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J All Bent to the rescue

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J All Bent to the rescue: When previous attempts to get a practice putting green back into play at Vicars Cross Golf Club in Cheshire had failed, in stepped new Golf Course Manager Richie Stephens, armed with the J All Bent mixture from Johnsons Sports Seed.

A few short months from seeding, and with some favourable assistance from mother nature, the USGA spec green was in business – with the programme then implemented on the construction of a new chipping green that enjoyed similar success!

J All Bent to the rescue

J All Bent to the rescue

Upon joining Vicars Cross just over 12 months ago, Richie was tasked with the completion of the putting surface which had been out of action for close to two years. Keen to unlock the solution, he spoke to DLF’s Stuart Yarwood. “I’ve known Stuart for years and his greenkeeping background means he gives not only technical advice, but the right advice for our situation as he understands the challenge having been in our shoes” Richie says. “We opted to overseed with a 100% bent mix in the form of Johnsons J All Bent.”

The blend of three top-rated browntop bent cultivars in J All Bent delivers a hard-wearing, visually-striking sward, equipped to cope with close cutting and a range of environmental stresses. Its reduced reliance on chemical inputs makes it a popular choice for clubs pursuing a fast but sustainable greens strategy.

“We got it in the ground in May, we were fortunate with the weather and it came through really well. In August we then built a chipping green which overran the original schedule and meant we didn’t get seed until mid-November. Despite this, we still saw fantastic strike before Christmas, even coverage and strong visual impact. The speeds we’re achieving on the putting green is now comparable to what we’re achieving on our regular greens.”

The other 18 greens are overseeded annually during summer renovations with J All Bent, a programme introduced by Richie to try and promote an increase in the bent populations across the site. Elsewhere, it’s PM45 Tee and Fairway Plus from DLF’s Masterline range. “We use this on areas off the greens which has proven very successful.”

“The club, the players and my team have all noticed how far the surfaces have come on since we introduced the DLF mixtures and we’re definitely coming out of winter in a stronger, better position than we have before.”

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GreenMech choose Arb Show to launch EVO 205TT

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GreenMech choose Arb Show to launch EVO 205TT: It’s rare that any trip to The Arb Show doesn’t unveil something new from GreenMech, and this year is no different as stand C12/C13 is set to showcase the latest iteration of their revolutionary EVO Series.

Firmly cementing its status as the professional commercial choice, the EVO range already includes 6” and 8” variants in tracked and road-tow configurations and is now to be joined by the EVO 205TT – combining exceptional chipping performance with a 360o turntable for unrivalled versatility.

GreenMech choose Arb Show to launch EVO 205TT

GreenMech choose Arb Show to launch EVO 205TT

GreenMech’s EVO series has gone on to set the industry standard for torque, bite and throughput, with chippers to suit all professional applications, environments and needs of the modern arborist. 2024 sees the introduction of a turntable model to deliver maximum flexibility in machine positioning for safe and efficient operation.

The EVO 205TT includes all of the features now synonymous with the range, such as a wide in-feed chute and horizontal rollers to offer higher productivity and a smooth flow of material together with a heavy flywheel which produces unparalleled processing power for a machine of its size. It also incorporates GreenMech’s unique disc-blade chipping technology, with six blades per flywheel providing an accurate slicing action and an expected life of over 900 hours per set.

At the heart of the EVO 205TT is a Stage V Kubota 50hp diesel engine which, in combination with GreenMech’s ‘Smart Sense’ controller, delivers powerful performance with optimised fuel consumption.

Customers can also benefit from a package of flexible finance options and the support of GreenMech’s nationwide dealer network, on hand to provide local advice and expertise in both sales and aftersales support.

The technical team will be on-hand across the two days to discuss this, alongside other machines from the GreenMech portfolio – including the EVO 165P and ECO 135 which will also be on show. In addition, anyone wishing to see the EVO 205 SURE-Trak in action will be able to do so on demo plot D09.

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Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

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Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations: The purchase of a Combiseeder from GKB Machines has brought new convenience and efficiency to the overseeding operations at Hertfordshire’s Letchworth Golf Club.

Previously hiring a seeder, the combination of high traffic, poor weather and ongoing construction projects around the 18-hole course has seen an increase in the need for both routine and recovery seeding, which Course Manager Rob Groves explains can now be carried out as frequently and intensively as required.

Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

Rob took over as Course Manager at the parkland course in May 2022 and is assisted on the regular maintenance and larger renovation projects by a team of four full-time staff and one part-time greenkeeper. “We’ve conducted a number of bunker renovations, as well as installing a new irrigation system, which have all involved using heavy machinery on and around the greens” he explains. “We’ve previously hired a seeder which is not only expensive but means you are restricted as to when you are able to get it – often not at the right time! With areas to recover, along with combating general wear and tear the time was right to invest in our own seeder.”

