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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SCH’s ‘D’ Turf Care System

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SCH’s ‘D’ Turf Care System: The SCH (Supplies) Ltd ‘D’ Turf Care System is a heavy duty range which is ideal for use on sports pitches or any other large areas of turf.

Various attachments are available including the Deep Mounted Slitter (ref DSM), the Mounted Deep Aerator (Ref DAM), the Hollow Tine Corer (Ref DHTC) the De-Thatching Rake (Ref DDTC)The Sorrel Roller (Ref DSR) and a version of the slitter that has individually replaceable tines, (Ref DSM2).

SCH's ‘D’ Turf Care System

The carrying frame (Ref DMF) is three point linkage mounted (category 1) and has a floating roller to push back divots without closing the penetrations made by the attachments. There is also a weight tray which is used to add weight for extra penetration or can be used to carry tools.

The Mounted Frame (DMF) which is essential is priced at £620.00 plus VAT. Attachments start at £690.00 plus VAT.

Another popular item in the range is the Combination Turf Groomer (Ref 4GCS) (See photograph)

It’s a three point linkage mounted, multi-tasking unit that will groom pitches prior to use or after play. A star shaped slitter bar pierces the surface and increases drainage, then a brush and rake bards tickle over the surface enhancing the quality and appearance of the turf. A rear roller then firms up the surface and provides much admired striping.

All three tools on this all-in-one unit are independently adjustable for depth and pressure.

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New Müthing Mulcher

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New Müthing Mulcher: Available from May 2018, Muthing say their new MU-Collect Vario mulcher offers professional grass cutting and mulching technology for landscaping applications. Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Muthing range, says “The new MU-Collect Vario gives you both possibilities; an optimal mulching result and perfectly tidy surfaces. It is available in working widths of 1.4 and 1.6 m for mechanical driving powers of 20 to 40 hp, and hydraulically driven with 30 to 70 l/min. The M-Vario is able to achieve the best possible mulch quality and shredding performance, while also increasing the load capacity for the carrier vehicle, thanks to an optimised intake and housing form and the ability to steplessly adjust the shredding rates at the cutting bar”

The optimal accessibility of the MU-Collect Vario allows the user to quickly change the implement between the collecting and the mulching functions. A feeder auger brings the mulch material together to ensure reliable operation even under high throughput levels. The special delivery chute prevents blockages due to material backup or full containers. The mulch material can be ejected or drawn in either centrally or on the right (viewed in the direction of travel) depending on the particular vehicle being used. This allows the implement to be mounted just as easily on large mowers as on compact tractors. Various mounting consoles for support arms as well as a coupling triangle in Cat. 0 and 1 are available.

New Müthing Mulcher

The MU-ollect Vario mulcher is equipped as standard with a full-length wear insert, durable Hardox wear runners and the tried-and-tested carbide M-shackle flails. Scarifying blades are also available for the implement. These cut up and aerate the matted layer in the root crown area to improve the soil structure in the long term. An optionally available operating hours counter and screw-in wear parts round off the product.

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Goodwood Returns To Toro

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Goodwood Returns To Toro: Goodwood has returned to Toro as it continues in its ambition to develop a ‘super fleet’ for its 12,000-acre estate based in Sussex.

The last time we caught up with Phil Helmn, general manager of sports turf and grounds at the all-encompassing Goodwood, he had taken delivery of a fleet of Toro fine turf machinery for The Downs and The Park golf courses in 2015 and said it signalled the start of a more structured approach to machinery operation.

Goodwood Returns To Toro

True to his word, we’re back in touch with Phil as he receives his six latest Toro purchases, all grounds machines to take care of the estate gardens, grassed lawn areas, the motor circuit, airfield and horse race course.

Phil says: “Since I joined Goodwood four years ago, it has been my intention to make the estate 100 percent Toro. It made good business sense to follow up from our fine turf machinery deal and develop the relationship with the brand. It’s far easier to deal with one supplier and share resources.”

Such a large enterprise as Goodwood comes with a wide set of challenges and having a Toro ‘super fleet’ enables three mechanics to become Toro-trained to a high standard to limit sub-contracting and out-sourcing. The estate will also now carry a range of parts for the equipment it operates to “drive efficiency”, says Phil, and allow for an instant response to any issues.

It makes sense then that included in the order of three Groundsmaster 3500-D mowers, a Groundsmaster 4300-D, two Groundsmaster 5910 mowers, and two UTVs – the GTX and MDX-D, is the new MyTurf servicing system.

