Outstanding service brings Jacobsen to Thorpeness

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Outstanding service brings Jacobsen to Thorpeness: Outstanding after sales and back-up service from two Jacobsen dealers were the clinching factors behind Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel purchasing a new Jacobsen fleet.

Course Manager, Wallace Wilson, has been plying his trade on the Suffolk coast for eight months having previously been in charge at Milngavie Golf Club in Scotland where he worked closely with Jacobsen dealer, Fairways.

Outstanding service brings Jacobsen to Thorpeness

Outstanding service brings Jacobsen to Thorpeness

An ageing fleet which required a lot of maintenance was due to be replaced at Thorpeness, and Wallace’s experience with Fairways and the reliability of the mowers meant Jacobsen was the preferred option.

“Back-up service is off the charts in terms of importance for us,” Wallace explains. “It makes a huge difference to what we’re doing. We’re under pressure all the time, especially early mornings, to get stuff done and we need to have that confidence that’s going to take place.

“Reliability and back-up from Fairways was absolutely impeccable, I can’t say that enough, I’ve said that to everyone down here, and it was such a big factor. Ernest Doe so far has been fantastic with us through the lockdown period, and they helped us out with loads of bits and pieces before the deal was done. So I’m grateful to them for that and that really shaped where we were looking towards.

“The machines also proved themselves to be really capable of what we want to be doing, so it was certainly a big factor and looking towards that here and what Ernest Doe have come up with is a really good package.

“In terms of features, Jacobsen greens-wise for the GP400 in-particular is renowned in terms of quality of cut, so that is obviously a massive factor for us when we’re looking at anything. And having used the GPs before I’ve had great reliability overall, certainly over a five-year period, so that really shaped where we were looking to go with the GPs. In terms of the TR330, it was a newer machine to me, so once we’d had a look at that and demoed it, again it was perfectly suitable for what we are using it for here. The guys absolutely love using that, and it’s one of the most comfortable machines they’ve used.

“Both those points, the quality of cut and comfort of the machine are majorly important, and sometimes people overlook the comfort side. But the guys are sitting there from early freezing cold mornings quite often right throughout the day. So they need to be comfortable, and they work a lot better when they’re comfortable. Again, the ease of set-up in terms of the cutting units is really simple and efficient. You hardly have to set them really, they stay on cut so well, and the quality of cut you get, particularly from the GP400 is second to none in my opinion.”

Thorpeness are one of many clubs who have opted for set monthly payments that include servicing and maintenance from Ernest Doe since the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect businesses in the United Kingdom. By having fixed costs, clubs are avoiding any unexpected payments throughout the year and can operate their course maintenance with confidence.

For more information on the Jacobsen range of machines, visit www.jacobsenbuilt.com or contact your local dealer.

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A workhouse with extra for autumn

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A workhouse with extra for autumn: As the main playing season comes to an end and maintenance plans and renovation works are put into place, your fleet needs to be ready to pull its weight as conditions and work gets tough. This is when TYM’s T393 tractor really deserves its shed status.

At the bare minimum, you will be repairing the turf from the stress of summer and a lot of play and preparing it for the tough winter conditions ahead. There will be aeration programmes, hollow coring, scarifying, topdressing, vertidraining, spiking and perhaps construction work, drainage installations and building tees and bunkers, too. And while all this is going on, the weather can be wet and the last thing you want to do is damage the turf as you move equipment and heavy loads across it.

A workhouse with extra for autumn

A workhouse with extra for autumn

This is what makes the T393 the perfect compact workhorse for this time of year. It’s strong and capable, but light and nimble to ensure it doesn’t create more clear up work by being out and about over the course.

Its 39hp Yanmar engine has two transmission options of either 12×12 speed manual with dash mounted shuttle lever or a three range HST transmission. It has one of the highest lift capabilities in its class at 1200kg and one of the highest hydraulic flow rates with a maximum output of 42 litres per minute, making it suitable for use with a wide range of hydraulically driven attachments.

