Pellenc Airion Maintains Tranquility

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Pellenc Airion Maintains Tranquility: John Rippin, head gardener at the stunning Bodnant Estate in North Wales, believes that his battery powered Pellenc Airion hand blower is the perfect machine to avoid disrupting visitors to the estate.  

The Bodnant Estate, a National Trust property, is a strikingly beautiful agricultural estate in North Wales. Set in hilly and wooded countryside in the lower reaches of the Conwy Valley, it commands spectacular views across to Snowdonia. Stone cottages and farm buildings have been restored using traditional materials and techniques, and the Estate supports farming and encourages other rural activities.

Pellenc Airion Maintains Tranquility

With intimate corners, sweeping lawns, grand terraces and verdant woodland, huge crowds are drawn to Bodnant all year round to soak up the beautiful sights. It is for this reason that John is extremely selective about which equipment he uses to maintain the estate.

“Visitors’ enjoyment is our first priority so our machinery is picked as much for noise levels as it is for performance.

“One of the most useful machines in recent years is the leaf blower. Years ago gardeners would endlessly rake leaves from lawns and sweep paths clean with besoms, but we now use a Pellenc Airion model that does a better job and much quicker. There are now hand-held electric models that run off battery packs and make as much noise as a hair dryer.”

As John says, the Pellenc Airion is extremely silent throughout operation with an intensity level of just 79db – perfect for sensitive areas such as Bodnant. Furthermore, the Arion stays perfectly balanced during operation, regardless of the speed – which can be altered depending on the task required. With a 4 speed setting it is possible to manage the blowing power based on the surface to be cleared. Weighing only 2.55 kg it is extremely lightweight and is the only battery powered blower on the market with a powerful thrust of 17.5 newtons.

It is also waterproof to IP54 standards and is protected from dust and moisture.

As with all Pellenc equipment, operators can expect a full day’s work from the lithium-ion battery. With over 10 years of experience and the world’s first manufacturer to introduce this technology in professional hand-held power tools, Pellenc’s range of batteries have gained world-wide market recognition.

The batteries are adaptable to all tools in the Pellenc range and are guaranteed emissions-free, meaning that operators will be contributing to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels while still increasing their productivity – something that John has certainly noticed with his Airion.

“They are great for blowing dust and debris away from patios, paths and drives, blowing grass clippings off a lawn, clearing out gutters and drains, blowing mulch back onto beds and can even be used to get a bonfire blazing.”

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and no filling the fuel tank – it’s no wonder more and more people are turning to the innovative technology of Pellenc.

All Pellenc batteries and tools come with a three-year commercial warranty and are distributed in the UK and Ireland exclusively by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk

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Vredo Delivers Precision In Russia

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Vredo Delivers Precision In Russia: Six Vredo Compact DZ214.075 overseeders have been used in-between matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia because of their exceptionally high rate of germination.

Precision is seen in a number of different ways at a World Cup, be it Neymar’s left foot in the iconic yellow of Brazil, Harry Kane’s eye for goal or the goal decision system that makes sure every shot over the line counts.

Vredo Delivers Precision In Russia

In-between the moments where the world is watching are the times where Vredo’s precision comes to the fore. Simply put, the machines are being used because they guarantee germination, and this was a deciding factor for Russian dealer Unisaw.

The Dutch manufactured 1.4-meter-wide machines place seed directly into the ground with 7.5cm spacings and use a unique Double V-shaped disc system, is supplied in the UK through Campey Turf Care Systems. The decision to use the machine at the biggest competition in world football was made in co-operation with Russian dealer Unisaw with the reputation of the machine playing a big part.

Having the machines at a World Cup is a source of pride for Vredo export manager, Pieter Teunis Hoogland, who worked closely with Igor Rudakov from Uniclaw to complete the deal.

“The best field managers in the world are familiar with the detailed development of the Vredo Overseeders and they don’t want to take any risks during the World Cup because of the importance of the tournament to Russia and the world,” Pieter said.