The Pro fleet management program, myTurf, operates by automatically recording how long the machines have been in operation and how many hours they have accrued when they re-enter the maintenance facility and pass a sensor at the door. This allows the mechanics to calculate preventative maintenance and replacement parts needed, and machine history can be accessed by simply logging in to the system on a computer.

Phil says: “Fleet maintenance is crucial to the performance of the machines, and this is a much slicker way of keeping on top of that.”

Phil says the demonstrations required to make sure the machines he chose were relevant for the different areas, complementing wide ranging criteria, wasn’t actually as complicated a process as one may expect. “We performed due diligence with demos, but the process of deciding which grounds machines to get was actually pretty straightforward. When you know and trust a brand the decision-making becomes easy. For this recent order we opted for rotary mowers. The floating decks eliminate scalping and the rear rollers provides a really good striping effect. The finish is excellent.”

This latest Toro order is the culmination of a few years work for Phil, assessing how best to manage such a large estate and team. He says: “Having one big fleet has brought our four teams of 35 gardeners, groundsmen and greenkeepers together, to share techniques and skills according to the different environments they are using the machines on.

“Back in 2015, when the fine turf fleet arrived, my priority was to ensure the entire Goodwood enterprise was maintained to the same exacting standards. I have used Toro for most of my career and personal experience tells me it’s a quality product and will not let me down. The fact that I can now extend the same standards to the grounds here at Goodwood means we can deliver the best results possible across the entire 12,000 acres.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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STIHL’s Chainsaw Of The Future

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STIHL’s Chainsaw Of The Future: The new STIHL MS 500i is the first chainsaw in the world with electronic fuel injection and a never-before achieved power-to-weight ratio.

With the MS 500i, STIHL presents the world’s first standard chainsaw with electronically controlled fuel injection, consolidating its position as a technology leader.

STIHL's Chainsaw Of The Future

The STIHL injection technology (i) not only provides the chainsaw of the future with incredible torque, but also ensures rapid acceleration of the saw chain from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.25 seconds.

Thanks to the intelligent lightweight design, the MS 500i is also outstanding with the best ever power-to-weight ratio – 1.24 kilograms per kilowatt, an exemplarily low value never achieved before by series-manufactured chainsaws.

Together with the many additional design optimisations, there is a substantial increase in operator comfort. The reduction of gyroscopic forces provides the 80 cm³-class high-performance professional saw with dynamic manoeuvrability, which is a particular advantage during limbing. This makes the professional big timber harvester easy to handle in all disciplines – from felling to cutting to length.

The MS 500i has exceptional starting behavior and provides optimum engine power right from startup. The engine does not need a carburetor, since the fuel metering is done using a sensor, and automatically adapts to the different operating conditions, no matter what the altitude and ambient temperature.

A preview of the new MS 500i will be given at the Arb Show, Westonbirt Arboretum from 11 to 12 May 2018. It will be available to forestry professionals worldwide from the beginning of 2019.

Due to the exceptional level of interest, the machine will already be available in selected markets, including Germany, in limited quantities in time for the 2018/19 season.

 The details at a glance:

  • First chainsaw with STIHL Injection
    Huge advancement in engine development. The MS 500i is the first ever series-manufactured chainsaw with an electronically controlled fuel injection system. The high-torque machine provides optimum engine power right from startup. It provides powerful performance and the saw chain accelerates extremely rapidly – from 0 to 100 km/h in just 0.25 seconds.
  • Best power-to-weight ratio of all classes
    The STIHL MS 500i is a lightweight within the ranks of professional saws. Thanks to intelligent lightweight design, as well as an extremely high engine power, it excels with an exemplarily low power-to-weight ratio at 1.24 kg/kW. This value is unique within all displacement categories.
  • Easy starting and sensor-controlled fuel mixing
    The MS 500i is very easy to start in all operating conditions, and automatically adapts to different locations of use. The sensor-controlled fuel mixing ensures that the mixture is adjusted optimally for the oxygen content in the air right from the first ignition.
  • Improved ergonomics and practical details make work easier
    The innovative flywheel with a reduced installation height and lower weight reduces the gyroscopic forces that arise during operation. Together with the low overall weight, the resulting dynamic swiveling behavior of the machine, which is a particular advantage for limbing, makes the ideal guidance of the tool along the trunk easy.
    This is also supported by the new bumper spike geometry. The raised plunge bar on the fan housing – parallel to the axis of symmetry of the guide bar – makes directional control and tool guidance easier when plunge cutting. Captive nuts on the chain sprocket cover make changing the chain straightforward. Professional big timber harvesting – from felling through cutting to length to limbing – is a simple task with the new professional saw.

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

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