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NEWS ARTICLES

Twin Peaks

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Twin Peaks: Now the Polaris Ranger Diesel and Ranger XP900 are virtually identical twins and both offer peak performance. You have the choice of a petrol engine with the Ranger 68hp XP900 ProStar engine that is purpose built, tuned and designed for balanced and smooth, reliable power.

Twin Peaks

The Engine Management System (EMS) delivers the torque and horsepower you need while allowing for optimal fuel economy. Should you prefer Diesel, the Ranger Diesel HD is built for purpose as well with a 1028cc Kohler 3-cylinder overhead cam liquid-cooled engine. This proven, high performance diesel engine utilizes indirect injection and delivers smooth power with reduced combustion noise. The compact, heavy-duty design has a cast iron crankcase for durability and an aluminium cylinder head for weight reduction.

Both these twins are real workhorses with Active Descent Control for controlled hill descents, automatic four-wheel braking on steep inclines and Electronic Power Steering. To make life really comfortable, the industry exclusive Lock & Ride Pro-Fit cab system provides a new standard in accessory integration. The highly modular design offers options from robust canvas doors and a poly windscreen, to premium automotive glass tip-out windscreens and electric windows. The roof and rear panel on the Rangers come as standard. The ideal seat height combines with wide foot clearance for easy entry and exit. There’s a full ten inches of tilt steering adjustment and room for three adults. The payload capacity on these machines is 680.4 kg, with a gas-assisted rear dump box that can handle a hefty 454 kg of materials and a full-sized pallet. A 7-pin trailer socket comes fitted as standard and when it comes to towing there’s 907kg of class-leading towing capacity on tap. When the going gets rough the on-demand all-wheel drive kicks in for more forward traction when its needed, reverting back to 2WD when the terrain smoothes out.

Smooth is what these Polaris Rangers are all about, from the ride and handling to the descent down steep inclines, the 30.5cm ground clearance, power steering and VersaTrac Turf Mode that unlocks the rear differential for easier, tighter turns that won’t tear up grass. All new Polaris Rangers and Sportsman models (excluding Youth) also come fitted with CESAR security systems as standard. And if you’re not quite ready to purchase a new Ranger there is, in addition to the XP900, the even more powerful petrol Ranger XP1000 coming along for 2018.

To find out more, visit: www.polaris-britain.com

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SALTEX Provides Perfect Platform For STIHL

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Stand: HO70

SALTEX Provides Perfect Platform For STIHL

STIHL’s Lithium-Ion PRO Cordless product range will be showcased at Saltex, the UK’s largest event for the grounds care sector, offering contractors the durability and longevity needed to handle the toughest jobs.

Taking centre stage will be STIHL’s new FSA 130s, powerful and lightweight brushcutters specifically designed for working on large areas of thick grass at length.

Visitors to the stand will be able to see up close the powerful HSA 94 hedge trimmers, ideal for maintenance teams working in urban areas, especially around schools, hospitals and housing estates. The extremely high-performance and robust professional cordless hedge trimmer is available in a heavy-duty cutting or a high speed-trimming version.

The BGA 100 will also be on display, an extremely light and quiet hand held blower that comes with three power stages as well as a boost mode, perfect to tackle those difficult tasks, especially in noise sensitive areas.

All the products can be used in conjunction with backpack machinery, offering the high capacity contractors require in the grounds care industry.

Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing at STIHL GB, said: “The popularity of cordless tools continues to rise and exhibiting at Saltex provides us with the perfect opportunity to highlight to contractors how our Lithium-Ion PRO range can handle even the toughest of jobs. We are very much looking forward to seeing new and existing customers at the show.”

For more information please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Ransomes to Showcase New TR320 and HM600 at NEC

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Ransomes to Showcase New TR320 and HM600 at NEC: Ransomes, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of commercial mowing equipment, will be showcasing the brand new TR320 triplex cylinder mower. Ransomes will be exhibiting on stand H090 at SALTEX in November.

Ransomes to Showcase New TR320 and HM600 at NEC

The Ransomes TR320 is one of the lightest machines on the market, ensuring that surfaces are kept pristine. A combination of narrow transport width (1.64m (64.5”)), a 1.83m (72”) width of cut, superior slope capabilities and manoeuvrability, allows operators to safely negotiate the tightest of spaces and most challenging terrain. Designed and manufactured at Ransomes Jacobsen’s European headquarters in Ipswich, the TR320 is primarily targeted at the sportsturf and landscaping market, providing a quality maintenance solution for sports pitches, estates, and light municipal applications. You are invited to come along to stand H090 to see the latest innovation from Ransomes.

