GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

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GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success: As the operations of family-run arb firm Koala Tree Care have grown, as has their relationship with GreenMech – with two efficient and easy-to-maintain woodchippers working hard on jobs across North Somerset.

The most recent addition to their fleet is the turntable Eco 135TT which, running alongside a gravity-fed CS100, provides an economical and safe solution to domestic tree work.

GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

GreenMech takes Koala from start-up to success

Callum Emery founded Koala Tree Care in 2019 and, with the assistance of twin brother Aaron, provide a one-stop shop for all aspects of tree, hedge and general garden maintenance to customers in and around Bristol. With client demand increasing, the business quickly outgrew its small initial chipper and needed equipment that could keep pace with their growth.

Their first upgrade was to a compact, yet capable, CS100 from GreenMech. Ideal for working in tight spaces such as residential gardens, the CS100 offers the quick processing of branches and brash of up to 4”. But with workload still on the rise, the time was right to add an even bigger machine to their fleet in the form of the Eco 135TT.

“Our GreenMech machines have made a massive difference to our workflow” comments Callum. “While the CS100 is still used frequently because of its ability to be wheeled through a house where no external access is available, the investment in the Eco 135TT makes light work of larger jobs. The turntable is such a useful feature – this machine is used most days and is rarely ever used in the straight position! We can alter the chipper to any angle for safe and convenient feeding, and ensure the chippings cleanly make their way into the truck.”

Another thing Callum praises is the ease of maintenance. “Looking after both of these machines is incredibly simple. The Eco 135TT features their disc-blade chipping system which enables me to turn the blade three times before the need to resharpen – which I can also do myself with GreenMech’s disc blade sharpener. This means we can keep downtime to a minimum and keep our busy diary on schedule.”

Processing large and heavy branches with ease, it isn’t just the performance of the ECO 135TT that has impressed the brothers – the service from local GA Groundcare has also been ranked as first rate. “Everything with the purchase and the delivery of the machine in May was really simple.” He adds, “The team at GA, especially Matt Textor and Ashley Stevens, go above and beyond to make sure we’re getting the most out of our machines and are quick to answer any queries or questions we might have.”

For more information on the cost-effective Eco woodchipper series, visit www.greenmech.co.uk

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All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range

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All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range: The recent expansion of the Kubota zero-turn mower range has made the line-up one of the most comprehensive in the market – and one of many highlights in the Kubota groundcare portfolio. Responding to market demand, the range has increased from two to seven models offering a variety of working widths, discharge options and fuel types to suit all domestic and commercial applications.

Kubota’s zero-turn offering combines unbeatable manoeuvrability with accurate, quality cut performance making them a popular choice for local authorities and professional landscapers as well as residential users. With the addition of five new models in recent years, the range now offers more versatility than ever before.

All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range

All applications covered with Kubota’s bigger zero-turn range

Highlights of the established petrol models are the Z1-421 and Z2-481, which feature a 42” and 48” side discharge cutting deck respectively, with optional mulching kits available.

Launched in summer 2024 is the Z4-541 – a 54” petrol model which boasts a larger chassis to offer even greater productivity to the pro-consumer market. Hot on its heels was the rear discharge Z4-541RD model, introduced later in 2024, to meet customer requirements.

In the diesel range, the well established ZD-1211 provides comfort and fast working with excellent fuel efficiency, meeting all the needs of the professional operator.

Those looking to meet productivity requirements with a sustainable power source can find the answer in Kubota’s Ze electric zero-turn range. Offering new levels of user comfort through reduced noise and vibration during operation, the Ze-421 and larger Ze-481 are designed to exceed the expectations of environmentally conscious customers such as contractors and local authorities whilst still maintaining the performance expectations of conventional fuels.

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GKB Combitool delivers year round excellence

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GKB Combitool delivers year round excellence: A GKB Combitool has proven the solution to improving surface quality, and reducing reliance on hired equipment, at Norfolk’s Langley School.

Senior Groundsman Phil Cook leads a team of four in maintaining 19 hectares of school grounds – made that much easier with the versatility of the 4-in-1 implement which has taken presentation of the sports pitches to new heights.

GKB Combitool delivers year round excellence

GKB Combitool delivers year round excellence

When Phil joined the co-educational day and boarding school 18 months ago, most of the maintenance machinery was hired in. Notification followed shortly after that prices were due to increase so a change of tact was needed. “It made sense to look at what we were using most often, and as a versatile all-rounder, we knew something like the GKB Combitool would make a big difference across multiple areas of the site” Phil explains.

Working closely with Stuart Paterson at Ernest Doe & Sons, the school built a package of machines – including the GKB Combitool – for delivery in October 2024.

“I hadn’t had any previous experience of GKB, but when I saw the brochure and the build quality of the unit, it was an easy decision. In practice, it has more than lived up to expectations. It’s incredibly solid, reliable and easy to use enabling us to brush, rake, roll and spike our 10 winter sports pitches year-round and, in springtime, our cricket outfields on a weekly basis.” He adds, “Because of the size of the site, we sometimes used to struggle with moving clippings. Now, we can follow the mower with a single pass of the GKB Combitool, rake the clippings up and leave an immaculately presented surface in its wake.”

The delivery also couldn’t have been better planned for Phil and the team, with the Combitool landing just in time for Langley’s annual rugby festival which attracts teams from across the UK. “With so many spectators and matches in a condensed period, presentation really matters. Running the Combitool between games was a real eye-opener. It lifted the grass, left a brilliant finish and helped us retain superb surfaces for the duration of the event.”

