Campey promoting UK Tour at BTME

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Campey promoting UK Tour at BTME: Campey Turf Care Systems is planning an exciting UK Road Tour in 2024 and BTME will be the ideal platform for all greenkeepers and course managers, to register their interest in attending a demo day in your area. 

A chance to win a free trip to Holland at each event!

Campey promoting UK Tour at BTME

Campey promoting UK Tour at BTME

For many years Campey has taken a huge number of machines across the water for various educational and sales tours throughout Europe. Most recently was an eight-country demonstration tour visiting 14 venues to provide industry-leading customer support and training.

Now it is the turn of the UK! The key to the success of all the events is working with turf professionals to solve issues specific to their sport and conditions. For Campey Director Lee Morgado, this is the primary purpose of the in-person demos and is invaluable to what Campey offers.

“Giving people detailed advice on issues specific to them is priceless, and the impact of it really can’t be overestimated,” Lee said. “The challenges course managers and greenkeepers face in the UK can vary considerably, so to have the opportunity to talk through those issues can make a difference for them and us because we can learn and adapt from it.”

So, for this reason, Campey has chosen BTME, not only to exhibit a selection of their extensive range of equipment, but to engage with industry professionals on the stand to discuss when and where Campey may be visiting their region. Also, to invite anyone who would like to take part in the tour, and wishes to use their own venue, to talk to their Product Specialist or anyone in the Campey team before the final list is drawn up.

Anyone who registers and attends any of the road shows will have their name automatically put into a raffle to be held at each venue. The top prize is a visit to the Imants and Vredo Head offices in Holland with a tour of the factory to see how these flagship machines are manufactured, followed by traditional Dutch hospitality to make you feel very welcome.  With several runner up prizes too, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

Campey’s team of product specialists will be available throughout the two days to provide advice on all the machinery in the range, answer questions or have a catch-up over a coffee.

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Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota

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Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota: A fleet of five RTV’s and five tractors from Kubota are supporting operations across the busy 36-hole complex at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club. Some of the vehicles have delivered close to 20 years of reliable service and it’s this dependability that’s keeps Golf Course Manager, Gavin Kinsella, loyal to the brand for some of their most vital and well-used pieces of equipment.

Founded in 1892, and set on a stretch of royal parkland, Royal Mid-Surrey today comprises of two 18-hole courses – a shorter, more tactical round lays ahead on the Pam Barton course, while the longer, championship JH Taylor course poses a test to players of all abilities, regularly playing host to county and England Golf tournaments. “Keeping on top of condition and delivering the standards that players expect with a team of 20 is a challenge, particularly when you factor in holidays and staff absence” explains Gavin, “but it helps when you can rely on the equipment you have in the shed.”

Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota

Royal Mid-Surrey ‘Take Ten’ with Kubota

“We purchased our first Kubota RTV and compact tractor based on the great working relationship the club developed with local dealers Lister Wilder. Since then, the outstanding reliability we’ve had combined with the operator experience and suitability of these vehicles on our site means we’ve never looked at anything else.” He adds, “40% of our land is floodplain which can lay very wet over winter, and these all-rounders keep us mobile and never fail to get us and our attachments out on the course even in very inclement weather.”

One of the clubs original RTV-900’s, purchased in 2005, remains on the fleet joined by two RTV-X900’s and two RTV-X1110’s in more recent years. “These vehicles are the first out of the shed every morning and often the last to return. They’re our go-to for towing trailers, moving greens machines, and transporting tools and the team around the site for course set up. All the controls on the RTV’s are where you want them, and the suspension makes for a smooth and comfortable drive experience.”

Alongside RTV’s, and proving to be the workhorses for the majority of autumn, winter and spring maintenance and renovations are an L2602, L3830 and L5040 from Kubota’s popular L tractor series, a B2710 and a larger, M6060 with loader.

