East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann

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East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann: Course Manager, Barry Nichol, at East Renfrewshire GC in Glasgow’s southside has been twenty years at the club; ten years as deputy course manager, and the last six months in the top job.

One of his key tasks moving into his new post was to identify an aerator to target historic deep-lying compaction on greens. The club, a notable moorland course, designed by James Braid, celebrates its centenary this year and has traditional clay push up greens, many plateau style.

East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann

East Renfrewshire chooses Wiedenmann

“Most have an ash layer about ten inches (24 cm) down, so we needed something to hit and go through that to break compaction,” said Barry Nichol. “We’ve been redraining two or three every year, and you can see progress, but regular deep aeration is essential.”

After discussion with Rob Hogarth Regional Sales Manager, and Stuart Cameron, Area Demonstrator, from local dealer, Fairways GM, exclusive Wiedenmann UK dealer for Scotland, Barry Nichol opted for a new Terra Spike XP6, the deepest machine in the Wiedenmann UK fleet.

“You always get good advice from the GM team as many are former course managers and greenkeepers themselves. The ability to go to 14 -16 inches (35-40 cm) with wider tines was required.”

The XP6 arrived at the beginning of December, enough for several outings before Christmas, all using 20 mm diameter tines and around 5° of heave,

“Deep compaction layers need a bigger tine to break them up. It is great to shard through the compacted layers of the soil’s profile to allow air, water, and nutrients through, and while it would have suited us well to get more done before the year end, we made a good start.

“The XP reaches so far down, leaves a clean hole and does exactly the job we need. The 1.6 m width suits us as we have a few tight spots to turn.”

East Renfrewshire GC is set 500 feet above sea level and its distinctive moorland credentials ensure it is always busy.

“When you are talking greens, even in winter, we have to be mindful of disruption to the surface” continued Barry, “Tining up to three times in the off season will probably be enough. In the playing season, aeration must be discrete. We still need to break up compaction layers just below the surface to keep it loose for drainage, so we will only ever pencil tines to a depth of 120-150 mm, but you could have a particularly wet or dry summer, so the knack is to choose when to go if the conditions are right.”

Barry is supported by a team of six greenkeepers. Wiedenmann UK’s lead demonstrator, Andy Kerr, was on hand for installation and user training.

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Moving on up with the Razor Ultra

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Moving on up with the Razor Ultra: The Dennis Razor Ultra cylinder mower is helping the ambitious Rykneld Bowling Club to progress in the right direction.

Rykneld Bowling Club, based in Derbyshire, boasts an impressive history that stretches back to 1918.  It is an exciting and progressive club that promotes participation of the whole community in the sport of crown green bowls.

Moving on up with the Razor Ultra

Moving on up with the Razor Ultra

It is arguably one of the best clubs in the county and has its sights set even higher.

“As a club we are on the move upwards, and we need the very best equipment to ensure we have a fantastic green,” said committee member Malcolm Holden.

It is for this reason that Rykneld Bowling Club now boasts a brand-new Dennis Razor Ultra cylinder mower.

Superbly balanced and ideal for bowls greens and other fine turf surfaces, the Razor Ultra has an operating width of 560mm (22in) and an 11-blade cutting cylinder for a perfect finish.

An ultra-short wheelbase ensures easy manoeuvrability and excellent performance, even on undulating surfaces. The Dennis Razor Ultra also encompasses the simple ‘no tools required’ click height adjusters for quick and easy operation.

This unique mower has certainly made a difference according to Malcolm.

“We had a couple of old cylinder mowers, but they just could not do what the Razor Ultra does,” he said. “The main benefit is that it has a groomer on it which lifts up the grass before it cuts, and that is really important because the speed of the green is very high on the list of priorities for our top-class bowlers.

“We did look at other mowers, but we know a local greenkeeper from a club five miles away who has a Dennis Razor Ultra, and he was singing its praises. When Dennis Mowers came to do a demo, Howard, who is a groundsman here, thought it was his birthday!

“We’re all absolutely delighted – it is a fabulous piece of kit, and we use it three times a week during the season – Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.

“The Razor Ultra has helped us to get rid of a lot of the horizontal growing grass and the players have noticed a big improvement – the feedback we are getting is that the green is running better than it ever has.”

Aside from being impressed with the product, Malcolm was quick to praise the customer service he received.

“Dennis are absolutely superb,” he said. “We had the Razor Ultra on order and while we were waiting for it, our old mower stopped working, we panicked because we had a competition coming up. We spoke to Dennis, and they sent a loan machine out to us the very next day. It was fantastic customer service, and that goes a long way in my opinion.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Shining a light on improved productivity

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Shining a light on improved productivity: Makita UK has added two new cordless tower lights to its wide range of lighting solutions. The DML813 and DML814 are the perfect additions to any jobsite during the darker months, providing the illumination needed for safe working this winter.

Having fewer daylight hours to work with is one of the biggest challenges that tradespeople face during the winter months as, without proper light, the same level of productivity simply cannot be achieved. However, with Makita’s new cordless tower lights, professionals can keep working safely for longer.

Shining a light on improved productivity

Shining a light on improved productivity

The DML813 and DML814 18V LXT Cordless Tower Lights feature 12 daylight white LEDs that deliver up to 3,000 lumens and mimic natural daylight for maximum user visibility. With three settings to choose from, professionals can easily adjust the output to suit the working conditions, and both models include a memory function that will turn the light on in the last setting used, for increased efficiency. What’s more, the DML814 features three light heads that can be pivoted independently, which is ideal when larger work areas need illuminating.

