John Deere’s futuristic vision

/in , /by

John Deere’s futuristic vision: John Deere has set out its vision for a more connected, guided and electrified future for greenkeepers as the company prepares to make more ground-breaking technology available to UK golf courses.

Utilising proven JDLink™ technology from John Deere’s agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and electrified machines, course owners and managers will have the power to create a more efficient and sustainable future.

John Deere's futuristic vision

John Deere’s futuristic vision

At the international turf management exhibition, BTME, in Harrogate this week, John Deere outlined how recent product development and acquisitions had provided the foundations for three new principles for golf course care; Connect, Guide, Manage.

Key to this vision is John Deere’s acquisition of cloud-based golf course management software, OnLink, in 2019 which has been developed and will soon be launched across Europe, starting in the UK.

It allows users to automatically synchronise selected machines working anywhere on the course, managing activity remotely.

The technology delivers integrated labour and fleet management tools. OnEquip provides information on fleet activity such as engine hour tracking and servicing intervals, while OnLabor provides labour tools such as electronic job boards to improve overall management and to track assignments.

OnLink connects to machines using John Deere’s long-established JDLink and the John Deere Operations Center which have been used on the company’s farm machinery for more than 15 years. For greenkeepers, this means connected machines will also provide their real-time location on the course through the OnLink mapping feature.

Data gathered can be used to plan and improve operation efficiency, as each machine’s working hours can be balanced across its life cycle to reduce the cost of ownership. Mowing patterns, reducing the time required to complete work, can also be managed.

The technology provides owners settings for geofences and curfews to send alerts if the machine is working outside of set locations or hours, increasing its security profile.

OnLink offers customers the ability to plan for weather conditions, track the speed of greens, and monitor soil moisture while also creating accurate budget forecasts and use the workboard updates to plan tasks.

OnLink will be available on any internet connected device; desktop, tablet and mobile devices.

The company recently announced the launch of the world’s first fully autonomous tractor in the USA – a statement of innovation which will feed across to the golf business over time, allowing more guided and semi-autonomous operations on the course.

John Deere’s Sales Manager for Turf and Golf, Chris Meacock, said: “At John Deere, we believe the future of golf course maintenance is about connectivity, sustainability, autonomy and intelligence, while embracing electric.

“Our exciting plans for the next few years involve applying our proven technology innovations to all our golf equipment, so that greenkeepers can better plan for weather conditions, forecast accurate budgets and meticulously manage equipment and labour costs.

“The John Deere OnLink golf course management solution will be key for allowing greenkeepers to save valuable time, increase operational efficiency by identifying the problem areas causing delays in task completion, reduce cost of ownership, and provide increased security and peace of mind. I also envisage greenkeeping teams harnessing its data for future decision making and increasing effective communication.”

Electrification

John Deere is also committing to electrify its golf portfolio.

In February the company presented its 185 / 225 E-Cut™ Electric Walk Greens Mowers in the USA for the first time. Powered by 48V Lithium-Ion Battery, the electric mowers produce zero emissions and low sound levels.

John Deere’s journey to electrification, as well as developing battery drive equipment, will emphasise the addition of smart features to make operation easier and more comfortable, putting the decision making into the hand of head greenkeepers so the performance in the field is the same on every area, at every time, independent from the operator.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

/in , /by

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine: British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch will be cycling 100 miles on Sunday, 29th May, in support of Ukraine by raising funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee. He and his wife Jane are taking part in the RideLondon-Essex 100, which is taking place after a two-year hiatus as a result of COVID.

The ride starts on London’s Victoria Embankment and continues into Essex via Epping Forest, Ongar, Fyfield, Great Dunmow and Chelmsford, returning through Ongar to Central London and the finish at Tower Bridge.

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

Whilst Andy and Jane enjoy ‘leisure’ cycling, this event is going to be quite a mission for them both: “Like every thinking person, we’ve watched with disbelief the conflict unfolding in Ukraine and wanted to do what we could to help the now millions of people fleeing the country,” said Andy. “Any short-lived discomfort Jane and I experience during the 100 miles of the cycle ride will be nothing compared to the despair the Ukrainian people are experiencing. I hope my industry colleagues will help us raise as much money as possible by sponsoring us.”

You can sponsor Andy and Jane Spetch at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Jane-Spetch

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

New dealers for Corvus Terrain 4×4

/in , /by

New dealers for Corvus Terrain 4×4: A further two more new dealers have joined the fast-growing Corvus dealer network to bring a total of seven additions in the first quarter of the year. The latest partners in selling and supporting the Corvus Terrain range of 4×4 utility vehicles are Scotland’s W.M. Rose & Sons and JG Paxton & Sons in Lancashire.

W.M. Rose, with roots dating back to 1923, is an established family-run business directed by brothers William and Ian Rose. The company has two depots in Peebleshire and East Lothian supplying a wide range of agricultural, construction and industrial machinery. Their stated aim is to provide a quality driven service through their After Sales support and Parts Department.

New dealers for Corvus Terrain 4x4

New dealers for Corvus Terrain 4×4

Phil Everett, MD of BOSS off-road vehicles, the sole UK Corvus distributor says, “we’re delighted W.M. Rose can give the Corvus range such a presence in Scotland, selling to customers the Terrain UTVs are very much built for. It is great to partner with a company that invests so heavily in product training and support.”

