New Toro Deal At Moor Hall

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New Toro Deal At Moor Hall: The latest fleet of machinery at Moor Hall Golf Club has been curated to bring the club the latest technological developments, tackle particular environmental considerations and make specific improvements.

Course manager Wayne Ganning at the club based in Sutton Coldfield created a wish list and with the help of Reesink Turfcare and dealer Redtech Machinery now has a fleet he can rely on to produce results, make savings and implement a more responsible course management programme.

New Toro Deal At Moor Hall

The fleet features two of Toro’s latest UK launches – the brand new GreensPro 1260 and the GeoLink Precision Spray System, the industry’s first turf-based spray system – and 15 greens, tees and roughs mowers, top dressers, aerators and UTVs vehicles.

Wayne says: “Despite being a 100 percent Toro club, this is actually the first fleet we’ve brought in. Our machinery replacement programme for the last decade has seen us bring in a couple of new machines a year, but this year I presented my colleagues Jon Lewis at Reesink and Graham Hall at Redtech with plan of what I wanted to achieve with the course and they pulled out all of the stops to make sure I got what I needed.”

In opting for the GeoLink, Moor Hall was one of the first clubs in the country to reap the benefits of precision spraying. GPS technology and a single nozzle level control means application is accurate to within 10mm. The system automatically turns individual sprinklers on and off based on the machine’s exact location and the boundaries set, and thus virtually eliminates waste. Wayne says of this decision: “We are making a concerted effort to be more environmentally friendly in our approach to course management. The GeoLink is a fantastic and effective way to do this. Not only do we make a difference to the amount of chemicals we’re putting on the ground, but there are significant savings to be made when there is far less wastage.”

Among the many technological improvements in the GreensPro 1260 is a hydraulic drive system. This replaces the hydro and chain drive and eliminates leaks and potential contamination of the grass as well as reducing the amount of maintenance required with chain drive systems. Wayne says this is already proving to be “more reliable and easier for the team to use”.

As for the rest of the fleet, the Groundsmaster 4700-D is cutting the roughs with two more units than the club’s previous mower and that’s making a big difference in terms of productivity, while the SandPro 5040 has won Wayne the thanks of the six-strong greenkeeping team: “The extra hydraulics on the front of the machine is making a huge impact on raking especially in inclement weather. It’s certainly saving our backs!”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Royal Dornoch Trusts Toro

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Royal Dornoch Trusts Toro: From back in 1616 to the present day, Royal Dornoch Golf Club’s reputation for golfing excellence has only increased over the past 400 years. Now considered to be one of the top golf clubs in the UK and amongst the best in the world, the traditional club stays ahead of the curve by bringing in the best technology available to maintain the courses ­– as proven by its second investment in Toro machinery.

Course manager Eoin Riddell explains why the club purchased Toro machinery: “We can’t get enough of Toro, it is by far the best turfcare machinery brand we’ve tried. On top of that, we have a great relationship with the distributor Reesink Turfcare and our dealer Gammies, where we are on a first-name basis with all the staff.”

Royal Dornoch Trusts Toro

The courses follow the remote links landscape and there to tame the wilderness is an impressive fleet of 35 Toro machines, as well as a Toro irrigation system with sprinklers and two TYM tractors.

Above all, the Groundsmaster 4500-D is Eoin’s favourite new machine. He enthuses: “The 4500-D is a great mower that can cut anywhere and has unbelievable productivity. It makes light work of the courses, turf nurseries, driving ranges, and a grass runway we maintain.”

This is down to the model’s SmartPower technology that enables a consistent cut anywhere. The intuitive feature works by automatically adjusting the mower’s engine speed according to cutting conditions, while maintaining optimal power to the blades.

And the Toros are not just a hit with Eoin: “We have 20 members of staff through the season and they all love the Toros. They are well-built, operator-friendly and reliable, which is probably why our mechanic finds them easy to work on too,” says Eoin.

Keeping technology current is a priority at Royal Dornoch, where the operation of Toro’s myTurf Pro fleet management program is in full swing. Eoin counts this among his favourite bits of Toro kit.

