GreenMech welcomes PS Marsden to network

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GreenMech welcomes PS Marsden to network: GreenMech are delighted to announce the addition of PS Marsden (Lawnmower Services) Ltd to their nationwide dealer network – appointed as sales, service and support partners for the counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and the borders of East Staffordshire. 

Effective immediately, PS Marsden (Lawnmower Services) Ltd will be adding the GreenMech range of towed, tracked and tractor-mounted woodchippers to their already extensive portfolio of Groundcare and arboricultural machinery. An established dealer of over 45 years, their Nottingham depot is home to a number of well-respected and recognised franchises including Toro, Husqvarna and Kioti Tractors.

GreenMech welcomes PS Marsden to network

GreenMech welcomes PS Marsden to network

Commenting on their appointment, Iain Marsden, Director of PS Marsden (Lawnmower Services) Ltd said, “PSM are excited to be working with the team at GreenMech. They have a proven product range and we look forward to delivering sales, service and spares to new and existing customers across our area.“

“We are delighted be adding the knowledge and experience of the PS Marsden team to our network of nationwide experts” adds Martin Lucas, GreenMech Sales Director. “With a bustling arb offering already in their showroom we know that our chipper range, and customers, will both be in safe hands!”

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Advancing Golf Course Management

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Advancing Golf Course Management: An educational event, organised by ICL and Syngenta, brought together over 50 greenkeepers from seven different counties for a day filled with insightful presentations and valuable networking opportunities at Burnham and Berrow Golf Club in Somerset.

Liam Rowlands, the ICL Technical Area Sales Manager in the southwest and the driving force behind the event, emphasised the event’s core objective: to educate greenkeepers, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote professional growth within the turf industry.

Advancing Golf Course Management

Advancing Golf Course Management

The event featured presentations by Liam, Henry Bechelet, ICL Technical Manager, and Sean Loakes, Technical Manager for Syngenta.

Henry shared his extensive expertise in agronomy, focusing on strategies to improve sward species progression in golf greens through ‘The Disturbance Theory’, alongside the importance of water management techniques.

Sean addressed the challenges of controlling Dollar spot, particularly prevalent in the southwest, and discussed disease management strategies and programmes. He highlighted the importance of understanding regional challenges and tailoring solutions through ongoing trials and development.

Attendees, such as Liam Pigden, Deputy Course Manager at Burnham and Berrow, and Richard Ponsford, Course Manager at Clevedon Golf Club, echoed the sentiment that education is the cornerstone of professional development in turf management. Liam noted, “The water management presentation was very interesting, and it was great to see the data and the trials rather than us just putting products on the course and assuming they are going to work. Education is key.”

Richard added, “I’ve come away with more ideas on how to deal with Dollar Spot, and I’ll be looking at a couple of greens a bit differently in terms of moisture management. No matter what line of work you are in, education is useful because the day you stand still is the day you get left behind. It’s been a fascinating event.”

Eddie Cambell, Head Greenkeeper at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club, found the event an excellent opportunity to stay abreast of industry advancements and connect with fellow greenkeepers facing similar challenges. The discussions on water management and the prevalence of Dollar Spot were particularly beneficial, offering insights into proactive strategies for turf maintenance.

This insightful education day exemplifies a commitment to advancing turf management practices through knowledge sharing, networking, and ongoing research. By providing a forum for industry professionals to exchange ideas and stay informed, events like these play a vital role in shaping the future of turf management, ensuring that the industry continues to evolve and adapt to meet emerging challenges.

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

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

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Diligent synthetic regimes key to mitigating microplastics concerns

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Diligent synthetic regimes key to mitigating microplastics concerns: Users of synthetic turf are being encouraged to show a much greater commitment to ongoing maintenance requirements to enable both the sports and landscaping sectors to mitigate concerns about microplastic contamination, according to ESTC (EMEA Synthetic Turf Council).

Having seen a European report suggest that synthetic turf fibres pose a seawater contamination risk, the trade association for the synthetic turf industry has highlighted the considerations and maintenance requirements users need to be aware of in order to maximise sustainability.

Diligent synthetic regimes key to mitigating microplastics concerns

Diligent synthetic regimes key to mitigating microplastics concerns

ESTC recently commissioned a preliminary study on yarn wear with the University of Osnabruck. The study found frequently used synthetic sports pitches generally start to weaken and wear in the second half of their service life, primarily due to sustained exposure to the sun. As the surfaces weaken, they become more susceptible to wear, especially in high-use areas such as goalmouths on sports fields and under play equipment in landscape and recreational applications.

As a result, Professor Alastair Cox, Technical Director at ESTC has reminded synthetic turf users of their maintenance obligations throughout the full lifespan of their surface.

