Issues Tackled At Learning LIVE

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Issues Tackled At Learning LIVE: A number of key industry experts will be uniting to collaboratively tackle the biggest issues facing the groundscare environment at SALTEX 2019, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on October 30 and 31.

Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s all-encompassing and free-to-attend education programme will take place in four dedicated seminar theatres with presentations and panel debates running from 10am through to 3.30pm each day of the show.

Issues Tackled At Learning LIVE

Featuring over 50 CPD accredited seminars involving more than 100 expert speakers, the programme has been developed by leading industry partners and influencers to provide support, insight and real solutions to key industry issues.

Learning LIVE will kickstart with ‘Creating Champions’ telling the story of grounds staff’s contribution to this summer’s biggest weekend of sporting success. A spectacular line-up, including Neil Stubley (AELTC, Wimbledon) and Karl McDermott (Lord’s), will explain how to deliver exceptional surfaces for the world’s most prestigious sports events.

Findings from the IOG’s recent research document Groundsmanship – Sports’ Vital Profession will be presented by the IOG’s CEO Geoff Webb and consultant research lead, Carol Doran. Meanwhile, football grounds personnel can enjoy a rare opportunity to sit in on the ‘Tottenham Hotspur FC Experience’ seminar. Head groundsman Gary Lee reveals how the state-of-the art 62,000-capacity stadium pitches were built.

From Premiership to grassroots groundsmanship, there’s something for everyone at Learning LIVE. Pitch advisors from the IOG-led Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP) will be presenting case studies of successful pitch improvements, and also offering advice on how to secure funding.

In the ‘Class Acts’ seminar Ian Avery (Sutton Valence School) explores how independent schools can balance internal and external demands on their pitches. Ian will focus on costings, timings and benefits to the school, plus the problems, and solutions, of quick turnarounds on multi-sport pitches. Giles Roberts (St Peter’s School), Lee Marshallsay (Charterhouse) and Danny Beckley (Harrow School) will also be discussing best practices to help your pitches stand out in a competitive market.

Recent regulations relating to plant protection products (PPP) have had a significant impact on turf management, and Learning LIVE attendees can expect to find answers in a seminar entitled ‘Pesticide 2020 and Beyond’. With a number of widely used insecticides, fungicides and herbicides having been withdrawn in recent times, Dr Colin Mumford (Bayer) will be on hand to explain the current status of PPP, what PPP are being withdrawn or introduced, and how to get optimum results from them.

Cricket grounds personnel can find out about ongoing research carried out by First Class Counties and England’s Centre of Excellence, and an elite panel, featuring Andy McKay (Sussex CCC) Gary Barwell (Warwickshire CCC) and Will Relf (Loughborough University), will be explaining how hybrid pitches in cricket are learning lessons from football. Industry legend Chris Wood, the ECB’s international pitches consultant, is set to captivate the audience with his stories as he looks back through his career in ‘A Lifetime in Groundsmanship’.

Elsewhere, climatologist Jim Dale is presenting ‘Managing Climate Change’ to ensure turf professionals stay one step ahead; ICL’s Dr Andy Owen and PhD student at Royal Holloway University, Tamsin Williams, offer an insight into their four-year research project on the effects of seaweed products on turf grass plant parasitic nematodes; industry consultant Peter Corbett discusses ‘Life Without Propiconazole’; and Question Time with the Amenity Forum will no doubt spark a lively debate around the use of pesticides and their alternatives.

This is just a snapshot of sessions available at this year’s show. Go to www.iogsaltex.com where you will soon be able to check out the full programme, register your visit to SALTEX and book into your preferred sessions to avoid the queues.

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The Turfix Pitch At SALTEX

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The Turfix Pitch At SALTEX: Turfix, The Pitchmark Group subsidiary formed at the beginning of 2019, will be exhibiting at Saltex this year with the latest products and developments.