When it comes to attachments, TYM’s UK distributor Reesink has customers covered with an extensive range that adds to the versatility and productivity of the T393. AgriMetal’s efficient, well-engineered and reliable blowers and collectors, SICMA, a range of rear-mounted tractor attachments including finishing mowers, flail mowers, wide area mowers and rotary tillers, and 1st Products, a specialist range of tractor mounted aeration equipment can all be sourced through Reesink, along with the TYM T393.

Steven Haynes, tractor sales manager at UK distributor Reesink Turfcare, says: “The T393 tractor is the ideal choice for those who don’t need a larger framed mid-duty model but need the most amount of power, productivity, versatility and efficiency in a compact package. Its ability to turn its hand to the small and big jobs with ease makes it a justifiably popular choice with our customers in the golf, fine turf sports, landscaping and contractor fields.

“But it’s not just that, as a distributor we’ve thought in great detail about a range of attachments to cover the wide and varied requirements of a tractor and are proud of the brands we represent here in the UK. It presents a comprehensive and quality offering for our customers to see them through all the seasons.”

To find out more about TYM, the tractor attachments and finance available from Reesink call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Balmers GM join INFINICUT® dealer network

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Balmers GM join INFINICUT® dealer network: Balmers GM have been announced as the latest dealer in a growing network of outlets for the INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ ranges.

With depots in Wakefield and Burnley, they are well placed to deliver sales and support to a wide variety of professional customers across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Manchester.

Balmers GM join INFINICUT® dealer network

Balmers GM join INFINICUT® dealer network

Established over 40 years ago, Balmers GM have grown to become one of the largest dedicated turf machinery dealers in the UK. Since their appointment as a John Deere main dealer in 1992, they’ve gone on to represent a number of leading sports turf and arboricultural manufacturers to service customers including local authorities, golf clubs, contractors and the leisure industry. With immediate effect, they will be stocking the full INFINICUT® range of floating-head, fixed-head and rotary mowers together with the complete range of TMSystem™ cassettes for grooming, cutting and other maintenance activities.

On the announcement, Balmers GM Sales Director Darren Barker said, “It is fantastic news for Balmers to have INFINICUT® on board – such a professional, innovative and forward-thinking brand is a huge asset to have in our professional golf and turf machinery portfolio. We’ve been very impressed with the value and versatility of the TMSystem™ interchangeable cassette system, the ease of operation with the INFINICUT® range and of course the eco-friendly benefits that battery technology affords to our customers.”

Oliver Hall, INFINICUT® Territory Sales Manager added, “We are extremely pleased to be working with Balmers GM and have certainly hit the ground running with a series of demonstrations and orders placed in the first few weeks! They have a fantastic reputation for sales and aftercare which is so important for us, as we look to work with both new and existing customers in this area.”

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Gathurst GC invests in new fleet

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Gathurst GC invests in new fleet: North-West based Gathurst Golf Club have invested in a brand-new fleet of machinery with a retail value of circa £200k to futureproof the club.

The prestigious 18-hole parkland golf course, which boasts a variation of hole designs and superb putting surfaces to challenge golfers of all abilities, is a private members-owned club located in Shevington, Wigan. The club’s ultimate priority is to provide a highly professional course to enhance the enjoyment of all its members.

Gathurst GC invests in new fleet

Gathurst GC invests in new fleet

The club’s ageing fleet, with machines that were up to 20 years old, had started to become both  problematic and costly and were failing to deliver the standard required. The team realised that a sizeable investment in an entirely new fleet was essential.

Chairman of Greens Eddie Cunliffe called upon award winning fine-turf specialist supplier GGM Groundscare, having purchased a machine from the business two years ago and being very impressed with the service received. Several considerations had to be taken into account when selecting the best machinery for the job, with reliability and productivity of equipment being key. Being based in the North West of England, it was key for the machinery to perform well in all-weather conditions and operate well on clay surfaces. In addition, the 9th hole has a large dip which the previous machine was unable to get up, proving time consuming for the greenkeeping team to manage.

