Nothing compares to Toro for Auchterarder

Nothing compares to Toro for Auchterarder: Auchterarder Golf Club in the heart of Penrithshire, Scotland, has chosen Toro again for straight replacements of two of its pivotal mowers.

The club needed to update its frontline cutting equipment and decided there was no comparison on the market for the Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 hybrid for the greens and Toro’s Groundsmaster 3500-D for the tee banks at its parkland course.

Nothing compares to Toro for Auchterarder

Nothing compares to Toro for Auchterarder

Shaun McNaugton, Head Greenkeeper, says: “We’ve tried other brands over the years but always come back to Toro.”

The reasons for this are quite straightforward, he says: “The club has used Toro since before my time and I’ve worked here for 21 years. Every piece of equipment we buy must earn its keep and deliver a return on our investment. I expect longevity, value, performance, and reliability.”

Shaun moved away from his usual diesel greens mower last year, opting instead for the Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 hybrid model and he’s been so impressed with the savings in fuel with no compromise on performance that he ordered another.

“I haven’t done any number crunching on the diesel savings but they’re certainly obvious and significant’” he says. “It operates so efficiently in energy savings mode, representing impressive value.”

Another key selling point is the machine’s reduction in hydraulic components, says Shaun: “Reducing the risk of hydraulic leaks on the greens was equally as important as the savings in fuel consumption,” he confirms.

The Groundsmaster 3500-D that Shaun is replacing is 17 years old. He says: “That kind of longevity is important to us, but the technology in this machine is equally as important.

“It’s as if the Groundsmaster with Sidewinder was designed specifically for our course,” he continues. “In a parkland setting with an undulating landscape and sloping tee banks, the technology behind this machine comes into its own. Its easy manoeuvring and shifting cutting units deliver a close cut around the trees, on the bankings, and along hedgerows saving an unbelievable amount of effort and delivering a superb aesthetic.”

Add to that the fact that Toro machines are, according to Shaun, “easy to maintain, incur minimal downtime and a firm favourite with all the full- and part-time staff who use them as well as the local mechanic” and it makes sense that Auchterarder Golf Club is a repeat customer for distributor Reesink Scotland, the Scottish service branch of Reesink Turfcare based in Livingston.

John Rankin, Area Sales for Reesink Scotland, says: “Anyone who has the pleasure of playing or visiting Auchterarder Golf Club will know it is maintained with the utmost pride. Shaun is a loyal customer who trusts Toro implicitly to support him and the team as they endeavour to present the course in the best order possible.”

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Briggs & Stratton’s innovative power solutions at demopark

Briggs & Stratton’s innovative power solutions at demopark: Briggs & Stratton, a global leader in innovative power solutions, will present its latest product range at demopark 2025 at stand B236.

Covering an area of approximately 345 square metres near the East Entrance, the company will showcase powerful engines and advanced lithium-ion battery systems from its Vanguard brand. These solutions are specially designed for commercial use and tailored to the needs of the landscaping and green sector.

Briggs & Stratton's innovative power solutions at demopark

Briggs & Stratton’s innovative power solutions at demopark

The focus is primarily on Vanguard petrol engines equipped with advanced Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC). Especially in the strong 40 HP class, these engines offer a fuel-efficient, low-emission, and reliable alternative to commonly used diesel engines. They are ideally suited for powering professional landscaping equipment as well as for agricultural and forestry applications.

Briggs & Stratton will also present Vanguard engines featuring innovative technologies such as Oil Guard, Oil Xtend, and TransportGuard. These systems are designed to extend engine life, optimise maintenance intervals, and minimise user error, all while aiming to reduce operational costs, increase reliability, and maximise uptime.

These technologies are utilised, among others, in Vanguard single-cylinder engines with horizontal shafts, built for heavy-duty continuous operation. Models ranging from Vanguard 100 to Vanguard 400 are equipped with TransportGuard technology, which automatically shuts off fuel flow, prevents fuel and oil mixing, and thereby reduces unnecessary maintenance costs due to transport-related damage—especially significant in rental applications.

The largest of the smaller single-cylinder engines comes equipped with EFI and ETC technologies. EFI ensures easy starting, smooth operation, and low fuel consumption, while ETC guarantees rapid load response, consistent performance, and stable speed. These two innovative technologies are included in Vanguard engines with outputs ranging from 14 to 40 horsepower, ensuring dependable performance on any terrain.

This also applies to the CXi engine on display, which features both EFI and ETC as well as the Oil Xtend system. Oil Xtend enables up to 250 operating hours between oil changes—compared to the usual 100—and allows for fast and straightforward servicing.

The Oil Guard system from Vanguard enables up to five times longer maintenance intervals between oil changes, as demonstrated by the 28 HP Vanguard engine with a vertical shaft. This can reduce oil maintenance costs per unit and season by up to 60%, compared to the standard 100-hour interval. Particularly useful for unmanned, remote-controlled machinery: in combination with EFI, Vanguard engines featuring Oil Guard can operate continuously on slopes of up to 45°.

The demopark showcase will also include a comprehensive portfolio of Vanguard lithium-ion battery systems for commercial use. These will be displayed both as individual components and integrated into example applications of Vanguard partners. A highlight is the tool-free swappable 48V 1.5 kWh battery pack (Si1.5), which is interchangeable and suitable for various applications, offering maximum flexibility and minimal downtime. The only requirement is that the respective device must be equipped with the appropriate interface. Also on display are fixed battery packs ranging from 1.5 to 7 kWh, capable of operating in parallel with up to 10 units to deliver up to 70 kWh of energy. With the matching chargers, the Si1.5 can be fully recharged in just 75 minutes, and the larger 7.0 kWh fixed unit in only 3 hours.