Moving south of the border finds another family-owned agricultural machinery dealership, Paxtons, with their head office in the unusually named Durham village of Pity Me. They too have pride in their heritage, dating back to 1853, while today they are main dealers for a wide range of leading brands. With depots in Northallerton, Alnwick, Bentham and Lancaster, they are serving the requirements of farmers, contractors, local authorities and equestrian customers across Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Lancashire.

“Paxtons have everything we’re looking for in a Corvus dealer,” says Phil Everett. “They are all you would expect of such a progressive business providing high-quality service backed by highly skilled technicians. We know the Terrain range of UTVs is in excellent hands and welcome Paxtons to the Corvus family.”

For more information about the Corvus Terrain range, you can call 01597 810188, E-mail: sales@bossorv.co.uk or visit www.bossorv.co.uk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

/in , /by

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd: Blaukorn has been praised by the Head Groundsman at AFC Telford United for delivering a fast, but long-lasting, colour boost to their stadium pitch.

A single application of the quick release fertiliser from Headland Amenity was put down in February and, in conjunction with Greentec, should deliver the nutrients required to see the pitch safely through to the end of the season.

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

Headland Amenity at AFC Telford Utd

The maintenance at the New Bucks Head Stadium is very much a family affair – with current Head Groundsman George Conway taking over the role following his father’s retirement in January 2022, with additional support and match-day help from George’s brother, Andrew. Shortly after his appointment, George had a visit from Headland’s Regional Technical Manager for Sports Turf, Jack Hawkes, and the pair constructed a feeding programme for the remainder of the season and beyond.

“We’d applied a fertiliser around New Year, but needed something to give the pitch a bit of a kick” explains George. “Jack suggested Blaukorn 15-3-20, applied at 30g/m2 which went down middle of February and within four days the pitch was presenting beautifully, with a really enhanced and vivid colour! We’re now four weeks on and the results are still visible.”

Blaukorn 15-3-20 is a homogenous granule with no carrier and a highly water-soluble phosphorous content that breaks down quickly when in contact with moisture. Containing ammonium and nitrate, Blaukorn provides a fast response even at low temperatures – something that impressed George. “The temperatures we had in February were low but that didn’t hamper the response we received from the product. It gave the pitch the boost it needed with results that have lasted.”

“We’re then going to be applying Greentec 14-2-6 to deliver a mix of nitrogen sources which should see us through to renovations.” In addition to AFC Telford United first-team matches, the pitch also hosts West Brom Under 23’s and junior fixtures so as well as being a high-use surface, application and maintenance windows can be tight. “I’ve had fantastic support from Jack. He pops in regularly to see how the pitch is holding up and is not afraid to suggest new things to maximise the results from the programme, respecting our resources and budget.”

“Considering the number of games we’ve had, the Chairman and the players are delighted with how the pitch is holding up” concludes George. “We’ve had great success with the Headland programme to date and look forward to continuing that with a brand new one that will start as soon as the new seed goes down.”

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

New Capillary Bunkers for Lehigh

/in , /by

New Capillary Bunkers for Lehigh: Lehigh Country Club in Pennsylvania is coming to the end of a bunker renovation with architect Ron Forse. And the club is installing the Capillary Bunkers liner as part of the process.

Lehigh was built by architect William Flynn in 1926. And, says director of grounds John Chassard, the course is mostly unchanged from what Flynn created. “Back in the late 1980s, the club decided it needed a consulting architect to oversee the course,” he says. “Until then, there was no strategic planning – a grounds chairman could take office and do what he wanted. Fortunately most of ours had basically left the course alone, but still, it was a potential problem.”

New Capillary Bunkers for Lehigh

New Capillary Bunkers for Lehigh

The club hired architect Ron Forse at that time, and, working with Forse, regrassed the greens, rebuilt the bunkers and reset fairway lines. “That was our first masterplan,” says Chassard. “Up till that time, the bunkers had not been touched – except for day to day maintenance – since the club’s foundation.”

In 2008, the bunkers were slightly reworked again; sand was replaced and a small amount of drainage was added to problem areas to improve performance. “We put geotextile liners in about ten per cent of our worst-performing bunkers,” says Chassard. “But they didn’t survive winters too well. The pins holding the liners down would push out, burrowing animals would damage the liners, and bunker rakes would catch them every now and again. So, two or three years ago, we started talking about redoing the bunkers again and adding a better liner.”

Lehigh trialled several of the liner products on the market, including Capillary Bunkers and a number of its principal rivals. “But as time went on and we started to try to lock down contractors for the work, the choice became quite obvious,” says Chassard. “Ron has a lot of experience with Capillary Bunkers, as does the contractor we chose. Plus, the issues with rival products really came into focus: timing, the specific conditions needed for installation, and the need for a certified installer. Capillary Bunkers can be installed in any weather, and it’s very easy to source, which made us able to schedule the work better, and get bunkers installed when we were ready, not when the installer was. Once we started doing the first few bunkers, it became clear to me that that was something I could install with my own crew – which could be important as we didn’t do all the bunkers at one go. We are in the middle of the project, and everything has been very positive so far – we expect to finish by the end of April and be ready for the season to get going!”

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.