Kubota at Harpenden Common GC

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Kubota at Harpenden Common GC: Ask the team at Harpenden Common Golf Club about their favourite and most adaptable pieces of equipment, and it’s Kubota that wins the day – with the club loyal to ‘orange’ when it comes to both tractors and course utility vehicles.

Head Greenkeeper Olly Claridge explains how their current fleet of three compact tractors and two RTV’s bring versatility, efficiency and ultimate manoeuvrability to year-round maintenance of the Hertfordshire club.

Kubota at Harpenden Common GC

Kubota at Harpenden Common GC

Olly has been at the 18-hole common land course for the last 11 years, starting as an apprentice and working his way through the ranks to Head Greenkeeper, now supported by a full-time team of six. “It has always been Kubota here – my predecessors and now myself working closely with David Fisher at local dealer George Browns Ltd, to exchange and upgrade equipment as and when required” Olly explains.

“We currently have three Kubota tractors – an STW40, L2501 with front loader attachment and the newest addition is an L2622 – and they’re all brilliant!” Olly explains how the fleet, ranging from 40hp to 61hp, powers the entire maintenance operation. “The compact STW40 has wide tyres which is perfect for spreading the load, making it ideal for work on the greens. We use this one for brushing and towing smaller implements and trailers, as well as equipping it with the spray tank for all of our fertiliser applications.”

“Moving through the range, the L2501 is incredibly versatile. The loader is a godsend for winter construction projects, and for quickly and easily filling the topdresser etc. The loader bucket can also be swapped for pallet forks or removed completely. Also, the tractor has outstanding pulling ability for use with more power-hungry implements such as the Verti-Drain or our Trilo leaf collector.”

The newest tractor for Olly and the team to put through its paces is the 61hp L2622 – the largest model in Kubota’s L2 series. The L2622 combines robust, reliable technology with a high degree of comfort and efficiency making it ideal for a vast array of tasks. “When we need big power, we turn to this tractor and it’s just a pleasure to use.” He continues, “As time goes on, you see how Kubota are always innovating and delivering new features to enhance the operator experience.”

One feature Olly notes is the two-speed engine memory, which allows you to set and switch between low revs and working revs at the touch of a button improving functionality, fuel-efficiency and saving the time ordinarily taken to throttle the engine down to the required speed. “It might not seem like a big thing, but using this function saves so much time in the long run and makes life easy for the operator.”

Besides their tractors, the club also run two Kubota RTV’s – a petrol RTV 500 and diesel-powered RTV X900. “Again, we have the versatility of a smaller, faster vehicle or a slightly larger capacity one with a bit more oomph! These RTV’s are used anytime we need to get people or tools from A to B and like everything from Kubota, give us outstanding reliability and service.”

Olly emphasises, “In all my years here we have rarely had any issues from any of our Kubota machines and on the odd occasion where we’ve needed advice, the support from George Browns has always been excellent. We have nothing but positivity for Kubota machinery!”

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Ventrac for Burnham Beeches

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Ventrac for Burnham Beeches: Burnham Beeches Golf Club, located in the Thames Valley in south Buckinghamshire, 25 miles west of London, is the latest club to take a package of Ventrac equipment.

Delivered by local dealer, RT Machinery Ltd, the package includes a Ventrac 4520 all-terrain compact tractor unit together with a selection of attachments including an articulating Contour deck, a Tough Cut deck, a Triple Cylinder unit and a Trencher.

Ventrac for Burnham Beeches

Ventrac for Burnham Beeches

Lee Bishop is the Course Manager and is now in his 24th year at the club. He began his career at the nearby Harry Colt-designed Stoke Park Golf Club in 1992, before moving to Burnham Beeches as an assistant greenkeeper back in 1999 and then making the amazing leap straight into his current position in 2006.  He leads a team of seven greenkeeping staff, which will be expanding later this year with the addition of a further experienced greenkeeper, an apprentice and two summer staff.

“We are an established parkland course, now over 130-years old, and situated mainly on clay,” he said. “Therefore, we have a requirement to manage the trees and woodland margins that line the fairways and frame the greens. We can be wet after heavy rainfall.

“I first saw the Ventrac on social media and then I was invited by a very good friend of mine, Stuart Langhorn, the Course Director at Beaconsfield Golf Club to see the machine that he had bought. I was extremely impressed and contacted our local dealer, RT Machinery to arrange a demonstration. The management team were so impressed and we purchased the package within a couple of weeks of the demonstration!

