Strong summer sales for Engcon

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Strong summer sales for Engcon: The effects of Covid-19 are not over yet, but this summer’s sales figures have provided Engcon with a positive outlook. The unexpected increase in sales during the months of June and July mean that Engcon is now overseeing extra efforts to produce and fulfil the delivery of additional orders.

Engcon like many companies was affected when Covid-19 struck with full force in the spring. As well as impacting sales, Engcon was forced to cancel and return early from this year’s largest construction trade show CONEXPO, in Las Vegas. Engcon is known for its good financial management and immediately acted with a package of measures, that included cost savings, budget adjustments and prioritising efforts to streamline processes and working practices. However, this summer’s sales figures were better than expected, which meant ramping up production to meet the increase in customer orders.

Strong summer sales for Engcon

Strong summer sales for Engcon

”For us, it is of the utmost importance to run the company in a serious and long-term way. In uncertain times, we do what we can to minimise the effects if it should be a worst case scenario,” says Krister Blomgren, CEO of Engcon Holding, and continues:

“But it turned out pretty soon that despite the pandemic, many excavator operators around the world continued their work with maintenance of railways, highways, forestry and building structures. We know that our products contribute to socially beneficial activities and these priorities around the world have therefore of course been favourable for us as a company. This is a strong contributing factor to our positive sales figures”.

In total, Engcon Group sales dropped by approximately 14 percent from January to July 2020, compared with the same period last year, while sales increased by 18 percent in the non-Nordic markets.

“What you have to remember is that it is the other markets that are growing at a higher rate right now, meanwhile sales remain sluggish in our normally stronger markets here in the Nordic region”.

However, Engcon has seen greater caution around larger investments, but at the same time can see that many excavator operators barely have time available for all their assignments right now. Those who can afford it are thus making the smart move to invest in an economic downturn in order to prepare for the upturn.

”Investing in a tiltrotator makes digging considerably more efficient, which means extra capacity to catch up with more jobs in hectic times. It is wise to equip the business, regardless of whether you are a local excavation company or a large global corporation,” says Krister Blomgren.

Engcon has a number of activities prioritised to further develop the business and come out stronger on the other side of the pandemic.

“For example, we have just chosen a supplier for a new business system, as part of a decision we made over a year ago. Our strategy is to streamline our processes and make smart investments to become even better. This summer’s sales have been good, and we are cautiously optimistic, even though we have not heard the latest about Covid-19 yet,” Krister Blomgren concludes.

The markets where sales rose significantly during the year were North America (USA and Canada), Denmark, the United Kingdom and Australia.

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Polaris introduces new full-size Ranger line-up

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Polaris introduces new full-size Ranger line-up: Polaris today announced new models for its 2021 Ranger line-up – the industry’s No.1-selling utility side-by-side vehicle – including the all-new Ranger 1000 purpose-built for farmers, hunters, and smallholding owners, offering the ultimate combination of price and performance. 

“When there is a big job to do, the new RANGER 1000 is the perfect machine to help get it done and continue to build upon our hardest-working, smoothest-riding promise,” said Frederic Mardon, Product Manager of Polaris Off Road Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our new RANGER 1000 model has been engineered for work, designed for comfort and built to last, and we are pleased to be introducing this to our markets for 2021. We’ve also introduced huge new upgrades to our top-of-the-line Ranger XP 1000, making it bolder than ever before.”

Polaris introduces new full-size Ranger line-up

Polaris introduces new full-size Ranger line-up

2021 RANGER 1000

Experience the ultimate combination of price and performance with the new Ranger 1000, featuring smoother low-speed drivability and increased agility to create a perfect balance of big-work capability and all-day comfort.

Engineered for Work

With consumer-inspired improvements all round, the Ranger 1000 is designed to be the ultimate workhorse capable of getting the toughest jobs done. The all-new ProStar 1000 single overhead cam engine is optimised to provide more torque at lower RPMs, and there is an all-new Pro-PVTi clutch system to deliver smooth drivability at low speeds and allow users to get the most out of the class-leading 1,134kg towing capacity. The Ranger 1000 offers 30.5cm of ground clearance and 25.4cm of suspension travel on the front and rear to rise above any obstacle, plus a payload capacity of 454kg and a tight turning radius to stay agile in tight spaces. It is equipped with multiple Lock & Ride mounting locations to add key accessories needed for the job at hand.

