Ventrac helps enhance presentation

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Ventrac helps enhance presentation: Adam Smith, the Head of Grounds and Gardens at Bishop’s Stortford College, has been delighted with the higher level of presentation and the work-hour savings, following the purchase of a Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor.

Supplied through local groundscare dealer, Upsons Mowers, the package initially included a 72-inch rotary mowing deck. Subsequently the College has added a Power Brush attachment.

Ventrac helps enhance presentation

Ventrac helps enhance presentation

Adam’s career in the industry has included numerous different roles – first as a mechanical technician with a European groundscare contractor, then as a product demonstrator followed by a sales role with a large regional UK dealer, and a further sales role for Toro in Brisbane. On returning to the UK, he gained more sales experience with a John Deere dealer before a career switch to groundsmanship at nearby Haileybury Imperial College, before joining the Bishop’s Stortford team two years ago.

“Without a doubt the Ventrac has enhanced the overall appearance of our large grassed areas and its ability to mow on 40-degree slopes has cut out hundreds of hours of brush-cutting for the team” he said. “There are only four of us, so every hour is vital. Strimming is such a time-consuming job, but we have now freed up hours that can spent on other important tasks around the facility. It has been a gamechanger.”

“We have some serious banks across the 130 acres and I was looking for a machine that would save us from the hours of brush-cutting. Upsons suggested the Ventrac and, at first, I wasn’t too sure; to be honest it looked a bit ‘Mickey Mouse’, but once we’d had it demo-ed we were immediately won over. Andy Richards came over from Haileybury for the demo and he has bought one as well. We have a good working relationship and, on occasions, lend each other attachments. It’s simple with the Ventrac linkage system, there’s no complicated set up, you just drive out of one and drive in to the next.

“Before the Ventrac we were using a 50hp tractor with a rear-mounted roller mower, but it was so cumbersome with limited maneuverability in tight spaces. We have several outdoor teaching spaces, such as the arboretum, and getting around the trees and outdoor furniture was a major problem. The Ventrac alleviated this immediately as it has a centre-pivot steering system and can turn tightly. Again, this saves many workhours and is much more efficient.

“This has become our front-line machine; its low ground pressure means we can go out at any time, even in some of the very wet areas and you feel really safe on the banks, it’s a machine you can trust. We have a natural spring that rises near our Pre-Prep School and we can’t usually get in there before late May, but with the Ventrac we cut it in February.

“The weight transfer system works well and by turning it down, the striping effect when using the roller deck is excellent. I particularly like the rear three-point linkage. We can hitch up our Sisis brush units and use the Ventrac as the tow vehicle on our synthetic surfaces. It has such a light footprint, much better than a utility vehicle and we can also brush in stripes on our natural surfaces, if required. We also have a ball hitch, so we can attach equipment such as our water bowser or trailers. Its versatility is endless.”

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John Deere technology improves accuracy and efficiency

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John Deere technology improves accuracy and efficiency: The 2022 Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year says the technology packed into his John Deere R962i has simplified applications without compromising on the size of the tank.  

Steve May, arable foreman at Fromant and Sanders in Kislingbury, Northamptonshire, has a 6,200-litre tank and 36m boom on his trailed machine, pulled by a 6215R AutoPowr.

John Deere technology improves accuracy and efficiency

John Deere technology improves accuracy and efficiency

The biggest trailed John Deere sprayer available at the time of purchase in 2019, Steve opted to stay loyal to the brand after being impressed with his previous model, the M740.

“The R-series sprayers are already high spec, so a lot of the features I needed came as standard,” he says. “This is our third John Deere sprayer, but this one was a big step up in terms of technology, size and width.”

Twin Select nozzles, one fixed and one quad rotating, means that Steve can alternate between them from the cab, cutting down on the manual changes.

He has been particularly impressed with the PowrSpray system, which boasts separate pumps for filling and spraying. “The filling system on this sprayer is just fantastic,” he says.

“The filling pump has a 1,200-litre/min capacity, so I can fill the tank in around five minutes,” he explains.

Setting how much water he wants on the screen, Steve can depend on the system to fill the sprayer on its own, and he has the option to use the ‘active pause’ function to slow the speed of filling while the chemicals are added.

Altogether Steve sprays 810ha, which is split between the home farm and contracted work and crops grown include wheat, barley, oats, oilseed rape and beans.

“The tractor and sprayer both being John Deere means everything is integrated really nicely, which makes my life easier,” he says.

“I use the tractor’s Greenstar RTK guidance to put the tramlines in, which means I can spray everything with autosteer,” Steve says.