Turfix acts as Pitchmark’s UK distribution arm, offering premium pitch solutions to the professional sports turf sector. The service includes bespoke advice, education and supply of a wide range of innovative products. Turfix has grown out of very good relationships with other manufacturers and over thirty years’ experience in the horticultural and amenity sector. Comprising a highly experienced team with years of knowledge, the business has expanded throughout the year.

The Turfix Pitch At SALTEX

The Turfix Services’ GPS marking division has seen new operators in the North and South coming on board during the Easter and summer periods. Over 300 pitches and tracks have been marked by the team since July alone. Martin Samuel has joined as Regional Account Manager for the South West.

“Turfix represents true quality of service.” says Mark Rodman, The Pitchmark Group’s Chairman. “We have created a facility which allows our people to spend more time with groundsmen and help tailor solutions specifically to their requirements.” Each account manager has been a groundsman or greenkeeper in their career, lending weight to a unique level of understanding. Fully complementing the exception level of service is the supply of a wide range of products.

The latest is the new British product, Block Blitz, a paving treatment with a real difference. It’s described as the UK’s first block paving specific treatment, designed to clean and protect paving without the need for scrubbing, jetwashing or sealing. Block Blitz joins the wide range of Turfix distributed products including Pitchmark, ICL, Syngenta, Harrod Sport and Tildenet Sport.

Turfix supplied a range of products to Parc des Princes stadium for their FIFA Women’s World Cup games and Pitchmark supplied all stadia at FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 and Euro 2016 France.  Pitchmark paint was also used to mark the pitch at the Principality Stadium for the Champions League Final 2017.

Turfix is on Stand No. E125 at Saltex

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True Grit At SALTEX

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True Grit At SALTEX: Wessex International have chosen Saltex as the venue for the launch of PolarOne, their new range of professional salt and grit spreaders for winter maintenance.  

Built in the UK to take on the harshest winter conditions, the spreader is constructed using stainless steel components and fixings together with powder coating for anti-corrosion longevity. Durability and weight saving are also the thinking behind the self-supporting design of the polypropylene hopper and integral liquid brine tank. PolarOne can be trailer or vehicle-mounted. There are two models, the WS-900 (900L) and WS-1200 (1200L) and each has three options.

True Grit At SALTEX

Model ST is a manually operated machine for those who just want a basic spreader, no speed control or data logging. Model GT has all the functions of the standard machine but with the addition of GPS speed control. The system monitors changes in forward speed and spread widths to ensure precise application and minimal material wastage, for increased profitability. The Commander has all the above with the addition of full telematics to remotely monitor the salt spreader back at base. The set- up would have access to a real-time webpage and opens up a variety of additional facilities such as route logging, reporting and ring-fencing for fleet and productivity management. The PolarFlo vibration system is a patented auto vibration control to manage consistent material flow, which is totally new and unique to the industry. The spreader is suited to a wide variety of vehicles with its adjustable spinner height coupled with a convenient fold up feature. The spread direction is easily adjusted to bias from left to right by moving the feed chute position and there’s a safety emergency stop. PolarOne’s extended auger design allows better weight distribution in the host vehicle and the large diameter auger, with delivery tunnel, manages the spreading of a large range of materials without blockages or leakage.

Wessex have achieved a unique, low maintenance design with the PolarOne spreader using no engines, belts, chains or grease points.  The in-cab digital controller, with GPS connectivity, will adjust material delivery according to your vehicle speeds to maintain a consistent application rate. A speed optimisation indicator will help you optimise your driving speeds to improve the accuracy of spreading and productivity of your equipment and reduce material wastage. There’s a wide range of optional extras and plans to introduce pre-wet and spray bar options. Brine will be available in 2020.  Wessex will also display their ProLine range of commercial mowers and turf machinery at the show.  See the PolarOne spreader and latest ProLine on the Wessex International stand number K060 at Saltex.

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ECHO Brings Innovation To SALTEX

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ECHO Brings Innovation To SALTEX: ECHO will be showcasing a range of new commercial products for groundscare and landscaping professionals at this year’s Saltex.

