First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

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First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing: Thonock Park in Lincolnshire is the first club in the UK to invest in Toro’s Turf Pro autonomous mowers.

Having made the decision to move to autonomous mowing at the beginning of the year, the club was introduced to Toro’s new Turf Pro mowers at the BTME launch and has subsequently purchased five from local Toro dealer, Russells Groundcare.

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

First club in UK invests in Toro robotic mowing

The five Turf Pro 500 mowers are being used to cut both fairways and rough of 18 of the club’s 36 holes. According to General Manager Benjamin Hatch: “Our robot mowers are now cutting the fairways and rough for 18 holes on the Thonock Park course, and we are exceptionally pleased with their quality of cut and the definition between fairway and rough grasses.”

Thonock Park and Russells have had two comprehensive training sessions post-install from Lee Rowbotham, GeoLink and Digital Specialist at Reesink UK.

Lee explains the process: “We were there at the point of delivery to install the chargers and base station. The mowers are blind out of the box, so training involves telling them everything they need to know, like where the charging station is, the route to the fairways, what the safe areas, and not safe areas are. And of course, for the team to understand the operation and the terminology involved.”

Once set up, Course Manager Rob Acheson was shown how to control all five mowers through the Smart App. Operation is something Lee likens to how irrigation sprinklers are controlled.

“They are controlled individually, one at a time, and can be set up in advance,” he says. “Just like you can set a sprinkler to come on at 5am, you can set the Turf Pros to start mowing at 10pm once everyone has gone home if you wish.”

This provides a big advantage in getting course maintenance ahead of play. All fairway mowing can be completed before the course opens, supported by “the almost non-existent noise levels” as confirmed by Benjamin.

Another added benefit of these mowers comes from how the club has been able to redefine the job requirements of the team and can guarantee all-year round value.

“Very importantly, these mowers have enabled us to reassign some of our skilled greenkeeping team to other tasks on the course that require more specialist work,” Benjamin says. “During the wetter months, we expect to keep using these mowers, when ordinarily we would struggle to use the much heavier diesel machines. All in all, it has been a very positive investment for us and one that we believe we will continue to benefit from year after year.”

Just as Reesink sees the value in providing dedicated support for this new technology with the new digital specialist role created for Lee, so too do Russells who have recruited two dedicated employees to demonstrate and install Russells’ autonomous mowing offerings to customers, including private properties, estates, schools, golf courses and other sporting venues.

Mark Willerton, Groundcare Sales Manager at Russells, says: “Russells see autonomous mowers as an important part of our future business, it’s something we’re investing heavily in with dedicated specialist staff and demonstration machines.

“Working alongside Thonock Park and Reesink to understand this next generation of mowing and how to maximise the potential and efficiency of the mowers has been a great learning experience. We look forward to continuing working with the team at Thonock Park to ensure they always have the best turfcare options available.”

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Makita’s versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy

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Makita’s versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy: Makita has introduced its new SKR001 Rechargeable Rotary Laser that makes levelling and alignment simple. With impressive range diameter capabilities and flexible charging options, the Rotary Laser provides outstanding accuracy, enhanced visibility, and convenience for trade professionals undertaking levelling tasks.

The SKR001 delivers a measuring range of up to 800 meters in diameter when used with the laser receiver and provides horizontal and vertical accuracy of ±0.5mm and ±0.75mm per 10m respectively. With automatic self-levelling capabilities within ±5°, and manual slope adjustment, the new rotary laser allows for quick setup and consistent, high-precision layout work on large sites.

Makita's versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy

Makita’s versatile rotary laser draws the line on accuracy

Thanks to its green laser beam, visibility is significantly improved over red laser models, especially in bright daylight conditions. Users can select from static, or three rotation speeds: 150, 300, 600 rpm and three scan angles: 10°, 20°, 30° depending on application needs, adding to the tool’s adaptability and versatility.

The SKR001 is extremely flexible given it is compatible with three Makita battery platforms, CXT (12V), LXT (18V) and XGT (40V) can all be used to power the laser when fitted with the respective battery tray options. The Rotary Laser also comes equipped with a Bluetooth remote control (RC1) for operation up to 100 meters and features auto shut off and anti-drift systems to maintain laser integrity. Run time is equally impressive, with up to 160 hours of continuous use with a 40VMax 4.0Ah XGT battery, ensuring minimal downtime.

Built for real-world jobsite durability, this Rotary Laser features IP67-rated protection against dust and water, as well as shock-absorbing rubber bumpers to safeguard the unit from drops of up to 2 meters. Weighing only 4kg (without battery), it is a manageable weight yet sturdy enough for demanding and daily professional use.

“With a green beam to provide clear visibility and its multi-platform battery support, the SKR001 sets a new benchmark for cordless rotary lasers. It’s a must-have for professionals looking for flexibility and high performance,” commented Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita.

The SKR001 is supplied with an 18V LXT battery tray holder as standard.

For more information about the SKR001 and Makita’s full range of cordless machines, visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Maximising Winter Playability at Chester-Le-Street GC

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Maximising Winter Playability at Chester-Le-Street GC: When winter bites, it bites hard in the North East. At Chester-Le-Street Golf Club, Course Manager Jack Hetherington knows the battle all too well: persistent rain, cold soils, and long hours of leaf wetness that stretch from autumn into early spring.

Between October and March, maintaining playable surfaces becomes a test of strategy, not just stamina.

Maximising Winter Playability at Chester-Le-Street GC

Maximising Winter Playability at Chester-Le-Street GC

“Improving the movement of water through the surface is essential in maximising the window in which we can operate to produce the best surfaces,” Jack explains.

With a course built on mixed construction types, including clay push-ups with drains, keeping water moving is vital.

