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NEWS ARTICLES

Praise for dealer conferences

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Praise for dealer conferences: The UK distributor of Ferris, Wright and Spider mowers was delighted to welcome sales representatives from 11 different dealerships in November for the first of their new UK Dealer conferences.

Delivered at the impressive venues of Haynes International Motor Museum and the RHS Garden at Wisley, over 30 representatives attended across two dates in November, with further Dealer Conferences in the pipeline for 2020.

Praise for dealer conferences

Attendees heard from all three of the premium brands, learning more about their core USPs, new innovations and future plans for each.

Hosted by the team from Machinery Imports, delegates were also able to ask questions and speak directly to staff from the brands, with guests such as Lubor Hladik, International Sales Manager for Spider, and Gerd-Jan Driessen, New Business Development Manager for Ferris.

Many dealers shared their experience of the industry over the past few seasons, as well as their opinions and experiences of the machinery that they work with.

Gerd-Jan was very positive, commenting “There was an open and constructive atmosphere, with dealers and manufacturers sharing their views, with special attention paid to current market issues, and how Ferris copes with these challenges and outperforms against the competition.”

“We definitely see the importance of close manufacturer and distributor relationships” added Spider’s Lubor. “Together with the Machinery Imports team we want to focus on dealer support to ensure all dealers are confident in offering and servicing the unique Spider product.”

Grant Buckingham, Area Sales Manager at Ernest Doe praised the event from a dealer perspective “It was a very enjoyable day. I thought the format was very good, not too technical, it was a good reminder of the attributes and selling features of the brands and models.”

As an extra thank you for attending, delegates were treated by Machinery Imports to free access to the Motor Museum and a personal guided tour of Wisley gardens at the end of each conference.

To find out more about the range of machinery available from Ferris, Wright, Spider and Jensen visit www.thwhite.co.uk/machinery-imports

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Top marks for new line markers

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Top marks for new line markers: Rigby Taylor has added two innovative machines to its highly successful Glider, iGO Advance and iGO Mini spray line marking range.

The new iGO Prime and iGO Midi machines feature a number of advanced features including an innovative circulatory paint system for dispensing the company’s award-winning Impact paints.

Top marks for new line markers

This innovative system primes the paint and at the same time mixes or recirculates it back into the drum/container. This means it is re-dispersing the product, which in turn thins the paint and produces an easier spraying experience, as the flow is improved. The system continually recirculates the paint for improved flow and facilitates easier machine cleaning.

Impact paint formulations are available in a choice of formulations for use on a wide range of surfaces – natural, hybrid and synthetic grass as well as hard surfaces including tarmacadams and concrete.

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Club Company’s fourth Ventrac 4500

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Club Company’s fourth Ventrac 4500: The Club Company, which owns and operates 14 Country Clubs across the UK, has taken delivery of a further Ventrac 4500 compact tractor with Contour mowing deck and blower attachments. This latest combination has been delivered to Woodbury Park Hotel, Golf and Leisure near Exeter and brings the total of Ventrac machines within the group to four.

Chris Brook is the Group Courses Manager, with responsibility for all greenkeeping activities across the company. He is also the Course Manager at the company’s flagship property, Castle Royle Golf and Country Club near Reading.

Club Company's fourth Ventrac 4500

“We already have three Ventracs across the group and they have performed exceptionally well,” he said. “They are brilliant in wet conditions as they only generate 6 psi and can get out onto the course when other equipment would seriously damage the surfaces. This Ventrac at Woodbury Park is our fourth within the group, the other three being at Nizels Golf and Country Club in Kent, The Club at Meyrick Park in Bournemouth and The Tytherington near Macclesfield.

“I was quite sceptical when the machine arrived for a demonstration at Castle Royle back in 2017, but was pleasantly surprised, and delighted, at the machine’s capabilities. Considering it is under 25 hp it is remarkably powerful and can go anywhere.”

The third machine in the group was delivered to The Tytherington in 2018, where the golf course was constructed using clay spoil from the building of the housing estate back in the 1960s. The underlying clay profile can be quite wet during the winter months and difficult to maintain.

Course Manager Gareth Tucker is in his second spell with the group. He was Deputy Course Manager in 2015 before taking up the post of Course Manager at Glossop; two years later he returned in his current role.

“This is an exceptional machine combination,” he said. “Unlike some parts of the country, we had a very wet summer and it has continued into the autumn. This has created some challenges for the greenkeeping team, but the Ventrac has got us out of jail on many occasions. With its minimal ground pressure it can go out in all weather. The Contour deck is used on the semi-rough and the quality of finish for Captain’s Day this year was exceptional; we can lift the height of cut and also use it on the rough.