“The venues opted to go for certainty and no-nonsense machines, and Vredo is ahead of its game for this target group.”

The pitches at Samara, Saransk, Ekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Volgograd and Kaliningrad are all being overseeded with the Vredo Compact DZ214.075. The surfaces at these stadiums vary between hybrid and natural grass and Vredo’s track record on both surfaces was another factor that made them the perfect option.

Overseeding hybrid fields with a Vredo seeder has proven to be a successful combination for many years. For instance, the hybrid fields of the Gelredome Arnhem, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Borussia München Gladbach etc are effectively overseeded by Vredo Overseeders with perfect play turf.

The precise nature of the machine comes from the V-shaped disks that place the seed directly in the ground at a pre-set depth, which can be adjusted between 5mm and 25mm deep. Once the seed is in direct contact with the soil the slit is closed by the compaction roller, re-establishing a level surface and providing the conditions for maximum germination.

For more information, visit: www.campeyturfcare.com

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Golf Club Looks Forward With Toro

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Golf Club Looks Forward With Toro: Rochester and Cobham Park Golf Club in North Kent, which has taken delivery of eight new Toro machines, credits Toro with leaving “satisfying” results in its wake as it looks to the future and promises to increase their Toro fleet within the next five years.

According to Danny Dalton, acting head greenkeeper, the decision to go with Toro and Reesink Turfcare was an easy one to make. From his experience of using the brand at The London Golf Club, Danny says quite simply: “if you want the best results, you get Toro”.

Golf Club Looks Forward With Toro

“Greenkeeping is a tough job, so whatever you can do to make it easier is a good thing. Toro is easy to work with and its outstanding build quality means maintenance is less time-consuming.

“But the main appeal is the quality of cut it delivers. To do your work and be able to look back at what you’ve done and feel 100 percent happy with it is so satisfying, and ultimately what we’re all in it for.”

Adding even more appeal to choosing Toro was the fact that Reesink Turfcare is an official distributor in the UK. Danny says: “Just like you choose Toro for the best results, it’s wise to choose Reesink for its customer service. We don’t have a bad word to say about the support we receive, in particular that from Richard Wood, our rep, who is excellent to deal with.”

The order, which consists of two Reelmaster 5610 machines, two Reelmaster 3100 with sidewinders, two Greensmaster 3250-D greensmowers, a ProCore 648 aerator and a Workman MDX-D is, says Danny, the start of an ongoing relationship: “The plan is we will order more Toro over the next five years, I am aiming for a ‘red shed’! Not only do we have our members to keep happy, but we have a comprehensive and varied events calendar too, and there’s no doubt Toro and Reesink are the partners we need to make sure the course presents at is consistent best.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Lawn Care Legends LIVE At SALTEX

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Lawn Care Legends LIVE At SALTEX: A fantastic networking opportunity for landscapers and gardeners will be on offer at SALTEX 2018 – which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November.

Lawn Care Legends, a Facebook group which was created in July 2016, is a thriving online community with over 3,000 worldwide active members. It is primarily a group for all landscapers and gardeners to showcase their work and knowledge and ultimately support one another.

Lawn Care Legends LIVE At SALTEX

The majority of group members are based in the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia and Canada and the group sees, on average, 40-60 individual member posts and approximately 4,500 engagements every day from likes to comments.

“The kind of topics of conversation can be anything from recommendations on products, machines or brands, what people prefer to use – the pros and cons, or it could be to do with marketing your business or pricing a job. It is open to professionals and aspiring professionals and the group encourages the positive aspect of sharing information,” said group founder John Ryan.

Browse through the Lawn Care Legends group and you will see a stunning array of images and videos detailing all kinds of various landscaping projects, however, John believes that while social media is an important aspect of the industry, the group is far more than just social sharing.

“Social media is a way to feed on the passion for the industry but it is much more than just sharing pictures and talking about lawn mowers; it is a way of connecting with people who have the same interests as you, have the same passion as you, and ultimately face the same difficulties as you.

