New Grinders At Sandy Lodge GC

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New Grinders At Sandy Lodge GC: Sandy Lodge Golf Club in Hertfordshire has reaped the benefits both on and off the course of the Foley United Accu-Master 653 and Accu-Pro 673 grinders.

The club is one of England’s finest golfing establishments and has regularly hosted the Regional Open Qualifying Rounds from 2015 and will do so until 2019, as well as being a recent venue for the English Women’s Senior Open.

New Grinders At Sandy Lodge GC

Head greenkeeper, Richard Elderfield, along with mechanic, Peter Cook, knew their previous grinders were coming to the end of their useable life and both had a strong desire to bring relief grinding to the club because of the overall benefits it has for the plant and the machines. But, Peter quickly realised the Foley models had other features that would streamline his operation and make for a better work environment.

“Although relief grinding was our first priority it wasn’t the only aspect that attracted us to the Accu-Master 653,” Peter explained. “We also like the enclosed cabinet on the cylinder grinder with the noise and dust protection it offered and we found the set-up of both grinders to be quick and easy, especially with the 653’s built in training programmes.

“Grinding is very important to us when it comes to the health of the course and the machinery. The quality and cleanness of cut will determine the smoothness and speed of the playing surface and it helps prevent turf infections and diseases.

“Relief grinding has made a lot of difference and the mower manufacturers also recommend it. We tend to put a lot more top dressing on our greens now and the relief grind allows the excess sand to be cleared away, so it’s not wearing the cylinder down and going off cut as quickly. It also means we have less potential contact between cylinder and bedknife therefore less heat build-up as there’s reduced contact area with the bedknife, so it makes the mower a lot more efficient overall.”

Talking about efficiency Peter adds, “We also see this in the grinders, as both machines are fully automated, with auto-start, traverse, infeed and shut down built in to the grinding programmes alleviating any need for any human input between phases.  We can have both grinders running at the same time allowing us to carry out other tasks therefore saving more time.

“I can now grind far quicker than before. If I’m doing a 5 head fairway machine once you set the 653 for the first unit it will then be set for the remainder.

“It’s easy to access the machine and I have a winch to lift the reels in and out which makes the entire process easier. There is also an option of a lift-table if you prefer.

The automation is a huge benefit and as we are limited for space in my workshop and with the 653 being fully enclosed means there is very little noise coming from the grinder, allowing me to comfortably work close by.

“I thought I would struggle with the relief grinding as I had never done it before, but the training was excellent, and I picked it up very quickly”

Both Peter and Richard have been impressed by the quick and reliable service they have received from Ian Robson of ProSport UK, the Foley United importer both throughout the purchasing phase and the aftercare.

ProSport UK focus strongly on aftercare with an emphasis on supporting their customers and training them how to operate grinders they may not be familiar with. All geared to getting the best out of their new machine as quickly as possible.

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Standards Maintained at Ladybank

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Standards Maintained at Ladybank: Designed originally by Old Tom Morris, Ladybank Golf Club is a rare thing in Fife, enjoying as it does a reputation as one of the finest inland layouts based in Scotland and providing a classic heathland challenge to golf lovers away from the sea.

Recently ranked #2 in Great Britain’s Top 100 Courses under £100 by National Club Golfer magazine, Ladybank is established on the Fife Open Championship Qualifying Trail, and has hosted final qualifying on seven occasions since 1978 for the Open Championship played at St Andrews. It was also a qualifying venue in July for this year’s Senior Open Championship on the Old Course.

Standards Maintained at Ladybank

Managing secretary Gordon Simpson joined the club over two years ago and carried out a comprehensive assessment of the whole club and course set-up. He knew the course and its quality from playing regularly in qualifying tournaments as a PGA professional, and immediately recognised that the combination of an ageing machinery fleet and increasing repair bills meant a replacement policy needed to be implemented.

Gordon therefore asked the six-strong greenkeeping team led by course manager Colin Powrie and head greenkeeper David Gray to put together a wish list of new machinery from scratch, that would help them to maintain the golf course to the required high standard. As a result, the club has made its first ever John Deere fleet purchase, with equipment supplied by John Deere dealer Double A of Cupar in Fife.

