Ransomes at SALTEX

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Ransomes at SALTEX: The world’s first mower manufacturer, Ransomes, is cutting a path to electric-powered commercial and municipal mowing under its Any Less Costs More campaign using our largest research and development investment this century.

Ransomes’ new mission and vision are focused on providing long-term benefits to customers, consumers and the environment. The investment in electrification, unabated by covid, firmly sets the target of electric lithium powered commercial mowing for launch at SALTEX 2022.

Ransomes at SALTEX

Ransomes at SALTEX

For everyone involved in the process, including Ransomes Vice President of Turf, Simon Rainger, this has been an opportunity to speak to customers about what matters most to them and deliver value under the Any Less Costs More banner.

Simon explains: “We want people to be confident when they are sat on a Ransomes mower that they are sitting on the benchmark for commercial and municipal mowing. It’s very important for people to understand the value of incredibly specialist machinery, and we certainly are that. So, the Any Less Costs More campaign is really about the lifetime value of our products and how it pays to invest in us. It’s worth investing in the 250 UK-based specialists on-site at our factory, it’s worth investing in UK manufacturing, and it’s worth investing in machinery that is compliant with clean and green power.

“You know exactly where your products are coming from, and you also know that you’re going to get superior support from a dealer network that has sold our products in some cases for half a century or more.

“Getting that message out is important, but listening is even more important. We spent the last year engaging with consumers, dealer customers and colleagues to understand what Ransomes means to them and what great will look like for the next five and ten years for the brand.”

Throughout early 2021 Textron focused all mower manufacturing on Ipswich, and that has created a space where the sole focus is on building fine turf machinery. For Ransomes, this year provided the opportunity for 15 million test hours of lithium battery technology to be integrated into their commercial mower range.

“We’re excited about developing new technologies, and Ransomes will borrow a lot of the expertise from other brands within Textron,” Simon explains.

“As a result, we will be able to safely put technology that will be good for the environment, good for people and most importantly, gets the work done into our Ransomes products.

“We’re also celebrating the fact that all of our products are Stage V compliant, and moreover, we will be able to offer electrified alternatives in the future. We feel those clean, green powertrains are worth shouting about and are important as we look forward to launching electric lithium technology and implementing it safely into the municipal and commercial market in 2023.

“You’ll have seen at our shows, events and launches throughout 2022 that we are going to be expanding our range into lithium technology, and in other parts of the business, we have already got turf machinery out cutting in environments that are a commercial or municipal setting. It’s very exciting to be a part of leading the charge as founders of the industry.”

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Johnsons proves tough enough at Boreham Wood

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Johnsons proves tough enough at Boreham Wood: Hosting upwards of 70 fixtures in a season, it’s fair to say that the grounds staff at Boreham Wood Football Club have their work cut out when it comes to creating a pitch able to withstand the pressure of sustained levels of play.

Add to that a lack of under soil heating and lighting rigs which means it’s down to mother nature to assist Head Groundsperson Ben Howell in the establishment and germination of seed – which for the last five years has been Johnsons J Premier Pitch, with fantastic results!

Johnsons proves tough enough at Boreham Wood

Johnsons proves tough enough at Boreham Wood

The pitch is home to National League Boreham Wood FC, alongside Arsenal Women and Arsenal Men’s Under 21 home fixtures which was the reason a replica of the Emirates Stadium pitch was installed at Meadow Park in 2017. Ben, part of the Arsenal grounds team, is assisted by Jack Reed and contractors Premiership Lawncare in the maintenance of the ground. “The play schedule is seemingly never-ending but our budget and resources are not, so we have to be sure that every operation we carry out is going to give us the desired result” explains Ben.

“When it comes to seed, wear tolerance is undoubtedly the key for us, but we also need something that recovers well and demonstrates strong resistance to disease.” For this, Ben uses J Premier Pitch from Johnsons Sports Seed. This 100% perennial ryegrass mixture features a proven combination of cultivars that provide high shoot density, rapid recovery and a camera-friendly finish even under intense wear.