Designed for Comfort

For the comfort to work and go all day, the Ranger engineering team has designed the Ranger 1000 with rider experience in mind, featuring 12.7cm of entry and exit clearance and padded bench seats. The all-new, one-piece chassis provides a rigid frame for a more comfortable ride. Inside, the cab features a large glovebox plus a lower dash bin, driver and passenger under-seat storage and up to eight cup holders. With seamless accessory integration across Ranger Pro Shield cab system components and a pre-wired three-position Polaris Pulse electrical system under the hood, the Ranger 1000 enables consumers to ride in comfort all day long, no matter the conditions.

Built to Last

Ranger is renowned for the longevity of its vehicles, and the Ranger 1000 is no exception. A completely redesigned front end features a heavy-duty steel front bumper and a full-body skid plate, provides more protection from unforgiving terrain. A quick-release grille panel adds to the distinct style and is integrated into the front of the Ranger 1000 for easy access to the radiator for service and cleaning, and a new high-capacity, round air filter has been conveniently located for easy access, inspection and maintenance. Longer-lasting, quieter and maintenance-free sealed suspension bushings come standard, and CV guards have been carried forward for additional A-arm protection. The new Pro-PVTi clutching system has been engineered from the ground up with large internal wear components to deliver enhanced drivability, reliability and control.

Enhanced durability, protection and ease of maintenance make the Ranger 1000 stronger and tougher, no matter the task.

Available in Sage Green as standard, the Ranger 1000 is also available in a Nordic Pro special edition, featuring a glossy black pearl paint finish complemented by bright Velocity Blue springs, an in-cab heater and cab seal kit fitted as standard along with 12-inch black aluminium wheels and a Polaris PRO Heavy-Duty 2041kg winch for a helping hand in tricky situations. 

2021 RANGER XP 1000

Top of the range and built to be the most capable and comfortable Ranger ever, the Ranger XP 1000 also receives notable upgrades for 2021; now featuring a brand-new look with the addition of striking LED headlights to the three-seater model, and new colour options.

Not only do the updated LED lights give the Ranger a more aggressive and premium look, but they also deliver 90-percent more output than the traditional halogen lights for improved visibility in low-light conditions, allowing riders to stay outside for longer to get the job done.

The Ranger XP 1000 EPS is available in Matte Navy with 12-inch aluminium wheels – for both three-seater and Crew models – and Polaris Pursuit Camo – for the three-seater only – as well as the new special edition finish – Nordic Pro. Similar to the Ranger 1000, the Nordic Pro sees an in-cab heater fitted as standard, in addition to the sparkling black pearl paint finish with bright blue springs, 12-inch black aluminium wheels and a Polaris PRO Heavy-Duty 2041kg winch. The ABS version of the Ranger XP 1000 EPS is available in Burgundy Metallic. 

With its ProStar 1000 double-cam overhead engine, 1134kg towing capacity, 454kg cargo bed capacity, 33cm ground clearance and 27.9cm suspension travel on the front and rear, the Ranger XP 1000 is the top-of-the-range in quality and features. Available on certain models, the three-position engine switch on the dash allows users to switch between work, standard and performance settings to suit their ride, whilst the premium paint finish, 12-inch alloy wheels and huge 27-inch Maxxis tyres make it look bolder and more stylish than ever before.

The 2021 RANGER full-size line-up is available as below:

2021 Ranger 1000 – Sage Green

2021 Ranger 1000 – Nordic Pro Special Edition in Black Pearl

2021 Ranger XP 1000 EPS – Matte Navy (available in three-seater and crew models)

2021 Ranger XP 1000 EPS – Polaris Pursuit Camo

2021 Ranger XP 1000 EPS – Nordic Pro Special Edition in Black Pearl

2021 Ranger XP 1000 EPS ABS – Burgundy Metallic

2021 Ranger Diesel – Sage Green

For further media information on Polaris ORV products, please contact the Polaris ORV Media Office on +44 (0) 1525 270100 or email us at press@polaris-orv.media.

