Brush-Pro keeps it clean at Worksop Town FC

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Brush-Pro keeps it clean at Worksop Town FC: After a new synthetic pitch quickly turned fortunes around for Worksop Town Football Club, the club’s attentions soon turned to the maintenance of their new pitch. Life president and groundsman Keith Ilett explains why they chose the SISIS Brush-Pro.

It is safe to say that over recent years, Worksop Town FC had fallen on hard times. In fact, the club was close to liquidation and arguably, no-one was more saddened than life-long fan, Keith.

Brush-Pro keeps it clean at Worksop Town FC

Brush-Pro keeps it clean at Worksop Town FC

“It was a very difficult period,” said Keith. “I’ve been supporting the club since 1954 and I was four years old when my dad and my grandad started to bring me along to watch the games. I then got more involved with the club in the 70’s and actually celebrated my 50th year at the club just a couple of months ago.

“Fortunately, Pete Whitehead (new owner), came in and he has completely turned the club around.”

One of the first actions under Pete’s new ownership was to remove the natural grass pitch and install a new synthetic pitch in a bid to make the club more self-sufficient.

“The revenue that the club receive from hiring the pitch out to the local community will hopefully keep the club surviving,” said Keith.

With a tremendous amount of usage building on the pitch, Keith required a machine to keep the surface at the highest possible standard, and this led him to the SISIS Brush-Pro.

It is a very common misconception that synthetic surfaces require very little attention but just like natural turf, they require maintenance as soon as they are constructed if they are to perform to the standard expected of them. Regular and periodic upkeep is required because it ensures a safe playing environment, retains the performance characteristics as well as prolonging the longevity of the surface.

The SISIS Brush-Pro is a ride-on brushing system comprising a pair of mid mounted oscillating units and three rear mounted brush units that that have been specifically designed for maintaining synthetic surfaces.

Brushing synthetic surfaces is essential to keep infill mobile, lift the pile and prevent algae accumulation, surface compaction and loss of porosity. The Brush-Pro has been designed for maximum manoeuvrability and operator comfort with features such as an electric start, hydrostatic drive for forward/reverse and its brush combinations – oscillating for thorough periodic work and rear mounted brushes for routine frequent work which cause less compaction than conventional drag brushes.

Brush-Pro keeps it clean at Worksop Town FC

Brush-Pro keeps it clean at Worksop Town FC

“I’m so happy with the Brush-Pro,” said Keith. “It really does leave you with an immaculate pitch once you’ve used the machine and we tend to give it a good brush after every ten hours of usage.

“I like to take it nice and slow when I’m using the Brush-Pro and I tend to brush in different directions in order to get the best results – it is fantastic breaking up any compaction which could potentially cause problems.

“It’s so comfortable to use as well – it is highly manoeuvrable and just a joy to use.”

Keith is now looking forward to a brighter future ahead.

“This is the start of new beginnings. We’ve got a great new pitch, brilliant equipment and a new owner who knows his football and knows his business – we couldn’t be in a better place.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter and Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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IKON XD zero-turn is top of the class

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IKON XD zero-turn is top of the class: Zero-turn mowing is the fastest way to cut your grass. Speed and manoeuvrability have made zero-turns the increasingly popular alternative in the UK to the conventional ride-on lawnmower.

The ability to turn on its axis eliminates the need for three-point-turns and cuts mowing time by half. What’s more, you’re doing this without the conventional steering system. Zero-turns are driven and steered by the rear wheels via an independent transmission. Two levers are all you need to drive, brake and steer.

IKON XD zero-turn is top of the class

IKON XD zero-turn is top of the class

The latest Ariens IKON XD zero-turn makes it a comfortable and easy ride with a newly designed seat and intuitive controls for precision performance. That’s not all when you’re considering a zero-turn, you need to know you are choosing a machine that is built to last. The IKON XD wholly fits the bill with engineering excellence that puts it top of its class. Sporting new decals and side panels for a sharper look, this is a zero-turn built so much tougher and more durable it will surpass your expectations. That’s because the IKON XD comes with a wide range of commercial features, but at an affordable price for homeowners and semi-professionals. It’s constructed with a fully fabricated, heavy-duty tubular steel frame to provide enhanced strength and stability while travelling over different terrain.

