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NEWS ARTICLES

Luscombe Plant Hire Double Up On Their GreenMech Fleet

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Luscombe Plant Hire double up on their GreenMech fleet to meet demand: Luscombe Plant Hire, based in Ulverston, Cumbria, stock a wide range of site machinery and tools available for daily, weekly, or long-term hire. After noticing that their GreenMech Arborist 130 woodchipper was hardly ever in the yard, owner Simon Luscombe decided to add a second one to his hire fleet to meet the consistent demand.

Simon and wife Beverly, along with their son Dan, started Luscombe Plant Hire in 2001 and this year they were proudly awarded the “Outstanding Single Depot Hire Company” at the EHN Passionate Hirer Awards. “We have a full range of tools and machinery from a wallpaper stripper right up to 8-tonne excavators as well as an onsite shop selling fittings, workwear and smaller tools” explains Simon. “The arborist side of things is quite a large part of our business, so being able to offer good quality, reliable chippers that work well is very important for us.”

Luscombe Plant Hire Double Up On Their GreenMech Fleet

They first came across the machines at the annual Executive Hire Show. After initially purchasing just one, the client base of tree surgeons, land owners and grounds managers meant the demand was more than they could supply so they added a second unit. “Since we’ve switched over to the GreenMech chippers, we’ve not had one bad report on them – our customers seem much more satisfied. They go out on hire for anywhere between one day to one month and everyone who hires them, say they’re really good machines to use. There has been no down-time due to breakdowns which, when you’ve got a packed hire schedule, is crucial.”

The Arborist 130 is a simple-to-use, cost effective, compact road tow chipper, featuring a generous 970mm x 790mm in-feed hopper, which aids bushy brash reduction, coupled with a 150cm x 230cm letterbox-style throat. The 23hp Honda petrol engine is protected with a steel bonnet, helping to reduce the noise level. It comes with a hand brake, overrun braking system and GreenMech’s patented Disc-Blade technology as standard.

For more information, visit: http://www.greenmech.co.uk/

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Countrywide Advances With Solutions For All Grass Professionals

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Countrywide Advances With Solutions For All Grass Professionals: Further to the announcement made in October regarding Countrywide Farmers restructuring and subsequent exit from the Turf & Amenity market, we can now confirm the company has transferred the whole T&A division to an alternative provider, enabling the Turf and Amenity team to continue to service customers under new ownership.

From 1st November 2017 all current Countrywide T&A business will be managed through ADVANCE GRASS SOLUTIONS Ltd (AGS) based from their new HQ in Reading, Berkshire.

Countrywide Advances With Solutions For All Grass Professionals

Sam Honeyborne, Managing Director at AGS confirmed “We are all extremely excited by the opportunity that this new business presents and confident of a seamless transition from Countrywide, as we continue our growth plan in the UK amenity sector. The T&A team has made excellent progress in the past five years and has adapted to suit the evolution of the market, with the increased customer appetite for a high level of long term agronomic support. I would like to thank Countrywide for their help and guidance during this transition and assure our loyal customers and suppliers of service continuity throughout.”

AGS will provide a UK exclusive range of high quality turf maintenance products to include Sustane, Growth Products and Polyon in addition to established brands such as DLF Seeds, Farmura, Aquatrols and Bathgates. Technical support combined with exceptional customer service will be the company’s ethos. Sam offered an example of where he believes improvements can be made “Haulage and delivery has been problematic in recent years in the industry and most of our competitors presently outsource this requirement. Initially we are committed to delivering directly to our customers in the South but ultimately coverage nationally by 2020. Sam added “This will incur extra costs but will greatly improve our customer service and that is our number one priority”

Growth Products, who sponsored an award at the IOG dinner in November recently confirmed AGS as their UK exclusive distributor for amenity turf, horticulture and speciality agriculture. GP’s CEO, Clare Reinbergen was very confident about the future saying “We are extremely impressed with the AGS business plan and look forward to supporting Sam and the company’s key objectives. AGS’s field based technical team are undoubtedly one of the most comprehensively qualified and experienced units in the UK and will continue their reputation for sound advice and product recommendation.”

Sam Honeyborne was also pleased to announce that Sustane Natural Fertiliser market share in the UK continues to grow and has prompted the recent appointment of Russell Riley as Sustane’s UK Business Development Manager effective from November 2017. “Russell will do a fantastic job and I wish him all the best for the future” said Sam. “Our exclusive contract with Sustane means we will be working very closely with Russell to further increase customer awareness, at a time where chemical use is under growing regulatory pressure.”

AGS is presently developing a high quality web site and this, in addition to the AGS 2018 Product Guide, will be available in the very near future.

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New York Red Bulls Praise SISIS Osca

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New York Red Bulls Praise SISIS Osca: Dan Shemesh, Director of Stadium and Training Grounds for the New York Red Bulls has praised the SISIS Osca 3 which maintains the synthetic turf on one of the club’s training fields.

When Dan Shemesh was looking for a machine that would help take his synthetic turf to the next level, he found the solution in the form of the SISIS Osca 3 tractor mounted oscillating brush.

New York Red Bulls Praise SISIS Osca

“We previously had a problem of matted down fibers on the synthetic turf, so I needed a machine which would help revive the laid over fibers,” says Dan. “CS Trading LLC recommended the SISIS Osca and they arranged a demonstration for us. We saw an immediate result both visually as well as through field testing.”

The SISIS Osca 3 is a tractor mounted powered oscillating brush with a 1.9 meter working width and is equally effective when used on synthetic turf with sand or rubber infill. The two oscillating brushes stand the carpet fibers up and redistributes the infill evening, minimizing compaction on the surface and improving its performance – giving consistent playing characteristics while preventing pile damage caused by reduced infill levels.

