New launch from Tiny Mobile Robots

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New launch from Tiny Mobile Robots: Tiny Mobile Robots is delighted to announce the launch of the Tiny Pro X robotic line marker to the UK market today.

Reinforcing its commitment to giving its customers the best tools to carry out their line marking projects, the Tiny Pro X hosts a range of brand-new features designed to enhance the end users experience and make GPS robotic line marking easier and more accurate than ever.

New launch from Tiny Mobile Robots

New launch from Tiny Mobile Robots

Perhaps the most sought-after new feature is the ability to mark out custom logos. This is something that the company has been asked for constantly and has been under development for a long-time.  It is now a standard feature on the Tiny Pro X and is a simple 3-step feature for the end user, allowing them to customise fields for events or occasions in a way that was not easily possible before.

The ’Multi-Select’ tool is another time-saving and efficient new feature which enables users to queue up multiple fields to be marked out in a specific order.

A simple yet revolutionary feature is the new low paint alert system. When the robot is running low on paint, an automatic alert is sent to the user’s hand-held tablet notifying them of the paint levels. This is a much-welcomed feature which avoids time being wasted marking out a field with no paint in the tank.

In addition to these, the Tiny Pro X offers many more improvements, including general upgrades to the hardware and software for a largely improved experience on what was already a solid offering from the existing range of robots. The electronics within the robot have been enhanced, allowing for more reliable and powerful line marking in a range of project areas, and the external design has been enhanced, with the addition of buttons to activate pump and nozzle, enabling users to prime, clean and test without using the tablet.

Jayne Leyland, Product Manager for Origin Amenity Solutions, of which Tiny Mobile Robots UK is marketed and distributed under comments; “I’m thrilled to be announcing the launch of the Tiny Pro X robotic line marker. It’s an exciting time as this has been a long time in development and testing. This new model offers the end user many increased features and benefits and the initial feedback from our salespeople and test customers has been fantastic. I’m really looking forward to seeing it rolled out across the UK following the launch.”

Free demonstrations are being offered across the UK.  To book or enquire visit https://tinymobilerobots.com/tinymobilerobots-uk/

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John Deere celebrates 30 years of training

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John Deere celebrates 30 years of training: John Deere is marking the 30th anniversary of its renowned apprenticeship programme with an open day to recruit the next generation of technicians to work across its agriculture, turf and parts business.

Well in excess of 1,000 apprentices have qualified since 1992, and the company is keen to showcase the exciting career path that lies ahead of those who complete the course.

John Deere celebrates 30 years of training

John Deere celebrates 30 years of training

On 6 October, John Deere and the scheme’s training provider, ProVQ, will open the doors of its new training centre in Upper Saxondale, Nottinghamshire, where candidates will be offered guided tours, practical demonstrations and driving experiences.

Classrooms and workshops will be staffed by instructors and apprentices, providing a unique opportunity to view the state-of-the-art learning facilities on offer and talk to those who know all about the programme.

John Deere’s apprenticeship programme sees technicians work within the company’s dealership network as a paid employee while completing either a two or three-year course comprising on-the-job practical learning and classroom studies.

Three courses make up the programme; Ag Tech – focusing on agricultural machinery, Turf Tech – focusing on professional turf equipment, and Parts Tech – focusing on parts service and support.

“It’s a hugely exciting time to be part of the agricultural and turfcare industries – they are evolving and becoming more technologically advanced than ever before,” John Deere Branch Training Manager Allan Cochran says.

“The job is so much more than just servicing and fixing things. The machines and parts our apprentices work on and with are some of the most advanced in the world, many capable of levels of automation or operating at capacities we could only dream of a few years ago.

“With exam results now known and young people planning their futures, we’re encouraging them to join us for our open day to find out how John Deere can ignite their careers.

“It’s not just for people who love tractors – if you want to earn while you learn and be part of a huge, global brand with a reputation for ground-breaking innovations, then a John Deere apprenticeship could be the perfect start to your career.”

The open day will be held on 6 October, with three sessions being run at 10am, 1pm, and 3pm. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day, and entry is free, although pre-booking is a requirement as places are limited.

Booking is live at https://JohnDeereApprentice.eventbrite.co.uk

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ICL is the one for Chart Hills

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ICL is the one for Chart Hills: Neil Lowther, Course Manager at Chart Hills Golf Club, has revealed how utilising a range of ICL products has resulted in vastly improved fairways and greens.

Situated in Kent, Chart Hills is the first signature Sir Nick Faldo-designed golf course in Europe. Dramatically undulating fairways, numerous water features, Europe’s largest bunker and complex greens present a challenge to all levels of golfer.

ICL is the one for Chart Hills

ICL is the one for Chart Hills

However, it is safe to say that the club has experienced mixed fortunes over recent years, but new owners have signalled an exciting new era.

“From my point of view, I would like to be 20 years younger – it certainly has been a roller coaster,” said Neil. “Our new owners are passionate about making improvements and they are investing in all the right areas so it is nice to have their full backing.”

Neil admits that a lack of investment previously prevented him from using the products that he wanted to, but the new owners gave him an opportunity to reassess exactly what he needed.

“After looking at all the nutritional products we were previously using, we decided that there was no reason to keep chopping and changing,” he said. “We felt that going with fewer manufacturers was the way to go, certainly in terms of consistency and results.”

Neil credits Craig Brisley, Sales Director at Collier Turf Care, for suggesting ICL products and says that he was sold on them following a trial with Sierrablen Plus Turf Starter 5.28.0 which features Pearl technology to aid early establishment.