The power comes from a premium Kawasaki 726cc engine for reliability and driving a commercial quality cutter deck. This deck is fully fabricated from 10-gauge steel for the durability of professional-grade equipment. There are 13 cutting heights which can be effortlessly adjusted by turning a dial on the control panel. Built for comfort, with its new high-back seat, armrests and vibration-reducing floor mat, the IKON XD comes with a three-year or 300 hours warranty. Models available: IKON XD 42 with a 107cm (42″) cutter deck or the IKON XD 52 with a 132cm (52″) deck.

For more information contact your local dealer or visit the website ariens-uk.com

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It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R

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It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R: Head groundsman Garry Watson and his deputy John Holmes have praised the Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower for keeping several grass areas in fantastic condition at the King Edward’s School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Founded in 1552, King Edward’s School is one of the most successful boys’ schools in this country. For nearly 400 years the school stood in New Street at the heart of the city. In 1936 the school moved to its present 50-acre site in Edgbaston, shared with King Edward VI High School for Girls, which provides extensive space and facilities matched by few day schools in the country.

It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R

It’s elementary with the Dennis PRO 34R

The school’s academic performance places it amongst the very best in the country and King Edward’s has a long list of notable alumni including two Nobel Prize-winners, JRR Tolkien, Edward Burne-Jones, Lord Willetts and Lee Child.

The grounds department is overseen by Garry, who has been working at the school for an incredible 35 years. Alongside his trusty deputy John Holmes, the duo recently began searching for a new rotary mower.

“We were previously using 20-inch mowers and we wanted something bigger so we could cut more regularly and more quickly,” said Garry. “We also wanted an alternative to that of putting tractors or triple mowers on the pitches – something that would keep the weight off the pitch.”

The case was solved as soon as they saw the Dennis PRO 34R in action: “As soon as we had the demonstration, John said this is it – this is the machine we need to have. Yes, there are other rotary mowers on the market, but we made a decision there and then based on how good it was.”

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface. It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“The PRO 34R offers a fantastic cut,” continued Garry. “It is predominately used on the rugby pitches for presentation and to also clean-up after matches.

“After about a week of having the PRO 34R, we made the decision to purchase another one – it was that good. It is absolutely fantastic for sports pitches, but we also have a large number of big lawns – which must be kept in good condition. Therefore, the second PRO 34R is all about presentation on these lawns. We use it for cutting and striping.”

Garry also said that the decision to purchase the PRO 34R was based on his experience of using Dennis in the past.

“We’ve had Dennis before, and I’ve never had any issues, so I tend to stick with what I know works. Plus, the service is all part of the overall package with Dennis.

“I like to deal with personalities and Jason Briggs from Dennis and SISIS is fantastic. I know what I like – and Dennis Mowers have never let me down.”

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

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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GKB the top choice for Solihull School

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GKB the top choice for Solihull School: Based in the West Midlands, leading independent coeducational day school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, Solihull School houses ample playing fields, a full-sized floodlight artificial turf pitch and a 25m swimming pool.

With pupils excelling on the sports field as well as in the classroom, the GKB Top Clean was the perfect choice for Karl Brotherhood, Head of Grounds, to help upkeep the impressive outdoor spaces.

GKB the top choice for Solihull School

GKB the top choice for Solihull School

Through side-by-side comparison of his current machine and having met with the UK Operations Director, Tom Shinkins, at SALTEX 2019, Karl said, “the GKB Top-Clean was the obvious and right choice.” Designed as a full self-driven machine, the GKB Top-Clean can remove all kinds of dirt from the top of a synthetic pitch, from cigarettes, leaves and papers to plastic bottles.

