ISEKI fleet is the top gun

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ISEKI fleet is the top gun: A landscape maintenance contractor has revealed why he insists on using ISEKI tractors for maintaining two former RAF (Royal Air Force) stations.

Keith Clipsham works for Urban and Civic, and he looks after two unique, former RAF stations. RAF Waterbeach and RAF Alconbury have since made way for new housing developments and Keith is the man responsible for keeping the vast areas of green space intact.

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

“We cut approximately 350 acres at Alconbury and 400 acres at Waterbeach, so we need machinery that is 100% reliable,” he said. “This is why we have three ISEKI machines.”

“My first ever ISEKI tractor was a 47hp, and that has carried out approximately 3,500 hours with a flail on the back of it which is still going strong. Based on the success of that, we bought a larger 80hp model and again it is brilliant.

“Most recently we wanted one in between the two models we already have and our dealer, Fentons of Bourne, recommended the ISEKI TG6687.”

The ISEKI TG6687 is fitted with a Stage V 67hp engine and is compact in size with all the accessories and options of the higher specification tractors. The technology allows for easy operation and less fatigue on the driver.

With a superior lift capacity of up to 1,600kg, the ISEKI TG6687 allows you to run all your implements without the need to increase the size or horsepower of your tractor.

The HST model also gives users the benefit of cruise control, which is perfect for a variety of turf maintenance implements where accuracy is required. The PS model has an F12/R12 Power Shuttle transmission.

It is safe to say that Keith is pleased with the newest addition to his ISEKI fleet.

“It is excellent for what we want it to do,” continued Keith. “It is so quiet in operation and its fuel consumption is between 50-60 litres per day which we are very happy with. Furthermore, it is very user-friendly and comfortable. On other brands of tractors, I struggle with leg length, but I don’t with an ISEKI. The options to adjust the seat are great and you are not jumping about like a kangaroo like you are on others. None of us that use the ISEKI machines struggle with bad backs which is a good sign!

“The air-conditioning is very beneficial, and maintenance wise it is very simple – for example it is very easy to declutter the radiators of any debris, dirt or dust.

“Overall, I would highly recommend ISEKI – it cuts a huge amount of grass and cuts it quickly.”

Full video interview can be found at https://www.iseki.co.uk/iseki-fleet-is-the-top-gun/

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Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

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Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair: A Trilo S4 is proving that multi-functional machinery doesn’t have to mean compromised performance for the team at Calcot Park Golf Club.

Assisting Course Manager Tom Jennings with various maintenance tasks including scarification and cut and collect of the sites biodiversity areas, the S4 is currently tasked with keeping on top of leaf collection with assistance from their new Trilo BL960.

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

The undulating 18-hole parkland course designed by Harry Colt resides within an exclusive private estate in Berkshire, providing the picture-perfect backdrop for players of all abilities. Pre-empting the amount of time and resources that would be required to keep on top of leaf clearance, an S4 was one of the first investments Tom made when he joined Calcot Park four years ago. “With such a huge number of trees, investing in equipment to collect leaves as quickly and efficiently as possible was a priority. As soon as we saw the Trilo S4 it was a no brainer.”

“We purchased the whole package, including flail and scarifier heads which converts the machine into one we can use year-round. The board don’t want to spend money on a machine that spends most of the year sat in the shed, or that doesn’t do a good job of what it is supposed to do – the S4 ticks all of the boxes.” Over the year, the team are utilising the S4 for cutting the eco grass areas and scarifying the roughs, along with vacuuming scarified material and other debris from the fairways. “With all the attachments, its versatile, but conducts every operation really well.”

“In the autumn, the amount of labour this machine saves us is brilliant. Where before the team would have to get into ditches and clear leaves manually, now we can use the S4’s wander hose to suck up the leaves in a matter of minutes.” To complement the S4, the club have recently purchased a BL960 blower from Trilo, delivered by local dealer Lister Wilder. “The blower we had on our fleet ran on unleaded and with fuel costs going up, we worked out it was costing us £50 per day to run. I had used a BL960 at my previous club and it’s bulletproof so bearing this in mind, along with the savings we could make by running it straight off the PTO shaft and tractor, it was an easy decision.”

The BL960 arrived in September 2022, just in-time for a busy autumn and winter season. “This blower is so powerful – it moves material quicker and leaves a much cleaner finish than our previous machine. To clear the fairways previously would have taken ten passes or more… with the BL960 the job is complete in two so not only are we getting better results, it takes fewer resources and is done in less time. I, the team and the club couldn’t be happier with our investment.”

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Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

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Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX: Campey has earned a reputation for supplying market-leading, innovative turf care machinery. This is demonstrated in the line-up of a selection of the top machines from Vredo, Air2G2, Imants, Dakota, Campey and AllTrec, which will all be on the stand at Saltex along with Campey’s product specialists to answer any questions.

The AllTrec Tool Carrier follows the Koro FTM with Universe Rotor and Air2G2 as one of Campey’s most innovative products. The 100% electric machine provides zero CO2 emissions can also be used with several other attachments, including the Air E-Variator, weed brush, and hedge cutter. The AllTrec will be present in the Eco Village, with regular presentations throughout the show.

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Also, on display will be

Focusing on aeration, CampeyÔ will also be exhibiting several machines whose task is to improve the health of the soil through breaking up compaction and getting air into the deeper layers. This is when machines such as the Air2G2 Inject, Imants ShockWave, Rotoknife, and Recycling dresser come into their own.

