GXi8 HD a difference at Banchory GC

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GXi8 HD a difference at Banchory GC: Three years ago, an Aberdeenshire golf club with a keen focus on ecological, environmental and sustainable best practice, chose a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8  HD deep aerator. It was the first purchase made by the then newly appointed course manager at Banchory GC, Richard Mullen.

“Aeration needed to be done quickly without compromising standards.  The GXi8 meant we could reduce operator time, reduce fuel and importantly use just one machine,” said Richard Mullen.

GXi8 HD a difference at Banchory GC

Banchory GC sits on the banks of the River Dee, in the heart of Royal Deeside. In the last year the club has received huge plaudits for its biodiversity initiatives in creating both an excellent golfing surface and a welcoming habitat for nature.

“We didn’t start off as a GEO certified golf course when the aerator arrived and we certainly weren’t sustainable. Now three years down the line we’re getting better. The fungicide usage has been reduced by half and we haven’t used any insecticides at all in that time,” he continued.

“We’re like a links course inland. We share many characteristics of a links course.  We’ve sandy soil and the terrain has been naturally formed.  It’s maybe not the largest of courses but the GXi8 goes everywhere; wall-to-wall if you like, fairways, greens, tees, approaches; it misses nothing.

“On any modern course, golfers hate the sight of holes. Frequently it’s so clean our golfers are unaware we’ve actually been out.  If your golfers aren’t noticing holes then that’s a huge bonus. Instantly you’ve got more options. “

Wiedenmann’s GXi8 HD offers a patented Advanced Tine Control (ATC) system. ATC controls the entry point of the tine into the turf. All moving parts of the system like springs and heave linkages are positioned behind covers at the front of the machine away from the workings and ‘dirt area’. Wear and tear is reduced and the covers help quieten the machine.  The centre of gravity being closer to the tractor makes it exceptionally stable.   The tines on the GXi are nearer to the front roller ensuring a uniform job as the spiking action is exceptionally precise and accurate.  Constant hole-spacing is maintained even at high fast forward speed so when following the contours of the ground the quality of work does not falter.

“In a year the GXi8 can be out about 50 times but all the while helping the soil biology of our site.  It’s not uncommon for us to give the greens two passes, using 14mm solids, one at 5mm with 75mm centres and then 200mm deep with 10% heave at 50mm centres. Any oxygen can then be used by plants roots and soil microbes during respiration while carbon dioxide is released allowing nutrient uptake”

Richard, working with just two other colleagues, has made huge strides which have been welcomed by the local community. Already in 2019 Banchory has been a finalist in the 2019 Golf Environment and 2019 inspiring Aberdeenshire Awards.

“With a small team you appreciate the versatility and the ease of use of the GXi8.  There’s nothing time consuming about the machine at all. You can be doing fairways with 20mm tines then later in the session be on greens with 8 mm tines. Switching tines is super-fast. Indeed if we had a different type of deep aerator I don’t think we would get half the things done that we achieve at the moment.  It makes that big a difference to us.” concluded Richard Mullen.

Local dealer Fairways GM supplied the club with their Wiedenmann aerator. Banchory GC also has a Wiedenmann Super 500 and Whisper Twister in its fleet.

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Sodexo turn to Husqvarna

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Sodexo turn to Husqvarna: Global food services and facilities management company, Sodexo, has steadily increased its use of Husqvarna battery products in order to work towards a greener future for the company.

Today David Ramsay, Plant Manager at Sodexo Horticultural Services, shares his experience with battery products and explains how it’s positively impacting the work of the company.

Sodexo turn to Husqvarna

Sodexo delivers a wide range of services and is committed to sourcing responsibly and providing services that reduce carbon emissions. Over the past five years the company has steadily increased the use of battery-powered products supplied by Husqvarna and now has a policy to use battery-powered products where possible.

David Ramsay has overseen the adoption of professional battery products and, after trials with several manufacturers, decided upon Husqvarna. Discussing Sodexo’s adoption of battery power products he explained: “Husqvarna battery products are playing a major role in helping us reduce the impact our services have on the environment by reducing the amount of petrol and diesel we use. The change towards battery-powered products has taken some time, but we are happy that we have been able to make the move.”

He continued: “The battery-powered products we are using are performing beyond what we were expecting – they are just as powerful as their petrol-fuelled equivalents. Each product is comfortable, lightweight and easy to use for our landscapers, which has increased staff productivity as they are able to use the products for longer periods.”

