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Hortech – championing the SCAG SWZ

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Hortech – championing the SCAG SWZ: The SWZ is the model name for the SCAG pedestrian mower, which is supplied in the UK and parts of Europe by STM Co Ltd – and few people know these machines better than the grounds maintenance company Hortech Ltd. They’ve used SCAGs for 25 years; these are machines that work hard for their living, and this has led Hortech to select SCAG as the machine of choice for their work.

We spoke to their Commercial Director Duncan Jones, who has just taken delivery of four SCAG SWZs and he explained about several aspects of the range that keep SCAG so high on their specification list for their work for sites such as industrial, gas and water utility sites.

Hortech – championing the SCAG SWZ

Water utility sites are a good example of SWZs being ideal – the steeply angled sides on domestic reservoirs always present a challenge, and the SWZ with the twin-wheel option is a very well established and respected solution. This option effectively lowers the centre of gravity of the machine to keep it well placed on angles.

Duncan explained also about a brand-new contract they have recently been awarded that involves a very large number of sites – and to help with this work the new machines have been supplied with spark limiters because of the working environment involved.

Their whole fleet amounts to over forty SCAGs, and another example of keeping these useful machines in operation over the whole year is winter use of their use of their machines fitted with the STM snow blades.

Quotes from a large water utilities customer featuring reservoir work come from the operators themselves, “Happy to use the machines all day long”, and “We like SCAG best”.

STM are very proud to have someone say that of their products – and proud to have Hortech Ltd as a customer.

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John Deere At PGA Catalunya

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John Deere At PGA Catalunya: PGA Catalunya Resort, located near Girona in Spain, has signed its first ever five-year preferred equipment supplier agreement with John Deere to provide a fleet of 10 new Gator utility vehicles, as part of its three-year investment plan.

The European Tour Destination, renowned for its commitment to first-class course maintenance, has already been using John Deere 2500E hybrid electric triplex greens mowers, 9009A TerrainCut rotary rough mowers, 2030A ProGator utility vehicles equipped with HD200 low-profile amenity turf sprayers and TX Turf Gators. The new five-year deal, supported by John Deere Financial and including PowerGard maintenance cover, sees the addition of two more ProGator vehicles and three rough mowers to the fleet, as well as two compact tractors, supplied by local dealer Ramon Font of Vernis & Taberner Equips, SL.

John Deere At PGA Catalunya

“Being home to Spain’s No. 1 course since 2011, expectations on how our courses play, look and feel are high, so the machinery we need must produce a consistent, first-class finish – and in John Deere’s equipment we have well-engineered and reliable machinery, which our mechanics appreciate,” says Alfredo Alvarez, Stadium Course Manager at PGA Catalunya Resort. “The greens staff really like the mowers’ quality of cut and the precision that can be achieved using the programmable TechControl display.”

Alvarez works alongside Tour Course Manager Roger Casadevall and Head Greenkeeper Aleix Masferrer, heading up a team of 21 greenkeepers and two mechanics who dutifully maintain the two championship courses to the highest standard.

“Following the recent Continental European course listing by www.top100golfcourses.com, we discovered the judging panel had specifically commented on the ‘immaculate conditioning’ of the Stadium Course – and thanks to John Deere’s superior turfcare machinery, we will uphold our course conditioning standards to the highest level,” says David Bataller, PGA Catalunya Resort’s Director of Golf Operations.

This investment in the future of PGA Catalunya Resort’s two championship courses is part of a €53 million redevelopment programme that has seen the opening of two new hotels, the addition of a new vineyard, sports and leisure facilities, and a wide range of services and activities since its conceptualisation in 2016. The addition of an equestrian centre and a man-made recreational lake will complete the estate’s transformation into one of Europe’s most desirable luxury lifestyle destinations at less than an hour from Barcelona and 15 minutes from the historic town of Girona, in north-eastern Spain.

For more information, visit: www.JohnDeere.com

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Etesia Announce Special Offers

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Etesia Announce Special Offers: Etesia UK has announced huge savings on selected models in its Duocut range of green technology battery-powered pedestrian mowers.

The revolution in battery powered equipment continues to sweep through the groundscare industry and it is easy to see why – no emissions, low noise, low vibration, easy operation, reduced risk of fuel spills and fires, and much, much lower maintenance requirements.

Etesia Announce Special Offers

Etesia UK was one of the first manufacturers to bring battery powered equipment to the marketplace, which enabled professional users to work for a full day on a single charge. As it stands, the company invests more money in green technology research than it does in any other department and this, in turn, enables Etesia to continue to offer ever improving grass cutting machines.

The Duocut range of green technology pedestrian mowers give professional users a means for efficient, environmentally friendly and profitable mowing. With immediate effect, four of the Duocut models can be now picked up at a discounted rate.

The Etesia Duocut 41 NACS battery-powered pedestrian mower is a self-propelled three-in-one mower with a 41cm cutting width. This versatile machine is capable of mowing with or without collection in all conditions, or high-quality mulching which is thanks to the perfect combination of 100 % collection and 100 % mulching decks.

