Graden CSI Helps St Augustine’s GC

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Graden CSI Helps St Augustine’s GC: At more than 100 years old, Kent’s St Augustine’s Golf Club has changed a lot over the last century and is now far from the grazing land that once occupied its 60 acre site. However, the pop-up greens, on original clay soil, used to cause Head Greenkeeper Gary Kennington and his team a headache when it came to topdressing and drainage. That was until the club discovered the benefits of the Graden Contour Sand Injection (CSI) unit, which has helped to improve water dispersal and greens speed, all with minimum surface disruption.

“Though we’re not strictly a links course, as there’s a road between the club and the Kent coast, we do still have to deal with the climatic challenges our location brings” explains Gary. “One year in particular, going back now 7 years, the weather meant the usual tactic of tining and topdressing wasn’t getting sand down into the greens as well as the team hoped.  At the time the Graden CSI was a relatively new concept in the UK so we hired a unit and quickly realised that it could really help.”

Graden CSI Helps St Augustine’s GC

The Graden CSI is a 3-in-1 verti-cutter with the ability to aerate, scarify and remove thatch to any depth between 1mm-40mm, whilst simultaneously backfilling the grooves with either sand or a combination of sand and seed. Its ability to conduct multiple jobs in one pass reduces play downtime without causing any detrimental effect to the firmness of the ground. “With this CSI you’re getting the sand into the green, rather the putting it on the top, allowing you to get greens back into play in as little as half an hour.”

Gary and his team now use the CSI on all 18 greens twice a year and continue to see marked improvements. “From the very first use we reduced the thatch content of the greens and worked the sand down into the soil profile which helped with drainage and greens speed. With it being a pedestrian unit, we have great manoeuvrability and it means we can still go out and use it in conditions that may not always be ideal. Should we need that little extra advice or support we now have John Fitzpatrick of Charterhouse Turf Machinery who is great to have at the end of the phone.”

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Dutch Stadium Praises INFINICUT

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Dutch Stadium Praises INFINICUT: A renovation of stands at Holland’s De Adelaarshorst in 2015, saw the start of new opportunities for Go Ahead Eagles FC and its Head of Operations Ronnie Janssen. With its new capacity of just under 10,000, the stadium was one of the host venues for the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro Tournament, which is also where Ronnie had his first experience with the Cub Cadet INFINICUT® mowers. With the generous backing of the supporters club, they were able to purchase their own fleet of two INFINICUT® 34’s at the end of 2017.

Founded in 1902 and currently playing in the Eerste Divisie, the club has produced a number of notable players through its academy programmes, as well as giving a number of ex-players their first opportunities as trainers and managers. “When we were in preparation for the Women’s Euro’s, UEFA strongly recommended we mow by hand so we looked around at the world of pedestrian mowers” explains Ronnie who has been in his current role for 16 years. “Our club advisor had seen the INFINICUT® mowers in action at FC Utrecht so we hired two units for the duration of the tournament and our grounds team, lead by our Field Manager Branco, were very impressed.”

Dutch Stadium Praises INFINICUT

“With the fantastic results we achieved on the pitch, we were keen to buy our own following the event but didn’t have the money at the time. Our fantastic Supporters Association, who do a lot of great work for us, then came together and paid for two INFINICUT® 34” mowers” which were delivered in November 2017. “The battery powered operation is something we particularly like, as well as the fact you can also get a cassette system to fit, for a variety of turf applications.”

Ronnie, Branco and his team of volunteers achieved fantastic results with the mowers throughout the 2017/18 season, receiving top marks in the league for their pitch multiple times. “Since using the INFINICUT® we have not looked back – the machine operates in a new way to any other mower and has improved the quality of our pitch. We couldn’t have achieved this without the generosity of our Supporters Club so it’s really a big thank you to them.”

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New Makita Launches

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New Makita Launches: Makita continues to expand the range of cordless tools designed for the professional grounds maintenance industry, introducing new technical features and enhancing performance.

The new Makita DUR189Z 18v LXT linetrimmer, which replaces the popular DUR184L model, has a 240 watt output Brushless motor providing capacity to run the head at three selected speed settings.  Having the motor at the drive head improves the balance of the machine and eliminates the loss of power through the traditional drive shaft where the motor is at the operator end of the machine.  The DUR189Z linetrimmer has the benefit of the innovative Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), where the revolutions per minute are automatically increased from between 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000rpm according to the density of the weeds and foliage being cut.  This allows for greater and improved energy saving, lower noise levels, optimum operation and user comfort.  A speed indicator is conveniently positioned on the control panel.

New Makita Launches

The lightweight design of this model has an operating weight of 3.3kg, including the LXT battery, soft grip handle and forward loop handle for maximum machine control.  The bent pipe shaft is adjustable in length and the foldable wire guard helps to reduce risk or damage to foliage, fences and ornaments.  The smaller protector allows a better view of the 300mm cutting circle.  Soft start, electric brake, reverse rotation and overload protection add to the efficiency of this new linetrimmer, which is available as a body only model.

