Three deals in for Toro at Little Aston

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Three deals in for Toro at Little Aston: Little Aston Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield, one of the highest ranked parkland courses in England, has signed its third five-year agreement with Toro and Reesink Turfcare taking their partnership to 15 years.

Iain Burns, Club Manager, says the enduring relationship is down to trust in the brand:

“We’re delighted to continue our excellent relationship with Toro as we believe they are the best in the business when it comes to the provision of cutting machinery. This marks the beginning of a third five-year term which consolidates our trust and satisfaction in the Toro brand and performance.”

Three deals in for Toro at Little Aston

Three deals in for Toro at Little Aston

In a deal worth roughly half a million pounds, it guarantees the club longevity, reliability, and durability for its turfcare equipment according to Course Manager David Gibbons: “In our opinion, Toro machinery offers the best overall performance for the type of maintenance required at Little Aston Golf Club. With no onsite mechanic, we need hard wearing machinery with a good finish for the level of presentation you’d expect for a top 100 England golf course.

“Our team is familiar with it – how to use and look after it, and it is robust and well made, meaning that after five years the machinery is still in good working order and holding a good price.”

The relationship with Reesink also plays a significant part in the decision and just gets better with time, says David. “While Toro is globally recognised as the leading mower manufacturer, Reesink brings an enormous amount to the table too.

“Financially the club needs to be happy with the price and overall deal. We look for solid warranties, discounts on parts, good support from a machinery point of view and investment in the team with training and greenkeeper education.

“Then we come back to that word trust. We trust Reesink will keep us up to date with alternative or new machinery, we trust we’ll get help with demonstrations as we consider new technology, and we trust they will advise us about any new machines that can do the job better.”

On that note, while the club will “happily replace like for like if it’s the best option, we still always ask if there are any new machines available that can do the job better,” says David.

“For example, we have been building bunkers, and found that the Toro Reelmaster 3100 with the SideWinder technology is the best mower for maintaining bunker banks. It really helps with the undulations and has a patented front unit sliding control for safety when near the edges.”

That’s another advantage with the machinery delivery being spread over the years, “we have time to evaluate the current machine before the next term and adjust accordingly to changing priorities and projects underway,” concludes David.

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Baroness to showcase cutting edge solutions at SALTEX

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Baroness to showcase cutting edge solutions at SALTEX:  Baroness is pleased to be returning to SALTEX once again alongside Kubota, showcasing a range of cutting edge maintenance solutions on stand E060.

Visitors can expect to see highlights from the LM range, including the LM551B fairway mower, LM351 triple surrounds mower and the LM56GC pedestrian mower on show alongside a range of implements from the professional Baroness maintenance range such as the AgriMetal Turbine Blower TB-270.

Baroness to showcase cutting edge solutions at SALTEX

Baroness to showcase cutting edge solutions at SALTEX

Renowned for precision, durability and industry-leading cut quality, the LM mower range embodies Baroness’s core values of engineering excellence, ease of operation and exceptional results. From the versatile LM551B with its outstanding contour-following capabilities, to the highly manoeuvrable LM351, turf managers can be assured a consistent cut from blades and cylinders which stay on cut up to three times longer than the competition.

The LM56GC from the Baroness pedestrian range will also be on display. Built to provide the highest quality finish on fine turf areas such as golf greens, tennis courts and cricket wickets, the LM56GC is completely gear driven – making the mower easier to maintain and more durable in operation compared to other machines that utilise belt or chain drive systems. It is also supported with an impressive five year warranty.

Besides an impressive mower line-up, Baroness will also be bringing the TB-270 Turbine Blower from AgriMetal to The NEC this November. This powerful, high-performance blower delivers maximum efficiency for leaf and debris clearance, giving grounds teams the solution to clear large areas with speed and accuracy thanks to precision airflow control.

Joining forces with Kubota makes stand E060 a platform for the very best of Japanese excellence in engineering, innovation and reliability. The two technical teams will be on hand to offer the very best support and advice to find you the perfect solution to your turf management requirements when SALTEX returns on the 12th and 13th November 2025.

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BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX

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BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX: The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) are pleased to be returning to SALTEX this November, showcasing their brand-new EV training course alongside a whole host of other member benefits.

Visitors to stand A030 can discover all the latest services and savings, as well as join fellow industry members for a special networking event as BAGMA brings a one-off Connect event to The NEC!

BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX

BAGMA to highlight new industry EV training at SALTEX

Recognising the ongoing shift towards electric vehicles and battery-powered equipment in the groundcare industry, BAGMA have teamed up with lecturers and industry partners to develop a new, practical one-day training course that’s set to become the benchmark for those operating Off-Highway Electric Vehicles (OHEV) & Electric Outdoor Power Equipment (EOPE).

The programme is designed to help technicians, sales staff, delivery drivers, engineers and workshop personnel gain a working knowledge of the hazards of high-voltage electric systems, best practice for handling and storage of battery packs and an awareness of all relevant legislation and compliance requirements. The course concludes with a short assessment and a certificate of completion which is an increasingly valuable asset as electrification continues to take the industry by storm.

