The new Ariens Ikon zero-turn mower

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The new Ariens Ikon zero-turn mower: Last year, the Ariens Company celebrated its 90th anniversary. The anniversary year was taken as an opportunity to revise the entire model range of zero-turn mowers with combustion engines. The crowning highlight is the completely newly developed Ariens Ikon. All our experience has gone into this zero-turn mower. It sets standards in terms of cutting pattern, comfort, reliability and looks damn good at the same time.

The new Ariens Ikon is more than just an upgrade of its predecessor. The new Ikon defines a new class of zero-turn mowers for the private and semi-professional sector. All the experience gained has been channelled into the complete redesign of the mower. The designers have scrutinised every component. Proven features have been adopted and everything else has been revised, improved or renewed.

The new Ariens Ikon zero-turn mower

The new Ariens Ikon zero-turn mower

The main thing is a clean cut

The newly designed Ariens Envy cutting deck ensures that the Ariens Ikon cuts the grass perfectly. New guide plates and an improved discharge ensure an optimised air flow and therefore an excellent cutting pattern. The consistently high quality of the mowing pattern is ensured by the four-point suspension, which keeps the mowing deck permanently fixed and parallel. The blade carriers are made of forged aluminium. Compared to cast spindles, the blades run cooler and the blade carriers are more resistant to impact and vibration. Housed spacer rollers prevent damage to the turf and machine in the event of ground contact. The 2.9 mm thick steel plate of the cutting deck and the solid edge protection guarantee a long service life and durability. The Ariens Constant Belt Tension system CBT was previously only available on professional models. The new Ikon is equipped with it as standard. It keeps the belt tension constant, compensates for wear and tear and prevents the blades from stalling or the belts from slipping under high loads.

The new Ikon comfort seat has an extra high backrest that provides optimum back support. The raised seat makes it easier to stand up and sit down. The folding armrests take the strain off the shoulders. With its decorative stitching, the comfort seat is not only comfortable, but also contributes to the dynamic appearance of the new zero-turn mower. Thanks to their larger diameter, the new Ariens drive levers sit comfortably in the hand and can be optimally adjusted to the driver in all four directions without tools. The parking brake is activated by simply folding out the drive levers. One of 13 possible cutting heights (3.8 – 11.4 cm) can be conveniently selected from the seat using magnetic bolts. The solid mowing deck is simply raised using the foot pedal, also from a seated position. spiral spring makes this process easier. The 20-inch wheels ensure high suspension comfort, strong traction and low ground pressure. They also make it easier to drive over edges. The designers have also thought about stowing valuables or a snack and have integrated a practical storage box underneath the armrest. Two USB charging sockets are also included as standard.

The foundation: A solid basis

As with the two professional models in the Zenith and Apex series, the frame of the new Ariens Ikon consists of fully welded square profiles. The two separate EZT 2200 hydrostatic wheel motors from Hydro-Gear are maintenance-free and ensure smooth starting. The Kawasaki FR motors (FR651 and FR 691) are regarded as the benchmark in their class and give the Ariens Ikon plenty of power when it is needed.

Practical accessories

Thanks to numerous optional accessories, the Ikon can be fully customised. The stripes kit, for example, is just the thing for anyone who likes to have stripes on their lawn like in an English football stadium. The optional Ikon foot mat not only enhances the appearance of the zero-turn lawn mower, but also dampens vibrations on the feet and legs. The mulching kit eliminates the side discharge. The guide plates keep the clippings in the mowing deck for longer and the special mulching blades shred them into fine particles. With the optional trailer coupling, the Ikon can also tow a practical garden trailer. If the mower spends a lot of time outdoors, a cover protects it from dirt and moisture.

In conclusion, the new Ariens Ikon is difficult to categorise. It blurs the boundaries between a mower for private users and a professional mower. Its uniqueness lies in the sum of its well thought-out details.

The new Ariens Ikon will be available from the 2025 mowing season.

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GroundsFest 2024: More Exhibitors, More Visitors, More Excitement

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GroundsFest 2024: More Exhibitors, More Visitors, More Excitement: The second edition of GroundsFest, held on 10 and 11 September at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, has firmly established itself as the UK’s largest grounds management and landscaping event. Following a strong debut in 2023, this year’s show exceeded all expectations, marking a significant milestone in its young history.

With 8,014 visitors across two days—4,738 on day one and 3,276 on day two—GroundsFest 2024 saw an impressive increase in attendance, a remarkable feat for an event that only launched last year. The expanded event layout immediately immersed visitors in the action, creating an engaging and dynamic atmosphere from the moment they arrived.

