Toro Takes Northamptonshire GC Into The Future

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Toro Takes Northamptonshire GC Into The Future: Toro and Reesink Turfcare are delighted to welcome Northamptonshire County Golf Club as a Toro Total Solutions customer.

The Open Regional Qualifying club in the Midlands has committed to Toro as it brings back the feel of its past with Toro machinery and thinks to the future with a Toro irrigation renovation.

Toro Takes Northamptonshire GC Into The Future

Course manager, Rob Hay, who has been at the club for five years says the reason behind the commitment is twofold: “Over the years the course had been managed as a parkland course which it wasn’t designed to be. We’ve been working towards returning the course to its original heathland state as designed by Harry Colt, opening up each hole and giving it a flavour of the old days. Toro machinery is key to that.

“This is our first fleet lease deal, but we’ve been using Toro since before I started, and Toro is instrumental in this vision taking shape. Toro has made a big impact and brought about noticeable change in the direction of the course’s maintenance and members are seeing the difference. Many have commented on how the course now looks like they remember it from the early 1970s and plays with a true running heathland style from those days too, which we’re delighted to hear.”

When it comes to the irrigation, Rob says the club’s commitment to Toro is a nod to the future: “We’re not in a predicament with our current system, but we’re forward planning so we’re ready for a seamless transition when the time comes. What we noticed in the heatwave of last year was that there are areas that could be improved upon, more efficient and better managed. In the midlands we’re water scarce and as we irrigate from a local river the goal is to get ourselves into a position where we’re using our water better and utilising every drop. We believe Toro is the partner to make that happen.

“I’m conscious this is a big outlay – one of the biggest a course can make – and it’s important we get this right. We’re currently working with Reesink and Adrian Motram finalising the plans for what’s exactly needed and if the quality of the irrigation system is anything like that of the Toro machinery, I know we’ll be in for a great experience using Toro Irrigation.”

As one of only 13 Regional Qualifying courses in the UK, Northamptonshire County Golf Club has high standards to maintain, plus the challenge of an unusual 21-hole layout to contend with. “We appreciate we’re in the company of a select few being a Regional Qualifying course and take great pride in the fact that we resumed our status last year for the 147th Open,” says Rob.

Retaining that position comes with hard work and dedication, which Rob and his greenkeeping team of nine have in abundance. “Every year there are new projects to undertake and as a team we look forward to this as much as we do the usual high season maintenance work. It’s a good challenge for us all and having Toro on board has really made a difference.”

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UK’s First TL43.80HF Telehandler

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UK’s First TL43.80HF Telehandler: John Suggitt, who runs construction, storage and farm businesses in East Yorkshire in the UK, has purchased the country’s first Bobcat TL43.80HF telehandler to support the growth of his businesses.

The new TL43.80HF was supplied by local Bobcat dealer, Scunthorpe-based AMS Bobcat Limited.

UK’s First TL43.80HF Telehandler

Lifting More with a Compact Telehandler

With a maximum lift capacity of 4.3 tonne and a maximum lift height of almost 8 m, the TL43.80HF is a new, compact telehandler offering an impressive package, combining several innovative features to take lift capacity, lifting height and breakout force to unprecedented levels for this size of machine.

The combination of compactness and heavy lift capability of the TL43.80HF were key for John Suggitt – he commented: “I was looking for a telehandler that could lift 4 tonne and offer a reach of 7 m, but with the TL43.80HF, I can lift a massive 4.3 tonne with a lifting height approaching 8 m. Being 20 cm shorter than the equivalent 7 m machines on the market, the TL43.80HF also gives me the compactness and productivity I need to work in the tight spaces on site and in my storage facilities.”

A Machine to Grow Into, Not Out Of

John Suggitt continued: “With the TL43.80HF, I have bought a machine that I intend to grow into, not out of. The TL43.80HF has everything I would want in a telehandler and does everything I would expect a machine like this to do.”

