Campey excited for SALTEX

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Campey excited for SALTEX: After a year away from the Birmingham NEC, Campey Turf Care Systems is excited to welcome show attendees onto stand H082 at Saltex 2021.

The two-day indoor exhibition on November 3rd and 4th signifies an important milestone on the road to normality and is an excellent opportunity for the Campey team to catch up with old and new customers.

Campey excited for SALTEX

Campey excited for SALTEX

Speaking about the upcoming show, Campey Turf Care Systems Managing Director Julia Campey said: “The return of an indoor show has been a long time coming, and we are all looking forward to seeing everyone in person to talk about the latest machinery, turf maintenance techniques and industry news.

“It’s been a difficult time for everyone, and whilst things seem to be reaching some normality, this is one of the most significant milestones in our industry because we’ve been without an indoor show for so long.

“We’re excited to have the Campey range of machinery on display, including the new Campey Pedestrian AeraSeeder, which will be on show for the first time at Saltex.”

The brand-new Campey Pedestrian AeraSeeder will be exhibited along with popular machines from Air2G2, Imants, Vredo and Dakota. The pedestrian overseeder is an exciting addition to Campey’s range, with it specifically added to tackle hard to reach areas that larger machines can’t access.

Smaller areas such as ornamental gardens, cemetery plots, golf greens, goalmouths, and other bare areas are easily accessible for the machine, which is only 83cm wide. It provides simple yet accurate overseeding, with a 60cm seeding area and a multi-spiked roller that produces approximately 800 perforations per square yard, effectively saturating the top surface with a network of holes.

This network, combined with the brush and smooth packing roller systems and stainless-steel seed apertures, offers the highest percentage of grass seed germination.

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Baroness makes the cut

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Baroness makes the cut: Cowglen Golf Club, based just outside of Glasgow, run a fleet of Baroness Machines to help keep their greens in perfect condition for their customers.

Their fleet includes the LM2400 Fairway Mower, the LM315 Greens Triple Mower, the LM66 Pedestrian Tees Mower and the LM56 Pedestrian Greens Mower.

Baroness makes the cut

Baroness makes the cut

Local dealer, the Hamilton Ross Group, speak to Course Manager, Michael Slack, to find out how the Baroness Machinery makes the cut for Cowglen!

Can you tell me a bit about what you use your Baroness machines for?

“We use the LM 66 Pedestrian Tees Machines for cutting tees three times a week.

We use the 56 for mowing greens three times a week, the LM315 for mowing greens three to four times a week and the LM2400 for mowing fairways two to three times a week.”

How has the machinery helped with your day to day tasks?

“The quality of cut saves time and offers golfers a better experience by presenting nice greens.”

What made you choose Baroness?

“I have a good relationship with Paul, and he introduced me to Baroness. I liked the machinery, and it gave a really high quality cut. The price and availability played a factor as well and the machines are all user friendly and easy to operate.”

What kind of finish do you get with the Baroness Machinery?

“A lovely finish on our tees and fairways.”

How did you first become aware of the Hamilton Ross Group?

“I have been dealing with Paul for 14 years as we inherited a fleet of machines from Hamilton Brothers.”

How has the sales and service support been?

“Really good, Paul has always been there to help straight away when we need him, and the response time is speedy.

Overall, Paul makes us feel like an important customer, which is great.”

We wish the team at Cowglen all the best with their Baroness Fleet!

Looking to find out more about the range? Get in touch with the Bishopton depot today on 01505 862010.

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Neil Pullen retires from Agrovista Amenity

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Neil Pullen retires from Agrovista Amenity: Neil Pullen, Product Development Manager at Agrovista Amenity has announced his retirement. Neil has been instrumental in the development of a number of leading turfcare brands and his legacy is set to live on through the next generation of amenity experts.

Neil started his career as a fruit farmer, a position he held for just over 11 years before he joined Kings Horticulture. As the name suggests, the company largely focussed on horticulture, but it had a very small amenity division and Neil saw huge opportunity.

Neil Pullen retires from Agrovista Amenity

Neil Pullen retires from Agrovista Amenity

From having just one trading customer, Neil developed Kings Horticulture into a strong amenity business with a large customer base and this continued when the company became United Agri Products (UAP).