“The versatility we have in our tractor fleet means that no matter the operation or implement required, we can get the job done with efficiency.” With the smaller implements catered for by the lower hp compact tractors, the larger L2602 and M6060 will be taking the strain for larger-scale groundworks and heavier machinery, such as the clubs high-capacity vacuum collector.

Gavin concludes, “Our loyalty to Kubota is entrenched in our confidence in them. They’re machines we know, machines we trust and over several years have proven to be the most robust and reliable vehicles for our situation.”

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ECO 135TT is the solution for Pro Axe

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ECO 135TT is the solution for Pro Axe: After four years of hiring woodchippers, with ‘mixed’ experiences, the time was right for Dan Snaith of Pro Axe to invest in a machine to call his own – that being an ECO 135TT from GreenMech.

Opting for the turntable model, the ECO 135TT has brought new-found convenience to day-to-day operations, not just available when he needs it, but rotatable to be exactly where he needs it too!

ECO 135TT is the solution for Pro Axe

ECO 135TT is the solution for Pro Axe

Dan has used various makes and models of woodchipper during his two decades in the industry, half of those operating under DS Grounds Maintenance – recently rebranded and relaunched as Pro Axe. “We undertake all manner of domestic and commercial tree-works for customers across South West Wales, which had put a lot of pressure on an aging GreenMech we previously had at our disposal” explains Dan. “We’ve therefore been relying on hire centres for the last few years which was unreliable and inconvenient to say the least!”

“I got in touch with Martin Lucas at GreenMech who responded quickly and arranged a demonstration of the ECO 135TT for the following week with our local dealer Powercut. The whole process was seamless and as soon as I saw the machine, I was sold!”

Defined as entry-level but delivering an impressive 5” chipping capacity, GreenMech’s ECO 135 range is ideal for a wide range of arb and landscape applications. The road-tow ECO 135TT model features a 24hp Loncin engine and full 360o turntable for powerful performance and unbeatable manoeuvrability.

“For me, this was one of the main selling points – it’s lightweight, easy to transport and when we arrive on site we can simply turn the ECO 135TT to face in any given direction, improving efficiency and safety for the operator especially when working at the roadside. Being petrol powered has also resulted in a reduction in our fuel spend, giving us chipping power that I’d say is on par with a larger 6” machine in a unit that’s close to half the size.”

“I was also impressed with the fast delivery, we waited only a few weeks before Powercut installed the machine with us in early October.” Since its delivery, the ECO 135TT has proven a versatile addition to the team. “It’s been out every week, and has tackled everything we’ve put through it – including hedge brash which the GreenMech seems to mulch through no problem. Overall, I couldn’t be happier.”

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GMA Celebrates its 90th Anniversary

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GMA Celebrates its 90th Anniversary: On 10 January 1934, eleven original founders joined W H Bowles BEM, head groundsman of Eton College, at the London Stone Pub on Cannon Street in the City of London to form the National Association of Groundsmen.

The purpose of the association was to improve the status of groundsmen and the standard of groundsmanship across the UK and, since then, the association has worked hard, and adapted, to suit the needs of the ever-changing grounds management industry.

GMA Celebrates its 90th Anniversary

GMA Celebrates its 90th Anniversary

Since its formation, the National Association of Groundsmen developed with the changing needs of the sector. In 1938, the organisation hosted its first Annual Exhibition, now known as SALTEX, at the Hurlingham Club which has continued to grow despite an eight-year hiatus during the Second World War and a two-year break during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first National Association of Groundsmen qualifications were launched for the industry in 1953 and have developed along with changing practices and technological advances into the comprehensive suite of GMA training courses and qualifications, reconised by the Department for Education’s prestigious matrix Standard, on offer today.

The organisation itself developed, becoming the Institute of Groundsmanship in 1969 and changing again in 2020 to become the Grounds Management Association.

Along with the creation of its renowned trade show, SALTEX, and development of top-class education to advance the industry’s skills, the organisation has worked hard over its 90-year history to support and raise the profile of the sector. This has included launching the Industry Awards in 2008, creating the GMA’s Young Board of Directors in 2011, and hosting the first Schools into Stadia event in 2015 to introduce young people to careers in the sector.

