The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

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The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: The UK is entering its third month of lockdown and throughout Reesink UK has been focussed on delivering the best possible service to its customers in these unprecedented times.

Here we talk to Michael Hampton, Reesink’s parts manager about delivering its UK customers what they need when they need it: “Of course the situation is far from normal, but what we have here at Reesink is a new normal. One which we’re delighted to say is working.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

“Customers should not have noticed any difference with regards to parts ordering and support. We have a complete range of all items in stock and we’re still able to have orders ready for dispatch in ample time for delivery within 24 hours to our customers.

“We have experienced some issues with our carriers, but those problems were expected, we had a contingency and they didn’t last long. So far we have been able to deliver our customers’ requirements whether that’s delivering to their location or via non-contact collection.”

Michael says most orders pertain to maintenance and repair work: “The majority of our orders are for repair work to keep essential equipment operational and working safely. Contacting us for genuine spare parts is the same as it always was for customers. Emails, phone and internet are all running as usual and there have been no delays to responding to our customers’ enquiries.”

Reesink, who is the UK distributor for Toro golf and sports fields equipment, grounds machinery, irrigation products and genuine Toro Parts, among many, has been continually impressed – and thankful – throughout these weeks of lockdown for the people working tirelessly throughout the entire supply system that has meant it’s seemingly business as usual for its customers. Michael concludes: “Maintaining business as usual in these unprecedented times takes a village and everyone has stepped up to continue delivering the kind of reassurance the company strives to give customers lockdown or not and that’s minimum downtime, maximum productivity and more customer service.”

Reesink is open for business and teams in the service centres, warehouses and across the supply chain are working tirelessly to deliver parts for customers. Drop them a line at Spare Parts: 01480 226854, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk or email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Terrain deep penetration aeration for trees

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Terrain deep penetration aeration for trees: We tend to take trees for granted, in our parks, estates and gardens, as a natural part of the landscape.

All too often they are subjected to stress as a result of a number of factors such as nutrient shortages in the soil, surface compaction due to foot traffic and waterlogging where water drains off hard surface pathways. Armed with a number of solutions, Terrain Aeration have been treating trees in all types of situation for over twenty-five years, from back gardens to large estates right through to Royal Parks.

Terrain deep penetration aeration for trees

Terrain deep penetration aeration for trees

The Terrain Aeration Terralift machines comprise a probe which reaches one metre depth, deeper than the roots of trees (other than the major tap roots which grow straight down).  Breaking up the soil around the roots, and beyond, means that excess water will drain away from the roots to help stop anaerobic conditions and rotting of the root system.  The probe is then used to inject dried seaweed which helps keep the fissures open and backfilling the probe holes with aggregate provides a semi permanent aeration/ventilation shaft.  Terrain Aeration aerate around the roots using two-metre spacings – on most occasions one-metre inside and one-metre outside the canopy drip line, as this is where the growing roots lie.  Decompacting around the roots and injecting air into the soil increases the percentage of uptake of oxygen into the root system.

In one particular situation it was found there was a magnesium deficiency coupled with low overall soil fertility around trees in a park. This was determined using new technology to measure light transmission through the leaves on the trees to gain a reading of chlorophyll levels. The likely cause of the problem was that leaf litter is always removed and had been for a century, taking with it the natural nutrients from decaying leaves. There was also severe compaction of the surface around the tree. A tree feed mix containing slow release general nutrients and magnesium was injected, using the Terralift’s ability to inject granular material via its seaweed carrier, forcing it upwards into the root zone of the trees. This also avoids losing the nutrients to the grass which would occur with surface treatment. Two Terralift machines were used to carry out the process.

