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Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

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Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare: Jon Lewis, one of the premier groundscare equipment salesman in the West Midlands, has joined Price Turfcare, in a regional sales management role. Price Turfcare are the UK distributor of the Ventrac all-terrain compact tractor and associated attachments.

Jon has enjoyed a successful 22-year career in the groundscare industry, starting as an operator mowing grass for grounds maintenance contractor Smart Cut, before moving into his first sales role with Parks & Grounds Machinery. He later joined TH White, operating out of their Redditch depot, where he spent five years as area sales manager before joining Lely (now Reesink). After a successful nine years selling Toro products, he moved on to John Deere dealer Farols, again in an area sales management role, before making his latest move to join Rupert Price and the UK Ventrac operation.

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

Jon Lewis joins Price Turfcare

“I have nothing but praise and respect for Rupert for the way in which in he has bought the Ventrac product to market here in the UK. I have supported him since he launched the business because of his integrity; he simply does right by the customer, they always come first.

“He leads a small but flexible group of people and thoroughly deserves the success he has achieved. To have sold a significant number of machines in the UK from a standing start in 2017 is some achievement, especially when you take into account two years of Covid.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, but also to the opportunities it brings; this is an incredibly versatile machine with a range of attachments that work brilliantly and has so many applications across multiple sectors of the outdoor industry.”

Rupert Price added,

“I’m delighted to have secured Jon’s services and welcome him aboard; he is very well known, not only across the West Midlands, but also throughout the industry. He’s a larger-than-life character and a shrewd businessman who knows this industry inside out! We recently returned from the SAGE event where he slotted into the team perfectly. I have no doubt that he will be a great asset as we grow the business.”

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John Deere announces dealer expansions

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John Deere announces dealer expansions: John Deere has announced that three of its dealerships will expand to support the company’s agricultural customers across the West Midlands and mid-Wales.

Charlies Groundcare and Machinery, FAROL LTD and Tallis Amos Group LTD (TAG), will all take on new territories to offer full sales, service, and parts support to farmers and contractors within the region.

John Deere announces dealer expansions

John Deere announces dealer expansions

The move will ensure a seamless transition for John Deere customers who have been served by Rea Valley Tractors LTD (RVT) for the past 38 years. The partnership with RVT will continue until 31 October 2022.

Charlies Groundcare and Machinery – which will rebrand to Charlies Ag & Turf as a result of the change – is based at Coed y Dinas, Welshpool, and already supplies John Deere golf and turf products. The company will now add John Deere’s agricultural portfolio to its business, supporting customers west of Shrewsbury and across mid-Wales through a purpose-built agriculture facility at its Welshpool site.

FAROL will grow its business to supply and support customers in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, while TAG will represent the brand in Shropshire, east of Shrewsbury. Both businesses have already begun actively searching for premises to set up new, local dealerships, demonstrating their commitment to agricultural customers in the region.

Each business will communicate its own plans separately in the near future.

Brian D’Arcy, Agricultural Division Sales Manager, said: “Ensuring that the highest possible level of service and support continues for our customers is the main priority, and we are pleased to have been able to appoint three dealers who will quickly establish themselves in their new areas of responsibility.

“TAG, FAROL, and Charlies, are well established, successful businesses which have served John Deere customers extremely well, so I am confident that the high level of service will continue across the West Midlands and mid-Wales.

“We are grateful for the excellent partnership John Deere and RVT has maintained for the past 38 years and are thankful to the entire team at RVT for its dedication in serving our customers.”

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Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam

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Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam: The Dennis G860 has ‘everything you need’ in a cylinder mower according to Kieron Jennings – Head Groundsman at Oxford United FC.

Kieron, who is employed by Grasstek and oversees the maintenance of the pitches at Oxford United FC’s Bangkok Glass Training Centre and the Kassam Stadium, felt the time was right to purchase a new cylinder mower. Somewhat of a turf perfectionist and a huge fan of the beautiful game, he revealed exactly why.

Dennis G860 - King of the Kassam

Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam

“Ultimately we wanted a better quality of cut,” he said. “We needed a mower which was going to give us a lot more definition. The first team like to play real football; fast one-touch football, and therefore the objective was to get that leaf down and as tight to the plant as we possibly could. We felt we could achieve this best with the Dennis G860.”

Kieron came to this conclusion after various cylinder mowers were demonstrated at the Kassam Stadium. As someone who highly values the team around him, Kieron was also keen to gauge feedback during the demonstrations.

“We’ve got a trainee that has never used a cylinder mower, but with supervision he jumped straight on the G860’s with no problem at all – he enjoyed every minute of using it.”

Lightweight at just 166kg the Dennis G860 is indeed incredibly easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. Furthermore, the handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

As one of the most renowned cylinder mowers in the grounds management industry, the Dennis G860 features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion.

“The quality of cut is second to none and it gives us a precise cut each and every time,” added Kieron. “We didn’t quite get that with our last mowers so I’m glad we switched.

“The manager has never once complained about the pitch – in fact he is always complimenting it.”

Dennis G860 - King of the Kassam

Dennis G860 – King of the Kassam

Aside from providing a perfect finish, the G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting. Kieron revealed how some of the cassettes play a part in his maintenance programme.

