Innovations from the Swabian tall grass experts

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Innovations from the Swabian tall grass experts: High-grass mowing has been the core competence of AS-Motor since 1959. AS-Motor customers rely on the high performance of the products and expect above-average quality, durability and service.

Meeting these demands is and remains the driving force of the high grass experts. What has changed – as part of the Ariens Company – are the opportunities to utilise additional technologies and expertise. AS-Motor will be presenting the first results of this new constellation at GaLaBau 2024.

Innovations from the Swabian tall grass experts

Innovations from the Swabian tall grass experts

The new AS 920 ESherpa 2 WD

The trend towards electrically powered mowers in the green sector cannot be overlooked.  At GaLaBau, AS-Motor is now presenting the first professional AS 920 ESherpa 2 WD high grass battery-powered ride-on mower. The new electric mower from the popular Sherpa family impresses above all with its battery exchange system. The electric drive and blade drive works very efficiently and ensures a professional mowing performance that is even better than that of a combustion engine. The 56V FusionCore battery system from Ariens not only offers above-average performance in all areas, but can also be used multiple times. The exchangeable batteries of the AS 920 ESherpa 2WD are compatible with the professional Zenith E and Arrow E zero-turn mowers from sister brand Ariens. This ensures optimum seasonal use and utilisation of the batteries.

The new AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC

For two and a half years now, numerous remote-controlled AS 1000 Ovis RC machines have been in use on steep slopes throughout Europe. The tracked flail mower with maximum mowing performance and extreme slope capability has become an integral part of the AS-Motor product range. At GaLaBau 2024, the tall grass experts will be presenting the next development stage of the mower, the AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC: with more RC functions for even greater user comfort. The new model differs from the basic model with a remote-controlled, electric cutting height adjustment with display, a remote-controlled, electromechanical blade clutch and quick release of hydrostats and brake.

New: The AS-Motor X-Act Track steering assistant

For the new mowing season, AS-Motor is offering a steering assistant for its remote-controlled tracked flail mowers AS 1000 Ovis RC (next generation) and AS 1000 Ovis Evo RC. With the new X-Act Track steering assistant from AS-Motor, the driver can save his concentration and dexterity for difficult mowing passages. On large areas with an easy to medium profile, the automatic steering system takes over precise steering. GPS signals, which are corrected to within a few centimetres by RTK correction data from fixed base stations, enable clean mowing lines without loss of cutting width and uncut areas. The result is a significantly higher area output and less operator fatigue.

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Newquay Golf Club welcomes John Deere GPS Sprayer

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Newquay Golf Club welcomes John Deere GPS Sprayer: A Cornish golf club has become the first in south-west England to invest in a satellite-guided John Deere sprayer to help keep its course the in the best possible condition.

Newquay Golf Club took delivery of the John Deere HD200 ProGator precision sprayer earlier this month after identifying the machine as a tool to reduce costs and enhance its environmental profile.

Newquay Golf Club welcomes John Deere GPS Sprayer

Newquay Golf Club welcomes John Deere GPS Sprayer

The state-of-the-art unit is the first of its kind to be installed in the region and was supplied by local dealer Masons Kings.

Head Greenkeeper Dan Kendle said the purchase was all about sustainability.

“We like to keep up with advancements in technology because they can make us more efficient and do things more accurately,” he said. “Sustainability is the big thing on golf courses as far as I’m concerned and the GPS functionality in the sprayer allows us to be more targeted in our applications and therefore reducing the impact on the environment.

“Over time, it will enable us to use fewer chemicals, less water and save on fuel and time which are also big plus points.”

John Deere’s GPS sprayer is at the forefront of modern golf course maintenance, promising to enhance application accuracy when applying fungicides, herbicides or nutrients to tee boxes, fairways and greens.

The HD200 ProGator is packed with advanced features including autosteer, data recording, and independent nozzle control which automatically shuts off when the sprayer boom reaches a set boundary.

These innovations ensure efficient and eco-friendly operations, enabling precise treatment applications and minimising waste by avoiding spraying non-target areas such as bunkers and hedges.

Masons Kings’ dedicated Integrating Technologies Team carried out the installation with Dan and the club’s greenkeeping staff, ensuring that the sprayer is fully operational and ready to deliver top-tier performance.

Dan added: “We are extremely grateful for the support from entire Masons Kings team which has been instrumental in bringing this revolutionary equipment to Newquay Golf Club.”

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Foley the Go To Grinders for GTT UK

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Foley the Go To Grinders for GTT UK: At GTT UK, consistency is crucial when it comes to grinding, and to get perfection every time the company uses Foley Company grinders.

GTT UK owner Matt Thompsett had extensive experience as a mechanic in greenkeeping workshops before he started his professional turf and arboricultural machinery service and repair business four years ago. Having begun with other grinders that he felt were time-consuming to set up, always involved some guesswork, and were never completely accurate, he researched the market and found Foley’s UK distributor, ProSport UK.

Foley the Go To Grinders for GTT UK

Foley the Go To Grinders for GTT UK

From there, he found his perfect solution, which was to combine the Foley 633 Accu-Pro Reel Grinder and 672 Bedknife Grinder. Matt explains: “For me, the main thing is the whole repeatability of the package and knowing that everything is going to be exactly the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on three or seven units they’re all going to match.

“With the 633 reel grinder, you can leave it, and it will work on its own while you’re doing something else. It is perfect for me because my commercial customers need their machines and they need them out working, so they want quick turn arounds, and they often want them back as quickly as you possibly can.

“And that’s the main thing I found with the Foley 633: you quickly get used to it, so it’s fast to set up. You just set it, tell the computer what you want it to do, and it does it. You know when it’s finished because the blue light on the top comes on, and that’s it; I know that’s a perfect grind, and you set it away again.”