The new machines include a 7500A fairway mower with TechControl display and smaller QA5 cutting units, a 4049R compact tractor, a Pro Gator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 low-profile amenity turf sprayer and two 220SL walk-behind greens mowers.

“We conducted the usual tender process and gave the different manufacturers a list of the priority kit we required to replace the older machines,” says Gordon. “Double A and the dealership’s golf specialist John Bateson were superb throughout the process, both in supplying demonstration machines throughout 2017 and in their overall level of service, support and advice to help us develop the golf course in the way we wished.

“The process was admittedly a lengthy one but the ongoing feedback we had from the membership was invaluable to me in the decision-making process, particularly with regard to the high levels of presentation and finish right across the course. This ultimately showed us that the quality of cut from the John Deere machines was far superior and sharper looking.”

“We have quite undulating fairways, so the smaller QA5 cutting units on the fairway mower suit our terrain very well by getting easily into the dips and hollows,” adds Colin Powrie. “The new hand mowers are used on the 1st and 18th tees and the collars, so these are now nicely striped up for better presentation.”

Gordon Simpson admits John Deere would not have been his original number one choice, having never done a deal with the company before in his previous roles. However, he is now happy to state that everything the club experienced over the 20-month process of choosing a new supplier proved that he wanted to partner with John Deere as a brand and Double A as a local business.

“With the volume of kit that had to be replaced, it was always the case that the club would need to spread the investment over several years to make it more manageable,” says Gordon. “With all the work they put into the tender, John Deere and Double A simply stood out a mile, and we knew this was the manufacturer and dealer we wanted to partner with.

“We were looking for a long-term relationship with our supplier, which is why it took us so long to make the decision, but we certainly feel that we’ve picked the right route for us and our ambitions for the club.”

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.co.uk

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Vincent Tractors Expand Into Devon

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Vincent Tractors Expand Into Devon: Vincent Tractors & Plant, a Cornish Kubota Dealership, is expanding into Devon and opening two new branches in Holsworthy and Smithaleigh.

The two new branches will focus on the full range of Kubota equipment – agriculture, groundcare and construction.  The Head Office for the expanded company will remain at Fraddon, with both of the new sites having a sales, parts and service departments offering customers local support.

Vincent Tractors Expand Into Devon

Paul Vincent, Managing Director of Vincent Tractors & Plant said “This is an incredibly exciting time in the company’s history.  Two of my sons, Nick and Alec have joined the company to help implement this expansion.  Nick being responsible for construction sales in Devon and Cornwall initially and Alec as our Financial Manager”.

“Over the past 52 years we have dealt predominantly with customers in Cornwall.  The opening of the two new branches will allow us to offer our award-winning level of expertise and customer service to customers in Devon.  Richard Felton will cover the new area for agricultural sales, while John Scott and Trevor Readwin will cover groundcare in the south and north respectively”.

Rob Edwards, Kubota’ Business Development Manager for Agriculture, said “We are very pleased to be working with Vincent Tractors & Plant on their expansion.  Paul and his team have a great reputation in Cornwall as a dealership that provides quality equipment and service to their customers.  We aim to help them bring this to Devon through the utilisation of our latest machinery and excellent aftersales support”.

The opening of the new depots will enable Vincent Tractors & Plant to supply and service Kubota’s complete range of high quality and innovative agricultural equipment to Devon’s farmers. This includes the recently launched flagship M7 range up to 170hp, as well as the extensive range of agricultural implements.

Kubota’s groundcare range includes walk behind, ride-on, out-front and zero turn mowers, as well as its industry leading compact tractors and its durable and rugged RTV utility vehicles.  Kubota’s range of BX Series, B1 Series and B2 Series sub-compact tractors are perfect for the Devon market as they are leaders in innovation, reliability and value for money.