“As you’d expect, we use the cutting cylinders a lot – perhaps once or twice a day throughout the week. The brush is used to clean the top surface out and we’ll use the verticutter cassette to cut into our laterals, to thin the grass out and to take any Poa out.

In the winter we’ll rely on this cassette maybe two or three times a month because it helps with how the ball moves across the pitch in terms of the speed and the bounce.”

Kieron purchased two Dennis G860’s and he would have no hesitation in recommending them.

“They are very good machines; they are built well, and the durability is fantastic,” he said. “The G860’s have helped us get to where we want to be, and they are above anything else on the market.

“I can confidently say that if you are thinking of changing your cylinder mower, then get a G860 because it has got absolutely everything you need.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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ISEKI raises the game for village club

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ISEKI raises the game for village club: An ISEKI compact tractor is helping to raise the standard of football pitches for a local village club, based in Northamptonshire.

Deanshanger Colts & Girls were established in the summer of 1989. The club has approximately 260 children aged 6-15 and features adult teams as well. The teams play their home games at Deanshanger playing fields where there are five pitches.

ISEKI raises the game for village club

ISEKI raises the game for village club

Mark Pether is the man responsible for maintaining the pitches and he revealed how a much-needed Football Foundation grant finally enabled them to purchase their own maintenance equipment.

“Over the years we have never had our own equipment, and this has been a bit of an issue,” he said. “It was decided 12 months ago that we would use the Football Foundation grant and look to invest in some equipment to take care of the pitches.

“When we started looking for the equipment, we reached out to a local dealer called RT Machinery. We explained what our situation was and what we were trying to achieve, and they suggested the ISEKI TM3267.”

The ISEKI TM3267 compact tractor is a versatile 25hp diesel compact tractor with a F8/R8 mechanical transmission. The ISO-mounted operator’s platform combined with ergonomically positioned controls ensures operator comfort during extended working periods. The 3-point linkage has a lift capacity of 600kg or 800kg when fitted with the high-capacity lift kit.

It also features, as standard, a rear-PTO, two double acting valves, mid-PTO, two double-acting auxiliary valves, weight frame and a choice of AG or Turf tyres. The TM3267 is available with an optional front loader.

Further benefits include:

  • Excellent performance coupled with high efficiency
  • ISO mounted operator platform for reduced noise and vibration
  • Power: 18.9 kW (25.3 hp)
  • Drive System: Mechanical or HST

Mark, who uses the TM3267 at least twice a week, explained the impact it has already made at Deanshanger playing fields.

“We’ve been using it for 12 months and the quality shines through this ISEKI machine,” he said. “Never have there been any issues and it starts first time every time.

“It is powerful, and flexible enough to give us options to use all the equipment across the pitches. The size of the TM3267 is also very beneficial. We are quite confined here in terms of space at Deanshanger, but we can easily lock it away in our own container.”

Mark was also quick to praise the service he receives from ISEKI dealer RT Machinery.

“The guys at RT Machinery have been absolutely fantastic. When they delivered the ISEKI machine, they gave us a full brief on how to use the machinery and they are always there to support us if ever we need them.

“I would recommend the ISEKI TM3267 to anybody,” he continued. “In fact, I have already been recommending it to quite a few local clubs nearby.”

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Johnsons J Green helps Wantage BC

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Johnsons J Green helps Wantage BC: Wantage Bowling Club are celebrating their centenary year with a green that is denser and healthier than it has ever been, thanks to the switch to Johnsons Sports Seed.

Volunteer Greenkeeper Dean Gibbons has praised the combination of Johnsons J Green and J Rye Green for delivering exceptional germination and a smooth playing surface that is fit for a series of special events marking the club’s 100-year anniversary.

Johnsons J Green helps Wantage BC

Johnsons J Green helps Wantage BC

Since Dean took charge 10 years ago, he has successfully adapted a number of mechanical and nutritional programmes to achieve a pesticide and fungicide-free approach to his green’s maintenance. To assist with that, specifically to help prevent weed ingress, Dean reviewed his choice of seed three years ago after suffering several seasons of sparse coverage. “I knew we needed to introduce some different high-quality cultivars to improve the density of the green so I referred to the BSPB guide and spoke to some other greenkeepers who all highly recommended the J Green mixture from Johnsons.”

J Green incorporates top-rated fine fescues and bent grass cultivars to deliver fast, sustainable and disease-resistant greens suitable for bowls and golf. Dean has used J Green for the club’s end of season renovations, together with localised seeding of rink ends and other high-wear areas throughout the playing period. For some particularly problematic areas, he’s used Johnsons J Rye Green – combining perennial rye, slender creeping red fescue and browntop bent for fast establishment, exceptional recovery and tolerance of wear.

“The first and main thing I’ve noticed is the quality of germination achieved with J Green and, importantly, the survival rates of the seedlings. While several inputs will of course influence this, the quality and purity of the Johnsons mix, together with the fact the seed is coated with GroMax biostimulant seed treatment, appears to be a massive factor and has resulted in a visibly denser, thicker and healthier sward.” Dean continues, “Since we switched to Johnsons, I have also had regular visits from DLF’s Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett, that always bring insightful and helpful advice to help in the objective of improving the green.”

He adds, “The work to date hasn’t gone unnoticed. The improvements in our bowling surface have been recognised around the county and beyond, with lots of positive feedback and requests to use our green to host prestigious games so we must be doing something right!”

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