Also, debuting at SALTEX 2017 is the HM600. Built on the foundations of the Ransomes MP wide area mower platform, the HM600 builds upon this, providing users with the ability to run three heavy duty flail mowers with mulching technology from Müthing. With all mowers engaged, the 3.2m width of cut delivers exceptional productivity.  The fingertip control of individual units makes trimming around obstacles easy and brings new levels of versatility to flail mowing. Units fold up securely to transport easily between work areas and access confined sites.

Ransomes is proud to be sponsoring the SALTEX College Cup for the second time; introduced by the IOG as a brand-new national student-led sports-turf challenge that will take place on the first day of SALTEX 2017. It is an academic test of turf management knowledge for student competitors in teams of four who are enrolled at colleges throughout the UK on relevant courses of study.

As one of the groundcare industry’s major manufacturing companies, Ransomes will also be showcasing other municipal mowers plus Cushman utility vehicles, Iseki tractors and turf maintenance equipment from the Turfco and Ryan brands.

For more information, visit: www.jacobsen.com/europe

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Reesink Turfcare Launches Toro Groundscare Mower At SALTEX

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Reesink Turfcare Launches Toro Groundscare Mower At SALTEX: New Toro rotary mower is designed to improve productivity and go longer between stops. 

New to Reesink’s product line and in the spotlight at SALTEX 2017, is a machine that revolutionises clipping clear up and elevates productivity to new levels.

With a 41L fuel tank and 810L capacity hopper, plus the ability to change the height of cut without stopping, Reesink Turfcare says productivity is at an all-time high with this machine.

Jeff Anguige, national sales manager at Reesink, says: “This new launch will appeal to councils and landscape contractors looking for minimum downtime. The fuel tank is large enough to power a full day’s work, while the increase in the hopper’s capacity is accompanied by a sensor which alerts the operator when the hopper is full. That prevents unnecessary stopping to check and empty. Changing the height of cut is intuitive and quick with adjustments made possible from the operator’s seat.”

The new machine will be revealed on stand H010.

As well as this exciting new product launch, Reesink Turfcare returns in full force to SALTEX, with all of its brands in tow. Bringing for the second year running, a full line-up, including the latest popular products from Toro turfcare machinery, Toro irrigation controllers and sprinklers, Otterbine lake and pond aeration systems and TYM compact tractors.

Products on stand from the Toro groundscare range include the highly versatile heavy-duty Toro LT-F3000 triple with its two-in-one machine cylinder attachment option, for switching between long or short grass; the Groundsmaster 360 Quad Steer zero-turn mower for ultimate manoeuvrability; the hard-wearing Groundsmaster 7210 zero-turn rotary mower for the toughest of groundscare jobs, and the Groundsmaster 4000-D with SmartPower, which alters engine speed according to the contours for optimal blade power.

Concluding the line-up from Toro is myTurf, a fleet management programme which offers automatic log recording of all machines in operation and instant ordering of replacement parts when due. Preventative maintenance, repairs and parts are all tracked online as part of myTurf, allowing for a more accurate calculation for cost of ownership.

Representing Toro’s irrigation range is the Lynx Central Control system, with its intuitive technology, and Infinity 55 sprinklers with Smart Access, the perfect pair for maximising performance and efficiency. Also on stand are the TS90 and T7 sprinklers with TurfCup, a feature for hidden infield irrigation and for seamless-looking turf, as well as the Flex 55 sprinklers.

For optimising oxygen levels to keep water healthy, Otterbine offers a range of versatile and cost-effective aerating systems and fountains that improve water quality and enhance aesthetics. The brand’s best-selling Fractional five-in-one aerator delivers the highest performance rate of any fractional aerator on the market and is joined by the Concept 3, the aerating fountain that perfectly illustrates how industrial aerators can give the best of both worlds offering function and beauty.

This year is also the first year that Reesink will have two stands – H080 will be entirely dedicated to TYM Tractors, with the new T393 with the option of a factory-fitted air-conditioned cabin and the TS25 coming to represent the compact tractor range built purposely for mid-duty groundscare applications. The BH120 rotary tiller and TE145 flail mower from the recently launched range of attachments from Sicma completes the line up from Reesink.”

