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NEWS ARTICLES

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

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G860 signals exciting times at Boston: Jim Portas, head groundsman at Boston United FC, has explained how a new Dennis G860 is helping him to deliver the best pitch he possibly can at the club’s new stadium.

The Dennis G860 and range of cassettes was purchased by Burdens Group for Boston United as part of a sponsorship agreement with the club at the new stadium.

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

Last year, work commenced to construct Boston United’s new stadium. The club’s chairman, David Newton, said that the new build was to give Boston United and its community foundation a secure future.

“This new stadium is the start of an exciting new era,” said Jim. “It is giving us our own place and it is a far better pitch than we had at York Street. The chairman has promised fans that we will deliver the best ground we possibly can, and we’re working towards that goal.”

The multi-million-pound project includes a recently constructed fibre sand pitch and it is for this reason that Jim decided that new turf maintenance equipment was essential.

“At our old pitch we were always supplied a mower from Burdens Group. However, going to this fantastic new pitch we needed something new; a premium mower which would benefit the pitch.

“We did a bit of research, looked at a lot of different brands and I decided that I really liked the Dennis G860 cylinder mower. It seemed to be the best option for a football pitch.”

Jim isn’t the only groundsman to be of this opinion as many of his peers have long relied on the Dennis G860 to provide the perfect cut for sports turf. Lightweight at just 166kg; it is easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for – 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.

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

G860 signals exciting times at Boston

“We’ve got five of the cassettes – which is my favourite aspect of the G860,” continued Jim. “The ability to carry out various jobs with just one power unit is so beneficial. In the past we have had to rely on pieces of equipment from Burdens Group. With the G860, we no longer have this problem. We simply put in whichever cassette we need and off we go. It’s so easy to change the cassette over as well.

“The G860 is a sturdy, reliable piece of machinery and it gives a perfect finish every time. I’m cutting at a length of 30mm at the minute while we are not playing, and on matchdays it will be between 25mm and 30mm depending on what the manager requires.

“It’s just a pleasure to use. With a new stadium, a new pitch, and a new mower – it certainly is exciting times here at Boston United FC. I would also like to thank Norman Burden and the Burdens Group for their continued support.”

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 @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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Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

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Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy: Ken Siems launches SIEMS TURFGRASS Consultancy Service and brings the world’s premier sand injection system, DRYJECT, to the UK and Ireland.

Siems Turfgrass LTD will operate two independent services available to golf courses, football clubs and all other grass sport surfaces.

Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

Ken Siems launches Siems Turfgrass consultancy

SIEMS TURFGRASS CONSULTANCY

Providing site-specific golf course management consulting, tailored to support clients in improving all aspects of their golf course maintenance, from improved budget management to course construction and renovation.

Turfgrass Management

Staffing/Budget Management

Project Management

Maintenance

Water Management

Environmental Management

Individual Customised Consultancy Packages

DRYJECT

Dryject is the world’s number one sand injection service that aerates, topdresses and amends in one pass, with playing surfaces ready within 1 hour after treatment. Dryject is routinely used at thousands of golf courses around the world and now Ken is excited to bring this unique service to the UK and Ireland.

DryJect uses a high-speed, water-based injection system to blast aeration holes through the root zone to fracture the soil. The patented vacuum technology simultaneously fills holes to the surface with high volumes of sand or amendment. This means you can relieve compaction, increase water infiltration, reach the root zone with oxygen and amend your soil with high volumes of material all at the same time.  Using wet or dry sand, DryJect leaves the surface smooth and playable which results in no negative loss to club revenue.

ABOUT KEN SIEMS

Ken Siems is an internationally recognised turfgrass specialist with over 40 years’ experience at the top end of the global golf industry, including Augusta National in the USA, Loch Lomond GC in Scotland and Pestovo GC in Russia.  His consultancy business, Siems Turfgrass Ltd, provides site specific golf course management consulting tailored to support clients in improving all aspects of their golf course maintenance, from improved budget management to course construction and renovation.

A graduate of the world renowned Turfgrass Management Programme at Pennsylvania State University, Ken’s journey in golf has led him to work in some of the most challenging conditions possible, from extreme rainfall, to extreme heat, ice and snow – sometimes all in the one day!  Despite what nature has thrown at him, his passion for managing turfgrass has never wavered and he has consistently delivered and exceeded owner/client expectations throughout his career. His extensive knowledge and experience gives him an enviable ability to determine the appropriate course of action for any site specific challenge.

A Certified Golf Course Superintendent with the GCSAA and also Master Greenkeeper with BIGGA, one of very few in the world to hold both certifications.  Ken previously held the position of Golf Course Superintendent/Director of Agronomy at several notable golf courses and projects worldwide, most notably, Islington GC (Canada), East Sussex National GC (England), Loch Lomond GC (Scotland), Jinhai Lake GC (China) and Pestovo GC (Russia).  He also spent time in the UAE honing his golf course construction skills  as Project Manager for Tanto International Golf.

CONTACT
Ken Siems

Tel: 00 44 7577 659 426

Email: kenjsiems@gmail.com

www.kensiems.com

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YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health

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YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health: Harrowden Turf is pleased to announce a new partnership with YANA – providers of rural mental health support. Early in 2021 a new Harrowden Turf delivery vehicle will feature YANA branding and will be seen across the country.