The quality and value delivered by the GKB Combitool has certainly left a strong impression, leading Phil to look at other areas of their maintenance programme. “The Combitool has become our go-to implement, and is raising standards so much, we’d like to see about adding more GKB Machines to our armoury to bring other areas up to a similar level – ensuring the facilities continue to meet the high expectations of our students, visiting clubs and national tournaments alike.”

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing: Thonock Park in Lincolnshire is the first club in the UK to invest in Toro’s Turf Pro autonomous mowers.

Having made the decision to move to autonomous mowing at the beginning of the year, the club was introduced to Toro’s new Turf Pro mowers at the BTME launch and has subsequently purchased five from local Toro dealer, Russells Groundcare.

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

The five Turf Pro 500 mowers are being used to cut both fairways and rough of 18 of the club’s 36 holes. According to General Manager Benjamin Hatch: “Our robot mowers are now cutting the fairways and rough for 18 holes on the Thonock Park course, and we are exceptionally pleased with their quality of cut and the definition between fairway and rough grasses.”

Thonock Park and Russells have had two comprehensive training sessions post-install from Lee Rowbotham, GeoLink and Digital Specialist at Reesink UK.

Lee explains the process: “We were there at the point of delivery to install the chargers and base station. The mowers are blind out of the box, so training involves telling them everything they need to know, like where the charging station is, the route to the fairways, what the safe areas, and not safe areas are. And of course, for the team to understand the operation and the terminology involved.”

Once set up, Course Manager Rob Acheson was shown how to control all five mowers through the Smart App. Operation is something Lee likens to how irrigation sprinklers are controlled.

“They are controlled individually, one at a time, and can be set up in advance,” he says. “Just like you can set a sprinkler to come on at 5am, you can set the Turf Pros to start mowing at 10pm once everyone has gone home if you wish.”

This provides a big advantage in getting course maintenance ahead of play. All fairway mowing can be completed before the course opens, supported by “the almost non-existent noise levels” as confirmed by Benjamin.

Another added benefit of these mowers comes from how the club has been able to redefine the job requirements of the team and can guarantee all-year round value.

“Very importantly, these mowers have enabled us to reassign some of our skilled greenkeeping team to other tasks on the course that require more specialist work,” Benjamin says. “During the wetter months, we expect to keep using these mowers, when ordinarily we would struggle to use the much heavier diesel machines. All in all, it has been a very positive investment for us and one that we believe we will continue to benefit from year after year.”

Just as Reesink sees the value in providing dedicated support for this new technology with the new digital specialist role created for Lee, so too do Russells who have recruited two dedicated employees to demonstrate and install Russells’ autonomous mowing offerings to customers, including private properties, estates, schools, golf courses and other sporting venues.

Mark Willerton, Groundcare Sales Manager at Russells, says: “Russells see autonomous mowers as an important part of our future business, it’s something we’re investing heavily in with dedicated specialist staff and demonstration machines.

“Working alongside Thonock Park and Reesink to understand this next generation of mowing and how to maximise the potential and efficiency of the mowers has been a great learning experience. We look forward to continuing working with the team at Thonock Park to ensure they always have the best turfcare options available.”

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Kirkcaldy GC’s Jacobsen duo

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Kirkcaldy GC’s  Jacobsen duo: Kirkcaldy Golf Club’s greenkeeping team have seen an instant lift in course presentation thanks to the arrival of two Jacobsen machines — an LF570 fairway mower and an AR522 rotary mower.

Head Greenkeeper Callum White, who joined the Fife club in April 2024 from nearby Charleton GC, says the pair have already changed daily routines for himself, deputy Mark Hood and trainee Finn Wallace.

Kirkcaldy GC’s Jacobsen duo

Kirkcaldy GC’s Jacobsen duo

“We’ve had them since April, just as the warm weather arrived,” says Callum. “They’ve slotted into our programme perfectly, and the improvement to presentation was immediate.”

Securing reliable mowing equipment was one of Callum’s first priorities on taking up the post. Familiar with Jacobsen’s reputation for quality of cut, he turned to Fairways GM Area Sales Manager, Mike Lindsay, who was able to highlight two refurbished models about to land. The club committee quickly approved the deal.

One of Callum’s main aims was to raise the standard of the rough — both in quality and appearance.

“The Jake cut is very precise and much healthier for the grass than what we had been using. I also really wanted to show definition across the course and have the ability to stripe,” he explains.

Deputy Course Manager Mark Hood has taken ownership of the AR522, which has proven indispensable. “On our steeper holes — notably the 1st and 17th, which play straight up and down — that 4WD is essential. Without it, you simply wouldn’t get up there.”

It now takes Mark around three days to cut the rough each week at 39 mm. “It’s so much faster than what we used before, and it keeps the finish more uniform. Our golfers really appreciate the upgrade as it speeds up play.”

Callum manages the fairways himself with the LF570, delivering a healthier, more precise cut. Fairways are also cut weekly at 12 mm, taking around 1.5 days to complete.

“We haven’t had much rain in four weeks, so they’ve dried out, but once they get moisture they really bounce back — and the machine shows that improvement immediately.”

The reaction from members has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Everyone is really pleased with the progress we’re making. The close, crisp finish gives better playability and really enhances presentation.”

Kirkcaldy is a fine example of a classic parkland course — and it has a special place in golfing history as the final course designed by Old Tom Morris.

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