John Deere Turf Care celebrates 20th anniversary

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John Deere Turf Care celebrates 20th anniversary: John Deere celebrated the achievements of the team at the US Turf Care manufacturing facility last month, as it commemorated its 20th anniversary.

Located in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, the 335,000ft2 Turf Care factory first opened in 1997, producing lightweight fairway mowers. Over the next 20 years the facility has introduced several commercial and golf mowing innovations, and become an important manufacturing hub for the production of John Deere commercial equipment.

“Over the past 20 years, we’ve cultivated a team of professionals who take great pride in designing and manufacturing top quality products in the Turf Care facility,” said Siva Sundaresan, factory manager and global director for commercial mowing and golf equipment at John Deere. “In addition to producing innovative equipment that is revolutionising the golf and landscaping industries, we are also proud to employ a team that is dedicated to bettering their local communities.”

Since the production of the first fairway mower in 1997, the Turf Care factory has introduced more than 15 products into production, and celebrated further significant milestones along the way:

  • 1999: introduced new lightweight fairway mowers, ride-on greens mowers, tees & surrounds mowers, heavy-duty ProGator utility vehicles for golf, 700 Series front rotary mowers and decks, petrol ZTrak zero-turn mowers and commercial wide area mowers
  • 2000: began production of the 1400 Series front rotary mowers and decks
  • 2007: production of the Z997 diesel ZTrak mower was transferred to Turf Care, where it continues to be built today
  • March 2015: Turf Care produced its 500,000th machine
  • April 2015: production of QuikTrak mowers was relocated to Turf Care

The Turf Care facility, which also operates a 320,000ft2 distribution warehouse in Benson, North Carolina, is not only heralded for its production records, but also for its dedication to employee safety and giving back to the local community, through volunteering with multiple local charities.

With this 20th anniversary, John Deere is also honouring 19 employees who have worked at Turf Care since the doors opened in 1997. The dedication of this select group is a lasting example of the impact the facility has in the industry and local communities.

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Unscientific Advice Putting UK At Risk From Japanese Knotweed 

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Unscientific advice putting UK at risk from Japanese Knotweed: Cowboy businesses pushing ‘quick-fix’ treatments for infestations of the highly destructive Japanese knotweed plant are exposing homeowners and businesses to legal and financial risks.

August in the United Kingdom is peak growth season for knotweed, as data from Bristol University’s PlantTracker app shows the weed now covers most of the country. There is a risk, however, that by the end of the year the most effective treatment will no longer be available to experts.

The European Union are currently debating whether to renew a licence allowing the use of glyphosate in the EU, which could have a major impact on the effort to halt the spread of Japanese Knotweed across the United Kingdom.

Sarah Mukherjee, Chief Executive of the Crop Protection Association, said:

“Invasive species like Japanese Knotweed create a serious risk to biodiversity by crowding out native species. It can lead to major damage of infrastructure and clogs up waterways, exacerbating flood risks. 

The weed is now present all over the UK, and it’s important that experts have access to the most effective treatments available. 

If glyphosate isn’t renewed by the European Union, the problem will be far worse, and homeowners will have to resort to expensive and often impracticable methods of treatment such as excavation and disposal of the waste.” 

Failure to properly treat Japanese Knotweed can leave homeowners and businesses liable to legal claims from neighbours and insurers or sanctions from local authorities.

David Layland, joint Managing Director of Japanese Knotweed Control, one of the UK’s first specialist remediation companies, and founding member of the Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association, said:

“Despite the claims of some companies and websites, you cannot get rid of knotweed without professional help. To eradicate the plant the roots need to be killed, and the products required to do this are not available to the public.

The most effective method of treatment is to inject the stem with glyphosate, a process that is highly successful on healthy adult plants, which can be controlled, in one growing season. Although the plant is controlled, it takes time over many years for the plant to fully biodegrade into the subsoil during which time the plant must be left alone. It’s also possible to excavate the entire area, but because knotweed is so aggressive, the soil needs to be disposed of at a licensed waste facility, which can be expensive.” 

Landowners can be found liable under a range of laws if it is proven they know about an infestation of knotweed but fail to deal with it properly. Repeated negligence in letting knotweed spread could even result in an ASBO under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The legal liabilities can be even more complex for anyone involved with buying, selling or developing land or property affected by knotweed. Anyone from the surveyor to the seller could be open to a lawsuit or excluded from insurance if it’s proven that they knew about an infestation but failed to act.

