Toro Lead The Way At Celtic Manor

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Toro Lead The Way At Celtic Manor: The latest Toro fleet, which includes greens, tees, fairways and rough mowers as well as utility vehicles, for Celtic Manor marks a relationship spanning a quarter of a century.

And the reason why is because Toro is “head and shoulders above the competition”, says director of golf courses and estates management, Jim McKenzie MBE.

Toro Lead The Way At Celtic Manor

“We originally chose Toro in 1993 because it was the only machinery manufacturer that could deliver us a full fleet of machines, or the closest to it anyway. That sums Toro up, it has always led the way and been market innovators, and that’s why the relationship has lasted.”

Machinery was replaced as and when, but in the main every three years from 1993 to 2008 when Jim decided it was time to agree to a five-year partnership agreement: “Toro and Lely, as Reesink was then, were our preferred suppliers for many years. And the timing was right to formalize the deal in 2008 with us hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010, to have the back up and support that being in such an agreement brings as we took on one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

“Our Toro fleet is as complete as it’s possible to be. We have literally hundreds of bits of kit. And the reason for that is because Toro holds its value and ages well. Toro is part of our image. They look good for many years, and as a result we tend not to sell on the older machines as we replace them. They continue working on estate developments and with the gardening team.”

And at Celtic Manor there’s always something over and above the usual to be getting on with! Whether that’s the redevelopment of all the courses, preparation for The Open and the Ryder Cup, or coming up soon assisting in the planting of thousands of trees around the £4.5 million International Convention Centre Wales which is currently under construction. As Jim says: “We had pretty much every bit of machinery involved in the redevelopment of the courses and the events, and the Workman in particular will be stepping up to the plate when it comes to the woodland management for the ICC. They’re so dinky and can get to all the places a tractor can’t.”

With so many machines at his disposal and his experience of using them over the years, is it possible to pick a favourite? Jim, who was awarded his MBE for ensuring the conclusion – with a helping hand from Toro! – of the 2010 Ryder Cup despite half of the average monthly rainfall landing on the Twenty Ten Course in just two days, says yes.

Step forward the ProCore 648 aerator. Favoured by Jim for its versatility across the three world-class Championship courses, the golf academy and the 9-hole municipal course Caerleon Golf Club: “The ProCore is excellent for all fine turf aeration applications. The club is built on old farmland and is well drained, and hollow coring with the ProCore helps ensure the ultimate condition of the turf.”

But it’s not just the machinery that counts, Jim says the partnership with Reesink and local dealer Ted Hopkins, is just as important: “There’s always been a really good synergy between us, Ted Hopkins, Reesink/Lely. It just works and has done so for 25 years!”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Powerline Services Purchase GreenMech Chippers

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Powerline Services Purchase GreenMech Chippers: Running GreenMech woodchippers since 1999, Powerline Services MLJ Ltd and Director Ben Jones have recently taken delivery of their latest additions, two ArbTrak 150’s. A loyal customer to the tracked units since GreenMech launched their first model in 2003, the new machines on their fleet effortlessly traverse all terrains reducing transport time and increasing productivity.

Herefordshire based Powerline Services offer safe, effective and efficient removal of trees and vegetation from powerlines – serving as a sub-contractor on the Scottish and Southern Energy, National Grid and Western Power contracts. “Our woodchippers are our core piece of machinery” explains Ben, “and for the majority of sites we’re operating on, the work calls for a tracked chipper. We’ve always had tracked units from GreenMech but as requirements and the type of materials we’re handling change, we’re constantly reviewing that our fleet is fit for purpose.” So impressed with the Arborist 150 road-tow chipper already on the fleet, the delivery of the two ArbTrak 150’s from Tallis Amos at the end of 2018 came without the need for a demonstration.

Powerline Services Purchase GreenMech Chippers

“The ArbTrak 150’s are a perfect size to handle the brashy material that makes up a large percentage of our projects. We can quickly and conveniently track them to the area of work meaning no time is spent transporting material to the chipper, therefore improving efficiency for my teams.” The highly manoeuvrable tracked chassis of the ArbTrak 150 provides high ground clearance of 274mm and a tracking speed of 3kph. Fitted with a 34hp diesel engine, it is a popular choice with contractors and those maintaining difficult terrain, requiring maximum traction and minimal ground pressure.

Not only are Ben and his teams on the road hugely impressed with the quality and performance of the woodchippers, they’re also reassured by the after-sales service. “We’ve had experiences with other manufacturers in the past where they offered us a good deal, but the support we received after we’d taken delivery was very poor. In my opinion the back-up support from GreenMech is unbeatable, and when you’ve got contracts to deliver on, that’s invaluable.”

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Avant Tecno Introduce New 800 Series

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Avant Tecno Introduce New 800 Series: The completely new 800 series from Avant Tecno is the largest and most powerful loader series from the Finnish manufacturer. It pushes the limits of compact loader’s performance with 1.900 kg lift capacity and 3,5 m lift height. Still, its dimensions – width 1,5 m, length 3,4 m, height 2,2 m and weight starting from 2.500 kg – and articulated design make the 800 series a very versatile and powerful compact loader.

There will be two models available to start with:

  • Avant 860i with Kohler KDI 1903 TCR 42 kW/57 hp common rail turbocharged diesel engine, EU Stage V and US Tier 4 final compliant.
  • Avant 850 with Kubota V2403 36 kW/49 hp diesel engine, destined for markets outside the scope of EU Stage V and US Tier 4 final emission standards.

