New products from Makita

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New products from Makita: Leading power tool manufacturer, Makita UK has announced its new October collection, adding further cordless machines to its expanding LXT battery platform. A new 18V garden sprayer, impact wrench and inflator join the line-up of over 275 solutions within the LXT range.

DUS054Z GARDEN SPRAYER

Removing the effort required to pump, this lightweight 18V 5-litre sprayer delivers up to 0.45L/min, allowing for efficient spraying with comfortable paddle control. The telescopic spray wand with a rotatable H-shaped dual head design allows the user to quickly switch between mist and jet spraying modes depending on the task.

New products from Makita

New products from Makita

Delivering up to 8hrs runtime on a 6.0Ah battery, the clever Auto-Stop feature helps to minimise any unnecessary drain on the battery by shutting down the power when the handle isn’t engaged.

The machine has been designed with user comfort in mind and includes a shoulder harness and an ergonomically optimised tank body that sits comfortably at the user’s hip. Furthermore, the handle features a lock-on function to hold the trigger in place – ideal for larger jobs where continuous spraying is required.

DTW302Z IMPACT WRENCH

The new 18V LXT DTW302 Brushless Impact Wrench features a fresh design on its previous counterparts. Compact, with an overall length of 138mm and 3/8-inch square driving shank, the DTW302 brushless motor provides high power with a fastening torque of up to 300Nm and maximum nut busting torque of 500Nm.

Featuring a variable speed trigger, the DTW302Z provides the user with more control, with 4-stage impact selection, enabling the user to set the appropriate torque for the application at hand. For greater control and convenience, the tool also features Forward / Reverse function, with 6 modes for customised applications.

DMP181Z INFLATOR

For quick and easy inflation of automotive and machinery tyres, sporting equipment and more, the new 18V DMP181Z Inflator is powered by Makita’s LXT battery technology to deliver up to 161psi and a rapid air discharge volume of 22L/min.

The tool features a digital pressure gauge, a LED light for convenient use at night and an Auto-Stop function which automatically shuts down the tool when the desired pressure is reached. The DMP181Z also offers manual decompression functionality, allowing air to be released in case of over inflation.

Speaking on the new products, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “With over 275 cordless solutions within our LXT platform, we are delighted to further expand the possibilities for professionals with these new additions. Designed with purpose-built motors, innovative battery technology and enhanced communications, all our cordless tools work together to deliver reliable power, speed and run times that provide the trade with a cordless solution for every type of application.”

To see the new DUS054Z Garden Sprayer in action, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaNmRbsCCv8

To find out more about Makita and its wide range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Wroxham’s Husqvarna Automower

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Wroxham’s Husqvarna Automower: Based in the Norfolk Broads, semi-professional football club, Wroxham FC, has swapped hours of manual labour for eco-smart autonomous mowing, to help the club maintain its vast Trafford Park pitch. In just three months, the club has noticed a significant increase in turf quality, and credits Husqvarna Automower® for the change.

Following long hours spent maintaining the pitch, the Wroxham FC team, following a recommendation from agricultural construction and machinery dealer, Ernest Doe, liaised with robotic mowing founders, Husqvarna, and set up a trial using the brand’s Automower® 550 models.

Wroxham's Husqvarna Automower

Wroxham’s Husqvarna Automower

Relying heavily on volunteers from the club, Wroxham’s pitch previously took ten hours of manual labour to mow each time, something which was a big undertaking for the team. Turning to the help of Automower®, the club looked to free up time, save financial resource, create a healthier pitch, and do their part to help the environment. In June 2021, two Automower® 550 models were installed using Automower® Club Solution, to help the team tackle the challenges they were facing.

Barry Letten, committee member at Wroxham FC discussed the club’s move to autonomous mowing: “Following the club’s initial meeting with Husqvarna and Ernest Doe, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to test out the Automower® technology, and in just three short months, we’ve already seen some exceptional results.

“To maintain the quality of the pitch we’d regularly spend 10 hours at a time mowing and having to rely on volunteers to do it was a big ask. Automower® has saved us countless hours and has allowed us to redeploy resource on more important and skilful tasks around the club, without having to sacrifice on turf quality.

“We use the Automower® Connect app to control the mowers, which has been absolutely brilliant and has enabled me to track what they’re doing and send them out to mow whenever we want. Better yet, I’m able to do it from the comfort of my sitting room, without the need to make a 20-mile round trip.”

Ever since the first Automower® was introduced in 1995, Husqvarna has been known as the world leader in robotic mowing. With over 2 million sold worldwide, Automower® is renowned for its low energy consumption, zero emissions, low noise and high productivity, whilst featuring the ability to withstand a busy match schedule and hours of intense training.

As Automower® cuts the grass every day, the impact on the turf and ground is minimal. The very small, quick-composting clippings provide a constant source of fertilisation and moisture, creating greener and denser turf, which increases the pitch’s ability to withstand a busy match schedule and hours of intense training. Research also shows that the constant cutting allows grass roots to grow 25% deeper, resulting in a healthier and stronger pitch.

Barry continued: “The two mowers were set up using Husqvarna Automower® Club Solution, which allows the two 550 models to work simultaneously alongside each other, enabling faster mowing. The technology also eliminates the need for a boundary wire placed in the middle of the pitch, which allows us to aerate the turf without any worries of damaging wires.

