Makita’s new 40V line-up

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Makita’s new 40V line-up: Introducing Makita’s range of highest power cordless solutions yet: XGT 40V Max. The XGT range of machines – including combi drills, grinders, rotary hammers, impact drivers, circular saws and reciprocating saws – offers high output, durability and fast charge times, keeping you working for longer without disruption.

An introduction to XGT

XGT 40V Max is the new stand-alone cordless battery platform from Makita – with its own range of tools, lithium-ion batteries and chargers. The new 40V Max system will stand side-by-side with Makita’s industry-leading LXT platform to offer a battery solution for all applications. XGT has been built around three concepts:

Makita's new 40V line-up

Makita’s new 40V line-up

  • High power

With 40V Max power, XGT is the most powerful battery platform in the Makita range. The increased output is ideal for industrial, higher demand applications. In fact, XGT, cordless machines offer output that can genuinely rival the high power of corded tools and even some petrol engine machines.

The XGT range benefits from a completely new design – across the machines, the batteries and charging system. Instead of going for a higher voltage battery, the Makita R&D Team has developed a system with improved construction and advanced technologies to achieve optimum power and performance. When going for a higher voltage battery there is a trade-off between power and run-time. However, XGT delivers balanced run-time delivered from the new 40V Max motor and battery platform, with all the power that is required for heavier duty applications.

  • Tough design

The new XGT batteries have been engineered with durable design features to minimise damage and withstand tough environments. The heavy duty outer casing and cell holder and shock absorbing housing protect the battery if dropped. Each battery also has an IPX4 rating, which means that it is splash and shower proof, and water ingress is limited – ideal for those working with pipework or outside in unpredictable weather. Their design also prevents damage from dust.

XGT batteries also include high rigidity rails, that firmly hold the battery to the tool – making them suitable for use with high power products and heavy duty applications.

  • Smart technology

To optimise battery performance and charge times, XGT features Makita’s unique smart system technology. This in-built programme allows digital communication between the battery and the charger, as well as the battery and the tool, to provide protection against issues such over discharge and overheating. For example, if the battery has overheated, the charger will cool it down before charging begins. This significantly speeds up the charging process and minimises downtime.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “This an exciting time for existing Makita users and new users alike. Makita’s new XGT platform is the next generation in cordless technology, leading the way in both performance and intelligence. With XGT, you can experience the same high power associated with corded and petrol machines, but with the increased flexibility of cordless – making XGT the ideal solution for high demand, industrial applications.

“The complete solution of our existing LXT 18V system and the new XGT 40V platform offers even more battery-powered solutions for a truly cordless job site.”

Makita's new 40V line-up

Makita’s new 40V line-up

What’s in the range

Makita has launched a number of new products for the 40V XGT platform, each suited to high demand applications – including cutting, grinding, drilling and fixing. To maximise on site efficiency, the tools are designed to offer outstanding performance, ease of use and operator safety. The new 40V XGT line-up includes:

  • TD001G Impact Driver – delivering 220Nm of max torque and ten tightening modes.
  • HP001G Combi-Hammer Drill – providing 140Nm of max torque and 41 electronical clutch settings.
  • GA004G, GA005G, GA012G and GA013G Angle Grinders – offering the same power as 1,100W corded grinders.
  • HR003G and HR004G SDS-Plus Combination Hammers – which include antivibration technology and benefit from a HEPA filter dust collection system.
  • HS004G Circular Saw – with a no. load speed of 6,000RPM, 480 bevel capacity and AWS wireless connection facility for use with compatible dust extractors.
  • JR001G Reciprocating Saw – achieving 255mm capacity in wood and Ø130mm capacity in pipe.
  • All models are available as body only machines, or complete models with battery, charger and ADP10 Adaptor for charging LXT 18V batteries via the XGT 40V charger.

To improve durability, the new XGT tools also benefit from Makita’s Brushless motor. As there are no moving parts within the motor causing friction, wear and tear and ongoing maintenance costs are minimised. No friction also means that no energy is lost through heat production, which increases run times and keeps you working for longer – as you do not have to regularly stop to replace or recharge the batteries.

To support the new product range, Makita has also launched a selection of accessories. The 40V batteries can be purchased individually and are available in 2.5Ah and 4.0Ah versions. To minimise operator fatigue – and maximise on-site productivity – the batteries are light weight. For example, the 2.5Ah XGT batteries weigh just 100g more than 18V LXT alternatives.