Bobcat was able to minimize the dimensions of the TL43.80HF in large part due to the very high stability resulting from a box welded frame, a low load centre, the long wheel base and the new massive rear counterweight. Together with a short turning radius of just 3.71 m, this new Bobcat telehandler is therefore a very manoeuvrable machine, a particularly useful feature when working in confined areas such as those in John Suggitt’s businesses.

John Suggitt added: “The TL43.80HF has reduced overall dimensions, including a width of only 2.30 m and a length of less than 5 m from the rear to the fork face. It has been a fantastic investment for my businesses, combining excellent lifting capability with superb compactness.”

Complementing the compact nature of the TL43.80HF, the rough terrain capability has also been optimised with the incorporation of new heavy duty Dana Spicer axles with limited slip differential and the outstanding tractive force available of up to 90% of the machine weight.

As well as his other businesses, John Suggitt also runs a smallholding with a small show flock of Greyface Dartmoor sheep, which he will use the TL43.80HF to provide feed for in the winter months. The new telehandler will also be a key machine to help in the construction of new stabling and agricultural buildings on the property.

The TL43.80HF is road registered so that it can be driven between John’s different businesses, which include an industrial unit at Beeford, where the TL43.80HF is used to move heavy containers and caravans. The telescopic boom on the new TL43.80HF telehandler is ideal for this application, ensuring that moving and placing heavy items is a simple process.

John also has storage facilities at Frodingham, where he is looking to stockpile building materials delivered on lorries and other vehicles. These will be used in the first planned building development in nearby Kelk, where the TL43.80HF will be a highly versatile lifting machine for moving pallets of bricks, boards and other construction materials around the site.

John Suggitt continued: “Bobcat has a comprehensive range of telehandlers for construction, agriculture and waste handling applications. We purchased the AGRI*** version of the TL43.80HF telehandler, with a number of additional features providing high comfort and productivity.

“The new Bobcat telehandler is fully road certified and with a two-speed transmission and a maximum speed of 40 km/h, it can be driven quickly between locations to do different work. The boom suspension system is a really useful feature for travelling on the roads, keeping the boom stable and preventing it from bouncing over bumps.“ 

Like all Bobcat telehandlers, the new TL43.80HF Agri is covered by an industry-unique three year/3000 hour warranty as standard. In addition, Bobcat has been running an exceptional three-month promotion through its UK and Ireland dealers, ending on 31st August 2019, extending the warranty to five years/5000 hours free-of-charge on all Bobcat Ag telescopic loaders purchased in this period.

As an AGRI version, the new TL43.80HF telehandler also includes air conditioning; an automatic fan inverter; a Sears high comfort air suspension seat and premium cab finish (deluxe steering wheel, armrest, aluminium panels); a trailer brake valve and a drawbar coupler tow hitch.

More Than 25 Years as a Bobcat Dealer: Over 3500 Machines Sold

AMS Bobcat Limited, based in Scunthorpe, is the Authorised Bobcat Dealer for Lincolnshire and East and South Yorkshire. Established in 1992, the company is one of the longest standing Bobcat dealers in Europe with well over 25 years in partnership with Bobcat in the UK. Over the intervening years, AMS has sold well in excess of 3500 new Bobcat units into a wide range of industries, including construction, agriculture, shipping, plant hire, mining, landscaping and demolition.

Chris Scott, Sales Manager at AMS, said: “We are delighted to have sold the first Bobcat TL43.80HF telehandler to John Suggitt. The TL43.80HF offers an unbeatable package for many applications from farming to construction, quarrying and general industry so it is ideal for use in the businesses run by John. It brings together robustness, compact dimensions, rough terrain ability and ease of use for the operator in the same machine.“

AMS is responsible for sales and service of Bobcat skid-steer, compact tracked and all wheel steer loaders, compact excavators, telehandlers and attachments throughout Lincolnshire and East and South Yorkshire. AMS also offers a full selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and parts to support both new and existing Bobcat customers in its area. Customers benefit from AMS’s well-established on-site service network, covering everything from emergency repairs to routine maintenance.