The machine can easily be connected to almost every tractor by using a standard three-point hitch or electric drawbar and using a high driving speed (around 10 km/h) the artificial pitches will be left in perfect condition. “I will use the GKB Top-Clean to clean two national spec sand dressed hockey pitches,” said Karl. The GKB Top-Clean also features two rubber wheels at the front to ensure that the machine will roll softly across the desired artificial pitch.

With clever engineering and innovative manufacturing, the GKB Top-Clean features a vibrating sieve which, during operation, will hold debris and infill. The sieve will separate infill material from the debris and thanks to the vibration, all the pollution will move to the bins at the end. Containing two separate bins, after use, the bins can easily be removed to get emptied in a regular waste container.

Describing GKB as innovative, quality-driven and supportive, Karl comments, “When I think of GKB, I think build-quality. I know that if I have any problems further down the line, I will also have ‘back-up.’ I first noticed the GKB brand at SALTEX and was very impressed with Tom’s knowledge of all the machines present. It was refreshing”.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617.

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John Osman champions refurbished mowers

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John Osman champions refurbished mowers: Providing customers with high-quality refurbished machinery has been a cornerstone of John Osman Groundcare’s business since it was founded in 1992 by Managing Director, John Osman.

The company works on a variety of mower brands but has found that the build quality, accessibility and cost of parts for Jacobsen machines make them one of the best on the market for refurbishment.

John Osman champions refurbished mowers

John Osman champions refurbished mowers

A recent package provided to Wergs Golf Club has highlighted how much of a working life used Jacobsen mowers can still have, with some in the deal having done up to three and a half thousand hours of work.

John explains: “New machines create used machines and we’ve always found the Jacobsen equipment good enough to go again. From a customer’s perspective, if they are buying new Jacobsen equipment and at the end of the lease or their ownership, there is a significant value still in the machine because it can be refurbished and resold again, it gives them a lot of confidence with their initial purchasing decision.

“As I said, Jacobsen mowers are built well enough in the first place that they can be refurbished and go again, and to be fair; we aren’t just working on Jacobsen, we’re working with other major mower brands as well. They are one of the brands we’ve got to spend the least amount of money on to get back up to good order. Some other brands are very expensive for parts or are already worn out so it wouldn’t be viable to refurbish these.

“Access and the cost of spare parts is paramount in all of this. At the end of the day availability is very, very important but on top of that is the cost because that factors into the affordability of the refurbish process. We take a lot of pride in our refurbishments, and we won’t deliver them unless we are happy with them. Like any machine, you can always get niggles, but you can get niggles with a brand-new machine, we try and be as thorough as we can be. The more of these refurbishments you do, the more experience you gain with it and you know the areas to look at and what needs to be addressed with them.”

Wergs Golf Club in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, is just one example of how well a refurbished fleet can work. The club received a package including two Eclipse 322 Hybrids, two Fairway 305’s, two AR522’s and a TR3 all which meets their specific needs at a cost that is affordable with a back-up service that they can depend on.

“With the Eclipses, the owner had done a lot of research and watched YouTube videos and other media, and from that, they’ve gone for the hybrids. The fact they don’t use oil was a major positive because they’d suffered from several oil leaks on the greens with their other machines.

“They’ve got a large fairway acreage, and it’s a grass factory, especially with the weather we’ve been having through the summer and September. So, the Fairway 305 with that extra width of cut, slightly heavier units and contour following is doing an expectational job for them.

“They find the AR522’s which we delivered recently absolutely staggering, and they cannot get over the capabilities of that machine, they’ve even rang me up to say how impressed they are with it. It’s a contour trim mower that really sucks up the grass, so the presentation they are getting is fantastic. The TR3 is also proving to be a great addition giving a very clean boxed finish on tees and approaches even when there is a dew.”

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