He says: “When we brought in myTurf we were all a little dubious to begin with, but that quickly changed. Our machines simply pass a sensor at our shed door that automatically records how long they’ve been in operation and, from this, calculates preventative maintenance and replacement parts needed.

“Our mechanic can access this information, plus user manuals for every Toro machine manufactured, by simply logging in to myTurf on his computer. The program makes life so much easier for him and eliminates human error, making cost of ownership calculations far more accurate.”

At such a busy club it’s no wonder myTurf Pro is proving useful. In 2016 the club celebrated 400 years of golf with 250 tournaments during the year, during which the Toros were always out.

Eoin explains: “At some points we were hosting two tournaments a day and Royal clubs from all over the world joined us for a week-long celebration. Throughout it all we could rely on our Toros, which worked all-year-round – morning, nights, even weekends – with barely a hiccup!

“We work our machines very hard, so it’s important that we frequently update them with the best technology available from Toro. Royal Dornoch is a traditional club with a great history, but in such a fast-paced industry we must move forward with technology to maintain a world-class reputation.”

For more information go to www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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New John Deere Fleet At Abridge

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New John Deere Fleet At Abridge: Based in 160 acres of beautiful Essex parkland with stunning views of the countryside which can stretch as far as London on a clear day, Abridge Golf Club at Stapleford Tawney near Romford describes itself as combining traditional values with a modern outlook.

Course manager Geoff Smith welcomes what he also describes as a ‘new dawn’ at the club, with recent developments including a third successive John Deere course maintenance equipment fleet deal with local dealer P Tuckwell Ltd at Ardleigh, near Colchester. This is based on a John Deere Financial operating lease with PowerGard Protection Plus warranty and maintenance cover for the duration of the lease, based on simple monthly payments.

New John Deere Fleet At Abridge

This deal has been complemented by the arrival of a new teaching professional and a new golf club fitting centre installed by Golf Principles of Basingstoke, as well as plans for a redesign of the clubhouse plus an overhaul of the practice facilities and driving range. A new full wall-to-wall Perrot state of the art irrigation system, the first one of its kind in the UK, is also being installed by contractors M J Abbott this winter.

“It’s a really exciting time for the club,” says Geoff Smith. “With this new investment, the first for several years, we are aiming to bring the course back to Open Qualifier standards and keep ahead of the competition. The only real asset we have is the golf course, so it needs to be looked after.

“Members can already see what we’ve achieved, and our board members believe the course is the best it’s ever looked. A neighbouring club’s greens chairman even said that he’d heard Abridge is in absolutely magnificent condition.”

With this third package deal, 100 per cent of the equipment has been leased compared to just 40 per cent with the club’s first agreement. “The terms of the deal and the service package have improved each time, and with this latest investment we know exactly where we are budget wise for the next five years, with no hidden costs,” says Geoff.

The package covers 26 John Deere machines, including PrecisionCut and TerrainCut walk-behind and ride-on mowers for the greens, tees, approaches and rough, compact tractors and a front loader, Gator utility vehicles, an amenity turf sprayer and a bunker rake, plus ancillary equipment.

“We looked at all the main brands and had machines on demonstration – all of my staff get to try them and report back on their likes and dislikes,” says Geoff. “Our mechanic Paul Aylett, deputy course manager Ben Scrivener and I then evaluate the staff’s findings and look at price options and back-up issues.

“For us it all comes back to the dealer and the service we’ve historically had and continue to get from Tuckwell and sales manager Neil Peachey. All the advice, help and extra support really count – it’s a good relationship, and it works well for both sides. Our machines do a lot of work and if Paul cannot solve things, I need to know that someone from the supplier can be with us within 24 hours.”

Geoff Smith also says he’s very impressed with the new John Deere 9009A rough mower, which provides much better definition around the course. “When it was first demonstrated I didn’t want it, I thought it was too big, but Neil said he’d take it back if I really didn’t like it – and it stayed!

“I like the new 220SL walk-behind greens mowers too – we hand cut five out of seven days in high season, using lights and front brushes, and they do a very good job. The new A Model mowers with the TechControl display on the CommandArm are great as well, allowing every machine to achieve the same consistent finish across the course.”

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

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Kubota’s New Ride-On Mower

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Kubota’s New Ride-On Mower: Kubota UK’s extensive range of market leading and high performance machinery solutions is expanding with the release of a new professional zero turn ride-on mower.