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First impressions count with the Quadraplay

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First impressions count with the Quadraplay: Nigel Mortimore, Head Groundsman at Topsham Rugby Football Club, is a strong believer in first impressions – and his SISIS Quadraplay is helping him to create a pitch that opposition teams will long remember.   

A retired Physical Education teacher, Nigel has been maintaining the pitches at Topsham Rugby Football Club for the past seven years. The site, which includes two full size rugby pitches and two smaller pitches for the junior teams, can often see more than 600 people in attendance on a matchday.

First impressions count with the Quadraplay

First impressions count with the Quadraplay

When Nigel first started the role, he had little experience in groundsmanship, so he was therefore keen to get up to speed as soon as possible.

“I live local to here, I enjoyed playing rugby and I’ve always had an interest in fields and sports pitches but going from playing on one to looking after one was a steep learning curve,” he said.

“I joined the RFU’s Rugby Groundsmen Connected scheme, which along with Devon RFU, has been invaluable in gaining advice and support. I also got in contact with the groundsman at Exeter University and I worked alongside him and his team to see how they maintain their pitches. The previous groundsman at Topsham, John Evans, was also a great help.”

After learning the fundamental skills of groundsmanship, Nigel’s attention soon turned towards new maintenance machinery. The SISIS Quadraplay had previously caught his eye and an evening with Keith Kent helped him make the final decision.

“Keith Kent came here to Topsham to host a Groundsmen Connected seminar. He brought a range of SISIS equipment with him and that was when I first saw the Quadraplay in action – I immediately knew that this machine was what we needed.

“The club’s committee attended that evening and the final decision was made there and then. Those committee members bought into what benefits the Quadraplay could offer after seeing how it could be used and how much it could help us.”

The SISIS Quadraplay multiple-purpose, single-pass maintenance incorporates a mounted frame for up to four implements such as grooming rakes, spikers, slitters, rollers and brushes. The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect. Compact, robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations simultaneously – the Quadraplay makes life a lot easier for many groundsmen.

“We purchased the Quadraplay to improve the conditions of the fields and it has done exactly that,” said Nigel.

“It is used pretty much every day depending on conditions. If the surface is nice and damp, we will go out and slit it and we will do that in different directions on various days. Slitting the pitches has really helped with the drainage here. Prior to having the Quadraplay we were forced to cancel games when we had torrential rain but now, we don’t have that problem.

First impressions count with the Quadraplay

First impressions count with the Quadraplay

“The brush puts a lovely stripe on the pitch which is important for matchday presentation. The tines are also brilliant, and we tend to tine it and brush it particularly at the end of the season. This helps to take off the peaks and put them into the troughs for a consistent playing surface.

“Having the ability to carry out four tasks with the Quadraplay is extremely beneficial,” continued Nigel. “The adjustment is very easy, and it is incredibly simple to connect it to the back of our tractor. I also like the fact that there is no PTO on it so there are no risks of oil spillages. It is easy to maintain, well-built and it is just a fantastic piece of kit.”

Nigel believes that the machine has signalled major improvements to the pitches. He also claims that it is not just the home team that these improvements have had an impact on.

“The quality of surface has improved no end. The players are getting a good footing on it and that in turn improves the game of rugby – the better the surface the better the play. A lot of the Topsham players have commented on how much they feel it has improved.

“I’ve got a real thing about first impressions especially when you go to play a game at an away ground. If you were to get off a coach on a matchday and you see a fantastic looking pitch which has been dressed, striped and ready for play then you know you will be facing a good team. I think our pitch, thanks to the SISIS Quadraplay, now puts opposition teams on the backfoot straight away.”

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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Robotic line marking – the future is here!

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Robotic line marking- the future is here!: Faster, lighter and cost effective, the TinyLineMarker (TLM) Sport, is Rigby Taylor’s latest line marking robot introduction for the autonomous, initial marking and over-marking of sports pitches.

Perfect for clubs and organisations that have single site use, or for sites with just a few pitches, it is a smart investment for training grounds, sports clubs, schools and district/borough councils.

Small in size but BIG on features

Robotic line marking- the future is here!

Robotic line marking- the future is here!

