Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

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Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet: Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort near Glasgow is continuing its investment in its 18-hole championship golf course with a significant fleet update from Toro and Reesink Scotland.

Head Greenkeeper Andrew Eckford, who joined the club last year in a senior management recruitment drive alongside a new Head of Golf, had a focus on multi-functional machinery as he planned the new additions to join in the multi-million-pound course renovation.

Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

Mar Hall elevates course standards with Toro fleet

Bringing with him 13 years’ experience and countless tournament credentials to the job, the initial projects requiring focus were building back grass coverage on the greens and repairs to all bunkers with a total sand replacement.

Andrew explains: “When I first started, nearly half of the greens were covered in moss. We’ve been steadily reducing that and implementing a structured maintenance plan with regular aeration, seeding, and top-dressing to restore both the greens and fairways to their former glory.”

The Toro ProCore 648s aerator, Workman HDX utility vehicle with ProPass topdresser and sprayer and a selection of trusted greens mowers will be instrumental in this recovery work.

“Efficiency is key,” says Andrew. “I wanted a versatile utility vehicle that could handle multiple turf maintenance jobs throughout the month, rather than investing in a separate Multi Pro sprayer or a top dresser that would only be used occasionally. This solution delivers exceptional value and ensures our greens are maintained to the highest standard.”

The same thought process applied to his decision to bring in the Toro Outcross. This powerhouse of a product also does the work of a tractor, and its functionality and versatility give it the ability to replace two or three pieces of equipment and is what most appealed to Andrew.

“The Outcross will be at the heart of our day-to-day operations and ensures we’re future-proofing essential tasks,” Andrew explains. “Its programmable attachment parameters mean we can add blowers and verti-drainers, yet our seasonal staff only need to be trained on one machine rather than multiple pieces of equipment. It’s a smarter, more efficient way of working.”

Also, part of the investment is the Sand Pro bunker rake, a game-changer for bunker maintenance. “I wanted to bring the same high standards we had at The Carrick, where we raked bunkers daily, something I believe should be the norm,” says Andrew. “But with the scale of our course, hand-raking would take six of us an entire day. With the Sand Pro, one operator can get the job done efficiently, even after adding 1,400 tons of new sand.”

When it came to who to partner with was it always going to be Toro? “Always,” confirms Andrew. “We’re focused on elevating Mar Hall’s golf course and putting it back on the Scottish golfing map. That means using the best equipment available. Most greenkeepers have a go-to brand, and for me, that’s always been Toro, it’s simply a step above. I’m fortunate to have the full support of the management and owners in selecting what we need to do the job right, and with Toro, we also have the added benefit of working with Reesink Scotland.”

Discover how choosing Toro could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Take the chore out of coring this spring

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Take the chore out of coring this spring: Spring is in the air, aerating is on the to-do list and Reesink Turfcare is reminding customers how to make this essential task more efficient – and it’s all with one simple, cost-effective Nordic Plow Core Solutions blade attachment.

Aeration is hands down one of the best practices to promote root growth and the movement of air and water within the soil, which is key in spring to ensure a healthy, strong growing season.

Take the chore out of coring this spring

Take the chore out of coring this spring

Up until recently collecting the resulting cores had been a mucky, time-consuming job, but following in its ethos of making turfcare professionals’ lives easier, Reesink procured the perfect solution to that problem when it introduced to its range the clever core collecting blade attachment from Nordic Plow.

This lightweight 64-inch collector fits perfectly, but not exclusively, to the Toro ProCore 648s to aerate the turf and remove the cores in one pass in minutes. It considers the fact that aerating with the grain of the landscape or side to side reduces stress to the turf and results in a flawless measured scrape.

Further advantages include the removable sleeve which removes cores on severely undulated ground without the need for tools and the adjustable scraper edge, which can free float or lock into position.

Brushes drag top dressing into the cores and they can still be removed even if the turf is wet, and there’s no issue with small tine clear up, despite them having less structure and more sand, which normally makes the job more difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, creating tall piles of plugs with little spillage has the added benefit of brushing sand deeper into the holes as it goes.

Jon Cole, Business Divisional Manager of Reesink Turfcare, comments: “It’s always a priority for us to bring to our customers equipment that can complete a labour-intensive process with less manpower. It’s always going to be about working smarter not harder, whether that’s with the most cutting-edge, ground-breaking technologies or an innovative tool that does a simple job brilliantly which is exactly what the Core Collector does.”

