STIHL launches new battery-powered backpack blowers

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STIHL launches new battery-powered backpack blowers: Designed for professional use, STIHL has launched the new BRA 500 and BRA 600 battery-operated backpack blowers, with maximum blowing force for clearing large areas. 

The two new battery-powered machines provide high air speed, with a maximum blowing force of up to 32 (BRA 500) and 35 newtons (BRA 600), available throughout the entire tool’s operating time, making them ideal for removing heavy, wet leaves quickly and efficiently.

STIHL launches new battery-powered backpack blowers

STIHL launches new battery-powered backpack blowers

Users can also regulate the required blowing force by selecting one of the tool’s three levels using its digital control, with an additional boost mode available to achieve the machine’s maximum power.

Built to reduce strain over prolonged use, both tools have a comfortable carrying system which distributes the weight of the machine across your shoulders and hips, allowing for maximum comfort.

With STIHL’s Noise Reduction System built in, the machine offers reduced noise as well as a tuned sound to make them less intrusive when used in public areas, allowing professional users to work productively at all times of day.

As STIHL’s first 72 V professional machines, the BRA 500 and BRA 600 draw energy simultaneously from two powerful AP System batteries. For maximum working time, STIHL’s AP 500 S battery packs are recommended.

Complete with an LED display, which details the mode the device is working in and battery charge levels, the tools can also be incorporated into STIHL’s Connected digital fleet management system.

The Connected system provides a detailed overview of all relevant machine data and provides the option to reduce the tool’s power remotely via the STIHL Connected app.  To facilitate use in the rain, both the BRA 500 and BRA 600 are IPX4-certified

To find out more about the STIHL BRA 500 and BRA 600, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Introducing the New Lightweight Imants RECYCLINGDRESSER®

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Introducing the New Lightweight Imants RECYCLINGDRESSER®: Introducing the latest innovative solution for sports turf maintenance from Campey Turf Care.

Designed with sustainability at the forefront, the new lightweight Imants RECYCLINGDRESSER®(RCD) 1.3 is ideal for use with smaller tractors and engineered to reduce labour and material costs by recycling and redistributing substrate material across the playing surface. This would consist of either the existing soil or sand in the case of sand-based golf courses or where the natural composition of the soil substrate is sand based.

Introducing the New Lightweight Imants RECYCLINGDRESSER®

Introducing the New Lightweight Imants RECYCLINGDRESSER®

This new model, weighing only (approx.) 470 kg (1036lbs), incorporates a specially designed rear flap for improved soil management and enhanced operational efficiency, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surface. It is also suitable for all areas where the native sand/soil is good.

The flap drags in material more efficiently and breaks it up faster, speeding up drying as it goes along. This sustainable maintenance practice aerates the underlying soil both vertically and horizontally, removing soil/sand from the root zone and redistributing it. This process eliminates layering and compaction, increasing biological activity, and extending the efficacy of existing fertilisers in the soil structure.

Another new feature are the new smart folding legs which double as protective side bars, ensuring transport and storage are simple and secure.

Working width is1300 mm (51ins) with a working depth of 175 mm (6.9ins) respectively.

Other specifications include the distance between digging blades of 260 mm (10.2ins),

The new RCD 1.3 only requires a tractor with 30hp and 540 PTO and has an operating speed of 3km/h (1.9 mph).

Finally, the machine width (parked): 1575 mm (62″).

The inclusion of the rear flap on this latest model of Imants RECYCLINGDRESSER® ensures better handling of displaced soil material, reducing waste and maintaining the integrity of the turf. Perfect for environmentally conscious operations. This machine is the ideal choice for sports field managers seeking to balance high performance with ecological responsibility.

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A trio of Toro for turfcare excellence at Hayston

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A trio of Toro for turfcare excellence at Hayston: Under the stewardship of Head Greenkeeper Alan Brown since 2018 and with wise machinery choices, course presentation at Hayston Golf Club is the best it’s been in 50 years according to members. With a further boost from three new Toro machines that looks set to continue well into the future.

The club’s latest investment includes the Toro Greensmaster 3250-D, Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 Hybrid and Reelmaster 5610-D, chosen for their durability, comfort and long-term performance.

A trio of Toro for turfcare excellence at Hayston

A trio of Toro for turfcare excellence at Hayston

The timing is perfect as they arrive as Alan and his team of four build on recent successes by reshaping bunkers, enhancing green drainage and continuing to elevate the overall playability and aesthetics of the course.

Central to achieving these goals is the partnership with Toro and its distributor, Reesink Turfcare, says Alan. “When you’re aiming for the best results, you need the best equipment – and in turfcare, Toro is top of the class.”

Alan was already familiar with Toro’s capabilities from his previous position at Kilsyth Lennox Golf Club and was pleased to find a 20-year-old Toro rough mower still performing reliably when he joined Hayston six and a half years ago. “That speaks volumes about the durability and performance of Toro machines when they’re properly maintained,” he notes.

Speaking about the importance of proper maintenance and servicing, Alan highlights the value of Reesink’s support: “The team at Reesink are fantastic – always responsive, knowledgeable and ready to assist. They’ve helped us stay on top of servicing and keep us informed about any equipment updates.”

And best of all, the team at Hayston is enthusiastic about the new additions: “The guys really enjoy using these new mowers,” says Alan. “They’ve been working with Toro equipment for some years, so getting familiar with how they work and are maintained was second nature. Plus, the comfort is exceptional – especially the seat positioning, which makes a huge difference when you’re on the machine for long hours, day after day.”