To charge the batteries, Makita has launched the DC40RA 40V Max fast charger. Due to the smart system, the DC40RA offers optimised charging. For example, a 2.5Ah XGT battery can be charged in just 28 minutes and a 4.0Ah battery in 45 minutes.

For those that are currently using Makita’s LXT products, Makita has developed an adaptor that allows you to charge your LXT batteries using the XGT charger. This makes changing between tools effortless. With the adaptor, LXT batteries charge in just 22 minutes (for 3.0Ah LXT batteries) up to 40 minutes (for 6.0Ah LXT batteries).

To launch the new XGT range, Makita UK will also be offering a new redemption deal on selected models, so contractors can claim an extra 40V battery completely FREE of charge!

To find out more about Makita and the new range of 40V XGT products, please visit www.makitauk.com

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The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser

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The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are providing you with the ability to dress natural grass sport pitches in a cost-effective way, thanks to the GKB Ecodresser.

Sports pitches often need increased aeration, especially when wanting to create the best seeding conditions. Combining multiple operations into one, the GKB Ecodresser is the ultimate machine for the maintenance of sport pitches and golf courses. With the combination of cutting discs, coulters and fixed tines, turf is intensively aerated whilst dressing is applied to the upper layer and sub layer.

The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser

The Worker Is King: GKB Ecodresser

Developed in the 1990s with the Council of Rotterdam, the GKB Ecodresser also removes the need to purchase and spread dressing. Extracting the desired dressing soil from the existing upper level, the robust machines uses the dressing soil from the sports pitch to bring the overall cost down.

Providing the ability to level imperfections, this impressive machine also carries recycled dressing onto the conveyer belt and scatters it on the desired place. Ultimately, this creates excellent seeding conditions, improves the drainage conditions and enhances rooting. Equipped with a cutting roller, the GKB Ecodresser also ensures minimal operating damage to the turf. These adjustable blade rotors extract soil from the upper layer and the heavy-duty rotor is protective with slipping clutches on each blade flang.

GKB continue to constantly make adjustments to improve the user experience of their reliable machinery, which is why a stone screen and collection tray are made available. The spring-loaded coulters remove the risk of damage from stones when aerating the upper layer and when combined with the stone screen and collection tray a homogenous upper layer is accomplished.

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 Ecodresser.

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Intelligent One change name to Turf Tank

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Intelligent One change name to Turf Tank: Industry leading robotic line marking company, Intelligent One, has changed their name to the US brand title, Turf Tank.

Until now, the company has been operating under Intelligent Marking everywhere outside of the United States. The decision has been made to bring the company together as one, and this merge will also see the renaming of the GPS line marker which will now be known as the Turf Tank One. This has been one of many positive developments at the Danish company along with the appointment of new CEO Olav Jørgensen and COO Morten Kaalund.

Intelligent One change name to Turf Tank

Intelligent One change name to Turf Tank

The company are also happy to announce the launch of the latest software update that delivers much-requested features as well as improving both usability and reliability. This begins with the update process itself, which can now be done straight from the tablet. When a newly updated tablet connects to a robot with an older software version, it will update the robot with the push a button.

Other major features of the 1.5 update include setting flags/points right from the tip of the nozzle, being able to rotate a field around its centre or in discrete steps (1/45/90 degree increments etc.), moving the field by pushing buttons next to the edge of the field itself and a new ‘select shape’ dialogue that makes browsing through route plans more intuitive.

For more information or to schedule a demonstration of the Turf Tank One in the United Kingdom, contact ProSport UK Ltd

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TopDrain 1000 gives AMS the space they need

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TopDrain 1000 gives AMS the space they need: Sports turf and land drainage contractors, AMS Contracting, needed a secondary drainage machine that could work at 1m and 0.5 spacings and got that and more with the KoroÒ TopDrainÒ 1000, supplied through Campey Turf Care Systems.

The West Sussex based company work on projects throughout the United Kingdom and had been using other secondary drainage machines, but customer demand for 1m spacing led them to consider the TopDrainÒ 1000.

TopDrain 1000 gives AMS the space they need

TopDrain 1000 gives AMS the space they need

Secondary drainage is a relatively quick and affordable drainage solution that can be implemented with minimal disruption to a surface. Because the TopDrainÒ creates open channels up to 260mm in depth to the primary drainage, it can be an extremely important tool for pitches because it offers a quick response to rainfall which often reduces postponements or areas being unusable.

