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NEWS ARTICLES

The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders

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The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders: Finnish compact loader manufacturer Avant Tecno has introduced two new loader models in the popular Avant 600 series: the single-speed Avant 635i and the double-speed Avant 640i.

Both new models have the all-new Kohler KSD engine, which provides more usable power because of its electronic injection and simple operation with no exhaust after-treatment necessary.

The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders

The new Avant 635i and 640i loaders

Building on the globally recognised Avant concept of compact but mighty machines, the new Avant 635i and 640i models complete the renewal of the Avant 600 series. It is popular in many fields of work such as landscaping, farming, property maintenance, construction and demolition, and horse stables.

The new Avant 635i travels at 12 km/h, and the maximum speed of Avant 640i is 23 km/h. Both models are equipped with a certified ROPS/FOPS canopy as standard – the modern, spacious GT cab enclosure with ergonomic design is also available, providing more safety and operator comfort.

Kohler KSD engine and high oil flow
The completely new electronically controlled Kohler KSD 1403 engine is a common rail diesel engine with a displacement of 1.4 litres and an output of 26 hp / 19 kW. The engine was designed with the requirements of the latest Stage V and Tier 4 Final emission standards in mind: its power and other features have been optimised to 19 kilowatts, eliminating the need for a particulate filter.

The three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine gives the machine plenty of torque in the low rev range. Also, there is very little power drop in high altitudes. The electronic injection adapts to varying load conditions much better than a conventional injection system.

An Avant user will notice this when doing earthmoving work with a bucket. Pushing and lifting simultaneously won’t stall the engine.

Thanks to the new diesel engine, the auxiliary hydraulics’ previous output of 50 l/min has been increased to an oil flow of 66 l/min, which is exceptionally high in this power class.

The new 635i/640i models work very well with hydraulic attachments that require higher flow, which enables an even more versatile and efficient use of the loader.

New features and a new look
The Avant 635i and 640i models have a safety-enhancing electric power distribution unit (PDU), where most of the fuses and relays are located. The safety features of the loader are now controlled by a separate electronic control unit of the loader (VECU).

In the cab, separate gauges have now been replaced by a convenient multi-function display. It provides the Avant user with varied information on the loader, such as engine speed, oil flow of auxiliary hydraulics, fuel quantity, current fuel consumption, outside temperature, hydraulic oil temperature, load alarm, total operating hours, maintenance info and fault codes. All this is available in 11 different languages.

The design of the machines and the cover panels are identical with the 645i/650i models, which makes the appearance very modern and the loaders easy to service at the same time.

Available now In Stage V and Tier 4 final countries, the new Avant 635i and 640i models replace the previous models, Avant 635 and Avant 640. In Stage 3 countries, the range will continue to include the 635 and 640 models with 37 hp Kubota engines, and the new “i” models (635i and 640i) with the Kohler KSD engine will be offered additionally.

For further information, please contact Avant Tecno (UK) on 0800 015 8482 or visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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West Lancashire Council brighten up town roadside with Euroflor

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West Lancashire Council brighten up town roadside with Euroflor: West Lancashire Council wanted to brighten up the area for their residents with some instant colour and provide pollinators with natural habitat, they decided to trial Euroflor flower seed from Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) on one of their major routes into the town of Skelmersdale.

Heading up this project was Stephen Bissette, Clean and Green Operations Manager at West Lancashire Borough Council. He explains, “Windmill Island in Skelmersdale is a roundabout on a major route into Skelmersdale. It is just off J5 of the M58. The council wanted to trial a wildflower area and following a meeting on flower seed in general with Gary Brindle from OAS, we sought Gary’s advice on the best way to do this and what seeds to use”.

West Lancashire Council brighten up town roadside with Euroflor

West Lancashire Council brighten up town roadside with Euroflor

West Lancashire Borough Council commissioned OAS to complete the trial project on their behalf which they did working alongside one of their trusted contractor partners.

For speed, ease and fast results Flora Fleece was used – a weed suppressant made from recycled fabric composed of 50% jute, 25% cotton, 25% brown wool, with a hessian scrim. The matting is made of natural fibres, which will break down through the growing season in 5-8 months.

On 10th May 2023 the team laid the fleece on both sides of the roundabout. Stephen comments, “A 100m2 of the Flora Fleece was used. It was quicker than weedkilling and rotavating the soil and gave the best chance of inhibiting weed ingression; it also supports seed establishment. It was easy to use. It is delivered in a roll which you unroll where you want your wildflower patch to be. And that’s it, ready for the soil. Could not be easier”.

