Weather it with Countax

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Weather it with Countax: A sizeable garden with a large area of lawn calls for a ride-on mower or garden tractor to enable you to make short work of cutting the grass. But it’s not as simple as that, says AriensCo, the manufacturers of Countax, the British built garden tractor that has been with us for over thirty years.

You need a machine that’s built to manage all the British climate throws at you and works for you all year round. Countax tractor mowers are built for British gardens and have evolved around the experience and feedback of customers, together with the Countax dealers who work closely with the company. So, it comes as no surprise how versatile the latest models can be, starting with the ability to cut and collect grass at virtually any time and laying a high quality striped lawn finish.

Weather it with Countax

Weather it with Countax

While most ride-on lawnmowers rely on the air from their spinning blades to blow the grass through a chute and into a hopper, the Countax cut and collect system works in a different way utilising a clever brush system to physically sweep even wet cuttings into a collector.  There’s no clogging and the action of the sweeper also removes dead grass and debris, helping to reduce thatch for a healthier lawn. In the autumn the system can be used effectively to sweep up leaves as well. The grass collector is powered by the tractor’s engine and driven by the Power Take Off (PTO) that is also used to drive a range of accessories and powered attachments, including a broadcast spreader for spreading rock salt on ice in the winter.

The latest addition to the Countax range of accessories is the PGC+. Driven by the PTO it’s a cassette system which allows you to quickly switch accessories and transform a Countax C or B Series garden tractor into an all-year-round workhorse. The grass sweeper cassette comes as standard with the PGC+ and there’s an optional scarifier cassette to make removing thatch and moss easier come early spring or autumn. Even better is the fact it scarifies and collects the debris simultaneously.

Now, a garden tractor that’s going to be working all year, and not just in fine summer months, needs to be tough and substantially built. In tests, each painted component in a Countax is exposed to 500 hours of continuous salt spray without showing any corrosion. The cutter decks are made from high-grade steel, while the front axle is cast iron. Equally important, all the electrical components in a Countax are fully waterproof. Weigh it all up and you have the investment in a durable machine that will go on working for you throughout the seasons – year in, year out, whatever the British weather throws at you. Find out more by contacting Countax on 01844 278800 or visit www.countax.co.uk/dealers to find your local dealer.

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The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

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The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are offering the ability to keep your sports pitch or golf course in prime condition throughout the year, thanks to the GKB Sandspreader.

During both construction and maintenance, there are multiple reasons for sand filling and top dressing. In either case, the GKB Sandspreader enables the distribution of a wide variety of materials in the appropriate quantities with hassle-free application.

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

Ranging from 1m3 to 4m3, there are several hopper capacity options in four different designs. The shape and design of the sand hoppers ensures efficient operation and ensures your clear view along the machine. Giving you complete control from the tractor, an optional touchscreen allows you to manoeuvre the machine from within. Not only this but the GKB Sandspreader can also be delivered with four pivoting balloon tires for the perfect distribution of the weight on your grounds.

Adapting to fit a multitude of vehicles, the SP100 especially has been developed on the back of the success of GKB’s trailed versions and is suitable for assembling on a turf truck. For example; the John Deere® Gator™, Toro® Workman® or the Jacobsen® Truckster. With complicated construction removed, mounting the GKB Sandspreader is straightforward. A simple bolt-on system and stand legs allows the SP100 to be quickly removed. Also fitted with hydraulic controls means this efficient machine can run directly off the hydraulics of the chosen turf truck.

With development constantly happening within the heart of GKB, the GKB Sandspreader was created to offer not only maintenance and construction but also versatility. Available with a conveyer belt on the front or rear, this machine can be used as a material handler for filling drainage equipment, a smaller dresser or even bunkers. With the standard design, you can set the speed of the conveyer belt and the disc spreaders utilising an attached control unit. The double, hydraulically powered, spreading discs are adjustable on multiple points and in this way enables you to create a faultless sand distribution.

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 to enquire about the GKB Sandspreader and to book a demonstration.

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Kovaco launch the Elise 900

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Kovaco launch the Elise 900: Kovaco Electric Company has always seen the power in simplicity. That is why we have developed a new type of skid steer loader that is 100% electric, operates 8+ hours with one charge and has zero environmental impact. It offers a wide range of applications thanks to our large range of attachments.

By removing all unnecessary features Kovaco Electric Products have become more user friendly, more control and maintenance intuitive and more future technology based.

Kovaco launch the Elise 900

Kovaco launch the Elise 900

The concept of simplicity has become one of our company’s goals and has since become part of our DNA.

