John Deere to hold careers event

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John Deere to hold careers event: John Deere is holding a careers event in September to help resettling military personnel take the next step in their careers.

The virtual event on 20 September at 7pm is the first major event to be held by the company where details of the landmark John Deere Military Hiring Programme in the UK and Ireland will be set out.

John Deere to hold careers event

John Deere to hold careers event

The initiative was launched in July and helps those leaving military service find jobs working with some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare machinery.

Attendees of the free virtual event will find out how they can bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles in dealerships, and hear from individuals who have transitioned from military service into various roles connected to the John Deere brand.

“The armed forces produces people who are highly skilled, motivated, and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“With many transferable skills, those with experience of military machines will be perfectly placed for a new career working with some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and turfcare equipment.

“This virtual event is a great opportunity for ex-servicemen and women to find about a rewarding John Deere career that can take you anywhere in the world, working with an internationally recognised and respected brand.”

Registration is open now via this link, or by searching ‘John Deere virtual careers event’ on www.eventbrite.co.uk.

It was announced that the Military Hiring Programme was being rolled out in the UK and Ireland following its huge success in the USA.

“Those who have served are experts at working under pressure and logically solving problems in order to keep a machine operational,” Allan says. “These are the skills John Deere dealerships need to keep the wheels turning.”

Those signing up to the programme will be offered free technical training to help them apply their current skills to John Deere products and services. There are more than 70 courses on offer.

“Everyone who signs up will be assigned to an employee from the John Deere network who has served in the armed forces who will be there to support each individual during the resettlement process,” Allan says.

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting www.Deere.com/JDMHP.

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Introducing the new FURY

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Introducing the new FURY: The new UKCA Certified compact Stand-On FURY is the latest mower from the new “evolution” series by Mean Green Mowers, the FURY utilizes the patented ZTR technologies found in RIVAL and VANQUISH models reconfigured into a new compact platform. 

The FURY has the same low noise, low HAV’s, low WBV’s and zero emissions as the complete Mean Green mower range.  The FURY is designed to allow access into gated areas such as cemeteries, housing associations, restricted access areas etc and is available with a 32″ or 36” rear discharge deck.

Introducing the new FURY

Introducing the new FURY

The FURY has the ability to cut grass up to 5.5 inches to its adjustable floating rear discharge cutting decks with anti-scalp solid front wheels, the Hi/Low blade speed control allows the blade speed to be slowed down when cutting short grass.  Designed with aerospace engineering technology and powered by an 11kWh (equivalent to 24HP) Mean Green Lithium Energy Module offering a mowing time up to 7hrs*.  The FURY provides more than enough power from its motors and controllers as fitted to the larger RIVAL, EVO and VANQUISH mowers.  With horsepower exceeding most commercial petrol mowers in its class and maximum torque from the start, the FURY proves that electric mowers can be powerful, economical and quiet.

The Impulse Drive System (IDS™) is designed with maximum power in mind, Mean Green has combined time proven planetary gearing and the latest electric hub motor technology.  The IDS™ generates unrivalled power, weight carrying capacity and speeds up to 9mph.

An Interactive Touch Screen Display allows operators to choose high/low blade speed and high/low drive speed, displays the battery charge level, machine operation status, hour meter, and service notifications.  The Blade Performance Monitor displays speed and performance of each blade to help the operator maintain optimal mowing efficiency and quality of cut.

As standard the FURY has a steel and high strength aluminium alloy chassis, single lever manual deck lift, semi-pneumatic caster wheels, bolstered thigh/knee pad, suspended and shock absorbed standing platform, USB port, mobile phone and cup holder, built-in tie down points, a 5-Year (1500 hr) Battery Warranty and charger.

For more information or demonstration contact Overton (UK) on: 01522 690011 or email us at sales@overtonukltd.com

*Depending on terrain, operator performance and grass conditions.

See us at GroundsFest Stand No: OSA230 20 & 21 September 2023

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DLF launch J Sustain-Fairway

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DLF launch J Sustain-Fairway: Market demand for a blend of resilient Fescue cultivars and high percentages of native Hard Fescue has seen the introduction of J Sustain-Fairway from DLF.

