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NEWS ARTICLES

Bobcat Products Star At EHS

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Bobcat Products Star At EHS: Doosan Bobcat is exhibiting on Stand I40 at the 2019 Executive Hire Show in Coventry, England from 6-7 February 2019. The company will be showing the very popular market-leading Bobcat E10 zero tail swing mini-excavator, now renamed the E10z, which this year has passed the landmark of 10,000 units sold around the world, the majority of which have been in the rental sector. Alongside the E10z will be the 7/31G+ compressor generator from Doosan Portable Power, which incorporates an 8.6 kVA generator and is aimed at the utilities industry and rental companies serving this sector.   

Tenth Anniversary and 10,000 Units Sold

As well as passing the milestone of 10,000 units this year, 2018 is also the tenth anniversary of the E10. Its launch in April 2008 was a landmark moment in Bobcat’s history and in the development of the company’s compact excavator range. The E10, along with the smaller E08, were the first excavator models designed and built from start to finish in Europe.

Bobcat Products Star At EHS

The goal was to replace and greatly exceed previous models by meeting the expectations of customers in Europe and beyond. The 10,000 plus sales and the reputation the E10 has earned over the last 10 years confirm that this objective has been more than achieved.

The E10 is now called the E10z to reflect that it is a zero tail swing mini-excavator with a maximum digging depth of 1.82 m and a machine weight of 1066 kg. Bobcat’s E10z is designed and engineered to provide the best combination of high performance, stability, operator safety, ergonomics and durability in this segment of the mini-excavator market and offers the ability to retract itself to easily pass through standard 80 cm door openings.

The main feature which differentiates the E10z from other machines on the market is the patented side adjustable consoles which accommodate hydraulic pilot pressure controlled joysticks. This design is unique in its class, allowing the operator to enjoy the comfort and feel of much larger machines, while being able to adjust the width of the consoles for easy passage through narrow openings.

The E10z is part of the market-leading range of compact equipment from Bobcat that as well as compact excavators, also includes skid-steer and compact tracked loaders and telehandlers. The impressive selection of Bobcat attachments for use with these machines includes wheel saws, trenchers, planers, hydraulic breakers and graders, saving time, effort and costs in carrying out an increasing range of applications.

Meeting the Needs of the Utilities Market

Compressor generators from Doosan Portable Power are aimed at the utilities industry and rental companies serving this sector. The larger 8.5 kVA generator option meets a specific requirement in utility work to meet the demands of the latest fusion welding equipment, providing electrical power that can also be used for lights and tools together with compressed air for powering breakers and other pneumatic equipment.

The generator option is available on two machines – the 7/31+ model, providing a free air delivery of 3.0 m3/min at an output pressure of 7 bar and the larger 7/41+ portable compressor, supplying 4.0 m3/min of compressed air at 7 bar output pressure.

Another option on these compressors is the ‘Tough Top’ polymer canopy combining durability with aesthetic design, making it an especially attractive investment for everyday applications in the toughest working conditions. In addition to its outstanding durability, the Tough Top canopy is also non-corrodible. It can be supplied in customer colours and retrofitted to existing Doosan compressor units.

Like all Doosan compressors, the modular design of the 7/31+ and 7/41+ ensures that a wide range of optional equipment can be added easily. As well as the polymer canopy, they can include LED lights, a Heavy Duty light grill, a number plate clip, wheel nut indicators and a ‘bunded base’.

The bunded base option for environmental safety is available on most of the models in the Doosan range, providing a fully contained base to ensure that all operating fluids (fuel, oil and water) stay within the compressor.

Doosan Portable Power offers a comprehensive range of portable compressors, generators and lighting products for the plant and tool hire industry. Completing the line-up are construction tools such as air-powered chipping hammers, pickhammers, jackhammers and paving breakers for work in demolition, utilities, quarrying and industrial markets.

