Winners Of SALTEX Innovation Award

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Winners Of SALTEX Innovation Award: The best in brand new grounds care technology was celebrated in the very first SALTEX Innovation Award at the NEC, Birmingham on 1 and 2 November 2017.

Making its debut, the Innovation Award attracted a number of high-quality entries from various exhibitors from across the globe. There were 24 entries in total spanning a wide variety of products, services and equipment.

Winners Of SALTEX Innovation Award

The entries were judged by an independent panel of industry experts who based their decisions on a number of factors including what the entry offers the industry and how it makes life easier for the person using it.

The standard was incredibly high, resulting in a tie for first place.

Backed by unanimous support by all judges, during the first day of the exhibition, Rigby Taylor’s Intelligent One autonomous robotic line marker and Fleet Line Markers’ MAQA line marking machine were announced as joint winners of the SALTEX Innovation Award 2017.

The Intelligent One (iO) is said to be the world’s first fully autonomous robotic line marker. It can mark out a standard sized football pitch in 35 minutes, using just 3.3 litres of ready to use Impact XP paint. The iO eliminates the task of stringing out for the first markings and operates hands-free. Once the pitch template has been entered into the supplied tablet, the iO is placed at the corner of the pitch and will mark out all the outside and inside straight lines, the ‘D’, centre circle, corner angles and penalty spot without any direct operator involvement.

The MAQA line marking machine uses GNSS technology to reduce the time it takes to mark by a massive 75 per cent. Initial marking that might have taken two men up to four hours can now be completed by one person in 20 minutes.

Winners Of SALTEX Innovation Award

The standard of all Innovation Award entries were of such high calibre that the judges chose to award second and third place awards as well.

Second place went to Oregon’s Gator Speedload, which judges said was a quick and simple device which negated the need to dismantle the head each time to re-load/wrap new strimmer cord. Third place went to the Etesia Hydro 80 MKHP4 E-Connect, due to its ability to set up multiple users and record data – allowing organisations or clubs to monitor the amount of use and user’s ability.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

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New John Deere Gator debuts at BTME 2018

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New John Deere Gator debuts at BTME 2018: John Deere’s new HPX 815E Gator utility vehicle will be making its public show debut at BTME 2018 in Harrogate next January. This latest diesel powered Gator shares its new styling with the XUV 855M model, which replaces the 855D.

New John Deere Gator debuts at BTME 2018

The HPX 815E is ruggedly designed for a range of transporting and general materials handling duties in any outdoor environment. Powered by an 18hp 854cc engine working through a two-speed high-low continuously variable transmission, this two-seater vehicle is available with true on-demand four wheel drive and is capable of travelling at speeds of up to 25mph.

A simple dash-mounted electronic rocker switch controls an auto-locking front differential for extra traction when needed in challenging conditions, or to maintain two-wheel drive for lighter turf operations, for example. Additional standard features include a 12V DC outlet, all-wheel suspension and steering, front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, a rear diff lock and an integrated four post ROPS canopy with door nets.

Based on a heavy duty hydroformed steel frame for increased durability, the HPX 815E provides an increased payload of 635kg and a towing capacity of 590kg, while the updated cargo box has a load capacity of 454kg. Both the sides and the tailgate, which has a pick-up style one-handed latch, can be easily removed to provide a flatbed-style load bay if required. The durable composite construction of this industry leading cargo box makes it dent, rattle and rust-resistant.

Additional changes to this model for 2018 include a new digital dashboard, powerful LED headlights and a restyled front bumper, to improve handling and operation particularly in challenging terrain. Optional attachments for the new HPX 815E Gator utility vehicle include a road homologation kit, rear hitch, front and rear blades, a winch and a heavy-duty front suspension kit.

For more information, visit: www.deere.co.uk/en/

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Headland and Bayer At Annual STRI Trials Event

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Headland and Bayer At Annual STRI Trials Event: Ongoing and future management of the pathogen Microdochium nivale was one of the hot topics that greenkeepers discussed at the recent STRI annual Trial Event, held in Bingley, West Yorkshire. Having actively researched and trialled products to suppress the disease for over 10 years, Headland Amenity, along with Bayer, were some of the leading contributors on the topic.  David Howells, Northern Area Manager, reports on their findings.

Historically, Iprodione-based products have been the main approach to deal with Microdochium nivale, applied curatively, when the first stages of the disease are seen. Whilst at the time of writing, fungicide products containing Iprodione are still available to use, it has been announced that its withdrawal is now imminent and we will soon be without this valuable tool to control turf disease. So what alternatives are there?

