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NEWS ARTICLES

The all new DPB-2500

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The all new DPB-2500: ECHO have launched the DPB-2500 power blower – the latest addition to the 56v eFORCE range. Perfect for medium duty use by professional gardeners, the blower is packed with features that make it effective and comfortable to use in a wide range of different applications.

First and foremost, the DPB-2500 is a very capable handheld blower. It has a blowing force of 16N at an impressive 65.9m/s. All this from a machine that weighs just 2.6kg (without battery).

The all new DPB-2500

The all new DPB-2500

For larger clearing jobs, there is a throttle-lock ‘cruise control’ setting, which reduces operator hand fatigue during longer working sessions. When precision is required, the highly tactile, variable speed throttle allows for refined, feathered control of the air flow – giving you the ability to accurately steer leaves and debris wherever you want.  A ‘boost’ function helps things a long when blowing clumped leaves or heavier material.

Rubber, over-molded handle grips provide the user with comfortable control – with or without gloves; and dual-sided air intakes eliminate blockages caused by trouser fabric getting sucked against the inlets. Being an ECHO tool, there is near perfect weight distribution, making the DPB-2500 comfortable to operate over long periods of time.

The ECHO DPB-2500 is available now from ECHO dealers nationwide and is priced at £299 (inc-VAT).

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St Andrews Links continues to choose Club Car

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St Andrews Links continues to choose Club Car: Club Car®, global industry-leading manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, has extended its long-term relationship with the world’s most iconic golf venue after delivering a new fleet to St Andrews Links.

The prestigious Scottish venue, where golf has been played for more than 600 years, has received 32 new golf and utility vehicles to complement the 52-strong fleet for the operation of its seven public courses, the most famous of which is the Old Course, a 30-time host venue of The Open.

St Andrews Links continues to choose Club Car

St Andrews Links continues to choose Club Car

WATCH: Club Car at St Andrews Links

John Grant, Director of Golf at St Andrews Links Trust, said: “We pride ourselves on working with the very best, and since Club Car became an official supplier in 2016 they have provided the highest quality of vehicles and service support.

“The cars are a crucial part of our operation, allowing our teams to do their jobs efficiently and giving golfers an enjoyable and memorable experience.”

Club Car’s innovative capabilities provide a range of benefits to the St Andrews Links team. While the award-winning golf vehicles transport golfers safely and comfortably around the links, the versatile utility vehicles are used by the course ranger team as well as media staff, who regularly ferry VIPs and equipment around the site.

A combination of 6- and 8-seater transporter models are also vital for transporting golfers between the Links Clubhouse and the first tee of the Old Course.

The cars are fitted with Club Car’s Connected technology, which enables the teams to monitor the condition of the fleet, maintain course boundaries and communicate directly with the vehicles.

In addition, the Visage GPS system provides many enhancements to the golfer experience including exact yardages and action zones which enable the safe negotiation of many of the features on these links courses.

Andy Bourke, Club Car Regional Manager for UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, said: “We have developed a strong relationship with St Andrews Links over the last eight years and it has been a pleasure to provide a first-class service.

“It is the largest public golf complex in Europe, and we are proud that our unmatched products and technology help the team deliver a unique and memorable experience to thousands of golfers each year.”

Established in 1974, St Andrews Links Trust oversees the management and maintenance of the Links courses at St Andrews – the Old Course, New Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course, Balgove Course and The Castle Course – with more than 250,000 rounds played over them every year.

For more information on Club Car visit: www.clubcar.com

For more information on St Andrews Links visit: http://www.standrews.com

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Get your course back into play

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Get your course back into play: Greenkeepers must battle with a wide variety of challenges when it comes to turf health, and aeration is no different.

To simplify this important task, Toro’s high-quality tines were designed to make aeration remarkably easy with durable parts that maximise performance. Available only through Reesink Turfcare, its branches and approved dealer and service centres, now is the time to ensure your aeration equipment is ready.

During the hot summer season, soil can become dry and compact, reducing pore space that conveys water, oxygen and vital nutrients to your turf. Unfortunately, this phenomenon can degrade grass quality even on healthy and resilient golf courses.

Get your course back into play

Get your course back into play

While punching holes in the turf to increase pore space (aeration) addresses soil compaction and helps you prepare for autumn, to ensure optimal results you need high-quality tines that won’t let you down. And when it comes to quality it doesn’t get better than Toro’s Titan tines, with over 150 to choose from.