“Tools such as Husqvarna battery powered hedge trimmers are particularly popular with staff because of their light weight and flexibility. Using a hedge trimmer is often very taxing on the arms of the operator so it’s great for us to have a professional option which is lightweight and easy to use but is still packed with power.”

World leader in outdoor solutions, Husqvarna, ticked many boxes as a supplier for Sodexo. The company was adamant that whoever it partnered with was committed to battery-powered products long-term, to support it towards becoming a greener business.

Husqvarna’s battery-powered equipment means Sodexo’s grounds team are able to work without having to worry about harmful fumes, carbon emissions, and fuel consumption. Equipment provides comfortable working situations and low disturbance for others when compared to petrol-driven equivalents.

David added: “The use of battery products has changed the way our staff work. Many of our jobs are in locations such as office blocks, cemeteries, schools and housing estates with workers using blowers, hedge trimmers and brushcutters to complete tasks” said David.

“The low noise of battery in comparison to petrol means we no longer cause a disturbance to people in these areas, allowing us to work more quietly and efficiently without stoppages. This is of benefit to everyone as it means we can successfully complete jobs quicker, with minimal noise, in sensitive areas.”

One battery fits all with Husqvarna battery-powered products. Sodexo’s team can simply switch the same battery between grass trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws and hedge trimmers, increasing flexibility and variety when working. These operational aspects have been a favoured benefit as it allows landscapers to work more efficiently with plenty of variety.

Every Husqvarna product in its battery range is easy to use, lightweight and designed for comfort.
Naturally low vibration levels on battery machinery relieves stress, sparing workers’ arms and hands to enable comfort during long shifts and reduces the risk of injury.

David explained: “At Sodexo, safety is paramount. These battery-powered machines produce less vibration, meaning comfortable operation day-to-day for our teams. We’re very excited to be working with Husqvarna and by supplying its battery-powered products we’ve already seen positive results. We’re looking forward to what the future has to offer”.

To learn more about Husqvarna battery products visit: https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/

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Etesia launch new Hydro 80

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Etesia launch new Hydro 80: Etesia chose SALTEX to officially launch the new Hydro 80 MKHP5 ride-on mower ahead of its official 2020 release.

The Hydro 80 MKHP5 can cut and collect in all conditions with the added benefit of a differential lock. The new model joins the popular Hydro 80 range and will give operators extra traction and stability on difficult, uneven and undulating terrain by reducing wheel spin, reducing damage to the grass and aid in cutting presentation.

Etesia launch new Hydro 80

The versatile mower also benefits from a mulching insert included as standard. The 80cm cutting width, 240 litre collecting box and impressive Kawasaki FS481H 11.7 kW engine give it the cutting performance and raw power to impress while operating.

Thanks to a range of additional accessories including a snow plough, users are able to extend the versatility of the machine so that it is ready for any scenario 365-days-a-year.

The Hydro 80 MKHP5 cuts and collects both long and short grass – without clogging.

Add to that its compact dimensions measuring just 1.98 m x 0.90 m wide, it is easily transported in a van or trailer. It can pass through most gateways and its tight turning circle make it ideal for small or awkward areas. It mows close to walls and fences and is highly manoeuvrable and efficient offering the kind of output that would easily replace three walk-behind mowers.

Cutting height and emptying of the grass collector can all be adjusted or carried out from the driving seat, while the steering console is fitted with a timer, rev counter and electric starter.

A hose pipe fitting makes cleaning the cutting system quick and easy, while the tool-free access to the engine allows for easy maintenance thanks to quick access to all mechanical parts.

As with all Etesia machines, the new Hydro 80 MKHP5 ride-on mower comes standard with a comprehensive two-year commercial and three-year domestic warranty.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

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John Deere expands fairway line-up

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John Deere expands fairway line-up: John Deere has announced two new additions to the economical 6000A Series fairway mower line-up, which will be previewed at BTME 2020 in Harrogate from January 21-23.

Sharing technologies with the award-winning A Model mower range, the 6080A and 6500A E-Cut hybrid electric fairway mowers feature high-performance electric reel drive, which greatly reduces the number of potential hydraulic leak points to ensure maximum productivity and performance. In addition to their economical price, these new mowers can be operated at lower engine speeds, which further reduces operating costs by decreasing fuel consumption.