For further information, or to place an order, call 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range

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Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range: Segway Navimow has launched the X3 Series, the latest addition to its portfolio of boundary-cord-free robotic lawnmowers.

The range consists of four new models – the X315, X330, X350 and X390 – and is designed to handle unprecedented lawn sizes with precision, mowing areas of up to 10,000m² (the equivalent of one and a half football pitches). The X3 Series joins the popular i Series and H Series models in the Navimow line-up, which are used by over 170,000 customers globally.

Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range

Segway extends its Navimow robotic lawnmower range

Optimised performance to tackle larger lawns

Boasting ultra-fast charging capabilities, 6 blades, an anti-clogging blade disc and accelerated mowing speed, the Navimow X3 Series operates at an efficiency level two times faster than the industry average. The machine can cover a 5,000m² mowing area within just 24 hours, making it the ideal solution for handling bigger lawns. This is bolstered by expanded coverage per charge, tending to gardens or fields as large as 1,200m² before the battery runs out.

TÜV Rheinland has endorsed the high-performance credentials of the X3 Series, awarding it the certification for high mowing efficiency after extensive testing. This is the first time a robotic lawnmower has been granted this accolade, underlining the X3 Series’ position at the forefront of mowing innovation.

EFLS 3.0: Precision positioning and extended signal coverage

Segway has upgraded its Exact Fusion Location System (EFLS) for the X3 Series, introducing EFLS version 3.0. This features major upgrades in Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) coverage, Visual Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (VSLAM), and Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO) technology. This state-of-the-art system ensures unparalleled stability and precision, even in challenging signal environments.

Powered by a customised chip from STMicroelectronics, a world-leading microelectronics manufacturer, the self-developed 3-frequency RTK system increases signal coverage by 20-30%. This mitigates against blind spots that block reception, such as narrow passages or areas under high rooftops. Dual RTK antennas are equipped to address complex layouts, for example properties with both front and back yards, with an extra antenna installed to provide extended signal coverage and unbeatable stability.

Upgraded VisionFence with 300° view

Enhanced VisionFence technology, a solution specifically designed to deliver efficient AI route planning, bolsters the X3 Series with a 300° field of view that enables highly reliable obstacle avoidance. Powered by 3 cameras and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor with a 0.1-2 metre sensory range, hazard detection (including suspended objects such as swings, trampolines, and hanging decorations) is significantly improved. The recognition capabilities of the X3 Series extend to over 200 different obstacle types, ensuring smooth, intuitive navigation.

Additional features that increase user experience and usability include a dot matrix screen that communicates status updates, theft alerts and GPS tracking, smart speaker integration, and a design equipped to handle slopes of up to 50% (27°).

Unlocking new possibilities through the Expansion Bay 

The Expansion Bay with open API allows customers to integrate product extensions tailored to their personal needs.

George Ren, CEO of Segway Navimow BU, commented: “Built to tackle larger areas and layouts of varying levels of complexity, the X3 Series is tailormade for a new market that stands to benefit from the efficiency and accuracy of robotic mowers. Not only can it fulfil the needs of households with larger gardens requiring significant maintenance, its capabilities extend to commercial use where the X3 Series can help estates managers, local councils and many more save time and achieve outstanding results.

“This latest addition to the Navimow portfolio perfectly complements our i Series and H Series ranges. We are now able to meet the diverse range of requirements of UK gardeners, offering autonomous and highly efficient mowing for lawns of all shapes and sizes.”

Price

Prices for each model are as follows: X315E – £2,199, X330E – £2,599, X350E – £3,199, X390E – £4,299

Availability

X3 series will be available through authorised dealer shops. Customers can find the closest dealer shop to their home via Navimow’s website: https://navimow.segway.com/en-gb/pages/channel

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EGO drills down on earth and ice

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EGO drills down on earth and ice: EGO Power+, a leading specialist of battery-powered outdoor power equipment, is turning heads with the release of its first Auger Power Head.

A crucial piece of equipment for landscaping, earthmoving, groundworks, agriculture, fencing and utilities installation, the new PHA7400E Auger Power Head is joining EGO’s range of battery-powered outdoor tools, expanding the options for existing EGO customers looking for new ways to use their batteries.