Kubota’s excavator range, from the micro K008-3 (800kg) to the KX080-4 (8 tonne), continue to dominate the construction market with quality, performance and reliability.  This is a very important market to Kubota and Vincent Tractors & Plant welcomes customers both old and new to our Devon depots.

Vincent Tractors & Plant commenced trading in Devon as from 1st September 2018.  The official opening of the two new branches will be later in the year.

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Performance And Longevity From Simplicity Products

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Performance And Longevity From Simplicity Products: Known for delivering mowing perfection, and this year is no different. Simplicity tractors are built to last with durable components, you can enjoy the experience further with comfort, superior traction and several attachments to make your life easier, and in 2019 Simplicity is adding new features to its Tractors.

The Regent Side Discharge Line UP is powered by Briggs & Stratton V-Twin engines, the NEW SLT260 is fitted with full width rollers, 15” contoured seat and Tuff-Torq® K46 transmission. Delivering the ultimate in all-round cutting performance.

Performance And Longevity From Simplicity Products

Simplicity rear discharge tractor is now available with front and rear suspension, introducing the SRD360, fitted with a 102cm/42” deck, Tuff-Torq K46 transmission and a 350 litre collector, a mulch kit is also included.

New to the Zero Turn range is the SZT275 rear discharge model, fitted with half baffles and eliminator blades for mulching, a full baffle kit is available. SZT250 and SZT350 models are fitted with rear rollers, and front and rear suspension.

Easy to use controls, great traction and durable cast made for a lifetime without worries. Choosing Simplicity is about making the right decision.

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Groundsman Industries Ready For SALTEX

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Groundsman Industries Ready For SALTEX: Groundsman Industries have lined up three products from their range that are more than worthy of special attention at the Saltex exhibition. The Northern Ireland manufacturer has a worldwide reputation for durable, high performance equipment and the latest machines affirm this. The Groundsman Turf Multi-Cutters are renowned for their smooth, effortless cutting ability, ease of use and operating comfort. Features and benefits which become obvious within the first few feet of operation.

The two-wheel drive model, the TMC26, is simple to operate and portable, making it ideal for landscapers, contractors and hire outlets, with the cut quality to work in fine sports turf as well. There’s a range of interchangeable sod cutting blades available from 30cm (12”) to 60cm (24”) wide that are adjustable down to 7cm (3”) deep. These are complemented with blades for mole draining, de-compacting, trenching and cable and pipe insertion, down to 15cm (6”) depth. The precision cutting of the rear blade four-wheel drive model, the TMC46, makes it the choice of golf clubs and turf farms.

Groundsman Industries Ready For SALTEX

Groundsman offer a range of pedestrian and tractor mounting turf aerators ranging from 45cm (18”) to 180cm (6ft) working widths. Take the 345HD model and you have a compact, professional pedestrian machine that can access most garden gates and aerate all types of grass including gardens, parklands and fine lawns as well as sports greens. For larger areas the tractor mounting models are available for tractors from 18hp. Rugged, durable and low maintenance, this range has a proven record for reliability, performance and versatility. There is a crank driven elliptical plunge action mechanism that drives the tines into the most compacted surfaces, down to 15cm (6”) deep, with very little surface disruption. Quick change hollow core, solid and slitting tines are available together with tine heads for thatch removal or surface preparation for overseeding.

Also on display at Saltex, the Groundsman Flexblade Core Collector attaches to any aerator, pedestrian or tractor mounted with swath width from 60cm (24”) up to 210cm (83”) to enable you to core and collect in one pass. It’s also available for compact tractors and turf vehicles for follow-up collection of cores and linear aeration soil. The patented Flexblade core collector system was developed by Groundsman Industries and is the most efficient method of collecting cores, wet or dry, with minimum disruption. Attached to an aerator the Flexblade catches more than half the cores before they touch the ground. The remainder are scooped cleanly from the surface by the Flexblade that follows undulations like shovels, for the cleanest possible collection. The holes remain open for top dressing. Trampling and surface disruption are minimised and the greens are quicker back in play. Visit Groundsman Industries at Saltex on Stand No. K078

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