“The Tough Cut deck is superb for managing our woodland margins; it takes down brambles and young saplings with ease and this helps to keep up the pace of play, making it easier for our golfers to find their balls after a wayward shot.

“The Contour deck is articulated at both ends and that makes it ideal for bunker surrounds and tee banks but it has been a godsend during the winter months as we have been using it on our fairways when it is too wet to cut with our fairway mowers. We can get out when it’s wet and put some definition down; the members have noticed and we’ve had many favourable comments. The Triple Cylinder unit will be used for the perimeter fairway cut and this has enabled us to remove a dedicated machine from our fleet.

“The Trencher has been outstanding this winter. As I said earlier we can be wet after heavy rain, but the trencher enables us to get out and drain the wetter areas when we want. We are not reliant on contractors, we can do it in-house and in a timely fashion. I would recommend not severing power cables, though; National Grid are not too happy when that happens!

“Finally, a shout-out for Price Turfcare, RT Machinery and Tom Stidder. Price Turfcare, the importer, have been so reactive and professional to work with; RT Machinery are renowned for the way they treat customers and we can certainly support that and Tom Stidder, who did the installation training, was extremely thorough and knowledgeable. That’s formidable support, all round.”

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Framlingham College achieve both flexibility and finish

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Framlingham College achieve both flexibility and finish: Less than a month since its delivery, the Head Groundsman at Framlingham College claims the Progressive TDR-X contour mower has exceeded the expectations of him and his team.

Jason Wright explains how the TDR-X is ticking the boxes of build quality, manoeuvrability and high standard of finish since taking charge of the cut and presentation of close to 80 acres of college grounds.

Framlingham College achieve both flexibility and finish

Framlingham College achieve both flexibility and finish

Once part of the castle estate, Framlingham College now comprises of two sites – the main college catering for students aged 13-18 and the Prep School, four miles down the road at Brandeston Hall, taking pupils from the age of three. Sport plays a big part in the student experience at both sites, with Jason and his team of three full-time grounds staff maintaining athletics, cricket and hockey surfaces in the summer, then switching to rugby during the winter months.

After encountering some age-related faults with their previous mower, the time came for Jason to explore the alternatives. “We wanted something that would be quicker, easier and cheaper to maintain while still giving us a quality finish” he explains. “We demonstrated various makes and models but agreed that the Progressive was the most manoeuvrable and would be the most versatile to use on both our sports and wildlife areas. It also suited us weight-wise to work alongside our existing tractor and fleet of equipment.”

The Progressive TDR-X, exclusively available from Vanmac UK, features three independently floating decks which promise to closely follow undulations, delivering a total cutting width of 3.2m and easily adjustable cutting height range of between 10mm and 85mm. Along with other machines in the Progressive range, the TDR-X features Pro Lift-N-Turn™ technology, which enables the operator to temporarily lift the decks with the PTO still engaged, increasing overall productivity.

“Tomlinson Groundcare Ltd delivered our TDR-X at the end of June and after some very good training, we put it to work straight away. We’ve found already that set-up and changing the height of cut takes less than five minutes to do, where previously this would have taken half an hour. We’ve also used it in the wet with impressive results which wouldn’t have been feasible before.” Jason adds, “In addition, it gives us the ability to lift the height to maintain our rough areas which has been another plus – the versatility we have with this as an all-around machine versus our previous fine turf mower.”

“People have been commenting on how well presented the site is, which is a big compliment for the Progressive, given the rise in quality we’ve achieved since switching from a cylinder to a rotary cut!”

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Electricity in the air at SALTEX

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Electricity in the air at SALTEX: With a power source for the future, the Groundsmaster e3200 is Toro’s first all-electric outfront rotary mower – and it debuts at SALTEX 2023 on the Reesink UK stand. It will be joined by the new Toro Workman MDX lithium utility vehicle.

Toro has led the pack when it comes to developing hybrid and electric machinery for the golf turf industry, a trend that continues in the groundscare sector with these two new and exciting all-electric launches.

Electricity in the air at SALTEX

Electricity in the air at SALTEX

With the Groundsmaster e3200, Toro has taken the rugged chassis, commercial-grade mowing deck and intuitive operator controls of the diesel-powered machine that has been popular for 50 years and made it environmentally friendly with zero-operating emissions.

Toro’s proprietary, patent-pending lithium-ion technology incorporates a smart battery management system for consistent performance and optimised lifecycle and can be configured with up to 17 HyperCell batteries for all-day runtime in all conditions.

