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NEWS ARTICLES

Landscape services level up with Toro Grandstand

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Landscape services level up with Toro Grandstand: Last year Landscape Services, providers of commercial grounds maintenance services across Kent and the Southeast of England, added the Toro GrandStand mower to its Toro fleet to deliver speedy operations in even the most awkward areas.

The USP of the GrandStand is in its name, literally. It’s a stand-on mower meaning it’s smaller and more compact, allowing greater access to smaller areas than a ride-on.

Landscape services level up with Toro Grandstand

Landscape services level up with Toro Grandstand

And it’s this that was the selling point for Mike Harris, head of operations at Landscape Services. He says: “With the addition of the Toro Grandstand we were able to quickly service larger areas regardless of whether they had small points of access. This meant more efficient mowing and better use of staff time, which has proven the machine popular with both management and our operational teams.”

In addition, this mower combines the speed and comfort of a zero-turn rider with the on-and-off ease of a wide area walk-behind creating a fast, manoeuvrable and more productive alternative.

All this complemented Landscape Services’ existing fleet of Toro TM7490 gang units and CT triple cylinder mowers, which have long delivered the high level of customer satisfaction the company has strived for over its 80-plus years in business.

“It’s good to have a combination of mowers to cover all surface requirements. The cylinder mowers give a finer cut, which works well for cricket outfields and customers who prefer the more aesthetic appeal,” says Mike. “The additional access benefits of the GrandStand means quicker work and less disruption to the customer, resulting in improved overall customer satisfaction.”

When it comes to groundscare machinery, trusting in Toro and Reesink Turfcare’s South East Sheffield Park branch has proven to be a well-founded decision.

“At the time of purchase Toro offered the best value for money and the best backup service. On top of that, from our experience working with Reesink, the staff have always been helpful and knowledgeable, offering advice and guidance whenever needed, which is a big plus for us,” says Mike.

Choosing the GrandStand isn’t where investing in technology stops for the company either.  Mike says, “Over the next couple of years we will be looking to innovate via our fleet of machines, to reduce maintenance costs, support a positive carbon footprint and diversify our portfolio with mixed specialist technology.”

Discover how Toro technology and Reesink can help you to tackle every terrain, get in touch with Reesink Turfcare, call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Origin road show a success

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Origin road show a success: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) proudly announces the successful launch of its latest initiative – a series of Road Shows held throughout the first quarter of 2024.

The free half-day events, led by OAS’s technical team, have garnered resounding success, delivering invaluable insights to turf and grounds managers nationwide.

Origin road show a success

Origin road show a success

Dedicated to improving turf quality and maintenance practices, the Road Shows have been met with enthusiasm from industry professionals. Covering a range of essential grounds management topics, delegates were given expert advice to keep turf and pitches in prime condition throughout the year. From water management strategies and the role of wetting agents to crafting a balanced fertiliser program and implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans for disease control, the Road Shows offer a holistic approach to turf care excellence.

The sessions included an introduction to TurfKeeper, the industry-leading application revolutionising task management, workforce coordination, and inventory control in a single digital platform. There were also opportunities for delegates to network with industry peers and benefit from one-to-one advice from the OAS technical team.

OAS was formed through the amalgamation of industry leaders Rigby Taylor, Headland Amenity, Symbio, and Turfkeeper. Leveraging the combined expertise and resources of these renowned companies, the company offers a comprehensive range of products and services tailored to meet the needs of turf professionals in the sports turf and landscaping sectors. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, OAS stands as a leading force in the field of amenity solutions, empowering clients to achieve optimal results in turf care and maintenance.

OAS is committed to elevating industry standards and sharing its knowledge and research findings of turf care, which was the key driver behind this series of events. Road Shows have so far taken place at Rotherham Golf Club, Knighton Health Golf Club in Bournemouth, and Irvine Golf Club, in Bogside.

More events are planned at golf courses around the country, details of which will be shared on the OAS social media pages or for more information contact the OAS team on 0800 138 7222 or visit www.originamenity.com

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Green-tech transforms University of York campus

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Green-tech transforms University of York campus: The University of York has a “Campus for the Future” masterplan which includes delivering a major 1480-bed student accommodation project. The £130m flagship scheme, which has transformed the Heslington East Campus began in November 2019 and has recently been completed. 