Alongside training, stand A030 will also be the place to discover the exclusive offers and savings available from BAGMA’s range of approved Service Providers. Following a year of difficult trading conditions for many, make sure you’re making the most of your membership by speaking to a member of the BAGMA team about member discounts on finance, utility contracts, lease vehicles and more.

Members are also invited to join BAGMA for a very special BAGMA Connect networking event at SALTEX 2025. Join your peers, industry partners and a selection of BAGMA Service Providers for a drink in The Clubhouse from 3pm on Wednesday 12th November.

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Irrigation Experts’ essential steps to prevent failures

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Irrigation Experts’ essential steps to prevent failures: Waterscapes Ltd shares critical off-season preparation guidelines as UK landscapes face cold weather damage risks

As autumn temperatures signal the approach of winter, Waterscapes are sharing essential preparation steps to prevent costly system failures and protect landscape infrastructure investments. Frost damage to commercial irrigation systems can result in repair bills exceeding thousands per site, alongside significant environmental and structural impact from water waste.

Irrigation Experts' essential steps to prevent failures

Irrigation Experts’ essential steps to prevent failures

“Our experience across multiple complex landscape projects has taught us that correctly designed irrigation systems anticipate seasonal challenges from the outset,” said Ed Harwood, Maintenance Contracts Manager of irrigation and water feature specialists Waterscapes Ltd. “However, even the most robust systems benefit from targeted winter preparation.”

The guidance comes as facilities managers and landscape contractors prepare for the off-season period, when inadequate system protection can compromise entire landscape investments.

Essential Preparation Steps

According to Waterscapes, proper system drainage represents the most critical protection measure. Water removal from pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads prevents expansion damage, with professional blow-out services using compressed air recommended for complex installations.

“DIY attempts often leave residual water in system low points, which becomes expensive damage when temperatures drop,” explains Ed. “The off-season is also ideal for identifying worn seals, cracked housings, or damaged sprinkler heads.” The company emphasises that isolation valves and backflow preventers require particular attention, whilst modern smart controllers should be adjusted to seasonal programmes with automatic watering schedules disabled.

Sustainability and Efficiency Focus

Beyond immediate cost implications, correct preparation supports broader sustainability goals. Systems that restart smoothly in spring waste less water during calibration and testing, whilst well-maintained infrastructure lasts longer, reducing replacement cycles and embodied carbon.

“Climate change means more unpredictable weather patterns, from sudden frosts to summer droughts,” notes Ed. “Off-season preparation might seem like an additional cost, but it’s actually an investment in system longevity, water efficiency, and spring productivity. Whilst basic preparation can be handled in-house, complex commercial systems benefit from specialist knowledge.”

The company recommends updating system maps and maintenance logs during the off-season, ensuring spring start-up procedures run smoothly when systems are needed most.

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Innovation on Tour – The AriensCo Roadshow

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Innovation on Tour – The AriensCo Roadshow: The AriensCo Roadshow 2025 came to a successful close last weekend. Since the end of July, our sales teams have been on the move across Germany, France and the United Kingdom – meeting dealers and end users directly at their locations.

With up to seven stops in each country, visitors had the chance to get up close with the latest innovations from AS-Motor and Ariens, and more importantly, try them out for themselves.

Innovation on Tour – The AriensCo Roadshow

Innovation on Tour – The AriensCo Roadshow

Bringing innovation to Life

The roadshow was all about bringing our products to life. Each stop featured live demonstrations, expert conversations, and personal consultations that allowed for real hands-on experiences. The focus was not only on showcasing product features, but also on discussing everyday challenges, technical details, and service and spare parts needs with dealers, service professionals, and local authorities.

More Than Just a Demo – Real Conversations with Professionals

“Our roadshow was about more than just product demonstrations; it was about meaningful dialogue with the people who use our equipment every day,” said Sam Lewis, General Manager of AriensCo UK. “Performance data is one thing – but the real test is putting the machine into the hands of the user. That’s when you truly see what it can do.”

Two key innovations took center stage, both unveiled earlier this year at demopark:

AS 990 Tahr RC

This new remote-controlled rotary mower proved its capability on steep slopes, where it delivers faster mowing without the need to turn around after each pass. The open-sided sickle mower cuts cleanly in both directions, while the proven cross blade system from the AS 940 Sherpa ensures exceptional cutting power. It easily handles grass and brush up to 1.5 meters high, using two powerful pendulum blades and an overhead cutter bar for high-speed shredding.

Ariens Summit Pro Zero-Turn Series

The new zero-turn models for professionals showed why they are the new stars of the Ariens lineup. With speeds up to 24 km/h, cutting widths of up to 183 cm, and area coverage of nearly 30,000 m² per hour, the Summit Pro 300 and 500 are built for intensive professional use. Durable mower decks, Parker hydrostats, and premium Kawasaki engines reinforce the machines’ robust and reliable design.

Positive Feedback Across the Board

Across all three countries, the response to the roadshow was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors appreciated the chance to experience the equipment first-hand, while dealers took advantage of the opportunity to deepen their product knowledge. For AriensCo, the roadshow also provided valuable insights from direct conversations with customers and users.

“Roadshows help build trust and provide a genuine product experience,” Sam Lewis concluded. “They’ll continue to play an increasingly important role alongside trade shows and conventional demos in how we connect with our customers.”

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