Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB

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Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB: Continued investment in the facilities at AFC Bournemouth has seen the purchase of two new LX401 compact tractors from Kubota.

With a Kubota ST401 already based at the club’s Vitality Stadium, the two new additions will be shared between the existing training ground and brand-new state-of-the-art training complex – where they’ll be key to executing the year-round maintenance on the four sand-based, desso pitch constructions.

Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB

Kubota LX401 pairing pull their weight at AFCB

The investment off the pitch appears to be paying dividends on it with the club, nicknamed ‘The Cherries’, at the end of one of the most successful seasons in Bournemouth’s history. In charge of facilities is Head of Grounds Ian Lucas who is, currently, maintaining four sites assisted by a team of 11. In equipping the new 24-hectare training ground with its own machinery fleet, Ian explored all the options when it came to compact tractors – with Kubota proving more ‘compact’ than others…

“No groundsman wants to be putting more weight on their pitches than they need to – it’s critical to find the balance of retaining a low footprint but having enough lift capacity for all the implements we use” Ian explains. “We compared a number of options in the mid-compact arena and found that not only was the Kubota specification better, it had a slightly higher lift capacity and was half a tonne lighter. When the competition indicated it was down to build quality, I told them I’d never had a Kubota break down on me!”

“Just like our ST401 at the stadium, the new LXs are incredibly comfortable to operate and have demonstrated their capability on a range of maintenance tasks at the two training grounds including aeration and regular drag-brushing.”

With time a precious commodity for the team, and the cost of materials ever-increasing, Ian made the decision to have all three tractors equipped with GPS systems. “Initially we thought this would be useful for seeding, where it can be difficult to monitor accuracy when passing on bare sand. However, we now utilise the technology to optimise our spraying and fertiliser programmes and improve efficiency on tasks that can otherwise be quite monotonous.”

The adaptations on the tractor fleet, together with all sales, support and service, is delivered by local Kubota dealer E G Coles. “We’ve always had fantastic back up from the team at E G Coles, particularly Andy Frost who always goes out of his way to help us out when we need information or assistance.”

Ian adds, “It feels like an incredibly exciting period for AFC Bournemouth. With the three Kubota compact tractors at our disposal, we’re in a much better position to deliver surfaces not just fit for the first team, but for players of all ages and abilities across the club, putting us in great stead for the future.”

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Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability

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Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability: Holcim UK has launched a Pro Range of sports sands and rootzones developed to keep football pitches in peak condition throughout the year.

With many pitches struggling to open during the wetter winter months, the Pro Range of sands has been developed to help improve drainage, durability and ultimately aid player performance.

Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability

Holcim Pro Range aims for enhanced playability

The Pro Range, which includes world renowned specialist sands Levenseat and Garside from quarries at Fauldhouse, Scotland and Leighton Buzzard in England, are laboratory-tested sands that can be matched to different applications and ground conditions.

For football and rugby grounds staff, Holcim has developed a range of sands for both natural and synthetic pitches.

Levenseat ProPitch is a specialist washed silica sand for natural pitches that can be used for medium fine moist top dressing, rootzone sand or where pitch amelioration is required.

Both the ProPitch 20 & ProPitch 25 have a high performing percolation rate which will improve any area where drainage is an issue – in turn improving durability, playability and player safety.

The range also includes Levenseat ProPitch Rootzone for improved grass root growth and an enhanced version, Levenseat ProPitch™ 20 Rootzone. Both versions use silica sand to enhance drainage.

Four different versions of the Garside ProPitch sand are available, including ProPitch Medium for amelioration and top dressing on natural pitches and ProPitch Elite, a highly permeable infill sand for artificial pitches requiring increased penetrability.

In addition, ProPitch 2EW is a specific sports infill sand that can be used on both natural and artificial pitches and is ideal for sports pitches because of its inherent drainage characteristics and consistent hard-wearing capabilities.

Top dressing sand is also a key part of the range. ProPitch Top Dress is crucial for maintaining a pitch’s permeability, especially in wet conditions, providing a more stable playing surface.

Holcim UK, recently rebranded from Aggregate Industries, can supply the Pro Range using its nationwide logistics network that promises contractors and grounds staff rapid delivery of the sand products needed for their facility or event.

Mark Hickingbottom, General Manager for Garside Sands at Holcim UK says the Pro Range is not just for elite sports: “The Pro Range is aimed at those professional grounds staff who want to give their members, players and users the ultimate performance-ready surface, either natural or synthetic, that combines both playability and durability.

“In recent years, often due to changing rainfall patterns resulting from climate change, sports facilities of all kinds have been forced to close temporarily, postpone fixtures and deny their use to members, which has had an enormous impact on club finances and the health and well-being of players and participants.”

Duncan McCool, Sales Manager for Levenseat Sands at Holcim UK adds: “The Pro Range with its market-leading percolation rate, improved aeration and stable surface, aims to help keep facilities open by providing outstanding surfaces that can withstand the changing seasons and be performance-ready throughout the year.”

To learn more about Holcim’s Pro Range of specialist sports sands, visit www.holcim.co.uk/products/aggregates/sands/sports-sands.

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Green-tech’s new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure

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Green-tech’s new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure: Green-tech, the UK’s leading landscaping and grounds maintenance supplier, has launched a new 50-page seasonal brochure packed with essential products and trusted solutions for summer maintenance.

The brochure can be downloaded from the Green-tech website (www.green-tech.co.uk), or you can request a printed copy by emailing marketing@green-tech.co.uk.