Previously, Steve worked on SF1, meaning he had to correct the guidance lines as he worked. “Now they are perfect throughout the season,” he says.

The 6215R is fitted with 710/70 R42 tyres for the winter and 480/80 R46 rubber in the summer. The sprayer has 710/70 R38 spec for the winter and runs on 420/80 R46s in the summer.

Overall, Steve has been impressed with the R962i’s performance.

“The technology is very clever but on a simpler level it’s easily manoeuvrable for such a large implement, and the axle suspension smooths out the ride.”

Steve has been so impressed that the farm has already placed an order for John Deere’s new R975i which has a 7,500-litre tank and is expected to arrive on farm in time for 2023 spring spraying.

“It’s pretty much the same machine, it just has a bigger tank which will give us a bit more capacity, particularly in the autumn when we’re doing pre-emergence,” Steve says.

“We’re putting 200l per hectare on when we’re spraying pre-emergence herbicides so obviously the more liquid I can get in the tank, the further I can get around in a day.

“I think the new sprayer comes in somewhere around 90 acres per tank load, whereas our current model does 75 acres per tank load.”

Tank size is key because he needs the capacity to avoid having to make journeys back to base to refill.

Although there are a couple of satellite water tanks at his disposal, not having to rely on them so much will provide a significant time saving.

Steve fought off stiff competition to be named Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year, securing his win after impressing the judges in all three rounds.

“It’s not really about driving a tractor or sprayer – it’s about having the knowledge and ability to do the best job you can with what you’ve got,” he explains.

“The judges focus on how you set up your equipment, processes and paperwork to be as precise as possible, because this leads to efficiency, which in turn leads to environmental gains.

“Finding out I had won was fantastic.”

Steve is BASIS and FACTS qualified, and made the final six of the Syngenta-organised competition in 2018 but 2022 was the first time he has taken the top prize which includes a trophy and a trip to Agritechnica 2023.

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Two Ventracs at the True Fit

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Two Ventracs at the True Fit: Over the past couple of years, the True Fit Golf Centre at Cuerdley near Warrington has purchased two Ventrac all-terrain compact tractors and a selection of attachments to maintain the 18-hole Fiddlers Ferry golf course and 22-bay driving range. All of the equipment was purchased through their local dealer, Cheshire Turf Machinery.

The True Fit Golf Centre was originally formed in 1985 as a golf club assembly business by engineer Mark Overton, before he added a 9-hole golf course, which quickly turned into 18-holes of golf when a local farmer sold him some adjoining land.

Two Ventracs at the True Fit

Two Ventracs at the True Fit

The small course maintenance team were using an eclectic mix of mowing equipment before the engineer in Mark Overton decided there must be a more cost-effect way to manage the 5,500-yard course.

“I followed Ventrac on YouTube long before I decided to have a demo, as it appealed to my engineering instincts”, he said. “I liked the fact that you have a single power unit and multiple attachments to do various jobs around the course. We purchased our first unit back in 2020 and it quickly became apparent that we needed another one. We were considering the purchase of a new fairway mower from a major brand, but for the £80,000 purchase price we can have a Ventrac with a selection of attachments that do more than just on task. It just made sound commercial sense.”

Ian Millington is the principal operator of the machine and said,

“We have the two tractor units and added more attachments over time, so we now have a Contour deck, which we set at 35mm for the semi-rough and the triple Reel mower, which is set at 14mm for the fairways. This unit cuts as well, if not better, than some of the major brands. The Tough Cut deck is used on overgrown areas, and the Trencher is used for creating drainage bands, as we are situated very close to the river Mersey and it can be wet at times. Our final attachment is the Power Rake which we use for reinstating gravel pathways or preparing new areas when we need to break up the soil. It really has added to the overall presentation and playability of the course; even the golfers have made favourable comments!”

Mark Overton added, “We are a Pay-and-Play course with many regulars using our seasonal pass, creating a membership feel. All greens and tees have been built to USGA specifications and it has been designed to suit all levels of golfer from the beginner right through to the regular enthusiast. We’re not a long course by any calculation, but the Ventrac is the ideal solution for cost-effective course maintenance.

“Covering over 120 acres, the course has many water features and can be quite wet due to our proximity to the river as Ian alluded to earlier. Now, with the Trencher, we have the flexibility to install drainage when we want to and are not reliant on contractors. And we can get the machine out when it’s wet due to its incredibly low ground pressure. It’s robust, very well built and, as we have proved, it’s not just a machine for high-end clubs. Yes, we definitely like it.”

