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NEWS ARTICLES

New Grounds Maintenance Contract Announced For GreenFields 

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New Grounds Maintenance Contract Announced For GreenFields: World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer, GreenFields has announced a new partnership with one of England’s oldest clubs, Clifton Rugby Football Club, formed in 1872.

New Grounds Maintenance Contract Announced For GreenFields 

Clifton RFC who play in the fourth tier of the English Rugby Union System, the National League 2 South, have three natural grass pitches at their Cribbs Causeway site which the GreenFields Grounds Team is now responsible for.

Wyn Tingley, Chairman at Clifton RFC commented: “Players and supporters remember the grass they play on- lush, verdant and inviting- it underlines the rugby being played. It enhances the game and provides the background for those watching to enjoy. I’ve been impressed with the way GreenFields have approached our pitch maintenance and look forward to having a pitch that will be remembered by all.”

The specialist team from GreenFields kickstarted their work at Clifton RFC by carrying out essential pre-season renovations to the main pitch, successfully enhancing the surface to make it rugby ready. Following these initial renovations, a complete maintenance package is now in full flow to retain and further improve the pitch ensuring it stands up to the high level of play required.

GreenFields work across the UK with a number of sports clubs and educational establishments designing, installing and maintaining artificial, hybrid and natural grass pitches. The GreenFields Grounds Team is already responsible for several high profile sites including dual use facility- the Ricoh Arena and League One’s Oxford United FC pitch at The Kassam Stadium. Further adding strength to their portfolio, the GreenFields Grounds Team have also just undertaken a new maintenance contract at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington- a 5 star, elite training facility for top international and domestic rugby teams.

Paul Milton, Director of GreenFields commented: “We are delighted that Clifton RFC have selected GreenFields for their new grounds maintenance contract, we are looking forward to developing this relationship and working more closely with the club.”

Bristol RFC also train on another pitch at the same site and play their pre-season friendlies on Clifton’s XV pitch maintained by GreenFields.

With Clifton RFC’s new season ready to begin, the GreenFields Grounds Team will be working hard to ensure the pitch is match ready and in top form before each fixture.

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Kubota UK Launches New Domestic Zero Turn Ride-On Mower

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Kubota UK launches new domestic zero turn ride-on mower: One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of groundcare equipment, Kubota UK, continues to make a significant impact in the residential market with the launch of its new zero turn ride-on mower, extending its well established domestic range.Kubota UK Launches New Domestic Zero Turn Ride-On Mower

The Z122R is Kubota’s new zero turn ride-on mower designed for the domestic market, utilising the proven technology, quality and performance that professionals have come to expect in Kubota products.

Specifically designed to complete 360° turns on the spot, the Z122R offers homeowners unlimited flexibility and manoeuvrability around tight obstacles and complex landscapes, whilst the 42” cutting deck covers large surface areas quickly and efficiently.

Adrian Langmead, Groundcare Business Development Manager for Kubota UK, said: “Following the fantastic response of our residential GR1600 Series ride-on mowers, we wanted to offer consumers a wider range of machinery that enables them to achieve a first-class finish with ease. The Z122R reflects our continued commitment to developing and manufacturing high-quality machinery for both commercial and residential users.”

Ergonomically designed with a gardener’s comfort in mind, the Z122R features a high-backed cushion seat and extra legroom for maximum comfort, whilst the two levers for steering and acceleration are simple and convenient to use.

The Z122R retails at £3450(+VAT) and comes with a 4-year/300-hour warranty.
For more information on Kubota and to find your nearest groundcare dealer, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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GKB Sandfiller for Moor Allerton GC

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GKB Sandfiller for Moor Allerton GC: Keeping the golf course in prime condition year-round is always a challenge. Scarifying and sand filling are the perfect combination for improving and maintaining a good drainage system.

GKB Sandfiller for Moor Allerton GC

A factor Moor Allerton Golf Club, near Wike in North Leeds, readily took into consideration when ordering a GKB SandFiller. With a stated objective of providing a golfing experience second to none in the county of Yorkshire, this friendly club blends beautifully with the Yorkshire countryside and many famous players have walked its fairways. What was a key factor for the club in choosing the GKB SandFiller was the speed with which it operates, combining scarifying, removal and sand filling in one machine. Consequently it only needs one person to carry out the work and large areas can be covered in much less time.

“The GKB SandFiller has allowed us to efficiently perform an intensive renovation procedure in half the time, and with less staff, but more importantly without compromising the result.” Says Adam Matthews, Moore Allerton’s Course Manager. “The fact the machine can be used as a stand-alone scarifier, as well as a sand filler was a big factor in us deciding to purchase one. The SandFiller has now become a vital piece of equipment in helping us reduce and maintain organic matter levels.”