With well over 25 years of experience in the plant hire industry, AMS has also built up a state-of-the-art rental fleet of over 100 Bobcat machines, comprising compact loaders, compact excavators and telehandlers, complemented by a fleet of Bobcat attachments.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com

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Revised Highway 3 From Ransomes Jacobsen

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Revised Highway 3 From Ransomes Jacobsen: Ransomes Jacobsen will be showcasing the revised model of the Highway 3 triple cylinder mower on stand H090 at SALTEX 2019. 

The lightweight mower is popular in the commercial market and is well known for its high work rate, slope stability and manoeuvrability. To increase the mower’s already impressive output, drive train improvements have been made to boost the overall efficiency and compliment the Euro Stage V compliance.

Revised Highway 3 From Ransomes Jacobsen

The new drivetrain is central to the increased work rate and Ransomes Jacobsen director of international product development, Richard Comely is looking forward to exhibiting the machine at the Birmingham NEC.

He said: “SALTEX is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase new products, network with customers and keep our fingers on the pulse of the sectors we sell into. Triplex cylinder mowers are still one of the most flexible and productive vehicles to cut grass with, and we will be showing a revised, Euro Stage V, Ransomes Highway 3 with a more efficient drivetrain at the exhibition.

“The Highway 3 is typically used on large areas for extended periods of time, so productivity is an important aspect of the mower. It was a case of improving something that was already performing very well, but the new drivetrain has made a difference and we’re very pleased with the outcome.”

Other machines on stand H090 will include the TR320 triplex mower, HR300 out-front mower, Cushman utility vehicle and the HM600 wide-area mulching flail mower. The latter utilises flail units which have been developed in a close collaboration between Ransomes and Müthing, an industry leader in innovative and trusted flail technology.

Revised Highway 3 From Ransomes Jacobsen

Ransomes Product Manager Lee Kristensen commented: “The partnership developed a highly productive and reliable mower that is capable of working in a wide range of conditions. The result has been a flail that matches the power output of the HM600 tractor, allowing users to cut down dense grass leaving an evenly spread after-cut finish every time.”

The HM600’s cutting capabilities come from the ‘M’ type carbide flails and ‘shark fin’ shredding bar. The floating cutting heads follow the contours of the ground while the unique action of the units cuts the grass multiple times as it travels around the flail head and mulches the grass while it breaks down before evenly spreading the clippings. Heavy duty rollers complete the fine turf finish. A temperature controlled reversing fan ensures the air intake screen is clear for optimum engine cooling and continuous function.

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Deere Roam Blackheath Once More

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Deere Roam Blackheath Once More: Royal Blackheath Golf Club in Eltham, south east London, has returned to the John Deere stable after signing a five-year package deal with Farol Ltd of Twyford in Berkshire for a new fleet of course maintenance equipment.

A total of 11 new machines have been acquired under the John Deere Financial operating lease deal. These include three 2500E hybrid electric greens mowers, for use on both greens and tees, two 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mowers, an 8800A Terrain Cut semi-rough mower, a 1600T wide area mower for the main rough areas, and three TH 6×4 diesel plus one TX Turf 4×2 petrol Gator utility vehicles. These join a number of older Deere machines bought in previous deals that date back to the early 2000s, including compact tractors.

Deere Roam Blackheath Once More

Instituted in 1608 by the court of King James I, Royal Blackheath is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world, with a 17th century clubhouse and records showing that members originally played on Blackheath itself, adjacent to Greenwich Park. The golf course has been extensively remodelled over the past six years, with all the bunkers being redesigned and renovated, many tee complexes reconstructed, and also many ditches and ditch banks reshaped.

“We’re looking forward to a major course relaunch in 2020, so it’s going to be a big year for us,” says golf course manager Allen Blizzard, who leads a team of five greenkeepers plus two Hadlow College apprentices. “A lot of the bunkers had become a bit of a mismatch over the years, and we wanted to go back to James Braid’s original design, with fewer trees, more open aspects around the course and more, longer rough grass.

“Alongside this, the club secretary Mark Hickson and I had a good look around at the latest golf course maintenance equipment, to see what the market had to offer. We’ve always had a good relationship over the past couple of decades with John Deere’s turf dealers, and Dave Searles of Farol came up with the right package that was also very competitive financially.

