Toro The Choice At Bridgnorth

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Toro The Choice At Bridgnorth: Bridgnorth Golf Club in Shropshire recently signed their fourth renewal agreement with Toro despite competitive offers from other brands because “nothing matched up” says head greenkeeper, Martin Jones.

When it came to the end of the club’s third renewal agreement with Toro, Martin chose to consider all the options to find the best possible machinery for the parkland course situated alongside the River Severn.

Toro Beats Competition At Bridgnorth

“One company even brought a whole fleet for us to trial,” says Martin. “But at the end of the day, myself and the whole team agreed that nothing matched up to Toro.

“Since our first agreement, we’ve been impressed with the quality of machines, service and the improvement to the course, and it’s continued to get better through the tenure of two more agreements. In fact, in the last five years, I can count on one hand the number of issues we’ve had! That’s an incredible track record that’s hard to beat.”

Martin also credits the service from local dealer Oakley’s Groundcare and Reesink Turfcare, an official Toro UK distributor, as largely influencing the decision to renew for a fourth time.

“We’ve got a great relationship with Oakley’s. On the rare occasion we have a problem, I know I can pick up the phone and they’ll get a mechanic out to us in an hour and a replacement machine within a day. Similarly, Reesink’s area manager John Pike has been really helpful, from general advice to the training; it’s all been great.”

Having been at the club for 42 years and head greenkeeper for over 20, Martin knows quality when he sees it, which he says is exactly what Toro provides.

“The quality of Toro machines is second to none and every single machine does exactly what it says on the tin. That’s why we’ve renewed like for like as well as purchasing a couple machines from our previous fleet.”

The new fleet consists of a Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, Groundsmaster 5610, GM4000-D, GM3500-D and Reelmaster 3100-D alongside a purchased Workman HDX-D and GR3250-D. “The quick release unit of the Greensmaster TriFlex 3400 in particular is fantastic,” says Martin. “It’s a real time saver and the standard of cut is outstanding.”

“With every new renewal the course has improved, particularly the fairways and the tees,” Martin concludes. “With Toro things just keep getting better!”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Allett Launch Electric Mower

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Allett Launch Electric Mower: Allett Mowers invited industry leaders to Twickenham Rugby Stadium on May 14th to showcase the new Allett C34E battery powered mower and hold informal talks on sustainability.

Attendance at the venue represented football, rugby, cricket, Royal Households, Oxford and Cambridge University colleges and dealers. Austin Jarrett, Allett’s Managing Director, gave a talk on the company’s battery machine strategy and the technology behind battery electric power helping to drive the future for professionals. He emphasised the health and safety benefits of non-particulate power and sustainability with zero emissions at the point of use, low noise, low vibrations and minimum maintenance.

Twickenham Rugby Stadium’s Head Groundsman, Keith Kent, talked about how he maintains a world class pitch, providing the same standards whatever the use, be it international rugby, leisure events or even schools tournaments. The third speaker, sustainability expert Professor David Stubbs, presented on the challenges in the industry, using a case study of the London 2012 Olympic Games. His talk embraced climate change and how sport can help address major global ecological problems.

Allett Launch Electric Mower

The talks were followed by pitchside demonstrations with everyone allowed access to the hallowed turf and a very green pitch in bright sunlight. The Allett C34E was exceptionally well received with its battery packs and futuristic looks combined with the tradition and heritage of the Allett cylinder mower. Since it was first seen at Saltex 2018 Allett have spent the months in trials and further developments, to bring the mower to the stage where it is ready to go into production. Powered by the latest Lithium-ion system battery technology, the C34E has a new chassis design while maintaining compatibility with Allett’s renowned turf maintenance system. The mower has plenty of power to drive the interchangeable cartridges for powered raking, aerating and brushing. Delegates were shown that, just like its petrol counterparts, the C34E gives an impeccable cut and lays down Allett’s hallmark stripes.