Four tonnes of Green-tree topsoil were delivered by OAS and spread evenly on top of the Flora Fleece, in preparation for seeding. This is a an environmentally friendly sustainable soil that is manufactured using organic compost and overburdened sand from quarries; products that would otherwise end up in landfill.

400gram of Euroflor Rainbow Annuals were sown onto the topsoil and then raked over. A firm favourite because of its rapid establishment and long flowering period starting 50-60 days after sowing right through to the first frosts. Euroflor Rainbow displays a wide range of colours from early season – Eschscholtzias and Iberis, to mid-season Poppies, Cornflowers and Flax, giving way to Marigolds and Cosmos at the end of the season. The striking mix of bright colours red, orange, yellow, blue, and white successfully combines native flora with garden favourites.

Stephen concludes, “We had flowers in bloom on the 3rd of August, a beautiful showing which really did brighten up the approach to the roundabout. It was incredibly simple to install, required no maintenance and looked nice. I am delighted with the results and will look at other areas for 2024”

Sow Euroflor flower seed until the end of October for a Spring showing. Contact OAS on 0800 138 7222 for more information or to place an order.

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ICL welcomes Lewis Blois as Business Development Manager

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ICL welcomes Lewis Blois as Business Development Manager: ICL is delighted to announce the appointment of Lewis Blois to the role of Business Development Manager – Landscape & Industrial for the UK & Ireland.

With over 15 years of experience in UK and Ireland amenity sector, Lewis’ journey started with Agrovista Amenity. He subsequently joined ICL in 2010 as a Technical Area Sales Manager within the T&L business. Lewis eventually ascended to the Key Account Manager role.

ICL welcomes Lewis Blois as Business Development Manager

ICL welcomes Lewis Blois as Business Development Manager

Lewis then joined Bayer Environmental Science as the Key Account Manager for Industrial Vegetation Management (IVM) and Rail, where he played a crucial part in launching and managing iconic brands including Roundup, Ecoplug Max, and Valdor Flex/Lockstar. His responsibilities also extended to managing key amenity distributors in IVM and Turf.

Before rejoining ICL, Lewis built on his expertise at Barenbrug as the Technical and Product Manager for their Amenity business.

On his appointment, Lewis expressed, “I am delighted to re-join the ICL team. My vision is to bolster the success of the Industrial and Landscape business, ensuring ICL remains the top choice for customers in these areas.”

For more information, please visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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GroundsFest arrives in style

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GroundsFest arrives in style: After months of anticipation, GroundsFest 2023 lived up to the hype and celebrated a very memorable debut event with the groundscare community.

The atmosphere was electric as GroundsFest united every corner of the industry and brought together 6,511 unique visitors (excluding exhibitors) across the two days.

GroundsFest arrives in style

GroundsFest arrives in style

It was apparent among exhibitors and visitors that this new event was exactly what the industry needed.

The mix of indoor halls and outdoor areas certainly seemed to strike a chord with visitors. Inside, the vibrant show floor provided attendees with a great mix of exhibitors showcasing a wide range of products and services, while five seminar theatres offered a feast of free education. The Landscape Zone, an entire hall dedicated to those involved in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor environments in the landscaping sector, also proved to be a welcome addition.

The practical demonstrations from Grounds Training were a big hit with attendees. During the two days large groups gathered round experienced instructors to learn more about pedestrian mowers, ride-on mowers, handheld machinery, and the calibration and use of knapsack sprayers and boom sprayers. Furthermore, the instructors were on hand in a large outdoor area to show visitors how to mark out a running track and speak about the essential elements of line marking sport pitches.

In the outdoor areas hundreds of exhibitors were proudly showing off their products with many new innovations being unveiled for the first ever time ahead of the 2024 season. Not only was there plenty to see on the stands but the outdoor areas provided visitors with the perfect opportunity to see a wide range of machinery and to participate in live demonstrations.

On the evening of the first day, exhibitors and visitors came together to enjoy the festival aspect of the event. With a range of food stalls, and live entertainment headlined by a very popular Queen tribute band, it was the perfect way to conclude a very special first day at GroundsFest.

Commenting on the first ever GroundsFest, Event Director Christopher Bassett, said: “On behalf of all of us at GroundsFest we really want to extend our gratitude to all our exhibitors, partners and visitors that have showed their support for the first event. From the very start we wanted GroundsFest to be an event for everyone and to be able to establish a real sense of community. Over the two days we’ve had sunshine, we’ve had rain showers, but more importantly we’ve had collaboration, built relationships, witnessed innovation at its finest and ultimately come together to celebrate the industry and have a great time with one another.

“The positive feedback has been overwhelming but we’re certainly not resting on our laurels.