The Duocut 41 NACTS boasts the same great features as the NACS and is a push mower; providing the operator with the choice according to their preference.

For those looking for a wider cutting width, then both the Duocut 46 PACS and PACTS will offer a solution through their 46cm cutting widths. Again, both models excel in mowing, mulching and collection and provide self-propelled or push options depending on preference.

The spring and summer special offers also includes a discounted additional battery unit which is compatible with all four of the Duocut battery-powered models.

Summer and spring special offers:

Duocut 41 NACTS. Was £1,901.00. Now £1,615.00.

Duocut 41 NACS. Was £1,801.00. Now £1,533.00.

Duocut 46 PACTS. Was £2,001.00. Now £1,700.00.

Duocut 46 PACS. Was £1,901.00. Now £1,615.00.

Additional Battery Unit. Was £895.00. Now £445.00

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk. You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Polaris Ranger Photo Competition

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Polaris Ranger Photo Competition: For two decades, Polaris has provided class leading performance with their top selling utility vehicle, the RANGER®. 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the iconic model, just a few months after the brand celebrated the one millionth RANGER® unit rolling off the production line.

To mark this key milestone in the brands history, Polaris is offering their customers the chance to win one of the ‘Ultimate RANGER® experiences’ on offer – a range of exclusive experiences, with the RANGER® vehicle at the heart.

Polaris Ranger Photo Competition

To take part, customers are encouraged to visit the Polaris website at www.ranger20thanniversary.com, and simply upload a picture of their ‘RANGER® experience’ with a caption explaining their image for the chance to win. Entrants don’t even have to own their own RANGER®, they could have driven one of the vehicles at a Polaris event or taken a test ride.

The judging panel will include a representative from Polaris Industrial Design in the United States of America, who will be looking for entries which show an authentic, inspiring experience and excitement for the brand.

The Ultimate RANGER® Experiences available to win include:

Iceland – Enjoy the stunning landscape of the Icelandic mountains and see how the iconic RANGER® is customised and used by owners of lodges in the mountains to access their remote cabins.

Greece – Explore the Greek island of Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades island group, in a RANGER®. Take a trip around the mountain villages, tour the ancient ruins and soak up on the sun on the long stretches of beach. Save your energy and use the RANGER® to drive to Kasto, a hilltop castle dating back to the 13th century.

The competition opens for entries on May 15th 2018 and closes on July 1st 2018 – giving entrants plenty of time to get in their submissions. Winning entrants will be announced on 16th July, with the experiences taking place all the way through to March 2019. For full terms and conditions, visit the Polaris website.

Rodrigo Lourenco, Vice President and General Manager of Off-Road Vehicles EMEA, said: “We’re proud to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the RANGER® model – a key vehicle in the vehicle line-up for Polaris. With its ability to be modified and adapted to master any environment and application, the RANGER® is extremely versatile and we look forward to hearing the RANGER® experiences from our owners.”

Forming a key part of the Polaris product line, the RANGER® is used globally for a variety of tasks. Its legacy continues to grow stronger year on year with new models being released along with a vast array of Polaris Engineered parts and accessories which allow owners to further adapt the already capable vehicle to its surroundings.

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Greenock’s £8k Pitch Revamp

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Greenock’s £8k Pitch Revamp: Life’s a beach for Morton’s groundsman after 60 tonnes of sand was spread onto the Cappielow pitch as part of an £8,000 renovation project.

The hallowed turf is undergoing an annual overhaul to ensure the playing surface is in pristine condition come the start of the new season.

Award-winning groundsman Mark Farrell, 42, is leading the two-week, intensive restoration work.

A total of 52 matches were played on the pitch last term by the Ton’s first team, development squad and Celtic’s Under-20s.

Despite still looking like a carpet come the end of another long season, Mark says it is vital to keep on top of the pitch, which is regarded as one of the best in the country.

He told the Tele: “The pitch had a lot of games and a lot of usage.

“It was getting tired and needed a rest.

“We’ve put some sand deep down to improve drainage a bit more, smoothed off the surface and put some fresh seed in.

“The surface was looking a bit tired so the key now is to make sure it’s looking healthy again.”

Around 150kg of grass seed has also been planted and Mark has been working once again with specialist contractors Campey Turf Care.

Mark said: “It’s coming along nicely and the weather has been great.

“This time last year it was a case of trying to get water off the pitch because it was so wet and this year I’m trying to get water on it.

“It will be fifteen years in September since I started here so I know the pitch inside out now.

“The club have never refused me whenever I’ve asked for anything and that’s a good thing.

“The club wants a good pitch that’s ready for matchday and that’s what I always work towards.”

The Cappielow surface is regularly praised by fans, players, managers and club officials from across the footballing world.

Morton chief executive Warren Hawke paid tribute to the hard-working grounds manager.

He said: “The pitch is one of our biggest assets and that’s why we continue to invest in it.

“We’re lucky to have an excellent person in charge of the playing surface in Mark.”

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