“The Turbine Blower attachment is very good; some years we get a gradual leaf fall in autumn, but this year we’ve had a heavy fall in a short space of time.  Add to this the wet conditions and the Ventrac has been brilliant. We can get onto the green surrounds, very close to the green edges, blow away the leaves without marking and keeping our members happy.”

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John Deere training sets record

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John Deere training sets record: A record-breaking total of 66 young parts and service technicians are being trained in this year’s John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, the highest total intake since the first Ag Tech induction in 1992.

The group includes for the first time apprentices from Ireland, the John Deere Forestry division and the Wirtgen road construction business, which Deere acquired at the end of 2017, as well as more female apprentices than ever before (five altogether). These annual, award-winning programmes are run in partnership with the dealer network and national training provider ProVQ at the purpose-built John Deere Apprentice Training Centre in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire in the UK.

John Deere training sets record

“There’s never been a better time to consider an apprenticeship with John Deere,” says the company’s training centre manager Allan Cochran. “The increasing levels of automation used throughout our products, including artificial intelligence, advanced electronics, satellite guidance systems and telematics, give us the ability to diagnose and repair machines without even laying a hand on them. All this technology, as well as cutting edge engine and transmission design, means the need for skilled people within our dealerships is ever present.

“It’s not just about the machines either – sophisticated parts and service systems require the same skills too. The John Deere dealer of tomorrow is a challenging business, with a wide range of opportunities and exciting prospects for talented, enthusiastic people from any background.

“Like all apprenticeships, the programmes combine on-the-job training with paid employment at the dealership, leading to nationally recognised and valued qualifications. Apprentices undergo fully supported training, assessment and guidance, gaining valuable workplace skills by undertaking practical tasks and experiencing real-life challenges. They also spend eight weeks each year at the John Deere Apprentice Training Centre and at our head office in Langar.

“We are delighted to expand the programmes for the first time to our dealers in Ireland. This will allow us to deliver the same consistent, high quality apprentice training across the UK & Irish network, to the benefit of all our customers in both countries.”

John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships involve students being trained in engineering, electronics, hydraulics, diagnostics, communication skills, computing, sales and marketing. The programmes lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering and Vehicle Parts Competence, and registration at LTA Intermediate level in the industry’s Landbased Training Accreditation scheme.

In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation.

Now in its 28th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. John Deere is also the only agricultural and turf machinery company to have been recognised as one of the best 100 employers for school leavers in the UK.

Since the first Ag Tech programme started in 1992, approaching 800 apprentices have graduated through the three main schemes and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network. Further details of the apprentice training programmes and other career opportunities can be found on the following ProVQ and John Deere websites:

http://apprenticeshipfinder.co.uk/john-deere and https://www.deere.co.uk/en/our-company/john-deere-careers/

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Pellenc’s latest battery technology

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Pellenc’s latest battery technology: Extra thin, compact and lightweight, the Pellenc ULiB 750 battery revises all ergonomic standards with an unequalled power to weight ratio.

Developed to work with all Pellenc battery tools in the range, the ULiB 750 has a sleek and compact design, weighing less than 4.5kg, making this backpack battery the ideal power source for tree surgeons as well as grounds maintenance professionals.

Pellenc's latest battery technology

It has a full LCD display on the front of the battery which allows the operator to see power consumed, cost of fuel saved in terms of petrol, the tools that have been used and a battery life indicator.

The new battery is also IP54 water-proof rated, meaning that the worry some users have of working in the rain with a battery-powered product is no longer an issue.

It also comes complete with the new battery harness designed around user comfort which allows the battery to be stood upright when taken off of the operator. Another new feature is that it can be fitted in either direction on to the operator allowing the cable to come out of the top or bottom depending on the type of machine being used.

Technical Specifications of the Pellenc ULiB 750 battery:

  • Capacity is 745 Wh for 16.5 Ah
  • Outstanding power / weight ratio of 166.67 Wh per kg
  • Compatible with all Pellenc battery tools
  • Autonomy from 2h30 to 1.5 working days depending on tool used
  • Can be used in all weathers thanks to an IP54 sealing level
  • Visible at night or in difficult weather conditions thanks to its 4 reflectors and its flashing screen

All Pellenc batteries and tools come complete with a three-year commercial warranty as standard – the first manufacturer to offer this on battery-powered tools.

Pellenc is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Etesia UK.

To view the all-new dedicated Pellenc website please visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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