ISEKI mower collects the leaves at Wellingborough

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ISEKI mower collects the leaves at Wellingborough: After demonstrating a variety of different ride-on mowers, Steve Mackey, Head Greenkeeper at Wellingborough Golf Club, found the one he was looking for in the ISEKI SXG323+. 

“We don’t have ties to any company, and we never will,” said the straight-talking Steve. “We simply buy what does the job and the ISEKI mower does the job for us.”

ISEKI mower collects the leaves at Wellingborough

ISEKI mower collects the leaves at Wellingborough

Steve is the man in charge of the 18-hole, par 72 rolling parkland course situated at the 18th century Harrowden Hall in the heart of Northamptonshire. The course, which hosts several premier PGA & county golf events, is positioned amongst five acres of beautifully maintained gardens and woodlands. It is partly for this reason that Steve was looking for a new ride-on mower.

“With it being a parkland course and with a vast number of trees, we get a lot of fallen leaves on the formal gardens and on the course,” he said. “Therefore, we needed a mower that could collect them quickly and efficiently through the season. In addition, we needed it for other work on the course such as collecting debris from scarifying tees, approaches, and general other tasks.”

“We demonstrated several different machines and found that the ISEKI ride-on mower was the best operator-wise for everybody that works here. It did a better job than its competitors and quite simply it was the best out of the lot.”

The ISEKI SXG Range is the ultimate in cut and collection mowers and the newly designed SXG323 + offers power, performance, and unsurpassed productivity. A 48” (1.22M) mower deck with wider overlapping provides a superior quality of cut while the large capacity, high torque 1123cc diesel engine is powerful and fuel efficient.

The new ergonomic design, increased leg room and dial-in height of cut adjustment all provide excellent operator comfort and the automotive-style instrument panel gives clear information, including a fuel gauge. Furthermore, the SXG323+ performs exceptionally even in the wet conditions, allowing you to work without the weather restricting you.

“Whether it be dry or wet, it does a good job every single time,” said Steve. “It is so comfortable, straight-forward to use and it is easy to change the height of cut with the dial rather than messing about with pins. This machine has no gimmicks and I like that.

“The high tip is very handy because we can collect leaves or debris and then put them straight into a trailer. It saves a lot of transport and time.

“We’ve not had one single issue with it, and never had any blockages,” he continued. “We do all our own maintenance and servicing, and it is easy with this machine – every component it very much accessible.

“Ultimately this ISEKI ride-on mower is well-built, bullet proof and it performs – and that is what I look for in machinery.”

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Ariens joins Made in Britain community

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Ariens joins Made in Britain community: Ariens, a leader in outdoor power equipment, is delighted to announce that it’s joined Made in Britain and will now proudly adorn all petrol zero-turn mowers for the EMEAA market with the iconic Made in Britain mark.

Ariens has an illustrious history of manufacturing machinery in the United States, but, to better meet the needs of its European customers, opened its first zero-turn production line at its UK plant over three years ago. This huge milestone means Ariens is able to manufacture its complete petrol zero-turn line-up of EDGE, IKON XD, APEX and ZENITH mowers – for the EMEAA market in Oxfordshire.

Ariens joins Made in Britain community

Ariens joins Made in Britain community

Made in Britain brings together the best of British manufacturing and only accredited organisations that meet its high standards can use its mark. There is also a growing awareness among consumers of the importance of buying local as recent Covid-19 and Brexit issues have caused supply chain concerns and impacted the quality of imported goods.

Darren Spencer, VP of EMEAA is proud to be part of Made in Britain, “Although we find ourselves in uncertain times, both here and abroad, investing in manufacturing in the UK is critical to ensuring our EMEAA customers continue to receive the quality machinery they expect from Ariens. Being able to brand all of our petrol zero-turn mowers with the Made in Britain mark shows them just that.”

For more information on Ariens and Made in Britain visit ariens.eu

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The need for FEED

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The need for FEED: The Lawn Association team are feeling a little Maverick today when it comes to discussing feeding lawns.  Some say that grass only needs food once per season, but if our Top Gun grass nutrition training has taught us anything, it is to have a 12 month feeding programme ready.  Grass is a plant and grows all year, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that is likes a good feed too!

But why feed?
When we mow, we are removing the leaves of the grass which store food, hence we need to provide additional nutrition. The ratio of the three key elements in grass (Nitrogen, Phosphorus & Potassium) change at different times of the year.  This is why feeding is important at various times in different seasons.

The need for FEED

The need for FEED

Which lawn food should you choose?

Feeding your lawn is part of the bigger picture of sustainable and sensible lawn care.  However many fertilisers require washing in order to activate, so waiting for the rain is due before applying makes sense. However, using organic feeds such as ‘True Grass’ which is produced from recycled food waste, ensures that your lawn is fed in the most sustainable way possible, without the risk of scorching!

How often should you feed?