J Sustain-Fairway is the latest in a strong line up of fairway mixtures from Johnsons Sports Seed which already includes J Fairway, J Rye Fairway and J Premier Fairway, offering a range of sustainable options to suit all needs and budgets.

DLF launch J Sustain-Fairway

DLF launch J Sustain-Fairway

J Sustain-Fairway has been designed to suit golf clubs looking to significantly boost the population of more resilient Hard and Sheeps Fescues – known for their increased tolerance to a broad range of turf stresses. With a natural foundation of strength, this fairway mix allows for reduced nutrient, water and chemical inputs all while maintaining exceptional turf quality.

Ideal for links and heathland venues, J Sustain-Fairway contains 20% Dumas and 20% Crystal Hard Fescue, together with 15% Quatro Sheeps Fescue. Hard & Sheeps Fescue provide exceptional drought recovery, salt tolerance and natural support against some common turf pests & diseases – with anecdotal evidence highlighting the benefits of Hard Fescue in an integrated pest management (IPM) programme. Found naturally on shallow infertile soils, these varieties are perfect for sustainable turf management, requiring very little in the form of artificial inputs to maintain an outstanding playing surface.

Crystal and Quatro are two of four number one rated cultivars from the BSPB list included in this blend. Adding further sward strength and density the formulation is 20% Rossinante Strong Creeping Red Fescue and 15% Nigella Slender Creeping Red Fescue, both renowned for their unmatched salt, Dollar Spot and Red-Thread tolerance, as well as 10% Orionette Chewings Fescue which demonstrates excellent spring growth and contributes to a robust and hard-wearing turf even under heavy traffic.

Commenting on its introduction, Amenity Sales and Marketing Manager for DLF Derek Smith said, “The team at DLF have worked very closely with a number of turf managers and some of the industry’s leading advisors to develop the optimal formulation for J Sustain-Fairway. This new mixture is perfect for course managers looking for a high performance, fine-turf fairway formulation equipped to withstand the environmental challenges of the future.”

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Green-tech provides lightweight soil and laser-cut grilles

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Green-tech provides lightweight soil and laser-cut grilles: The area around the North and East of Manchester city centre has been undergoing a renaissance over recent years, with exciting development and refurbishment taking place. One such scheme is the stunning new bio-diverse, cubist-style Leonardo Hotel.

Situated on the corner of Adair Street and Great Ancoats Street, the new 14-storey Leonardo Hotel replaced a weary looking 2-storey office building and adds a welcome link between the busy Piccadilly Station and the East Village Regeneration Zone.

Green-tech provides lightweight soil and laser-cut grilles

Green-tech provides lightweight soil and laser-cut grilles

Even before construction began, the scheme won a Society of Architects design award, one of the contributing factors undoubtedly being the 17 stunning Jenga-style tiered planting boxes: the architects, Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio taking their inspiration from Milan’s Bosco Verticale (vertical forest).

The planters jut out from the main building at various heights, creating a juxtaposition of cantilevers not unlike a half-finished game of Jenga. Indeed, the planters were referred to as ‘Jenga blocks’ in the planning documents. Each planter is filled with shrubs, trees, and ferns, individually selected to thrive in the micro-climate created by each planting block.

The idea was to make an impact and add some much-needed green infrastructure and bio-diversity to Piccadilly’s East neighbourhood. The building certainly makes a statement and will house 275 luxury hotel rooms along with a ground floor bar, restaurant, gym and wellness suite, and outside seating area.

Green-tech involvement:

Green-tech was invited to landscape architects’ Re-form’s offices in Beehive Mills back in 2019, to discuss options for the high-level planters. As a result, the planters were specified with Green-tech’s Green-tree lightweight intensive roof soil, as well as a layer of expanded clay granules to bring up the level in the base, rather than using a heavier sub-soil or some other man-made void former. The intensive lightweight roof soil is around 30% lighter than standard topsoil, and due to the deeper planting of the trees, needs to contain more organic content and hold on to a little more water than the extensive substrate often found on sedum and wildflower green roofs.