“Living in the now is not enough, let’s think about the future”

Kovaco Electric are proud to announce the UK launch of the worlds’ first fully ELECTRIC SKID STEER LOADER… The Elise 900

The Elise 900:

Named after the creators’ daughter, the Elise 900 is the worlds’ first fully electric skid steer loader. It is 100% environmentally friendly. The loader can be driven manually by way of two in cab joysticks or remotely via a mobile phone supplied with the machine as standard or via an optional 433 Mhz two joystick control set.

The Kovaco Electric mobile phone application is available to download from the internet. This application allows the mobile phone to be used as a remote dashboard when operating from outside the cab of the Elise 900 or as a conventional type dashboard when operating the machine whilst in the cab. The display documents the speed at which the hydraulics and forward motion are set at (4 speeds), bucket self-levelling operations, battery usage and life as well as the 2 joystick control function when in “remote mode”.

The Kovaco Electric Company have made 2 battery types available to its customers to ideally suit all operations and budgets. The first battery (240Ah) affords the operator up to six hours of continuous operation and the second bigger battery (400 Ah) will allow usage of 8 hours and upwards. The bigger the battery the more the lift capacity. These batteries can be charged to 100% in 3.5 hours.

Depending upon battery size the Elise 900 has two operating weight-lifting capacities. The smaller version allows the operator to move loads of up to 900 Kg and the second 1400 Kg.

As well as helping to save the environment, the Elise 900 provides a solution to operations whereby fuel emissions and noise levels are an issue. No diesel powered engine = no fumes and a dramatically reduced noise output. As there are only electrical motors in the machine service costs are set to a minimum and diesel costs have been completely eliminated. Operational cost savings vs a conventional loader are dramatic and will pay for the machine (subject to usage) within the first years of operation.

The Elise 900 has great stability featuring a proprietary self-levelling platform providing four hydraulic speeds that ensures flexibility, safety and works in conjunction with a series of gyro-sensors. Furthermore the Elise 900 has a tilt angle of 47 degrees a massive 10 degrees more than that of machines in the same sector. Combined with an industry leading chassis clearance these features provide a high safety factor for the driver and a comfortable ride.

With their background in heavy engineering the Kovaco Company naturally branched in to manufacturing heavy duty attachments for all types of loaders and as such can offer a vast array of boom mounted implements to include, shovels, concrete mixers, muck grabs, post hole drivers, log grabs and sweepers. With such a range Kovaco Electrics Elise 900 can comfortably operate in all sectors of industry.

The MINI Z Compact Loader:

Kovaco Electric Company have also recently introduced the MINI Z Compact loader to their exciting range of vehicles. Like its big sister it is 100% Electric, 100% Ecological, maintenance free and can be controlled remotely making this the perfect machine for narrow access issues throughout all sectors of industry.

The MINI Z is perfect for work in compact areas due to its compact dimensions providing unmatched industry leading performance. Kovaco Electric Company also offer over 40 different attachments for the MINI Z to include loading shovels, sweeper brushes, brush cutters and flail mowers.

With a maximum battery life of 8 hours, robust track heavy duty construction and 400kg lift capacity this machine lends itself perfectly to agriculture, amenities, construction, horticulture and remote access projects.

Same as the Elise 900 the MINI Z can be remotely controlled by a two stick controller with a tertiary display screen that operates within a radius of 50 m

If you would like any further information about the Kovaco Electric Family of products please feel free to contact your local dealer or one of our sales team: Finlay Bassett 07967 817 582 or Paul Bassett 07768 794 866. You can also visit our web page: www.kovacoelectric.com

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Weston Ground Maintenance settle on Petrol over Diesel

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Weston Ground Maintenance settle on Petrol over Diesel: Weston Ground Maintenance have recently received their new 31HP petrol SCAG Turf Tiger 52 for carrying out the work that the company do for contracts to cut verges / greens / sports pitches / Housing Associations lawns and pleasure gardens in the Stafford area.

Dave Bill, the owner, explained that a succession of machines over the years have come and gone and steadily he has built up a picture of his ideal machine and, when the time came for a new purchase and when he was disappointed with the service of one dealer, he took the advice of friend in another grounds maintenance company who said “try SCAG – they’re bulletproof”.

Weston Ground Maintenance settle on Petrol over Diesel

Weston Ground Maintenance settle on Petrol over Diesel

He had a machine demonstration by Dominic Mason; petrol was the engine of choice, and Dave chose to have the mulching kit for efficiency and a striper kit for the best finish.

The machine is the first of the new Vanguard 31HP high efficiency petrol engine powered SCAG machines sold by STM Co Ltd.

