Howardson Group acquire Lloyds Mowers

Howardson Group acquire Lloyds Mowers: Howardson Group, manufacturers of the Dennis and SISIS range of grounds maintenance equipment, are delighted to announce the acquisition of Lloyds Mowers of Letchworth and Hunter Grinders.

This strategic alliance builds on the Dennis range of mowers with the addition of the Lloyds Paladin cylinder mower – renowned for cricket, bowls and golf along with the trailed Leda and Giant gangs, used extensively for wide area mowing.

Howardson Group acquire Lloyds Mowers

Howardson Group acquire Lloyds Mowers

Hunter Grinders is known worldwide in golf and stadia for their superior grinding performance on cutting cylinders and bottom blades.

“We see a lot of potential with both brands,” Ian Howard MD of Howardson Group commented. “We have been in discussion with Lloyds for quite some time.  We consider the brands much like our existing ones – well built, designed to do the job and with longevity.”

Clive Nottingham, the well-known face of Lloyds and Hunters, will work closely with the Howardson senior management team as the two brands are embedded into the wider group of companies at Kirk Langley.

The brands will be showcased at BTME 2023 with their own dedicated stand.

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Success again for SALTEX

Success again for SALTEX: 76 years of history has repeated itself at SALTEX 2022 as yet again the show delivered exactly what the groundscare industry wanted and has come to expect: the latest technologies, products, innovations and learning opportunities to unite every corner of the industry and shape the landscape of groundscare for 2023.

From all-electric tractors to robotics, sustainability to technology, new innovations to industry favourites, ground-breaking ideas to thought provoking debates, the show inspired those who attended and represented all that is current, relevant, and impactful about the groundscare industry.

Success again for SALTEX

Success again for SALTEX

Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors met, networked, sealed deals, and built knowledge at Europe’s largest annual groundscare event with Allan Harvey from Ashlandscapes commenting: “We’ve been coming to SALTEX for the last 20 years. We come to see what new products are coming out that could benefit our business, see old friends, and meet new people. SALTEX is a show which delivers what we want it to year after year.”

The show spread over three halls and brought together the manufacturers and suppliers, visitors and speakers, governing bodies and associations who impact the industry, help create and educate the next generation of groundstaff and provide the knowledge and technology to propel the groundscare industry into the future.

Talking about this year’s event and its role in providing the industry with what it wants and needs, GMA CEO Geoff Webb said: “The continued participation be that as a speaker, exhibitor or a visitor creates a buzz unrivalled in our industry. Whether its networking, checking out the latest equipment and products, to catch up with friends or to learn from experts SALTEX has it all under one roof and yet again we have delivered. We look forward to welcoming the industry back in 2023.”

Liam Pintred from Think Tank agrees: “This year’s event has been brilliant for us. SALTEX is the best event for the grounds industry, everyone comes here to meet up.”

The theme for this years’ show, the biggest in Europe, was sustainability and that was evident across the whole event. An increased number of grounds personnel, greenkeepers, landscapers and contractors were looking for products that deliver quality results but also reduce carbon footprints to the environment, and SALTEX delivered with the latest innovations and products, daily demonstrations of cutting-edge sustainable technology and advice on how green technology could benefit current working practices.

Leila Fuerst, sustainability advisor from idverdi, says: “My job is in sustainability so the fact that the theme of the show was sustainability was the draw to attend. It’s an important and current industry topic which SALTEX is addressing. Almost all the Learning LIVE seminars touch on the subject and there are a couple of seminars I’ll be attending to hear different viewpoints.”

There was an all-encompassing Learning LIVE education programme with 35 free-to-attend seminars from expert speakers from the UK and abroad who focussed on the vital issues affecting the industry.

As the only independently audited show of its kind in the UK, the GMA looks forward to presenting its visitor research for the 2022 show as soon as the audit has been completed. But with a record number of exhibitors, brands and Learning LIVE speakers and so many positive visitor comments left for the organisers, its success speaks for itself as the doors closed on the 76th year.

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Keep your knapsack for longer

Keep your knapsack for longer: Land-based Awarding Organisation Lantra has launched a short course to help heighten awareness of the key role that due care of knapsack sprayers plays in maximising lifetime and safety of the equipment.

Lantra added the Knapsack & Handheld Sprayer Maintenance course to its portfolio in October, before announcing it at Saltex in early November.

Keep your knapsack for longer

Keep your knapsack for longer

Adopting material supplied by professional knapsack sprayer manufacturer Hozelock-Exel, Lantra-accredited training providers Outlook Training, Greenscope Training and Harper Adams University collaborated to design the course, intended “to prolong equipment lifetime, ensure correct application of liquids and save time and money”.