Renovations are an effortless operation with the 1.6m KoroÒ FIELDTOPMAKERÒ and Campey Universe Rotor, working together to deliver the most efficient method of fraise mowing on the market today. The accuracy on multiple surfaces comes from using the UniverseÒ rotor with 3mm and 5mm blades is unsurpassed.

Surface conditions are assured with the Campey range of brushes, scarifiers, and sweepers, including the CampeyÔ Uni-Scratch. This machine is the ideal solution for professional and effective maintenance of natural grass and can also be used for the final organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when conducting annual renovations. And of-course there is the Dakota spreader. This range of small to large manoeuvrable dual spinner top dressers are ideal for spreading sand, rubber crumb and other topdressings on all surfaces, including those that require lightweight machines to be used or are difficult to access with larger spreaders.

Vredo Overseeders completes the line-up of quality equipment with its immense germination rate of over 98% – the most accurate seeder to-date!

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Eco Village demos revealed

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Eco Village demos revealed: A stunning line-up of demonstrations featuring cutting-edge sustainable technology and environmentally friendly solutions has been finalised for this year’s SALTEX ECO Village display.

Sponsored by SGL, manufacturer of LED lighting and monitoring systems, the demonstrations will feature the best in green technology for grounds care.

Eco Village demos revealed

Eco Village demos revealed

Six manufacturers will be putting products through their paces in daily demonstrations.

Starting each morning off from 10.00 to 10.15 will be Avant Techno with its Leguan Lifts. Leguan spider lifts are known for their exceptional off-road capabilities, and industry-leading gradeability.

At 11.00 to 11.15, sponsors, SGL will be demonstrating their new product – the LED50 that is equipped with SmartBox and the latest LED technology. Due to its compactness the LED50 is perfect to use on high wear areas such as goal mouths and corner areas and according to SGL perfect for clubs that want the agronomical benefits while also striving for sustainability.

Next on display from 11.30 to 11.45 will be the Campey AllTrec 100% Electric Mower. With no CO2-emission the machine also distinguishes itself through the minimal sound it produces.

This will be followed at 12.00 to 12.15 by another mower – this time the Overton Rival Zero Turn – the latest mower in Mean Green Mowers’ new ‘evolution’ series.

A robot mower will be the next to show its paces at 12.30 to 12.45 – this time the Kress RTK Robot Mower. With no requirement for boundary wires or on-site antennas this robot mower can tackle larger areas than previously associated with the robotic solution.

An electric solution for loading is the last demonstration of the day at 13.00 to 13.15 when Avant Techno will put their Electric E6 Loader under the scrutiny of visitors.

Avant was the first manufacturer to introduce a full-electric, battery-powered compact loader series to the market. Although the e series is electric, according to Avant, it offers the same power and properties as the Avant 500 series which is equipped with a diesel engine.

In addition to the daily demonstrations industry experts will be on hand to offer advice on green technology and how it could benefit current working practices.

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Lantra supporting CRRU

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Lantra supporting CRRU: Lantra has taken major measures to support the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) in its efforts to help safeguard the health of birds of prey, as worries continue over irresponsible rodenticide users.

As one of the leading awarding organisations for the land-based sector in the UK, Lantra is working closely with CRRU, industry partners and stakeholders to ensure birds of prey don’t fall foul of individuals not using rodenticides properly or safely.

Lantra supporting CRRU

Lantra supporting CRRU

CRRU has recently stated that concerns remain about rodenticides’ residues being found in birds of prey which is down to the actions of a small minority using the chemicals irresponsibility.

To support CRRU, Lantra, as a member of its training and certification group, has responded by upgrading its rodent management training courses.

Lantra Awards, has developed and launched the Ofqual-regulated ‘Lantra Awards Level 2 Award in Rodent Management’ to replace ‘Rodent Control on Farms’ and ‘Responsible and Effective Control of Commensal Rodents’ certifications.

This comprehensive course gives people the knowledge and tools to understand legislation governing rodent pest management, the importance of, and the reasons for, rodent management and the biology and behaviour of a specific range of rodent species.

It also stresses the importance of understanding integrated pest management and monitoring rodent activity.

The major move strengthens the existing stewardship regime by upgrading Lantra-assessed training courses into a Level 2 Award in Rodent Management.

David Fisher, Lantra’s Head of Industry Partnerships for the area, said: “As CRRU has recently reported, concerns remain with rodenticide residues found in birds of prey which is being linked to the actions of a minority of irresponsible rodenticide users.

“Lantra responded to calls from CRRU as a member of its training and certification group, to strengthen the existing stewardship regime. We have listened to industry concerns and have taken the relevant measures to respond.

“It is hoped that this and continued promotion of best practice and CPD will go some way to help reduce instances of poor practice to ensure that responsible users can continue to use professional rodenticide products as part of their integrated approach to rodent management.”

For farmers and pest control trainees, there are now seven courses in total, listed at www.thinkwildlife.org/training-certification/

In each case, passing the end of course exam yields a formal qualification/certification accepted at point-of-sale for professional use rodenticides under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime, operated by CRRU.

Lantra will be exhibiting at PestTech, the Pest Control industry event on 9th November where the latest developments affecting the industry will be discussed. Details of the free to attend event can be found via the NPTA website, PestTech – NPTA

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