Whether you’re coring, slicing, spiking, or using hollow, solid or deep tines, the Titan range allows you to meet all of your aeration needs.

These tines aren’t just designed for Toro machines – they can also be adapted to fit equipment from most manufacturers thanks to special conversion sleeves. This way, Toro tines can be used with both current and older aerator models by converting a 9.5mm mount to a 12.7mm or 15.9mm mount.

Authentic Toro tines are engineered for exceptional performance and durability. They ensure uniform aeration depth, creating clean holes that enhance aeration effectiveness and lead to a faster return to play.

According to Michael Hampton, Purchasing & Sales Processing Manager at Reesink UK, “Toro’s genuine tines aren’t just versatile tools that will increase your productivity from the start – they can deliver significant savings in the long term, too. Thanks to their durable design, Toro Titan tines last longer and minimise costly downtime.”

“On the other hand, using low-quality tines can create new challenges and make aeration a time-consuming process,” he continues. “Imagine having to frequently replace broken tines, unclog cores and repair post-aeration damage. Instead of simplifying your operations, your problems are multiplied.”

With a lifespan of up to four times longer than other tines, Toro Titan’s range prevents these headaches, reducing the need for frequent replacements and adding certainty to your aeration process. Moreover, the durable tungsten carbide tips consistently deliver precise holes that promote quicker turf recovery and simplify de-compaction.

When you’re using original Toro machines, genuine parts ensure maximum performance and take the guesswork out of turfcare – there’s no need to wonder if the new part will work. You can also count on Toro’s commitment to user safety through extensive testing and swift parts delivery to your doorstep whenever you need it.

Want to learn more about the benefits of using original Toro tines? Discover how Reesink Turfcare and Toro can support your aeration initiatives by calling 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule

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SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule: Full Learning LIVE schedule confirmed boasting a distinguished roster of speakers from UEFA, Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, Edgbaston, and more.

SALTEX is pleased to unveil the complete lineup for its highly anticipated Learning LIVE programme, featuring over 20 industry pioneers, technical specialists, and experts across three different stages. It’s the largest and most extensive free live educational event in the sector, providing an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to gain insights from the best in the business.

SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule

SALTEX confirm Learning LIVE schedule

On day one, the Main Stage will feature a not-to-be-missed panel discussion with industry giants including Karl Standley (Wembley Stadium), Neil Stubley (All England Lawn Tennis Club), Jim Buttar (Twickenham Stadium), and Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), who will tackle the topic of Sustainable Solutions.

The day continues with a critical conversation on ‘How to Attract Young People into The Industry’ with members of the GMA NextGen and wraps up with an insightful session on ‘Maintenance of 3G Artificial Turf – Effective Practice and the Evidence’ led by Professor Paul Fleming from Loughborough University.

On day two, the Main Stage will host Phil Sharples (Caspian Sport & Landscape), Vicente Alpuente (Villarreal), Iker Orue (Real Sociedad) and Dean Gilesby (Naturalgrass) as they delve into ‘Dealing with Climate Change Challenges at Top International Football Venues’. Attendees will also gain valuable tips on ‘How to Keep Your Team Members Motivated’, before finishing with ‘The Tools and Methodology to Ensure Excellent Surfaces’, presented by Reece Watson (Raw Stadia) and Neil Rodger (STRI Group).

The Spotlight Stage promises to draw crowds with its engaging ‘Ask-the-Expert’ style forums. Day one begins with ‘Integrated Approaches to Leatherjacket & Chafer Grub Control’ featuring insights from Dr. Christian Spring (STRI Group) and Sean Loakes (Syngenta). Other must-see sessions include Colin Corline’s (SAPCA) exploration of ‘Artificial Grass Pitches – What the Future Looks Like’, Professor John Moverley OBE’s talk on ‘Principles & Practices of Sustainable Amenity Management’, and Dr. Minshad Ansari’s (Bionema) presentation on ‘The Benefits of Biofilms in Sustainable Turf Management’.