A contributory factor to the reduction of compaction is that the Osca’s working width will use fewer passes than other more conventional drag brushes to complete a pitch. Its aggressive brushing action agitates the upper infill level of the surface from side to side as well as brushing forward, helping reduce surface compaction and encourage the fibers to stand up straight which reduces the risk of contamination, drainage problems and leaves a consistent playing surface across the whole pitch.

Dan, who uses the Osca on a bi-weekly basis, has reported excellent results since using the product.

“The SISIS Osca is a great machine to keep fibers standing up in synthetic turf and the dual oscillating brushes work in a different way to any other product on the market – in fact that was a key feature in me purchasing the machine.”

“This product will save us money in the long run as it will eliminate the need for bringing in contractors and it will extend the life of our synthetic turf. The Osca is also incredibly simple and easy to operate – we just attach it to our tractor using the correct PTO – and adjust the speed depending on the level of brushing needed.”

“I would absolutely recommend the SISIS Osca to anyone who is looking to improve their synthetic turf – it has now become a staple in our synthetic turf maintenance.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

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Yay Tagon Taung Continues Affiliation with Jacobsen and E-Z-GO

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Yay Tagon Taung Golf Resort Continues 20-year Affiliation with Jacobsen and E-Z-GO: Yay Tagon Taung Golf Resort, located about 30 minutes’ drive east of Mandalay in Myanmar (formerly Burma), has taken delivery of yet more Jacobsen machinery after serving as a loyal customer for more than 20 years.

Mr. Thant Zin Oo has been the general manager at the club for two years now, having previously been an officer in the army. The former Pwint Phyo Thit Group owned golf club has invested in four Jacobsen Eclipse 2 green mowers, two LF550 light fairway mowers, one TR-3 trim mower, 27 E-Z-GO Freedom LXi golf cars, 12 TXT E-Z-GO golf cars and six Shuttle 4 vehicles. Commenting on the machinery, Mr. Thant said:

Yay Tagon Taung Continues Affiliation with Jacobsen and E-Z-GO

“We attract a lot of golfers to the club. The course has a good reputation, and we have 7,380 rounds of golf on average per month. For this reason, we have invested heavily in new machinery, and the best machinery, as the grass gets stressed due to the high volume of foot traffic; we do not have much time to get out in the morning to maintain the course.

“When looking for machinery, we wanted equipment that could save us time and that left a good finish. The course condition is important here because we host many tournaments throughout the year, including an event which is part of the Myanmar golf tour. The LF550 fairway mowers and the Eclipse2 green mowers suit our course perfectly. They do not put the turf under any unnecessary stress, and they are extremely easy to use, efficient, and reliable.

“There are currently three golf courses in the area, but we are always striving to be the number one course around here. We hope to expand to 36 holes, and to attain international standard within five years after we receive approval from the government. We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with Jacobsen and E-Z-GO during this exciting time for us.”

 Yay Tagon Taung Golf Resort was established in 1996 and is located at the foot of a mountainous area, just 10 miles from Mandalay city center. The mountains are dotted with temples and pagodas, providing a serene backdrop for visitors to enjoy. The golf course is wide and open, offering an enjoyable experience for players of all abilities.

About Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc.

Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of golf cars, utility and personal transportation vehicles, snowmobiles, side-by-sides, all-terrain vehicles, professional turf-care equipment, and ground support equipment. Textron Specialized Vehicles markets products under the E-Z-GO®, Cushman®, Arctic Cat®, Textron Off Road™, Jacobsen®, Dixie Chopper®, Ransomes®, TUG™, Douglas™, Premier™ and Safeaero™ brands. Its vehicles are found in environments ranging from golf courses to factories, airports to planned communities, and theme parks to hunting preserves.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.

For more information, visit www.textron.com

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Wiedenmann Terra Spike Makes Aeration Faster For Knighton Heath

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Extra 40cm Wiedenmann Terra Spike width makes aeration ever faster for Knighton Heath GC: When Alan Magee, Course Manger at Knighton Heath GC, upgraded his existing Wiedenmann Terra Spike, he simply chose a wider version thanks to having a bigger tractor.

The Bournemouth club enjoyed the excellent service of its GXi 6 which had been both nimble and quick.  However, in August a switch was made to the 1.8 m wide GXi8 HD, hoping those crucial extra 40 cm would make the operation even more efficient.

Wiedenmann Terra Spike Makes Aeration Faster For Knighton Heath

After full course circuits in August and September, Alan Magee couldn’t praise his new Terra Spike highly enough.  “On its first outing it got round all 18 greens and the putting green in seven hours when previously the narrower machine took 12.  The tees and approaches were virtually done in a day, just spilling into an extra hour the following morning to finish the final two. Time saved there was six hours – even using the 22 mm tines. ”

Fewer passes and turns speeded up the whole process but didn’t detract from the neatness and negligible disturbance.

“We’re very pleased indeed. The machine is quiet, smooth and exceptionally balanced. During the playing season on the greens we’ll use 10 mm tines and 12 mm in the winter, with tees and approaches the 22 mm.”

At the same time Alan Magee and his team of six  also took delivery of a Whisper Twister, Wiedenmann’s all-action blower with 180* of swivel and an airflow rate of 200 m³/minute.

“Can’t fault that one either,” he said. “Primarily it’s for managing the broader leaves and then  later in the season the pine needles.  Every day we find more tasks.  Last week we cut the rough and scarified the fairways. Tidy up would normally have involved four people with back pack blowers.  But after letting it dry a little we followed through with the Whisper Twister which required only one person on the tractor, again making everything more efficient.”

On hand throughout the sales process was, Andy Frost, grounds care specialist from Wiedenmann dealer, EG Coles at Shaftesbury.

For more information, visit: www.wiedenmann.co.uk

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