Professor Cox said: “As an industry, we’re very aware that for the many benefits synthetic turf brings to communities, it is a plastic-based product that will degrade over time just like many other man-made products. It is imperative that those installing the surfaces remember that while synthetic turf has much lower maintenance requirements than natural grass, it is not completely maintenance-free. As a result, owners should be fully committed to implementing measures which ensure good performance and minimal environmental impact, as well as protecting user welfare and product warranties.”

“The first step is to identify high-wear areas – which will vary from field to field – and anticipate where and when they are most susceptible to the wearing of the turf fibres. From there, the owners should have a duty of care to maintain the surface in the correct manner. By investing in, and regularly using, specialist maintenance equipment that is capable of capturing loose fibres and fibre debris, synthetic turf owners are able to capture and dispose of them in a responsible way that prevents them from escaping into the environment and becoming microplastic pollution.”

The advice from ESTC follows its pledge to support sustainable alternatives to granular rubber infill (polymeric infill) as the synthetic turf industry navigates the EU restrictions set to be imposed on the product category. The European Commission’s decision to prohibit the sale of intentionally added microplastics including synthetic and recycled infill (polymeric infill) such as Styrol Butadiene Rubber (SBR) will come into effect from 2031. The Commission will prohibit the sale of microplastics and products to which microplastics have been deliberately added which could release those microplastics when used.

Professor Cox added: “Sustainable infills such as cork, wood, chip and natural plant mixes, as well as non-infill turf systems, have been available to buy for a number of years now, but we recognise the need to educate the marketplace on how important it is to look beyond the price of infill and consider environmental impact in order to establish these as the preferred options.

“As an industry, we will be working together closely to raise the profile of more sustainable infills and responsible maintenance regimes to ensure the market continues to reduce its environmental impact as quickly and as smoothly as possible.”

For more information on ESTC, visit www.estc.info.

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Russells Groundcare visit Toro U.K.

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Russells Groundcare visit Toro U.K: The Sales Team at Toro U.K. Limited were proud to host Russells Groundcare Ltd at the Spellbrook, Hertfordshire Head Office this month.

The two-day Sales and Product training focused on predominantly the Landscape Contractor & Site Works portfolios. Despite the inclement weather conditions, the team managed to view a number of products from the Grandstand Revolution stand-on mower to the new Toro Dingo® TX700, Compact Utility Loader.

Russells Groundcare visit Toro U.K.

Russells Groundcare visit Toro U.K.

Matthew Coleman, Sales Manager, Professional Landscape Contractor & Site Works Equipment – UK Direct Market shared his feedback on the days. “I am proud to be able to host this training for our long-established Dealer, Russells Groundcare. The training made for a great opportunity to focus Russells’ Pro Sales Team on the extensive Toro portfolio. The visit covered the benefits and features of Toro products for the commercial customer; a tour of our Spellbrook factory; an insight into future developments and the chance for Toro U.K and Russells to spend invaluable time together as a team.

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The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

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The compact choice for quick, clean cutting: Makita has added two new pruning products to its ever growing outdoor product range. Powered by Makita’s 18V LXT battery system, the new DUP180 Brushless Pruning Shear and the DUC150 150mm Pruning Saw offer a comfortable and powerful solution to make quick and light work of repetitive or heavy pruning jobs.

With an adjustable shear blade opening angle, the new DUP180 18V LXT Brushless Pruning Shear accommodates four different cutting capacities up to ø30mm and provides up to 8,800 cuts on a single charge (when used with a 6.0Ah battery).

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

The compact choice for quick, clean cutting

Thanks to a brushless motor and belt holster to carry the battery, this tool is extremely lightweight and comfortable to use at just 0.68kg (without battery). To further minimise user fatigue, Makita has engineered the tool so that the control of the shear blade is interlocked with the trigger, meaning the blades will only open and close depending on the degree the trigger is depressed or released.

Additionally, an external oil port is designed for easy blade lubrication without disassembly, enhancing the tool’s durability.

Joining the outdoor line up is the DUC150 18V 150mm Pruning Saw. Operating with a chain speed of 8m/s, this compact machine offers excellent cutting performance despite its lightweight design, making it ideal for general garden applications or orchard maintenance.

Additional comfort and efficiency-enhancing features include tool-less chain tensioning and automatic chain oiling, while a brushless motor ensures low maintenance requirements and a longer working motor life.

The DUC150 is available as a kit with a BL1850B Battery and DC18RC charger, or as a standalone tool body only.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK commented: “Whether it’s for making light work of clipping back shrubs and hedgerows, or trimming branches and small trees, the DUP180 and DUC150 are convenient tools that are designed with simplicity and ergonomics in mind. At Makita, we continue to apply our heritage and expertise in battery technology and tool engineering to develop essential kit items such as these, so that the professional sector has access to a vast range of battery powered tools that meet every daily demand without the constraints of cords or petrol.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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