Using the latest robotic technology and in-built GPS-RTK receiver and antenna, the TLM Sport’s modern, sleek design moves easily over the grass surfaces providing precision line markings to mm levels of accuracy. There are 50 sports pitch-marking templates available and the robot is easily controlled by a single operator using the supplied Samsung tablet. Once the lines have been marked the markings are never lost as once the operation has been completed, the location and markings are simply stored and can be retrieved and replicated at any time. The robot can continuously mark for 3-4 hours on a single battery charge (an upgraded battery is available providing longer spraying time) and built in detect and protect ultrasonic sensors are supplied as standard.

The TLM Sport is also super-efficient. Once the robot is positioned on the pitch surface to be marked it can be left to get on with its work, freeing up the operator to carry out additional tasks such as mowing, aeration, spraying, spreading, etc. As an example, using just 3 litres of Impact paint, the complete initial marking (no stringing required!) of a standard sized football pitch can be undertaken in just 20 minutes, including those pitches with fixed posts.

Robotic line marking - the future is here!

Robotic line marking – the future is here!

It is also eco-friendly. As CO2 emissions and water conservation become increasingly important, its battery powered, low energy consumption, no fuel or emissions and, with its Impact ready to use paint, no added water, the TLM Sport is the eco-smart choice.

From the launch by Rigby Taylor’s of its first robotic line marker, the company leads the industry in the line marking robotic revolution and The TinyLineMarker Sport is the ideal partner with its big brother the TinyLineMarker Pro which has been so successful for contractors and those clubs and organisations that have multiple pitches.

See the Tiny Linemarker Sport Robot Line Marker in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhCQQUaVr38&feature=youtu.be

For further information, or to book a demonstration, contact a Rigby Taylor area manager or Freephone 0800 424 919, 0r email: sales@rigbytaylor.com

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Dennis keeping up appearances at Topsham

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Dennis keeping up appearances at Topsham: John Brand, Greenkeeper at Topsham Bowls Club in Exeter, insists that the Dennis FT510 and the Dennis Razor Ultra 560 are helping him to keep the reputation of Devon’s finest bowls green intact.  

Founded in 1928, Topsham is one of the most premier clubs in Devon. Its full-size green is also considered to be one of the best in the South West.

Dennis keeping up appearances at Topsham

Dennis keeping up appearances at Topsham

John has been at the club for over ten years and has seen a continuous rise in membership, with more and more prestigious tournaments being held at the club. This is perhaps testament to just how good the playing surface at Topsham Bowls Club is.

He admits that the maintenance of the green has been made that bit easier through a range of Dennis Mowers. These mowers, from the British manufacturer, are used at thousands of bowling greens in the UK and can be found maintaining greens and lawns in many countries overseas helping greenkeepers to achieve their desired surface.

John chooses to use his trusty Dennis FT510 cylinder mower, which he has had for over a decade, as well as his newly purchased Dennis Razor Ultra 560.

The Dennis FT510, a 510mm (20”) cylinder mower fitted with the innovative interchangeable cassette system, is unrivalled as a mower and turf maintenance machine on all areas of fine turf. A range of 11 cassettes mean that one machine can be used for several key maintenance tasks including scarifying, verticutting or brushing.

John’s most recent addition, the Dennis Razor Ultra 560, has been developed specifically to meet the demands of fine turf such as bowling greens, golf greens and cricket pitches. With a 560mm (22”) cutting width, the Razor Ultra 560 incorporates many key features including an 11 bladed cutting cylinder, ultra-short wheelbase for undulating surfaces, tungsten tipped groomer, compact handle design for extra maneuverability, click height adjusters and stub free transport wheels for easy transport from site to site.

“The green is in great condition and that is partially because of these two mowers,” said John. “We’ve had the FT510 for a long time now and it has never let us down – I’ll still use that for verticutting.

“The main reason we purchased the Razor Ultra 560 was because we wanted the grooming facility to get rid of the long ends of the grass. It has worked wonders and it has really helped in thinning the turf which makes the bowl move more quickly across the green.

“I really like the weight of the Razor Ultra too and it is doing the rolling at the same time. We normally cut down to 4mm and it offers a fantastic finish every time – the presentation is unrivalled.

“I would suggest that both of these mowers are essential for any greenkeeper.”

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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