Green-tech's new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure

Green-tech’s new Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance brochure

Tailored for landscape contractors, grounds maintenance teams, estate managers, and local authorities, it brings together Green-tech’s most popular and effective products to help maintain green spaces during the demanding summer months.

The brochure includes a wide choice of professional grass seed and wildflower seed mixes suited to a range of applications, from high-wear school pitches to biodiversity-rich verges and open spaces. It also features fertilisers, weed control products, pesticides, barks, composts, soil improvers, and weed suppressant fabrics; all supported by technical advice from Green-tech’s experienced team.

To support year-round maintenance, the brochure showcases hard surface cleaners, application equipment, reinforcement products for grass and turf areas, and a comprehensive range of edging systems and landscaping tools.

Green-tech’s Sales Director, Richard Gill, comments, “Our new brochure is designed to simplify summer maintenance planning. Whether you’re maintaining school grounds, public parks, commercial or domestic landscapes, you’ll find proven products that work. Green-tech holds high stock levels and delivers quickly to give landscape professionals the products they need when needed, from one supplier.”

Green-tech is recognised as the go-to supplier for the UK landscaping industry, offering over 5,000 products and an unrivalled level of service and technical support. Working across landscaping, forestry, construction, and amenity management sectors, the company champions product innovation and sustainability.

In 2025, Green-tech was proudly named Pro Landscaper’s Service and Supplier Company of the Year, acknowledging its commitment to customer excellence and its leading role in supporting the success of the UK landscaping sector.

To view the brochure or explore the full product range, visit: www.green-tech.co.uk

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Origin Welcomes New Seeds and Turf Product Manager

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Origin Welcomes New Seeds and Turf Product Manager: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) is pleased to announce that Luke Hunt has been appointed as their new Seeds and Turf Product Manager, effective Monday, 19th May 2025.

Luke brings over two decades of industry experience, a strong technical background, and genuine enthusiasm for turf and seed, making him an exciting addition to the business.

Origin Welcomes New Seeds and Turf Product Manager

Origin Welcomes New Seeds and Turf Product Manager

Luke joins OAS from Barenbrug UK, where he was the Amenity Business Development Manager responsible for managing a portfolio of distributor accounts and helping bring new research-led products to market.

With a career that spans 24 years, including a decade spent as a greenkeeper, Luke has a reputation for his practical knowledge, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach. He has extensive experience across both grass and wildflower seed markets.

Luke will work closely with the wider OAS team to advance the company’s seed strategy. He will also play a key role in developing innovative and sustainable products that support customer-led initiatives, integrated supply chains, and marketing campaigns in line with the company’s longer-term strategic goals.

Commenting on the appointment, Jayne Leyland, Portfolio Director for OAS, said, “I am delighted to welcome Luke to Origin Amenity Solutions. His depth of experience and technical expertise are clear, but his passion for the industry and his ability to connect with customers stand out. I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact he will make.”

Luke Hunt adds, “I’m genuinely excited to join the OAS team at such a progressive and forward-thinking time for the business. Origin’s values around sustainability, innovation, and strong customer relationships resonate with me. I’m looking forward to working alongside a passionate and knowledgeable team, building on the existing momentum, and helping to evolve the seeds and turf offering to deliver real value for our customers and the environments they manage.

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A Trilo proves multipurpose in name and nature

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A Trilo proves multipurpose in name and nature: A Trilo Multipurpose is proving to be exactly that, by name and by nature, for the team at Highfield and Brookham School.

Delivered in February 2025, the M3 was brought in to replace an existing Trilo S3 vacuum sweeper enabling Grounds Manager Jasper Marks and the team to not only conduct leaf clearance, but also scarification and cut and collect tasks around the 500 acres of school grounds and estate.

A Trilo proves multipurpose in name and nature

A Trilo proves multipurpose in name and nature

Jasper took over the head role in 2022, having worked at the co-educational school as a groundsman since 2019, and is currently supported by a team of three grounds staff and a part-time gardener. On the border of West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, the site is densely tree-populated which meant that the Trilo machine had always been a firm favourite on the fleet. This opinion looks set to stay with their latest purchase, bringing new-found versatility and productivity to maintenance tasks around the calendar.

He explains, “The S3 was a fantastic machine, robust and efficient, which would be used for leaf collection, road sweeping and general clearance of clippings and debris over the autumn and winter months. I then discovered the Multipurpose M3, which was capable of doing everything the S3 could, with the addition of flail and scarifying shafts to cut or scarify and collect all with one unit. It’s transformed the Trilo into a machine that we can fully utilise all year round.”

While only a matter of months since the M3 was installed by dealers Lister Wilder and Trilo’s Jeremy Vincent, it is already demonstrating its key trait – versatility! “We have a 9-hole golf course on the estate where the Trilo has been used to assist with cut and collect of the roughs. The large 3m3 hopper means we can cut for longer without having to make as many trips to our green waste area to empty. It’s keeping us productive, for longer.” Jasper continues, “After that, we equipped it with the scarifier shaft for use on our sports pitches. We previously hired a machine for this which often meant we were scarifying in less than idea conditions. Now we can do it ourselves whenever the weather or play schedule allows which will bring huge improvements to pitch quality.”

“What also really impressed me was the service we received from Jeremy. While the machine, in principle, is not wildly different from the S3 we were using before, no corners were cut with the handover & installation to ensure the team were confident and would get the very best out of the machine.”

“We traded in one machine and gained three in return, but needed to find no extra space in the shed as the footprint is near enough identical” he added. “It’s going to become a pivotal part of the team as we continue to drive up standards for our students and wider community to enjoy.”

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