Coffee With Terra Spike

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Coffee With Terra Spike: A head greenkeeper based in Buckinghamshire has inspired a challenge among users of the Wiedenmann Terra Spike.

After taking delivery of a new GXi8 HD in December, Gerrards Cross GC’s Adam McColl reckoned the machine was smooth enough to balance a full cup of coffee without spilling while it spiked its way across a tee or green.

Coffee With Terra Spike

Within hours his observation was relayed to others prompting greenkeepers and groundsmen across the country to get involved, posting on twitter when they succeed.

Adam, who heads the team of seven at the south Buckinghamshire Club, said:

“The coffee challenge just seemed possible. Aerators have moved on, modern practices mean the machine stays calm even when going deep.   With the multi ribbed belt drive system and the way the crankshaft is balanced, the GXi 8 always remains stable. If you hit something there is no shock transfer to the tractor or the driver. It elongates the life of both the machine and the tractor. It’s all about smooth.”

Coffee With Terra Spike

Gerrards Cross Golf Club a parkland course with extensive woodland and views across the Misbourne Valley, had some fairly specific criteria for choosing a Wiedenmann aerator.

“We need to stay ahead of golf and not stop play,” continued Adam McColl.  “Previously that wasn’t happening.  At 1.8 m this is 60 cm wider than before so a combination of extra width and greater speed will mean an end to interruptions and lead to more frequent repetitions.  This machine has a specific feature – Advance Tine Control – that ensures we get very clean tine entry and exit even where there’s compaction.”

Another major reason for Adam McColl choosing a Terra Spike, was the improvement it would bring to getting sand into the profile to ultimately benefit drainage.

“At demo we gave the 18th green one pass using 20 mm tines.  In the weeks before our own machine arrived we could see a tangible difference just from that one occasion.  The green still puddled but the water residue shifted a lot quicker.

“The bigger picture however is to get between 180-200 tonnes of sand on the greens across the year.  Assuming it remains dry enough we’ll continue with the 20 mm tines and go for 40 tonnes between now and the end of March plus an additional 40 tonnes at spring renovations when we will probably hollow core.  During summer we switch to lighter 8 mm tines and hope to achieve between 20 – 40 tonnes. Then come autumn it will be back to the 20 mm tines and around 60-80 tonnes.

“Last year we didn’t even get to our target of 140 tonnes but we’re focussed on getting this additional sand to help create drainage channels.”

Eddie Jack, Field Sales Manager at Ernest Doe in North Walsham said: “Adam called it correctly with the smoothness of the machine. He really started something. Looks like I’ll be buying the coffees for the foreseeable future.”

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

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Kubota’s Cashback Mower Offer

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Spring into action with Kubota UK’s Cashback Domestic Ride-on-Mower offer: Following high demand, Kubota UK’s popular ride-on mower cashback programme has returned for another year, providing lawn lovers with the perfect opportunity to produce a pristine lawn this spring.

The leading groundcare manufacturer is offering cashback opportunities across a number of its powerful, versatile and economic ride-on-mower solutions, including its first ever zero turn domestic ride-on mower, the Z122R.

Offering operators the opportunity to achieve the perfect cut across their lawn with its innovative technology and wide ranging features, the incentive is available to our domestic customers purchasing the Z122R, T Series and GR Series ride-on mowers from a Kubota dealer across the UK & Ireland.

Available from the 13th February until the 30th June 2018, our domestic customers can claim a significant £300/€400 cashback on both GR2120(S) models, whilst £200/€270 cashback is available on both GR1600(ID) models, T1880 and Z122R ride-on mowers.

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

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Kubota UK and Redwings

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Kubota’s M5001 Series the pack horse for Redwings: Kubota UK is working in partnership with Redwings, the largest horse sanctuary in the UK, to support the charity’s work in providing essential welfare and care for rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules nationwide.

Five of Kubota’s innovative M5001 Series tractors have been supplied to Redwings by Norfolk-based agricultural dealer N Richardson Ltd.  The tractors have been delivered to a number of Redwings’ centres across Norfolk and are being used to help undertake critical day-to-day farm work.

Kubota’s M5001 Series the pack horse for Redwings

Justin Pendrill, Redwings’ Maintenance, Security and Transport Manager, said: “The most important factor in our decision making process when choosing our new tractor fleet was the added value they could offer to our on-site and farm operations.  As a registered charity and publically funded, it’s absolutely vital we maximise our return on investment, and the Kubota M5091 was the right choice for us”.

Powered by a four cylinder Kubota V3800 diesel engine, the M5091 (95HP) features SCR and DPF under the bonnet for unobstructed forward visibility.  As well as SCR and DPF, the tractor also incorporates a common rail system (CRS), a system to recirculate exhaust gases (EGR) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC).  The combination of these technologies optimise the individual operation of each, reducing power consumption and lowering emissions.

In addition, a finger tip electro-hydraulic shuttle fitted as standard ensures smooth operation and simple handling, whilst the 40-ECO transmission with six synchronised gears and dual speed High-Lo technology allows operators to efficiently select the correct gear, optimising performance further.  The electro-hydraulic shuttle, which avoids using the clutch, provides a fast and gradual change in direction that reduces emissions and increases user comfort and control.