“The course is designed to develop the knowledge to maintain and service handheld pesticide, feeds and control products applicators,” says David Fisher, Lantra Head of Industry Partnerships, “and is available for learners aged 16-plus who hold Safe Use of Pesticides and Handheld Application of Pesticides qualifications.

“For pesticides and general users, it is vital to ensure equipment is safe, fully calibrated and in good working order,” he adds. “The outcome from taking the course is that operators can prolong the life of their sprayers, while also helping the environment by using trusted equipment.”

The new course, embracing theory and practice, will equip learners with the knowledge and understanding to:

Strip down the knapsack;

Identify damaged or broken parts that need replacing;

Pursue safe working practices and personal safety;

Reduce risk of incorrect/off-target application;

Enable companies to ensure compliance with the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Operators can recertify after five years, confirms Lantra, which says that after completing the course, operators will keep their knapsacks in good working condition for longer by identifying damaged or broken parts, then replacing them, rather than disposing of the whole unit, so boosting their cost-effectiveness.

Allan Wainwright, Hozelock-Exel Sales Manager (Commercial Spraying) adds: “Raising awareness of the importance of knapsack maintenance has been a cornerstone of our strategy for some time.

“I’m delighted that the knowledge operators need to extend sprayer lifetime has been assembled into a certification of training by Lantra. This is a major advance for the sprayer sector.”

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Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX

Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX: Versatility, manoeuvrability and precise cut quality are all assured with the introduction of the new Centre Collect Front Mower (CCFM) from Kubota, on show in the UK for the very first time this week at SALTEX. The CCFM is the inaugural unit from the Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L division, created in July 2022 following the announcement of the incorporation of Officine BIEFFEBI (BFB), and its subsidiary Gianni Ferrari (GF), into Kubota Holdings B.V.   

At the heart of the CCFM is a powerful and economic 3-cylinder diesel engine and hydrostatic transmission, which guarantees excellent performance and control. The patented HTC™ hydrostatic traction control device minimises surface damage, eliminates skidding traditionally caused by the hauling effect and guarantees permanent 4-wheel traction, even when working on slopes or rough ground.

Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX

Debut for new Kubota mower at SALTEX

The ‘floating’ out-front mower deck conforms to undulations in the ground and features twin, retractable anti-collision blades to deliver a precision cut at all times. Available with 126 or 130cm cutting widths, the height of cut can be quickly and easily adjusted on the CCFM via a spring lever located on the upper part of the deck. A high-capacity turbine then ensures efficient collection of the clippings into the 600 or 800L collector, which can in turn be emptied with ease thanks to the hydraulic high-tip function.

Ideally suited to landscapers, local authorities and parks & green space managers, the efficiency of the Kubota CCFM has not come at the cost of operator comfort. An easy-access platform, adjustable suspension seat and steering column, power steering and an easy-to-read dashboard enhance usability and performance, while LED front lights and guards come as standard for optimal safety.

Commenting on its debut, Kubota’s Ground Care Product Manager Phil Catley, said “The CCFM market has been growing steadily in the UK for the last few years and this new CCFM from Kubota will work well alongside our very successful F Series range of out-front rear discharge mowers.”

More information about the Kubota CCFM can be found by stopping by stand C070 at SALTEX 2022, taking place this week at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.

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STRI analysis results

STRI analysis results: British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Sports&Turf topdressing and Sports10 pitch repair medium could help to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers to encourage grass establishment and growth.

Analysis being carried out at the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), under the auspices of Principal Scientist Dr Christian Spring, show that both products contain a plentiful supply of potassium and calcium, together with phosphorus and magnesium.

STRI analysis results

STRI analysis results

These findings have implications for greenkeepers and grounds professionals using soil-based topdressings such as Sports&Turf or pitch repair products such as Sports10. The nutrient loading in the soil component of both products should be taken into account when planning a fertilizer programme as it could reduce the amount of costly inorganic fertilizer required.

National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch has long been an advocate of soil-based dressings and pitch repair products, citing not least their valuable nutrient content in these days of rising fertilizer costs:

“The independent scientific analysis currently being undertaken by the STRI is important as it gives greenkeepers and grounds professionals objective information on which to base their purchasing decisions. Soil-based top dressings such as Sports&Turf and pitch and goalmouth repair products such as Sports10 can play an important part in helping to mitigate the cost of regular golf course and pitch maintenance.”

This latest analysis is just part of a series of trials and studies commissioned by British Sugar TOPSOIL to provide customers with independent scientific information on its products. A study by Cranfield University has recently reported on the soil health of TOPSOIL products, and other work is monitoring their total carbon content and sequestration potential.

All study and trial reports are freely available to view and download on the TOPSOIL Academy section of the website.

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