MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s

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MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s: Reported as the first vehicles on site and the last to leave any project, a fleet of RTV’s from Kubota have been described as pivotal in the delivery of works by one of the UK’s largest specialist contractors.

MJ Abbott purchased their very first Kubota RTV back in 2006, and now have a total of 29 units supporting operations around the country – with some of their older models clocking up more than 15 years and over 4000 hours of reliable service!

MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s

MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s

MJ Abbott are renowned for delivering unrivalled expertise in all areas of sports turf contracting – from golf course reconstructions and irrigation installations to natural, hybrid and artificial pitch constructions and renovations. Over their near-on sixty years of trading, it’s not just the team and list of services that have grown but their machinery fleet has also expanded at a similar rate to keep pace with the requirements of their long and varied list of clients.

“Our requirements are unique and very different to that of most of our customers” explains Technical Director Adrian Abbott. “Any equipment we purchase has to deliver on a very demanding schedule, cope with challenging ground conditions and give us the ongoing reliability we need to complete works on time. That’s why, when we find something that ticks these boxes we will be very loyal to the brand and that’s exactly what we have with our RTV’s from Kubota.”

Among the 29 units are four RTV 900’s, nine X900’s and thirteen X1110’s – three of which were delivered in February 2023 by local dealer and long-term support partner E G Coles. “The majority of our fleet are running on turf tyres and are equipped to utility spec, with lights, which suits the variety of landscapes we work on. They’ll be the very first thing loaded onto the truck and delivered to site, where they then become the go-to method of transporting both the workforce and the equipment around.”

“As well as them being heavy duty, another big thing we like about the Kubota is the hydrostatic transmission. Compared to other methods, this makes for a smoother drive and is a much more robust mechanism when operating over uneven terrain. In addition, they also have power steering and full hydraulic tip, instead of an electric actuator, which we make full use of.”

With a fleet of that size, comes the necessity to service them effectively which Adrian says is successfully managed in-house with the support of E G Coles and Kubota when required. “When we’ve needed parts or advice, we have always had the support we need both locally and on a national level from the comprehensive Kubota network when we’re out on jobs around the country.”

“It’s testament to the quality of Kubota that we continue to get fantastic performance from RTV’s we purchased over 15 years ago. You can guarantee it will have spent half of its working life axle deep in mud and yet, will still give us everything we ask of it which is why we continue to choose Kubota now and moving forwards” he concludes.

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GGM launch training academy

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GGM launch training academy: GGM Groundscare have unveiled a new LANTRA accredited training academy as the latest offering to their portfolio of services, after identifying a requirement in the industry.

The new courses provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain relevant machinery through courses that deliver both practical skills and health & safety guidance. All training can be carried out either on customers own premises, using the equipment that team members will be using on a day-to-day basis or at GGM’s own impressive dedicated training centre in Colne, Lancashire.

GGM launch training academy

GGM launch training academy

The LANTRA accredited training courses ensure that operators are trained to a national standard whilst fulfilling the organisations legal obligations with regards to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998 (PUWER).

GGM Managing Director Chris Gibson explains more:

“After many conversations with our customers, as a business we identified that there was a requirement in the market for a one-stop shop that offers accredited operator training in addition to selling machinery.

“GGM are committed to continuing to strive for excellence in customer service, and the new training academy is the next chapter in this.”

The training covers all makes and models of machinery including:

  • Tractors
  • Ride-On Mowers
  • Walk-Behind Mowers
  • Remote Control Mowers
  • Chippers / Shredders
  • Handheld Equipment

Upon successful completion of the GGM Training Academy courses, all delegates will receive a certificate of competence and for the LANTRA training an accredited certificate and skills card will be awarded (LANTRA registration fees apply).

LANTRA is one of the leading awarding bodies for land-based industries in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

It works closely with industry bodies, employers, governments and educators to provide quality training, career guidance and partnership opportunities, giving employers and learners the skills they need to work safely and productively, while getting ready to meet the challenges of the future.

The training is aimed at any employee either employed in, or who is looking to be employed in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping or grounds maintenance, who is or will be required to operate machinery. It will be run by Gary Taylor, who has over 20 years of experience and an infectious amount of enthusiasm, thriving on training others in operating land-based machinery safely with a wealth of expertise.

Chris Gibson continues:

“After sales and service has always been a key part of our offering and so the launch of the GGM Training Academy was a natural step for the business.

“It’s our aim to ensure organisations have adequate and appropriate training to operate and use work equipment, to fulfil their health and safety requirements and to help to prevent unnecessary accidents. We’re extremely excited to take this forward.”

