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STIHL to present new products at APF

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STIHL to present new products at APF: STIHL will showcase a range of its new products at this years’ APF Exhibition, the UK’s largest dedicated forestry, woodland and arboriculture trade show, between 19th – 21st September 2024. 

Taking place at the Ragley Estate, Warwickshire, STIHL will be presenting a wide range of tools including the new MS 400.1 forestry chainsaw and STIHL’s first professional battery-powered pruner – the GTA 40. Both new models will be launching in 2025.

STIHL to present new products at APF

STIHL to present new products at APF

Visitors to the STIHL stand will get the chance to see the new MS 400.1 in action at STIHLs extensive demonstration plot. Despite the similarity in model name, the MS 400.1 has been completely re-developed, building on the strengths of the original MS 400 and taking it to the next level.

The MS 400.1 weighs in at just 5.5 kg, 300 g less than the MS 400, offering professionals the best power-to-weight ratio of any professional petrol chainsaw on the market. With an impressive power output of 3.9kW, the MS 400.1 is optimised for long days in the forest, felling and processing larger trees.

In addition, STIHL will be presenting its first professional battery-powered pruner, specifically designed for tree care. The GTA 40 combines low weight and compact design with excellent cutting performance, resulting in a machine that excels at pruning on the ground, as well as maintenance and corrective pruning by trained climbing arborists.

Complete with a 6” STIHL Light 01 guide bar with low friction sprocket nose, and a narrow STIHL 1/4″ Picco Micro 3 saw chain, the GTA 40 ensures high cutting performance and a smooth cutting result.

The STIHL team will be on stand 650 from 9am to 6pm throughout the duration of the event for product demonstrations, advice and guidance on all STIHL machines.

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

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Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

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Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle: Perennial – the charity who supports those who work in horticulture – is excited to invite you and your team to participate in a thrilling firewalk fundraiser on 18 October 2024. Set against the stunning backdrop of Hever Castle, this unforgettable experience will challenge your team’s courage and strengthen your commitment to supporting the horticultural community.

The event starts at 3:00pm, allowing participants to experience the serene beauty of Hever Castle’s grounds before facing the flames.

Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

Join Perennial for a firewalk at Hever Castle

With expert firewalk instructors on hand to provide comprehensive training, you can be confident that your team will be fully prepared to walk across hot coals and blaze a trail for a good cause.

By registering for £25 per person, with a fundraising target of £150, your business will directly contribute to Perennial’s essential services, which include health and financial wellbeing and training and development programmes for individuals in the horticultural industry.

For over 185 years, Perennial has been a reliable safety net for horticulturists in need. They understand the pressures of the job and are here to help when it matters most. Now, more than ever, it’s vital for both organisations and individuals in our sector to support Perennial. By doing so, we can ensure that our industry brothers and sisters are taken care of, no matter what challenges they face.

Neil Miller, Head Gardener at Hever Castle shares his enthusiasm “As a long-time supporter of the fantastic charity Perennial, I literally can’t wait to get my boots off and walk across hot coals for them at Hever Castle on the 18 October! We think it will be a really wonderful (and unforgettable) experience and would love as many of our horticultural friends as possible to join us on the day and raise lots of funds for a charity very close to my heart.”

“We are delighted to host our second firewalk at such a prestigious and historic location,” says Eleanor Steele, Community Fundraiser at Perennial “The Firewalk is not just about the thrill of the challenge; it’s about coming together as a community to support those who nurture the landscapes and gardens we all cherish. We encourage everyone to join us for an unforgettable evening that promises to inspire and make a real difference.”

Nathan Day, from Plan & Plant, who took part in Perennial’s 2023 firewalk shared his experience “Being able to challenge ourselves and prove that we can tackle anything was great, but to connect with like-minded peers was a lovely reminder that we are part of a wider endearing community. If you have the time or enthusiasm to help others, we highly recommend signing up for their next challenge!”

