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NEWS ARTICLES

Polaris expands Youth line-up

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Polaris expands Youth line-up: New for 2022, Polaris brings innovation and advancement to the youth side-by-side category with the introduction of the new RZR 200 EFI.

Replacing the popular RZR 170, the new RZR 200 establishes a new standard for youth riding thanks to exclusive safety innovations, including speed limiting, geofencing and new Helmet Aware technology.

Polaris expands Youth line-up

Polaris expands Youth line-up

Aimed at riders aged 10 and up and designed to grow with young riders as they build more skill and confidence, the RZR 200 features a new 180cc engine with electronic fuel injection, delivering enough power to manage and overcome varying terrain without falling behind, as well as dual A-arm suspension on the front and independent rear suspension delivering seven inches of suspension travel and ten inches of ground clearance for a smooth ride.

Controlled via the Youth Ride Control App, the new Helmet Aware technology allows parents to pre-set the vehicle’s controls so that the vehicle won’t start when the helmet beacon is out of the vehicle gauge range, meaning that fun is always paired with a helmet. The RZR 200 EFI comes equipped with two youth helmets and an attachable Bluetooth beacon, and helmet detection can be enabled or disabled via the Youth Ride Control App. When no helmet is detected, users have the option to disable the start of the vehicle, limit the speed or display a warning to the rider.

In addition to Helmet Aware technology on the Youth Ride Control App, parents can also set the maximum speed of the vehicle to ensure children ride at the appropriate speed for their age, ability and terrain, as well as utilize geofencing technology to keep the vehicle within set riding boundaries and speed limits within set areas.

Children can share the fun with the passenger seating inside the RZR 200 EFI, and there are hard doors fitted as standard to keep the kids in, whilst everything else remains outside. The RZR 200 also features a high-visibility flag and LED headlights and tail lights for improved rider visibility in low-light conditions. Kids can also make the RZR their own with a full range of accessories available, including vehicle protection like front and rear bumpers, rock sliders and cab options like a windshield and roof, plus wheel and tyre options.

The rest of the Youth line-up also receives all-new upgrades and improvements. The Ranger 150 features quality and user safety upgrades including the new Helmet Aware technology, and the Outlaw 70 EFI has reduced throttle effort, an improved turning radius and an added battery charging port.

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Forces charity receives boost

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Forces charity receives boost: The Forces’ charity HighGround, which strives to improve the wellbeing and employment prospects of serving military personnel and veterans, using the green environment, received a major boost to its funds recently with a donation from corporate supporter British Sugar TOPSOIL.

At a presentation held at the Cricket Pavilion on the stunning Ascott Estate at Wing, to the southwest of Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch presented a cheque for £5,320 to the charity’s founder and executive director, Anna Baker Cresswell, following a year of fundraising.

Forces charity receives boost

Forces charity receives boost

British Sugar TOPSOIL announced its support for HighGround last autumn and, in addition to this financial donation, has supported the project by providing topsoil products for its horticultural therapy garden at DMRC Stanford Hall near Loughborough. The money raised over the past year will enable the charity to continue its vital work helping those who have served to find jobs, careers and vocational opportunities in the land-based sector once their military careers are over.

Anna Baker Cresswell said:

“I can’t begin to thank Andy and his team at British Sugar TOPSOIL for their generous and ongoing support of our work at DMRC Stanford Hall and now this fantastic donation, which has enabled us to commission a short promotional film as part of our Corporate Champions initiative to generate new corporate supporters. We would be nothing without our Friends and I am proud to count Andy and TOPSOIL as part of our growing network of valued and loyal supporters who enable us to continue to deliver our work with those who have served their country. #outdoorsisbetter!”

Andy Spetch, National TOPSOIL Manager, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to make this donation after a year of fundraising. The charity is doing incredible work to support our armed forces and veterans and TOPSOIL is proud to be able to help them in this way.”

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G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle

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G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle: Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC has said goodbye to its trusty 19-year-old Dennis cylinder mower and welcomed a new G860 as its replacement.

“If you can have a mower that is 19 years old, and it still gives you that kind of cut and presentation – then just imagine what a newer model will do!”

G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle

G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle

Head Groundsman Dale Stephen admits that it did not take much to convince Scot Gardiner, the CEO to buy a new Dennis G860 – he simply had to look at the job his old one was doing. However, it could have been a quite different story and Dale admits that he was somewhat guilty of judging a book by its cover.

“When I first joined, I went into the tractor shed and looked at what machines and equipment I had to work with,” he said.

“There were only a handful of machines and there was this old Dennis G860 in the corner. The old groundsman at the time told me that it would be the best and most reliable mower, but I must admit, looking at how old it was, I thought he was joking.

“How wrong I was. From the first time I cut with it, I was hooked and wanted to use it all the time.”

Up until joining Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dale had been a greenkeeper for the entirety of his career. He claims that moving over to the football side of grounds management was always part of his plan and was delighted when he was given the opportunity at Caley Thistle five years ago. It did not take him long to adapt and since joining the club, the pitch at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium has frequently been held in high regard.

“People ask me how I produce a pitch like that,” said Dale. “But I think it can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make it. If you do the basics and do them well, then you are giving yourself a good platform to have the best surface you can. The right products and the right equipment will certainly bring out the best of the pitch.”