For nine decades the GMA remains the leading not-for-profit membership organisation representing grounds managers, grounds personnel, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape, and amenity facilities in the UK.

With the association reaching such a significant milestone, the GMA will be undertaking a number of celebratory activities throughout the year, including:

  • Introducing a commemorative brand to celebrate the association’s formation.
  • Launching a new website – a new engaging and user-friendly platform that will optimise users’ and GMA members’ digital experience.
  • Launching refined membership packages to simplify and improve the GMA’s offerings to individuals, organisations, and businesses working across the grounds management sector.
  • Delivering a new GMA Ambassador programme, that aims to better represent all corners of the sector to help raise profile of the industry.

Commenting on the GMA’s 90th anniversary, Geoff Webb said:

“The National Association of Groundsmen was formed by key individuals working in the industry to raise the profile of the sector and improve the standard of its work across the nation.

“Over 90 years, the association has adapted and evolved with the changing world and now, the UK grounds management sector is seen as the world-leader when it comes to sports turf management. This achievement has been made possible through 90 years of support for the sector, including 77 SALTEX exhibitions, industry-leading educational resources, advice and support for sports clubs across all levels through the PAS programme, and more.

“With support from key sporting National Governing Bodies, the Grounds Management Association as it is now called, has grown into a key part of the nation’s enjoyment of sport and our ethos of ‘making sport possible’ has never been more relevant than it is today.

“We thank everyone who plays a part in this hard-working and essential industry, from volunteers and professionals to businesses, and will be marking this year with a number of developments that will benefit the sector, including a new membership offering and website coming later this year, as well as a series of activities throughout the year.”

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STIHL launches most powerful battery powered brushcutters

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STIHL launches most powerful battery powered brushcutters: STIHL has launched a new range of brushcutters, the most powerful battery powered brushcutters in its AP System, offering unrivalled power and efficiency to professional users.  

The FSA 200 and FSA 200 R boast a power output up to 60% higher compared to the FSA 135, giving the brushcutters a comparable performance to the petrol-powered FS 361 C-EM clearing saw. This level of power not only ensures efficient and versatile cutting, but also gives landscapers and contractors a genuine alternative to powerful petrol models.

STIHL launches most powerful battery powered brushcutters

STIHL launches most powerful battery powered brushcutters

Available in bike handle and loop handle models, the FSA 200 provides professional users with enhanced precision through its infinitely variable speed control. With three speed settings, users can tailor their cutting experience for different materials, maximising battery life and overall efficiency.

The professional AV system of the FSA 200 enables long durations of use with minimal vibration, promoting comfortable operation. This comfort is further enhanced by the hard-wearing clamping screw, facilitating easy folding of the handlebar for convenient transport.

The loop handle brushcutter features a quick-release handle clamp, allowing easy adjustment to accommodate users of varying heights. This adaptability ensures maximum comfort during extended use.

Powered by a brushless EC motor, the FSA 200 delivers robust performance, especially when tackling thick materials. The efficiency of the tool is enhanced by the automatic blade detection feature, increasing the maximum RPM when a grass blade is in use to ensure optimal cutting performance.

To contribute to an extended lifespan, the brushcutter incorporates a mesh air filter that provides optimal motor cooling. Not only does this feature enhance durability, but it also facilitates easy cleaning, maintaining consistent performance over time.

Versatility is a key feature of the FSA 200, offering compatibility with a wide range of cutting attachments. Users can achieve longer working times with metal blades and PolyCut blades compared to traditional mowing lines, providing flexibility for various cutting needs.

When equipped with the Smart Connector 2 A, the FSA 200 allows users to gather detailed information such as working time and speed setting history. This smart feature provides valuable insights for optimal tool management, enhancing overall efficiency and the user experience.

For more information on the FSA 200 and STIHL’s wide range of professional battery tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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