Turf clean-up made easy with Billy Goat

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Turf clean-up made easy with Billy Goat: With the summer months approaching, it’s important to clear turf now to prepare it for the heavy use it will endure during the season ahead. Whether it’s community fields, golf courses, residential areas or football pitches, every space will require clean-up and maintenance to get it looking and feeling its best.

Billy Goat has designed and manufactured a range of property clean-up products for all types, including residential, commercial or municipal requirements. Billy Goat understands the importance of keeping spaces tidy and its range of tools make sure that maintenance is simple and hassle free.

Turf clean-up made easy with Billy Goat

Turf clean-up made easy with Billy Goat

Remove loose debris

As the growing season begins, turf benefits from being exposed to sunlight as this will encourage strong and effective growth. A layer of debris over grass can cause stunted growth and due to the dark, damp environment debris creates, it is also at risk of encouraging various diseases. So, clearing away debris will not only help reduce damage to grass but it will also allow vital nutrients, air and water in so it can remain healthy and vibrant for summer.

Billy Goat offers a wide range of powerful and robust debris loaders and vaccums that effortlessly remove all types of debris from turf and the DL1302H Debris Loader offers the perfect combination of power and size. With 2,100 cfm of commercial suction and a discharge chute, high productivity leaf and debris removal across small and midsize jobs and crews is made effortless. Plus, with a dual shredding 14.5” diameter armor plate impeller with a Piranha™ blade that reduces debris up to 12.1 and allows you to load up across multiple properties before dispensing, time and effort is reduced.

For both lawn and hard surface areas, the MV601 multi-surface vacuum offers the perfect machine for larger clean-up projects, thanks to its Braggs & Stratton electric easy start engine, self-propelled and 3-speed vacuum. Plus, its powerful 6-blade serrated impeller encourages maximum suction, picking up leaves, grass clippings, litter and other debris quickly and efficiently, making mass clean-up easy.

The MV601 has also been manufactured using abrasion-resistant composite housing components, offering a lightweight model that won’t rust or dent so it can be used year after year.

Scarify to remove thatch

Whilst removing loose debris from on top of turf is vital in preparing it for the summer months, it’s also important to make sure that thatch, moss and any other unwanted growth is removed from turf to ensure strong, healthy growth.

Scarifying is an effective way of removing thatch from turf and can be done around March and April time, when grass starts to grow and can recover quickly. Billy Goat has a versatile range of scarifiers that takes the backache out of turf maintenance. Its CR550H Power Rake is just one example of its impressive products that efficiently removes matted thatch from small to medium sized lawns, thanks to its rugged design and powerful Honda engine. The model is also self-propelled and can be fitted with a spring tine reel, so even thatch in hard to reach places can be removed, leaving every inch of lawn looking like new.

Undertaking clean-up projects now will help to keep turf looking lush throughout the summer, and Billy Goat provides the tools to help clear turf of any size with ease.

Aerate lawns to life

The Billy Goat range of Plugr aerators enables grounds professionals, landscapers and contractors to be able to tackle large areas of lawn quickly and easily. Plugr aerators offer the perfect solution to promoting spring growth, improving drainage and encouraging new growth by making holes throughout the turf that breaks up compacted soil and allows air, water and nutrients to circulate through the roots. This results in healthier, stronger roots, grass and turf.

The PL1801H has an 18” working width so are ideal for smaller grounds. It also has four tines that place cores 2.75” deep and aerate 22,000 square feet per hour. They have an easy-folding handle that allows for compact use, transportation and storage, and its lightweight design allows for ease in manoeuvrability. For those seeking a more productive, cost-efficient way of aerating larger areas, the 25 Series is best. It offers the best combination of productivity, comfort and results, whilst boasting intuitive controls, and variable speed fingertip hydro-drive innovation.

The PL2501SPV is powered by a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 203cc engine and is best suited for more intense usage and larger areas. The models have a 25” working width and eight reciprocating cam driven tines that punch to core depths of 2.75”, delivering aeration to up to 42,500 square feet per hour.

Billy Goat products are available nationwide through Henton & Chattell’s dealer network. For more information and to see videos demonstrating their performance visit www.billygoat.co.uk.

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Pay more or staffing crisis will worsen

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Pay more or staffing crisis will worsen: Industry leaders say there are rising vacancies in key roles at golf clubs – and action must be taken now.

Read the full article from National Club Golfer here

Groundsman to play on his 'sacred' pitch

Groundsman to play on his ‘sacred’ pitch

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Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

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Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity: A granular feeding programme devised by Tom Hobbis of Agrovista Amenity has dramatically improved the greens at Jedburgh Golf Club.