Sherriff Amenity was the next destination on Neil’s career path and a merge with a company called Profarma resulted in the creation of Agrovista.

“It was an exciting time,” said Neil. “The merger brought a lot of backing to the table and allowed the amenity side of the business to grow massively. Over time we bought Alpha Amenity, Amenity One, Terra Firma, and then more recently Maxwell Amenity.

“This acquisition enabled the launch of Agrovista Amenity and it has made us a much stronger, more focussed group of individuals,” continued Neil. “I can safely say that the group of individuals we have working for us now are some of the most technical agronomists in the country. We are moving more towards an advice-driven business and away from a sales-driven business – and it is great to see.”

Neil rightfully admits to feeling proud when he reflects on his career to date; after all he started as a trainee amenity salesman and progressed through to middle and then senior management. In his current and final role, he is now one of three people that oversees the amenity division for Agrovista. However, there is one stand out moment in his career that he is particularly proud of.

“Mark Pyrah (now at ICL) and I introduced fungicide and chemical mixing and I feel that it changed the amenity market for the better,” said Neil. “We were the first to do it and it has now become standard practice in the industry.

“At the time we faced a lot of opposition from manufacturers, but we were determined because we could see so many benefits. It would reduce costs for the user because they would be using different active ingredients from different chemical groups, but more importantly it would prevent chemical resistance and offer a better control of diseases.”

Neil has always had an eye for innovation and is renowned for working with a wide range of manufacturers to bring new ideas and products into the marketplace. He does however admit that the process has changed somewhat over the years.

“15 years ago, we would always visit the American trade show – GIS,” said Neil. “New products in America used to be four or five years in front of us and so my mission was to look for new ideas and innovations. I used to identify the best ones and then introduce them into the UK market.

“This of course has changed over recent years due to the rise of the internet. New products are not as hard to find, and you can get information very quickly at the click of a button.”

Neil reflects fondly on his successful overseas missions and is responsible for introducing many turf and amenity solutions into the UK market. However, the industry, and Agrovista in particular, will give thanks to Neil for nurturing the next generation of turf experts.

In fact, anyone that has joined the company in the last twenty years would have been trained by Neil at some point.

“It is a nice feeling to take somebody with little or no experience through to becoming an experienced, top performer,” he said.

John Marland, Head of Amenity at Agrovista Amenity, believes that Neil has laid the foundations for a bright future.

“To summarise Neil’s career, I think of a quote of which its origin I believe is lost,” said John. “It reads…

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.”

“Neil has planted an awful lot of trees. His legacy is what Agrovista Amenity is today and what it will be in the future.”

After a hugely successful career, Neil can now enjoy his retirement with his wife Kim of 39 years but admits that there will be times when he will miss the job.

“I’ve met so many wonderful and varied people and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many great places and top sporting venues – it’s natural to miss that. But now I’m looking forward to having more time to myself – to play more golf and take up fishing again. More importantly, my wife and I have so many places we want to visit, and we fully intend on working our way through the bucket list.”

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

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New range of robot mowers

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New range of robot mowers: With an annual growth that has reached tenfold, robotic mowers are becoming more popular with homeowners. However, their basic design has not changed significantly since they were invented in 1995.

Kress believes robotic mowers should do more than relieve users of the burden of pushing a mower each week. The Mission range has been designed from ground up, featuring innovative technologies that will set the industry agenda for the coming years.

New range of robot mowers

New range of robot mowers

Kress Mission robots are enabled to take autonomous decisions to protect and enhance the health of turf. Thanks to the unique INTIVA technology (Intelligent Navigation Technology Inbound Variable Angle), Mission mowers optimize their mowing, requiring fewer passes to get the job done. When a border is reached, Mission robots gently turn in the best direction. Conversely, other robotic mowers stop, reverse, stop, and eventually turn, without being aware of which direction is best. Not only does this waste time, it wears the lawn along the borders and especially the corners.

Another innovation is the ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance System, which is years ahead of the competition. Not only does the OAS avoid collisions, it tells the robot how to navigate complex paths such as through a group of trees in the lawn.

Temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation all affect grass growth. Connected to a network of local weather stations, Mission robots autonomously customize their work schedule accordingly.

Mission thrives in sloped gardens; it is equipped with REGEN technology that recharges the battery when the mower is running downhill, increasing the runtime.

Designing a robotic lawn mower around the grass does not mean neglecting users’ needs. The biggest complaint robotic lawnmower owners have is still manually trimming borders. Mission’s blade is offset to mow the perimeter of the lawn as closely as possible.

The charging station has also been re-thought from scratch. Unlike conventional charging stations which sit on large plastic pads, both unpleasant to the eye and killing the grass underneath, the pad of Mission’s base is the grass.

With 50 years of innovation backing Kress Power Tools, we are now launching the new 60V range of garden power tools and push mowers at Saltex in the UK and Ireland in time for Spring 2022 for selected professional dealers only.

What are the advantages of stocking Kress Robotik Mowers and 60V Garden power tools?:

As a dealer, there are many advantages for you, such as no more pre-seasons, no more stock holding and no cost to you until you have sold a product. Kress don’t ask for any payment up front – you only pay once you have sold. This helps protect your margin in-store and online, and means every dealer no matter how big or small,l is on a level playing field.

At Kress you get no-cost POS. We don’t charge for our POS, so you can get a stunning display up and running in no time and there is no investment from you. No set up fees, no risks.

Kress Robotik mowers and garden tools have advanced technology which make them the best choice for your customers, and all the advantages of working with Kress make them the best choice for your dealership. Over 50 dealers have already made the smart decision to get in on the action in this growing segment.

Why not contact one of the friendly team today?:

Tony tony.macer@positecgroup.com 07535146211 South / National

Jenni jenni.garford@positecgroup.com 07961052347 Central region

Lee lee.wardell@positecgroup.com 07961050088 Northern region

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Polaris Off Road welcomes new models

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Polaris Off Road welcomes new models: Following a year that saw more consumers engaging in outdoor activities than ever before, Polaris Off Road has unveiled its 2022 model year line-up for Europe, Middle East and Africa, with new models, colour options and upgrades across the RANGER, RZR, GENERAL and Sportsman brands.

Headlining the 2022 range is the all-new RANGER SP 570 and RANGER Diesel Deluxe, taking the industry’s No.1-selling utility side-by-side vehicle to the next level with user-inspired innovations and advancements.

Polaris Off Road welcomes new models

Polaris Off Road welcomes new models

POLARIS RANGER SP 570

RANGER 570 has been the top choice for farmers, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts for more than a decade, and now, with rider-inspired features to deliver enhanced capability, comfort and drivability, the new mid-size RANGER SP 570 works harder and rides smoother than ever before.

“Our customers lead a busy lifestyle and they don’t want to compromise on the two things they care most about: doing good quality work and enjoying time with the family,” said Chris Judson, Vice President of RANGER, GENERAL and ATV, Polaris.  “The RANGER SP 570 was designed so they don’t have to make these trade-offs; it’s great for work, fun to ride and the perfect fit.”

Redesigned from the ground up, the RANGER SP 570 features a bold, updated style along with a host of rider-inspired improvements. The redesigned cargo box is nearly 30 percent larger, delivering class-leading volume with a single-handle tailgate for quick and easy access for loading and unloading cargo. Integrated tie-downs, slots for cargo dividers, and Lock & Ride attachment points allow users to easily secure cargo and maximize utility.

Punching well above its weight, the proven Prostar 570cc double-overhead-cam engine packs class-leading power along with a new CVT system, two-times longer belt life and an upsized and re-tuned clutch system for improved low-speed drivability. The all-new suspension provides 25.4 cm of ground clearance, a tighter turning radius and a compact width of 144.5 cm, giving the 570 a best-in-class combination of manoeuvrability and capability.

With nearly 75 litres of onboard storage, including a mobile phone holder, enclosed storage bins, a map or tablet pocket, and a massive sealed glove box, riders can take everything they need for the ride. The cab is built around the user: The dash has been moved back to provide more knee space and there is a new quieter exhaust system so riders can enjoy a conversation while the vehicle is running.

