First of many for Drayton Park

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First of many for Drayton Park: Drayton Park Golf Club a course for all abilities designed and set out by James Braid, a five-time winner of the British Open Golf Championship, has recently added the GKB Sandspreader to maintain their picturesque grounds.

With impeccable standards and a policy of continuous improvement, the GKB Sandspreader was the obvious choice for course manager Dale Housden.

First of many for Drayton Park

First of many for Drayton Park

Having heard about the reliable and robust SP100 from a fellow course manager and after multiple recommendations, Dale knew he had to get his hands on one. With multiple reasons for sand filling and top dressing, the GKB Sandspreader can distribute a wide variety of materials in desired quantities all with hassle-free application. Using his machine for top dressing turf surfaces, Dale explains, “In 2001 our greens were re-laid to USGA standards and with continued improvements its essential we have a fleet of machines to keep the grounds in standard. The SP100 was the perfect addition.”

Ranging from 1m3 to 4m3, there are several hopper capacity options in four different designs. The shape and design of the sand hoppers ensure efficient operation and a clear view along the machine. Dale adds, “Even with a slightly larger hopper capacity, the weight distribution is seriously impressive.” The GKB Sandspreader can also be delivered with four pivoting balloon tires for the perfect distribution of the weight on the grounds.

Removing the necessity of complicated and intricate use, the GKB Sandpsreader offers effortless and simple control. “A top dresser is generally a simple machine to use, yet I have used a variety of brands before this GKB machine that seem to complicate controls. The GKB Sandspreader is simplistic yet effective,” praises Dale.

Impressed with GKB Machines for their fantastic customer service, Dale continues “Being a new customer to GKB I am thoroughly impressed with the sales, installation support and aftercare thus far.” With a team of nearly 200 people in Holland looking after sports fields and landscaping maintenance, GKB pulls experience directly from the field when developing machines. Dale resumes, “The fact that GKB design from hands-on experience with the end-users as their priority is thoroughly refreshing.”

Dale is excited to grow the relationship with GKB and is looking to purchase a GKB Sandfiller very soon.

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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PBR150 makes the grade for Chemquad

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PBR150 makes the grade for Chemquad: With two major soft-landscaping projects in the diary, the decision to purchase a Power Box Rake 150 (PBR150) from BLEC was a timely one for Worcester based contractors, Chemquad.

Owner Tom Jennings estimates that the PBR’s ability to cultivate and grade even the most compacted ground saved one client almost £30,000, converting topsoil considered ‘unsalvageable’ into ground fit for seeding once again.

PBR150 makes the grade for Chemquad

PBR150 makes the grade for Chemquad

Chemquad started out 21 years ago carrying out commercial weed spraying but now mainly undertake commercial landscaping projects large and small, for clients in and around the Midlands. “We have a couple of bits of BLEC kit on our fleet already but were looking for something manoeuvrable but powerful enough to handle a variety of ground conditions” explains Tom. “I’d seen the PBR at SALTEX a few years back and knew of a couple of other contractors using it, so when I learnt that BLEC had launched a new lightweight, tractor-mounted model, it was a perfect fit.”

Without even having a demonstration, Tom purchased a PBR150 from his local Tallis Amos dealer in the midst of the COVID lockdown and it was put to work on a problem area almost straight away. “We were working on a housing development in Daventry which has a gas line running straight through the centre of it. We needed something that could deal with the compaction caused by site traffic but nothing too heavy or that worked too deep in the ground. The easily adjustable throw plate on the PBR meant we could rake surface stones to begin with and gradually lower it to grade stones from deeper in the surface. It did an incredible job.”

At the heart of the PBR150 is a carbide toothed rotor which contra rotates to pulverise and separate stones and debris from the soil, leaving a raked finish in its wake. Rear adjustable castor wheels give accurate depth control while side plates effectively gather up the windrowed material for clean and simple removal. “It’s a simple, robust unit that gives us accuracy and efficiency in operation. The savings we have made on these two major projects by not having to hire specialist equipment or purchase tonnes of new topsoil means the PBR has already paid for itself, and more.”

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The benefits of Mulching

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The benefits of Mulching: Rotary flail manufacturer Muthing say their integral Mulching System MMS and new Vario System offers both time and financial benefits when compared to cutting and collecting on all areas of grass maintenance. The MU-H 1.6 to 2.2m and MU-L 1.8 to 2.8m front and rear mounted are ideal for tractors from 40hp to 130 hp.

Simon Richard the UK agent for the Muthing range says, “The purposely designed hood, in conjunction with a large easier driven spiral rotor gives better economy.  The high rotor speed, along with the ‘Shark fin’ shredding bar gives uniform mulching of all grass types, with the long material fed back through the rotor for a second cut. The material that is already shredded passes through to be distributed evenly behind the mower. The new addition of the adjustable Vario bar allows Infinitely variable mulching for rapid decomposition. Compacted thatch can also be mulched due to the strong suction by moving the Vario bar towards the rotor.

