Don’t risk your investment this winter

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Don’t risk your investment this winter: One of the best things you can do for your mower this winter is to gift it the best possible replacement parts. And when it comes to a Toro mower, Toro Genuine Parts are the best there is.

It’s more than likely that two deciding factors for choosing Toro machinery are the superior quality of cut and good return on investment and to risk that by choosing cheaper, spurious parts is a false economy, according to Reesink Turfcare.

Don't risk your investment this winter

Don’t risk your investment this winter

Michael Hampton, parts manager at the company, explains: “The considerations that go into deciding which brand to get your machinery from should also influence the decision you make when it comes to which parts you choose. Things like performance, quality of cut, longevity, return on investment, all stand up for parts too.

“Choosing parts that aren’t Toro Genuine Parts, especially when it’s for a Toro mower, can wreak havoc with the machine’s performance and can even risk damaging the cutting units, costing more in the long-term.

“Taking a cylinder mower as an example, the scissor-like shearing action that gives the fine finish it is famed for requires the bedknife and cylinder blades to be sharp, matched and in close relationship with each other. The fit you get with a brand that isn’t specifically designed for the intricacies of the mower will never be exact and that’s where the problems can start. The fact is well-maintained kit with the right parts tends to be trouble-free with far less down-time.”

With cutting in the winter months going down to three times a week, now is a good time to strip back the machines and take an in-depth look at the cutting unit. Keeping on top of general maintenance of tines, filters and belts, ensures machines are in the best possible condition for the hard ground conditions of winter and going into the demands of spring. It can be tempting to cut corners when it comes to servicing and that can be expensive.

For those clubs without a workshop manager or team with the know-how or time to take this sort of job on, Reesink’s dealers and service centres, which are located across the country, can step in. The benefits of a genuine service include second-to-none local support, comprehensive stock reserve, 24-hour delivery service and trans-Atlantic freight service. This represents the kind of reassurance Reesink wants to give turfcare professionals: minimum downtime, maximum productivity and more customer service.

Winter machinery maintenance is a key part of the greenkeeping calendar and the quality of the replacement parts are vital to the machine’s performance in the toughest season of the year. Toro Genuine Parts guarantee the highest possible standards and the best possible backup so, when it comes to which parts to pick, choose the best: choose Toro Genuine Parts.

To stock up on Toro parts or for winter machinery maintenance advice, customers can get in touch with their local Toro Genuine Parts dealer or service centre or contact Reesink via reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

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SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors: The SALTEX 2021 post-show survey confirms the exhibition’s place as the must-attend event for everyone involved in grounds management and turf care.

This year, 93% of exhibitors said SALTEX generated new sales leads, while 96% believed SALTEX was perfect for promoting and maintaining their company profile. In addition, 81% of exhibitors said that exhibiting at SALTEX was important to their overall business strategy and 82% believed it was a perfect opportunity to meet existing customers.

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

When asked to rate their primary target audiences, the below sectors received the highest number of responses

  • Professional sports – 48%
  • Local authorities, councils, parish, town planning – 48%
  • Contractors – land construction, grounds – 41%
  • School, colleges, universities – 40%
  • Dealers, distributors, retailers – 40%
  • Landscapers – 33%

Furthermore, 71% of exhibitors stated that they will be returning to exhibit at SALTEX 2022.

In fact, many have already rebooked with a large percentage increasing the size of their stand. An influx of debut exhibitors has also been reported by the Grounds Management Association (GMA).

“For us it is the number one grounds industry show,” said Les Malin, managing director of Etesia UK. “There are a number of other exhibitions, but they tend to have their own sector that they work in. SALTEX on the other hand attracts a mix of customers right the way through the entire grounds industry.”

Ray McNally from AS Tractors chose SALTEX to launch Mitsubishi Tractors to the UK market and wasn’t disappointed. “This is our launch, and it has gone beyond our expectations,” he said. “Everyone in the horticultural and grounds industries attend this show and these are the demographics Mitsubishi Tractors is targeting. It’s the perfect platform for us and it has been wonderful.”