This engine is an excellent example of how petrol is competing against diesel in this market – and Dave has proved it already with a confirmed saving of 1.5 litres of fuel a day.

A further bonus was the discovery that the SCAG STT is the best machine he has had as regards leaving no marks on the ground on turning as it is so easy to manoeuvre.

Happy customer for STM and happy customers for Weston Ground Maintenance.

The machines are available through the STM dealership network. To find your nearest dealer ring 01789 488450, email info@st-mach.com or look at our website www.st-mach.com

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Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

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Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370: Toro’s long-awaited all-electric game-changing mower arrives at Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club and brings with it the technological advances and peace and quiet course manager Ian Beech has been dreaming of for years.

It was six years ago that Ian first heard about the battery technology in development during a visit to Toro’s headquarters and R&D centre in Minneapolis. He says: “Seeing the prototype and hearing all about this game-changing technology really captured my interest and I’ve been waiting for the day we could get our hands on one of these machines ever since.”

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

That day arrived in late spring and the Toro eTriFlex 3370 has exceeded expectations for Ian and the six-strong team: “One of the main selling points was that the battery could mow up to 20 average sized greens on a single charge. Incredibly we’ve been getting up to 56 greens done! Even with accessories such as the grooming brushes on the cutting units we’re still getting 38-40 greens done!

“We’ve been a Toro club for decades so we’re fully aware what the brand delivers in terms of quality and innovation and this is the future. You’re told on a clear display screen what’s left of your power supply and it gives enough warning so that wherever you are on the course you have enough power to finish the green you’re working on and get back to the shed.

“We racked up 90 hours in the first five weeks, we charge it overnight and as yet haven’t noticed an increase on our electric bill.” But as Ian goes on to tell us this may not be a factor soon: “We’re looking into installing solar panels on the shed roof, perhaps in time there will be no reliance on the main electric supply at all to power the machine.”

There is also the impact being fuel-free has on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the machine, as fuel can comprise up to 15 percent of the TCO: “It’s much cheaper to run so far, fuel is such a big expense and the cost of diesel can fluctuate, so it’s good not having to factor that in,” Ian says. “There’s a guarantee on the battery so no worries there and to be honest we’ve yet to find fault with the machine.”

It’s been 40 years (his tenure at the club and in the industry), that Ian has been waiting for the kind of peace and quiet the eTriFlex 3370 delivers. It is, he says “absolutely silent”, enabling the team to be more productive and extending the cutting window: “We can start work earlier near the residential areas, we can cut during the day if need be around the clubhouse and the members don’t hear us doing so.”

As Richard Beech, club manager, agrees: “Having this machine means we don’t have to choose between being responsible neighbours and preparing the course for our members. It is unbelievable just how quiet this machine is, it means we can cut the greens in the very early hours without disturbing the houses next to the course. It is very exciting to be the first to have the new electric mower and pleasing that our members are seeing the benefits.”

Ian continues: “Words can’t describe the difference this machine has made going around the course. It gives something back to those who operate it. Without ear defenders and no machine noise we can hear the birds sing while we mow, and often see and work alongside the deer. I just can’t stress how much it has exceeded all our expectations. One of the reasons so many of us get into this business is because we like being outdoors and close to nature, this machine makes the experience of being a greenkeeper better and put simply, improves the day.”

To think Ian had two options available to him 40 years ago. Go down the coal pits or become a greenkeeper: from fossil fuel to future fuel, two very different paths! Ian says: “I was a keen golfer and had actually applied for membership at the club when the post became available. Instead of being underground, I was outside in the fresh air every day!”

When he started, there was a limited shed of equipment: two tractors, some Flymos and a couple of triple mowers, and with each passing year as Ian noticed how the demands on the course were getting greater, he soon struck up a relationship with nearby dealer Cheshire Turf Machinery to help him develop the course into one of the most consistent and fast in the area.

“I always attend the shows to see what’s available and network to learn from other people’s experiences,” he says. “It’s for those reasons I’m confident we have the best combination working with Cheshire Turf Machinery and Reesink and using Toro. Add to that having the right staff, the right training and a progressive club who continues to invest in its future and the result has been an increase in membership as the country comes out of lockdown.”

Richard Beech, club manager, concludes by saying: “Having this machine means we don’t have to choose between being responsible neighbours and preparing the course for our members. It is unbelievable just how quiet this machine is, it means we can cut the greens in the very early hours without disturbing the houses next to the course. It is very exciting to be the first to have the new electric mower and pleasing that our members are seeing the benefits.”

To talk to someone about the alternative energy technologies available from Toro, call 01480 226800.

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