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NEWS ARTICLES

Private Gated Community Chooses Iseki Mower

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Shotwick Park, located in Chester, U.K. has taken delivery of an Iseki SXG326 cut and collect compact tractor mower to help maintain the eight-acre private residential area. European and U.K. Iseki distributor Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd. supplied the machine and local dealer, F.R. Sharrock Ltd., made the delivery.

Tony Kinkead has been the Estate Manager at Shotwick Park since 2000. Tony owns one of the 14 apartments on-site and maintains the land with the help of fellow gardeners Mick Williams and Paul Long.

Commenting on purchasing the Iseki SXG326 to maintain the estate, Tony said:
“Our main priority when looking for a suitable ride-on mower was the ability of the machine to mulch leaves and to cope well with the amount of grass that we need to cut here. The area is surrounded by many trees which deposit leaves and pine nuts in autumn, so it is important that we are able to keep the area tidy and presentable throughout the year.”

The Iseki SXG326 has been purchased after previously using a different brand for a period of 10 years. The new tractor mower will cut grass in the summer months and has had a tow bar fitted which will assist with other tasks such as maintaining flower beds, shrubs and transporting branches when cutting back trees. During the autumn and winter seasons, the Iseki machine will help with general maintenance tasks and mulching leaves.

“We purchased an Iseki this time around partly because our dealer F.R. Sharrock made us aware of the Iseki brand and the range of products available,” said Tony. “The machine was also better value for money, more comfortable and easier to use; it ticked all of our boxes.”

The Iseki SXG326 is powered by a high torque 1123cc diesel engine and features a brand new instrument panel and dial in height-of-cut adjustment. The machine is able to cut and collect in wet conditions and boasts a 600-litre collector capacity that is engineered to be easily removed, providing simple cleaning and maintenance.

Commenting on the service provided, Tony said:
“Our dealer has been absolutely fantastic. We have now had a 10-year relationship with F.R. Sharrock, and we have always been very well looked after, in particular by Adrian, the area sales manager. Adrian has helped us to find the perfect fit for Shotwick Park and has also attached a tow bar to the machine so that we are able to tow a trailer and deposit any organic materials. We are very happy with our new Iseki machine and the unwavering level of service we continue to experience.”

Shotwick Park is a private, gated residential estate featuring 14 apartments and one detached house. The estate was built, and privately owned, in 1876 by the Vernon family before being purchased by Cheshire County Council in the 1930s. Shotwick Park was used as a home for senior citizens for many years, and also served as a military hospital for a period of time during the Second World War.

Former Groundsman Praises Playability of SISGrass

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Former Hull City groundsman Craig Backhouse believes more football clubs should join the SISGrass revolution.

Backhouse, who now works as an Installation Supervisor at SIS Pitches, worked at Hull City for nine years, two of which he spent working with a SISGrass pitch installed by SIS Pitches.

He now travels the world to help install the product in his new role, and has carried out work in the Middle East, Germany, Greece, Turkey as well as a number of projects in the UK.

Having worked on a quick-fire SISGrass installation at Derby County’s iPro Stadium and witnessed AFC Bournemouth becoming the first Premier League club to have a new SISGrass hybrid pitch installed, Backhouse believes more football clubs should follow suit.

“The playability of SISGrass pitches is fantastic, the quality can make a groundsmans’ life so much easier and obviously I have worked on both sides,” said Backhouse.

“It is very important that our team are made up of groundsmen who understand both the grass and also what football clubs want.

“The feedback that we have had from players and clubs across the UK and also abroad has been incredible. It is an important part of the job to ensure that players enjoy playing on the surface.

“Of course, the pitch has to be maintained but my advice to football clubs would be to have SISGrass installed, it is one of the best playing surfaces in the world.

“The yarn and polypropylene fibres that we use stand up in the grass and as a result the ball moves faster across the surface. This means that the chances of playing more free-flowing football are increased greatly.”

Having spent a number of years working for a football club, Backhouse has only been at SIS Pitches for a little over six months. However, he has already seen a rapid rise in the company.

SIS Pitches have landed a number of prestigious projects across the country but have also confirmed deals to design, construct and maintain four pitches for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, including the Luzhniki Stadium, which will host the final.

“SIS Pitches and in particular SISGrass will continue to grow from strength to strength, it is incredible what has been achieved in the last six months alone.

“There is so much variety to the work we do and to be able to travel around building pitches and dealing with different groundsmen every day is fantastic.

“The team we have is excellent, everyone has a great spirit about them but also a determination to ensure that our clients receive the best possible service.”

