The Toro “must have tool”

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The Toro “must have tool”: The latest club to invest in a Toro ProCore 648 aerator is Royal Aberdeen Golf Club with Course Manager Richard Johnstone declaring it a must have tool for golf aeration.

Prior to Richard’s arrival a tractor-mounted aerator was being used on the classic Scottish links course but when Richard joined the club 10 months ago it was one of the first things he looked to change.

The Toro "must have tool"

The Toro “must have tool”

Richard explains: “The Balgownie course in particular is known for having undulating greens and surrounds with steep slopes rising to tees situated high up in the dunes. The proximity of the tees and slopes are small and tight making it difficult for the tractor-mounted aerator to access everywhere we needed it to.”

Richard knew there was a solution, that it came from Toro and was called the ProCore 648. He says: “I was at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club for eight years as Course Manager prior to arriving in Aberdeen, where we’d had a ProCore 648 since 2013. It was nimble, manoeuvrable, effective, and easy to use. When you’ve had an experience like that with a piece of machinery you don’t tend to look any further. I did however have a team to persuade, so we enquired about getting a demo model in to ensure it was right for our particular site.

“Everyone on the team got to trial the aerator and evaluate it on a feedback sheet, and it scored very highly. The conclusion was that it was the best pedestrian aerator for our site.”

This probably isn’t too surprising for many to read. The Toro ProCore 648 is, after all, the market-leading, customer-favourite aerator that, no matter your brand preference, there’s no denying is the best in the business. A statement Richard readily agreed with: “Absolutely, it does what it’s supposed to do well.”

The ProCore arrives in time to assist in some course construction, as Richard explains: “We’re hollow coring two hectares of greens and approaches to reduce the organic matter within the profile and the cores will be used to construct a new green and approach within our practice ground. This will provide consistency and a perfect match for the type of grasses maintained across the greens within our site.”

When asked if there was anything else in terms of machine highlights, Richard didn’t hesitate in explaining just how satisfying it is to use: “It’s fast and neat whatever kind of aeration it is doing. We do a variety of solid, pencil, and hollow tine in the main and whichever you’re doing you can use it all day without feeling it. The vibrations are negligible.”

To find out more about the aerator which sets the gold standard for greens aeration, visit Reesink Turfcare at reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Salsco rollers deliver proven productivity

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Salsco rollers deliver proven productivity: There is no more valuable resource to golf course managers than time, which is why efficiency ranks highly when it comes to sourcing new maintenance solutions. Looking specifically at turf rollers, the HP11-III from Salsco with three driven rollers is the widest and quickest on the market – delivering proven productivity and performance at courses across the UK.

One club reporting a 40% reduction in the time taken to roll all 18 greens is Cowdray Golf Club in West Sussex, who purchased their Salsco HP11-III from Lister Wilder in May 2024. “Greens ironing plays such an important part in ensuring that people’s experience of their visit is as good as it can be,” explains Course Manager Jonathan Smith. “Previously, we had a much smaller greens iron, and while it did a fair job, it used to take us about four hours to get round where the Salsco can do it to a high standard in under two and a half.”

Salsco rollers deliver proven productivity

Salsco rollers deliver proven productivity

Jonathan also notes the rollers flexibility to cope with climatic challenges. “If the weather is particularly hot, for example, we tend to prefer to roll rather than cut because we believe it gives the greens the best chance and gives our players the best performance.”

“The other beauty of it is that if I am doing any type of renovation work, I will utilise the roller for effective consolidation. If the need arises, we can add water to the individual rolls to increase the psi from 7.0 to 9.2 which has been particularly useful when we are Verti-Draining and Pro-Coring during our maintenance week” he adds. “Within a few days you would never know the work had taken place.”

The three independent rolls that oscillate and articulate on the HP11-III not only allow for complete control over weight distribution, they ensure 100% ground contact. It’s ability to maintain traction without slipping was a key consideration for Graeme Roberts, Course Manager at Hayling Golf Club, and their decision to invest in Salsco.