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GKB Expand BTME Stand Size

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GKB Expand BTME Stand Size: After successful shows in recent years, GKB Machines have taken a larger stand in one of the new halls at this year’s BTME to display more of their machinery range. The new Topair 120 being introduced at the show is based on the popular Topair 160 model, offering a smaller machine for use on the golf course with compact tractors. A robust and reliable combined aerator/roller its GKB developed Evolvente® blades minimise upper layer disturbance to leave a smooth, levelled finish when used in conjunction with the water-filled roller. The two operations can also be done separately. The machine features optional cutting discs to leave a continuous slit to aid surface water drainage and the slicing of grubs.

In areas on the golf course where surface water and moss formation are a problem, the GKB Sandfiller goes to work offering a fast solution for drainage and intensive aeration. Top layer treatment is environmentally friendly and cost-effective with its all-in-one combination of aeration and sand filling. Intensive aeration of the grass leads to quicker recovery, greater green longevity and faster drainage of surface water, without the need for complete renovation.

GKB Expand BTME Stand Size

Meeting top dressing requirements for golf courses and all types of sports pitch the GKB SP100 Spreader has been developed on the back of the success of GKB’s trailed versions and to meet customer needs with easy mounting onto turf trucks, such as the John Deere Gator and Toro Workman. Mounting is straightforward with a simple bolt-on system and stand legs allow the SP100 to be quickly set up or removed. With its 1m3 hopper capacity the machine suits a variety of purposes, evenly distributing materials, such as sand and mulch, with variable spread widths and depths. It’s easily fitted with electro-hydraulic controls and runs directly off the hydraulics of the chosen turf truck.

The GKB Combiseeder offers a fast, efficient way of seeding and surface aerating with virtually no surface disturbance. Creating over 1500 holes per m² the Combiseeder provides accurate seed application at various rates to suit different seed mixes, with drag brushes to incorporate seed and topdressing. The Combiseeder can be used for overseeding and initial seeding and features two spiked rollers that open up the soil for the seed to then be spread accurately across the full width, in and around the holes. Two drag brushes incorporate the seed into the holes and this method results in minimal surface disruption.

GKB Expand BTME Stand Size

The latest GKB Vstrong improves on already proven technology to offer the professional a robust and reliable scarifying machine that swiftly deals with the problem with the minimum waste flow. Operating speeds up to 7.4mph/12km/h mean you can quickly cover a lot of ground for maximum productivity. At the heart of the Vstrong is the CombiRotor with generically developed 3mm carbide scarifying blades. The blades, in turn, are attached to the rotor by means of the QuickLock system which allows you to attain a depth of 5cm. In combination with the reversed rotation direction you’re guaranteed you don’t miss an inch.

There is also the option of 2mm or 4mm blades and you can alter the centre-to-centre distance of the scarifying blades. For added benefit a collection system can be used to catch the dispatched material.

GKB Machines at BTME Hall:Purple; Stand: 406.

For more information, visit: www.gkbmachines.com

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St Andrews Unveil New Short Game Area

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St Andrews Unveil New Short Game Area: A major revamp of the short game facility at the St Andrews Links Golf Academy is almost complete.

The project, which aims to further enhance the facilities at the Home of Golf, has seen the golf and greenkeeping team at the Links work closely with award-winning Golf Course Architecture firm Mackenzie and Ebert.

St Andrews Unveil New Short Game Area

The work began at the end of October and with the project nearing completion, excitement is now building for March 2019 when the area will open for golfers to enjoy.

Director of Golf John Grant said: “We are very passionate about our work and being able to offer golfers great practice facilities where they can work on improving their game. In recent years we felt the short game area didn’t offer enough variety or replicate the conditions and types of shots golfers experience across the seven courses at the Links.

“We were delighted to be able to work with Martin and the team at Mackenzie and Ebert and believe we have been able to redesign the site and create something that reflects the world class quality of our courses and facilities, enhancing the services we currently offer at the Golf Academy and improving the overall experience.”