Austin Jarrett says: “We’ll be using the debate and feedback from the customers to form part of Allett decision making and future planning in our battery machine strategy. The industry is rapidly changing and while we aim to be at the forefront we will only be launching twenty C34E this year. When a customer buys one of the first 20 machines we will work with them and their dealer on any developments of the machine before we go into mass production next year. They will become an Allett Pioneer Programme member and attend focus groups and factory visits and will also get exclusive Pioneer merchandise.” The consensus after the meeting was general agreement the industry is quickly learning about sustainability and recognising the need to gain greater momentum in the face of climate change.

01889 271503 www.allett.co.uk

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GreenMech Launch Evo 165

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GreenMech Launch Evo 165: The ARB Show provided the launch platform for GreenMech to introduce their much-anticipated revolutionary new woodchipper series, the EVO 165. Capitalising on GreenMech’s engineering prowess, this new range has been designed in direct response to industry demands to deliver more aggressive torque, more powerful bite and more throughput.   

The EVO 165 combines a wealth of new features, together with some of GreenMech’s proven innovations which have seen their chippers become the preferred choice with many industry professionals. Its wide infeed chute, together with twin horizontal rollers and GreenMech’s ‘No-Stress’ control system mean the Evo 165 efficiently grips timber and brash and controls its lateral movement to provide maximum bite and unparalleled processing power via its new, heavy-duty flywheel and re-flowed exit chute.

GreenMech Launch Evo 165

Optimised outputs from a diesel or petrol engine option provide usable power that matches budget with operational needs, alongside maximum fuel efficiency and compliance with Stage V Emission requirements. The EVO is the quietest machine GreenMech have produced to date, beneficial for both operators and neighbours alike.

Together with improved performance, the aspects of safety, durability and ease of maintenance have also come under the spotlight. GreenMech have fitted the Evo with a new safety bar system to minimise nuisance tripping while offering a better inflow of material. The Evo’s durability has been increased with the adoption of a one-piece fabricated chassis that provides greater strength in even the most demanding of operational conditions. Meanwhile, GreenMech’s patented Disc Blade system continues to provide in excess of 900 chipping hours before replacement.

When maintenance is required, the vertical and horizontal shear bars have been re-engineered to be more accessible and a centralised greasing point has been introduced to make regular servicing easier to carry out.

Commenting on its introduction, Sales Director Martin Lucas said, “As the requirements of today’s arborists continue to evolve, it’s vital that we as manufacturers are listening to them and providing them with the tools to meet their growing demands. The Evo 165 is designed to do just that, with years of developments and trials going on behind the scenes to create our most efficient chipper to date. This launch marks just the beginning of our EVO development programme and we’re expecting this to make a big impression at this year’s Arb Show and beyond.”

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New Machines For Merlin GC

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New Machines For Merlin GC: One of the latest golf clubs in the west country to realise the versatility of Ventrac equipment is Merlin Golf Course on the north Cornish coast. Situated on high ground close to Mawgan Porth and only a short drive from Newquay, this heathland course enjoys stunning views towards the Atlantic Ocean.

This latest package, delivered by local dealer Devon Garden Machinery, included a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor unit with Contour mowing deck and a Sisis Multitiner 1200.

New Machines For Merlin GC

Martyn Bennett is the Course Manager and is assisted by two long-serving greenkeepers, Rob Hall and Carl Quible. He joined Merlin just 8 months ago after four years as deputy course manager at Caversham Heath Golf Club in Berkshire and before that spent 12 years at Basingstoke Golf Club in Hampshire

“We were in the market for a new rough mower and my predecessor had a demonstration back in July 2018,” he said. “We had a further demonstration when I arrived, so I could confirm that it would be suitable for the course and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s remarkably powerful for a sub-25 hp tractor, quiet and produces an excellent stripped finish with no mess. We used gang mowers previously so this has been a revelation. It’s so manoeuvrable and has reduced our fuel bills for maintaining the rough by 50%; that’s a significant saving.

