Versatile TORO LT-F3000

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Versatile TORO LT-F3000: Nationally respected Countrywide Grounds Maintenance serves thousands of customers from 50 regional offices and has been leading the industry for over 25 years. With the challenge of keeping a vast range of environments looking their best all year round, the organisation has invested in the versatility of a Toro LT-F3000 triple flail mower.

This is a first-time Toro purchase for Countrywide Grounds Maintenance franchise owner Andrew Gilliar. Andrew explains that it feels like the machine has been perfectly designed to match his needs: “I’ve owned and operated mowers similar to this one for over 30 years, so there’s not many models in the market I don’t know, but it’s the first time I’ve demo’d the Toro LT-F3000. During the demonstration I was amazed by the versatility of the machine, which made it stand apart from any others I’ve used.”

Versatile TORO LT-F3000

He continues: “With such a diverse client list ranging from schools and councils to commercial estates, the LT-F3000 is designed to meet our current business needs. We needed a machine versatile enough to deliver a consistently good cut to sites of all shapes and sizes, regardless of grass type, grass length or weather conditions. This is what you get from the LT-F3000.

“It can deliver a 22-25mm cut on school playing fields and sports facilities and leave a nice finish with stripes. At the same time, the height of cut can be adjusted to suit longer rough cut grass sites, like council verges, industrial estates, or nature pathways. The latter can be cut on a cycle of 16 weeks, but the LT-F3000 will still cut through this grass easily and leave a good finish.”

With the grounds of over 104 schools across Suffolk and Essex to maintain, the machines in Andrew’s fleet must be able to keep up. The LT-F3000 certainly does that: it is in operation eight hours a day, five or six days a week.

 Andrew says: “We have a team of three using the triple flail and they absolutely love it. It’s comfortable and easy to maintain thanks to accessible service points. One operator said that ever since we invested in the mower, it’s been even more of a pleasure to come to work.”

When it comes to customer experience, Andrew’s has been seamless: “We haven’t come into contact with the aftersales service team yet as we’ve had no problems. Considering how quick and easy it was to order spare parts, plus the support we’ve had from Danny Lake [Reesink sales representative], I’m sure that Reesink would be there to help us should we ever need it,” he says.

And with another LT-F3000 on order it’s safe to say Countrywide’s Toro purchase has been a first rate success, with the LT-F3000 proving itself as a versatile mower – the perfect match for a versatile company.

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Galway Bay’s New John Deere Fleet

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Galway Bay’s New John Deere Fleet: Designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr, a former Ryder Cup golfer, Galway Bay Golf Resort at Renville near Oranmore is not a links course, but is described as ‘parkland by the sea’, with the stunning backdrop of Galway Bay and the rugged curves of the Atlantic coastline always in sight.

Earlier this year this championship course hosted the Carey Cup, a tournament that pitched Ireland’s best amateurs from the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) against some of those from the USA, representing the Metropolitan Golf Association of New York (MGA).

Galway Bay's New John Deere Fleet

The resort has also recently been recognised both on and off the course with two awards, one for Best Customer Experience Golf Course in Ireland at the 2017 IGTOA Awards run by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association, and Best Golf Club Restaurant in Connacht at the YesChef Awards.

Course superintendent Damien Coleman, who is the current president of the GCSAI (Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland), gained further special recognition for the club last year when he was one of three European greenkeepers selected by the R&A to join the team of 46 worldwide volunteers that worked at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

“The Olympics was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a great experience both for me and for the club, even though I was gone for three weeks at the height of the summer,” says Damien, who has worked at Galway Bay since 2008. “The director of the club Ronan Killeen was still very happy for me to go however, especially as it brought the course a lot of positive media attention.”

With the club approaching its 25th anniversary in 2018, it decided that its ageing John Deere course maintenance equipment fleet needed replacing. Many of the machines had been acquired over 10 years ago in the club’s first substantial deal with local dealer Mid West Mowers at Glasson, near Athlone in Co Westmeath, and Damien Coleman was happy to negotiate a new package with the same dealer.

“We’ve been dealing with Ger Conway of Mid West Mowers for a long time, so we’re very familiar with John Deere equipment and the service we can expect in this area,” says Damien. “Ronan Killeen quickly accepted that the existing fleet was getting too old, and so didn’t need much convincing that it needed replacing.

“At around the same time we were impressed by a John Deere regional presentation on financing new golf course equipment purchases so the idea gained some traction, and we eventually settled on a Bank of Ireland financed package deal in spring of this year, basically replacing like with like in the fleet. All the main machines needed upgrading to take advantage of the latest technology and warranty benefits, plus we had a preference for the selected machines over what else was available on the market.”