For more information and to register your business for this unforgettable experience, visit perennial.org.uk/firewalk. Let’s walk together for a brighter future in horticulture.

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Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest

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Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest: GroundsFest 2024 is set to be an unmissable event for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the land-based industries. With a comprehensive education programme spread across four seminar theatres, including practical sessions, there’s something for everyone. The seminars are free to attend, and visitors can earn up to 12 CPD points by attending the sessions.

Seminar Theatre 1, sponsored by Lantra, kicks off on 10th September with a range of sessions designed to tackle the latest challenges and innovations in the amenity sector. Highlights include:

  • OCR Regulations – All You Need to Know by The Amenity Forum.
  • A Year in Edgbaston – Gary Barwell from Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
  • Challenges and Opportunities in the Amenity Sector, featuring experts like Professor John Moverley (Lantra), Jim Croxton (BIGGA) and Alisdair Mason (LanGuard).
  • How Hybrid Grass is Powering More Play in Grassroots and Professional Sports by SIS Grass.
  • Integrated Turf Management for Grassroots by Mark De Ath from Origin Amenity Solutions.
Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest

Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest

On 11th September, Seminar Theatre 1 continues with sessions like Reducing Glyphosate in Amenity Settings and The Benefits of Volunteering to Progress Your Career.

Seminar Theatre 2, sponsored by Dennis and SISIS, will feature equally engaging content on 10th September, such as:

  • Sustainable Seed Solutions for Landscaping and Sports Turf by Stuart Yarwood from DLF.
  • The Future of Amenity Weed Management by Sean Faulkner from Kersten UK Ltd.
  • Boost Your Turf: How Silicon Supercharges Grass Growth by Kate Williams from Orion Future Technology.

On 11th September, don’t miss Water Management for Grassroots Football by Kelly Clack, An Introduction into Playground Standards and Inspections by Jon Dalton from The Play Inspection Company, and Understanding Gravity-Fed Chippers: How To Ensure Your Customer Gets The Right Solution by Andy Wain from HANSA.

Explore The Landscape Zone

The Landscape Zone will host a series of seminars across two days, addressing key issues and trends in landscaping and garden design. On 10th September, look forward to:

  • Birmingham: The City of 1000 Green Spaces by Ryan Suddall from Fira Landscape.
  • Building a Successful Landscaping Business, featuring insights from Herman Pobrati and Ben Parkinson.
  • Prioritising Pollinators—a vital discussion on supporting declining pollinator populations.

On 11th September, seminars like Enhancing Biodiversity: The Role of Landscapers and Garden Designers in Shaping Sustainable Ecosystems by Noel Brock, and How to Incorporate Sustainable Water Management into Everyday Gardens will provide practical tips for creating eco-friendly outdoor spaces.

Practical Training Sessions by Grounds Training

GroundsFest 2024 also features practical training sessions designed to give hands-on experience in key areas:

Tuesday, 10th September 2024

  • Training 101 for Managers: An informative session for grounds managers covering workplace training, current legislation, and planning training for your organization.
  • Calibration Station: Knapsack Sprayers: A practical session demonstrating the calibration process and maintenance of knapsack sprayers, with delegates encouraged to participate.
  • Launch of Lantra Robotic GPS Line Marking Course: Learn more about the new Robotic GPS Line Marking Course.

Wednesday, 11th September 2024

  • Health and Safety Workshop: A talk to raise awareness of Health and Safety legislation within the industry.
  • Introduction to Pedestrian Mowers Cylinder: Introduction to the Lantra competency course, covering legislation, risk assessments, and equipment familiarisation.
  • Introduction to Handheld Machinery: Overview of the Lantra competency courses, including relevant legislation, risk assessments, and equipment handling.