There are some products in the market place which advertise to be of help for trees with Phytophthora. There is a product which is applied around the tree roots via a watering can.  If the tree roots have been aerated by the Terralift machine, the product has a far better chance of reaching affected roots due to the soil being decompacted.  There are machines that will go shallower, but this does not have such an effective treatment as you would still need to get excess water away from laying stagnant around the roots. Terrain Aeration also recommend that root samples from good and affected trees, as well as tip samples be sent for full analysis from the Forestry Commission or any other Arboricultural advisor.  The samples should be labelled as well as being placed in separate plastic bags.  Photos of the location of the trees would also help, just in case there is a huge wall on three sides of the tree or something which could affect its well being. It’s best to give a complete “story” surrounding the tree. For more details on deep penetration aeration treatment for trees, sports pitches, golf courses and gardens:

Terrain Aeration 01449 673783
www.terrainaeration.com

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UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

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UK a Nation of Green Gardeners: Honda UK Lawn & Garden has declared the UK a nation of green gardeners as planting season leapt into full swing. 

Gardeners made the most of lockdown, social distancing and the glorious sunshine by cultivating their way to a greener, more self-sufficient lifestyle as Honda tiller sales soared and the Lawn and Garden division achieved 110% of targeted sales in April. There was plenty of mowing and trimming action, too, as the perfectly manicured garden captured Britain’s imagination.

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

UK a Nation of Green Gardeners

An appetite to garden, and more specifically plant, swept the nation. Honda’s tiller sales outstripped target by 327%, signalling sowing season is well underway and the grow your own movement is taking hold in flower beds across the country.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, vegetable planting is in-vogue; a third of a million people sought advice online on growing food at home and research on sowing seeds was also up 40% in the first 9 days of lockdown.

The grow your own movement was already fast-gaining momentum with Wyevale Garden Centres reporting vegetable plant sales rose by 30% over the five years leading up to 2018. The lockdown has encouraged even more Brits to bring food from pot-to-table into their diet and reduce their carbon footprint in the process by adopting an environmentally conscious, self-sufficient lifestyle.

Lawns were not to be ignored though as keen gardeners flocked to buy izy lawnmowers, which accounted for 42% of Honda Lawn & Garden’s April sales, with the powerful, robust and lightweight HRG 416 PKEH model topping the charts.

Fully-charged with technology and left to its own devices, Small Miimo lavished greens with TLC leaving owners to enjoy, tan and play in their gardens without lifting a finger. Having just joined the Lawn & Garden range, it’s little surprise the smart and feature-packed model made up 78% of Honda UK’s robotic lawnmower sales in the month.

Sure to help those in market for a new lawnmower is the ‘know before you mow’ tool (https://www.hondaengineroom.co.uk/power/know-before-you-mow/). The free, simple, online tool matches your mowing needs to the right mower; choose your garden size, the type of gardener you are and you’ll be paired with the perfect model from Honda’s expansive range of push, ride-on and robotic lawnmowers.

The ‘Trade In To Trade Up’ savings campaign assisted with April’s success. With £100 off Small Miimo, £75 off petrol izy and electric izy-On push mowers and £50 savings on tillers, there’s a deal to had for everyone in the campaign that applies widely to the Lawn & Garden product range and runs until September 30th 2020, online (https://store.honda.co.uk/) and in dealers.

Steve Morris, Head of Power Products at Honda (UK) comments: “It’s great that we have managed to overachieve this month despite the circumstances. I’m delighted to see the public making the most of the brilliant weather and lockdown conditions, too, tending to their gardens to make them summer-ready with a Honda power tool”.

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Changes to Bobcat dealer network

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Changes to Bobcat dealer network: Bobcat has announced important changes in the company’s dealer network for South West England in the UK. TVE Hire & Sales Ltd (TVE), the Authorised Bobcat dealer based in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, has been awarded an expanded territory.

With the addition of the counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to its current area, TVE will now be responsible for customers in seven counties, including Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Changes to Bobcat dealer network

Changes to Bobcat dealer network

John Christofides, Regional Sales Director, UK/Ireland, Nordics and Baltics for Bobcat EMEA, said: “Following the excellent results delivered by TVE in its first three years as a Bobcat dealer, with market share increases of up to 15% in its area, we are delighted to recognise this with the addition of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to its existing area.”