Described by those who play the course, Jedburgh Golf Club in Scotland is a hidden gem full of risk and reward. It is a par 69 course with spectacular views over the town of Jedburgh, Dunion and the Cheviot hills. With a thriving membership, the club recognises the importance of keeping the course in the best condition possible. Therefore, when a problematic ninth hole started causing issues the club sought some outside expertise.

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

“We brought Amenity Specialist Tom Hobbis in from Agrovista Amenity to give us some advice,” said Robert Armstrong, Jedburgh Golf Club’s Green Ranger. “We wanted a new entire feeding programme and so Tom looked at all the greens, not just the one we were having the most problems with. He took several soil samples to see if we had any underlying issues and fortunately there was nothing serious – just a lack of nutrients. He then came up with a plan for all of the greens.”

“It was about taking it back to basics,” said Tom, who joined Agrovista Amenity last year. “We needed to reduce stress on the greens and a simplistic programme was required. After careful consideration I felt that a granular approach would be most suitable.

“I put together a programme using the Compo Expert range because you get 100% nutrition from these products, and they have a very low scorch potential – which would suit the lack of water application. Another reason for choosing the Compo Expert products is that they don’t sit in the surface for long – they break down incredibly well and get into the profile very quickly. The products that I put forward have been tried and tested in all corners of the UK.”

Agrovista Amenity is the exclusive national distributor of Compo Expert’s turf products in the UK for good reason. The unique and innovative controlled and slow-release chemistry provides environmentally-friendly fertilisers at a time when many turf and landscape managers are exploring more sustainable methods.

In concentrating on the problematic ninth hole, Tom firstly identified Ferro Top 6-0-12 as a solution. With a very fine and uniform granular size, Ferro Top ensures perfect sward penetration and is ideal for fine turf surfaces such as greens.

“We used Ferro Top at the start of the season and at the back end of the season,” said Tom. “With its high iron content, it has really firmed the greens up and helps towards sward penetration. The magnesium in it has also massively helped to keep a good colour across the greens for longer periods without a flush of growth.

“After Ferro Top gave the greens the kick-start they needed, we then moved on to Floranid Twin Eagle Master 19-5-10 which is ideal for late spring/early summer and autumn feeds.

We used two applications and it gave great longevity thanks to its two nitrogen compounds, ISODUR and CROTODUR. As a result, the club didn’t have to put as much down over the course of the season, and it therefore saved money.”

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

Jedbugh praises Agrovista Amenity

As Tom says, the new slow-release fertilisers in the Floranid Twin range are comprised of a unique combination of two highly efficient and well-proven nitrogen compounds, ISODUR (moisture dependent) and CROTODUR (heat dependent). This Double N Technology ensures a long-lasting and reliable supply of nitrogen at the highest possible utilisation rate and guarantees optimal plant growth for the successful implementation of ambitious sports turf management.

Last but certainly not least, Tom claims that one of the most integral products in the programme was Kali Gazon 0-0-27. High potassium with added magnesium and sulphur makes Kali Gazon an effective stress reliever, improving turf tolerance against drought, disease, and cold temperatures.

“All of these products have proved to be a fantastic combination,” concluded Tom. “Jedburgh Golf Club put a lot of faith in me and the products and I’m incredibly happy that they are reaping the benefits of the programme.”

Andrew Chambers, Head Greenkeeper, who plays a vital role in the maintenance of the course at Jedburgh, also praised the successful programme.

“The feeding programme has been very successful, and we are delighted with the progress – the products have worked admirably for us,” he said. “We will be carrying out the same programme this year and I’m looking forward to the greens getting even better.

“We’ve had a significant number of positive comments, everybody at the club is delighted and I’ve not had one bad word said about the greens.”

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

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SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

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SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor: Waterhouses FC is the latest grassroots football club to benefit from the new partnership between Dennis, SISIS, Campey Turfcare and the Staffordshire Football Association.

This partnership will be a key component in the Football Association’s goal of improving a total of 20,000 grass pitches across England over the next decade.

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

Gareth Thomas, Commercial and Partnership Lead for Staffordshire FA, revealed how partnerships with such companies are integral to achieving this goal.

“We are measured by participation, so we are tasked by the government and the Football Association to get more people playing football,” he said. “The reality is, if clubs have not got good, quality surfaces to play on then people won’t want to play.

“Already we have seen a huge improvement from the clubs who have made the most of the funding by purchasing the right equipment. Working with the likes of SISIS helps to make our programme as impactful as it possibly can be.”