The location was chosen to strengthen the link between Campus East and Campus West while maximising views of the lake and surrounding parkland. The student accommodation project will help to meet the news of its expanding global student body as well as aid with the university’s student recruitment strategy.

Green-tech transforms University of York campus

Green-tech transforms University of York campus

Palmer Landscapes was awarded the landscaping contract to create green areas for the students to enjoy and to bring their outdoor space to life. This was achieved by planting tens of thousands of shrubs and hundreds of trees, spreading 10,000 sqm of seeding and turfing all the green spaces.

Green-tech has a long-standing relationship with Palmer Landscapes and supplied all the machine round tree stakes, tree belting, and blocks, MONA irrigation systems, and bespoke grass seed mixes that were used throughout the project.  We also supplied the underground anchor systems and gator watering bags to stabilise and irrigate the trees.

Green-tech is the largest UK supplier of tree planting materials and sundries. The machine round tree stakes used for this project have been treated with Green Osmose AE500 to guarantee longevity and were used with cross bars and belting which secure trees to help reduce tree damage or movement from the wind until roots have established. Green-tech’s Mona Relief Tree Irrigation watering systems are an essential tool to guarantee the success of urban planted trees and shrubs. Lack of water at the tree’s root ball can be detrimental to the lifespan and survival of the tree. The Mona Relief is a robust unit that delivers water straight to the roots of the tree. Installed with a perforated pipe that surrounds the tree’s rootball, the Mona Relief system is a cost-effective solution for preventing drought with newly planted trees. By proactively installing a system that will irrigate at the root ball the tree’s roots instantly receive the much-needed water to aid growth.

Palmer Landscapes Contract Manager Sam Isles comments, “Green-tech was one of our main suppliers for this project.  We have a strong relationship with them. They stocked all the products we needed and provided materials on a quick turnaround timescale. All planting materials were delivered on time and gave that professional finish that we pride ourselves on. The seed specification we were working too was very detailed so being able to tap into their expertise was invaluable and helped us so much.”

The main contractor GRAHAM Building has won the GB & Rol New Build Project of the Year, above £2.5m’ accolade at the CEF 2023 Excellence Awards. The judging panel agreed GRAHAM’s work on this project was a “remarkable achievement.”

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Rolawn works with Feefo

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Rolawn works with Feefo: Rolawn has subscribed to a newly launched initiative with Feefo – the world’s largest verified reviews provider – whereby tree-planting projects are funded in return for genuine customer reviews.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Rolawn pursues opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment and this is the latest example of the business acting on its commitment. With this new feature, Rolawn is assisting their customers who wish to “give something back” with their purchase. It comes at a time when consumers are increasingly choosing to purchase from sustainably conscious businesses:

Rolawn works with Feefo

Rolawn works with Feefo

• 40% of UK consumers are now conscious shoppers. These are customers who buy from brands that clearly communicate sustainable and ethical practices. (Deloitte, 2022)
• A poll carried out with Ipsos showed 69% of respondents were ‘interested in making more sustainable choices’. (Travel Weekly, December 2022)

Jonathan Hill, Rolawn Sales & Marketing Director, commented: “This initiative makes perfect sense as we know most of our customers are environmentally conscious so it feels appropriate that we are enabling them to make a positive contribution to biodiversity restoration.”

To establish the ‘Treefo’ feature, Feefo has partnered with Ecologi. A reputable climate solutions specialist, Ecologi works hand-in-hand with genuine project providers who are engaging with local communities to restore landscapes. These tree-planting projects nurture seeds to have the best chance of growing into full-grown trees.

Kerry Leighton-Bailey, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at Feefo, said of the Treefo launch: “This is the feature we’ve been waiting for. It builds on Feefo’s ethical journey and means we can finally support businesses to reach their sustainability goals. Businesses are collecting customer reviews anyway. Why not turn that into planet-loving action?”

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Ariens zero-turn mower faster on the spot

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Ariens zero-turn mower faster on the spot: In 2005, zero-turn mowers accounted for just 5 per cent of the total lawn tractor market in the USA. This figure has now risen to around 52 per cent.