Designed to meet the ever-changing needs of turf professionals, the ZD1211 offers exceptional quality and performance, combined with easy to complete maintenance.

Kubota's New Ride-On Mower

Engineered to create a superior cut every time, the ZD1211 is equipped with a three-blade, 140 mm deep, 1.5m rear discharge deck, and optional mulching kit. This is combined with Kubota’s unique baffling system, a new technology that has been specifically designed and developed in the UK to maximise mulching performance.

The ZD1211’s innovations go further, with its front axle offering two positions, oscillating or rigid. This allows users to achieve their desired cut easier as the machine adapts to the terrain they’re working with. In the oscillating position, the mower will follow the contours of the ground and in the rigid position, the mower will offer a uniformed cut.

The machine’s front axle is also offset, which means the front wheels are aligned with the return stroke of the blades.  This raises the grass where the wheels have travelled over, then cuts the grass to provide an even cut of excellent quality.

Powered by a three-cylinder Kubota 18.5kw diesel engine, the ZD1211 features HST transmission for smooth responses and easy directional change, including making a zero turn. Its 49-litre fuel load capacity, combined with its low fuel consumption, offers great autonomy, cutting down the time expenditures usually necessary for fuelling.

Operator comfort is another key feature of this machine. Adjustable operating levers and a luxury seat with reinforced suspension and elevated backrest ensure greater productivity whilst minimising fatigue.

For added convenience, routine maintenance of all of its critical parts and functions can be carried out with ease due to the accessible engine hood. The front axle also has the ability to be used as a jack to raise the front of the machine for general maintenance of the mower deck. This includes fitting a mulch kit, changing the blades or cleaning the deck, which can all be achieved with a reduced time scale as no tools are required.

Adrian Langmead, Groundcare Business Development Manager for Kubota UK, said: “This latest generation continues the evolution of Kubota’s commercial mowing solutions. As a business, we are constantly looking at ways to enhance our product and service offering to ensure our end-user customers can do their jobs more productively and efficiently. The ZD1211 delivers the power and durability sought after by all turf professionals, with a mower deck that offers even faster and better cutting performance.”

For more information on Kubota and its extensive range of solutions visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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Council Makes First Toro Purchase

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Council Makes First Toro Purchase: North East Lincolnshire Council has purchased Toro for the first time, due to to its competitive price in the tender process, and having received recommendations from other local authorities.

Chris Whitfield, assistant fleet manager who co-ordinated the purchase, says: “We were in the market for two cylinder mowers, replacing like-for-like. Recently we’ve been purchasing more flail mowers in response to the longer periods we have between cuts, but these cylinder mowers are intended for roadways, parks and open spaces; areas that require cutting more often, for which a cylinder mower is perfect.

Council Makes First Toro Purchase

“We followed the usual procedure by putting the request onto ‘Yotender’ and the Toro LT3340 cylinder mower met our specification and came in with the most competitive price.”

A good start, but North East Lincolnshire Council had never owned a Toro machine before so Chris needed a bit more to go on: “Jon Wright from Russell Group arranged for us to have the LT3340 on demo for a week. It looked great, performed well and the team confirmed it would be a good choice.”

It was at this point that Chris decided to refer to colleagues from the ‘Yorlincs’ regional fleet forum, a group of fleet managers from over 17 local authorities and councils sharing best practice, advice and experiences.

“I wanted to see if anyone had experience of using Toro and specifically this machine,” says Chris. “Very quickly I had positive reviews. East Riding of Yorkshire Council in particular stood out, they had a regional fleet of 17 Toros, including 12 LT3340 mowers. The fleet has been in use for a couple of years and the team using them gave good feedback – they had no issues, in fact they had nothing but praise for the brand.”

This is certainly feedback with which Reesink Turfcare, the UK distributor of Toro, is familiar. The heavy-duty, four-wheel-drive triple LT3340 mower is one of Toro’s hardest working grounds mowers, with Nigel Lovatt, Reesink regional manager, saying it is a machine councils and contractors appreciate for its durability, strength and performance.

With all that in mind, Chris confirms that there was no reason not to go with Toro!

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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