If you are using a product such as ‘True Grass’ you can feed your lawn as and when you think it needs it at practically any time of the year (Feb to Nov). The benefit of True Grass is that it’s as much a soil conditioner as a feed so by using a product like this you are feeding the plants and the soils at the same time. Plus it is naturally rich (selected food waste products used) in amino, fulvic and humic acids.  Most fertilisers used are either chalk carriers or worse still, polymer coated only feed the grass (and compost bin) and have no benefit to the soils.

As with all aspects of good, sustainable modern lawn care, working with, not against nature, is your best option.  By doing this you will achieve the lawn that is top notch and perfect for you!

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Metrac H75 is number 15

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Metrac H75 is number 15: The Stuart Taylor International dealership has recently supplied an additional compact, hydrostatic drive, Reform Metrac H75 pro to Cheshire based contractor Ray Britland. 

For Stuart Taylor International, Tom Taylor said, “the Reform H75 Pro model was voted tractor of the year at EIMA 2021 and is proving to be a real hit with customers for a wide range of tasks” Ray Britland added, “we currently have fifteen Reform Metracs on our fleet. A large percentage of our work is on sloping terrain and the muti functional H75 pro delivers both perormance and operator safety”

Metrac H75 is number 15

Metrac H75 is number 15

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Reform range says, “the H75 model meets all end user requirements, including versatillity and environmental friendliness. Hydrostatic drive with electronic control offers two speed ranges, two terrain gear reductions and foot and hand drive modes. When four-wheel steering is active, the front and rear wheels run exactly in the same line, ensuring tension-free traction on more difficult terrain. Front, rear, four wheel and crab steering as well as offset four-wheel steering can easily be switched at the push of a button. The system is completed by the electro-hydraulic spring brake with an auto hold function which allows smooth and judder-free setting off on slopes.

The new H75 also offers powerful working front and rear hydraulics with 1500kg lifting force and standard weight compensation and the high efficiency of the electro-hydraulic power shift PTO provides power precisely when needed. Operator comfort is catered for with a newly designed cab which has been completely decoupled from other vehicle components. This results in a major reduction in noise level and significantly lowered vibrations. The ergonomic armrest with it’s central controls forms the basis for easy operation of the new Metrac H75. It is attached to the driver’s seat, allowing fatigue-free working on any terrain, without interference from vibrations or slopes. The multi-function joystick combines all functions for driving and controlling attachments.” For more information visit www.slopemower.co.uk

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Kubota tractor is top gun

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Kubota tractor is top gun: The latest generation of Kubota’s renowned compact tractors is flying high at a leading military base. Set in a stunning location off the coast of North Wales, RAF Valley on Anglesey is home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for the UK’s next generation of world-class fighter pilots.

Aircrew are trained at RAF Valley for mountain and maritime operations throughout the world and it is also home to the Mountain Rescue Service, the military’s search and rescue, aircraft post-crash management asset.

Kubota tractor is top gun

Kubota tractor is top gun

A total of 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley, and in addition to the extensive grass areas for operational use, the site has a large sports and leisure complex for the use of staff and the community.

It is one of a number of MOD sites maintained by national contractor idverde, and in October 2021, a new Kubota L2-622 compact tractor was added to the machinery fleet to work at RAF Valley.

“We had an older L series tractor and Lloyds five-unit gang mower,” explains operator Chris Hickey, “But we needed to update the mowing equipment to suit the often wet condition of the grounds, so a Trimax Snake S2 gang roller mower and the latest Kubota L2-622 were purchased.”

Over the winter, the L2 did duty with a front end loader to fill gritters and keep the site operational in icy weather, but since March it has been dedicated to mowing.

“We are cutting five days a week, maintaining all of the airfield and any other short grass such as the sportsfields,” Chris says. “The mower has to be able to cut at a range of heights, including below 25mm for areas where the Instrument Landing System is in operation, to avoid interference from the grass to the radar.”

With such a key role, reliability of machinery is vital, which is where Kubota excels.

“I was familiar with the tractors having driven the previous L series,” he comments. “But this new L2 seems a lot smoother and more comfortable to drive. Hydrostatic transmission was specified for the speed of operation and to make use of the cruise control on long runs, and the move to a single pedal makes it much more convenient to use.”

He also praises the manoeuvrability of the tractor, which is highly compact for its 62hp output.

“It will virtually turn in its own length, and handles the steeper terrain on the site well with its low transmission range and well-balanced design; plus there’s always plenty of power.”

Standard turf tyres handle the work on a range of surfaces and also provide a light tread in North Wales’s often wet conditions, he points out.

One of the most significant upgrades on the latest L Series tractors is a new, more spacious cab, and this comes in for particular praise from Chris.

“It’s a big improvement, very-user friendly. Small details such as the sun visor, air conditioning and radio make a difference when you are in the tractor all day, and the opening three quarter windows at the rear allow fresh air in. It’s a great tractor to drive and work with.”

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