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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The Osca – perfect for synthetic surfaces

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The Osca – perfect for synthetic surfaces: Synthetic sports surfaces require a good maintenance programme in place from the very beginning. Failure to maintain the surface could lead to issues such as compaction, loss of porosity, inconsistent playing characteristics, damaged fibres and contamination of the infill.

One machine that is being used by many groundstaff is the SISIS Osca tractor mounted powered oscillating brush, which is ideally suited to either a sand or rubber crumb surface.

The Osca - perfect for synthetic surfaces

The Osca – perfect for synthetic surfaces

A pair of oscillating brushes allows periodic aggressive brushing to be undertaken to agitate the upper infill level helping reduce compaction, encourage the fibres to stand upright and reduce the risk of contamination and surface water.

It can also be used for regular light brushing, helping to stand the fibres up, move the infill around, creating a level surface and minimise the threat of moss and algae.

It uses fewer passes than a conventional drag brush, and has the option of adding a further 1.8m wide brush to the system which helps to enhance the final finish.

Once Warwick School had decided to invest in a new synthetic pitch, Grounds Manager Duncan Toon felt that the SISIS Osca was the only machine that could maintain the new surface effectively and truly justify the major investment decision:

“With the investment which has been made into the synthetic surface, I felt that we needed to have the best equipment to maintain it, and for me, the Osca was essential.

“It is clear to see that the de-compaction this machine achieves is simply on a different level. Since we have been using it the pitch has significantly improved.

Another user full of praise is Andy Jackson, grounds manager at Stoke City FC, who has reported ‘phenomenal’ results since incorporating the SISIS Osca into his synthetic surface maintenance programme.

The Osca - perfect for synthetic surfaces

The Osca – perfect for synthetic surfaces

“Getting the right equipment for all the different textured pitches we have here is big task, and it’s key to how we go about our business,” says Andy.

“I wanted a machine that was going to be effective and quick but to get a machine to do those two things I felt would be a hard task.

“The Oscillating brushes are the best feature because they get rid of any compaction problems and provide a fantastic finish. Players at all levels, from seven year olds up to the first team, play on these pitches, so for me it is just important to have the synthetic surfaces as well presented as the natural pitches.

“The results have been phenomenal and personally I think the Osca ticks all the boxes in getting synthetic turf to a level where it needs to be.”

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

You can also view a CGI video of the SISIS Osca in action by visiting https://youtu.be/pNM2ALZvMNk

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GreenMech introduce new EVO 165P SUB-750

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GreenMech introduce new EVO 165P SUB-750: ‘We listened, we worked and we made it awesome’ – that was the mantra of GreenMech when they launched their EVO series at the 2019 Arb Show. Now, they’ve made it lighter! Offering all of the proven performance in a sub 750kg package, the EVO 165P SUB-750 is the latest exciting launch in the revolutionary woodchipper collection.

The brand-new EVO 165P SUB-750 retains many of the key features of the series including a wide infeed chute, twin horizontal rollers, all-steel bonnet and heavy-duty flywheel combined with the powerful, yet economic 37hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard petrol engine. To bring the machine into the sub-750kg bracket, the 165P SUB-750 features a redesigned chassis – rigorously tested to ensure durability – and alterations to its construction and specification, without detriment to its overall performance.

GreenMech introduce new EVO 165P SUB-750

GreenMech introduce new EVO 165P SUB-750

Also as standard on the 165P SUB-750 is GreenMech’s patented disc blade technology, providing up to 200 hours of chipping before re-sharpening is required, and a three year parts and labour warranty.

Commenting on the newest addition, Sales Director Martin Lucas said, “From the off, the EVO collection was very much driven by what the market demands and this is again the case with the sub 750kg EVO 165P SUB-750. The EVO has really established itself as providing more aggressive torque, bite and throughput than most other machines in its category and by incorporating this performance in a lighter weight package, we can meet the requirements of even more of today’s arborists.”

Since the original diesel launch model, GreenMech have introduced an EVO tracked version and an even more powerful EVO 45hp Limited Edition option.

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Crail Golfing Society praises BLEC Multi-Seeder

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Crail Golfing Society praises BLEC Multi-Seeder: As play returns to Crail Golfing Society, a new BLEC Multi-Seeder 1600 is going to be key to delivering overseeding without disruption.

The two 18-hole links courses – Balcomie and Craighead – are notoriously firm and dry creating challenging conditions for effective seed to soil contact. However, Golf Course Manager Bob Meikle says the size and weight of the BLEC dimple seeder makes it the ideal solution for optimum site-wide seed delivery.

