Jacobsen SLF530 tames tricky ‘rig and furrow’ with ease

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Jacobsen SLF530 tames tricky ‘rig and furrow’ with ease: For golfers, ‘ridge and furrow’ adds both visual impact and added challenge to a course. The previous plough lines with their raised ridges and sunken furrows, bring a little more theatre to the game and give a historic nod to the past.

Strathaven Golf Club, in South Lanarkshire, has three fairways – the 6th, 10th and 11th– all of which boast deep and dramatic undulations.

After finding some mowers less than successful at dealing with their rise and fall, Steve Hunter, Head Greenkeeper, has purchased a Jacobsen SLF530 from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Renfrew.

“This machine is all about extra care for tees and aprons and undulating fairways. It follows the line down into them so much better and doesn’t leave any missed bits. The smaller cutting heads, the way it floats and pivots, just help give it a cleaner cut and all-over smooth finish.

“Other machines are a little faster but the benefit of the SLF530 is the quality and definition to the surfaces. It’s out once a week now, but twice a week minimum in the summer,” he said.

Stuart Cameron, Area Sales Manager from Fairways GM was on hand to advise, deliver and install the machine.

The team at Strathaven GC, comprises five qualified greenkeepers and two apprentices. In 2023, the team won the BIGGA Greenkeeping Project of the Year award.

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Meldrum House equipped to withstand wetter winters

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Meldrum House equipped to withstand wetter winters: Meldrum House have become the latest golf course in a rapidly growing list to praise the versatility and effective aeration delivered by a Carrier and Verti-Drain® 1513 from Redexim.

Delivered in June 2024 by HRN Tractors, the combination has already been put through its paces, hollow coring the greens and handling the undulations of the site with ease, as Golf Course and Grounds Manager Kenny Harper looks to increase aeration to better withstand increasingly wetter winters.

Meldrum House equipped to withstand wetter winters

Meldrum House equipped to withstand wetter winters

This latest purchase is part of major ongoing investment by the new owners of Meldrum House, Apex Hotels Ltd, as they look to build on the course’s reputation as one of the finest facilities in Scotland – nestled into the parkland surroundings of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire. That claim means that client expectations are high when it comes to course condition, with Kenny supported by a team of ten on the year-round maintenance. “Last winter was one of the wettest on record which is making most elements of our job more difficult and means operations like aeration are more important than ever” Kenny explains.

“We tried all makes and models of tractor mounted aerator then contacted HRN Tractors, who we know quite well, about the Redexim Carrier and Verti-Drain®. HRN’s Wilson Morrison, together with Allen Whellans from Redexim, were both on the ball from the very first phone call. They arrived on time and the demonstration was impressive – the build quality in particular filled us all with the confidence that the machines are going to last. Ticking all the boxes, we took delivery in June and are so happy with our decision.”

He continues, “The variation in working depth, together with the range of tine options available, is something we really like and gives us much greater versatility and flexibility than our previous aeration set-up. We’ve already hollow cored with 8mm tines and can swap these for solid tines and work down to depths of six inches which we’ve not been able to do before and will significantly improve our greens drainage.”

The Verti-Drain® 1513 offers high-speed, low disturbance aeration. Paired up with the Redexim Carrier, the combination offers a lightweight solution for annual maintenance on sensitive turf areas such as golf greens. “The Carrier is powered by a 31hp engine so we’ve effectively gained a power unit which we can use with a range of implements. It’s also fantastic and easy to control over the contours on our site.”

“This was our first experience of Redexim and we went into it with a ‘nothing ventured’ attitude but we’ve definitely ‘gained’ an incredibly versatile set-up and hopefully the course and the members will all gain too as a result” he concludes.

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Introducing the AccuPro 360ST and AccuPro DROP

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Introducing the AccuPro 360ST and AccuPro DROP: ICL is pleased to announce the launch of two new spreaders, the AccuPro 360ST and the AccuPro DROP, enhancing the spreader range that already includes the AccuPro One, HandyPro, and Shaker Pro.

These new models replace the SR-2000 and the SS-2, respectively, offering advanced features and improved performance.

Introducing the AccuPro 360ST and AccuPro DROP

Introducing the AccuPro 360ST and AccuPro DROP

AccuPro 360ST Rotary Spreader

The AccuPro 360ST, replacing the SR-2000, is the latest professional rotary spreader, designed to meet the highest standards of turf management. Central to its performance is the innovative SmartSpread™ system, which ensures even and precise application of granular fertilisers, essential for achieving consistent and uniform turf health.

Key Features:

  • SmartSpread™: Located under the hopper, SmartSpread™ directs granules on the impeller based on their size and weight. For example, applications of ProTurf or Sierrablen Plus, which consist of larger and heavier granules, are directed towards the centre of the impeller to gain the necessary centrifugal force for effective spreading. Conversely, applications of products like Sierraform GT, which consist of smaller and lighter granules, are placed closer to the outer edge of the impeller where less force is required for even distribution. This precise adjustment ensures each granule type is accurately accounted for, resulting in an optimal spread pattern and promoting uniform turf health.
  • Robust Stainless-Steel Frame: Designed for durability and long-lasting performance.
  • Maintenance-Free Gearbox: Ensures smooth and consistent operation with minimal maintenance.
  • High capacity, durable hopper: A 30kg capacity hopper that enhances the flow of granules to the impeller.
  • Pneumatic Turf Tyres: Distributes weight evenly, preventing turf damage and ensuring smooth mobility across different surfaces.

AccuPro DROP Professional Drop Spreader

Replacing the SS-2, the AccuPro DROP is a professional drop spreader engineered for ultra-accurate application of grass seed, conventional release granular fertilisers, and granular wetting agents. It features the innovative SmartDial™ system, simplifying spreader setting adjustments and ensuring ease-of-use and precision.

Key Features:

  • SmartDial™: Makes spreader setting adjustments straightforward and precise.
  • Large Stainless-Steel Hopper: Designed with a secure seal to prevent leakage of small products and ample capacity for various applications.
  • Robust Heavy-Duty Frame: Built to withstand rigorous use.
  • Pneumatic Turf Tyres: Ensures even weight distribution, preventing turf damage and allowing smooth mobility across various surfaces.
  • Ergonomic Extended Handle: Provides comfort during extended use.
  • Front and Rear Lift Handles: Facilitate easy loading and unloading.

Both the AccuPro 360ST and AccuPro DROP spreaders’ advanced features ensure reliable performance and precision for all your spreading needs, supported by a three-year limited warranty.

Additionally, both the AccuPro 360ST and AccuPro DROP spreaders can be claimed through Turf Rewards.

These two new additions to ICL’s spreader range demonstrate their commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence in turf management.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk and www.icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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