“One thing I have personally experienced and widely seen in this industry is mental health, and that has commonly derived from being a solo operator or a small business owner. The difficulties and the challenges we face can be overwhelming and if we don’t have somewhere to turn to for advice or for some encouragement, then it can be really tough going. Social media breaks down those barriers and can make you feel less alone. In between jobs, or in times of distress, group members can take out their phone, quickly hop on to Lawn Care Legends and instantly be in contact with people who specifically understand both the highs and the lows of being a small business owner.”

Lawn Care Legends LIVE At SALTEX

Lawn Care Legends LIVE will take place on the first day of SALTEX 2018 and John, who is hosting the event alongside other popular Landscaping ‘YouTubers’ Curtis Jones and Jason Groom, revealed his ambitions for the event.

“Ultimately we are trying to build on a positive movement that has driven many people to develop their skills and deliver a higher service to customers while at the same time gaining more passion and appreciation for their own businesses.

“The event is open to everybody – the solo operator, the small to medium business owner, anyone who is following what manufacturers are doing, or following what their peers and colleagues within the industry are doing. By bringing Lawn Care Legends LIVE to SALTEX, it creates a go-to event of the year that people, not just members of Lawn Care Legends, can look forward to in connecting with other likeminded individuals.”

Not only will Lawn Care Legends LIVE be fantastic opportunity to network and discuss relevant topics but John, Curtis and Jason will be also be hosting an awards ceremony at the event.

“We are running a competition where entrants can submit up to ten pictures which show the quality of their work. It might be beautiful stripes on a lawn, a crisp edge between a flower bed and a lawn or it could be a topiary cutting – anything at all.

“The pictures can be posted in the Facebook group or through Twitter and Instagram and then in September a shortlist will be created. Everyone who makes it onto the shortlist will be in with a chance to win as the winners will be selected by a random generator. The winners will be then announced on the first day of SALTEX at the Lawn Care Legends LIVE event.”

The prizes will include:

  • A shaft drive professional lawnmower
  • A professionally built website worth approximately £1500
  • Lawn Care Legends clothing

To enter the competition join the Lawn Care Legends Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/lawncarelegends or use the hashtag #LCLSALTEX18 on Instagram or Twitter.

Lawn Care Legends LIVE will take place on 31 October at 2:00pm in concourse suites 22 and 23 by the SALTEX entrance.

Visitors can register to attend SALTEX for FREE via the website – www.iogsaltex.com

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ICL Scholarship Applications Open

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ICL Scholarship Applications Open: Applications are now open for the ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship 2019.

Now in its third year, ICL and BIGGA are seeking five BIGGA members to take up the 2019 scholarship. The scholarship provides 15 hours of education from the Continue to Learn education programme, three nights accommodation, visiting the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition and also includes networking opportunities with fellow greenkeepers and the sponsor.

ICL Scholarship Applications Open

2018 recipient Daniel Ashelby, assistant greenkeeper at Wilmslow Golf Club, commented “Being an ICL Continue to Learn scholar is a very busy experience” he continued “The experience is very immersive and offers fantastic learning opportunities and is highly motivational to aspiring greenkeepers”.

Fellow 2018 recipient Simon Pyett, greenkeeper at Halesworth Golf Club, reflected that the scholarship has helped him to identify that he is “now certain that my passion for ecology and nature sit squarely alongside my passion for greenkeeping” he continued that he “would love to be at the leading edge of such an approach to greenkeeping going forwards”.

The application process invites applicants to consider why BTME and Continue to Learn are important to the industry, how it will help them achieve their career aspirations and why they should be awarded the scholarship.

Applicants should be full greenkeeper members of BIGGA and be CPD Active. To apply, simply scan the QR Code or visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ICL2019.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Tuesday 31 July 2018. The selected scholars will be announced in the October of Greenkeeper International.

It should be noted that the Scholars will be expected to meet the costs of their travel, meals and other personal expenses.

For further information about becoming CPD Active visit www.bigga.org.uk/education/continuing-professional-development.html

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

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