One of the standout features of this year’s GroundsFest was the introduction of Machinery Nation LIVE, which captivated large crowds with thrilling machinery face-offs. Visitors watched top brands go head-to-head in a series of entertaining and rigorous trials, comparing performance across categories such as petrol vs. battery, agility, power, and more. Machinery Nation LIVE also provided interactive equipment challenges where attendees could compete for prizes, adding to the excitement and engagement throughout the show.

And speaking of prizes, GroundsFest 2024 was a treasure trove for lucky visitors. Attendees had the chance to win a wide range of impressive prizes, including a Toro ProStripe 560, a CyberTank portable power station and up to £20,000 worth of Kress tools, an award-winning battery pruner SC 100e and a SWIFT 372e battery garden ride-on mower from STIGA, an EGO Pro X battery-powered pedestrian mower, a Union Jack Turf Tank robot, and much more.

Innovation took centre stage at GroundsFest 2024 as over 60 new products were launched, providing visitors with a firsthand look at the latest in grounds management and landscaping technology. The mix of indoor and outdoor areas also struck a perfect balance. Indoors, a vibrant show floor offered a diverse range of exhibitors showcasing products and services, while the seminar theatres hosted a wealth of educational sessions, all free to attend.

The Landscape Zone, an entire hall dedicated to professionals in the design, planning, and construction of outdoor spaces in the landscaping sector proved to be popular, adding another dimension to the show’s offering.

Grounds Training practical sessions were another highlight, attracting large crowds eager to learn from experienced instructors on the use and maintenance of pedestrian mowers, ride-on mowers, handheld machinery, and sprayers.

Hands-on experience is one of GroundsFest’s key strengths, and attendees once again relished the opportunity to test out equipment before making purchasing decisions. The Avant National Pro Challenge was also a hit, with participants showcasing their skills in an exciting competition that involved slaloms, material handling, and tool changes in an Avant Loader.

Beyond the business of grounds management and landscaping, the festival atmosphere of GroundsFest offered a fun way for exhibitors and visitors alike to unwind. The popular happy hour, live bands, and free bumper cars added to the entertainment, ensuring that GroundsFest was not just about work but also about building relationships and enjoying the industry’s camaraderie.

Event Director Christopher Bassett summed up the event’s success, saying: “It’s incredible to see how much support GroundsFest has received from every corner of the industry. The growth from last year has been phenomenal, and we’re so grateful to all the exhibitors, visitors, and partners who made this year’s show such a success. As we look to the future, we want to continue growing and evolving the show—and the only way to do that is by listening to the industry. That’s why we encourage everyone to take the time to fill out the surveys we’ve sent out. Your feedback is invaluable.”

GroundsFest 2025 is already on the horizon, set to take place on 9 and 10 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. After this year’s monumental success, anticipation is already building for what promises to be an even bigger and better event next year.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Reesink and Toro combine at SALTEX

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Reesink and Toro combine at SALTEX: In celebration of 40 years working together, Toro distributor Reesink UK and The Toro Company have joined forces on stand at SALTEX for the first time to bring visitors to the show the biggest range of Toro groundscare machinery yet.

Alastair Rowell, Managing Director of Reesink UK, comments: “We wanted to do something special at SALTEX in recognition of our 40-year partnership. We’ve been providing the UK groundscare customers with Toro machinery options for decades and our stand will celebrate that. There will be 10 machines – our largest selection ever at a show; a range of Toro and Perrot irrigation solutions for the sports market, and – another first – an interactive racing game in conjunction with Mark Blundell’s racing team, MB Sports.”

Reesink and Toro combine at SALTEX

Reesink and Toro combine at SALTEX

Representing all that is new, innovative, productive, and versatile in the Toro range from Reesink Turfcare is the highly productive LT-F3000 triple flail mower; the latest model Toro Groundsmaster 7210, the zero-turn rotary mower that is rugged and durable enough to be called a Groundsmaster, and the Workman UTX utility vehicle which boasts 25 percent more cargo capacity than that of others in its class and a towing capacity of up to 2000lbs.

They are joined by two environmentally friendly versions of popular mowers. The Toro eProStripe removes fuel from the equation of guaranteeing a crisp stripe to turf and means sports turf professionals now have the solution to English Premier League guidance for noise generation.‪ Meanwhile, the Toro Groundsmaster e3200 battery-powered out-front mower with lithium-ion technology incorporates a smart battery management system for sustainable but productive mowing with zero emissions.From The Toro Company, there will be the Toro Revolution series Z Master and Grandstand and hand tools, the ProLine H600, and the 60V Flex Force Power System powered heavy-duty 53cm Proline and eTimeMaster walk-behind mowers.

Reesink Hydro-Scapes will be present with irrigation solutions from Toro. The new Tempus Decoder System, which will launch on stand, is the only decoder system that works in WiFi connection. There will also be a selection of the brand’s best-selling and most popular sprinklers all with turf cups. For many this will be the first opportunity to see Perrot, which is new to the Reesink range, and there will be a selection of sprinklers to suit all types of sports surfaces including football, golf, hockey, tennis, and even horse racetracks.

