Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws

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Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws: Makita chainsaws are renowned amongst forestry professionals for power, performance, reliability and great value.  The new Makita DUC355Z and DUC405Z twin 18V Brushless LXT Chainsaws supply energy to the powerful 36V DC motor drive system inherent in these models.  Combining the power and market-leading features that the industry has asked for, these new chainsaws are expected to be well received.

Compact and lightweight, these rear-handled chainsaws, with bar lengths of 35cm and 40cm respectively, can utilise twin Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries that generate a 1100 watt output to run the 3/8th inch chain over the 35cm and 40cm bars at up to 20 metres per second.  This exceeds the performance of Makita’s mains powered machines.  The Brushless motor ensures longer runtime, substantially greater power and overall lower maintenance.

Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws

Recognised as an industry benchmark these new models feature the main power switch with the Auto power-off function making them ultra-safe in use.  This function automatically turns the machine off, to protect the operator from unintentional start up should the switch trigger not be pulled for a period of a few seconds after the main power switch has been turned off.

Weighing 4.8kg, without batteries, these cordless machines feature a variable speed control trigger, electric chain brake, kick-back chain brake and battery protection circuit.  Sold as body only machines these LXT chainsaws have a constant speed control; adjustable automatic chain lubrication and oil capacity display, as well as a comfortable ergonomic grip and metal spike bar that enables a firm grip to the timber.

Both models feature captive nuts designed to satisfy industry demand.  This facility prevents loss of nuts when removing the sprocket cover to replace the guide bar, or saw chain, which greatly improves operator convenience and ease of use.

Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws

These powerful chainsaws provide the additional benefits of low noise in operation, low vibration of 5.3 m/s² for operator protection and comfort when cutting into wood, unbeatable charge times and zero emissions for improved environmental and sustainability qualities.

For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com.  Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk

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Salsco Greens Rollers A Timesaver

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Salsco Greens Rollers A Timesaver: A top golf venue has reduced greens rolling time by nearly a third after investing in leading-edge machinery.

Since purchasing two Salsco HP11-III greens rollers, The Royal Automobile Club has cut time devoted to the task from five and a half hours to three and a half hours daily, it reports.

Salsco Greens Rollers A Timesaver

“This is a massive reduction,” states Golf Course Manager Lee Strutt, who test-drove the machine on a visit to the Golf Industry Show in 2017. “The time saved frees up operators for other duties and that’s a major benefit.”

The HP11-III’s powerful Honda petrol engine delivers speeds up to 11mph, while three independently controlled rollers with 73in operating width cut a swathe through the time operators have traditionally taken for this aspect of greens upkeep.

“The rollers average five to six minutes a green,” explains Lee, who manages the 36-hole Championship Old and Coronation courses with a team of up to 26.  In his three and half years in post, Lee has rung the changes in cultural practices across the 36-holes of what is one of Britain’s most prestigious member clubs and the HP11-IIIs fit into that strategy.

His investment in the high-end rollers is delivering benefits for both the greens team and players, by improving presentation and playability.

“I had met Salsco’s owner on their stand at the GIS, tested the roller and liked it instantly but my biggest issue was that the team would be unable to try it first as it was important that they enjoyed using the machine,” Lee explains.

“The performance of the HP11-III gave me the confidence to buy and it was well-founded, as the team really like working with the rollers. We also use them after topdressing instead of brushing-in and the powered brushes ensure there is no debris build up on the rollers, so leaving a clean finish”.

“Dual drive oscillating rollers and articulated steering provide consistent roll to ground contact, which helps improve surface smoothness and trueness, all factors key to providing the level of quality our members expect.”

Salsco Greens Rollers A Timesaver

“Speed, productivity, robustness, build quality and ease of use, with strong dealer support, are all wins for us,” he adds.

“The HP11-III can cover a serious amount of green quickly, without compromising quality of finish,” confirms Peter Stanley, Sales Representative for sole Salsco UK distributor CLS Selfdrive.

Lee was aware of the roller from his US greenkeeping visits and could see the design and build quality could further improve the courses. The rollers would have a big impact on both the greens and time taken for rolling them, so was delighted when Salsco appointed CLS as UK dealer.

Since then, sales confirm the benefits the rollers offer hard-pressed greens teams. The club savings in green rolling time is particularly impressive when you consider that travelling between greens is the same, whichever brand of roller teams use. Rolling is a skill usually left to a particular team member but the Salsco opens it up to anyone.”

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City of Espoo Opt For Ransomes

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City of Espoo Opt For Ransomes: Espoo, the second largest city in Finland after Helsinki, has chosen Ransomes to maintain its extensive parkland areas as well as school and nursery green spaces. Local dealer J Trading supplied the new range of machinery.