Reesink Turfcare’s marketing manager Holly, comments: “There’s lots to be excited about this year. SALTEX is the perfect platform for our new launch and it’s great to have representation from all brands at the show. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our stands to see the line-up and share invaluable advice from our specialist groundscare machinery team.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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ICL paves the way for more games at Pride Park

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ICL paves the way for more games at Pride Park Stadium: Nathan Scarff, Head Groundsman at Derby County FC, has revealed that a range of ICL products have helped him achieve his main target of hosting more games at Pride Park Stadium without compromising on the quality of the pitch.

ICL paves the way for more games at Pride Park

Nathan is entering his third season with The Rams after a hugely successful start to his current role. He was crowned the Sky Bet Championship Groundsman of the Season for the 2015/16 campaign and was one of two Head Groundsmen who were highly commended last season.

However, with the pitch at the Pride Park Stadium in arguably the best condition it has ever been, Nathan and his team won’t be resting on their laurels.

“We are targeting getting more games in the stadium,” he says. “In my first year here we got an extra four games on and the following season we got an extra four games on top of that. This year we are hoping to get around six extra games without compromising on the quality of the playing surface.

“The new pitch construction, which was installed last season, combined with quality products, has enabled us to do just this, and I’m feeling confident for the upcoming season.”

Ever the perfectionist, when Nathan started his new role, he was determined to find a range of products that would be most beneficial to the pitch at Pride Park Stadium and there was only one way to find out.

“When I first started here we used four different fertilizer suppliers and monitored them based on the reaction of the plant, the longevity of the product, the value for money – in terms of the amount we needed to get the reaction and how much it was costing. We experimented for most of the year – which included trial boards in which we treated one area while leaving another un-treated, and we did half pitch treatments – we carried out a number of different trials. All of the results just led us down one road – ICL.”

After a season of rigorous testing, Nathan was ready to look ahead to a new season in which he would incorporate a range of ICL products into his turf maintenance programme.

“During the renovation period and immediately after seeding, I’ll use a tank-mix consisting of Qualibra and SeaMax – just to get the best possible germination and early establishment. Four weeks later we will verticut and overseed to get any little gaps that may have been missed, particularly in the areas where we struggle to get any sunlight, and then we’ll add another application of Qualibra and SeaMax,” he said.

The unique combination of SeaMax and Qualibra work together to give turf the best possible start. Qualibra – a wetting agent, creates ideal soil and turf rooting conditions to make better use of available moisture and irrigation. Particularly beneficial during the growing-in period, Qualibra achieves great results when applied to the seedbed to accelerate the germination and establishment of new seedlings. Complimenting Qualibra is Sportsmaster WSF SeaMax from ICL. Boasting over 75% of active seaweed content, SeaMax has been proven to significantly improve turf colour and quality.

Independent trials have revealed that SeaMax helps the plant produce longer roots, a greater root mass and improves the quality of growth.

“Following the growing-in period, when we get to the four or five week stage, we start to apply a tank-mix consisting of Primo Maxx, Vitalnova Blade, Sportsmaster WSF soluble fertiliser and SeaMax,” says Nathan.

“We will continue to apply this mix every three weeks until October or November depending on how the weather goes for us. We then pick it up again in February or March and continue until the end of the season.

“Towards the end of last season I applied ProTurf 20.0.7 , which I had never used before, and I remember calling Emma Kilby (ICL Technical Area Sales Manager) asking why she hadn’t pushed me harder to use it! She had previously recommended it before but for some reason I didn’t go ahead.

She always offers me superb advice and I guess it shows that she’s not a pushy salesperson but this product is the best fertilizer I have ever used. It was fantastic and the benefits of the Polyhalite with the calcium and the magnesium were amazing – especially on a pitch that is naturally going to leach those nutrients more quickly. The longevity we got out of it was excellent, the reaction was brilliant and the value for money was exceptional too.”

As Nathan looks to continue his successful start to life at Derby County FC, it appears that he has no regrets over his choice of products.

“I had pretty much a full season to try and figure out the correct products to use on this pitch and I’m there now.

“For me, I’m not going to jump head first into a full-on programme on a basis that data from somewhere else is really good. It’s got to be my research, my trials and my data showed me that ICL is the way forward for us.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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