In the outdoor area, well-known manufacturers such as Eliet, Jo Beau, Swardman, and Briggs & Stratton’s own subsidiary Ferris will demonstrate application examples from landscaping, agriculture, and forestry sectors using Vanguard power solutions. Visitors will gain practical insight into how Vanguard’s “Passion for Power” is realised in real-world applications.

“With our modern engines and battery systems, we are setting new standards in terms of performance, efficiency, and sustainability,” says Pia Weimer, Marketing Director EMEA at Briggs & Stratton. “We’re excited to present innovative solutions at demopark 2025 that meet the green industry’s high demands while helping to reduce operating costs and support environmental standards.”

Visit Briggs & Stratton at demopark 2025, Stand 236 (East Entrance, Aisle B), and experience the future of power technology in the green sector first-hand.

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AFH Groundcare Becomes a Distributor for DSV Seeds

AFH Groundcare Becomes a Distributor for DSV Seeds: AFH Groundcare has been announced as an official distributor for DSV Seeds, offering the EuroGrass Pro range and DSV’s amenity mixtures to customers across Gloucestershire.

Founded by Tom Hughes, AFH Groundcare has grown steadily over recent years, starting from owning just a single line marker to providing a comprehensive range of services, including sports turf maintenance, lawn care, renovations, and vegetation management. Tom’s passion for delivering the best possible results for his clients led him to explore the seed market, which ultimately led to his partnership with DSV.

AFH Groundcare Becomes a Distributor for DSV Seeds

AFH Groundcare Becomes a Distributor for DSV Seeds

“I provide a lot of fertilisers and was very keen on moving into offering seed,” said Tom. “Someone mentioned to me that DSV offers a fantastic range of grass seed. The same person introduced me to Samuel Horner (Business Manager) from DSV, so we met up, had a chat, and it’s been going well ever since.”

AFH Groundcare has already seen positive feedback from customers using DSV’s EuroGrass Pro mixtures. “A sports club I work with has been using it on their football pitch, and they are very happy with the results. Even in November, it was germinating incredibly well,” Tom shared.

One of the key strengths of AFH Groundcare’s approach is its commitment to providing tailored solutions for clients of all sizes and budgets. “With grassroots clubs, everyone knows they don’t have a lot of money. I always recommend EuroGrass Pro mixtures because I know their strengths and the high-quality varieties in them. Every club is different, and I’ll always provide whatever suits their needs.”

DSV’s EuroGrass Pro range is developed for professional use and offers high-performance mixtures tailored to different requirements, including Classic, Ornamental, Shade, Sport, and Renovation blends. These carefully composed mixtures take into account factors such as soil conditions, climate, and maintenance plans, ensuring the best results for turf professionals.

Tom values the support he receives from DSV, stating, “It’s great working with DSV. If there’s ever anything I’m unsure about or need, I just make one phone call, and they’re always readily available to help. I’ve never had any issues with deliveries – everything arrives on time, and I can’t fault them at all.”

As the relationship between AFH Groundcare and DSV continues to grow, more customers will have access to top-tier seed products designed to enhance playing surfaces across the region.

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Castletown groundsman praised for commitment

Castletown groundsman praised for commitment: The man responsible for Castletown’s much-admired football pitch has retired from his role as groundsman – 65 years after first volunteering at the club.

Robbie Keith (80) has spent countless hours looking after the pristine playing surface at Back Park, widely considered to be the best in the far north.

Castletown groundsman praised for commitment

Castletown groundsman praised for commitment

Read the full story here

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EGO introduces professional backpack sprayer

EGO introduces professional backpack sprayer: Battery-powered outdoor power equipment specialist, EGO Power+, has launched its first backpack sprayer, designed for precise, comfortable, and efficient spraying within the garden.

With a 15L capacity, the battery-powered BSP3500E Backpack Sprayer features onboard variable flow control of up to 24 bar to deliver the pressure required for a variety of jobs around the garden. Designed for spraying pesticides during the spring to late summer seasons, the sprayer is also powerful enough for light cleaning jobs in the garden.

EGO introduces professional backpack sprayer

EGO introduces professional backpack sprayer

Featuring four nozzles, a stainless-steel wand and a double filtration system, the backpack sprayer provides the versatility to tackle a wide range of jobs. Clog-free performance within the nozzles and heavy-duty rubber hose ensures long-lasting performance, while a translucent tank maximises ease of use.

As well as this, the durable harness is designed for comfortable operation, while the lance handle allows users to intuitively control the spray, ensuring efficient coverage and reduced fatigue during extended work sessions.

Andrew Frohock, Product Manager for EGO, said: “We are proud to have built a reputation for delivering high-performance battery-powered gardening equipment, so our first backpack sprayer feels like a natural addition to our range and we’re proud to be launching it in 2025.

“We are always thinking of how we can use our battery technology to further aid customers with their work, and with this product, they can expect to find the same level of power, comfort and durability that they experience with our landscaping tools.”

Powered by EGO’s 56V ARC LithiumTM battery technology and a brushless motor, the BSP3500E works with any portable battery from the EGO range, the 5.0Ah battery is particularly recommended as it delivers up to 120 minutes of use. To protect the battery when in use, the tool has an integrated cover ensuring moisture cannot reach it.

Featuring a three-plunger pump and supplied with an adjustable cone, fan, shower, and foaming nozzles, the BSP3500E retails at £349, batteries are available separately.

To learn more visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/products/lifestyle/bsp3500E-15l-backback-sprayer

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