G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle

G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle

That is where the Dennis G860 cylinder mower comes in. Relied upon at world class stadia and major tournaments, the G860 is one of the most renowned cylinder mowers in the grounds management industry. Lightweight at just 166kg it is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

The mower 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 Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as including scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting.

Dale has no doubt that his 19-year-old G860 could have continued cutting and preparing the pitch at the stadium but the perfectionist in him wanted a newer model. “I told the CEO (Scot Gardiner) that if we got a new G860 then it would be a good investment because it will more than likely outlast me!” he said.

Dale’s wish was granted, and it was not long before he was the proud owner of a shiny new Dennis G860.

“The main difference between the new one and the old one is that I have an 8 bladed cylinder now and I have really seen an improvement. The finish is second to none and the sward has really thickened since using it.

“It is nice and light so you can use it anytime of the year without worrying about putting weight on the pitch. In my opinion, it is the ultimate mower for matchday preparation.”

While his new G860 may well be his new go-to machine, Dale revealed that his old Dennis G860 will not be retiring just yet.

“The old G860 is now at the youth training centre, and it’s still going strong. I’m sure it will do just as good a job on those pitches as it has done for me.”

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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Symbio expands technical team

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Symbio expands technical team: Soil biology specialist Symbio has continued the expansion of its technical team with the appointment of Gary McKenna and Richard Sheppard.

Gary is a former golf course manager and Symbio customer who is an active part of the greenkeeping community in Scotland. Educated at Elmwood College, he brings more than two decades of turf management and tournament experience to his new role providing technical support to customers in the North and East of Scotland.

Symbio expands technical team

Symbio expands technical team

Richard returns to the company as a result of his long-held passion for sustainable turfgrass management. A long-term advocate for a biological approach, he began his career in greenkeeping before completing qualifications in turf science and sportsground management and an Open University degree. Richard will be supporting a wide range of customers across Northern England.

Established in 1990 and now part of Origin Amenity Solutions, Symbio provides the correct combination of biology, chemistry and physics for fine grass growth with fewer chemicals and less disease, physical disruption, management time and cost. It was the first company to develop a range of industry-changing products, including Thatch Eater to convert thatch to plant food, mycorrhizal fungi to promote perennial grasses and in some cases more than halve fertiliser use; Liquid Aeration to oxygenate the rootzone, and compost teas to restore life to chemically-damaged and compacted rootzones.

Symbio Business Manager, Kerr Hunter, said: “I am delighted to have Gary and Richard at Origin Amenity Solutions and representing the Symbio brand. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge that benefits our customers and our business. As the use of biologicals and biostimulants grows, it is vital that we have the right people providing advice and support.”

Gary can be contacted on 07976 624241 and by email at gary.mckenna@symbio.co.uk. Follow him on Twitter @GarySymbio.

Richard is available on 07719 088308 and by email at richard.sheppard@symbio.co.uk. Follow him on Twitter @symbioRich.

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Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years

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Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years: Ransomes Jacobsen has marked Dmytro ‘Mick’ Klipalo’s 50 years of service at the Ipswich Turf Centre of Excellence with an event to commemorate his time at the company.

Dmytro’s family and colleagues gathered at the Ransomes and Jacobsen factory for a surprise celebration, where his outstanding service and contribution was recognised.

Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years

Jacobsen celebrates Dmytro Klipalo’s 50 years

Dmytro’s father, Peter, moved to England after the Second World War having chosen England as his new adopted home, and it was in Ipswich where he met his wife, Patricia, and had two children, Dmytro and Marika.

In August 1971, when all mower production was moved to the current site in Ipswich, Dmytro joined Ransomes as an apprentice. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked his way through the ranks to become Quality Systems Engineer before taking on his current role as Quality Manager in October 2020.

His time with Ransomes and Jacobsen has coincided with significant company landmarks such as the London 2012 Olympics and the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National and numerous successful model launches – all of which Dmytro had a hand in preparing machines for.

Speaking about Dmytro’s time at the company, Vice President of Turf Simon Rainger said: “Dmytro is part of the fabric of Ransomes Jacobsen, and we are delighted to mark his 50th year here with this celebration.

“In this industry more than most, experience is vital, and we’re lucky to have a person working with us who knows so much about the factory, the products and the processes. Dmytro’s contribution really has been invaluable to us, and it will continue to be for as long as we have him here.

“I think it’s also important to mention his impact on our workplace socially. He’s always played in our inter-department five-a-side football tournaments and coached our staff team for the annual match against the Ipswich Town Football Club ground staff. He’s always willing to get involved and give up his time, and that’s part of what makes Dmytro so popular with everyone here.”

Dmytro has worked at Ransomes Jacobsen throughout a transformative time. When he began in the early 1970s, a Ford Cortina cost £968, the Ransomes Ajax just over £14, Intel released the world’s first microprocessor, and Texas Instruments released the first ever pocket calculator.

In that time, those different technologies have been amalgamated and have led to pedestrian and ride-on mower technology taking huge steps forward with the introduction of the fully electric Jacobsen Eclipse range and several advancements in engine technology that have led to cleaner running machines.

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