“With this mixture, I just know it works! We’ll use it during our full renovation in the summer and then we will overseed again in the spring to repair any damage sustained over the winter which normally sees us through to the end of the season. It gives us the strength we need and holds up well against any disease, even this year which has been a challenging summer with very high disease pressure over an extended period. With the help of our preventative disease management programme, we have been able to deliver a high-quality playing surface.”

Ben adds, “Our local DLF Technical Advisor Craig Spooner comes in regularly to check how the seed is performing and has always been fantastic at helping and advising us should we be looking to make any changes to the programme. He appreciates that with our calendar there is no margin for error, but with J Premier Pitch we always have a surface that is fit and ready for play.”

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ISEKI an academy all-rounder

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ISEKI an academy all-rounder: Mark Pinfold, Head Groundsman at the Thomas Deacon Academy, was looking for a multi-tasking compact tractor – and after a lengthy search he found what he was looking for in the ISEKI TXGS24.

The Thomas Deacon Academy is an independent state school located in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and comprises the Thomas Deacon Academy Secondary School and sixth form and The Junior Academy.

ISEKI an academy all-rounder

ISEKI an academy all-rounder

Mark and his team are responsible for maintaining the sports facilities and the grounds across all three of the Academy’s sites. It is safe to say that they have their work cut out with such a vast area, so anything that makes life easier is a must-have according to Mark. When it came to choosing a new multi-tasking tractor, it wasn’t a decision to be taken lightly.

“We were looking for a tractor that had more than one use,” said Mark. “It needed to be mobile and compact enough to be put on a trailer to be moved from site to site; and we also needed to be able to use various attachments with it.

“Obviously we had a budget to work with and so we went round many different dealers and looked at lots of options but the one we decided on was the ISEKI TXGS24.”

The TXGS24 is an easy to use, versatile tractor with all the features and benefits of a much larger tractor. With a flat easy-access platform it is simple to operate and easy to master. Clear automotive style dashboard and controls, fully auto style hydrostatic transmission with switchable 4WD traction drive make the ISEKI TXGS24 very user-friendly. Individual forward and reverse pedals give the operator precise control.

Its compact dimensions and powerful 23 hp diesel engine make the ISEKI TXGS24 an excellent multi-purpose ground care tractor. Robust enough to take a front loader or backhoe and countless other implements via a Cat 1 3-point hitch including collectors and centre mounted mowing deck, rear mowers, rotavators, levellers and harrows; this is a very versatile machine for any application.

Mark purchased the tractor through ISEKI dealer Fentons of Bourne and he hasn’t looked back since.

“It really is a great piece of kit,” said Mark. “The wide width of the cutting deck makes our life easier, and it has lots of other nice little perks such as a cup holder, a comfortable seat, and a little storage compartment where I can put my phone or other items.

“We Also purchased the front loader, and we use this for moving soil and bark around, sand and cement, salt bags in winter and for carrying various hand tools. On the back we have the option of putting a roller on, which is ideal for our cricket and football pitches. I also like the fact it is road legal.

“I would absolutely recommend this tractor because it is such a great all-rounder.”

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Lantra supporting CRRU in its efforts to safeguard birds of prey health

Lantra supporting CRRU in its efforts to safeguard birds of prey health

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Lantra supporting CRRU in its efforts to safeguard birds of prey health: 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 in its efforts to safeguard birds of prey health

Lantra supporting CRRU in its efforts to safeguard birds of prey health

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 irresponsibly.

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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Come on Ian!

Come on Ian!

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Come on Ian!: Ian Darler’s extraordinary challenge of walking the distance from London to Qatar in time for the start of the World Cup is on track with the goal finally coming into view.

The Cambridge United Head Groundsman set himself the target of walking the 3228 miles to Qatar in aid of mental health charity SHOUT 85258 back in March and since then Ian has been clocking up the miles on a daily basis – many swallowed up cutting the Abbey Stadium pitch.

Come on Ian!

Come on Ian!

“It looks like I am still on schedule to complete the walk and Cambridge United are arranging for me to walk from Parkers Piece football monument in the centre of Cambridge to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday 19th November when we play Accrington Stanley,” explained Ian, who will have taken approximately eight million steps by the time he completes his walk.

 

Anyone wishing to support Ian in his fundraising can visit www.cambridgecharityfundraisers.com to make a donation.

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