A total of 48 cubic metres of lightweight roof soil was used for the 17 Jenga blocks, along with over 4,000 litres of lightweight expanded clay aggregate. This was supplemented on the ground planting with over 400 tonnes of topsoil and subsoil, 2,000 litres of compost and 48 tonnes of pea gravel and decorative silver-grey gravel. The ground level landscaping incorporated a mix of trees in hard and soft, irrigated by a mix of Mona underground capillary tanks and Mona Relief perforated pipes, and supported by Green-tech strap anchors.

The trees in hard were finished off with permeable resin-bound grilles, and for the trees along the front, custom-made grilles, featuring laser-cut Piccadilly East branding and drainage slots. These grilles are made from heavy-duty steel and finished by being hot-dip galvanised, then acid-etched and powder coated in a classic bronze finish, including the normally silver Piazza irrigation inlet. All the steel used in the production of these decorative grilles is recycled by our foundry in West Yorkshire.

To finish off the landscaping, over 200 square metres of Premium Weed Control matting and Ecomatt was supplied along with 2,000 litres of ornamental wood bark for ground cover.

Alasdair Innes – Green-tech Specification Advisor comments, “it’s fantastic to see striking building design incorporating green-infrastructure, in a way that makes it really stand out in the local area. It was a pleasure to be asked to get involved supplying the lightweight soil and other ancillary landscaping materials.”

For any further product information or to request a CPD in person or remotely on any of Green-tech’s urban or rural modules please contact sales@green-tech.co.uk or call 01423 332100

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Toro lease deal is cost-effective solution

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Toro lease deal is cost-effective solution: Phoenix Sports and Leisure Club has secured a huge £200,000 worth of new Toro equipment in the club’s first ever lease deal with local dealer Cheshire Turf Machinery.

The multi-sport complex located in Rotherham houses golf courses, football pitches, bowling greens and more and when the time came to replace its existing fleet to be used across all its playing surfaces, a lease package was the most cost-effective solution.

Toro lease deal is cost-effective solution

Toro lease deal is cost-effective solution

Mark Smith, head greenkeeper, who manages a team of six, says: “Leasing is something that is new to us as a club. Until now we’ve bought outright, when we’ve needed things. This was the first time we’ve decided to just clear the cutting fleet and start again, which we’ve been able to do with the lease package. Working with Reesink ensured everything went smoothly.”

The club’s new Toro fleet consists of a Toro Reelmaster 3100, Toro Reelmaster 5010-H, Toro Greensmaster 3250, Toro Groundsmaster 4300, Toro Groundsmaster 1200 towed and a Toro ProCore 648 aerator.

Entering into a lease package was a cost-effective solution for the club, says Mark: “Normally we wouldn’t be able to replace all of the machines in one go, so you end up having equipment that is 10 years old and when you start having problems with it you have to argue your case for a new machine. With a lease package, that’s not really the case. When the lease is up, it’s accepted you replace it.”

Lease packages give clubs all the benefits of ownership without the initial capital outlay. Payments made up of capital and interest can be made quarterly, half-yearly or annually and are fixed for the full period of the agreement. Reesink makes it possible for clubs to design a tailored repayment pattern that matches its business income and expenditure cycles.

Even though this is the first time the club has gone down the route of leasing, it’s certainly not its first time using Toro. Having been at the club for over 23 years, Mark is plenty familiar with these machines.

He says: “When it came time to choose a new fleet, it was between the two big brands. The price point of the lease deal was a huge reason behind why we chose Toro, but so was the fact that we’re so familiar with the brand and everyone on the team knows how to use them so not as much training was needed, we could get them straight on the turf.

“Plus, we know the quality of the machines and that if anything does go wrong, we have the backup of Reesink,” Mark concludes. “Everyone is really happy.”

The deal was brought about through Tony Dodson from Cheshire Turf Machinery who is also a member of Phoenix Sports and Leisure Club. He says: “It’s great seeing Toro out on the course, and knowing the quality of the machines it’s a pleasure ensuring my club is in good hands.”

To discover more about Reesink’s finance packages and how Toro machinery can benefit your club and playing surfaces call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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