Padded straps available on Cooper Pegler knapsacks

/in , /by

Padded straps available on Cooper Pegler knapsacks: Professional knapsack specialists Cooper Pegler have introduced cushioned straps on more of its models to heighten operator comfort and limit body strain for operators.

Many of the go-to knapsacks across the popular brand include ergonomically tailored harnesses to channel loading forces in a way that limits stresses on the body.

Padded straps available on Cooper Pegler knapsacks

Padded straps available on Cooper Pegler knapsacks

The latest advance from manufacturer Hozelock-Exel, which follows extensive trialling, further enhances operator safety and protection to include cushioned strapping on Cooper Pegler’s Classic and Series 2000 knapsack models.

“This is a global initiative,” says Allan Wainwright, Hozelock-Exel’s UK Sales Manager, “which aims to make our knapsack brands fully inclusive for all spray operatives.”

The cushioned strapping is introduced at a time when more sports venues and amenity sites are reducing the quantity of treatment liquids they apply in a bid to improve their green credentials.

Golf course greens teams report they are using knapsacks increasingly for spot-spray weed control, a practice that cuts the quantity of liquid applied significantly.

More knapsack hand spraying raises the importance of operator comfort to new levels, therefore.

“Those who spend a full day knapsack spraying will find the new cushioned straps more comfortable,” Allan adds, “reducing the stresses and strains possible on the body during extensive sessions in the field.”

The strapping is now available on new knapsacks but models already in use can be retrofitted with the accessory.

www.cooper-pegler.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Menai Tractors joins the Etesia family

/in , /by

Menai Tractors joins the Etesia family: Menai Tractors, based in North-West Wales, has been appointed as a new Etesia dealer and will be distributing Etesia’s complete product range which includes ride-on mowers, scarifiers, brush cutters, green technology and pedestrian mowers.

Founded by Robert Wyn Jones and his wife Gillian in 2007, Menai Tractors specialises in groundcare and agricultural machinery. Since its creation it has gained an excellent reputation for delivering a first-class service to its customers.

Menai Tractors joins the Etesia family

Menai Tractors joins the Etesia family

Robert believes that the Etesia brand is a strong addition to its extensive portfolio.

“Whenever I speak to someone who has previous experience of using Etesia machinery, they do not have one bad to say about them,” he said. “They are well built; the quality is second to none and I genuinely think the company is one step ahead of everyone else.

“I would point anyone who is interested in Etesia towards the reliability of the machinery and the quality of cut. It doesn’t matter how tall or wet the grass is – it goes straight through it every time.”

Specialists in manufacturing high quality grass cutting machinery for both the professional and domestic market, Etesia’s extensive range of products have been in consistent high demand for a number of years. It is for this reason that the company’s vast dealer network continues to grow. From the UK to Ireland, Etesia dealers are providing their customers with innovative solutions for their green space requirements.

“We’ve already sold a few of the Etesia ride-on mowers,” continued Rob. “I think the next 12-24 months are going to be very interesting. I have no doubt that the Etesia brand will be very popular with our customers, especially the local authorities. We deal with several caravan parks too and I think it will strike a chord with them too.”

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

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

15 years of DLF R&D delivers sustainability you can rely on

/in , /by

15 years of DLF R&D delivers sustainability you can rely on: DLF’s continued focus on breeding environmentally responsible varieties has seen the introduction of a number of exceptional cultivars, helping facilities and turf managers achieve their own objectives for more sustainable management.

In trials for the Chewings Fescue category, DLF’s Orionette demonstrated a high-quality sward that is more drought tolerant and resistant to disease, reducing the reliance on inputs. It is therefore no surprise to see its inclusion in a number of top-performing DLF golf mixtures and find it ranked as number one in the 2023 BSPB Seed Guide!

15 years of DLF R&D delivers sustainability you can rely on

15 years of DLF R&D delivers sustainability you can rely on

Chewings Fescue grass (Festuca rubra commutata) is a popular cool-season grass, valued for its fine texture, early growth habit, attractive green colour and ability to thrive in a range of soil conditions. Its upright growth results in dense tufts without rhizomes, so it doesn’t spread like it’s Slender or Strong Creeping cousins. Over the years, Chewings Fescue has been extensively bred and developed to offer a hardier and even more adaptable turf, tolerant of close mowing and typically blended with other fescues to create a golf mixture with exceptional ball roll and playability.

In recent years, breeding efforts – including those by DLF – have focussed on developing Chewings Fescue cultivars that require less water and fertiliser and be naturally more resistant to pests and disease, reducing the need for chemical inputs and therefore improving environmental sustainability. Orionette is the result of more than 15 years of research and development, created by combining plants of the very best germplasm available in DLF breeding. Extensive screening across DLF’s European trials network followed, including for drought tolerance in France, winter tolerance in the Czech Republic as well as green trials conducted in Denmark.

The results showed superior performance in all aspects and thanks to its high tiller density, Orionette is more tolerant to winter diseases such as Red Thread and highly resilient to wear and tear.

