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NEWS ARTICLES

Ticking boxes across the board

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Ticking boxes across the board: An FSI D60 tracked stump grinder has become the latest addition to the busy team at Proarb Professional Arboriculture – tackling commercial stump clearance tasks of all sizes and on all terrains.

Complementing a smaller grinder already on their fleet, Managing Director John Paul Williams explains that in the few short months following its delivery, the FSI D60 is already proving itself to be a robust and reliable workhorse.

Ticking boxes across the board

Ticking boxes across the board

Proarb Professional Arboriculture was established in 2003 and has gone on to set the benchmark for domestic and commercial vegetation management across North Wales and the North West. The team of 40 work on a number of large-scale commercial contracts, including in the area of utility arboriculture, which is what drove the demand for an upgrade on the existing stump clearance solution. “I had seen lots of positive feedback and comments on social media about FSI and, while it wasn’t a brand we’d used before, it impressed us from the first demonstration” explains John Paul.

Boasting a 60hp Hatz diesel engine, the FSI D60 delivers impressive power and productivity combined with class-leading manoeuvrability and traction. Efficiency is further improved with the full-feature remote control system which provides the best possible view of the work area and facilitates the clearance of stumps in hard-to-reach areas in full safety.

“The track base and remote control is incredibly important for us because of the variety of terrain we have to work on. With the FSI D60 we enjoy the versatility of being able to navigate fields and other rural areas as well as having the ability to work in small, confined spaces with limited access as narrow as 800mm. We can also tackle stumps of all shapes and sizes with the machines impressive 2.2m sweep.”

He continues, “It ticked a lot of boxes. Not only did it fit our requirements in terms of specification, but it was also clear the machine was very well-built, good attention to detail right down to the high quality of paint finish.”

“In addition, our experience with dealer’s GGM – particularly their Arb Product Manager Phil Edmondson – has been excellent” he adds. “In our line of work, downtime costs money, so good back-up support is incredibly important to us. We feel confident in the service we’ve had from both GGM and the team at FSI that we are in safe hands.”

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Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite

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Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), a leader in innovative turf care solutions, proudly launched its highly anticipated Microlite range at BTME 2025. The unveiling of this cutting-edge fertiliser range captivated turf professionals attending the industry’s premier event, setting a new benchmark for precision nutrition and turf health.

The Microlite range, featuring unique micro-granulation technology, was designed to address the challenges modern turf managers face. Offering superior coverage, rapid granule dispersion, and specialist formulations, Microlite provides a solution for consistent turf performance with a flexible, reliable approach.

Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite

Origin Amenity Solutions Launches Microlite

Jamie Lees, Nutrition and Specialities Product Manager at OAS introduced the range at BTME, highlighting its benefits, “Microlite represents the culmination of our commitment to delivering innovative turf management solutions and understanding both requirements and challenges faced by turf managers. This range was carefully formulated considering nutritional expectations in different markets, to provide a product range of the highest level.”

The Microlite range comprises six expertly formulated products tailored to meet specific turf requirements:

  • Microlite Links (4-0-4+4Fe) – For a low-input approach, containing seaweed, Naturvigor, and iron for six weeks of natural colour and healthy growth.
  • Microlite Advance (8-0-16+3.3MgO+4Fe) – Designed for managing summer stress, with gradual nitrogen release and enhanced colour response.
  • Microlite Performance (12-0-12+8CaO+3MgO+2Fe) – Balanced analysis for high-quality sports surfaces, ensuring consistent growth and vibrant colour.
  • Microlite Complete (10-2-5+15MgO+3CaO+2Fe) – An all-season solution delivering robust plant health and vibrant colour, even in cooler conditions.
  • Microlite Premier (15-0-10+9CaO+3MgO) – Suited for recovery from wear damage, providing high nitrogen availability and promoting plant health.
  • Microlite All-Round (6-0-20+10CaO+2Fe) – A versatile year-round product for stress resistance and immediate aesthetic improvements.

Unmatched Performance with Innovative Technology

Microlite’s micro-granulation technology allows for flexible application rates down to 15g/m² without the risk of speckling. The blend of nitrogen sources, from nitrate for an immediate response, to methylene urea for longevity, provide solutions for cold-weather growth, stress resilience, and recovery from wear.

The launch of Microlite at BTME 2025 received widespread acclaim, with turf professionals praising its versatility, ease of application, and ability to support exceptional playing surfaces.

To learn more about Microlite and other OAS solutions, visit www.originamenity.com.

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Putting a spring in your aeration step

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Putting a spring in your aeration step: Always keen to support its customers, Reesink is not only maintaining 2024 parts prices in 2025 but offering customers a further 10 percent off genuine Toro tines this spring. The promotion is for all tines, including Titan, on orders placed up until 31 March.

A key part of spring maintenance, aerating is a practice that cannot be overlooked, and tines are the key ingredient to successful results.

Putting a spring in your aeration step

Putting a spring in your aeration step

Michael Hampton, Purchasing and Sales Process Manager at Reesink, says: “As the grass begins to wake up after winter, there are multiple things that can be done to ensure a good start to the growing season and desired standards are achieved. Arguably the most important is decompaction through aeration.

“There are however many different aeration practices and tines available depending on what the customer is looking to achieve.”

Deep tining is the preferred for this time of year as it decompacts the profile after the cold, often wet months of winter and helps promote drainage. In addition, there’s hollow tining to control organic matter and as an effective way of soil exchange when used alongside topdressing.

Solid tining, both shallow and deep, provides enhanced gas movement between the root zone and the atmosphere. Shallow (less than 150mm) is useful for aerating the upper level of the root zone and particularly good for sandy soil that doesn’t need much turf compaction relief.