The club trialled a range of products from leading manufacturers Baroness and Kubota and the Greens team instantly saw the great results, with the machines staying on cut for longer and giving a precise finish, which is so important for maintaining the image of the course.

Mr Cunliffe was particularly impressed with the results from the Baroness LM2700 Fairway Mower, as the ability to switch from two to four-wheel drive offers the means to cut the entire fairway without any wheel spin, particularly on the tricky 9th hole.

“The new machines have been absolutely brilliant so far and our team have already noticed a huge difference in terms of ease of use and providing a truly outstanding quality of cut. More so, this new fleet is far more efficient and cost effective”.

He continued:

“It was a huge step for the club to move away from the previous manufacturer, and particularly when it came to making an investment of this size, however GGM Groundscare made the process so easy and we have already received outstanding after sales service care, carried out in a quick and effective manner. It’s fantastic to know that we’re heading into the future with the very best fleet for our club.”

Chris Gibson, Managing Director at GGM Groundscare said:

“We are absolutely delighted to supply this fleet of machinery to Gathurst Golf Club. It really is Japanese excellence working together with Kubota and Baroness as there are no better machines for golf clubs to use to maintain one of their biggest assets – their course”.

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TYM tractor still making magic

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TYM tractor still making magic: Earlier this year Douglas and Alex Chalmers, Countryside’s TYM competition winners, compared the T194 tractor they won for the year to a fairytale: “It’s a bit like Goldilocks. Not too big, not too small, but just right.” And six months on, it’s still making magic.

Learning Fields, a not-for-profit centre of wellbeing based at Nag’s Head Farm in Cumbria, has not been operating this year, but that doesn’t mean the T194 tractor hasn’t been put to good use on the farm!

TYM tractor still making magic

TYM tractor still making magic

“We use the tractor around three times a week, and once it gets started up it doesn’t stay idle for long,” says Douglas, director of the business. “It’s been instrumental in getting jobs done around the farm and we would have really struggled without it.

“We’ve invested in pigs this year, and the T194 has made that possible,” he says. “Outdoor pigs need to be moved routinely so that they’re always on fresh ground, and we’ve been using the T194 to transport them and their hut around the farm. As you’d expect with pigs, it can get very muddy and at first I was unsure how the tractor would cope with that, but it’s had no issues with the tough conditions.

“It’s a massive improvement compared to the quad bikes we were previously using to transport equipment across the farm. All the tractor’s controls fall easily to either hand, and are light and easy to operate. Plus, it allows us to complete tasks that we just couldn’t do before. But the biggest bonus is definitely its size.”

Part of the TYM compact utility range, the T194 combines the practicality of a smaller tractor, weighing in at just 650kg, with enough power to pack a punch – thanks to its 19hp three cylinder Yanmar engine.

“As a smaller tractor, it gets jobs done without damaging or tearing the grass, which is a huge bonus” says Douglas. “But what is very impressive is its handling. We have smaller areas and narrow gates, and tight turning is important. The T194 can turn on half a sixpence, and can do so in wet conditions without damaging the soil. We cut a series of paths through our woodland to assist access for visitors, and I thought the tractor would manage some of these just leave a small area to strim – not at all, it zigged and zagged its way through all the narrow spaces between trees with no problems.”

With their 12 months with the tractor nearly over, it certainly has left an impression. “It saves time, labour and toil,” he says. “There were so many jobs we couldn’t do before, or that would need to be done by hand – but with the T194 I can get everything I want done, in a fraction of the time.”

He concludes: “When I next need to expand my equipment fleet, I wouldn’t hesitate to consider TYM. This past year, the T194 has had no issues and coped in a variety of conditions, which gave us complete confidence and peace of mind any time we started a job.”

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