water aerators for the cleanest, healthiest water quality from Otterbine, the simple but effective 2-wire controller from SRC and the highest quality water pumping systems from Franklin’s Pumps, whatever the water requirement a solution can be found on stand 622.

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And the winners are…

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And the winners are…: The three winners of the Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards, sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, have been announced.

The Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards (ASOOTY) recognises and rewards top sprayer operators across the amenity industry. It aims to improve standards, by identifying the best practice of individuals to enhance results – and share their experiences across the industry.

And the winners are…

And the winners are…

ASOOTY is sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by Amenity Forum, in association with BASIS.

From a record number of high-calibre entrants this year, the competition has now been whittled down to three great finalists – Darren McLaughlan, Course Manager at Trump Turnberry Golf Club; Keith Scruton, Course Manager at Darwen Golf Club; and Kiel Barrett, Head Groundsman at Leeds United FC.

Darren is now into his 26th year in the industry and followed in his uncle’s footsteps who was a greenkeeper. Commenting on his award, Darren said: “I’ve been spraying for as long as I can remember, and I look at this award first and foremost as personal development. This is a huge part in the way I like to manage myself and my team. If you are standing still, then you are going backwards so to have this award; and even to be nominated for me is progression.”

A summer job at a local golf club ignited Keith’s passion for greenkeeping and he has since been in the industry for 32 years. “The benefit of having this award is that it will act as an accreditation of good practice and that’s something I’ve tried to achieve with spraying over the years,” he said. “Hopefully this award shows that even a small club can implement good practice and do the right things without having as many resources as the bigger clubs.”

Kiel learned his trade at Headingley Carnegie stadium, home of Leeds Rhinos, before being appointed as the Head Groundsman of Leeds United FC in 2012. He has been at the club ever since and has worked wonders with the Elland Road pitch.

The overall winner will be announced at the BTME Welcome Celebration which will be taking place om 24th January 2023.

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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GKB return to BTME

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GKB return to BTME: With all eyes set firmly on spring renovations, GKB Machines return to BTME to showcase an impressive line-up of equipment whether its scarification, aeration or overseeding on the agenda.

After making its UK debut at BTME in March 2022, the VCollector will be back in Harrogate, showcasing the benefits of effective organic matter removal and collection of the extracted material in one quick and simple pass.

GKB return to BTME

GKB return to BTME

The VCollector is available in two working widths – 1.2m and 1.6m – and is equipped with precision-engineered steel blades, spaced at 25, 50, 75 or 100mm, for the accurate removal of thatch, surface debris and lateral growth down to depths of 40mm. At the heart of the VCollector is the unique GKB CombiRotor®, fitted with wind paddles to generate the suction required to effectively vacuum the removed material up and into the 400L hopper – hydraulically lifted and emptied at the touch of a button.

Alongside the VCollector with be the GKB Deep Tine Aerator (DTA). Precision engineered and built for durability and strength, the DTA is available in four working widths from 1.2m to 2.6m meaning there’s a model suited to most fine turf and sports turf applications. Smaller models like the DTA 120 and DTA 160 are ideally suited to aeration tasks around the golf course, offering a maximum working depth of 250mm and a heave angle of up to 25 degrees.

Completing the line-up will be the versatile Combiseeder, available in four working widths to meet the needs of greenkeepers, sports turf managers and contractors alike and capable of both seeding and routine overseeding work. The tried and trusted combination of two spiked rollers and two brushes create the optimal number of holes in the ground, allowing for accurate seed distribution and creating the ideal conditions for germination.

The GKB Technical Team will be on hand to discuss these products, and many more from their innovative golf and sports turf portfolio, across the three days on stand 644.

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Sustainable seed formulations the focus for BTME

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Sustainable seed formulations the focus for BTME: Sustainable management of fine turf and sports turf surfaces doesn’t have to mean a compromise in visual merit or performance.

Demonstrating exactly that at BTME 2023 will be DLF, who return with a raft of new mixture formulations in their Johnsons Sports Seed range – incorporating new cultivars that promise to improve play quality and be kinder to the environment, and budgets, thanks to reduced reliance on chemical inputs.

Sustainable seed formulations the focus for BTME

Sustainable seed formulations the focus for BTME

With the ever-changing climatic pressures and growing demands of players and governing bodies, DLF are utilising research conducted across their global breeding centres to create mixtures with enhanced sustainability, that combat some of the biggest challenges faced today and those in the future. New for 2023 will be J Intense 50, a new renovation mixture for golf tees, pathways and high wear areas. This mix promises improved drought tolerance, disease resistance and rapid establishment thanks to the inclusion of DLF’s 4turf® perennial ryegrass.

One of Johnsons leading golf mixtures – J All Bent – has also been reformulated for 2023. With Browntop Bent (Agrostis Tenuis) demonstrating better wear tolerance under close mown conditions and a much lower need for water and fertiliser than Poa annua or Creeping Bent, J All Bent now incorporates Cleek alongside Arrowtown and Manor to make a three-cultivar blend. As a top performer in STRI close mown trials, Cleek will help to create a mixture with maximum shoot density, excellent playing quality and the highest level of fusarium tolerance.

Cleek is just one of several new cultivars chosen for inclusion across the portfolio in 2023. Orienette Chewings Fescue, Seroa Slender Creeping Red Fescue and Crystal Hard Fescue are amongst the others, and all are included in the 2023 J Premier Fairway formulation. These new cultivars will deliver the ultimate fairway sward in terms of density, visual merit and sustainable management, with the increase of hard and sheeps fescue improving tolerance of disease, drought and salt.

Along with changes to the sports turf mixtures across the Johnsons Sports Seed, MM Seed and Masterline ranges, information will also be available on the recently extended Colour Boost and UK native Pro Flora wild flower seed collections, which are ideal for increasing biodiversity and creating eye-catching focal points around the golf course.

The DLF technical team would also like to hear from you on what issues are impacting your management programmes in order to shape future educational and training events. Those who stop by stand 130 over the three days and share their thoughts can also pick up a free Johnsons snood and be entered into a draw for a chance to win a ‘Greens Tester’ – the perfect tool for monitoring speed, trueness and greens performance.

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