Relief grinding has been an important aspect of getting Matt the perfect finish. Although he wasn’t initially familiar with the process, the 633’s automated system made it easy to do, and he has received positive customer feedback since introducing it.

“I’ve been doing a lot of research into the proper specifications of how cylinder mowers work, how they are supposed to be set up, and also what manufacturer’s state, and that’s where I’ve come across relief grinding,” Matt explains. “You’re taking the cylinder back to exactly how it came out of the factory, and they seem to stay on cut a lot longer, which is one of the main benefits of relief grinding.

“Customers have commented their units stay on cut longer, and the general sharpness is better. They’re also saying it’s not as tricky on the setup, which I think is more to do with the 633 and 672 grinding everything perfectly straight.”

For Matt, getting that perfectly straight grind on the 672 bedknife grinder comes from being able to set it at his own true zero. From there, it’s simply setting his angles, doing a scratch test and knowing that every blade will come out the same.

The ability to produce uniform, factory-precise grinds has not only accelerated turnaround times but also enhanced customer satisfaction through longer-lasting, sharper cuts. This commitment to excellence and continuous improvement underscores GTT UK’s dedication to providing top-tier service to clients, and Foley’s ability to provide the tools to do it.

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Toro stands up to tough terrain

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Toro stands up to tough terrain: In a theme of fives, Calcot Park Golf Club has received five new Toro machines on a five-year lease. Headlining the fleet is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cutting units for tackling the challenging terrain of the course with unrelenting ease for years.

The club, situated on the Berkshire border, is no stranger to Toro. In fact, according, to Course Manager Tom Jennings, 100 percent of its machinery fleet is red and that’s as much for its longevity as it is its performance.

Toro stands up to tough terrain

Toro stands up to tough terrain

“Toro machinery is bulletproof when it comes to longevity. We have fairway mowers here that are up to 13 years old, which is impressive for the amount of work they do,” says Tom.

It’s no surprise then that when the time came to upgrade its machines with a five-year lease deal, Toro was the only option considered. And one machine in particular that has made its mark is the Reelmaster 5410 with five cylinders.

“The topography at our course is very up and down, and being a heavy clay site, we need a machine that can handle that, especially in the winter,” says Tom. “As a parkland course, we’ve got thicker grasses and lots of them and the sheer quantity and the coarser texture can be tough to get through, but it presents no problem for Toro and in particular the five-cylinder mower.”

In a fleet deal that also includes two new Greensmaster 3400 mowers, a Reelmaster 3100 sidewinder, and Groundsmaster 4000 – all provided by Reesink Turfcare, Tom says all the mowers work hand in hand to navigate the Harry Colt designed course and also singles out the Reelmaster 3100 for commendation.

“We’ve got the 3100 coming in on the lease as well. It’s a smaller machine which is why we chose it. Our course was built in 1930 and a lot of the complexes are quite small and tight; this sidewinder is flexible enough to get around them, whereas others on the market tend to be too bulky for the job.”

The club benefits from Reesink’s lease deal which allows it to renew its range of machines every five years. “Opting into a lease deal works well for the club,” says Tom. “I know that if we get a five-year lease, in five years from now I’m not only going to get the machines and the brand that performs best on the course; but benefit from the latest technology and the latest machines that could also benefit the course.”

And Tom and his team have their sights set on electric power next. “We’ll be considering some of the electric machines next time. We’re in an urban area and I think this will be helpful with our mowing routines,” he concludes.

Learn more about Toro’s technology and how it could benefit your course, by calling distributor Reesink at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Nothing beats the ProFlex 120

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Nothing beats the ProFlex 120: Following more than 12 years of reliable service, a ProFlex 120 at Mid Herts Golf Club has been joined by… well, another ProFlex 120!

Delivered by Vanmac’s James Boyle in April 2024, the five floating rotary decks on the Progressive unit conform to the peaks and troughs of the terrain at the Hertfordshire club making the like for like purchase a straight forward one for Course Manager Jody Wilson.

Nothing beats the ProFlex 120

Nothing beats the ProFlex 120

One of the oldest golf clubs in the country, Mid Herts offers a classic heathland terrain with rippled fairways and quick greens, nestled within traditional grassy hollows. While the picturesque countryside undulations pose a challenge for players, they make no match for the contour following ability of the ProFlex! “12 years ago we tried and tested a range of rough mowers and found the ProFlex 120 was the best suited to our conditions. Fast forward to this year and we went through the same process again, only to find there’s still nothing in the market better than this machine!”

The Progressive ProFlex 120 delivers a uniform cut on both flat and uneven ground, the five floating decks covering an area of 3.0m in a single pass and evenly dispersing clippings for an immaculate finish. The ability to quickly and easily adjust the HOC on each individual deck makes the mower incredibly versatile, and the ideal choice for stepped or transition cutting.

“The build quality has always been exceptional, and our new ProFlex is no different” Jody explains. “We’ve kept hold of our older machine for the weekly cutting of the practice ground. It still cuts exceptionally well and, with a good jet-wash, would still clean up a treat. Besides the expected wear and tear, we’ve rarely had any downtime or costly repair bills, and with the sealed blade spindle bearings on the new ProFlex, the routine maintenance will be even easier.”

The recent delivery complements a range of other equipment from Vanmac already in the Mid Herts shed. “For the summer, we’re now set for mowing the roughs and practice ground with our pair of ProFlex’s, then in the winter we’re big Trilo users – with two blowers and an S4 vacuum collector helping us to keep on top of playability and presentation.” He added, “The service from Vanmac is always first-class. It’s great product with great back-up.”

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