Smart controls optimise power consumption by continuously and efficiently providing ample cutting power without slowing down and the reserve power mode allows parameters to be set to ensure enough battery power to return to the recharging station. The on-board 3.3kW charger allows for recharging overnight, ready to tackle another day.

With little engine noise work can start near residential and urban areas early without disturbance.

The battery powered version of the customer favourite Workman MDX diesel mid-sized utility vehicle, means, for the first time, there’s a utility vehicle with enough power for tougher groundscare jobs. The Workman MDX Lithium delivers the same payload, trailer towing capacity and comfort the original Workman MDX is known for – but in a new and sustainable package.

Jon Cole, turfcare divisional business manager at Reesink, says: “We’re delighted to introduce this exciting new electric technology to the groundscare market at SALTEX. Battery power is an integral part of the industry’s future, and these are two crucial launches for mowing and utility work from Toro.”

Visitors to SALTEX will also be able to see the latest offering from all four of Reesink’s divisions across two stands hosting an array of customer favourites.

There will be more productive, durable and versatile groundsmowers from Toro on stand K080 including the Groundsmaster 4000-D rotary mower and LT-F3000 flail mower, as well as the Toro Workman UTX.

From Reesink Hydro-Scapes also on stand K080 will be a selection of irrigation and water aeration solutions from Toro Irrigation and Otterbine. See first-hand the Toro Lynx Central Control alongside other featured irrigation systems, controllers, sprinklers and soil sensors, as well as the Otterbine concept 3 fractional series.

On stand A040 will be the latest sustainable technology from Reesink e-Vehicles and Agriculture. Award-winning brand STAR EV will show the Capella Work Machine with a caged body, the newest addition in the STAR line-up – the AK48-2 Long and the electric, lightweight, optional self-balancing, wide-wheeled KAASPEED scooter with shopping tray, ready to provide a fun method of transport for any multi-surface adventure.

The line-up from Reesink wouldn’t be complete without the 2021 winner of the SALTEX Innovation Award in the Environmental and Sustainability category, the industry’s first all-electric tractor, the Farmtrac FT25G, which will be showing alongside the customer favourite FT26H ROPS tractor.

Whether you’re heading to the exhibition for the latest machinery or equipment for groundscare or fine turf, sustainable technology solutions or advice, Reesink has it all on stands K080 and A040.

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Spaldings set to push the button for SALTEX

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Spaldings set to push the button for SALTEX: Spaldings are proud to be attending the 2023 SALTEX Show, where you will find us located at Stand No. A105.

Spaldings has over 60 years of experience dealing with all areas of ground care, large or small. The team are experienced and knowledgeable – with extensive expertise to share with you. On the day, the stand will host the TMC Cancela TLE-125 Hydraulic Mulcher for Remote Controlled Units (60-120 L/min), where you can get up-close and see the ingenuity built into this fantastic and versatile machine. Also on display will be the TMC Cancela TP-180 Rear Mtd. Mulching Topper, with many attractive features. If you have any queries about either of these machines – or any others, the team are on-hand to assist.

Spaldings set to push the button for SALTEX

Spaldings set to push the button for SALTEX

Innovation will be showcased by Spaldings at the stand, where you can see the quality of the parts provided. These will include products from the Spaldings Essentials GM Hand Tool Range, including loppers, secateurs, gloves and protective eyewear. You will also have the opportunity to view the 13389 Vento 8 Outlet Pneumatic Seeder- perfect for grass seed or fertiliser application – a great way to see up-close, the benefits of such a versatile piece of equipment.

Other products stocked at Spaldings, include replacement parts for professional cylinders; rotary and flail mowers, blades for turf cutters and woodchippers, soil-engaging parts for corers and slitters, plus numerous other wearing components for leading brands of grounds maintenance equipment.

In addition, petrol and electric hand tools, consumables for machine and engine servicing and maintenance, and bio-degradable lubricants, strimmer line and marking and cleaning products are also supplied with the highest priority given to customer service.

You can meet members of the Spaldings team on the stand on either 1-2 November in person, via the Showroom at Head office on Sadler Road, Lincoln or via the telesales number, where a knowledgeable member of the Spaldings team would be happy to assist. Alternatively, why not get in touch with your local rep, who could help with any query you may have.

For details on products supplied by Spaldings, contact 01522 507500, email: gcsales@spaldings.co.uk or view the full product range at www.spaldings.co.uk.

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