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Trilo S12’s transform conservation cut & collect

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Trilo S12’s transform conservation cut & collect: The cut and collect of conservation areas and wild flower habitats is proving no problem now for R J Jochimsen Contractors Ltd, thanks to a brace of Trilo S12’s from Vanmac.

After purchasing his first S12 unit in May 2020, a big increase in enquiries for large area, sustainable land management saw MD Rob Jochimsen add a second to his fleet in September 2021 – the pair delivering the perfect combination of capacity, efficiency and adaptability.

Trilo S12’s transform conservation cut & collect

Trilo S12’s transform conservation cut & collect

Based in the South of England, the team undertake all manner of maintenance tasks for customers including airports, private estates and local authorities which is where, Rob cites, there’s been a major increase in environmental and conservation areas. “These conservation areas tend to only be cut once a year, meaning you often have very large quantities of grass and materials to process” he explains. With that in mind, Rob sought a larger machine to replace a small-capacity unit they were previously using and opted for the S12 vacuum collector from Trilo.

“This was delivered in May 2020 and straight away transformed how we approached the task of large-scale cut and collect. Fitted with the flail head, we could accurately and effectively cover the hectarage and collect it all in the 12m3 hopper – reducing the time spent travelling backwards and forwards to empty.” So impressed with the range and productivity, Rob purchased a second unit less than 18 months later. “The two machines will now often work in tandem, getting the task at hand completed efficiently, quickly and to the satisfaction of both the customer and my team.”

“Along with the flail head, we also have the brush attachment and wander hose meaning we have the flexibility to use the S12’s for leaf clearance or sweeping in parks or on football pitches. Swapping between these attachments takes less than an hour, and all of the ongoing regular maintenance is also nice and simple.”

The S12 now forms part of the large, multi-purpose M-Series of vacuum sweepers from Trilo. Offering hopper capacities of up to 20m3, the M-Series is designed with high volume and year-round versatility in mind – giving the operator the ability to conduct leaf clearance, verti-cutting, mowing and collection all with one machine.

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Kubota keeps Kingston pristine

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Kubota keeps Kingston pristine: Kubota’s new F-series mower is playing an important role in Glendale Services’ new contract in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, which involves the maintenance of parks, housing, verges and highways.

“We take care of grasscutting on everything from verges to sports pitches, along with sportsfield renovations and preparation,” explains supervisor Richard Leadbeater.

Kubota keeps Kingston pristine

Kubota keeps Kingston pristine

“The contract is based on cut-and-drop, and we are using three Kubota F-series mowers plus a G series compact mower for smaller areas, supported by electric strimmers and blowers.”

Richard comments that the team has recently switched from another brand and the process has been seamless.

“The controls are slightly different, but the mowers are very easy to drive, which is important as we often have new starters on the team.”

The F-391 mower chosen by Glendale is powered by the latest 38hp four-cylinder Kubota stage V engine, with hydrostatic transmission and on-demand four-wheel drive.

It is fitted with a 1.52m (60in) rotary deck and has a 61 litre fuel tank for reduced downtime.

“We like the straightforward nature of the mower – it’s easy to repair if it gets damaged by our working environment and we can rely on the parts supply.”

The mowers are used from March to September for at least five days a week for six hours, cutting on a two-week cycle. They are required to handle anything from long grass on verges to closer cuts in parks and playing fields.

“The Kubotas are proving very durable and we have not had any issues,” he says.

Cut height is adjustable via the castor wheels, generally from 20-70mm for this contract.

“Although the mowers need to be productive, cut quality is also essential, especially for housing work, as residents place great importance on the appearance of their surroundings,” Richard points out.

For operator Xavier Alsina Bartolome, the manoeuvrability offered by the mowers, which have power steering as well as a top speed of 19.6kph, is a major advantage.

“I can work really tightly around trees and posts which reduces the amount of strimming needed and makes the team more efficient,” he comments. “It’s well designed for roadside work with good forward speed and even at 20mm cut height the deck rides well over drain covers and other obstructions. It’s also very comfortable to drive over a long day.”

With the contract set for seven years, durable and quality machinery will be key to offering the best service, and Richard says:

“The Kubotas are working really well and we would certainly expect them to last the life of the contract.”

Neal Harper, Machinery Manager for Glendale, comments: “We have partnered with Kubota for a good many years now and have found their product range robust, of good value and suiting most applications that our contracts come across. Kubota is approachable as a manufacturer and willing to work with us to find solutions to our needs, backed up by a professional and reliable dealer network across the UK.”

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