John Deere expands fairway line-up

“We’re excited to bring the E-Cut hybrid mowing system to the 6000A Series fairway mowers,” says John Deere’s European turf sales & marketing manager Carlos Aragones. “Powerful and full of premium features at an economical price, the 6080A and 6500A combine our proven E-Cut hybrid electric technology with the popular 6000A Series model design.”

John Deere was first to market with its electric reel drive system in 2005 on the 2500E triplex greens mower, and this was added to the fairway mower range in 2009 with the 7500 and 8000 E-Cut hybrid models. By removing all hydraulics from the reel circuit, the risk of hydraulic leaks has been reduced by over 90 per cent. In addition, the hybrid system is powered exclusively by an alternator, which offers consistent performance without additional batteries to maintain.

Equipped with a powerful 24.7hp (18.4kW) diesel engine, the 6080A and 6500A E-Cut hybrid mowers feature a three-wheel smooth tyre configuration on a durable chassis, with premium performance and comfort features for all-day mowing. Width of cut is 80in (2m) on the 6080A and 100in (2.5m) on the 6500A, with 18 and 22in (46 and 56cm) QA5 cutting units respectively.

These new models include the proven eHydro transmission and LoadMatch as standard, which maintains a high quality cut even when working on slopes. A mowing speed of 8mph (13kph) on both models allows operators to be more productive by covering larger areas in less time.

Another advanced technology feature adopted from the existing A Model range is the innovative, password-protected TechControl display. This gives turf managers and technicians complete control over cut quality and performance by enabling them to input commands such as mowing speed, transport speed and service times, while also capturing on-board service diagnostics.

Cut quality on the new John Deere 6080A and 6500A E-Cut hybrid electric fairway mowers is further enhanced with rear-attaching yokes on the cutting units and standard hydraulic down pressure, which can tackle even the toughest mowing conditions. Additionally, the hybrid reel drive system allows more power to be available for the standard GRIP all-wheel drive traction system, to further improve performance on slopes.

Other operator friendly features include internal hydraulic wet disk brakes, which eliminate linkage adjustments and grease points in the brake system, and a comfortable operator station with CommandArm-mounted controls that move with the seat.

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Power provider invests in JCB diggers

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Power provider invests in JCB diggers: Electricity North West – providers of power to five million people – has invested in two brand new JCB electric mini excavators.

The company has bought the two 19C-1E fully electric models to help maintain a staggering 44,000 kilometres of underground cables.  Five times quieter than its diesel counterpart, the JCB machines are deal for use by the company’s engineers, who work 24-hours a day to maintain the network.

Power provider invests in JCB diggers

And Electricity North West is building on its eco credentials by charging the two machines using electricity generated from renewable sources at its depots across the region.

The investment is all part of a multi-million pound initiative by Electricity North West to drive down its own carbon emissions. Following a successful trial, the two machines are already hard at work across the region installing underground power cables.

Electricity North West’s Engineering and Technical Director Steve Cox “They are excellent machines. Our team finds them more powerful than diesel diggers and another major positive is the reduced noise levels. Power cuts can happen at any time of the day and night and sometimes we’re required to dig up roads and footpaths to repair faults. Using the new electric diggers, which have reduced noise levels, means we can work into the night without impacting our customers.”

JCB Chief Innovation Officer Tim Burnhope said: “I’m delighted to see Electricity North West lead the way by purchasing two of the electric machines. It reaffirms Electricity North West’s commitment to being at the forefront of transitioning to a zero carbon future.”

Electricity North West has made a commitment to phase out diesel mini diggers to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its ‘Leading the North West to Zero Carbon’ plan launched in March. The plan sets out how Electricity North West is investing £63.5 million over the next four years to drive down its own carbon emissions and help businesses and customers to do the same.
Steve Cox added: “The ‘Leading the North West to Zero Carbon’ plan demonstrates our commitment to be one of the businesses driving the region’s transition to a carbon neutral future. We’re looking closely at our own operations and how we can decarbonise them.  Collectively, small changes can make big impacts and this shows what can be done now to reduce carbon without having a negative impact on customer service, performance or cost.”

As well as lower emissions, the 19C-1E model is more cost effective with JCB research revealing that over the first five years, charging costs will be 50 per cent cheaper compared to using red diesel. Fully charged, the 19C-1E can put in a typical full day’s shift for a mini excavator.

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