The new package included two John Deere 7500A PrecisionCut fairway mowers, a 2653B PrecisionCut tees & surrounds mower, three TX Turf Gator utility vehicles, a 2030A Pro Gator and a 3045R compact tractor equipped with an H165 front loader.

“We’ve always had John Deere tractors, as they’re very reliable and long lasting, and they’ve certainly stood the test of time on this course – we have a 5415 utility tractor and a 3720 compact from the original deal, and they’re still going strong. Earlier this year I also attended a machinery demonstration at Dromoland Castle Golf Club in Co Clare, where I saw the new A Model mowers working for the first time, and on the back of that we decided to include the 7500A fairway mowers in the deal,” adds Damien.

“I was particularly impressed with what this mower’s smart technology can do, using the programmable TechControl display. We always set it to suit the conditions, especially in the summertime when the grass is quite heavy and we like the operators to slow down a little, to give a consistent finish.

“Our equipment manager Jonathan Stace also keeps all the kit in very good order. We maintain a small stock of parts at the course, but if we need anything, we know we can order it today and have it delivered tomorrow – the John Deere and Mid West Mowers parts service is excellent in that respect.”

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

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Williamwood Get Ahead With Terra Spike GXi8 HD

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Williamwood Get Ahead With Terra Spike GXi8 HD: For several seasons Williamwood Golf Club had their sites set on a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD deep aerator. This autumn, a well subscribed winter membership initiative finally made it a reality for the Scottish course.

“Increased demand for winter play heightened the need to keep the course open,” said Course Manager, Gerry Bruen. “The Wiedenmann is our tool of choice to make that happen.”

Williamwood Get Ahead With Terra Spike GXi8 HD

The James Braid designed parkland course is nestled in the outskirts of south Glasgow.  Gerry Bruen and his team of five greenkeepers cope valiantly with above average rainfall to deliver a consistently high standard of surface.

“Everything about the GXi8 HD confirms how aerators have moved on. Set up takes minutes and not a morning. The depth and heave settings are tool free and can be set in seconds.  You just adjust them to suit the conditions on the day. The machine has several shock absorption systems so there’s no shock transfer to the operator or tractor. Basically it’s just getting the gearing and speed right and off you go.

“We’re out and back within the weather windows. Last year to do one of the wider fairways took a full day and a half.  Now it’s done thoroughly in less than one. Crucially our members are benefiting with less disruption.

“After nine weeks we’re almost two full months ahead of where we would be normally with prep for next season. We haven’t allocated extra time. Aeration for us has become an altogether smarter operation.

The 1.8 metre wide is Wiedenmann’s most popular Terra Spike, the access–all-areas status giving it the versatility to take tees, greens and fairways in its stride.

“Everywhere is scheduled for at least two passes before spring but key areas are earmarked for more. Never before could I have contemplated some of the fairways receiving three visits. In the coming months we will hollow core a few select spots to open the surface even further.”

Alan Jack, Area Sales Manager (West) for Fairways GM, Wiedenmann UK’s dealer in Scotland said:

“Gerry knew exactly what he wanted. The GXi8 HD had his name on it from the start so our involvement has been to help him and his team become familiar and use the machine to best effect. His team is powering through so next season he’ll really be able to see a difference especially to his fairways.”

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

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Reach For The Top With Echo

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Reach For The Top With Echo: Safety is a great consideration when cutting high hedges, so dispensing with the need for ladders, steps and platforms is good news. The ECHO HCA-265ES HD articulating hedge cutter is the newest addition to the ECHO range and offers an overall length of 2446mm (cutting length – 536mm), making it ideal for cutting tall or wide hedges without the need for a platform or ladder. Operators can adjust the angle of the cutting head with one hand, helping to reduce downtime for repositioning. The cutting head also includes nine cutting angle presets through 135° for maximum versatility. 

Looking over this new hedge cutter it’s easy to see why ECHO has become a world leader in the development of hand-held power equipment for professionals. Clearly the designers understand the requirements of the applications and optimise performance, durability and ergonomics. In other words, ECHO has considered the environment in which the machine will be used, and the job it will be doing with no compromise to quality. The HCA-265ES HD features a heavy duty magnesium gear case with needle bearings caged in the cutting head, providing added durability and less downtime. The cutting head itself can be folded 180°, making it easier to transport and store between jobs – ideal for the professional user. The hedge cutter also features triple edged blades and a faster cutter speed stroke rate – 4696 (1/min). This effective combination provides a faster slicing, cutting action, ensuring a clean and tidy finish. The blades on the cutting head are nickel-plated and laser-cut for long lasting sharpness, helping the HCA-265ES HD to tackle a variety of different hedges.