The SandFiller works on much the same principle as GKB’s proven Combinator, with a slitting rotor using carbide scarifying blades and the blade attachment creating wind in order to lift the removed material. The blades remove thatch down to a 4cm depth and the material is distributed to a sideways tipping container, removing as well the need to brush and dispose of the material.

The sand hopper is then filled with dried sand which is immediately applied after the area has been scarified, by means of a broad, hydraulically powered sand conveyer belt and stainless steel sand fill unit. With the scarified areas immediately filled the upper layer can remain stable and well-drained. The speed of the operation means the fairways and greens can be brought very quickly back into play. With 27 holes on 220 acres of undulating Yorkshire landscape to maintain, that is naturally a major consideration for Moor Allerton Golf Club.

To find out more, visit: www.gkbmachines.com

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Visit Makita UK At SALTEX 2017

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Visit Makita UK At SALTEX 2017: Makita UK will be returning to Saltex this year which takes places at the NEC in Birmingham 1-2 November 2017.  Makita will be on stand K190d within the BALI Zone.

Visit Makita UK At SALTEX 2017

The BALI Zone features and promotes leading BALI Registered Affiliate and Contractor members.  Also confirmed for 2017 are Boningale Nurseries, M&M Timber, Green-tech, Ground Control and British Sugar TOPSOIL.

The Makita UK stand will showcase the ever-growing garden machinery range suitable for professional landscaping contractors, groundsmen and forestry workers.

“We are delighted to be joining the BALI Zone at this year’s Saltex and to be teaming up with other leading names in the landscaping industry,” says Mark Earles, Business Development Manager, Makita UK.  “Our cordless range will be taking centre stage but visitors will be able to learn about the entire range including our petrol and electric models.”

The 18v battery platform makes it economically viable for the tool owner as there is the option to purchase the ‘body only’ version of the tool if you already have the battery.   This battery platform has set an industry benchmark but still continues to expand with innovations such as the twin-18v battery 36v application.

Using battery powered grounds care machines means that exhaust emissions are zero – petrol engine exhaust fumes are eliminated and the risk of ground contamination from spilt petrol and oil is removed altogether. Many Makita grounds-care machines offer a considerable reduction in vibration and can be used all day without harm to the operator.  Where traditional machines make an awful noise, the battery powered Makita tools are significantly quieter whilst still delivering a professional performance. This quiet approach means teams can work around parks, schools, hospitals and cemeteries without causing nuisance and annoyance.

SALTEX is the UK’s national event for grounds care, sports turf, amenities, estates and green space management, as well as turf care and specialist machinery, landscaping and playgrounds.  Free to visit, SALTEX is the UK’s biggest event for the grounds care sector.  Register here www.iogsaltex.com/visitor-registration

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Toro Puts Thorndon Park In Pole Position For Centenary

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Toro Puts Thorndon Park In Pole Position For Centenary: With its Centenary year on the horizon in 2020, Thorndon Park continues to invest in Toro to ensure it sees in its new century in pole position. 

Toro Puts Thorndon Park In Pole Position For Centenary

The 18-hole golf club in Essex has been using Toro since 2007 and its most recent order consists of three Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mowers and a Workman HDX-D. The machines joined an extensive Toro fleet at the parkland course which appears in the UK’s Top 100 Golf Courses list.

Robert George, course manager since 2005, says these machinery choices were made with preparation for the Centenary in mind. “This will of course be a big milestone for the club. Our members demand a high-level of presentation at all times and with the club’s 100th anniversary coming up we may well make course alterations. The latest Toro order means we’re almost 100 percent Toro, putting us in the best position possible to maintain the course and prepare for any additional jobs a big event such as a Centenary brings.”

This the fourth Toro leasing agreement Robert has arranged, and he says it was the easiest of them all. “We have not had one issue with our Toro machines in all the time we’ve been using them, so this was an easy sell. In fact, this was the first time I didn’t need to go through a competitor comparison, the management board went with my suggestions for renewing based on how well the brand has proven itself.”

So, what led the decision for Robert to purchase three Reelmaster 3575-D fairway mowers? “Purely their speed,” he says. “We can double cut the entire course inside four hours with the RM3575-D. We don’t interrupt the golfers and it makes cutting the fairways an easy job for everyone.”

This ease of use and nifty movement of the RM3575-D may have something to do with the fact that it is one of Toro’s most lightweight machines, weighing 500lbs less than comparable four-wheel Toro mowers.

And while the quality of the machines has been evident in their reliability and the results they produce, Robert continues to remain impressed with the service and back-up he receives from Reesink Turfcare and rep Richard Freeman, saying he “can’t fault” them.

Robert concludes: “My job is as much about the course condition and presentation as it is about customer satisfaction. With Toro I know that we will not only get the job done, but we will get it done efficiently and to the standards our discerning members expect.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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