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NEWS ARTICLES

ISEKI’s best year yet

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ISEKI’s best year yet: In what has been a turbulent year worldwide with the COVID-19 pandemic, ISEKI UK has been full steam ahead developing the dealer network further and with exciting new products released recently, plus more planned for 2021, things are certainly looking exciting for the compact tractor and mower manufacturer. 

Among some of the developments is the further increase of dealerships, two of these being; Gammies operating out of their Forfar depot in Angus Scotland, and Chandlers covering Befordshire up to North Lincolnshire.  Alongside these businesses Glyn Lloyd & Sons in Wales, Youngs Machinery also in Scotland at Kilmarnock and FISCO Farm & Garden Machinery, who’s depot is based in Wakefield, also joined the ISEKI dealer family.

ISEKI's best year yet

ISEKI’s best year yet

Commenting on the announcement David Withers Managing Director of ISEKI UK said; “we are really excited to have all these new dealers on board with us to help continue to grow our market share. All dealerships have a great following in their area’s and we expect to see significant growth from our partnerships together”.

The change has also delighted Les Gammie who shared; “we have been selling similar products for many years with a wide range of customer’s so we are really looking forward to working with ISEKI to build on this further.  In the short time we have been with ISEKI we have been really pleased with the focus on our core market, the build quality and innovative features of the products are clearly superior to all the other products on the market”.

Further down the British Isles, the large established agricultural and vehicle dealer with seven depots, Chandlers Farm Equipment has also joined the ISEKI family.  Commenting on the recent appointment Gavin Pell, managing director said; “Chandlers are very pleased to have been appointed Iseki dealers. This excellent quality range of compact tractors, and diesel powered ride-on mowers will complement our professional groundscare range, and be supplied by our team of Groundscare Specialists from Belton, Horncastle, Spilsby, Holbeach, Barnack, Lutterworth, Shefford & Southam. We look forward to working with the team at Iseki to support our customers with this excellent range. Our Groundscare Sales Manager – Les Butters will be stocking the full range of Iseki products across our depots, along with running demonstration equipment which will be available to see on your farm, site, garden, sports field or parkland – with a machine suitable for every application”.

2020 has certainly thrown some unexpected changes to the way we do business this year and one thing that proved hugely successful was the demonstration videos produced during the first lockdown, dealers were reporting many sales direct off the back of these with customers finding all the information invaluable when searching for new machinery.  Commenting further David Withers said; “due to more people working from home and spending more time at their properties customers were looking for quality built machinery to assist in these tasks, the sales of our sub compact tractor TXGS24 with all its attachments has proved incredibly popular, this alongside the renowned SXG range of cut and collect mowers has made for a busy year.

“Contractors and business have also been looking at more reliable and efficient ways of mowing, our range of SF outfront mowers has been further developed this year, offering not only the rotary cut but teaming up with Muething we can now offer the ultimate combination of flail cutting and superior collection, or scarify and collect.

“With a raft of new machines being launched in 2021 ISEKI is looking forward to an exciting and once again rather different year.”

For further information on the full ISEKI range of Mowers and Tractors please visit www.iseki.co.uk or call 01473 599266.

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Winter’s garden tractor

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Winter’s garden tractor: As any owner will tell you, a Countax garden tractor is not only a mower, it’s an all-year-round machine that makes winter’s chores a lot easier. Countax builds them tough and durable for that reason and offers a range of accessories to see you through the winter months.

Using the tractor’s Power Take-Off (PTO) to drive powered accessories it becomes an invaluable utility machine.  One of the most useful is the broadcast spreader for easily spreading salt or grit on icy surfaces. It’s a must-have tool in the depths of winter to keep paths and driveways ice-free, featuring an adjustable flow rate and a hopper that holds up to 50kg of granular material.

Winter’s garden tractor

Winter’s garden tractor

Fitted with a front-mounted snowblade and a set of chevron tyres, the Countax becomes a formidable force in quickly clearing snow from your paths and drive. It has a tough, rubber-tipped edge on the snowblade designed to clear snow without damaging a concrete or tarmac surface. Hours of hard shovelling are reduced to a few minutes sitting on your tractor. The Countax dealer fits a mounting frame and yoke to the tractor and from there on it’s easy to fit and remove. It’s important to be prepared for what the winter might throw at you and have the accessories fitted in advance, so you don’t get caught out.  It will certainly pay to have the snowblade at the ready for those sudden cold blasts and heavy snow.

Chevron tyres are a good idea for extra grip on slippery ground and they are available for Countax C, B, and A Series. Sizes vary, for the C and B Series pair they are 45.7cm (18”) and the A Series pair 58.4cm (23”). The 4TRAC four-wheel drive tractors offer plenty of grip in snow and icy conditions but for a very harsh winter, chevron tyres can be used. These are factory fit only as the tractor has to be re-calibrated.

Even the toughest built accessories need looking after to ensure their longevity so it’s wise to make sure the spreader and snow blade are cleaned of salt to help prevent corrosion. It’s a fact that Countax painted components have surpassed 500 hours of continuous salt spray exposure without corrosion. But it’s also a wise person who uses a Countax tractor cover designed to protect it when not in use and stored in a garage or outbuilding. When the winter tasks have been performed it’s time to get the tractor serviced by the dealer, says Countax. So it is good and ready for the first spring cut and summer work as a mower, scarifier and general workhorse. Find out more by contacting Countax on 01844 278800 or visit www.countax.co.uk/find-a-dealer/ to find your local dealer.