“In addition to ease of use, the Automower® models have been great for the club, both financially and environmentally. In previous years we would have to budget for fuel, which is not an issue with the battery powered Automower®. This in turn has helped our green agenda by reducing our CO2 emissions.

“Husqvarna Automower® has completely opened our eyes to the possibilities of autonomous mowing, and it would now be difficult to imagine going without. The whole process has been a complete breeze, from the seamless setup which took no time at all, to the Automower® Connect app which allows us to control the mower from the tips of our fingers, it’s been a brilliant process.

“It’s not just the Wroxham Committee which has noticed the difference, players and supporters alike have commented on the quality of the turf, with some even turning to Twitter to express their delight. We look forward to the upcoming months with Automower® and enjoying the results which it consistently provides.”

For more information on Husqvarna Automower®, visit: https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/products/robotic-lawn-mowers/

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Facing the future

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Facing the future: To say we live in challenging times is somewhat of an understatement. The impact is being felt everywhere and in so many directions. The Amenity Forum Conference & Exhibition has long been regarded as a must attend event for those involved in or with an interest in amenity management. This year its significance is even greater.

The event being held on 21st October at the Pirelli Stadium at Burton on Trent has a range of specialist speakers set to cover the key issues of the day including important policy updates and how they are to impact. There will also be leading practitioners giving their views and much more. The exhibition area also provides valuable networking opportunities.

Facing the future

Facing the future

John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum said ‘’ throughout the years, the amenity sector has shown its ability to innovate and respond and I have no doubt that this will continue. What happens in amenity management impacts upon all of us every day, no more emphasised that in recent COVID times. Our conference this year is a major opportunity to update and should not be missed’’

To secure your place, contact Kate at Admin@amenityforum.net .  At a price of £95 per delegate, thanks to our supporters, it provides excellent value. The full programme can be found at https://amenityforum.co.uk/conference/the-amenity-forum-conference-2021/

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New GreenMech website

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New GreenMech website: Leading woodchipper manufacturer GreenMech have recently launched their revamped website. The site has been designed with user experience at the forefront, offering straightforward navigation of the chipper range as well as providing comprehensive, technical guides on the products and services GreenMech offer along with general industry advice.

The website has a clean, uncluttered design, improved functionality and streamlined content ensuring that the salient points for each machine are easy to find – whether you are an experienced chipper operator or you’re looking for your first machine. A first in the market, the site features a brand-new ‘product filter’ allowing visitors to specify their requirements by type, preferred fuel, capacity and/or towing limits to narrow the range down to a number of options that fit the bill.

New GreenMech website

New GreenMech website

Along with the new product search features, GreenMech have added more downloadable content – product datasheets, operator manuals and servicing & technical videos which can be easily viewed and saved. It also features ‘the voice of the customer’, providing visitors with first-hand thoughts and feedback on machines from across the range. For their dealers, they have improved the breadth and depth of resources available which will make the support and marketing of the products easier than ever before.

Commenting on the new site GreenMech Digital Design & Marketing Coordinator Carl Haffield said, “The previous website served its purpose but lacked some important content. In line with our continued business developments, it was the right time to develop our online presence. The new site is fully mobile/tablet friendly and contains innovative features to suit the modern arborist. We’re confident this new site will allow our visitors to have a very informative experience and will grow with us as we continue to expand our market offering.”

www.greenmech.co.uk

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Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC

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Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC: Head Greenkeeper, John Guthrie at Edinburgh’s Duddingston Golf Club favours the little and often approach to aeration. Maintaining healthy surfaces is key for the parkland club which nestles below Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur’s Seat and has a history dating over 125 years.

The purchase of a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD deep aerator in May, from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Kinross, was essential to his strategy, and five months’ hence, he continues to be really pleased.

Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC

Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC

“It’s making a big difference; I knew the GXi8 would be good, but I didn’t factor quite as quick or as neat. Easily all 18 greens can be done before 1.00 pm, so about a hectare’s worth in total. In the past, aeration tied up three people. we would have had someone following on with a roller and another person tidying up behind. The Wiedenmann is so clean, you don’t always have to roll at the back if you set it up properly. Two of the team can be free to do other tasks; resource wise, that is a significant benefit.

“Since May, we’ve taken a discrete approach, tining down on the greens to 100- 150 mm and tees to 200 mm, all with 12 mm tines, experimenting with heave at 5° occasionally. From November, we switch to 20 mm tines and might go 250 mm on the greens if conditions allow, possibly again with a little amount of heave. The fairways, too, will get the full depth and the bigger tine.

“A good machine deserves its praise.  H&S on the machine is first rate. It really is smooth, and the operator doesn’t leave the cab feeling they’ve had a full body work out.  Also, smoothness means the Terra Spike is surprisingly quiet, not too noisy for members playing nearby, but mostly we can be done before they get anywhere close.

“Hopefully, we’re out all 12 months a year, weather permitting, and target a few choice areas with extra runs when there’s time available.”

Membership at Duddingston GC has increased over lock down but tee times have remained constant for John and his team of five. “There’s nothing for it but to keep doing your best and the whole team has done really well, even now new members are still joining.

Bob Marshall, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM said:

“The GXi8 was absolutely the right fit for John and his team.  It paired well with their existing Kubota L4240 tractor and for his site it’s got access-all-areas status.”

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