Fleet Line Markers Preview New Machine

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On Wednesday 8Th March 2017 line marking specialist, Fleet Line Markers Ltd previewed its latest innovation in line marking technology. The company invited a select number of representatives from industry leading publications to spend some time at Fleet, getting a tour of the premises and being introduced to a ground-breaking new GPS line marking system, the MAQA line marking machine.

The MAQA line marking machine (release date TBC) is the new era in line marking, using GPS technology to save both labour and time. This innovative line marking technology has had numerous IP rights registered and granted. The MAQA line marking system can reduce the time it takes to initial mark by 3/4. Mike Lewis of Highground Maintenance has said “I can initial mark a full sized football pitch in 20 minutes, on my own. The results have left us speechless!”. The MAQA has a free life time guarantee and also free life time software updates!

The attendees had a tour of Fleet Line Markers head office, based in Malvern, Worcestershire. Then the group all actively took part in a demo at the Malvern Rugby Club. Line marking has never been so easy, with novis line markers producing an excellent first line attempt. The MAQA line marking machine handles circles in a way never seen before, producing exciting results with ease. A thoroughly good day was had by all!

DLF ProNitro Shortlisted For Premier Sports Sector Award

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DLF Seed’s newest nitrogen seed coat technology ProNitro has been shortlisted for the “Innovatieprijs Sportaccommodaties” or “Sports Innovation Prize” for 2017. The award, presented for the first time this year, is intended to stimulate a focus on innovation and the introduction of new concepts in the sports sector.

The European initiative is run is conjunction with Branchevereniging Sport en Cultuurtechniek (BSNC), Vereniging Sport en Gemeenten (VSG) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) for the Netherlands. From the original 12 entries, an advisory committee reduced this down to just three nominations, with judging done on the basis of originality, creativity, practical value and effectiveness.

The jury were particularly impressed with how ProNitro® makes the growing process faster and more reliable as well as its cost-effective, precision approach to seeding – reducing wastage and input required.

Launched in 2016, ProNitro® is aimed at improving nutrient utilisation during the early stages of plant growth – particularly important when overseeding into a competitive sward. Containing 10% Nitrogen, both fast acting and slow release, Nitrogen uptake with ProNitro® is up to 4 times more efficient compared to broadcast applied fertilisers. Roots and shoots grow rapidly, delivering up to a 30% increase in root growth, and the seedlings become strong and vigorous with up to 34% more viable plants. The enhanced root growth also improves the availability of soil nutrients and can reduce nutrient loss into the environment through leaching by over 50%.

ProNitro® is available in the UK exclusively on selected Johnsons Sport’s Seed mixtures.

Out There bolsters its Kubota fleet to 150 machines!

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Out There, leading grounds maintenance and landscaping businesses in Northern Ireland, has strengthened its fleet of Kubota machinery following a successful 2016 and a strong start to the new year.

The company, which has developed an excellent reputation in the market for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves, is going from strength to strength. This latest order of Kubota’s market leading range of high performance groundcare equipment, supplied by local dealer Laird Grass Machinery, will enable Out There to continue to provide the highest service to its customers whilst also enabling the company to continue its growth plans.

Steven Thompson, Managing Director of Out There, commented: “2016 was a significant year and a major milestone for our business. For over 35 years we were known as The Landscape Centre. However, having gone from a small landscaping business all those years ago with a handful of staff, we now have over 250 employees and operate over 70 commercial vehicles across Northern Ireland.

“We therefore decided to rebrand the company to Out There to reflect the way the business had changed over the years and our service proposition.”

Out There’s partnership approach to working is also reflected in its relationship with its supply chain. The company has worked with Kubota and local dealer Laird Grass Machinery for over 15 years. The latest deal takes Out There’s fleet of Kubota machines to 150 and includes 12 new F series out front mowers.

Steven continued: “The performance of the Kubota’s solutions is what makes them stand out from the competition, in terms of overall quality, durability and robustness. Essentially, we know exactly what we’re going to get and the operators find the machines easy to navigate, allowing them to get their job done effectively and efficiently. This product quality is backed up by a first class service from David and his team at Laird Grass Machinery.”

Out There use its Kubota machines on services such as grounds maintenance, landscape design and environmental management. With large contracts in open public spaces including parks, public gardens, schools, hospitals and social housing, it’s imperative to the company that the performance of the machines is second to none.

Steven concluded: “Kubota machines have always been reliable and we’ve never really had any major issues in terms of maintenance, but with a fleet of over 150 machines it’s inevitable that things will sometimes go wrong and that’s where Kubota and Laird Grass Machinery really stand out for me. The aftersales support is impeccable, we know that a member of our local dealership or Kubota will be on hand to sort any issues within 24 hours. This gives us the confidence that we will get maximum efficiency and minimum downtime, particularly when working on larger contracts.”

To find out more about Kubota and its market-leading range of solutions for the groundcare sector, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.