Makita’s new DUR188LZ linetrimmer has all the features of the DUR189Z model, including ADT, with the additional advantage of a 2-part shaft so this model can be split in two for easy transportation and storage; a trigger switch with lock-off lever and a multi-functional control panel with speed and power indicators.  Again, this is a body only model.

Makita’s new DUM604Z 18v LXT grass shears will be a favourite too and replaces the hugely popular DUM168 model.  Fast, powerful and brilliantly handy, a compatible hedge trimmer attachment is also available that has a tool-less blade change.  The shear has a double blade action, a cutting width of 160mm, and a 3-stage cutting height adjustment from 15 – 25mm for really fine work.  With an ergonomically designed soft grip handle and light in weight at just 1.8kg, including the battery, user comfort is guaranteed while low noise emissions will ensure Sunday morning peace and quiet for family and neighbours.  This model is available as a body only.

The Makita range of outdoor maintenance and grounds care equipment continues to expand with innovative tools that excel technically, and are equally enjoyed by professional users and keen gardeners.

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Storm-Tec Appointed Polaris Dealer

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Storm-Tec Appointed Polaris Dealer: Carlow based Polaris dealer Storm-tec has been appointed exclusive Polaris ORV dealer for the Republic of Ireland. The dealership will be working with and managing a small sub dealer network that looks after all Polaris requirements in the Republic.

Since becoming a Polaris dealer in 2016 Storm-tec has greatly expanded their farming and countryside business and Dealer Principal Conor Gribbon reports high sales of the Polaris Ranger Diesel to the Irish Coast Guard, while the Polaris Sportsman is very much the popular machine with the agricultural community.

Storm-Tec Appointed Polaris Dealer

The dealership prides itself on selling only top quality equipment and working with world class brands. The Belfast branch has an in-house marine service centre and runs a Managed Service Solution for servicing and storing life jackets, dry suits and other marine wear. The branch has built an exceptional reputation supplying clients in the marine industry, including the Irish Coast Guard who now have forty-five Polaris Ranger Diesel models, Community Rescue Service, the Rivers Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland.

“We’re very pleased to become the exclusive Polaris ORV dealer for the Republic of Ireland,” says Conor, “and we’re confident in growing our Polaris business in the communities we serve. The Polaris range is extensive and ideally suited to the demands of our customers, our weather and the varying terrains that are a daily challenge, especially for the Irish Coast Guard and the Community Rescue Service. There is high praise for the ruggedness and dependability of the Polaris ORV vehicles.” Conor continued: “we were exceptionally pleased to be at this year’s Farm, Tractor and Machniery Trade Association (FTMTA) show last month with our newest sub dealer, Paddy Conroy. Together, we’re confident we’ve got the best competitive offering, solutions and after care services to match all needs throughout the island of Ireland.”

Polaris National Sales Manager, Ben Murray, says: “We have seen exceptional growth of our ORV business through Storm-tec in the Republic and equally have every confidence in their continued success as our exclusive dealer.”

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Dennis Razor Top Of The List

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Dennis Razor Top Of The List: After Richard Ayling, grounds manager at Merchant Taylors’ School, compiled a shortlist of new potential machinery to purchase, the Dennis Razor fine turf mower beat the competition to receive a unanimous vote from himself and his team.

The illustrious Merchant Taylors’ School in Hertfordshire has a glowing reputation for good reason. It boasts first-class results both in the classroom and outside on the magnificent playing fields.

Dennis Razor Top Of The List

The site in total including the prep school is approximately 280 acres and that comprises of 80 acres of sports fields on the main school site, 20 acres on the prep school site while the rest of it is made up of buildings, lakes, lawns and woodland.

In managing the maintenance and upkeep of this vast area, it is safe to say that Richard, who has been working at the school for nearly 23 years, certainly has his work cut out. He heads up a team of ten which consists of groundsmen and gardeners – all of whom play a vital role. Therefore, when it comes to purchasing new machinery, Richard insists that it must be a team decision.

“We were looking for something that was fairly simple to use, had easy height adjustment and a nice balance,” he says. “I took my staff to SALTEX in November last year and had a good look round the show to see what was on the market. We looked at various machines and drew up a shortlist. After a couple of demonstrations we were all in favour of the Razor.”

Superbly balanced and ideal for cricket pitches and other fine turf surfaces, the Razor features a 560mm (22in), 11 blade cutting cylinder for a perfect finish. An ultra-short wheelbase ensures easy manoeuvrability and excellent performance, even on undulating surfaces. The Dennis Razor encompasses the simple ‘no tools required’ click height adjusters for quick and easy operation, a feature which particularly struck a chord with Richard and his team.

Dennis Razor Top Of The List

“Its ease of use is the best feature and I particularly like the click system on the height adjustment setting. The Razor was exactly the machine we were looking for.”

Richard purchased four Dennis Razors – one for the school’s lawn areas and three for cricket pitch preparations. The team normally start using the Razor 8-10 days prior to a game taking place and Richard was quick to praise the machine’s quality of cut.

“For cricket preparation we use the Razor to cut down to 3-4mm but they are superb for trimming off the squares as well and they cut nicely at 15mm too. Ultimately they produce a fantastic finish on every occasion.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

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