The ECHO X Series represents a line of products with performance unlike anything else. The foundation of the X Series is understanding professional needs and applying this with powerful, lightweight products designed for great productivity. Two new ‘Best in Class’ ECHO X Series products are introduced to the range.

ECHO Brings Innovation To SALTEX

The ECHO CS-2511WES rear-handle professional chainsaw is the lightest and most compact rear-handle in the ECHO range. Offering an excellent power-to-weight ratio, the CS-2511WES has a dry weight of just 2.6kg and the premium grade ECHO two-stroke engine produces an output of 1.1kW. The chainsaw’s compact design makes it highly manoeuvrable for users working in tight spaces and the ultra-light weight means it can be used for longer periods without fatigue.

ECHO’s latest and most powerful backback blower, the PB-8010, will be launched at the show. Built for the professional, it offers industry leading performance with the 79.9cc two-stroke engine delivering the highest blower power available, with a maximum air speed of 94.5m/sec. The PB-8010 is perfect for heavy clean-up jobs and clearing large spaces. The innovative, lightweight carbon fibre frame, with its heavy-duty backstraps, is ergonomically designed to give the user maximum control and all-day comfort.

Also featured on the stand will be ECHO’s ground-breaking high torque brushcutters, with a 1:2 gear reduction ratio, delivering up to 50% more torque at the cutting head compared to previous models. This means an ECHO high torque brushcutter can provide the same cutting performance as a larger machine, but with a smaller, lightweight engine. That also means less weight and fatigue for the operator and the potential for higher productivity.

ECHO products are manufactured by the Yamabiko Corporation, a leading Japanese manufacturer of professional-quality, outdoor power equipment for over 60 years. ECHO demonstrate their extreme confidence in their machines by offering a two-year professional warranty on their petrol and 50v battery tools.

AriensCo distribute the ECHO products across the UK through a network of authorised dealerships. To find out more about ECHO power tools, visit stand F013 at SALTEX , go online at www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 01844 278800.

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AriensCo Confirm SALTEX Launch

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AriensCo Confirm SALTEX Launch: AriensCo will be exhibiting their complete range of zero-turn mowers at Saltex 2019. On display will be the IKON-X, APEX and the all-new ZENITH for professionals, together with the ZOOM domestic zero-turn.

The Ariens IKON X is a tough, durable zero-turn packed with commercial quality features. Built with a tubular steel frame for unprecedented strength, the IKON X comes with a 11.4cm (4½”) deep fabricated deck made of 10-gauge steel. A padded high-back seat offers the operator total comfort. There’s an easy dial-operated system for cutting height selection. and a choice of 107cm (42″) or 132cm (52″) cutting widths.

AriensCo Confirm SALTEX Launch

Ariens APEX is a top-of-the-class zero-turn with commercial grade features and performance. With its industry leading steel frame design, the APEX offers durability and comfort. It comes with a 14cm (5½”) deep fabricated deck made of 10-gauge steel, with a reinforced leading edge providing the airflow to tackle tough mowing conditions. The plush, padded high back seat and armrests are designed to enhance operator comfort and reduce fatigue. The foot-operated deck lift system is simple and intuitive, providing effortless adjustment between 15 cutting positions. The APEX offers a choice of 122cm (48”) or 132cm (52”) cutting widths.

The all-new Ariens ZENITH 60 is designed for the professional looking for all day, everyday use from their mower. It’s packed with commercial grade features and provides maximum performance with its large 152cm (60”) cutter deck and faster ground speed. The steel frame supports a folding ROPS, fitted as standard, for added protection and peace of mind.

Ariens’ ZOOM is the ideal choice for those looking to mow a large lawn quickly and comfortably. It features a one-piece deck made of 12-gauge steel and intuitive foot-operated deck lift.

Ariens CE zero-turns are manufactured in their UK plant. The complete range of products, including walk-behind mowers and snow throwers, is sold through approved dealers.

Visit Ariens at stand F041 and speak to one of the sales representatives for further information on the Ariens product range. Alternatively visit ariens-uk.com or call 01844 278800.

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