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An insight into Yokohama Stadium

An insight into Yokohama Stadium: What an exciting tournament it has been so far! With just over a week until the final, let’s look into the incredible stadium where the final is taking place – International Stadium Yokohama.

The Rugby World Cup Final 2019 will be held in the International Stadium Yokohama, with the finalists still to be confirmed after this weekend’s semi-finals. This remarkable venue has a bespoke Bolt-Down Bottom Hinge System which is similar to that designed for the “Sliding Pitch” in the Sapporo Dome. Harrod Sport’s Design Team worked closely with our Japanese distributor; Kofu Field Co. Ltd to create these innovative designs ready for the tournament.

An insight into Yokohama Stadium

The biggest challenge encountered in the Yokohama Stadium was that there had previously been a smaller set of rugby posts in place. So, we had to develop something that could be installed over the original sockets, but with the added complication of needing to increase the foundation strength to cater for the greater forces imposed by the 17m tall posts. This was overcome by designing the Bolt-down Hinge Assembly installed with 6 of M20 Stainless Steel Indented Foundation Bolts at each upright.

Also, our unique Winched Rugby Lifters were used at all World Cup venues to ensure that the 17m posts could be erected without the use of any powered vehicles or lifting system.

These posts had to satisfy earthquake requirements. In Japan, it is stated in the Building Standards Act that when you want to install any permanent or non-permanent architectural buildings/objects that exceeds the height of 15m, the owner needs to submit the building certification to the government and that includes tiresome data of the installation site and structure calculation data, CAD drawings (with detail materials and dimensions stated) of the installed building/object.

An insight into Yokohama Stadium

If we had not provided the adequate information and drawings, we would have not been allowed to install 17m rugby posts in Japan. Also, all drawings and structural analysis documentation needed to be interpreted into Japanese for approval by the Japanese Government!

Innovation is at the forefront of what we do at Harrod Sport, and we are privileged to have worked on such a historic and thoroughly entertaining tournament.

For further information please contact Molly Spring (Sales & Marketing Coordinator) on molly@harrod.uk.com or 01502 583515.

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ISEKI’s lasting impression at Cosgrove Park

ISEKI’s lasting impression at Cosgrove Park: Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty near Buckinghamshire you will find the multi-million pound Cosgrove Caravan Park, spanning over 190 acres. Park Foreman, Trevor Bird with the help of his team of three gardeners, carefully manicure the site all year round supported by their trusted ISEKI SF235.

When Trevor started at the park four years ago they were using several out-front mulching mowers from a different manufacturer to maintain the grassed areas which left the grounds looking rather scruffy.  Trevor explained; “I knew in order to raise the standards of the park we had to cut and collect the grass from around the site.  With this in mind I contacted our local dealer RT Machinery, explained what I was looking for, and they brought out an ISEKI SF235 on demonstration.

ISEKI's lasting impression at Cosgrove Park

“Held on a rather miserable, rainy day I wasn’t expecting much from the demonstration, but the impressive capability of the ISEKI SF235 to cut and collect all the grass clippings with an excellent finish, even despite the awful weather, sold it for me.  The powerful turbine sucks the grass from the deck and blows it via an oscillating chute into the collector, ensuring the collector is filled to its maximum.  This brilliant feature means there is no annoying clogging up compared to the previous mowers we have owned.

“Used four days a week throughout the whole of the grass cutting season by myself and three members of the team, the mower definitely has its work cut out.  We have found it incredibly comfortable to use, with well-placed mirrors, great driving position and comfortable seat, even after 8 hours of work.”

Disposal of all the grass waste is easily completed with the 2.1m lift clearance into a container with the impressive 950 litre collector, boosting efficiency for Trevor’s team, alongside the large 54” cutting width deck.

“This is the first ISEKI I have purchased and even the little finishing touches are well thought through.  One example is all the hydraulic hoses are tucked neatly away so there is no risk of them being caught whilst out cutting.  It’s the quality design touches like this that make the mower stand out from its competitors.

ISEKI's lasting impression at Cosgrove Park

Having known Richard Taylor for many years I can safely say RT Machinery’s service is second to none.  The back-up provided from the dealership is great and exactly what you look for when purchasing machinery like this.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the ISEKI SF235, with its large 54” deck, impressive collector and superb finish; what is not to like about this machine.”

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Foamstream from Weedingtech at SALTEX

Foamstream from Weedingtech at SALTEX: Foamstream is the leading herbicide-free alternative used across the world for effective weed, moss and algae control.

This ecologically safe, simple, patented process works by killing unwanted vegetation using heat delivered by near-boiling water, insulated by a biodegradable foam made from natural plant oils and sugars. Organisations looking to reduce or remove their use of glyphosate from their weed control operations are increasingly turning to Foamstream. These typically include municipalities, green space contractors, utility companies and educational establishments seeking the best alternative to herbicides. So how does it work?

Foamstream from Weedingtech at SALTEX

The solution is 99.5% water and 0.5% foam blend. The foam is the key element of the process as this provides an insulating blanket over the plant, holding the heat from the hot water in the desired kill-zone (57˚C and above) for longer than any other alternative thermal method. Foamstream provides effective heat transfer from leaf to root, sufficiently damaging the plant and causing it to die back. In addition, the treatment also sterilises any surrounding seeds and spores. Foamstream has much higher efficacy which means fewer treatment cycles are required throughout the year, proving it to be more cost-effective, needing less labour. No ongoing operator certification, training or specialist PPE is required. What’s more, the process is safe around people, animals, water and delicate environments. It can be used all-year-round and is suitable for use on all surfaces, from soft flower beds and porous historic monuments to hard and artificial surfaces like gravel, playgrounds and sports tracks.