“Depending upon events, we try to roll between one and three times a week in the main season and then, in the autumn and spring when the growth rate is down, maybe up the rolling in exchange for cutting” says Graeme. “We have a lot of slopes on the edges of our greens and it’s very important that it can roll without losing traction and creating stress, especially when changing direction. Having every roller driven on this model means that you get the best traction possible.”

“I also like the fact that it has wider self-cleaning rollers so is a lot more efficient and effective in the finish that it achieves.” He concludes, “The ball roll definitely improves with it, and it’s proven invaluable in getting sand into the soil profile when you have top dressed, while also helping to reduce the mess that is often left by other rollers.”

For more information on the HP11-III or the other rollers in the Salsco range, visit salscorollers.co.uk or get in touch with the team at Lister Wilder.

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Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

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Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation: It’s not just the greenkeepers that are impressed with the fleet of six Echo TM-2050 robotic mowers installed by GroundTech at Hartsbourne Country Club, the members are too!

Less than a month after their delivery, players and staff alike have recognised the transformation in presentation of some of the club’s perimeter areas which previously proved near-impossible to maintain in challenging winter conditions.

Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

Like many heavy clay soil courses, this 27-hole club in South Hertfordshire can often lay wet during prolonged periods of rainfall, creating problems in getting machinery out to regularly cut the rough and fairways. General Manager Terry Mulford-Lawlor explains that the knock-on impact extends well beyond the winter, “Both presentation and playability suffers and then, come the spring, the grass is so long and dense that it takes a lot of hard work to get them back to where we want them to be.”

“The proposition that the Echo robotic mowers could be cutting consistently whatever the weather was of great interest.”

Terry was assisted in his search by Marcus Glover and Sam Baker from GroundTech, along with Sam Daybell from Echo who paired the club with six TM-2050 robots with solar array and portable battery chargers. The largest of the Echo range the TM-2050 offers the pinnacle of productivity, capable of mowing areas of up to 75,000m2 while simultaneously providing precise mulching of material for an immaculate finish.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that these mowers have been a gamechanger for us. The intention was that they’d be used only for the rough. However, the GroundTech team mapped all of our fairways and with the results so outstanding we’d be mad not to use them everywhere.” Terry adds, “The work these Robots are doing has already freed up our skilled team of ten greenkeepers to then focus their efforts elsewhere,  hand-cutting areas such as aprons which we’ve not previously had the resources to do and focussing on the technical and agronomic aspects of course management that will take our offering to the next level.”

“Members have been quick to comment that the rough has never looked better, but what’s more they just love watching the robots at work – we’ve even been asked if it’s possible to name and sponsor them!”

Terry concludes, “The process from start to finish has been smooth, personalised and professional. GroundTech supported us and went the extra mile to ensure we had the right set-up and infrastructure to get the most out of our machines. They didn’t over-emphasise what the mowers were capable of, but then they didn’t really need to! We already see this is the future for us.”

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Avant Tecno UK Celebrates New State-of-the-Art Headquarters

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Avant Tecno UK Celebrates New State-of-the-Art Headquarters: Avant Tecno UK has officially unveiled its new multi-million-pound headquarters in Bury St Edmunds, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth and commitment to its UK operations.

Designed to facilitate Avant’s continued expansion, the 32,200 sq. ft purpose-built facility was crafted by local firm SEH French, with project management by Churchmanor Estates.

Avant Tecno UK Celebrates New State-of-the-Art Headquarters

Avant Tecno UK Celebrates New State-of-the-Art Headquarters

The grand opening of the headquarters was celebrated with an event welcoming trade and local media, partners, and esteemed guests, including the Ambassador of Finland to the United Kingdom, Jukka Siukosaari.

“This is a momentous occasion for Avant Tecno UK and our incredible team,” said Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant Tecno UK. “The new headquarters is not only a symbol of our growth but also a stepping stone for our future aspirations. It’s a proud day for everyone involved and a testament to our commitment to delivering the best for our dealers, customers, and the community.”

Since establishing its presence in the UK in 1999, Avant Tecno UK has witnessed consistent growth. Previously operating near Thetford, the company identified the need for a larger, modern facility to support its operations and meet increasing demand. The new Bury St Edmunds headquarters reflects Avant’s forward-thinking vision, incorporating features that enhance efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.