Bookings are being taken now for June so to book your place or for more information on the training courses please contact Eirian Roberts Tel: 01744 417333 or Email: eirian@ggmgroundscare.co.uk

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Turf grower triumphs at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

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Turf grower triumphs at RHS Chelsea Flower Show: A North Yorkshire turf grower has won a top award at the world’s most prestigious gardening event.

Lindum Turf, which is based at Thorganby near York, won the Sustainable Garden Product of the Year category at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, for its plastic-free wildflower turf.

Turf grower triumphs at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Turf grower triumphs at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The results were announced on May 22, the first day of the world leading event.

Professor Chris Harrop OBE, chair of the panel of judges at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, said this year’s shortlist included an impressive range of entrants, covering all aspects of sustainability and gardening.

However, he added that the judges were pleased to announce Lindum Wildflower Turf as this year’s winner.

Prof Harrop said: “The judges reflected on the sad reality that the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and that the nation’s biodiversity is under serious threat. Lindum’s Wildflower Turf goes some way to help address this.

“The Lindum Wildflower Turf is the first to be grown without plastic matting. Its compost is peat free and recycled but most importantly it supports a huge range of pollinators and insects with its 27 species of wild flowers, perennials and herbs, all native to the UK.

“The judges fully support Lindum’s mantra that wild flower turf should be grown plastic-free, ‘The way nature intended’, and are delighted announce them as this year’s winner.”

Lindum Turf has had invested heavily over several years to create the plastic-free wildflower turf.

Some turf grown in the UK, including other wildflower turfs, contains single-use plastic mesh which gets buried in the ground when the turf is laid.

Over time, the mesh decays into harmful microplastics that pollute the soil and can leach off into nearby watercourses. The mesh can also have an extremely damaging impact on wildlife, with hedgehogs and other small animals becoming trapped in it and suffocating or starving to death.

Lindum Turf owner, Stephen Fell, said everyone who worked at the company was absolutely thrilled by the win.

He said: “The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the pinnacle of the gardening events and by far the most prestigious. Everyone wants to win at Chelsea.

“To achieve that with a product we have innovated ourselves is incredible. It adds tremendous credibility to what we’ve created, and what we’re trying to achieve – making turf sustainable and something that enhances the environment rather than potentially damaging it.

“I’m extremely proud of everyone at Lindum Turf.”

Earlier this year, Stephen launched a campaign calling on the turf industry at large to remove single use plastics from its products by 2030, to prevent the damage it causes.

The campaign has been supported by Juliet Sargeant, who won a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2016, and a Silver Gilt Medal for her popular Blue Peter Garden in 2022, as well as industry body the Turf Growers Association (TGA).

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AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities

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AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities: AS-Motor will be demonstrating its high-tech lawn innovations at Demopark 2023, Europe’s largest open-air exhibition for the green sector.

A remote-controlled (RC) fleet – consisting of AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC mowers – will be on display in the innovation area of the exhibition grounds, working a defined green area fully automatically. AS-Motor will be presenting this special innovation in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (Fraunhofer IVI) and Sensor-Technik Wiedemann GmbH (STW).

AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities

AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities

Together, the team will present three professional ride-on RC mowers that work on green areas – even on rough terrain – fully automatically. The demonstration will show how a ‘driver’ operates and monitors the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC mowers to not only achieve three times the area output, but also to work more precisely and without fatigue. Depending on the application, the fleet of mowers can be activated directly on site or remotely (for example, from an office).

A key technology in this innovation is the control tower software helyOS® (highly efficient online yard Operating System), which was developed at the Fraunhofer IVI with the aim of efficiently developing, testing and deploying autonomous mobile machines. From small to large projects, helyOS® acts as a central hub for connecting, controlling and monitoring fleets of machines via a local network or the cloud. Trucks and agricultural machinery can already be networked and automatically controlled. Now the digital control tower also delivers missions for professional lawnmowers.

STW provides the on-board technology for control centre integration. Its Linux-based TCG-4 connectivity and data management module is used to network the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD with helyOS® and is also responsible for vehicle automation. The travel orders are received and processed by helyOS® via wireless LAN (WLAN) or long-term evolution (LTE). For this purpose, a track controller determines suitable control signals based on the actual and target position of the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD and transmits them to the mower via the CAN bus.

Come and get an insight into the future! Visit us at the innovation area at Demopark (near the lawn competence tent) from 18 to 20 June in Hörselberg near Eisenach, Germany, or we will be happy to advise you at our stand, E595.

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