It was the first SALTEX for Origin Amenity Solutions since bringing together four major industry brands and Richard Fry, marketing manager, was feeling positive. “There was a lot of soul searching and sleepless nights before the opening day of SALTEX, but wow, it has been fantastic. There has been a two-year break since the last show, but the industry has responded. We are very pleased and there has been great footfall from the get-go.”

SALTEX 2021 celebrated its 75th anniversary and remarkably there were two companies on the show floor that have exhibited at all 75 shows – Lloyds & Co and Dennis Mowers.

“We value the loyalty that the Grounds Management Association has always shown us, and we’ve always stuck with them,” said Clive Nottingham, managing director of Lloyds & Co.

“I’m pleased that so many people have come through the door, and it has been a lively show. We’ve had lots of conversations, and there will be lots of quotations, enquiries and work to follow up.”

Ian Howard, managing director of Dennis Mowers also underlined the importance of exhibiting at SALTEX. “I think it is critical to come and meet existing customers, to meet new customers and to listen to what people have got to say. It is the customers that come up with the innovations at the end of the day and every Dennis product that we have got, both petrol and electric, is a result of what customers have said to us. SALTEX is an investment for the future.”

SALTEX 2022 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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John Deere acquires battery company

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John Deere acquires battery company: Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire majority ownership in Kreisel Electric, Inc. (“Kreisel”), a battery technology provider based in Rainbach im Mühlkreis, Austria.

Kreisel develops high-density, high-durability electric battery modules and packs. Additionally, Kreisel has developed a charging infrastructure platform (CHIMERO) that utilises this patented battery technology.

John Deere acquires battery company

John Deere acquires battery company

Since 2014, Kreisel has been a leading innovator focused on the development of immersion-cooled electric battery modules and packs for high-performance and off-highway applications. The company has a differentiated battery technology and battery-buffered charging infrastructure offering and currently serves a global customer base across multiple end markets, including commercial vehicles, off-highway vehicles, marine, e-motorsports, and other high-performance applications.

John Deere sees demand growing for batteries as a sole or hybrid-propulsion system for vehicles. Products in Deere’s portfolio such as turf equipment, compact utility tractors, small tractors, compact construction, and road-building equipment could rely solely on batteries as a primary power source. Deere intends to continue to invest in and develop technologies to innovate, deliver value to customers, and work towards a future with zero emissions propulsion systems.

The majority investment in Kreisel Electric will allow Deere to vertically integrate vehicle and powertrain designs around high-density battery packs while leveraging Kreisel’s charging technology to build out infrastructure required for customer adoption.

“Kreisel’s battery technology can be applied across the broad portfolio of Deere products, and Kreisel’s in-market experience will benefit Deere as it ramps up its battery-electric vehicle portfolio. Deere will provide the expertise, global footprint, and funding to enable Kreisel to continue its fast growth in core markets,” said Pierre Guyot, Senior Vice President, John Deere Power Systems. “This is an opportunity to invest in a company with unique technology that’s designed for the demanding conditions where Deere customers work.”

“Furthermore, building an electrified portfolio is key to John Deere’s sustainability goal of pursuing new technologies that reduce the environmental impact of new products and work toward zero emissions propulsion systems on equipment, while increasing our customers’ efficiency and productivity,” Guyot said.

Kreisel Electric will retain its employees, brand name, and trademark, and continue to operate from its current location in Austria to serve its growing customer base. The company was founded by the brothers Johann, Markus and Philipp Kreisel and has approximately 160 full-time employees.

“The Kreisel team looks forward to expanding our base business, leveraging the Deere channel to accelerate adoption of battery-electric vehicles and charging stations, and working with Deere’s vehicle design teams on product advancements,” said Markus Kreisel, who serves as Managing Director, along with his two brothers, at Kreisel Electric.

The transaction requires final regulatory approval in Austria, with closing expected to take place in approximately 60 days. Financial details are not being disclosed.

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Bayer raise awareness of mental health at BTME

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Bayer raise awareness of mental health at BTME: Bayer is celebrating a successful 12-month collaboration with mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) at BTME this year, with a representative from the charity on the Bayer stand for the event’s duration.