The facility includes:

  • Modern office spaces to accommodate the growing team.
  • A showroom to display Avant’s renowned compact loaders, attachments and Leguan access platforms.
  • Dedicated training facilities to provide hands-on learning for dealers and end-users.
  • A warehouse with automated technologies to improve logistics and inventory management.
  • A technical workshop designed for hand-on training events, and equipment arrival checks.

The launch event began with a keynote address from Raimo, who highlighted the strategic importance of the new headquarters and its role in enhancing Avant Tecno UK’s operational efficiency and customer service.

“This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to the UK market,” Raimo said. “It’s an opportunity to strengthen our dealer network, provide world-class training end-users, dealers and staff, and continue delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers.”

Other speakers at the launch event included representatives from project partners Churchmanor Estates, LSI Architects, and SEH French, who detailed the project’s journey from conception to completion. They discussed the collaborative efforts and innovative techniques used to ensure the building met Avant’s high standards for quality and sustainability.

Ambassador Jukka Siukosaari, representing Finland at the event, praised Avant Tecno as an example of Finnish innovation and global excellence. During his speech, the Ambassador emphasised the importance of government support in helping Finnish companies like Avant expand internationally.

Guests at the event were treated to a guided tour of the new facility, offering a first-hand look at its innovative features. From the spacious training rooms to the automated warehouse systems, the headquarters highlights Avant Tecno UK’s focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

Following the tour, attendees gathered for a networking lunch, further strengthening the connections between Avant, its partners, and the local community.

As Avant Tecno UK settles into its new home, the company remains focused on its core mission: delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that empower its customers. The new headquarters in Bury St Edmunds is more than just a building—it is foundation for a new centre of excellence for multi-functional compact machinery.

For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk

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EGO Power Plus launches new Whitepaper

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EGO Power Plus launches new Whitepaper: Leading battery-powered outdoor power equipment specialist, EGO Power Plus, has launched a new whitepaper to educate heavy commercial outdoor power equipment users about the benefits of switching to battery power.

Despite progress in the domestic and light commercial sector, petrol is considered the ‘go-to’ for many heavy commercial users, however EGO’s ‘Battery Power, Performance, and Public Spaces: A Case for Battery-powered Equipment’, builds the case for battery powered OPE equipment, demonstrating how batteries and tools have evolved to meet the exacting demands of professional users since the early days.

EGO Power Plus launches new Whitepaper

EGO Power Plus launches new Whitepaper

Beyond providing insight into the evolution of battery technology, the document also shares the stark differences between petrol and battery-powered tools in terms of noise and vibration levels and also reveals the results of emissions testing conducted by one of the UK’s leading emissions testing specialists on behalf of EGO.

In addition, the whitepaper also highlights the financial benefits of switching to battery power and showcases a range of efficiency advantages that can be discovered by heavy commercial users with the ever-growing range of IoT-connected equipment.

Vince Brauns, Product Director for EGO, comments: “It is fair to say that a certain ‘range anxiety’ exists for many professional OPE equipment users. In our early days as a manufacturer, domestic tool users were quicker in adopting the new technology compared to heavy trade users, with many unconvinced that the performance and run time of petrol could be surpassed. We have put all our efforts into the research and development of producing a battery platform that is arguably one of the most advanced in today’s market and the whitepaper will hopefully help to challenge any remaining misconceptions.”

This year, EGO launched its reimagined Pro X series, designed to meet the demands of heavy-duty commercial users. With upgrades and developments based on user feedback, the Pro X series is EGO’s first big step in breaking down barriers to the adoption of battery power. The whitepaper examines these perceived barriers head-on and gives readers a look at EGO’s latest developments, which should reinforce commercial users’ confidence in the capabilities of battery power.

Vince adds: “Our findings build the case that petrol has had its time. Battery technology is now at the point where it can meet the needs of the most demanding users, with fewer environmental or health risks and lower maintenance costs to support businesses. The time to switch is now”.

To download the Whitepaper from EGO Power Plus, visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/ranges/professional-x-range

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