Foamstream is also multi-functional and while can be used to control vegetation it can also be used across departments as a cleaning solution for gum removal, power washing and sanitisation. Foamstream is delivered through one of Weedingtech’s industry-leading machines and at Saltex the Weedingtech team will be pleased to unveil the latest system in its range and talk further on the process benefits, both ecological and financial that can be gained from implementing such systems. Foamstream will be found on Stand F027 at Saltex

info@weedingtech.com

For more information visit www.weedingtech.com

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Car vandals destroy pitches

Car vandals destroy pitches: Volunteers at a community football club have been left devastated after vandals ruined two of their football pitches.

Members of Gateshead Redheugh, a club which helped nurture the talent of Newcastle legend Paul Gascoigne, arrived to host a football camp on Wednesday morning to discover a car had been driven across the playing fields overnight.

As a result, two of the club’s pitches have been destroyed with long tyre tracks being left in the grass.

The damage has cast doubt on a number of fixtures scheduled at the club this weekend, with 240 players expecting to turn out.

The club’s facilities include four grass and two 3G pitches with the club spending up to £5,000 in the summer to get them ready for the new season.

Senior sports coordinator Terry Ritson told ChronicleLive members have been left gutted by the act of vandalism, which could cost between £5,000 and £10,000 to repair.

The 64-year-old said: “We’re gutted and deflated at what has happened.

“The amount of hard work that goes into running this club for the community for some mindless vandals to come along and ruin it. It just makes you think ‘what’s the point?’

“It’s like we’ve been punished for something we’ve not done. If the other pitches weren’t fenced off then it could have been a lot worse.

“All we want to do is help people, giving them a place to go and incorporate so many members of the community.”

Northumbria Police has launched an investigation into the incident with a car understood to have been driven onto the pitches at around 3am on October 23.

Gateshead Redheugh is mostly funded by player registration fees, fundraising events and sponsorship, with up to 70 volunteers giving up their spare time to help run 20 teams.

The Bolam Street club is now appealing for donations to pay for repairs and help fence off the remaining pitches to prevent a repeat of the damage.

Terry, who has been a member of Gateshead Redheugh since playing for the club in 1969, has said members are overwhelmed by the generosity of the community who have raised almost £700 in 24 hours, while other local clubs have also offered their support.

Terry said: “We simply don’t have that sort of money available. All donations are hugely appreciated.

“Other clubs in the area have kindly agreed to take on some of the 9-a-side and 11-a-side matches due to take place this weekend.

“Groundsmen from local clubs have also said they will help to fix the pitches with us.

“It is absolutely brilliant that the community has come together to help us after a dreadful incident and we hope the people responsible are caught.

“They clearly have no idea what it means to be part of something like this.

“We will bounce back for the sake of the children involved and will be making steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Shortly before 9.40am on Wednesday, police received a report of damage to a football pitch on Bolam Street in Gateshead.

“It was reported that a car had driven onto the pitch causing tyre marks and damage on the field at around 3am on Wednesday.

“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 and quote reference number 217 23/10/19.”

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SALTEX product launch from Ryetec

SALTEX product launch from Ryetec: It’s here, The ROBOFOX ELECTRA fully electric remote controlled flail mower with the power and performance of an engine driven machine but without all the noise, fumes and environmental contamination thanks to an innovative battery & drive system and the complete absence of any hydraulic system.

The ROBOFOX ELECTRA features a powerful electrically driven 900mm wide flail mower capable of cutting and mulching material up to 2 cms in diameter, combined with a track drive system and ultra-low centre of gravity for bank mowing on angles of up to 55°. An intuitive proportional remote control allows the operate to work at a safe distance from the machine (up to 150 metres) and the heavy duty battery pack give an autonomy of 2-3 hours work depending on conditions, and for longer duration the battery pack can be exchanged for a fully charged unit, re charge time is 3-4 hours.

SALTEX product launch from Ryetec

For operators working in areas where engine power is not a problem then the ROBOFOX HYBRID is available with a 28hp petrol engine to drive the flail head and fully electric track drive system, which still eliminates any hydraulic systems and on board batteries also allow the machine to be driven without the engine running, ideal it driving past buildings, people and animals to the working area or should the engine run out of fuel the ROBOFOX can be recovered from the working area.

ALSO at SALTEX for the first time, The NEW Peruzzo TB100 tracked chipper, with a 100mm capacity and a width of 76cms this nimble machine can access gardens, wet ground and sloping terrain with ease. The powerful 18hp engine drives a cylindrical chipping drum which automatically feeds itself without the need for complicated and expensive hydraulic and electronic systems and the powerful ejection force easily send chip through the directable chute for efficient spreading of the chipped material onsite or loading into a vehicle to remove from site.

Visitors can also see the NEW MOTOFROG pedestrian flail mower from Peruzzo, a compact machine with full track option for effective and safe mowing on banks, and wet areas with plenty of traction and ground holding. The 13hp petrol engine has plenty of power for the 75cm wide flail head which easily cuts and mulches thick vegetation, and forward speed is easily controlled with the 4 speed gear box and easy to operate steering clutches.

Come and see us at stand L183

For more info contact Ryetec on 01944 728186

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