These sessions, along with many others, offer an invaluable opportunity to learn from experts, earn CPD points, and stay at the forefront of industry trends. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, GroundsFest 2024’s education programme has something to offer everyone.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the industry’s must-attend event. Register now for free at www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Overhauling golf course roughs

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Overhauling golf course roughs: When it comes to rough management, Dave Lowe, Head Greenkeeper at Bawtry Golf Club, Austerfield, Doncaster has his work cut out. Bawtry Golf Club is a superb, 18 hole parkland course covering around 150 acres and measuring nearly 7,000 yards off the championship tees.

The club is undergoing a huge development plan, building a large, 64 bedroom hotel on site as well as a driving range, spa, fitness suite and new 6 hole pitch and putt course. Soil types vary massively across the course from light sand to heavy clay, with many greens falling into the latter. Dave goes on to explain ‘The heavier soils mean the ground is particularly good at holding onto nutrients and so fertiliser usage here is very lean as, with the clay, the greens don’t need much encouragement to stay green’. When coming to the rough, this can be a challenge as the rich clay soils can quickly accelerate growth. ‘By cutting and dropping, the mower can increase this effect as well as resulting in a grass mat, creating a thick sward where golf balls disappear instantly’ Dave goes on to add.

Overhauling golf course roughs

Overhauling golf course roughs

Over the last 6 years the rough has seen major changes with the adoption of a new rough thinning management strategy utilising both an AMAZONE Profihopper and a Groundkeeper. Dave comments “In the rough we used to have 6’ – 8’ weeds, getting thicker and thicker year on year”, once a ball landed in the rough it was almost guaranteed to be lost. This was simply due to it being unmanaged and being too thick’.

Implemented 6 years ago, Dave and his team of 4 changed their approach to rough management, aiming to keep the rough thin and wispy, working to eliminate those thicker grasses. During the winter, the Groundkeeper will be working 6 weeks straight cutting all the rough back down to a very short length, almost scalping it off down to nothing, to try to promote thinner grasses and knocking back the thicker sward. ‘The members comment that they wish the course was like this all-year round, of course, but once it starts to grow back, it makes a really nice rough where the ball can be more easily found and yet there is still a penalty incurred’. During the summer months, however, the team let the rough grow, maintaining this structure of mainly thin grasses, meaning that even towards the end of the summer it’s still easy for members to find their balls. This has come with huge praise from members, saying it makes a massive difference – and Dave agrees “It’s a really important part of the course for us, so we want it to be very presentable as we’ve not got quite as many features as some courses have”.

Alex, the deputy head greenkeeper, is the primary Groundkeeper operator at the course, working long hours during those winter months to bring the rough back into check. He does several passes and loves the Groundkeeper saying, “If it was up to me, I’d have another one tomorrow!”. Even with its huge collection hopper capacity of 3,000 litres, Alex states that he can still easily manage to pick up over 25 loads a day.

Another key task for the Groundkeeper GHS 1800 Jumbo is leaf collection, replacing the need for yet another machine on the fleet. The Groundkeeper being described as “fantastic” for leaf collection, really saving the team time due its large, 1.8 metre working width. The Profihopper PH1250 being used predominantly for undulating terrain as well as scarifying and core collecting.

The Profihopper has been used extensively for scarifying and a lot of the collected material will be recycled during the development of the new 6 hole pitch and putt course coming in the future.

They found with the wet weather experienced this year, they’re still able to get on the course, ‘Because of this full mix of soils on the course, some areas such as the greens are fairly wet, but with the Profihopper we can get on and collect in most weathers. Over last few years we’ve had a lot of success mowing in the frost, getting exceptional collection quality and yet keeping the ground in good shape. For scarifying and mowing we’ve found the blades to be extremely hard-wearing, even though the machines have been hammered. You have to say that the Groundkeeper is pretty much bulletproof,’ concludes Alex.

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Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal

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Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal: Autumn is a time of transformation for golf courses, sports grounds and other green spaces, but the season brings its own set of challenges. The good news? Reesink Turfcare has a host of innovative solutions from Toro and AgriMetal that will transform your autumn renovation routine, making leaf and debris clearance remarkably fast and easy.

