DJUKE Purchase Ventrac 4500

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DJUKE Purchase Ventrac 4500: DJUKE, the specialist sports turf maintenance company, managed by former Queenwood course manager Cameron McMillan, has purchased a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor and a range of implements to bolster the company’s service portfolio to golf courses and other turf-related businesses. The new machinery package was delivered and installed by local dealer, RT Machinery, based at Nether Winchendon, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

Cameron McMillan, who was at Queenwood for 15 years through the initial construction phase, grow-in and the opening in 2001 until 2015, is one of the McMillian dynasty that has managed many prestigious golf courses in the south of England.

DJUKE Purchase Ventrac 4500

“We purchased the Ventrac to broaden our service offering to our growing client base,” he said. “Since establishing the company in 2015 we have become known as aeration and drainage specialists through our DryJect, Graden and PC Drainage franchises. We are now enhancing our range of services to help customers maintain everything within the boundary of their property,

“Our initial purchase included Ventrac’s ToughCut deck, the Power Rake and a Power Brush. Woodland management is a time-intensive task for any on-site greenkeeping team. The ToughCut deck is excellent for managing these areas; it can cut through bracken, brambles and young saplings with ease and leaves a very acceptable finish.”

“The Power Rake is very impressive. We had a demonstration on a foul day and it renovated the surfaces of machinery pathways and golf car paths with ease. The Power Brush is typical of Ventrac’s attachments, easy to connect to the tractor and highly efficient in use. I can’t believe how compact, powerful and manoeuvrable the Ventrac is, whichever attachment is connected.

“Without doubt this addition to our fleet will enable us to improve the non-playing surfaces for our clients and provide business opportunities that were not previously open to us. I’m delighted with the machinery package and the superb service provided by Rupert Price and his team.”

Cameron McMillan has been in the fine turf industry for 36 years, beginning his career as a trainee at Sunningdale in 1982. He moved to Liphook as head greenkeeper at the tender age of 21, before getting involved with his first construction project at Pffafing Golplatz in Bavaria in 1990. In 1992 he joined Laleham Golf Club in Chertsey as course manager, moving to Stockley Park before taking the position at Queenwood in 2000.

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Antonio Carraro Tractors In London

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Antonio Carraro Tractors In London: Grasslands are amongst the largest turf growing experts in the country completing jobs for the Natural History Museum, Kew Gardens, Bluewater and most recently, Leicester Square & the Tower of London!

They have been using Antonio Carraro Tractors since 1985 and have recently brought a brand new TTR 4400 from UK Importer- Kirkland UK. The multi-functional tractor comes with a 38hp engine and hydrostatic transmission.

Antonio Carraro Tractors In London

Head Landscaper, Paul Farmer has been working for Grasslands for over 15 years. He is ecstatic with their new TTR 4400:

“The reverse drive of the Antonio Carraro tractor is ideal for my line of work. Turning the seat round means I watch where I lay the turf without straining my neck giving me optimal vision.”

Simon Baxter, manager at Grasslands has dealt with Kirkland UK for years. He said:

“I chose to buy from Kirkland because they offered the right tractor at a good price and the sales service was excellent. Their after sales has been good, and we have always received the right advice plus our parts orders are all on time.”

Paul also said how the hydraulics on the reverse drive tractor are ideal for their jobs as it easily picks up their big rolls of turf measuring 12-15 metres and weighing 500kg allowing them to complete their tasks efficiently & quickly.

Antonio Carraro Tractors In London

Specially designed for ground care, the TTR 4400 can be fitted to a variety of attachments such as mowers, shredders, hedge cutters, sprayers and many more.

Paul is pleased with the versatility of the tractor:

“I would definitely recommend Antonio Carraro Tractors. as well as laying big roll, we also do prep work such as rotavating, levelling, ploughing- any job a big tractor can do, mine can do as well!”

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GreenTek’s Sarel Roller

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GreenTek’s Sarel Roller: After all the heavy rain we’ve had lately, it’s time to open up the surface of your greens! The Sarel Roller from GreenTek assists with irrigation by spiking the surface and creating thousands of holes for rainfall to fall into.

Its rear brush sweeps this water and dew down the holes and deep into the root zone. This leaves an open surface which drains freely.