This year Toro has proudly sponsored the Mark Blundell Motorsport Racing Team with a Vista® lithium-ion powered shuttle vehicle from Reesink to travel the British Touring Car Championships circuits with Jake Hill and his team.

Toro and Reesink are always looking to support the sports sector and young emerging talent, and this was the perfect way to do so and mark the 40th year of working together. As such there will be two racing car simulators on stand giving visitors the opportunity to race any car at any racetrack in the world with coaches from MB Motorsport on hand giving guidance on achieving the best score and topping the leaderboard. The innovative Vista which serves as a crucial asset for transporting up to eight people will also be on display.

Whether you’re heading to the exhibition for the newest, most innovative groundscare and sports turf maintenance equipment, sustainable technology, or advice, Reesink and Toro has it all on stand K080.

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Foamstream at SALTEX

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Foamstream at SALTEX: Visitors to SALTEX looking to discover the future of weed control need look no further than stand H068 – where they can find the world-leading non-herbicidal solution, Foamstream.

Following another busy 12 months which has seen the appointment of distributors Campey Turf Care Systems and a continuation of the popular rental programme, it has never been easier to discover the many benefits of chemical-free control.

Foamstream at SALTEX

Foamstream at SALTEX

Powered by a range of patented machinery developed by Weedingtech, Foamstream has been proven in numerous independent academic trials to deliver efficacy comparable to traditional chemical treatments on moss and a wide range of weed species. It combines hot water and an organic, biodegradable foam made from plant oils and sugars which insulates the water to retain the heat, ensuring it effectively penetrates the plant and its roots. Together with eradicating the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, reducing future weed growth, treatment cycles and cost.

A popular choice with facilities pursuing a more environmentally-friendly maintenance programme, including a number of Premier League football clubs, Foamstream’s all-natural composition means it is safe for application in a broad range of scenarios such as waterways, schools and other areas in close proximity to children or animals.

Weedingtech’s delivery system brings further benefit for operators like local authorities, in the form of effective high-pressure cleaning for gum and graffiti and sanitisation of surfaces and street furniture.

Those wishing to get to grips with Foamstream can now do so in a number of ways, such as their popular rental service. The rental package includes the latest high-specification machinery and full technical training for a set monthly rate – with additional discounts available for long-term hire and the option to purchase the equipment if desired. Together with improving accessibility and eliminating the complex capital procurement process, the rental programme also includes an information of things (IOT) to provide accurate measurement of output for a more informed weed control management plan.

For more information on Foamstream and the options available to rent or buy, please speak to the technical team on stand H068 at SALTEX this October.

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Trilo to showcase versatile vacuum sweepers at SALTEX

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Trilo to showcase versatile vacuum sweepers at SALTEX: Trilo return to SALTEX 2024, promising to showcase the very best in versatile vacuum sweepers on stand K058.

Visitors this October can expect to find the M3 from the Trilo Multipurpose range on display, alongside the range of shaft options which effortlessly transforms the 3m3 collector into a maintenance machine for all seasons.

Trilo to showcase versatile vacuum sweepers at SALTEX

Trilo to showcase versatile vacuum sweepers at SALTEX

Long regarded as the industry-leader in leaf and debris collectors, the Trilo range spans models from 3-30m3 to suit a range of environments from roadside verges to sports turf, golf courses to green spaces. Powerful suction combined with clever, modular construction makes for effortless removal of leaves, pine needles, clippings and other debris, making light work of the most time-consuming tasks of the autumn and winter months. The unique configuration of the Trilo vacuums provides the option of a cab-controlled hose or handheld wanderhose, bringing further efficiencies to the clearance of ditches, gulleys and other hard to reach spaces.

When leaf fall season is complete, and other vacuum sweepers are resigned to the sidelines, the Trilo Multipurpose works on. A range of attachments are available for effective scarification or convenient cut and collect, all of which can be swapped in and out in under an hour, with minimal tools, for less time in the workshop and more time in the field.

The Trilo scarifier shaft is available with a range of knife options, to suit the scarification of large areas such as fairways or public parks, with the extracted material collected into the high-capacity hopper in the same pass. Alternatively, a flail shaft can be fitted for the efficient cut and collection of golf roughs, highway verges or the annual maintenance of wildflower meadows.

Whether it’s leaves, organic matter or clippings, all waste can be easily emptied thanks to the Trilo hydraulic high-tip function, offering the controlled disposal into compost or waste containers.

More information on the Trilo range, together with other offerings from Trilo such as the Progressive portfolio of trailed and mounted rotary mowers, can be found by speaking to the technical team on stand K058 across the two days.

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