The city chose the Ransomes MP653 XC and Jacobsen HR600 to maintain the 173-acres of land in Tapiola, a suburb of Espoo. The Ransomes MP653 XC is the world’s first and only wide area rotary mower with a 4.27m cutting width, increasing productivity by up to 25% (up to 2.5 acres/hr more) over traditional 3.4m mowers.

City of Espoo Opt For Ransomes

Merja Myyry, Head of Green Areas for the City of Espoo said:

“There are many green spaces in Espoo, and Tapiola in particular. It has become increasingly important to invest in machinery that can help us become more productive whilst still leaving a clean finish. Our new machines are perfect for the job.

“There are many trees in and around our parks, so being able to lift each cutting unit independently to navigate obstacles is ideal. We can adjust the machine with a click of a button to either have a wide or narrow cutting width. We have been very impressed with the durability and productivity of the new machines, and the operators find them easy to use and very comfortable.”

City of Espoo Opt For Ransomes

Espoo is exceptionally green for a city spanning 312km2. Forests occupy nearly 60 per cent, or 46,210 acres, of its land mass and are enlivened with bare cliffs and marshes. The City of Espoo employs 70 permanent employees in its green spaces department, with 10 of these in charge of maintaining the land in Tapiola during the summer months.

Commenting on the relationship with their local dealer, Merja said:

“The City of Espoo has had a strong relationship with our dealer J Trading since the mid-1980’s. We are confident that we are being supplied with the best machinery at the best price and have peace of mind that the back-up support is available whenever we need it.”

To find out your local Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, visit: www.ransomesjacobsen.com

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Elvaston Castle Choose Ransomes

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Elvaston Castle Choose Ransomes: Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire has chosen the Ransomes Highway 3™ for the Grade 2 listed surrounding gardens. The machine was delivered by local dealer Sharrocks.

Elvaston Castle Country Park is a 200-acre site maintained by Derbyshire County Council, by a team of six gardeners.

Elvaston Castle Choose Ransomes

Commenting on the new purchase, Landscape Chargehand Anna Morrison, said:

“After trialling a few different machines, myself and the team decided to opt for the Ransomes Highway 3. It’s a good size, it’s versatile and can get into those tight spaces.

“We use the machine to maintain the formal lawns around the castle, and it’s great because it can deal with different heights of cut very well which means it copes well in a variety of conditions, especially when it’s wet.

“I have been here for seven years now, and we have a very experienced team of gardeners; Paul Dimmock has been here for 29 years and Geoff Doncaster has been here for 43 years! This level of experience is priceless, so I listened very carefully to the feedback from the team when choosing which machine to purchase. We all thought the Highway 3 was the best for the job, so I felt very confident when it was finally time to place the order.

“The back-up support from Sharrocks has been brilliant. One of the most important aspects of buying new machinery is the service you receive from your local dealer. We couldn’t be happier with every aspect of the process, from the demonstration to the installation and training; everything has been first class.”

Derbyshire County Council purchased the estate in which the castle lies in 1968 and opening it in 1970 as one of the first country parks in England. Today, both the buildings and gardens are registered (grade 2 and Grade 2*) as being of special architectural and historical interest.

To find out more about Ransomes, visit: www.ransomes.com

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Charterhouse Launch OxyShot At BTME

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Charterhouse Launch OxyShot At BTME: Charterhouse Turf Machinery added the OxyShot into their aeration portfolio, launching the new machine at BTME 2019.

Produced in response to industry demand for a machine similar to the popular ‘Robin Dagger’ air-injection unit, Charterhouse’s new machine promises to relieve compaction, improve drainage and revitalise growth.

Charterhouse Launch OxyShot At BTME

Ideal soil conditions should comprise of 45% mineral, 25% water, 25% air and 5% organic matter. Any imbalance in any one of these components can result in the soil becoming inert, restricting growth or even killing the grass plant. For strong, healthy root formation and a free draining soil, maintaining a network of pores and fissures in the topsoil is essential.

The new OxyShot uses a single 25mm probe to inject air into the soil in four directions, at a pressure of up to 110psi and to a maximum depth of 500mm (20”). It can also be fitted with an optional 14mm probe, to reduce the working depth to 250mm. The compact, highly manoeuvrable pedestrian unit can be easily transported to the desired location or problem areas to lift the soil, thus relieving compaction and improving drainage without the need for chemical applications.

The OxyShot is an ideal tool in the armoury of Groundsmen and Greenkeepers alike and is ideal for use on high traffic, high footfall, areas including walkways, bunkers and greens. Perfect for ‘on the spot’ treatments, it is most effective when used in conjunction with other methods of aeration.

Commenting on it’s launch, Sales Manager Nick Darking said, “We are very excited to have added this machine to our range, further extending Charterhouse’s offering in the aeration market. The industry has been waiting for a machine of this type for quite a while and we look forward to getting out and showing it to customers over the coming months.”

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