Through independent trials, data has revealed significantly increased rooting when Sierrablen Plus with Pearl technology is used as part of a seedbed preparation and during turf-laying.

Furthermore, there was a 2.5 x increase in rooting when compared to another existing high-performing product.

“Craig advised Sierrablen Plus Turf Starter because he felt the product would help us establish as quickly as possible,” said Neil “So we tried it on a trial area to start with.

“What I like about this product is that you are incorporating it into the top part of the rootzone and you don’t lose any nutrients. No matter how much irrigation you put on, you won’t lose the product. Also, with Turf Starter being a slow release fertiliser that releases its nutrients over a 3+ month period, it gave us more time to concentrate on other jobs without worrying about getting more nutrition on.

ICL is the one for Chart Hills

ICL is the one for Chart Hills

“It had a great impact and members were saying they had never seen grass establish so quickly. We seeded the area on 21 May and were cutting regularly on 21 July.

“This process allowed us to demonstrate what was achievable in that amount of time to the owners and from that point onwards all our products have been ICL.”

Neil continues to use a range of ICL products from the Sierrablen Plus range and says Sierrablen Plus Stress Control 15-5-22 fertiliser helped his fairways recover after a Red thread disease outbreak and loss of coverage at the end of 2021. As part of his ICL programme, Neil also relies on products such as Sportsmaster Spring & Summer 9.7.7, Sierrablen Plus Mini 37.0.0, H2Pro AquaSmart wetting agent on his fairways and a range of SierraformGT products on the greens.

As well as the support he receives from Craig at Collier Turf Care, Neil also has regular communication with Andrew Pledger from ICL.

“I really like the technical back-up from both Andrew and Craig,” he said. “They’re very knowledgeable and they take the time to explain how the products work. This is essential because I want to know how it all works, and in turn I want to explain it to my members of staff.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Trencher Hire keeps project costs down

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Trencher Hire keeps project costs down: When a customer of broadband and telecoms provider 2020 Networks took the decision to transfer their phone system over to VoIP (Voice-Over Internet Protocol) they could never have envisaged the potential costs involved.

For BT Openreach quoted an ‘eye-watering’ £13,000 to undertake the associated engineering works in order for the new fibre to be installed. Mick Clarke, Partner with broadband and VoIP provider 2020 Networks, said that not surprisingly another way forward was needed and Trencher Hire UK was instrumental in helping cut costs by many thousands of pounds.

Trencher Hire keeps project costs down

Trencher Hire keeps project costs down

“Our customer was located on the edge of an industrial estate in Simonswood near Kirkby in Liverpool and, because their existing broadband connections were so poor, wanted to move over to VoIP, which is the future of telephony.

“We proposed a 150mb leased line, but Openreach quoted over £10k in ECCs to get the fibre in. We therefore decided to arrange the civils ourselves. The cost of hiring a mini-excavator with operator would have been around £2k. However, we found a much more efficient and cost-effective option by hiring a Toro TRX-16 pedestrian trencher with operator from Trencher Hire UK.

“A 170 metres long trench was dug-out to a depth of around 400mm, with 170 metres of 50mm duct being installed, as well as three chambers. The cost of all the civils, which included the hiring of three labourers over a couple of days, cost just £1,500. I also undertook some of the work myself.

“The Toro TRX-16 was a tremendous piece of kit and the work was undertaken in just three hours. The service from Trencher Hire UK was really excellent with clear responses and the unit delivered on time and was extremely good value.”

2020 Networks offers two hosted VoIP and SIP platforms that provide services either on a ‘per channel basis,’ or via extensions with inclusive minutes.

VoIP uses a dedicated broadband line to process voice traffic. In simple terms, it turns your voice into data packets and sends them instantly over your existing broadband network to the person you’re calling. The callee won’t notice anything different, they still hear your voice as normal. The call quality will be the same as, or better than, any existing landline service.

To find out how Trencher Hire can help you, contact us on 0121 751 9319 or email: team@trencherhire.com or visit us at: www.trencherhire.com

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Campey’s BM50 proves a hit

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Campey’s BM50 proves a hit: Launched earlier this year at BTME 2022, the new Campey BM50 fixed blade verti-cutter has been out on demo with a resoundingly enthusiastic response.

The reaction to the BM50 has been so strong that companies such as Turf Tonics have opted to purchase their demo unit on the spot. Videos showing the clean and easy operation of the machine in action have also gathered interest and demo requests on social media.

Campey’s BM50 proves a hit

Campey’s BM50 proves a hit

The verti-cutter is available in 1.56 m and 1.8 m working widths and the depth 0 – 40mm, adjustable in 0.5mm increments. Working at 0.0 mm means there is no contact with the soil with just thatch being removed, whilst working at the greatest depth will scarify deeper, removing huge amounts of debris. This makes the machine perfect for use during the season to provide light thatch and debris clearance, and for when a thorough deeper lay of organic matter needs to be removed.

Due to the fixed blade system, it does not require the complete disassembly of the transmission and rotor, but only of the worn blades. The high-performance rotor guarantees excellent work in all circumstances, even when the blade’s cutting edge is not in optimal condition. In the standard version, the blades are made of HARDOX material with a thickness of 3mm and spaced 30mm apart. Optional 2 mm and 3 mm tungsten tipped blades are also available.

The BM50 1600 model can be operated using a 25 HP tractor, whilst the larger 1800 requires a 30 HP tractor for operation.

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