YANA provides practical guidance and confidential counselling to those in farming and rural businesses. Farming or working in the countryside is usually a good way of life but it can be a demanding and stressful occupation. Many people involved with agriculture can feel isolated, depressed or unable to cope.

YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health

YANA and Harrowden Turf support rural mental health

One in five people in the UK will experience poor mental health so Harrowden Turf is working with YANA to emphasise that no-one who works in the rural economy is alone.

Harrowden Turf has adopted the YANA corporate identity one of its trucks which will cover more than 100,000 miles every year. The objective of the partnership is to make more people aware of the support that exists and which is focussed on the rural economy.

Stuart Ridd-Jones – Harrowden Turf Managing Director:

“If 2020 has taught us anything it is that we are stronger together and whilst all businesses have had to adapt to the pandemic those within rural businesses often work alone, can feel alone and struggle to access support services.”

Melinda Raker –YANA Patron:

“YANA is delighted to take to the road in this way. This Harrowden Turf vehicle with our logo and contact details will help to ‘drive’ home the message that there is practical help and advice available to improve rural mental health.”

For more information:

  1. Harrowden Turf and Turfonline Media Office please email marketing@harrowdenturf.co.uk or call 07980 568842

YANA – please email pr@yanahelp.org.uk or visit our website www.yanahelp.org.uk

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GreenMech Arborist 130 a ‘Pocket Rocket’

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GreenMech Arborist 130 a ‘Pocket Rocket’: In such a turbulent year, for Roy Brown of R M Brown Tree Services, when it came to purchasing a new woodchipper there was no better time to stick with what he knows and trusts – exchanging his existing Arborist 130 machine for a brand new Arborist 130 from GreenMech!

The Perthshire-based business have been using GreenMech machines for 10 years, with the newest model proving to be a real ‘pocket rocket’.

GreenMech Arborist 130 a ‘Pocket Rocket’

GreenMech Arborist 130 a ‘Pocket Rocket’

Undertaking both surveying and tree-surgery work for a range of commercial and domestic customers, including in the utilities sector, versatility is a must for Roy when it comes to his equipment. “Every day is different and every job has its own unique requirements and challenges so our woodchipper needs to be the right size to navigate residential areas, for example, but man enough to deal with whatever material we need to put through it.”

“The Arborist 130 is a real pocket rocket – it’s the ideal size for us and handles 95% of our tree surgery jobs. With the popularity of log burners, it’s rare these days to be chipping anything much larger than 3 or 4”, but with this machine capable of processing timber up to 6” we’ve got the capacity to chip all sizes and varieties of woody waste and brash.”

Roy exchanged machines like-for-like, in October 2020 through his local dealer Gammies Groundcare, and, having already put the new unit through its paces, has been impressed with the powerful performance. “The GreenMech machines have always proven themselves to be solidly built and well-engineered, with the disc-blades delivering clean, precise chipping. The Arborist 130 has fantastic pull through, the twin vertical hydraulic rollers take in the material really well reducing the amount of preparation work we need to do.”

Roy adds, “As important as the machine itself is the back-up support and technical advice, which from both GreenMech and Gammies has been excellent. With COVID creating challenges for the delivery of the new unit, Gammies really went the extra mile in supplying us with a loan machine when we needed it which really helped to minimise disruption and reaffirms why, when it comes to upgrading equipment, we go back to GreenMech every time.”

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Safe and effective weed control

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Safe and effective weed control: Adam Pilgrim from ANP Services Spalding Ltd, has long relied on Roundup ProActive from ProGreen claiming that it offers several benefits to both the contractor and the customer.

Roundup ProActive is a highly active glyphosate formulation which provides total broad spectrum weed control. Its advanced technology has secured the herbicide as a market leader and is the choice of many professionals across the UK.

Safe and effective weed control

Safe and effective weed control

Adam, from ANP Services Spalding Ltd, a company working in garden and grounds maintenance, have been using Roundup ProActive for the last seven years in a wide range of areas.

“We have been using Roundup since 2013 across domestic and industrial sectors, everywhere from spot control of problem weeds to broad scale weed control across commercial and industrial sites,” he said.

“We have also used it for cut stump treatment to prevent regrowth of problem small trees and ivy stumps.”

Roundup ProActive uses improved adjuvants to enhance performance and plant up-take. It has also been designed for safe use and has a non-hazardous label.

Further benefits of Roundup ProActive include:

  • Rainfast within 1 hour
  • The widest label fields of use
  • Widest range of tested tank-mixing partners
  • Drift reduction properties
  • Excellent in challenging conditions

“With regards as to why we choose Roundup ProActive, there are a variety of reasons,” continued Adam. “The quick rain fastness of the product makes it an ideal choice for using in tight weather windows. Its recognised position as a market leading, premium product means that it gives commercial clients the confidence that it will be safe and effective.

“Furthermore, the surfactants and water conditioners already added lessen the need to carry additional chemical containers on the vehicle, reducing cost of purchase and eliminating having lots of measuring jugs to wash out. This is especially useful when only a few litres of made up solution may be required for a small-scale site.

“Its variable application rates and speedy effectiveness, even at lower dosage rates means that it is both cost effective for the contractor and environmentally responsible for the client.

“We have used adjuvants previously to improve the herbicide uptake such as Speedway Total and Mixture B, especially on difficult to control weeds such as rosebay willow herb and ivy. These can provide a noticeable difference in the ‘stickability’ of the product to more difficult to penetrate leaves.”

Roundup ProActive is distributed in the UK by ICL.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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

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