Headland and Bayer At Annual STRI Trials Event

With climate and legislation changes, preventative disease management will have to be the way forward. Headland Amenity predicted these issues many years ago and has over 10 years of independent trialwork to support effective, alternative preventative strategies, incorporating both fungicides and non-fungicidal products.

STRI Trials and feedback from Turf Managers have long shown the beneficial effects of using Headland’s 20-20-30 tank mix to minimise disease levels when applied as part of a preventative programme. This consists of a tank mix of plant hardeners and elicitors, Liquid Turf Hardener, Seamac ProTurf and Turfite. For example, during the autumn of 2016, control trial plots were hit with 75% Microdochium nivale disease pressure. Plots treated with 20-20-30 tank mix alone, prior to disease establishment, showed a 50% reduction in this activity.

As we lose one ‘old chemistry’ active ingredient, a new one, Fluopyram, comes to the UK. From a new chemical group of fungicides known as SDHI’s, Fluopyram is an acropetal penetrant, which means it can enter the plant through roots, shoots or leaves, and moves up through the plant to provide protective activity. It can be found in Bayer’s new Exteris Stressgard product, alongside Trifloxystrobin and the unique ‘Stressgard’ technology which provides plant protection against stress situations resulting in a visibly healthier looking sward. Headland Amenity is a primary supplier of Exteris Stressgard alongside another Bayer product, Dedicate – a systemic fungicide which can be used preventatively at the earliest sign of disease.  Alternating applications of these two products assists in reducing any potential resistance risk.

Moving forwards, whilst Iprodione is still on the shelf as a back-up, now is the perfect time to be putting together an integrated strategy combining good cultural practice, managing sward compositions and implementing a preventative fungicidal programme to ensure your facility is prepared for what lies ahead.

For more information, visit: www.headlandamenity.com

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SALTEX 2017 – The Best Yet

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SALTEX 2017 – The Best Yet: SALTEX 2017 has been hailed as a huge success.

A year’s worth of meticulous and strategic planning from show organisers culminated in what is being hailed by many as the best ever SALTEX.

SALTEX 2017 – The Best Yet

The two-day exhibition has quickly grown to become the premier annual grounds care event in Europe and on 1 and 2 November, the halls of the NEC, Birmingham were a hub of innovation, inspiration and opportunity.

Ahead of the 9am opening, a huge queue of visitors stretched beyond the three mighty halls of 6,7 and 8 and it wasn’t long before the show floor was packed with grounds care enthusiasts from all over the globe.

More than 300 exhibitors showcased their products and services; Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s all-encompassing education programme, featured over 100 high-profile speakers who tackled a number of key issues, and other show features – including Pathology and Soil Science Live, Ask The Expert and the Job Clinic offered invaluable free advice and career progression opportunities. The Outdoor Demonstrations area enabled visitors to see some of the latest equipment in action and attendees also had the chance to see every entry in SALTEX’s new Innovation of the Year Award.

Exhibitors reported constant engagement with a high calibre of attendees across the two day event as visitors immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere and unparalleled interaction. The SALTEX buzz was captured by all and social media channels became a frenzy of show photos, selfies, videos and positive comments – so much so that at 11am on 1 November, #SALTEX17 registered as the third most trending topic in the UK.

Furthermore, not a moment was missed through the all new SALTEX TV. Learning LIVE discussions, panel debates and presentations, as well key interviews with visitors, experts and exhibitors were all broadcasted live on four large screens throughout the show floor.

Despite a turbulent year of economic uncertainty, SALTEX successfully united every corner of the grounds care industry. As the only independently-audited show of its kind in the UK, the IOG has never shied away from being transparent with visitor numbers and the official figure will be released as soon as the audit has been completed.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

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Chapin UK at SALTEX 2017

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Chapin UK at SALTEX 2017: With over 130 solid years of manufacturing excellence, Chapin is proud to provide market-leading products that are rugged and reliable.

Following the recent UK distribution deal with Craigmarloch, we now have the ability to distribute quality sprayers & spreaders on a next day delivery service throughout the UK.

Chapin engineers and manufactures products specifically designed for lawn and ground maintenance, snow and ice, and gardening. Our sprayers and spreaders meet the needs of every home owner and professional.

Distributor opportunities available.

Telephone: 01236 821 355 or Email: sales@craigmarloch.co.uk

For product information visit www.chapinmfg.com

For UK sales visit www.craigmarloch.co.uk

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