Guidance from the, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, states:

“Homeowners should be aware that, though buildings insurance policies often don’t ask directly about knotweed, many do not cover damage and problems caused by Japanese Knotweed, and because the damage occurs gradually it is unlikely to be covered in the future.

It’s also important to know that if an infestation travels from your property to a neighbouring property, it’s likely their insurance company will pursue you for the costs of the damage caused. We encourage homeowners to check these details in advance to avoid any unwelcome surprises. ”

Discovering that a property or land has been invaded by a ‘super-weed’ such as Japanese Knotweed may initially seem like a major crisis, but the plant can be managed. Most of the significant risks can be controlled by ensuring the right insurance and warranties are in place, with a commitment to scientific treatment.

David Layland, Managing Director of Japanese Knotweed Control, said:

“Dealing with Japanese knotweed is generally a case of remediation, not eradication. The long process of safely removing the plant can take years. Warranties and insurance are crucial as they give the legal guarantee that solicitors and conveyancers are looking for to demonstrate the issue is under control.”

Companies should carry adequate insurance with a reputable insurer, and preferably include structural damage cover. This same level of continued protection is simply not afforded by quick-fix companies, which bring with them only a continual financial burden.”

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Kent Cricket Pays Its Last Respects To Groundsman

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Kent Cricket Pays Its Last Respects To Groundsman: Kent’s cricketing community has paid its final respects to a much-loved former groundsman.

Cecil “Sammy” Fidler, who died last month aged 82, turned up for his job interview on a tractor and went onto to become one of the best known faces around the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.

With his distinctive nose and bald head, Cecil “Sammy” Fidler was as distinctive as some of the cricketing greats he prepared pitches for when Kent was littered with test internationals like Derek Underwood, Mike Denness, Alan Knott and Asif Iqbal.

Mr Fidler funeral took place at Barham Crematorium, attended by many mourners connected with county cricket.

He had worked for Canterbury City Council until the late 1970s, when he was offered an interview by former Kent Cricket secretary Les Ames.

Arriving on a tractor, he was offered a job, and went to work with head groundsman Brian Fitch until stepping down in the early 1990s.

Mr Fitch said: “Sam was a very good assistant and a real character. He would come in at all hours to check on the covers and work on the ground.

“He would usually look after the outfield and practice square and maintain the stands – tidying up and putting out chairs before matches. He was known all over the circuit.

“He was different and had a great relationship with Kent players and the opposition.

“He would clean the players’ pads and boots like a dressing room attendant – we didn’t have them in the early days.

“We had one tractor and four mowers and had to move the covers on our own.”

Former Simon Langton schoolboy Dominic Potts was a regular visitor to the ground. The 42-year-old said: “We often went into the ground after the tea break to watch the first eleven.

“Sammy was just one of those faces you always associated with being at the cricket.

“If he was in town, you would always point him out that he was one of the groundsman from the cricket.

“We worshipped the cricket club as kids and Sammy was part of the furniture there.”

Former Kent and England fast bowler Dean Headley posted on Facebook: “Sam was such a wonderful bloke. RIP fella.”

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Lawnmower Man Drives The Distance

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Lawnmower man drives the distance: Prison officer Andy Maxfield from Inskip in Lancashire has completed his epic journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a John Deere lawn tractor, while raising several thousand pounds for Alzheimer’s Society.

The ‘Driving the Distance for Dementia’ Challenge set off from John O’Groats at 8am on Tuesday 25th July 2017, and the Guinness world record attempt was completed when Andy and his support team arrived at Land’s End on Sunday 30th July at 4.45pm – a total measured distance of 874.3 miles travelled in five days, eight hours and 45 minutes.

Andy is hoping that Guinness will verify his achievement as he drove the whole distance on his own on an unmodified lawn tractor, which has not been attempted before. “It was a fantastic team effort all round – we certainly raised awareness for Alzheimer’s Society and we all had some fun along the way,” he said.

The trip included interviews with both BBC and ITV regional news and a shout-out on Radio 1’s breakfast show, while thousands of people took to social media to offer encouragement and good wishes throughout the week.

“The advance planning went really well and apart from a couple of detours on the journey, nothing really went wrong apart from the weather – but even John Deere can’t control that!” said Andy. “The real star of the challenge for me though was the X750 lawn tractor. It may not be built for the road or such wet weather conditions, but it never missed a beat and the spare parts we’d taken along just in case weren’t needed.