Avant Tecno Introduce New 800 Series

Hydrostatic transmission with a hydraulic drive motor on each wheel together with two drive speed areas is a familiar feature of Avant compact loaders.  Max. drive speed of the 800 series is 30 km/h and auxiliary hydraulics oil flow for attachments is as high as 80 l/min.

Telescopic loader boom is standard feature on 800 series as well. The boom extends and retracts hydraulically 825 mm and gives a max. lift height of 3,5 m to the hinge pin. This enables loading on trucks with high sides, on mixer feeder wagons etc. – and unloading from high level. The hydraulic self levelling system keeps the load automatically level when lifting and lowering the boom.

The 800 series is equipped with Avant quick attach system for attachments – other systems like Euro 3 will be available as an option. The hydraulic hoses of the attachments are coupled with the multi connector, which allows easy connecting with a single hand movement – in all conditions.

Avant 800 series has a certified ROPS/FOPS open cab as standard, in addition an enclosed heated cab is available as an option. This DLX cab mounts on the chassis of the loader with anti-vibration mounts, which guarantees excellent noise and vibration isolation.  Efficient heating and ventilation and large windows further improve user friendliness. The DLX cab can be equipped with air conditioning as well.

The comprehensive Avant attachment range – over 200 attachments – is available for 800 series also. This makes the 800 a very versatile and useful machine for many different customer groups: landscaping, construction, property maintenance, agriculture, various material handling jobs etc.

Avant 800 series will be introduced at the bauma 2019 exhibition in Munich, Germany on 8.-14. April. Avant stand at the bauma is FN.1020/5.  Projected production start is in the fall 2019.

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WOLF-Garten Launch New POWER Cut Vario Lopper

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WOLF-Garten Launch New POWER Cut Vario Lopper: The task of cutting all types of tree branches has now been made easier thanks to the new WOLF-Garten POWER Cut Vario Lopper.

This innovative anvil lopper offers two cutting options; a small spread angle for quick cuts in tighter areas (Speed Cut), and a larger angle for thicker branches (Power Cut). The Speed Cut mode is a small opening angle of the handles which allows maximum exposure of the blade, enabling the tool to cut quickly.

WOLF-Garten Launch New POWER Cut Vario Lopper

The Power Cut mode is a wider opening angle of the handles, allowing maximum leverage to cut harder types of wood. Switching between the two modes is quick and simple, providing gardeners with maximum flexibility to tackle any type of branch, whilst reducing the strain on the arms and back.

The tool has been designed with lightweight aluminium tubes for easy handling and ergonomically shaped non-slip handles which ensure a comfortable grip for the user. The non-stick coated blades prevent sap adhesion and allow for clean and precise cutting with minimal force. Manufactured in Germany to the highest of engineering standards, this tool is equipped with a 10-year guarantee.

To view this product as well as the full WOLF-Garten range, visit its new website: www.wolfgarten-tools.co.uk

All WOLF-Garten products are available through leading garden centres nationally.

You can also find WOLF-Garten on Twitter at @WGGardentools and on Facebook by searching for WOLF-Garten Garden Tools.

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Versatility Key At Sitwell Park

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Versatility Key At Sitwell Park: Sitwell Park Golf Club in Rotherham has taken delivery of a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor and two attachments from Russell Group’s Groundcare Division. And versatility was a key reason for the purchase according to Course Manager Martin Hayward.

“It’s an incredible machine,” he said, “so versatile and it can do what other machines can’t do. We’ve purchased it with a Contour deck and a blower, which basically means we have two machines in one; three if you count the stump grinder attachment we have on loan from Russells.

Versatility Key At Sitwell Park

“We’re a parkland course situated in a valley with some severe undulations, so maintaining some of the slopes are an issue. Previously we’ve used strimmers in these high maintenance areas, but with a small team it takes a lot of man-hours and anything we can do to reduce that drain on resource is good and the Ventrac does just that.”

Sitwell Park Golf Club opened in 1913 with the support from local landowner, Sir George Sitwell, who offered part of his estate and agreed to bear the cost of building the course providing that a minimum of 100 members could be guaranteed by the time nine temporary holes were built. The club was a great success with over 100 members enrolling within a week and in May 1913 the club formally opened with over 200 members. With open countryside to the North, South and East, this was the first course Dr Alister MacKenzie built for a private client rather than for a committee.

Martin Hayward is a career greenkeeper, who has worked in Yorkshire for over 22 years. He entered the profession at Town Moor in Doncaster, moved on to Bawtry Golf Club after seven years and then to Hessle Golf Club. He joined Sitwell Park as Course Manager in April 2018 and leads a team of four dedicated greenkeepers.

“When I came here I identified a problem with shade on some of the greens, the 5th having the biggest issue, so we’re currently working on a programme of extensive tree removal to allow more light and increase airflow into these areas. Glen Sawyer at Russell’s kindly loaned us the stump grinder attachment and it has certainly impressed the lads. The Ventrac is certified to work on slopes up to 30 degrees and this has enabled us to get into areas that were previously not maintained. This will certainly help with the presentation of the course and I’ve already had positive comments from some of the members.

“I’m very lucky here having a supportive committee who have agreed to a planned replacement programme for our equipment. When we were looking at the Ventrac, all of my team were part of the decision-making process. To a man, they were all impressed and then it was just about making a business case for the committee to agree. It wasn’t that difficult as they quickly saw the versatility of the machine and how, in the long-term, we can add attachments at a fraction of the cost of buying a dedicated machine.”

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