EGO drills down on earth and ice

EGO drills down on earth and ice

The Auger Power Head is compatible with EGO’s ETA0800E 20cm Earth Auger Bit and the ITA0800E 20cm Ice Auger Bit. These enable the Auger to be used for drilling fence posts, planting trees or bushes and drilling large holes into the ground or ice with ease.

While petrol-powered Augers have dominated in the past, the PHA7400E is one of the first battery-powered Augers to join the market. It has already proven popular with new build developers, as EGO’s industry-leading 56V ARC LithiumTM batteries are a cleaner, more convenient option to petrol. The tool is also lighter in weight and more durable than petrol alternatives, which can be heavy and require more maintenance.

EGO’s Auger provides effortless drilling as users can enjoy tailored control with two-speed settings, a variable speed trigger and a reverse function, all of which make for simple operating. It is also very easy to switch between bits.

For enhanced comfort and user safety, the tool’s handles have been designed ergonomically while the anti-kickback system reduces the risk of injury. The tool also offers great balance, high strength, and reliability while the powerful 74Nm of torque makes light work of drilling through both soil and ice.

Both available bits are 20cm in length and feature a 22mm connection for quick, easy, and secure fitting, as well as an anti-corrosion powder coat finish.

The PHA7400E Auger Power Head retails at £309 and the Earth and Ice Bits retail separately at £99 and £119 respectively.

To learn more visit: https://egopowerplus.eu/node/3364

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac: Orsett Golf Club in south Essex has joined the ranks of Ventrac owners, with the recent purchase of a 4520 tractor unit and a selection of attachments. The 18-hole heathland course was designed by James Braid and the club, which has over 700 members and a waiting list, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Perry Lowe is the head greenkeeper and leads a team of seven full-time greenkeeping staff and a dedicated mechanic. He’s been in his current position for almost ten years and previously spent 14 years at Chigwell Golf Club in north east London, initially as deputy course manager and then course manager.

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

“We’ve got a huge amount of history in the club and there’s a lot of design history as well, which we try to look after,” he said. “We’re not just about revamping everything; we’re trying to keep the history of the club. Trying to keep the Braid look as best we can for modern golf.

“We do a lot of our work in-house so the versatility of the Ventrac is an added bonus. We had a rotary triple mower and it did a great job, but it was coming to the end of its lease. We’d seen and heard a lot about Ventrac in magazines and on social media, so we thought we’d give it a try. A couple of the guys I work with had spoken to people saying how impressive this machine was, so we decided to take a look at it. And the good thing about the Ventrac is, with all the attachments, it becomes an all-year-round machine.

“While the rotary triple we had did a great job, it actually sat in a corner collecting dust during the winter, whereas the Ventrac can go out in all weather; it’s got a wide footprint so it doesn’t make a mess, it doesn’t get stuck. So, you can get all the cutting done without causing any damage. We removed the Contour deck and put on the Trencher attachment and did a huge amount of irrigation, trenching on one of our tees. And it didn’t miss a beat. Absolutely flew through the job and didn’t make any mess at all.

“We’ve also got the Power Rake attachment. We have a lot of shale paths here, which get quite compacted and rutted, but we can go out at this time of year and grade the paths to remove the potholes. We’ll also be using it to prepare another tee we’re renovating. So, instead of being a machine that just sits in a corner, it’s an all-round machine.

“We bought the three attachments in the initial package with the idea that in the future we can add further implements and the one I have in mind is the stump grinder. The attachments we’ve got so far work really well. Once you get used to how to take them off and the little tricks, it’s a ten second job.

“Servicing is easy; it’s a compact unit, so everything is easily accessible.  We’ve changed all the filters and things like that a few times, but that’s not a complaint, it’s just part of our maintenance regime. It’s smartly laid out. Everything’s been thought through and ticked off.

“There’s been no issue with it at all. I don’t think it’s missed a beat. The operator loves it. We can’t get him off it. It’s his baby. He looks after it, he maintains it. I think the only thing we’ve had to look at replacing is a bearing on a roller. And that’s probably because we’re so dry and they take a battering.

“There’s nowhere on the course it doesn’t go, in fact, we’re pushing it into a lot more areas than we ever thought because of its wide footprint and four-wheel drive. We’ve got a few greens that are set in little gullies and valleys with quite steep banks. The other machine would get around them at certain times of year, but you’d have big wheelspin marks when trying to get around, so that’s why we’ve got the Ventrac; it just chugged around. It’s an absolutely brilliant piece of kit.”

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