“I’d like to thank not only John Deere but also all the dealerships we have come into contact with, especially Ripon Farm Services for offering the use of one of their service vehicles when my van broke down before the challenge began. Special thanks are also due to John Deere’s work placement students Joanne Gregory and Becca Watson in the main support vehicle, who made me feel safe in some challenging traffic and weather conditions.”

John Deere Limited’s turf division manager Chris Meacock, who organised the logistics and accompanied Andy Maxfield for a large part of the journey, said: “This really was a phenomenal achievement, given the difficulties Andy faced for much of the journey.

“It was a tough challenge that he took on and completed with determination, dedication and no complaints – likewise his daughters Kathryn and Kaitlyn, who were with him the whole way. Record or not, everyone should be very proud of what they have achieved – it was a pleasure to support the Alzheimer’s charity in this way and raise money for a great cause.”

Sue Swire, community fundraiser Cumbria & Lancashire for Alzheimer’s Society, who also travelled with the support team in Scotland, added: “The Society is so grateful for the efforts of Andy Maxfield and his family, as well as the support and generosity of John Deere and its dealers for this incredible challenge.

“Andy’s original fundraising target was a modest £1000, and at the journey’s end we had already reached more than five times that amount. I am sure that by the time the Maxfield family’s charity ball comes around in December we will be well on our way to £10,000, which would be another fantastic achievement.”

As an additional fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society, the charity ball will take place at Preston Masonic Hall on Saturday December 9th. There continues to be a JustGiving website page for further donations at www.justgiving.com/andrew-maxfield; donations can also be made by texting MAXF80 £3 to 70070. More information on the ball and the challenge, including photos and videos from the journey, can be found at www.facebook.com/ForgetMeNotPreston.

Alzheimer’s Society is available for anyone affected by dementia and there are lots of ways the charity can help – for details call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk

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SCH Driver Vince Risks His Life In A Heroic Act

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SCH Driver Vince Risks His Life In A Heroic Act: Seconds before the inferno that destroyed a Ferrari Scuderia in South Yorkshire last week, delivery driver Vince Cook helps the shaken and bloodied Ferrari driver out of the car.

After witnessing the crash which has since made headlines throughout the world, Vince from Ipswich in Suffolk, jeopardised his own safety to drag the driver from the car.

‘I was on the inside lane of the M1, only doing about fifty or fifty-five miles per hour because of the heavy rain and surface water,’ explains Vince. ‘I saw the Ferrari coming up alongside in the outside lane, but he was only doing about sixty I think.’

Just as the Scuderia pulled ahead of Vince, things began to go badly wrong.

‘I’m not sure what happened – I don’t think the Ferrari driver is either – but the engine note changed as the car suddenly revved and swerved left, cutting in front of my Iveco truck. I knew it was going to be bad so I braked hard.

‘I could tell he was trying to gain control and I immediately hit the brakes, but the Ferrari was still revving like crazy as it hit a bank, took two trees down to stumps and launched into the field below.

‘I’ll be honest, I thought it was game over for him. The car was a wreck but then I could see movement and knew I had to get him out of there.’

Despite suffering a heart attack earlier this year, Vince clambered down the steep bank to do whatever he could to help.

‘The poor guy was covered in cuts and there was blood everywhere. He was conscious but obviously really shaken and so I put his arm around my neck and helped him get away from the car and sat him propped up against a fence. I then noticed flames under the rear wheels of the car, and knew we had to get right away from it. I dragged him to the top of the hill near where the car had flown off the carriageway just in time to see the thing explode.’

Vince found some bottles of water and kitchen towel in the cab of his truck, and set about cleaning up the shaken driver.

SCH Driver Vince Risks His Life In A Heroic Act

‘We could feel the heat of the blaze from where we sat. It was then that I asked how much fuel he thought was in the car and he told me it was full as he’d only just bought it!’

Vince waited with the driver until emergency services arrived, gave his statements and left to continue his work, delivering garden machinery for his employer SCH (Supplies) Ltd.

‘I still had quite a few drops to get done so off I went,’ says Vince. ‘I don’t think I did anything special. I’m sure anyone would have done the same it’s just that I saw it all and had to help. I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I just saw someone that needed help, so I went and helped him. A little while after, I did start to think about what might have happened to him, and to me, if that explosion had taken place just a minute earlier. But I would never have forgiven myself if there had been a fatality and I hadn’t even tried to help.’

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