The club opted for the CS120 from the GKB Combiseeder range, featuring the tried and trusted combination of two spiked rollers and two adjustable brushes to deliver and encase the seed for optimal germination. Delivered by dealers Ernest Doe on a wet Thursday in March 2024, it was out the following Monday and the next three consecutive days, delivering seed into the surfaces as part of the club’s renovation week.

“I’d used the Combiseeder at my previous club and was always impressed by how simple it is to operate and adjust, meaning we can overseed the greens with finer, smaller seed as well as use it on other areas around the course.” Rob continues, “We have grass covered driving tees, for example, which would need divoting and seeding by hand at least once a week. We can now do the whole area in one pass with the Combiseeder saving valuable labour hours. We also plan to use it on the greens, without seed, as a sarel roller as it’s got the right weight to give us some good aeration in the top of the profile without being too aggressive.”

“It’s already proven to be a great investment and, despite the weather, we saw good strike from our March operations.” He adds, “When you factor in the opportunities and benefits of conducting overseeding more frequently, together with the savings on hire and labour, the Combiseeder will pay for itself in no time.”

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Reesink offering 10% off Toro MVP kits

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Reesink offering 10% off Toro MVP kits: Reesink Turfcare is once again supporting customers with discounts on genuine Toro parts. This time it’s the multi-purpose, multi-value MVP kits which are benefitting from 10 percent off in May.

A challenging economy places pressure on businesses and Reesink is always looking for ways to help businesses carefully manage costs and avoid downtime when it comes to machinery maintenance, says Michael Hampton, Reesink Turfcare parts manager.

Reesink offering 10% off Toro MVP kits

Reesink offering 10% off Toro MVP kits

“With the rising cost of living putting the squeeze on consumer spending, higher inflation and energy prices pressuring business costs, many businesses will benefit from taking action to reduce costs and operate more efficiently,” he says.

These handy kits already save customers up to 20 percent on the cost of buying the parts individually, so when adding on the extra 10 percent discount from Reesink, it’s easy to see how the savings mount up to be quite significant.

There are over 100 different maintenance issues such as rebuilding rollers, replacing hydraulic hoses or overhauling cutting units, and there is a Toro MVP kit for them all providing all the required parts conveniently packaged in one handy box at significant discount.

Each pack come with instructions giving advice on when to perform specific maintenance tasks depending on the model and the number of hours of use, helping to prevent running machines into the ground and incurring unnecessary costs to repair them. Plus, they allow for more accurate forecasting when setting budget aside for parts and servicing too.

And of course, they bring the peace of mind that the parts match the quality of the machine, as Michael concludes: “It’s important for a machine’s performance and longevity that genuine parts are used with the exact engineering specifications for the machine. By choosing Toro MVP kits customers can be sure they get the best performance now with fewer problems down the line, all at the best possible price. As the saying goes – every little helps.”

So, the advice is don’t delay, contact a local dealer to take advantage of this competitive offer that lasts for the month of May. To find a local Toro dealer, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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Easy transportation with Makita’s DCU601

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Easy transportation with Makita’s DCU601: Power tool manufacturer Makita has added a new battery powered wheelbarrow to its extensive LXT outdoor power equipment range. The DCU601 is equipped with an electric lift for even easier loading and unloading.

The DCU601’s electric lift can only be operated on flat ground, where it can elevate from 475mm to 1,020mm in approximately 30 seconds, allowing for the easy transfer of materials to and from vehicles. It has an increased maximum load capacity of 300kg on flat ground (0 – 3 degrees) and 180kg on slopes up to 12 degrees. It has three speed settings of 1.5, 3.5 and 5.0km/h, plus a reverse setting with a speed of 1.0 Km/h.

Easy transportation with Makita's DCU601

Easy transportation with Makita’s DCU601

The machine is powered by two 18V LXT Li-ion batteries, but up to four can be used in series for a longer run time of up to 100 minutes. The machine will automatically switch to the second pair once the first two batteries have depleted.

The DCU601’s rear wheel axle is designed to tilt, to enable the front (driving) wheels to stably touch the ground for reliable driving even on bumpy road surfaces. The guard rails keep materials secure when transported and can be easily lowered below the flat frame by lifting and sliding them, allowing for easy loading and unloading by dragging rather than lifting materials.

Its soft start feature and electric, electromagnetic and hand lever-operated mechanical brakes provide full control over its operation, making the DCU601 incredibly easy to manoeuvre. The wheelbarrow also has a swivel lock feature, providing control over the direction of the machine, as well as its speed. Headlights, taillights, a warning beeper and a level gauge all add up to a safer operation.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK commented: “The DCU601 makes a fantastic addition to our growing range of battery powered wheelbarrows and outdoor power equipment. Its electric lift function has been designed to help users load and unload materials with ease, but also to make crossing building sites more efficient, saving time for more technical jobs in the process.”

Read more: www.makitauk.com

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

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