The benefits of Mulching

The benefits of Mulching

Higher forward speeds and larger area outputs with consistent quality are possible with no  wasted time or expense on collection and disposal of cut grass.  Hydraulic Side Shift allows for up to 56cm movement to get into awkward areas.

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Terra Spike gives Bentham peace of mind

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Terra Spike gives Bentham peace of mind: Lancashire’s Bentham Golf Club has chosen a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD to help its team make the most of weather windows.

This summer, the family run club with its backdrop of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, proximity to the Dales and Forest of Bowland has attracted golf tourists from across the country. Its ‘on course’ cottages and high-end vacation pods have offered something different and proved hugely popular.

Terra Spike gives Bentham peace of mind

Terra Spike gives Bentham peace of mind

The course, too, has seen additional member traffic, prompting the purchase of a deep aerator.  For head greenkeeper, Shaun Conway it marks another positive step for the northern club.

“I joined Bentham in April during lockdown, which was a little strange to say the least.  Initially, my family and I lived in one of the lovely holiday cottages,” said Shaun, “so it really was an unusual, but memorable, beginning.

“But it’s all gone well. Lots of good things are happening; a new practice putting green is almost built; the course is looking sharper and the arrival of the new machine means a huge boost to our aeration programme.

“This is my first Wiedenmann. I’ve known Terra Spikes by reputation but it’s the incredible smoothness you notice… when you leave the cab you don’t feel shaken up.  I actually tried the ‘Wiedenmann tea cup test’ where you place a full cup of tea on top and set off across a green. I tried mine with a flask cup.    Not a drop lost!  An unexpected stone halfway through your trial isn’t good though, then it definitely spills …

“Immediately after installation we got all tees spiked with 20 mm tines to 10 cm with 5 degrees of heave. Next day, one of the lads started tackling the fairways to 15 cm.  You don’t need extra spanners; it’s a tool free and runs quietly and quickly. The speed is just great… it buys peace of mind that the job will get done.

“We’re a small team, mostly three, but sometimes four. This Autumn when conditions allow, we’ll be all over if we can, targeting known wet spots. A network of paths around the course means we can pretty much access all areas. For now, we’re operating with 8mm and 20 mm tines but next year 12 mm tines will come in handy. After the initial phase, the aeration programme going forward is to be out little and often. The speed and easy operation mean every three to four weeks. Even across the summer, we can get some discreet work done without golfers knowing.”

Bentham Golf Club is supplied by local dealer Balmer’s Garden Machinery,  at Burnley.  Balmer’s golf and turf machinery sales specialist, Ben Cook, and Wiedenmann UK’s demonstrator, Andy Kerr, together did the installation and operator training.

Ben Cook said: “The GXi8 gives Shaun flexibility to take advantage of weather windows.  Aeration is one of those vital tasks dependent on prevailing conditions.  Once the decision to ‘go’ is made you can get nine greens done in an afternoon. “

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ECHO launches largest professional chainsaw

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ECHO launches largest professional chainsaw: ECHO has introduced a new professional chainsaw, the CS-7310SX, which is the largest in the current range and features a low emission, premium-grade 73.5cc engine with an output of 4.1kW.

A heavy-duty, rear handle chainsaw the CS-7310SX is part of the ECHO X Series which designates it as a best-in-class product and as such it’s packed with features designed to increase the productivity of the professional user. ECHO says they have built this for the many arborists and landscapers using these types of saws regularly to fell large trees. They add that the professional-grade ECHO 2-stroke engine is designed and manufactured in Japan to the highest possible standards, delivering powerful cutting with low emissions and noise levels. There is no question it generates massive torque and provides exceptional cutting performance for heavy-duty felling. And yet it is a lightweight and well-balanced saw, weighing in at only 6.8kg (dry weight) and featuring an ergonomic and robust construction to meet the challenges of professional felling and forestry work.

ECHO launches largest professional chainsaw

ECHO launches largest professional chainsaw

ECHO X Series products are often industry-leading in terms of power and performance and the CS-7310SX lives up to this reputation with a tradition of testing in the most extreme conditions to ensure flawless operation. For the professional who relies on their tools day in and day out the saw is packed with beneficial features. A magnesium starter housing more efficiently disperses heat generated by the engine and the G-Force air pre-cleaner reduces its exposure to dirt and debris. Together with the centrifugal separation dust-free system that means less maintenance and longer life. Starting is easy with the decompression valve and the heavy-duty aluminium handle has a secure rubber grip offering reduced vibration in the hand. Drop prevention nuts to the side casing mean the nuts can’t be lost during maintenance. Dual bumper spikes give you better control when sawing through stumps and thicker branches, while a rotating plastic chain catcher protects the user from potential injury and prevents chain damage. Fuel level is easily monitored with the translucent fuel tank.

Weighing up the CS-7310SX you can say it is a true professionals’ saw backed by the ECHO reputation for durability built-up over 70-years of manufacturing. The saw comes with a 2-year professional or 5-year domestic warranty. Find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer.

You can also visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 01844 278800 for more information

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