Renowned Golf Course Architect Martin Ebert added: “It has been very fulfilling to have contributed to the Short Game Area at St Andrews Links. The beautiful undulations which are present throughout all of the courses at St Andrews have served as the best possible inspiration for the design and shaping of the greens and surrounds which have been created.

“Formerly, the large flat green with the five bunkers on one side was disappointing in terms of the short game shots on offer. This has been replaced with four new greens, three of which have been raised and shaped to replicate shots which might be found around the greens on the courses at St Andrews. The fourth green has been kept at ground level to allow pitch and run shots and flat putts from off the green to be practised and the five bunkers have been shaped and located in positions to allow all different types of bunker shots to be practised.”

With the Old Course regularly hosting Major events, including the 150th Open in 2021, the design also took into account the infrastructure requirements, retaining some flat areas to accommodate a grandstand as well as ensuring an existing putting green – Harry Colt’s wonderful old 2nd green of the Eden Course – remains an integral part of the short game area.

Work began in October 2018 with Director of Instruction Steve North, Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove Course Manager Kevin Muir and his greenkeeping team working closely with Mackenzie and Ebert throughout all aspects of the project.

The new design has also freed up some additional space, which will be utilised to increase parking provision to cater for the increasing number of golfers visiting the Eden Clubhouse and Golf Academy all-year round.

Elsewhere on the Links, winter projects are continuing apace, including the creation of a permanent catering facility at the rear of the 9th green of the Old Course.

Previously a mobile catering unit has serviced the needs of golfers on both the Old and New Courses, however renovation work has now begun to extend the footprint of the toilet block and shelter to include a dedicated catering facility.

Director of Operations Ewen Bowman said: “We have long held ambitions to find a more permanent catering solution, both for our staff and golfers, as we strive to deliver a five-star experience.

“The new Halfway House will enable us to provide a great facility for golfers to pick up a selection of fresh snacks and refreshments before taking on the challenge of the back 9.”

Finally, work will continue over the winter to improve access routes around the Old Course with a new road routing taking shape between the Old and New Courses. This work has involved moving an existing track several yards away from golf as well as creating better screening to ensure the safety of golfers and staff.

The road, which is predominantly used by greenkeeping team and golfer’s assistants will be completed in the new year with tarmac treatment whilst the former track will be backfilled and turfed.

To keep up to date with all the latest news at the Home of Golf visit standrews.com for regular updates, blogs and insight into these winter projects and many more.

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Loss Of Propiconazole

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Loss Of Propiconazole: The EU Commission has decided not to renew the approval for the fungicide active ingredient, propiconazole. This means that all products containing propiconazole for any market, including turf management, will be withdrawn from sale over the coming months. Approval was not renewed because it failed the cut off criteria given its classification linked to the potential to give rise to groundwater metabolites above permitted levels. There were also various areas stated as of some concern although not as it is understood finalised. It will impact significantly on control in grassland, particularly given the earlier loss of iprodione, but the UK Government supported non-renewal.

The date set for final sale of products containing the active is 19th June 2019 in the UK.

Loss Of Propiconazole

The Forum recognises the concerns that result from this decision. The continuing loss of active ingredients in the amenity market means that the quality of our sportsturf and amenity spaces is likely to suffer. In this particular case, the loss of any fungicide active is a concern in terms of loss of quality and range of tools for sportsturf managers to avoid current and potential disease resistance in the future.

Integrated approaches to weed, pest and disease management are our priority but this needs to be based upon the widest options of non-chemical and chemical approaches, implemented by professionals fully supportive of the Amenity Forum and its commitment to best practice and to producing amenity spaces which are safe and healthy environments, fit for purpose.

A member of the Forum said ‘’The loss of this active does significantly reduce the sector’s options with the further loss of formulated products. This revocation in effect means that we have lost a multisite active ingredient which reduces further the number of modes of action we have available in the amenity sector’

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Rigby Taylor Praised At Rotherham

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Rigby Taylor Praised At Rotherham: 2018 IOG Industry Award winner Dave Fellowes certainly has his work cut out at Rotherham United FC. Because, as head groundsman, not only is he and two assistants charged with looking after the stadium pitch but they are also tasked with maintaining the training ground which has two pitches, including one for the first team and reserves’ training, as well as reserves’ matches. The trio also help out with the maintenance of an additional pitch used by the club’s under 18s.