“It’s a versatile machine with a unique front mount system and standard 3-point linkage on the back. The Sisis Multitiner fits easily on the back, so it’s not just Ventrac attachments that can be used, increasing the versatility of what it can do.”

Carl Quible is the principal operator of the machine and says,

“We have some extreme slopes around the course and I feel 100% safe when I’m mowing. It enables us to maintain the banks on a regular basis and can go where other mowers cannot go. It’s a powerful compact machine and has certainly enhanced the presentation of the course.

New Machines For Merlin GC

Built in 1991, the course has been owned by Jim Barlow since 2004 and is now benefitting from investment at all levels. Redesigned to cut out long walks from green to tee and with new bunkers and tees, it’s a challenge off the white tees, especially when the wind blows! The club house was opened in 2005 and has recently been extended and refurbished including a new patio overlooking the 18th green.

The club has its own wind turbine and small solar farm which also provides power for the contemporary holiday apartments on the course.

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Fynn Valley Upgrade With Jacobsen

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Fynn Valley Upgrade With Jacobsen: Fynn Valley Golf Club has purchased a fleet of five new Jacobsen mowers, four E-Z-GO RXV golf buggies and a Cushman Truckster XD from Bartram Mowers as part of their continued improvement of the club.

The family owned & run Ipswich based golf club has undergone an ambitious and forward-thinking modernisation process, with their impressive, purpose-built Café Terrace and Club House opening in October 2018.

Fynn Valley Upgrade With Jacobsen

As part of the improvements, the club brought in Ian Lloyd, a graduate of the Future Turf Managers Initiative, as head greenkeeper. The experience he brings to the role will elevate the course quality with the new range of Jacobsen machines an important part of his plans going forward.

With his new fleet, he has already started seeing the benefits of the AdaptiShift technology on the AR331, the time saved with the unique swing out centre reel on the two GP400’s and the ease of movement with the HR500’s compact travel width.

“The big thing for us is we’ve got quite a few steep and sharp mounds, and there are a few ponds that aren’t very well positioned and can be difficult for staff to manoeuvre around and that’s where the AdaptiShift really helps us,” Ian explained.

“I’ve been using the AR331 for the last couple of days, and it just gives you more confidence that you’re going to cut everything because you don’t have to put the whole machine out there, you can send the unit out and keep the wheels on solid ground, so it really optimises safety.

“Being able to do that has saved us time, and the swing out centre reel on the two GP400’s is a game changer. No matter what machine you’re on the central unit is the most difficult to access in terms of cleaning and if you’re trying to adapt something or even just check the height of cut you almost have to be a contortionist to get in there. In the past, we’ve had people go out and you can see the central unit is off, and that’s either because they were put off from doing it properly because it’s so difficult or they’ve tried their best, and it just wasn’t the easiest to do.

Fynn Valley Upgrade With Jacobsen

“With the swing out centre unit there’s no excuse anymore, it’s just like the front units, and you can get it to an easy position, so it’s a lot easier to do the job.”

The time Ian and his team have gained from using the new fleet of Jacobsen equipment is invaluable as they aim to continue raising the standards of the course, and the elevated cut performance and machine efficiency will be a large part of that.

Another factor that has helped efficiency away from the machines is the customer service Ian received from Adrian Kersey at Bartram Mowers and William Carr and Robert Hayward at Jacobsen.

Ian explained: “Since being at the club I’ve built up a strong relationship with Adrian who was the first person I’d call when we needed something for our fleet . Due to our aged inventory customer service was key and he was always quick to help us when we needed it which was very important for us.

“We also had Jacobsen’s help getting out of a few binds last year when we only had one fairway mower. They stepped in which really helped us out and kept our maintenance programme going.

“We needed investment, and thankfully we have it now. We’re in a position where everything we’re going to be using day to day is brand-new, and it’s nice to have that confidence with this Jacobsen fleet.”

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