Day two on the Spotlight Stage starts with a Soil Health Clinic, where experts Alex Vickers (Turf Consultant), Andrew Turnbull (Central Pharma Biotechnica), Dr. John Dempsey, and Dr. Deb Cox will share their knowledge. Notable sessions also include Geoff Fenn’s (Origin Amenity Solutions) presentation on ‘Independent Turfgrass Research – The OAS’s Latest Results’, as well as a discussion on ‘Understanding Climate Effects on Turfgrass Management’ by Mark Hunt (Prodata Weather Systems) & Jim Dale (Meteorologist).

Brand-new for this year, the Community Sports Stage will put all its focus on community and grassroots sports. Day one opens with ‘What’s Available in Multi-Sport Facility Funding?’ presented by representatives from the ECB, RFU, RFL, and the Football Foundation. Other highlights include ‘Essential Planning for Pitch Improvement Projects’ by Alex Vickers, ‘Quality Surfaces on a Shoestring Budget’ by Tom Rowley (GMA), and ‘Grant Funding for Sport’ by Richard Twigg (4Grants Ltd).

On day two, Kelly Marie Clack (Origin Amenity Solutions) will lead with ‘An Introduction to Grass Seed and Fertiliser’, followed by Grounds Management Association (GMA) Regional Pitch Advisors’ session on ‘Effective Aeration and Decompaction’. The day and will finish with a valuable session on ‘How to Attract and Manage Club Volunteers’ led by Chris Hunter and Nasa Hussain (Bradford Park Avenue CC).

For more information about the SALTEX 2024 Learning LIVE programme, and to see the full schedule, please visit: https://www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live.

To register for SALTEX 2024, please visit: https://www.saltex.org.uk/

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Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations

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Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations: A fleet of equipment from Kubota is being entrusted with ambitious improvement plans across the surfaces at Hertfordshire’s Aldenham School.

With the assistance of a pair of RTV Utility vehicles, two ride-on mowers and three tractors from Kubota’s L-Series, Grounds & Gardens Supervisor Danny Wells is well-placed to continue the development of the highly historic sports facilities across the 110-acre site.

Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations

Kubota fleet is key to maintenance operations

Regarded in the Good Schools Guide as ‘seriously sporty’, Aldenham School boasts the title of the earliest organised football club in the history of the game with records dating back to 1825. The game has come along way since then, as to have the facilities which Danny only recently took charge of in June 2024, though he’s certainly no stranger to Aldenham. “I worked here previously before taking up a ‘dream role’ at Arsenal FC’s Colney training complex for three and a half years. When an opportunity arose to bring everything I learned there back to Aldenham, it was one I couldn’t turn down” he explains.

Much of the Kubota equipment was already working hard at the school during Danny’s previous stint, and it’s this reliability and versatility – together with the fantastic back up support from local dealer George Browns Ltd – that sees the fleet expanding more in recent months. “Our tractors are the workhorses for the vast majority of operations we do here – whether that’s spraying feeds on the cricket outfields or hitched up with our scarifier, aerator or top dresser for mechanical maintenance on the fifteen winter sports pitches.”

Recently joining two Kubota L2-452 compact tractors in the shed is a cabless L1-382 fitted with flotation tyres. “While we’ve only had it a matter of weeks, this has already proven to be a great bit of kit!” Danny continues, “Our pitches are mainly clay-based so can lay very wet over winter. This capable yet lightweight tractor will enable us to still get implements on the ground without causing damage.”

“Everything we have from Kubota is well-built, intuitive to operate and versatile for all the various applications and environments we manage. Our RTV’s for example, one RTV-X1140 and one RTV-X1110, are reliable people and equipment movers. We can use these to tow hand tools and machines such as our woodchipper around, getting things exactly where they’re needed quickly and safely.”

Danny and his team of six also rely on their Kubota ride-on mowers for the upkeep and presentation of lawned areas. “Our F3890 from the Kubota F-Series of out-front rotary mowers is fantastic for cutting the banks around the site, as well as some of our more natively-managed areas which might only get one or two cuts a year. It poses no match for this machine!”

“I also have to mention the Kubota G21 mower, which has clocked up some serious hours. This is our go-to machine for mowing large areas such as the prep school lawn and the grass around our on-site chapel. Because of its manoeuvrability, this machine is also great for getting where our cylinder mowers can’t on the sports pitches. Because it collects, we’ll also use it in the autumn to remove not just grass clippings but leaves and other debris.”

He concludes, “My predecessor did a fantastic job at bringing the surfaces on and with the Kubota equipment at my disposal, I am confident I can continue this great work and lift the bar even higher.”

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