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John Deere Partners with LPGA, LET

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John Deere Partners with LPGA, LET: The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) today announced a new three-year official marketing partnership with John Deere, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agriculture, construction, forestry and turf equipment.

With the agreement, John Deere becomes the LPGA Tour’s Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier and will support the LPGA Foundation’s efforts to introduce more girls to the game of golf. Additionally, the LET announced a three-year extension to its longstanding partnership with John Deere, which began in 2007.

John Deere Partners with LPGA, LET

John Deere Partners with LPGA, LET

“We’re excited to welcome John Deere into the LPGA family as our Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier,” said Kelly Hyne, Chief Sales Officer for the LPGA. “We look forward to building upon John Deere’s strong history with the LET and Solheim Cup, bringing experience across both Tours and growing participation in the game of golf.”

Emma Allerton, LET Commercial Director, added, “We too are delighted to be extending our successful partnership with John Deere, continuing to work together towards shared goals and enhancing opportunities across women’s golf.”

John Deere has also signed on as the Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the 2021 Solheim Cup at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. John Deere will work closely with agronomists for both Tours, with the goal of producing exceptional playing conditions across multiple continents.

“We are incredibly proud to become the Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier to the LPGA,” said Manny Gan, Director Global Golf Sales & Marketing for John Deere. “Through this agreement with the LPGA and the extended agreement with the LET, John Deere equipment will play a key role in providing a great playing experience at top courses around the world, and at the 2021 Solheim Cup.”

Finally, John Deere will support the LPGA Foundation’s Renee Powell Grant, which was established in 2020 to provide need-based grants to LPGA*USGA Girls Golf programs that are inclusive of Black communities as part of their initiatives. Earlier this year, five Girls Golf sites in the greater Toledo/Cleveland area were selected as the inaugural grant recipients. In 2021, participants from these five sites will participate in the Solheim Cup Experience presented by John Deere, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a special part of the week’s celebration and competition.

The 2021 Solheim Cup will take place Sept. 4-6 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, with USA Captain Pat Hurst and European Captain Catriona Matthew leading their teams of the best professional female golfers in the United States and Europe.

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Club Polaris launches in UK & Ireland

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Club Polaris launches in UK & Ireland: Calling all Polaris sport and leisure owners – Club Polaris has officially landed in the UK and Ireland, bringing Polaris customers* the opportunity to join the club and receive unique benefits.

Designed to bring together the community of recreational off-road riders, Club Polaris allows Polaris customers to stay on top of the latest news and product announcements with exclusive member-only story content, as well as providing a hub of useful information like recommended green laning routes in close collaboration with the Green Lane Association (GLASS) to promote legal and responsible riding across the UK.

Club Polaris launches in UK & Ireland

Club Polaris launches in UK & Ireland

Membership is free**, and new club members will receive a special gift to welcome them to the Polaris family, including their very own Club Polaris membership card and exclusive Club Polaris-branded lanyard and snood. The first 100 customers that sign up to Club Polaris will receive a special welcome gift of Polaris 509 goggles worth £50 – perfect for the upcoming off-road adventures.

Bringing the off-road community together, Club Polaris members get access to the private Facebook group where like-minded riders can socialise and discuss all things off-road, whilst Polaris experts will be on hand to provide vehicle advice and their top tips for a great ride. Not only that, Polaris invite members to submit their own stories and content for the chance to feature across Polaris social media channels.

As Club Polaris grows, Polaris plans to organise group ride events on a national level, as well as smaller, local dealer events, with plans to bring the international-recognised and successful Polaris Camp event to the UK in the future.

For more information on Club Polaris, please visit the Polaris Britain blog website – Polaris Basecamp – here.

* Club Polaris is available for Polaris sport and leisure owners only with the following Polaris vehicles: Polaris RZR (any model), Polaris General (any model), Polaris Scrambler (any model), Polaris Sportsman (XP 1000 / XP 1000 S / Touring 570 / Touring XP 1000 / 570 SP / 570 Ohlins Special Edition)

** Membership is free for Polaris owners where their vehicle is within its manufacturer warranty period. For owners who would like to join with expired warranty, please contact your local dealer to sign up. Your local dealer can be found here. Customers will need their VIN number to register.

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Important survey for the amenity sector

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Important survey for the amenity sector: In early 2021, the Government is funding a major survey of the amenity sector to increase its understanding of the total amount of plant protection products used, their modes of application and the key reasons for use.

It is vitally important that the sector fully supports this work as it will form the basis for future policy and strategic decisions, and it will provide very valuable information for use across the sector.

Important survey for the amenity sector

Important survey for the amenity sector

A similar survey was conducted in 2016 but participation was low which reflected badly on the sector. This time the Forum has been consulted to help ensure the survey is as straightforward as possible and relatively easy to complete. This way it is hoped that participation will be much higher, and that good and sound data can result.

The survey will be sent out electronically and, if you are selected to receive one, the Amenity Forum is urging you to complete and return promptly. It is understood that there are many calls on time, but this survey could prove really important to all. The surveys will be sent out from the week commencing January 18th

Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum says ‘’2020 has been an unprecedented year bringing with it personal tragedy and impacting on all our lives not just now but for well into the future. It has shown how vitally important is the work undertaken in amenity management helping keep our transport networks operational, our parks and green spaces safe and sustainable and our sports areas fit for purpose to name just a few aspects of amenity. This survey will help provide really important information to guide future policy and I urge everyone to participate if approached’’

For further information on the content of this release or about the work of the Forum, contact Kate at admin@amenityforum.net

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