Crail Golfing Society praises BLEC Multi-Seeder

Crail Golfing Society praises BLEC Multi-Seeder

“We initially demonstrated the 1.2m width version of the Multi-Seeder and were impressed straight away at the efficiency and cleanliness with which holes were created, and the accurate seed delivery system” explains Bob, who has been at Crail for 28 years. “We figured that if we went to the next width up, we could overseed areas such as the greens with fewer passes as well as have additional weight to penetrate the firmer areas.”

“The Multi-Seeder being a dimple seeder was one of the biggest selling points” he explains. “It is critical that whatever we do now maintenance-wise, that we don’t cause any breaks in play and the Multi-Seeder is fantastic at leaving very little disruption in its wake. We can pass over a green, then follow over with a turf iron and you wouldn’t know anything has been done.”

Since taking delivery of the Multi-Seeder 1600 from Henderson Grass Machinery in March, Bob and his team have conducted some recovery work on some weaker greens and tees on the Craighead course – utilising the time during lockdown to thoroughly test it out. “We’ve been experimenting with different moisture levels and transferring the weight between the two spiked rollers to alter the size of the hole produced. We are trying to incorporate more fescues into our tees, so by transferring the weight onto one roller we were able to create a bigger hole, ready to accept the larger, fescue seed.”

With the Multi-Seeder offering a 1.6m working width and non-PTO drive, Bob can quickly and accurately overseed areas both large and small – meaning some fairway overseeding, along with further work on the greens and tees is scheduled for the autumn.

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Ventrac saving greenkeeping hours

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Ventrac saving greenkeeping hours: Following Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club’s purchase of Ventrac 4500, Course Manager Dominic Lewis is saving hundreds of greenkeeping hours at the 132-year old club.

Situated within Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, the club has two 18-hole courses, both over 100 years old and they are proud that no earth was moved, no ponds dug or streams diverted during their construction. They are entirely natural and rely on the uncontrived hazards of heather, narrow fairways, hollows and water to test the skill of the golfer.

Ventrac saving greenkeeping hours

Ventrac saving greenkeeping hours

Dominic Lewis has been in post for just over a year, having held similar positions at Hadley Wood, Harewood Downs, Oakland Park and Datchet golf clubs. Commenting on the Ventrac he said,

“I’ve been in my position since May last year and quickly discovered the huge amount of time the team were spending on strimming work, on the banks and in the ditches.  It was amazing the amount of time it took; it was a nightmare and, of course, it’s physical and extremely uncomfortable in hot weather. We looked for a solution and discovered the Ventrac. Our local dealer, Ernest Doe, sourced a machine, we had a demonstration and it was obvious it was what we needed. We chose four attachments; the Contour deck, Tough Cut deck, Trencher and Power Rake, so we have virtually four dedicated machines in one. At around £55K for the package, I would say it’s certainly value for money.”

Dave Wakeley, Deputy Course Manager, is the principal operator of the machine and is more impressed with it every time he takes it out.

“It’s a gamechanger for us and is saving us hours on some of the really time-intensive jobs around the courses. For instance, we have to strim the banks and ditches every three weeks and it used to take five of us up to three days to complete. With the Ventrac we have reduced strimming hours by at least 75%, maybe more.

“Following the very wet winter we took the opportunity to add some drainage bands to some particularly difficult areas on site. The Trencher attachment was great for this, very quick and it left a tidy finish, once we’d laid the pipes and inserted the gravel.

“It’s superb on banks and goes where no other machine can go. It takes a little time to get used to, to gain the confidence to go into steep areas, but you soon get to know where it can go. We have used all four attachments; the Power Rake has proved very useful in reinstating the cart paths and machinery tracks, agitating the compacted material, removing ruts and smoothing out the surface. I used it in both wet and dry conditions and would recommend doing this job when it’s wet!”

Dave Mitchell is the club’s long-serving mechanic, having been in the industry for over 45 years, and for the last 30 at Ashdown Forest. He knows a good machine when he sees one.

“This is a very good and well-built machine,” he said. “It’s made from heavy duty steel; the welding is good and it’s robust. The attachments are belt-driven and easy to maintain, there are a couple of grease nipples that are difficult to access, but that’s being very picky! The lift-up decks are a great feature, so there’s no excuse for not cleaning the machine after use. All-in-all, a good addition to our fleet.”

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