We’re already planning how we can improve the event for 2024 by listening to every single piece of feedback and by analysing both the exhibitor and visitor surveys. We’ll certainly be back with GroundsFest chapter two in September 2024 and we cannot wait to welcome you all again.”

To watch the show highlights please click here

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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SALTEX Learning Live programme revealed

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SALTEX Learning Live programme revealed: Designed to bring people together for the greater good of grounds, SALTEX’s comprehensive and extensive Learning LIVE programme for 2023 is now live on the exhibition’s website – www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live.

Months in the making, all of the industry’s hottest topics are covered across the three stages over two days.

SALTEX Learning Live programme revealed

SALTEX Learning Live programme revealed

On the Spotlight Stage on Wednesday 1 November, the ‘Messi of mowing’ John Ledwidge, head of grounds and landscapes at Manchester City FC, Nick Taylor, managing director of Greycircle and Adrian Kay, York Racecourse Grounds Manager, host a discussion on skillful leadership best practice and the importance of team culture.

How do you deliver a major sporting event? Grounds managers at England’s most iconic cricketing venues talk about that and overcoming the challenges in hosting this year’s Ashes tournament on the Main Stage. Visitors can also meet the team behind the Women’s Ashes’ pitch delivery. These female pioneers will discuss how they got involved in this initiative and how they’d like its legacy to help promote grounds management as a career option for women and girls.

Also on Wednesday, attendees will get the chance to take part in an interactive panel discussion on the Main Stage with GMA consultant, Tim Nicholls and the Rugby Football League’s, Pat Clusky. The topic of discussion will be the GMA’s newly launched Grounds Management Framework which offers new and existing grounds staff a clear career pathway aligned with the necessary tools and qualifications needed to improve pitch standards and progress within the industry.

On day two, the Main Stage is busy celebrating volunteer heroes. Wes Matthews from Cranfield FC & Luton Town FC, GMA award winner Dean Gibbons from Wantage Bowls Club and Liam Murgatroyd from Queensferry ARLFC talk about working around the day job, finding funding opportunities and making the all-important budget spread further.

The requirement to reduce non-household water usage by nine percent by 2037 has created the perfect storm for leisure turf irrigation, resulting in requirements to reduce both abstraction volumes and mains use at the same time. At Learning LIVE visitors can find out how water availability will change and what should be considered in the search for alternative sustainable water sources.

Tony Hanson, Planet Mark Associate and Golf Environment Organisation Sustainability Associate, who is hosting a session on this subject says: “Water availability is changing – historically high personal consumption, population growth, climate change, increasing incidence of drought and flooding, over abstraction and pollution have all contributed to problems we now have to solve around water resource and quality. The leisure sector can protect future water sources and be part of the solution at SALTEX.”

Speaking of climate change and what comes next, over on the Spotlight Stage on day one, an important audience participation event concerning where we were, where we are now and where we are going with concern to UK weather under the umbrella of a rapidly changing world is hosted by Jim Dale – senior meteorological consultant, British Weather Services.

While on day two, the Spotlight Stage shines a spotlight on building relations with key stakeholders and justifying capital expenditure. The seminar is delivered by Callum Allsop from Leicester City FC, Adrian Kay from York Racecourse and Niall Hazelhurst from Warrington Wolves.

And finally the Eco Stage, on day one an update on sustainable installation and maintenance of synthetic turf, the current EU regulations on rubber crumb and recycling solutions is hosted by Alistair Cox from Loughborough University, Colin Corline from SAPCA, Chris Barry from Football Foundation and Eric O’Donnell from Sports Labs.
Following the sustainable theme, on day two Dr John Dempsey discusses non-pesticidal disease management. The independent turfgrass researcher says: “With all the restrictions on pesticides and the ambition of turfgrass managers to maintain their facilities and control disease in a sustainable manner, non-pesticidal disease management presents ways in which to do this without recourse to pesticides and by utilising the turfgrass’s own defence mechanisms.

“My seminar covers several research projects carried out over the past three years and presents results on surfactant effects on soil moisture and turfgrass quality, rootzone amendment’s effect on turfgrass growth, reduction of earthworm casting and the uptake and accumulation potassium phosphite.”

All Learning LIVE sessions qualify for both BASIS and BIGGA CPD points with 2 BASIS CPD points gained for attending SALTEX this year and a point for each session attended (up to four per day). BIGGA Networking Credits are also available with one for attending SALTEX and a one BIGGA education credit per hour for each Learning LIVE seminar attended.

More information about the SALTEX 2023 Learning LIVE programme can be found on the event’s website at www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live. Free visitor registration is now open. Visit saltex.org.uk or register here.

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

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