Reflecting on the team’s achievements, Alan comments: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together. The feedback from members and visitors has been overwhelmingly positive – we’ve had comments about how this is the best the course has looked in 50 years. That means a lot.”

Learn more about the ways Toro’s turfcare solutions help you elevate your course. Contact Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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It’s onwards and upwards for Moffat Golf Club

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It’s onwards and upwards for Moffat Golf Club: With two new mowers from Baroness it’s ‘onwards and upwards’ for the maintenance team at Moffat Golf Club – literally!

Situated in the heart of the Southern Upland Hills of Scotland, the challenging topography of the moorland course has proved no match for the new LM311 triple greens and LM551B fairway mower which are delivering improvements in cut quality and presentation to the delight of the members.

It’s onwards and upwards for Moffat Golf Club

It’s onwards and upwards for Moffat Golf Club

For Course Manager Fraser Mitchell the recent purchase was made even more exciting by the fact the pair of Baroness machines were the first new additions to the club’s machinery fleet for many years. “Financial pressures had meant that most of our equipment was well overdue for an upgrade and I was tasked with assessing what was the most critical need” he explains. “When I opted for a new greens and fairway mower there was a lot of pressure to make the right choice – thankfully we got it spot on!”

“Getting equipment on demonstration is so important for us given the challenging nature of our course. From the very first phone call, Colin Gray at Hamilton Ross Group and Richard Connell from Baroness were fantastic, they brought us demo units and we knew there and then they were exactly what we needed to improve reliability, presentation and quality of cut around the course.”

Renowned for their samurai sword sharpness and robust build quality, the Baroness LM311 greens mower and LM551B for fairways set the standard for pinpoint precision and turf quality. The LM311 all-hydraulic triplex, with fully steerable units, economic Kubota diesel engine and optimal operator comfort is ideal for greens and tees – delivering consistency in even the most challenging conditions. Promising similar consistency for fairways thanks to its industry-leading range of motion, is the LM551B.

Strong on paper, Fraser has been delighted with their performance in the field. “They’ve been fantastic. They’re very well built and stand up to the challenge – delivering a far superior cut and finish which has been admired by so many of our members.” He adds, “From an operator perspective, they’re also incredibly comfortable and easy to maintain. The pair give us everything we need to focus our efforts on the course and not spend all of our time in the shed with our heads under the bonnet!”

For more information on any of the models within the Baroness golf range, visit www.baronessuk.com

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Toro maintains championship course for The Open

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Toro maintains championship course for The Open: Once again Toro machinery and irrigation is being used to present the iconic Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club to the world for The Open.

The UK’s Toro distributor, Reesink Turfcare, will provide additional backup Toro machinery and support throughout the week-long tournament in July and can confirm a new long-term agreement to continue working with Royal Portrush has recently been completed.

Toro maintains championship course for The Open

Toro maintains championship course for The Open

With over a million fans applying for tickets and an anticipated 278,000 spectators expected to attend according to The R&A, it’s shaping up to be the biggest Open in history (outside of St Andrews), and maintaining a cool, calm head throughout years of preparations is Course Manager Graeme Beatt.

“It felt like there was no time at all between the 2019 Open finishing and preparations for the 2025 tournament starting,” Graeme says. “With 40,000 more people coming and a significant increase in corporate hospitality, we, along with The R&A, have been focused on improving the spectator experience and it was agreed we’d enlarge all of our spectator areas, rebuild the range and reconstruct the front nine of the Valley course.

“The rest of the changes are subtle. We’ve adjusted the first and seventh greens and have two new Championship tees on the fourth and seventh – the fourth is now 25 yards longer and the seventh about 15 yards longer than in 2019.”

Preparations are now focused on maintaining the courses at their general tournament standard: “From season to season we’re busy with members and events so we maintain the courses at a tournament standard year-round with Toro,” Graeme explains.

A Toro customer for over 30 years, Royal Portrush, its team of 30 staff and an international support team of 18, will use the club’s complete fleet of Toro equipment including battery-powered ride-on greens mowers, fairway mowers and utility vehicles, plus a new state-of-the-art Toro Lynx Central Control System to achieve the ideal playing conditions.

In addition, the club welcomes for the first time four Toro Vista shuttles configured for four, six and eight passengers to aid personnel transportation around the site.

There are changes to the way the Toro machinery is being used for the Championship, the biggest, Graeme tells us, is that the electric ride-on mowers are being used for the greens instead of hand cutting as was the case in 2019.

“The precision and technology of the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 ride-on mower is such that the results are equal to a hand mower,” Graeme tell us. “This was an approach favoured by St Andrews and Royal Troon when they hosted The Open and eliminating the chance of an oil leak brings peace of mind.”

The irrigation system upgrade, which included replacing all sprinkler heads with Infinity and B Series across both courses, is currently accommodating an unseasonably dry spring says Graeme: “We’re having a really dry spell which would be absolutely perfect if it was the end of June, but as it’s springtime we’re having to employ the technology of the system.

“The individually controlled irrigation heads are perfect for giving precise control over watering ensuring only the exact amount needed is used and we can achieve our goals without wastage.”

Danny Campbell, General Manager at Royal Portrush, commented on the new agreement with Toro: “The Club has had a wonderful relationship with Toro for more than three decades and we’re delighted to extend it even further. Graeme’s team produce the best surfaces all year round and their dedication, along with the support of Toro, enable us to continually deliver our courses to the highest standard.”

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, concludes: “Our relationship with Royal Portrush is 35 years strong and to be providing Graeme and the team with all the equipment and backup and support they need to make hosting their third Open a success is an honour.”

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