With over 150 Toro tines to choose from, customers can be assured there is something in the range for all seasons, surfaces, purposes, and soil conditions. And with Toro genuine parts guaranteeing the best form, fit, and function on the market – and all included in the 10 percent off deal – now is the time to stock up ready for the all-important spring maintenance weeks.

All Toro tines are designed for performance, durability, and longevity, leaving pure holes for the best aeration techniques, but Toro Titan tines take things a step further and last four times longer than standard non-Toro tines meaning less replacements and change-outs for greater productivity.

Michael concludes: “The phrase we often apply to Toro parts is buy smarter and get much more for your money. With Reesink maintaining 2024 prices and offering promotions on genuine Toro parts not just now but throughout the year, the value is the best it’s been.”

Reesink is reminding customers that all Toro parts can be purchased through their local dealer or service centre, where they will receive help and advice getting the right part with the exact engineering specifications for their equipment at the best possible price.

To find your nearest Toro dealer, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load

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GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load: Visitors to BTME 2025 were the first to see a brand new addition to the GKB machinery portfolio, as the Leaf-Blower (LB100) made its global debut. Delivering more airflow with less power demand on your tractor, the LB100 promises greater efficiency and fast, effective clearance of leaves and other debris.

In development for a number of years, the GKB Leaf-Blower has been designed to meet the exacting requirements of modern golf course and sports turf management. With low power requirements of under 40hp and a PTO-driven fan, the blower offers powerful performance with limited load on your tractor.

GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load

GKB Leaf-Blower promises more airflow with less load

As is now expected with GKB, the new machine incorporates the very best of robust, precision engineering for durable, long-lasting reliability. It features solid tyres, an anti-scalp roller and a lightweight, yet study, 875mm diameter metal fan. With an air capacity of 380 m³/min, the Leaf-Blower provides outstanding productivity for the fast and effective clearance of leaves, pine needles and other debris.

The hydraulically operated rear chute allows you to swiftly change speed or direction of airflow, saving time on the job. The freewheel PTO and gearbox transmission ensure smooth operation and long ma­chine life, while attaching the unit and setting the working height is quick and simple.

Its compact dimensions, weight of 360kg and a noise level of only 97 decibels make the GKB Leaf-Blower suitable for daily use on golf courses and other amenity spaces in close proximity to the public.

Commenting on its introduction, UK Operations Manager Tom Shinkins said, “It was great to finally be able to introduce the Leaf-Blower into the GKB range, and what better place to get it in front of thousands of turf professionals than at BTME! We had an incredibly positive reaction from visitor and dealers alike, all excited to get out and get hands-on with the machine in the field ahead of the busy autumn season. Sitting alongside sustainable solutions like the GKB Leaf Reducer, we now offer the full complement of machinery for leaf clearance to suit all sports, situations and settings.”

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GMA NextGen welcomes four new members

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GMA NextGen welcomes four new members: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new professionals to its NextGen group.

GMA NextGen, sponsored by Reesink UK, is comprised of talented young grounds professionals who represent the grounds management industry and act as ambassadors for the GMA. Their mission is to encourage more young people to consider a career in grounds management.

GMA NextGen welcomes four new members

GMA NextGen welcomes four new members

Luis Arregui, Deputy Grounds Manager at Real Madrid City, joins the GMA NextGen group with the aim of promoting a profession he believes is key to sports success. With a degree in Forest Engineering, he combines agronomic knowledge and a passion for sports to advance in his career, aiming to inspire the next generation in grounds management.

Flynn Good, Skilled Sports Turf Operative at Leicester City FC, is hoping to connect with others in grounds management and inspire future professionals. He began volunteering at his local club at the age of 10, driven by a love for maintaining high-quality playing surfaces and takes pride in his team’s impact on players’ success.

Jack Leather, Specialist Groundsperson at Liverpool FC, aims to raise awareness of grounds management as a viable career. Inspired by his father, Jack developed a passion for the industry early on. He enjoys seeing the direct results of his work and is especially passionate about using science and data to improve surfaces and sustainability.

Oliver Mahon, Grounds and Gardens Manager at Monkton Combe School, joins GMA NextGen to promote grounds management to the next generation. His love for sports, the outdoors, and machinery led him to study horticulture and agriculture. He takes pride in preparing high-quality pitches for students, enjoying their appreciation for his team’s work.

Jack Langley & Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chairs, said: “We’re excited to see more young professionals joining the GMA NextGen group and helping to raise awareness of the incredible career opportunities in grounds management. It’s an industry that offers so much variety, and we’re looking forward to working alongside our new members to showcase the value and impact of our profession.”

With an estimated 1,500 professional grounds staff potentially retiring each year, workforce development is a pressing priority for the industry.

The GMA NextGen group plays a vital role in addressing this challenge by not only promoting the opportunities available within grounds management but also providing a platform for emerging professionals to share ideas and learn more.

By engaging with younger generations, the group helps ensure a sustainable pipeline of talent to safeguard the future of the profession and maintain the high standards expected across sports and green spaces.

Jennifer Carter, Director of Communications & Marketing at the GMA, said: “We know the industry is facing significant challenges in terms of workforce shortages, but the GMA NextGen group continues to make a real difference in addressing these issues. They’ve done an outstanding job in attracting talented young professionals, not only to the group but also into the wider industry, showing the rewarding careers available in grounds management. We’re really pleased to welcome the four new members to the group and look forward to seeing their contributions as they help shape the future of our industry.”

For more information about the GMA NextGen programme or the new members, please visit thegma.org.uk/who /ambassadors.

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