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Cobra to showcase key products at Saltex and Groundsfest

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Cobra to showcase key products at Saltex and Groundsfest: Henton and Chattell has announced that it will be showcasing the Cobra brand at two upcoming events this year. The company will be returning to Saltex, held on 1st and 2nd November at the NEC in Birmingham, and is excited to announce its debut at GroundsFest, taking place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 20th and 21st September.

The two events represent key industry opportunities to showcase the Cobra range to customers, dealers and stockists – as well as presenting invaluable chances to network, including directly with buyers.

Cobra to showcase key products at Saltex and Groundsfest

Cobra to showcase key products at Saltex and Groundsfest

Both Saltex and GroundsFest will also be a great chance for Cobra to demonstrate the capabilities of the Fortis cylinder mowers and lawn tractor ranges – both of which were launched earlier this year.

The Fortis range combines eight machines in one to give the ultimate package for creating picture perfect lawns, and are the first powered cylinder mowers to be launched by Cobra. It features four mowers, starting with a compact 14” model powered by a Loncin petrol engine, and then the 17”, 20” and 25” all featuring Briggs & Stratton engines for extra power for larger lawns.

What makes the Fortis machines the ultimate in lawncare however, is their ability to transform into seven other machines to ensure that lawns are immaculate and healthy. The Fortis six-bladed cassette can simply be removed and replaced with another accessory cassette in the range to switch its use. Other cartridges include a verticutter, scarifier, dethatcher, aerator, turf rake, lawn brush and 10-blade cassette.

For those with larger lawns to tend to, Cobra’s new range of ride-on lawnmowers provides a high-quality, yet wallet-friendly option. Starting with compact LT62 rider models, each with a 24” cutting width and comfortable seat, these have a particular focus on manoeuvrability, allowing gardeners to flow and mow around their lawns.

Those with larger areas to mow will appreciate one of the other new six ride-on tractors available. With cutting widths ranging from 33” up to 42”, and choices again being manual and hydrostatic gear changing, as well as a twin cutting blade and the option to collect the cuttings, release them back to the ground or turn them to mulch. They also offer enhanced comfort with a padded seat and easy electric key starting.

To find out more about these new ranges, to see them demonstrated, meet the team and discover the difference a Cobra lawnmower can make, be sure to visit GroundsFest and Saltex this year. GroundsFest combines indoor business and education opportunities with outdoor demonstrations, providing an interactive experience which strengthens the connection between exhibitors and visitors. Saltex is Europe’s largest free turf management show, where visitors can hear from industry experts, and see the latest technologies and product development from over 400 leading brands. To pick up tickets for Groundsfest, visit https://groundsfest.com/ and for Saltex visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/.

For further information about Cobra, please visit www.cobragarden.co.uk.

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MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest

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MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest: An impressive range of MM grass seed mixtures will be showcased at GroundsFest 2023, and visitors will get the chance to find out how the innovative seed technology could vastly benefit their sports pitches.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the mixtures on display at GroundsFest.

MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest

MM Seed to be showcased at GroundsFest

MM50

MM50 is perfect for cricket squares, tennis courts and also golf tees and fairways. This hard-wearing mix has rapid germination, extremely fine leaved appearance, high shoot density and is tolerant to very close mowing, as low as 5mm, along with high disease resistance. All these attributes together produce a fantastic sward.

MM60

MM60 is a 100% Ryegrass formula and the UK’s leading winter sports renovation mixture. It is well-known for its extremely fast germination and its high wear tolerance plus excellent disease resistance.

MM Tetrasport

A traditional repair mixture, especially useful for overseeding of high quality sportsfields to improve sward composition and aid recovery from disease scarring, Tetra Sport consists of Tetraploid Ryegrasses and is ideal for when the cooler weather arrives.

All mixtures in the MM range, are treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – a revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid, even germination.

Research and development play a key factor in MM’s success and the extremely high standards are achieved through rigorous testing procedures in a licensed seed testing facility. In addition, all varieties used in the MM range have been thoroughly tested at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), so you can be sure they will meet your requirements for play, appearance and maintenance.

If you are seeking advice for your natural turf projects – no matter how big or small, then pay a visit to the DLF stand (OSA481), where the MM Sports Seed specialist team will be on hand.

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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

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New Faunamaster seeders from BOSS ORV

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New Faunamaster seeders from BOSS ORV: BOSS ORV has been appointed as the sole UK distributor of Faunamaster Seeders. These are multifunctional and timesaving seed drills designed for use with an ATV, UTV or tractor.

The Faunamaster, which comes from the Danish company Faunamaster ApS, sows seeds of virtually any size to a depth of up to 80mm. It is ideal for sowing into existing grass fields, wildflower meadows, tilled soil, paddocks or any area where normal planter equipment is too big. It’s of great benefit in parks and gardens to plant flowers or herbs and the compact size when used with an ATV or UTV ensures it leaves minimum marks. The seeder handles seed in many sizes, from small flower seeds to clover, alfalfa, beans, kale and corn, and can apply fertiliser at the same time as seeding. A seed table shows the settings for each type of seed. On the seed meter, there are 2 funnels: the blue is for small seeds, the yellow is for big seeds like corn, and seed blends. The capacity of the seedbox is 45 litres and the fertiliser box is 40 litres.