So, he says, everything he does must have a purpose – “I don’t have any time to waste” – and every product he uses must have the desired effect during a busy season.

Rigby Taylor Praised At Rotherham

Between May 2017-May 2018, for example, there were 46 games at the stadium, including the UEFA U17 European championship (two group games, one quarter-final, the semi-final and final), as well as 28 training sessions.The two-pitch training ground hosted 455 hours of use during that period.

Dave joined the south Yorkshire club in 2011, after nine years at Fulham FC – seven years as head groundsman there, moving to Craven Cottage from a groundsman role at the University of Sheffield where he gained Levels 1 and 2.

He admits it was a bit of a shock to the system moving from a Premier League club with a team having all the groundscare aids at its disposal, including undersoil heating and grow lights, to a club where the budget was very different. Indeed, for his first year, he was working alone.

“I wanted to get back to this part of the country for personal reasons,” he says, “and because The Millers were then in the throes of planning the new stadium I needed to be part of the new build, particularly the construction of the fibresand pitch. So, I spent a considerable amount of time commuting between London and Yorkshire before joining the club when it was using the Don Valley Stadium while awaiting the completion of the New York Stadium.

“I had experience of fibresand at Fulham, but the environment here is a bit different to London, not least the fact that little air gets onto the pitch, which we try to overcome by regular drag-brushing in an attempt to stimulate some airflow. There’s also a huge temperature difference between here and London, which affects grass growth in particular.

Rigby Taylor Praised At Rotherham

“But you have to work with what you’ve got and the weather you’re confronted with, and we’re always trying to improve things.”

He adds: “It is crucial that I use quality amenity products to complement our groundscare techniques to ensure the pitch plays well and looks good. Of course, we have to meet the expectations of the players and the board [Dave says he has an excellent relationship with the chairman and chief executive] but it seems that every spectator becomes a grounds expert when they enter the stadium – then they are referees and managers when the game is underway – so we have to ensure the pitch always looks great. And thanks to Rigby Taylor products, it does.”

Working closely with Rigby Taylor’s Technical Representative Mike Brear, the benefits of an annual pitch care programme are clear to see and, says Dave, it is spearheaded by a number of products:

[] Microlite Activ8 micro-granular fertiliser – applied six times a year – “the best one on the market”;

[] Activate R biostimulant – applied once a year – “a fantastic product that makes a real difference to rooting”; and

[] Magnet chelated liquid iron – “we apply it on a Thursday before a Saturday game and it really kicks in quickly; it looks like a different pitch within 12 hours”.

Also used are Microflow and PolyPro controlled-release fertilisers (each twice a year) and Magnet Dynamic chelated iron (once a year, for long-term greening).

Dave adds: “We also rely on the biostimulant Activate R in the winter, for good rooting, and we top up the surface regularly by adding R140 seed and, especially in winter, I find that it germinates well at low temperatures. Three bags every six weeks makes a big difference. I do regularly compare products but have always found Rigby Taylor’s to be the best.”

Rigby Taylor Praised At Rotherham

The challenges that Dave faces continue unabated, following his recent success in the IOG Industry Awards – where he and his team won the SISGrass Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year Award, open to grounds teams from the English Leagues 1 & 2, National League, National League North/South, Scottish Championship & Leagues 1 & 2, Ireland & Wales Professional Leagues.

The Championship club’s stadium has also been selected as a host venue for the 2021 Women’s European Championship: “I’m already thinking about the timescales between the end of our season, the European Championship fixtures and the start of our new season.

“I’m planning mini renovations to accommodate those needs rather than having the usual seven-week break. And I’m confident that Rigby Taylor will help me effectively re-establish the pitch twice in one summer.”

For more information, visit: www.rigbytaylor.com

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