Polaris is also offering 40 all-new accessories for the RANGER SP 570, along with four new accessory collections: Landowner, Farm, Hunt and Trail. Riders now have more options than ever for customization based on how they use their vehicle. With the launch of the RANGER SP 570, comes the introduction of Polaris Pro Shield cab components to the lineup. The tightest-sealing cab system from Polaris reduces noise, water and dust from the cab for maximum rider comfort. Additionally, riders can enjoy their favourite songs wirelessly through the JBL® Trail 4.0 audio system.

The RANGER SP 570 comes in three colour options for Europe, Middle East and Africa, including Sage Green, Hunter Edition in Polaris Pursuit Camo, and Nordic Pro Edition in Black Pearl with an in-cab heater and winch.

POLARIS RANGER DIESEL DELUXE

Developed and launched specifically for markets in Europe, Middle East and Australia in 2019, the RANGER Diesel introduced refined performance with the all-new diesel engine, enhanced ergonomics, an upgraded chassis and class-leading capabilities.

New for 2022, Polaris introduces the RANGER Diesel Deluxe, combining the same durability, dependability and capability, with premium upgrades.

Jenika Bishop, RANGER Product Manager at Polaris, said: “The new Diesel Deluxe model is focused on providing our customers the value and key features they want in a vehicle, standard from the factory.”

Delivering a premium look and feel, the RANGER Diesel Deluxe is available in a sleek Matte Titanium finish, along with striking LED headlights. The LED lights deliver 60-percent more output than the traditional halogen lights for improved visibility in low-light conditions, allowing riders to stay outside for longer to get the job done. The standard steel wheels have been upgraded to new 12-inch black aluminium wheels with 27-inch 6-ply Maxxis tyres.

It’s not just the exterior changes that make the new Diesel more deluxe. Inside, riders will find an upgraded steering wheel with accent trim and premium branding and all-new seats with a contoured fit offering premium refinement, additional bolstering, and next-level comfort.

Fitted directly at the factory, the Ranger Diesel Deluxe comes with a pre-installed 8 vent in-cab heater, an under-seat box for enhanced storage, and a noise reduction system to create a more comfortable, quieter cab.

POLARIS RANGER

In addition to the all-new RANGER SP 570, the full-size RANGER lineup receives several upgrades for 2022. Polaris is always listening to its riders and dealers, and the new full-size lineup includes improvements that are a direct result of their feedback. More comfort and capability are critical for utility side-by-side customers.

For 2022, RANGER adds all-new seats. Redesigned seats offer next-level comfort thanks to upgraded cushioning and more premium material, while enhanced bolstering keeps riders more securely seated when traveling over rough terrain. Available on all XP 1000 models.

New colours have been introduced to the RANGER model lineup, RANGER XP 1000 Premium available in Matte Titanium (3-seat and crew models), RANGER XP 1000 Premium ABS in Ghost Grey. New for 2022, Polaris welcomes the RANGER CREW 1000 in Stealth Grey to the EMEA market.

POLARIS RZR

New colours have been added to the Polaris RZR Pro XP platform for 2022, with the RZR Pro XP Sport now available in Cruiser Black, whilst the Pro XP Ultimate model is now available in a Super Graphite option.

POLARIS GENERAL

Polaris GENERAL, the all-around adventure side-by-side that offers more performance, comfort and versatility than anything else in its class, sees new upgrades and options available for 2022. GENERAL 1000 Deluxe ABS two-seat model and GENERAL 4 1000 Deluxe model are now available in Steely Blue, and come with an upgraded synthetic rope with a new blacked-out, forged hook, aluminium fairlead and rubber isolator.

POLARIS ATV

Polaris Sportsman, the No.1-selling automatic 4×4 ATV, and Polaris Scrambler, the pure performance ATV, are now available in new colours across the utility, touring and sports line-up. The Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 is now available in Black Pearl, whilst the touring XP 1000 model is available in Navy Bue. The Sportsman XP 1000 S model also has a colour change to Super Graphite. For the Scrambler line-up, the Scrambler XP 1000 S now comes in Radar Blue for 2022.

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