New Faunamaster seeders from BOSS ORV

New Faunamaster seeders from BOSS ORV

Connecting the Faunamaster to an ATV or UTV ball hitch is made easy and a built-in actuator allows the driver to operate the planter without getting off the ATV. When fully raised, the clearance is 200mm (7.87) inches and when used with an ATV, the seed flow is easily adjusted through the handlebars. The Faunamaster uses discs to cut into soil and where it is used for no-till planting, the recommended depth is not exceeding 10mm (0.4in). Depth control is via two bolts located on the wheel arm. The working width is 1050mm (41.3in). There are seven adjustable rows with the distance between them being 150mm in 7 rows, 350mm in 3 rows, 525mm in 2 rows. The Faunamaster weighs in at 260 kg and has a recommended working speed of 4-6 km/h. BOSS ORV, which is also the UK distributor of Corvus Off-Road Vehicles, will sell the Faunamaster through specially appointed dealers and their own UK dealer network. It will be shown on the BOSS/Corvus stand at the Groundsfest show at Stoneleigh in September.

For more information about the Faunamaster and Corvus Off-Road Vehicles you can call 01785 561046 E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk Web: www.bossorv.co.uk

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Wembley brings in new pitch

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Wembley brings in new pitch: Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, will have a new state-of-the-art pitch in place for this week’s FA Community Shield between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC.

The FA Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to a new football season. Last year’s contest was moved to the King Power Stadium in Leicester while Wembley Stadium hosted the UEFA Women’s Euro ‘22 Final.

Wembley brings in new pitch

Wembley brings in new pitch

The fixture returns to its usual home this week, with the Wembley grounds-team adding the final touches to a playing surface, which over the summer played host to sell-out concerts attended by over half a million people.

The fact Wembley Stadium is ready to host such a prestigious football match, so soon after concert season, is down to the latest advancement in pitch technology. The hybrid carpet ‘Lay and Play’ grass pitch was grown off site, on a turf farm hundreds of miles away from the stadium. Link to timelapse video here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HEHX2zIwjzPx_wLp7qjQ6YzdbSNhD1HS?usp=sharing

Once it was ready, more than 720 rolls of the hallowed turf were put on a number of lorries and transported to the stadium, before it was laid out last week. At 10 metres long by 1.2 metres (which if end to end would be 7km in length), the whole install took 60 hours to complete.

Wembley Stadium’s Grounds Manager Karl Standley said: “Lay and Play is a game-changer for a multi-purpose venue like Wembley Stadium. Previously, it might have taken up to five weeks after a concert to get a pitch ready for a football fixture. Now this can be done in just five days.

“Growing it offsite means we can ultimately cut down the time required between concerts and football to let the pitch recover, so that Wembley can continue to keep up with global demand to stage world-class events.”

It took more than three years of research and development to get to a stage where the meticulous Wembley team was happy that lay and play technology could meet their high standards.

“The Wembley pitch is unique and has very certain requirements. It involves a specific blend of sun, water, nutrients and takes 14 weeks to get into perfect shape. Even the fertiliser plan is bespoke to our requirements,” adds Karl.

“It is like one big chemistry experiment. We had to test every stage of the process including the grow time, any potential damage during transport and how it reacts when it comes into the stadium. It is a very precise procedure, and we monitor every stage closely.

“The pitch for this week’s FA Community Shield fixture came into the stadium on July 25 and has settled in nicely. After that it will be used for the Rugby League Challenge Final before concerts and events including AEW Elite Wrestling at the stadium.

“The next step is to make the whole process sustainable with the old pitch going back into grassroots football.

“At present the old pitch goes off to a production site where the grass, sand and plastic is separated. The grass decomposes naturally, and the sand is sent back to us so it can be re-used or sent out for use on grassroot pitches.

“We are close to now finding a use for the plastic, whereby it can be melted down and used to produce equipment for sports teams. Eventually the whole process will be 100% sustainable.”

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INFINICUT® bolster sales force

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INFINICUT® bolster sales force: To support their continued growth, INFINICUT® are pleased to announce the appointment of two new Territory Sales Managers in the form of Mark Clifford- Kennedy and Gareth Rogers.

Joining in the midst of a busy summer for the company, the expansion of the sales team enables further expert knowledge and support to be delivered to customers across both the Southern and Northern counties.

INFINICUT® bolster sales force

INFINICUT® bolster sales force

Mark Clifford-Kennedy becomes the new Territory Sales Manager for the south, making the transition to INFINICUT® following a successful career in the manufacturing, construction, and engineering sectors. His proven track record in sales and the delivery of outstanding technical support puts Mark in good stead for his new role, for which INFINICUT® will be supporting Mark through elements of a Level 2 Sports Turf Maintenance qualification at the Leicester City Sports Turf Academy.

Covering the northern counties, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be Gareth Rogers. Gareth’s career in turf began in 1989, working for Sennelager British Army Golf before progressing through the ranks to senior and Head Greenkeeper positions at various clubs in the two decades that followed. This foundation of knowledge and qualifications set Gareth up for key roles in sales – including Area Sales Manager for Fairways GM Ltd and, more recently, Reesink Turfcare UK.

Commenting on their appointments, INFINCUT® Managing Director John Coleman said “Having Mark and Gareth join us at such an exciting point in the INFINICUT® story is brilliant for the brand and bolsters what we can offer customers old and new across both the north and south of the UK. With the successes we have achieved with our award-winning INFINICUT® in the football market and new innovations such as the 22” cutting unit, we are well placed with the pair on board to continue our drive both here at home and across Europe.”

In their spare time, both Mark and Gareth are big sports fans – Mark playing football and completing half marathons, and Gareth a big rugby fan and keen golfer.

Mark can be contacted on 07385013157 or mark.clifford-kennedy@sbdinc.com, and Gareth on 07385013159 or gareth.rogers@sbdinc.com.

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