Both the DML813 and DML814 are height adjustable (from 125-224cm), making them suitable for use at ground level and at height. The tripod stand is easily operated using a lock-release button – and it can be secured to the ground with screws or pegs for maximum stability. At the end of the day, the DML813 and DML814 can be neatly folded up for simple storage and transportation.

The DML813 and DML814 have also been specifically designed for use on construction sites and are IP55 certified for weather and dust resistance. They also feature a padlock hole for the battery, to help protect against theft.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “We are delighted to expand our leading 18V LXT platform with two new site lights. At Makita, we are dedicated to ensuring that professionals have access to the tools that they need to work productively and efficiently – and the DML813 and DML814 will help them to do just that.”

The DML813 and DML814 join over 270 products in Makita’s LXT cordless range. To find out more about Makita and its LXT platform visit: www.makitauk.com.

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New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

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New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity: Tom Weaver has been announced as the new Central Area Sales Manager for Agrovista Amenity.

Tom initially started his career as a greenkeeper and quickly worked his way up to the position of course manager. He credits his greenkeeping experience for helping to shape his career path and claims that he was proud to once have been ‘on the tools.’

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

New area sales manager for Agrovista Amenity

At the age of 28 he became a sales advisor for Pitchcare, where he began advising greenkeepers and turf managers on various products – many of which he had previously used. Tom made an impact, and it wasn’t long before he was overseeing the internal sales team.

It was a period in his career that he will always remember fondly.

“For me, the biggest achievement was the team ethos that we have created,” he said.

“We’ve been on a journey together and the department is now such a well-oiled machine.

We’ve got staff ranging in age from 21 to 65, who are all pushing in the same direction – it’s great to see and even better to be a part of.”

Based in Allscott, Telford, Tom will still be leading the internal turf team but in addition he will also be focussing on the external side of the business.

“It is not a case of reinventing the wheel because the external team is the best in the business,” said Tom. “I’m there to offer support and to ensure that I’m always available on the other end of the phone if they need advice or solutions.

“I’m sure there be will lots of twists and turns in the road ahead, but that is part of the job and I fully intend on successfully overcoming any challenges. In terms of my direct line of management I could not ask for much more – my relationship with Dan Hughes (Head of Commercial) and John Marland (Head of Amenity) is very strong and it’s always nice to have their support.

“2022 has the potential to be hugely successful and I truly believe we can do great things here.”

Commenting on Tom’s appointment, Dan Hughes said: “Tom joins an exceptionally talented and experienced Area Management team of James Watson (South) and Ramsay MacGregor (North). Despite still being relatively young, Tom brings a wealth of agronomy skill and proven management experience to the role. At heart Tom is an industry person, sports enthusiast and a conscientious team player who will strengthen our business and engagement with customers.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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Two is company when it comes to ISEKI

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Two is company when it comes to ISEKI: ISEKI UK & Ireland, distributors of ISEKI compact tractors and mowers alongside their local dealer Rickerby based in Carlisle, recently sold a TLE3410 following an initial TG6490 IQ to Richmond (Yorks) Golf Club.

Established in 1892 Richmond Golf Club in North Yorkshire holds a 18 hole golf course, carefully maintained and constantly improved by a team of three greenkeepers headed up by Rob Spaven, Head Greenkeeper, Iain Leversuch and Daniel Dean.  With the course’s long history, the team are passionate about continuing to refine the course bringing it back to its natural habitat. Over-looking a valley it is perfectly positioned for stunning views at every hole no matter what the Yorkshire weather throws at it.

Two is company when it comes to ISEKI

Two is company when it comes to ISEKI

Having purchased its first TG6490 IQ tractor from local dealer Rickerby based in Hexham four years ago the club has since grown in popularity and memberships, which in turn means more pressure on the greenkeeping team to keep developing the course.

Commenting on the initial purchase Rob Spaven explained; “One of the main reasons we purchased the TG6490 IQ was because of the tractors low ground pressure ensuring minimal damage on the greens, we are a wet course thanks to the local Yorkshire weather so this is very important to us.”

“Another invaluable tool of this particular tractor is the Headland management system when verti-draining. Instead of acting like an octopus having to constantly keep lifting and lowering the implement, starting and stopping the PTO whilst turning and realigning, the headland management system cuts out the PTO when lifted and re-engages on return down all with one simple lever making these repetitive tasks so much easier and safer.”

“There is a big selection of 24 gears for the ultimate control, 1,580kg lift capacity perfect for operating implements, moving logs and towing trailers, and most importantly the air con cab is a god send when working in Yorkshire inclement weather!”

With the increased maintenance that was now required due to the club’s success, it was decided another tractor was needed to keep up with the workload.  This is where the new TLE3410 comes in, commenting on the decision Rob Spaven explained; “again with its low ground pressure and minimal damage on the greens the 40hp TLE3410 with 1000kg lift capacity was chosen for spraying and slitting fairways.  A really good, simple tractor that’s bomb proof and perfect for operators to just jump on and use.”

“As greenkeepers we are all worried about taking tractors on the greens, but when you’ve got two tractors that barely leave any marks, what more could you ask for! The TG’s reliability has been faultless, club’s don’t have as much excess money anymore, we can’t afford big repair bills but we have had no problems with this tractor.”

“After the excellent service and back up received from our first ISEKI tractor from local dealer Rickerby, we didn’t hesitate to contact them again for the purchase of our TLE3410.  The staff at ISEKI UK have also been brilliant, they are a friendly bunch to deal with, happy to answer any questions and there is really good communication from them.  I cannot speak highly enough of them to be honest and would highly recommend ISEKI products.”

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