“It’s crucial that we get water down into the drains as quickly as possible to maintain turf health and ensure playability. We’d also had issues with access points and bottlenecks becoming unsafe for play after rain. Applying FlowSmart in these areas has kept the course open.”

Jack applies H2Pro FlowSmart monthly in a tank-mix with Effect Iron as part of his ITM programme.

“This combination aids playability and helps us stay on top of disease management,” he says.

The results soon spoke for themselves: firmer-feeling clay push-ups, faster infiltration, and more manageable disease pressure through the autumn and winter.

“The moment it really stood out was after a rain event — the next day you could walk onto the green, no dew, felt firmer underfoot, and performing better than the day before. It transformed how the greens performed throughout the autumn/winter period.”

Tank-mixing with iron has brought additional gains too, with improved turf colour, vigour, and resilience through high-pressure disease periods.

And with ICL’s support behind the product, Jack says the decision was straightforward.

“ICL is synonymous with data-driven products, and the support wrapped around them makes for an easy decision.”

For Jack, FlowSmart has become a reliable part of his programme.

“What we apply in our spray windows is increasingly important, which is why I always recommend products supported by data and research. FlowSmart is one of the many ICL have to offer.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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Hunter Irrigation Delivers Turf Excellence for Blackpool FC

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Hunter Irrigation Delivers Turf Excellence for Blackpool FC: Blackpool FC has seen major improvements to both its stadium and training ground facilities following the installation of a new Hunter irrigation system, supplied by KAR UK and installed by Arden Lea Irrigation.

Head Groundsman Paul Flynn, who has been with the club for nearly five years, explained how the Hunter products have transformed operations, saving time, improving turf quality, and supporting player performance.

Hunter Irrigation Delivers Turf Excellence for Blackpool FC

Hunter Irrigation Delivers Turf Excellence for Blackpool FC

Before the installation, Paul and his team relied on standpipes and travelling sprinklers – a process that was time-consuming and inefficient.

“We were wasting 20 to 25 hours a week just watering pitches by hand,” Paul said. “I told the club they’d get that time back within a year if we invested in irrigation – and that’s exactly what has happened.”

The first phase began at the training ground, with irrigation now fully operational across the main pitches and the sports science area. At the stadium, work is ongoing, with Hunter I80-ON sprinklers already replacing older, underperforming units.

Blackpool’s system includes the Hunter ACC2 Controller with Centralus, the Hunter GT-885, and the Hunter I80-ON sprinklers.

The ACC2 Controller with Centralus allows Paul and his deputy to manage irrigation directly from their phones or via a roaming remote, giving them ultimate flexibility.

“We can press a button and water exactly where we want, whenever we want,” Paul explained. “It makes growing, training preparation, and recovery so simple. We’ve now got around 62 heads across the site, so we can literally water every blade of grass.”

The Hunter I80-ON heads, installed at Bloomfield Road Stadium, have already improved coverage and performance compared to the old system. The GT-885 sprinklers at the training ground provide strength, durability, and easy access for maintenance – crucial for a high-use facility.

The improvements in irrigation have gone beyond aesthetics, directly impacting player welfare and training quality.

“Before, some areas were rock hard, which contributed to calf and hamstring injuries,” said Paul. “Now we can keep surfaces consistent, which makes a huge difference for performance and safety.”

Managers have also benefitted, with the ability to prepare pitches to replicate match conditions.

“The current manager says the best thing is that the training pitches now resemble the stadium pitch,” Paul added. “It means we can mirror match situations and even put the sprinklers on during sessions to improve ball speed – something we could never do before.”

Paul credited both KAR UK and Arden Lea Irrigation for their expertise and support throughout the project.

“My relationship with Wes and Lee at KAR UK goes back years, and I know I can always rely on them,” he said. “Arden Lea are also brilliant – I just pick up the phone and they’re here the next day. Between the two of them, the whole process has been faultless.”

The old irrigation kit has even been donated to Blackpool Cricket Club, strengthening community ties and ensuring wider benefit from the project.

With the training ground fully upgraded and stadium improvements ongoing, Paul believes Hunter irrigation will continue to play a vital role in Blackpool FC’s future.

“The health of the pitches has never been better,” he said. “It’s more efficient, saves us time, and helps the players perform. Honestly, I can’t fault the system at all.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Trilo introduces new innovative hydraulic arm

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Trilo introduces new innovative hydraulic arm: Leading manufacturer of professional vacuum collection systems, Trilo, has announced the addition of a new, innovative hydraulic arm – designed to make the operation of the suction hose faster, easier and safer than ever before.

The hydraulic arm allows the suction hose to be extended or retracted, lifted or lowered, directly from a joystick in the tractor cab, enabling a single operator to handle the task of leaf or debris clearance with ease. The innovation not only reduces manual strain, but helps to enhance efficiency and productivity in the field.

Trilo introduces new innovative hydraulic arm

Trilo introduces new innovative hydraulic arm

Trilo’s unique suction hose is 300mm in diameter and is traditionally mounted on the right hand side of the S-Line and M-Line range of vacuum collectors. Intelligently designed, the suction hose can now be hydraulically extended to 900mm for suction of material from ditches, roadsides and other hard to reach locations. When the job is complete, the hose can be conveniently retracted for work close to the vehicle or for safe transport.

“This development puts productivity and operator comfort front and centre of every task” explains Trilo’s Jeremy Vincent. “The Trilo range is renowned for its versatility and, with the Multi Purpose models in particular, combining the new hydraulic arm with the interchangeable shaft system brings unparalleled multifunctionality to a machine in its class.”

“Now available to customers in the UK, this new addition represents another step in Trilo’s ongoing commitment to delivering smart, user-friendly solutions to green space management.”

For more information, please visit www.trilo.com

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