Additional Caretaker Role for TVE 

TVE has also taken on a caretaker role providing continuity for sales, service and parts for new and existing Bobcat products in the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, in anticipation of new announcements to be made by Bobcat regarding these counties.

In its newly expanded territory and in its temporary caretaker role, TVE is responsible for sales and service of the market-leading range of Bobcat skid-steer, compact track and all-wheel steer loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers and attachments in the construction, agriculture, rental, landscaping and industrial markets.

Mat Jones, Sales Manager at TVE Hire & Sales Ltd, said: “We are very gratified that our performance since we became a Bobcat dealer has been rewarded with an expanded territory for sales, service and parts for all of the Bobcat range. Customers new and old in Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall can also be assured of full continuity in Bobcat service in our caretaker role for these counties.”

JJ Farm Services Now Responsible for Bobcat Telescopic Loaders for the Agricultural Market in Gloucestershire

In addition, Bobcat, as part of the company’s mission to expand its presence in the Agricultural sector, has appointed Cheltenham-based JJ Farm Services Ltd as the Authorised Dealer for the Bobcat range of telescopic loaders for the agricultural market in Gloucestershire.

Ewen Gilchrist, Network Development Manager UK & Nordics for Doosan Bobcat EMEA, said: “We have been very impressed with the results produced in its existing area by TVE over the last three years, so adding Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to their territory was an easy and logical decision. Customers in the rest of the South West can be assured of the best support from the company during its period as caretaker for their area. I would also like to welcome JJ Farm Services to the fold. We look forward to many years of working together with JJ Farm Services in the agricultural market.”

New ‘Work Now, Pay Later‘ Finance for UK Customers

Like all other Bobcat dealers in the UK, TVE Hire & Sales and JJ Farm Services have extended Bobcat’s Retail Financing solutions to include the new ‘Work Now, Pay Later’ campaign providing a very attractive 180 day deferment for the first finance payment, to underpin the purchase of new Bobcat loaders, mini-excavators and rigid frame telehandlers.

Bobcat sees this offering as an extra support to help customers working through these unprecedentedly difficult times and will run this offer in parallel with existing 0% solutions.

For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit www.bobcat.com

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Arb 130 arrives right on time

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Arb 130 arrives right on time: After making the switch from graphic design to tree surgery in his mid-twenties, Tim Hill then went on to found Twentyeight Trees… when he turned 28!

Now two years later and with an ever-growing order book, the time was right to invest in a woodchipper and it was a GreenMech Arborist 130 that fitted the bill. Having previously hired chippers when required, Tim is quickly noticing both the practical and economical benefits of owning his own.

Arb 130 arrives right on time

Arb 130 arrives right on time

Twentyeight Trees undertake a variety of tree and hedge maintenance projects in and around Wiltshire. “Over the last 18 months, we were hiring in chippers on average three times a week which is not only expensive but comes with the stress of looking after and safely storing a machine that’s not your own.” With the majority of Tim’s work being domestic in nature, he knew that when it came to buying a chipper, a small machine that could easily navigate residential streets and restricted access properties and gardens was what he needed.

“I looked at a few different makes and models but there were a few reasons the GreenMech machine came out on top. Simple things like the fact the Arb 130 is fitted with a handbrake, which makes manoeuvring the chipper on sloped driveways or paths much easier, and the foldable discharge chute which makes storage of it nice and easy. Another positive, again simple, is the fact it has a bonnet – not all chippers do! With outdoor working, in particular the weather and risk of debris, it gives the engine valuable protection as well as making the chipper better visually.”

Tim took delivery of the Arb 130 from GA Groundcare at the beginning of April. “Ashley at GA Groundcare was knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process, making me feel confident and comfortable during what has been such a worrying time for a lot of companies. By following the AA guidelines, my team and I have been able to continue working and, with many people at home, our workload has rocketed.” Tim concludes, “We’re thankful we purchased the Arb 130 when we did and it has certainly been put through its paces these last few weeks, processing brash and timber of all shapes and sizes. It’s been spot on.”

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