The right tools for the job

Clearing fallen leaves and debris during this busy period is more than a matter of keeping the grounds looking tidy.

Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal

Power through autumn maintenance with Toro and AgriMetal

According to Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager at Reesink Turfcare, “Autumn is all about preparing the surface so it can get through the winter without too much damage and be ready to go in the spring. Removing fallen leaves from golf courses, sports grounds or other green spaces is a critical job that goes beyond aesthetic concerns. Indeed, left unchecked, this kind of buildup can smother even healthy, resilient turf in a matter of weeks.”

To avoid this outcome — and the risk of moss growth and disease — turfcare professionals must clear excess leaves at least once a week, but the handheld solutions traditionally used can be extremely time-consuming. However, with the right equipment, this daunting task becomes significantly easier, allowing your teams to focus on the finer details of course maintenance.

Toro and AgriMetal: The perfect partners for autumn renovations

Leader in the turfcare industry Reesink knows what it takes to tackle these autumn jobs effectively, simplifying and streamlining the process. That’s why the distributor offers the best solutions for leaf clearance available on the market, engineered by renowned brands Toro and AgriMetal. These machines are designed to meet, and exceed, the demands of today’s turfcare professionals, ensuring that your green spaces remain in top condition throughout the autumn and winter months.

Toro ProLine H800: Efficiency redefined

The Toro ProLine H800 stands out as a top choice for those looking to streamline their autumn renovations. This direct collect rotary mower is engineered for efficiency. Its Smart AirFlow system ensures that leaves and debris are vacuumed up quickly into an 810-litre hopper, allowing for longer collection times without the need for frequent emptying.

With a 41-litre fuel tank, the ProLine H800 provides the freedom needed to complete a full day’s work without interruption. As Jon notes, “The ProLine H800 is all about maximising productivity. It’s a machine that allows groundskeepers to focus on getting the job done.”

Toro Pro Force: Power meets precision

When it comes to clearing grass clippings and other debris from fairways, clubhouse grounds, or paved areas, the Toro Pro Force is your go-to machine. Towed by a Toro Workman MD Series or a similar utility vehicle, this turbine-style debris blower is both powerful and precise. Operated by wireless control, the Pro Force generates a strong airflow capable of shifting even the wettest, heaviest leaves in no time. This machine is all about delivering results quickly, allowing you to maintain large areas with minimal effort.

AgriMetal: Quietly versatile

For those seeking a tractor-mounted solution, AgriMetal offers some of the most powerful and quiet options available. The B35 and B50 blower models are perfect for tractors with 35hp and 50hp at the PTO, respectively. These machines are equipped with an impeller that increases airflow by 25 percent compared to similar models, making them some of the most efficient on the market. And because they require less energy at full throttle, they’re as economical as they are powerful.

AgriMetal’s collectors include the Multi Vac – pulled and powered by any 50hp+ tractor – and the Tuff Vac 4000, coming in two variants: PTO driven for use with a 35hp+ tractor or with its own 27hp engine. Both deliver a simple but effective proposition with a large exhaust area for more powerful vacuuming and less clogging, turf-sensitive design and a lightweight aluminium impeller for welcomed quieter use.

Preparing for autumn with Reesink Turfcare

As the unpredictable autumn season approaches, equipping your team with the right tools is essential for maintaining uptime in an industry that never stops. With Toro and AgriMetal’s advanced solutions, you can be confident that your grounds will be well-prepared for whatever the season throws at them.

Jon adds, “The key to successful autumn renovations is having the right equipment. With the machines we distribute at Reesink, there’s no reason why leaf and debris clearance shouldn’t be straightforward.”

To learn more about how Reesink Turfcare can support your autumn renovation plans, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk, call 01480 226800 or email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk. Whether you’re managing a golf course, sports ground or any other green space, Reesink has the tools you need to keep your turf in top shape all season long.

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