“We’ve found over the years that an operating lease works very well for us, plus their dealer and manufacturer back-up, after-sales service and support have always been excellent. I’ve always felt that John Deere machines suit our needs well, especially for precision mowing – they’re great for following the contours of the course to provide a first class finish.

“I also think that Deere’s rotary mowers are the best I’ve ever used,” says Allen. “They’re comfortable to operate, reliable and time efficient. With other machines we’ve had to use a tractor and blower to tidy up the mess left by clippings, which made it a two-man job. With 125 acres to cover, and all the extra reconstruction work we’ve had to do, we need to make the most of our available manpower.

“This has also been our first experience with John Deere’s latest A Model TechControl and QA cutting unit technology, which helps us be even more productive. From my point of view the new machinery fleet, especially the semi-rough mower, really suits our needs and the golf course is looking in really good shape.”

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Toro’s New Outfront Rotary Range

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Toro’s New Outfront Rotary Range: New to Reesink Turfcare’s product lineup and launching at SALTEX 2019 are two outfront rotary mowers from Toro’s next-generation GM3000 series for 2020.

Bringing a unique balance of productivity, durability and value to the UK’s groundscare customers, the new machines are being called the next generation of outfront rotary mowers and have all the benefits outfront rotaries are known for, but with significant performance enhancements.

Toro's New Outfront Rotary Range

There are two engine models – a 24.7hp and a 37.4hp, both Stage V emissions compliant, with options of 152cm (60ins) or 183cm (72ins) rear, side, recycling and flail cutting decks. Both benefit from a transport speed of 22km/h to move between sites efficiently and a large 45.4 litre fuel capacity to maximize mowing time between refueling. Also, Toro’s CrossTrax all-wheel drive system provides automatic traction control, shifting power to the wheels in slippery conditions.

Toro has focused particular attention on the durability of the deck in the design of this new series. With 4.5mm high strength steels decks, rugged spindles, a bullnose bumper and reinforced sideskids, the improvements made are aimed at longevity and reduced downtime. And with rotary and flail cutting deck options providing flexibility and value, it’s easy to see why Toro believes this to be the next generation of the outfront rotary.

Jeff Anguige, national sales manager for Reesink, says: “The outfront rotary has become part of the fleet for most councils, contractors and golf courses as an essential frontline machine and rightly so. The new launches from Toro GM3000 series are an exciting addition, taking the design of an outfront rotary mower to the next level.”

The new Toro GM3000 series will be revealed on stand H010.

In addition to this exciting launch, there will be a full line-up from Reesink and all its turfcare machinery and equipment brands. From the Toro grounds machinery range will be the LT-F3000 triple flail mower, the direct collect ProLine H800 rotary, the Groundsmaster 7210 zero-turn rotary and the Pro Stripe 560 pedestrian mower with 22-inch roller.

Representing Toro’s irrigation range will be the Lynx Central Control system and Infinity 55 sprinklers with Smart Access, TS90 and T7 sprinklers with TurfCup (a feature for hidden infield irrigation and seamless-looking turf), Flex 55 sprinklers and Turf Guard soil monitoring system.

For those managing ponds and lakes and needing to optimise oxygen levels to keep water healthy, there will be Otterbine’s best-selling Fractional five-in-one aerator which delivers the highest performance rate of any fractional aerator on the market. It will be joined on stand by the Concept 3, the aerating fountain that perfectly illustrates how industrial aerators can give the best of both worlds offering function and beauty.

Reesink will again have two stands with E010 being entirely dedicated to TYM’s range of compact tractors and 1st Products, the specialist range of tractor-mounted aeration equipment.

Reesink’s marketing manager Rochelle Bedford, says: “There’s lots to look forward to at this year’s SALTEX. It’s always exciting to launch new products at a show and I predict there will be a lot of interest on the stand when the latest from Toro is revealed. We welcome everyone to come and see the line-up, discuss their needs and share experiences and advice with our specialist groundscare machinery team.”

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