Ben Taylor, Product Specialist for Campeys accompanied Ashley Strange with his brother Myles, co-owners and managers of AMS Contracting, to view the machine in action at the Imants factory in Holland. Both were very impressed with the high-quality engineering of the TopDrainÒ and could see it was exactly what they were looking for.

“We found that not all of our clients wanted or needed 0.5m spacing, so we wanted to find a solution to offer them,” Ashley explained. “There were some factors away from spacing like the build quality, labour time and availability of the machine that were high on our list and after seeing it at the Imants factory, we were sure it was what we needed. Everything from the engineering to the quality of the paintwork was impressive and we placed the order there and then.

“We had quite a few pitches to get through in early Spring so a quick turnaround time for us was essential and Campey had the machine with us a week after we viewed it in Holland.

“Now, we’ve already used the TopDrainÒ on cricket and football pitches which has gone very well, and it will soon be working on some rugby pitches. It’s dealt really well with tough compacted surfaces and because it’s fully operated from the cab the labour time when using it compared to our other machines has been significantly reduced.

“It’s very easy to set up and changing the spacing to suit what each of our clients want is quick and easy because you don’t have to remove any parts, which can be time consuming on other machines. Wearing parts are quick to change as well, and whenever we’ve needed replacements, we’ve received them the next day from Campey which has been great.”

The TopDrainÒ provides a complete one-pass surface drainage system. It trenches, removes spoil and injects sand before re-compacting the surface in one pass. Its operation reduces material costs and labour with faster processing and less surface contamination than conventional methods. The process creates a sand grid that is designed to complement existing drainage and has been very successful on a number of sports pitches.

To watch a video that demonstrates how the unique one pass operation works, visit www.campeyturfcare.com.

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GGM help golf clubs get back on their feet

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GGM help golf clubs get back on their feet: Leading Groundscare specialist GGM Groundscare has reported a surge in enquiries from golf clubs, together with its first fleet order since the Government’s recent announcement that clubs are able to reopen.

Since lockdown restrictions started to ease, GGM have received a number of calls from golf clubs who are keen to improve their playing surfaces for all their members, and invest in new Baroness equipment.  Baroness demonstrates Japanese excellence at its best, offering a comprehensive range of fine-turf machinery solutions with exceptional cutting performance. From pedestrian greens mowers to five gang fairway mowers the extensive range has been manufactured to offer a quality finish, low cost of ownership, simplicity and ease of use.

GGM help golf clubs get back on their feet

GGM help golf clubs get back on their feet

Managing Director Chris Gibson said:

“Now that people are able to exercise more freely, golf clubs are well and truly open for business.  It’s extremely encouraging to see that they want to invest in and commit to new machinery, after this terrible time for both our country and our economy.”

GGM Groundscare has already installed a fleet of new Baroness machines in to a popular Cheshire golf club, in the week it reopened its doors.

The 18-hole parkland golf course, which boasts superb putting surfaces and undulating tree-lined fairways attracts golfers from miles around.  With over 70 bunkers, the course is extremely busy and signed up 25 new members in the first week after lockdown alone.

Their aging fleet had become unreliable, costing the club in terms of time and money with staff spending an excessive amount of time keeping the course up to standard.  The Course General Manager called upon GGM Groundscare and trialled three machines from top manufacturer Baroness – the LM315 Greensmower, the brand new LM551 5-unit fairway mower and the GM2810 semi rough rotary mower, just prior to lockdown.

During the trial, thanks to the efficiency of the state of the art machines, the club were able to cut all of the fairways, rough and greens in 3 days as opposed to the usual minimum of a full week, saving a staggering 40% of staffing costs and time.  The club were particularly impressed with the Baroness GM2810 Rough Mower, renowned for its fast speed when cutting extensive areas of fast growing rough, the design of the decks allows cleaner discharge of grass giving a high-quality stripped finish.

The General Manager said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to open our course again, and these fantastic new machines have given us the perfect start. We’ve heard great things about Baroness from other club managers and the fact they come with an extended warranty was very reassuring.

Chris Gibson from GGM Groundscare concluded:

“It’s great news that golf has re-opened. Since GGM have been working with turf specialists Baroness alongside Kubota we have been able to offer real Japanese excellence to our customers. This coupled with our after-sales offering allows us to tailor-make packages to meet the individual needs of our customers and to offer expertise and advice as we negotiate these difficult times.

We have also invested heavily in training and other resources to ensure we are able to offer expertise and advice whilst offering the highest level of service including precision relief grinding to ensure blades are kept in optimum condition to produce a first-class quality of cut”.

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