Zero-turn mowers have become the absolute standard there, whether for private or professional users. The demand for zero-turn mowers is also growing strongly in Europe. The reasons are obvious: significant time savings, more comfort, a long service life and, not to be underestimated, more fun when mowing.

Ariens zero-turn mower faster on the spot

Ariens zero-turn mower faster on the spot

 Mow 40 per cent faster

In contrast to classic lawn tractors with a steering wheel, Ariens zero-turn mowers are driven by two independently operating wheel motors on the rear wheels. The drive wheels are controlled individually with two steering levers. They can therefore move in the same or in different directions. In practice, this means that you can turn in one go – without having to manoeuvre forwards or backwards. There is no time-consuming turning with a zero-turn mower – obstacles can be circled precisely and in one go. This also means that less uncut grass remains in the turning area. The precision of an Ariens zero-turn mower significantly reduces the need for tedious cleaning out at the end. Another reason why zero-turn mowers are so fast is their low centre of gravity in combination with the large-volume, welded mowing deck. As a result, significantly higher mowing speeds are achieved compared to classic lawn tractors.

The preconception that zero-turn mowers are only worthwhile for professionals who have very large areas to mow can be debunked. We recommend taking a closer look at this option for lawns of 1000 m² or more. Zero-turn mowers are available from a cutting width of 86 cm. The device class with a cutting width of 86 cm – 107 cm, such as the two models Ariens Edge 34 and 42, is aimed at private individuals with larger properties. Especially in gardens with numerous obstacles such as flower beds and bushes and many turning manoeuvres, the time saved is enormous.

Ariens zero-turn mowers provide real mowing pleasure

In addition to the speed, the comfortable operation also speaks in favour of an Ariens zero-turn mower. The greater legroom compared to conventional lawn tractors and the comfortable seats, which can be optimally adjusted to the driver, ensure significantly more comfort. The low effort required for steering movements and the smooth-running controls also contribute to a pleasant working environment.

Ariens mowers are synonymous with durability. Compared to traditional ride-on mowers, Ariens uses significantly less plastic on its zero-turn mowers. High-quality frames and welded steel cutting decks ensure a long service life.  Premium engines and robust hydrostatic transmissions contribute to sustainability and resource conservation.

The fun of mowing

For users who have switched to an Ariens Zero-Turn, the conventional lawn tractor with steering wheel has had its day. And this is not least due to the fun of mowing. The combination of speed, manoeuvrability and comfort clearly contributes to this. 40 per cent faster also means that there is more time for other activities. Mowing without a grass collector also eliminates the tiring and annoying task of disposing of clippings. And the result is also perfect: high blade speeds and a strong airflow produce an excellent cutting pattern.

Anyone can drive a zero-turn

The generalised objection that users would not be able to cope with steering with two driving levers is untrue. Anyone can drive a zero-turning circle mower after a short period of familiarisation. Millions of private users prove it and no longer want to do without the advantages. This is easy to prove with a brief explanation of the functions and a test drive in the yard of a specialist dealer. The shopping trolley comparison is the best way to do this. Depending on the driving manoeuvre, the drive levers are moved accordingly (see diagram 3).

Practical trial and study prove the benefits

In a practical example from the online portal todaysmower.com, a classic lawn tractor and a zero-turn mower were tested on a 4000 m² area with 40 trees and other obstacles. The result was clear. The zero-turn mower was 40 per cent faster than the lawn tractor with the same mowing width (106 cm).

A comparison of the steering modes of conventional ride-on mowers and zero-turn mowers as part of a study conducted by the University of Hohenheim, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, also confirmed the aforementioned advantages. A practical comparison test between a conventional lawn tractor (107 cm mowing width) and an Ariens Ikon XD zero-turn mower (107 cm mowing width) showed that not only is the turning manoeuvre significantly faster, but the turning radius is also significantly smaller. The turning manoeuvre on the classic omega-shaped lawn tractor takes 5 seconds. In comparison, the Ariens IKONXD turns in just 3.7 seconds. When asked which of the two mowers the 17 test participants would buy, the answer was also clear. More than twice as many participants would opt for an Ariens zero-turn mower.

In conclusion, for a slightly higher purchase price, zero-turn mowers offer the user the time savings described above, a much more comfortable driving experience, a considerably more durable machine and not to forget – more fun when mowing.

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