The cab is designed to provide maximum operator control and comfort for jobs that demand excellent manoeuvrability, whilst the continuous glass creates almost 360o panoramic visibility, with reduced internal noise for greater safety.  A sleek, down-sloping bonnet also optimises visibility and safety.

Justin continued: “The tractors we use are worked hard every day, so reliability is critical. Our vehicles, including the Kubota M5091 and the numerous Kubota RTV utility vehicles, are the lifeblood of our farms.  We rely on them day in, day out.”

Phill Brooks, one of Kubota’s agricultural dealer managers, concluded: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Redwings Horse Sanctuary, one of the leading equine charities in the UK.   The work and commitment its staff and volunteers put in to save and care for horses whose future would otherwise be bleak due to a number of factors like neglect, is second to none.

“The fact that Redwings chose five M5091’s following extensive tractor trials demonstrates the in-roads we are making into the industry.  The market wants solutions that are simple to use and that can add value to farming operations.  The M5001 Series, at the forefront of innovation, delivers exactly that.”

Kubota’s independent agricultural dealer, N Richardson Ltd, provide Redwings with first class aftersales support.  This includes having five service engineers on call 24/7, plus access to genuine Kubota parts, should they be needed.

For more information on Kubota UK call 01844 268000 or visit Kubota-eu.com

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New G860’s At Wolves

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New G860’s At Wolves: A fresh strategy devised by the owners of Wolverhampton Wanderers has led to the football club purchasing three new Dennis G860 cylinder mowers.

It’s an exciting time for the West Midlands based club; when the new owners took control last year part of their strategy was to place a big emphasis on the style of football they wanted Wolves to play. As a result they were committed to investing in the surface at Molineux Stadium.

New G860's At Wolves

A state-of-the-art Desso Grassmaster hybrid pitch, which is used by top clubs across Europe, was installed shortly after the new owners’ arrival. Secondly, it was time to look at upgrading the turf maintenance machinery.

“When the option came to invest in new machinery, we jumped at the chance of going back to Dennis,” says Anthony Parker, deputy head groundsman. “Certainly for me, I’ve come from a private school background where I have been brought up on Dennis machines. We also used to use the Dennis Premier here on our old fibre elastic pitch. However, the Desso Grassmaster is renowned for being a bit firmer so we decided to go for the Dennis G860 when the new pitch was installed.”

Lightweight at just 166kg; it is easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for – throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive. The mower also features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion.

The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks. With a simple one-minute changeover, users have the option of fitting thirteen different types of cassettes including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters as well as six, eight or eleven bladed cutting cylinders.

“We purchased three G860’s with the full range of cassettes which gives us so much versatility,” says Anthony. “We use them on a daily basis. The verticutting unit is used quite regularly to clean out the surface and we really see the benefits from this. The brushes are a great option too and we use the machines at both the stadium and the training ground.

“With three mowers we now double cut on match days and the G860’s are perfect for presentation and getting a quality finish every time. They create the ideal pitch suitable for how the owners want the team to play.

“Dennis mowers are simply renowned for being a quality piece of kit and the equipment speaks for itself. They are really user friendly and since we’ve had them all of the team have been really impressed.”

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

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Ransomes Partnership Continues

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Ransomes Partnership Continues: Continental Landscapes, a leading grounds maintenance company, recently took delivery of 33 pieces of machinery from Ransomes. The investments marks a 20-year relationship between Continental Landscapes and Ransomes. PA Turney both demonstrated and sold the machinery, having nurtured the relationship between the companies for over two decades.

Continental Landscapes was established in 1989 and currently has more than 20 U.K. branches. It has a diverse portfolio of clients including local authorities, government departments, industrial and commercial concerns, housing associations, sports clubs and private individuals. The company also employs more than 700 people.

Ransomes Partnership Continues

Tom Dew is the plant and machinery manager at Continental Landscapes, having joined the company in 1991. Commenting on the relationship with Ransomes and PA Turney, Tom said:

“We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with both Ransomes and PA Turney. Ransomes make quality machines which are British built. Impressively, its rotary mowers cut like cylinders as they can cut lower than other machines.

“Service and back-up is a huge consideration for us. In my opinion, there is no better dealer than PA Turney. They look after all our branches, and if we need assistance at one of our branches in Scotland, they will travel from Oxfordshire and be there the next day. The combination of exceptional machinery and back-up support is the reason that we keep returning to Ransomes and PA Turney.”

Amongst the new machinery are two Parkway 3 cylinder mowers, 28 HR300 rotary mowers with Müthing decks, two MP493 rotary mowers and one MP495 cylinder mower. Continental Landscapes was one of the first customers invited to test the new Ransomes HM600, a collaboration between Ransomes and Müthing; it will be launching in 2018.

Commenting on the relationship and the machinery, Municipal National Accounts Manager at Ransomes Nathan Walker, said:

“It is testament to the design and manufacturing teams at Ransomes, and the staff at PA Turney that Continental Landscapes has been a loyal customer for so many years. I hope this continues with our future developments such as the new HM600; the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. It’s going to be an exciting year ahead for all concerned!”

For more information, visit: www.jacobsen.com/europe

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