Waterhouses FC, based in North Staffordshire, plays a large part in the local community and is home to many teams ranging from Under 8’s upwards. The pitch improvement project has been driven by Waterhouses Parish Council and David Stone – Chairman, and Chris Hinton – Clerk to the Parish Council, explained why it was so important.

“Since 2008 the maintenance of the pitches has been down to the Parish Council, but with five villages within the parish, and with so much to do, it has been difficult to juggle everything,” said David. “As a result, the pitches suffered and now we want to improve them.

The facilities here are certainly worthy of that.”

Chris added: “From experience I’ve seen just how hard it is to find good pitches to play on when the bad weather hits. Quite often, teams will end up on a 3G pitch which costs a fortune. We quickly tuned into the fact that the FA is trying to improve this widespread problem.”

Through the programme, significant funding is available to support grassroots clubs, and part of the criteria involves a qualified pitch advisor visiting the site. Andy Jackson (Stoke FC Grounds Manager) visited Waterhouses FC and wrote a full report in which he recommended three pieces of equipment. One of those products was the SISIS Quadraplay.

The SISIS Quadraplay multiple-purpose, single-pass maintenance incorporates a mounted frame for up to four implements such as grooming rakes, spikers, slitters, rollers and brushes. The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect. Compact, robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations simultaneously – the Quadraplay makes life a lot easier for many grounds persons, as Chris explained.

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

“The Quadraplay helps with the presentation of the pitch, it disperses the worm casts, it rolls the pitch and de-thatches it. Depending on weather, we plan on using it at least once a week – it will be invaluable to us.”

Gareth clarified why the Staffordshire FA will always be quick to recommend both the Quadraplay and SISIS in general.

“We don’t want clubs to buy equipment that they might only be able to use a couple of times a year,” he said. “The Quadraplay is ideal because it is versatile and can be used on a regular basis throughout the year. It is a product we are more than happy to put our name to.

“We know that all the products from SISIS are quality, but perhaps more importantly, the SISIS team are brilliant at ensuring grounds personnel know how the equipment works. They are always on the other end of the phone if you need them and if clubs aren’t too sure on when or how to use a product, a member of the SISIS team will be quick to visit and show them how.”

David admitted that the pitch improvement project has brought a feel-good factor to the community.

“The children, the families – all the local people that come here, will benefit from this,” he said. “The quality of the pitches will go up and the costs of doing it will go down, because we no longer have to bring in third parties.

“It’s really quite incredible to be honest.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

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

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GGM Groundscare’s state-of-the-art blade grinders

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GGM Groundscare’s state-of-the-art blade grinders: GGM Groundscare, the trusted, leading supplier of fine-turf machinery and after-sales support has made a £60k investment in two new professional blade grinding machines for their Haydock depot from market leading manufacturer Foley.

The investment comes as GGM reports seeing significant growth in the golf and fine turf areas of the business with both Baroness and Dennis machinery. This has led to a requirement for the organisation to double their grinding capacity and it is now able to offer first class grinding at both its Colne and Haydock depots.

GGM Groundscare's state-of-the-art blade grinders

GGM Groundscare’s state-of-the-art blade grinders

GGM Groundscare specialise in helping golf clubs across the North West and Yorkshire to become more efficient in their operation by using the best machinery available. With the new investment, customers will benefit even more, with improved response times, back up support and a high quality of grinding, resulting in blades that are returned to “good as new” condition.

Managing Director Chris Gibson said:

“As a company, we are committed to offering an excellent after sales offering and this investment means customers can reap the benefits of premium grinding and get a first-class level of cut.

We recognise that an important factor in achieving a first-class quality of cut is to ensure blades are kept in optimum condition with precision relief grinding, something that is essential to golf clubs. This investment will allow us to offer this service to even more golf clubs.”

GGM Groundscare have installed the two new grinders at its Haydock branch:

The 633 Accu-Pro from Foley is engineered to blade grind to the customers exact specification, both spin grinding or returning the reel to manufacturer specifications, with a focus on quality and efficiency.

The second grinder, the Foley 673 Automatic Bedknife Grinder, is one of the fastest of its kind in the world without compromising on quality of results.

Chris Gibson continued:

“Following our previous investment in our two Foley Grinders at our Colne depot in 2018, we quickly saw an upturn in the efficiency and demand of our blade grinding offering.

This investment is on the back of our commitment in growing and developing our Haydock depot offering and the two new Foley grinders enable us to offer our Merseyside and Cheshire based customers a local first-class service with a quicker turn-around. Foley grinders return blades to manufacturer standard and provide customers with unmatched results.”

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