Timothy Peeling, Bayer product manager, says that with suicide being the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, Bayer is committed to raising the awareness of mental health in the typically male dominated turf and amenity sectors.

Bayer raise awareness of mental health at BTME

Bayer raise awareness of mental health at BTME

“Taking the time to listen and understand what people are going through is incredibly important. By listening you could be helping far more than you’ll ever know.

“Attendees at BTME will be able to talk to CALM in confidence, as well as find positive practical solutions to deal with mental wellbeing, which resonate with practically minded people,” he explains.

“I encourage anyone who needs someone to talk to pop by the stand, or alternatively use their online service.” Find out more about CALM here: https://www.thecalmzone.net/.

As well as raising the profile of mental health, the Turf Solutions team will be on hand to talk about all things Harmonix® Tri-Nema.

Colin Mumford, Bayer technical manager, says chafer grub and leatherjacket populations have been on the rise over recent years, with limited solutions to control them.

He explains how Harmonix® Tri-Nema is different to any other nematode solution on the market.

“Harmonix® Tri-Nema offers three different modes of activity in one solution, by utilising a unique blend of three entomopathogenic nematodes, providing a more effective distribution through the soil profile, leading to more consistent results,” he says.

For more information visit the Turf Solutions team in the green zone on stand 338 at BTME, alternatively visit www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk, call 00800 1214 9451, or email turfsolutions@bayer.com.

Understanding glyphosate

Register now for our ‘Understanding glyphosate’ seminar at BTME. On the 25 January at 2pm our technical manager Colin Mumford will provide all of the latest updates on glyphosate, regulations surrounding the active, as well as advice on best practice when using it.

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Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere

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Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere: Based in County Meath in Ireland, the newly built state of the art Karlswood Stables has been a major project for owner and Olympic show jumping medallist Cian O’Connor.

These grand equine facilities extend to 20 stables for his own horses, and another 24 are under construction for others. On top of that the complex boosts its own indoor arena and outdoor grass ring, sand ring, gallops, hacking trails and spa facilities for horses.

Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere

Karlswood Stables invests in John Deere

With the grounds extending to a total area of 68 acres, the Karlswood team required a reliable range of machinery and equipment to maintain the grounds and keep the grass well-trimmed. Being familiar with the benefits of the John Deere brand, Karlswood farm manager Derry McIntyre contacted Noel Bennett of local professional turf dealer Dublin Grass Machinery with a shopping list of the equipment required.

The machinery now supplied includes a new John Deere 4066R compact tractor, 1600T wide area rotary mower, X950R commercial rear-discharge, rear-collect diesel lawn tractor and an electric TE Gator utility vehicle.

Derry explains the purchasing decision by highlighting brand reliability and ease of use. “As this is a brand new complex, we have a lot of lawn and grass areas that have to be kept meticulously presented to maintain the high standards synonymous with Karlswood,” he says. “The self-propelled X950R and 1600T rotary mowers are superb tools to cut the grass around our all-weather arena and lawns.”

Powered by a 66hp diesel engine, the John Deere 4066R compact tractor features a ComfortGard cab and an eHydro three-range automatic transmission with simple to use TwinTouch forward and reverse pedals, plus four-wheel drive as standard.

Derry and his team have already been putting the tractor to good use, and praise its ease of use and versatility. “The 4066R carries out a number of tasks all over the site,” he says.

“For example, we spend around one and a half hours a day raking the arena, and there is a front-mounted mower attachment to provide extra grass cutting help around the hacks and the outside of the farm. We also have a scarifier for maintaining the grass areas, so the tractor has a real multitude of uses.”

As many John Deere Gator operators know, this popular utility vehicle is an extremely useful vehicle to have on any sportsground, farm or woodland. At Karlswood Stables the electric TE Gator is no exception, and has also proved extremely handy.

“The Gator is a fantastic tool to transport various pieces of equipment such as grass strimmers, hedge trimmers and other hand tools to various parts of the farm,” says Derry. “This vehicle makes it easier for us to travel around the site, and with the load bed space on the back to carry materials as well as tools, it is another reliable workhorse here at Karlswood Stables.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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