It’s ability to perform under a lower Nitrogen-input programme is another reason why Orionette excels in a number of popular Johnsons Sports Seed mixtures for fine turf – both as a drought-tolerant fairway cultivar in J Premier Fairway or in a disease and weed resistant capacity in a greens mix such as J Fescue and J Green. J Premier Fairway is a high-performance blend of seven fescue cultivars for the sustainable management of non-rye tees and fairways. Orionette makes up 15% of both J Fescue and J Green, requiring less water and fertiliser and contributing to fast and sustainable surfaces.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s

/in , /by

MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s: Reported as the first vehicles on site and the last to leave any project, a fleet of RTV’s from Kubota have been described as pivotal in the delivery of works by one of the UK’s largest specialist contractors.

MJ Abbott purchased their very first Kubota RTV back in 2006, and now have a total of 29 units supporting operations around the country – with some of their older models clocking up more than 15 years and over 4000 hours of reliable service!

MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s

MJ Abbott take delivery of Kubota RTV’s

MJ Abbott are renowned for delivering unrivalled expertise in all areas of sports turf contracting – from golf course reconstructions and irrigation installations to natural, hybrid and artificial pitch constructions and renovations. Over their near-on sixty years of trading, it’s not just the team and list of services that have grown but their machinery fleet has also expanded at a similar rate to keep pace with the requirements of their long and varied list of clients.

“Our requirements are unique and very different to that of most of our customers” explains Technical Director Adrian Abbott. “Any equipment we purchase has to deliver on a very demanding schedule, cope with challenging ground conditions and give us the ongoing reliability we need to complete works on time. That’s why, when we find something that ticks these boxes we will be very loyal to the brand and that’s exactly what we have with our RTV’s from Kubota.”

Among the 29 units are four RTV 900’s, nine X900’s and thirteen X1110’s – three of which were delivered in February 2023 by local dealer and long-term support partner E G Coles. “The majority of our fleet are running on turf tyres and are equipped to utility spec, with lights, which suits the variety of landscapes we work on. They’ll be the very first thing loaded onto the truck and delivered to site, where they then become the go-to method of transporting both the workforce and the equipment around.”

“As well as them being heavy duty, another big thing we like about the Kubota is the hydrostatic transmission. Compared to other methods, this makes for a smoother drive and is a much more robust mechanism when operating over uneven terrain. In addition, they also have power steering and full hydraulic tip, instead of an electric actuator, which we make full use of.”

With a fleet of that size, comes the necessity to service them effectively which Adrian says is successfully managed in-house with the support of E G Coles and Kubota when required. “When we’ve needed parts or advice, we have always had the support we need both locally and on a national level from the comprehensive Kubota network when we’re out on jobs around the country.”

“It’s testament to the quality of Kubota that we continue to get fantastic performance from RTV’s we purchased over 15 years ago. You can guarantee it will have spent half of its working life axle deep in mud and yet, will still give us everything we ask of it which is why we continue to choose Kubota now and moving forwards” he concludes.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

GGM launch training academy

/in , /by

GGM launch training academy: GGM Groundscare have unveiled a new LANTRA accredited training academy as the latest offering to their portfolio of services, after identifying a requirement in the industry.

The new courses provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain relevant machinery through courses that deliver both practical skills and health & safety guidance. All training can be carried out either on customers own premises, using the equipment that team members will be using on a day-to-day basis or at GGM’s own impressive dedicated training centre in Colne, Lancashire.

GGM launch training academy

GGM launch training academy

The LANTRA accredited training courses ensure that operators are trained to a national standard whilst fulfilling the organisations legal obligations with regards to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998 (PUWER).

GGM Managing Director Chris Gibson explains more:

“After many conversations with our customers, as a business we identified that there was a requirement in the market for a one-stop shop that offers accredited operator training in addition to selling machinery.

“GGM are committed to continuing to strive for excellence in customer service, and the new training academy is the next chapter in this.”

The training covers all makes and models of machinery including:

  • Tractors
  • Ride-On Mowers
  • Walk-Behind Mowers
  • Remote Control Mowers
  • Chippers / Shredders
  • Handheld Equipment

Upon successful completion of the GGM Training Academy courses, all delegates will receive a certificate of competence and for the LANTRA training an accredited certificate and skills card will be awarded (LANTRA registration fees apply).

LANTRA is one of the leading awarding bodies for land-based industries in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

It works closely with industry bodies, employers, governments and educators to provide quality training, career guidance and partnership opportunities, giving employers and learners the skills they need to work safely and productively, while getting ready to meet the challenges of the future.

The training is aimed at any employee either employed in, or who is looking to be employed in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping or grounds maintenance, who is or will be required to operate machinery. It will be run by Gary Taylor, who has over 20 years of experience and an infectious amount of enthusiasm, thriving on training others in operating land-based machinery safely with a wealth of expertise.

Chris Gibson continues:

“After sales and service has always been a key part of our offering and so the launch of the GGM Training Academy was a natural step for the business.

“It’s our aim to ensure organisations have adequate and appropriate training to operate and use work equipment, to fulfil their health and safety requirements and to help to prevent unnecessary accidents. We’re extremely excited to take this forward.”

Bookings are being taken now for June so to book your place or for more information on the training courses please contact Eirian Roberts Tel: 01744 417333 or Email: eirian@ggmgroundscare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.