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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

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Kilworth Springs’ Success with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair

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Kilworth Springs’ Success with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair: Nestled in the picturesque Avon Valley of South Leicestershire lies Kilworth Springs Golf Club, a renowned destination for golf enthusiasts seeking both challenge and beauty.

Maintaining a lush green course amidst heavy traffic has often posed a significant challenge for Head Greenkeeper Joel Chappell. After a thorough search for the ideal seed, Joel discovered EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair by DSV, a breakthrough solution that has transformed the course’s resilience and aesthetics.

Kilworth Springs' Success with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair

Kilworth Springs’ Success with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair

EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair from DSV emerges as a game-changer in turf management, boasting rapid germination and establishment. Specifically designed for cool-season over-sowing and surface repairs, this innovative seed blend incorporates Tetraploid Ryegrasses renowned for their vigour and adaptability. With attributes like fast germination, strong colour retention, and resistance to diseases and drought, Pro Rapid Repair emerges as the go-to choice for demanding environments like Kilworth Springs Golf Club.

Joel shares insights into the unique challenges posed by Kilworth Springs Golf Club and the transformative impact of EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair. “Maintaining grass here is no easy feat,” he remarks, referring to the club’s sandy and gravely, free-draining terrain. The course’s popularity, coupled with its inland links layout, subjects it to heavy wear and tear, especially around high-traffic areas like tees and approaches.

Joel’s quest for a resilient seed led him to EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair. “We tried many different seeds,” he says. “We were looking for a seed which was hard-wearing, could establish quickly and could withstand low mowing heights. The EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair stood out by far and ticks every box for us. In the growing season it is establishing within 3 or 4 days.”

Joel also highlights the critical role played by Pro Rapid Repair in rejuvenating damaged areas with remarkable speed and durability. “Last summer we had irrigation issues and had to dig up parts of the course. We overseeded with Pro Rapid Repair and within two weeks we were able to take those areas out of Ground Under Repair (GUR). That shows you just how well the seed works.”

Kilworth Springs' Success with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair

Kilworth Springs’ Success with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair

According to Joel, the success story of EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the exceptional customer support provided by his DSV representative Hamish Crichton and Rhys Norville from Regen Amenity, a DSV distributor. “Their expertise and support have been invaluable,” he adds. “As a Head Greenkeeper, you are so focussed on what you are doing and trying to achieve.

Therefore, it can be beneficial to listen to other opinions and fresh perspectives.”

Kilworth Springs Golf Club’s transformation with EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair sheds light on the rising prominence of the EuroGrass Pro Mixtures in the UK sports turf market.

With solutions tailored for various sports including golf, cricket, horseracing, and winter sports, the EuroGrass Pro range from DSV exemplifies versatility and effectiveness. As Joel summarises – “For us, EuroGrass Pro Rapid Repair is a winning solution.”

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Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade

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Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade: Royal Troon Golf Club has upgraded its greenkeepers compound, incorporating state-of-the-art locker rooms, ahead of this summer’s 152nd Open.

The 145-year-old club, based in South Ayrshire, Scotland, has made a large investment in a new welfare block, which includes offices, a staff room, a kitchen, wet and dry changing facilities, showers and toilets.

Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade

Royal Troon greenkeepers get compound upgrade

The changing rooms feature 28 modern lockers and benches to cater for the dedicated team responsible for maintaining the club’s pristine courses.

The investment aims to support the 20 greenkeeping staff preparing to host the Championship in July.

Locit, the manufacturer of the Pure Lockers brand, partnered with distributor Nationwide Lockers to deliver the slate grey steel lockers to the specifications of contractor Fleming Build.

Stephen Anthony, Club Secretary at Royal Troon Golf Club, said: “The club is delighted with the new facilities, including the lockers, for our 20 greenkeepers. 

“The move to personal lockers provides a secure space for our team’s belongings. 

“The club is committed to the well-being of every employee and this upgrade speaks volumes about the value the club places on our dedicated team of greenkeepers and their integral role in maintaining our course’s international standards.”

John Burns, Project lead and Site Manager for Fleming Build, based in Glasgow, said: “The recent enhancement to the greenkeepers’ compound underscores Royal Troon’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its dedicated employees.

“The decision to work with Nationwide as a locker supplier was influenced by price, a quick lead time, colour customisation and fast installation. Pure Lockers were the best buy and ensured a seamless delivery process for Royal Troon. Collaborating with Locit and Nationwide Lockers reinforced our commitment to quality project delivery.”

Pure Lockers are the world’s first carbon-neutral steel lockers. Each product is PAS 2060 certified, the internationally recognised specification for carbon neutrality published by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Locit manufactures from a state-of-the-art digital manufacturing facility in Deeside using 3D CAD/CAM software solutions that enable the design of products with minimum waste materials. The factory also uses an innovative curing process at a lower temperature than the industry standard to guarantee the highest quality and 40% energy savings.

Kevin Elliott, Business Development Manager, at Locit said: “At Locit, we take pride in our commitment to delivering excellence to our clients. We understand that each client has unique requirements, and our approach is collaborative. We work closely with our clients to tailor Pure Lockers to their needs, ensuring that every detail aligns with their vision.”

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