Reach For The Top With Echo

The HCA-265ES HD features a powerful 25.4cc professional grade engine, capable of tackling the toughest of jobs. There is also an Easy Start system which allows the user to start the machine faster and with little effort. The shaft grip handle has been ergonomically designed, with the controls grouped close together for ease-of-use, better manoeuvrability and control. A tool-less air filter cover allows for easy access even with gloves on, making it easier to clean the air filters while the commercial-grade felt air filter helps to keep dust and debris away from the engine, ensuring longer service intervals and better engine performance. All of which adds up to reduced down time in maintenance, leaving the professional more opportunities for increased productivity and able to take on extra jobs. Take a look at the ECHO range and one thing overall is apparent. ECHO only builds equipment to one standard and that’s professional. ECHO tools are hardworking, tough, durable and dependable, and an exemplary two-year professional warranty shows this. Find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer.

You can also visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 0800 597 7777 for more information.

For more information go to www.echo-tools.co.uk/shop/hedge-trimmers/hca-265es-hd/

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MClassic Hydraulic Loaders Introduced

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MClassic Hydraulic Loaders Introduced: Distributor AgriArgo UK has introduced a front-end loader for the new McCormick X2 Series compact tractor line-up with mechanical parallel linkage fitted as standard for ease of use and added safety.

The McCormick MClassic 25 loader adds to the versatility and usefulness of the 43hp, 47hp and 54hp mechanical drive X2 Series tractors, giving them the ability to load and re-handle materials from manure and feed to gravel and soil, or to lift bales, pallets and small bulk containers.

MClassic Hydraulic Loaders Introduced

“The X2 Series tractors – which replaced our GM models – are small but durable machines that are often used as scraper tractors on dairy farms and for different paddock management and grounds maintenance applications,” says Ray Spinks, general manager and sales director.

“With a loader fitted, the little tractor becomes even more useful, especially as it can get into buildings and other locations that are denied to larger, more powerful tractors and handlers.”

With a lift capacity of 740kg from the ground to the full lift height of 2.60m, the McCormick MClassic 25 loader will typically handle a 530kg payload (measured from the load centre) when equipped with a multi-purpose bucket.

To minimise the risk of spillage back on to the operator – especially important on X2 tractors without a cab – mechanical self-levelling of the attachment is fitted as standard.

“This feature also makes the loader easier to use, of course,” notes Ray Spinks. “Once the bucket or fork has been crowded back, it will remain in the chosen position as the loader arms are raised.”

A quick-attach faceplate makes it easy to switch between different implements and a hydraulic third service is installed for operating attachments such as a muck fork with grab or a four-in-one bucket.

Boom and implement carriage movements are controlled by a cable joystick, making it easy to manipulate the loader and position it accurately.

The lack of joint welds in the loader’s one-piece curved arms adds to the durability of a design that, in its lowered position, keeps the attachment as near the front of the tractor as possible for compactness and good lift performance.

And the matching shape of the combined parallel linkage arms and tip/crowd cylinders not only gives the loader a neat appearance but also ensures the best possible forward visibility.

Two drop-down legs, and quick-attach mechanical and hydraulic couplings, make it easy to remove and mount the MClassic 25 loader, which is available with a selection of performance-matched attachments.

The McCormick X2 Series tractors come with a 12×12 or 16×16 speed transmission, synchro shuttle, and four-wheel drive with a rear diff lock and front limited slip differential.

They can be had with an open operator’s platform and ROPS roll-over protection or with a fully enclosed cab to provide added comfort in all weather conditions.

The new loaders can also be fitted to their predecessors in the McCormick range, the GM Series tractors.

McCormick MClassic 25 loader for 43-54hp X2 Series tractors
Lift height to pivot pin 2.60m
Height beneath level bucket 2.40m
Dumped bucket clearance 2.05m
Dump angle – full height 50deg
Crowd angle – ground level 46deg
Lift capacity – full height 740kg
Payload – multi-purpose bucket 530kg
Standard equipment includes mechanical parallel lift, cable joystick control, quick-coupling hydraulic hoses, quick-attach latches, drop-down parking legs.

For more information go to mccormick.agriargouk.co.uk

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