GreenTek's Sarel Roller

The elimination of puddles and standing water on the surface helps get your greens back in play quickly. It also helps the grass dry faster, reducing the risk of fusarium to promote healthy turf.

As the season goes on and we start to see the warmer summer weather, the combination of dust and foot traffic will also cause the greens to become sealed.

This results in rainfall evaporating off without being absorbed into the root zone where it is needed. The Sarel Roller, by opening up the surface, prevents this happening.

Truly this exceptional bit of kit is a must-have for greenkeepers and groundsmen who want to maintain quality turf that breathes and drains, whilst allowing nutrients to be absorbed.

The Sarel Roller has a working width of 1.5m so it can cover a large area, and it has a weight of 138kg. Its rear brush has a working width of 1.5m with a weight of 8kg.

Use the Sarel Roller to:

  • Prick thousands of small holes through sealed turf surfaces
  • Brush and disperse surface water and moisture
  • Decrease use of wetting agents
  • Reduce risk of fusarium
  • Incrase germination rates by using before and after overseeding

All GreenTek products are covered by at least a 2 years parts and labour warranty for commercial use and 3 months warranty for hire use.

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New Polaris Ranger XP 1000

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New Polaris Ranger XP 1000: Polaris recently celebrated rolling the one-millionth RANGER machine off the production line – 2018 will mark two decades since the utility vehicle was introduced to the side-by-side line-up.

Developed with over one hundred-user inspired improvements, the all-new Ranger XP 1000 sets a new standard for what a utility side-by-side can do. The model boasts class leading power (82hp) and torque (61lb-ft), industry-leading towing (over 1100kg) and ground clearance (330mm) – making it the hardest working, smoothest riding side-by-side built.

New Polaris Ranger XP 1000

Featuring the proven ProStar 1000 Twin Cylinder engine, the Ranger XP 1000 features a new one-piece frame providing improved chassis stiffness and automotive levels of refinement, with a redesigned interior to provide more storage and capability. The RANGER also has a tighter turning radius and more precise steering.

Bold and aggressive new styling on the outside, developments continue on the inside of the cab too. Dual-Sweep analogue dials and a 4” LCD Rider Information Centre provide comprehensive information to the driver, while thicker seat foam provides better comfort. Practicality is boosted too with 51 litres of secure in-cab storage including a flip-up passenger seat and double glove box.

Rene Basei, Polaris EMEA Vice President, commented, “Polaris is constantly innovating and looking for ways to improve customer experience. A big part of the development process comes from listening to and integrating customer feedback into new products – the new RANGER XP 1000 is a fantastic example of this. Feedback from those who have tested it has been extremely positive and we’re sure our customers are going to think the same.”

Polaris Engineered accessories are available for the XP 1000 and with over 200 available, owners can be sure that there are parts and accessories to enable them to work longer or rider further.

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Increased Wiedenmann Fleet

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Increased Wiedenmann Fleet: South Wales contractors Peter Villars Sportsgrounds Maintenance (PVSGM) have doubled their aerator fleet. In January the Cwmbran-based family business added a Wiedenmann Terra Spike XD6 to their current Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD.

Director, Iestyn John said: “We need to cover lots of ground fast. Clients want you in and out so they can get on with their business. Even at speed the Wiedenmanns can be relied upon do a neat and tidy job.”

Increased Wiedenmann Fleet

Ahead of the season launching Easter meeting at Bath Race Course, PVSGM spiked the whole race course easily within a normal working day.

Iestyn working with his father, Steve John, said because of relentless poor weather it was the first occasion they had the machines in tandem.

“The Bath track is about 7 hectares. We started in the home straight with the tractors facing separate directions.  Tine holders on the legs of XD are slightly further apart than the GXi8 so hole patterns weren’t strictly identical but matched closely. Both were set to 150 mm deep with heave at 10° as the roots are quite shallow and there’s a base of Cotswold stone beneath. We kept to a steady 3 km / hr.

“Last year the same job took us two days. Now with the extra Terra Spike when we see a weather window, clients will get the benefit. We can get the jobs done faster. “

PVSGM have been operating in South Wales and the South West for over 30 years. With several race courses on their books they also maintain and renovate bowls, tennis rugby, cricket and football surfaces as well as helping a host of synthetic customers.

For more information, visit: www.wiedenmann.com

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