Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council

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Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council: Luton Borough Council has been reaping the benefits of using innovative Mankar spraying units in its weed control programme.

The promising results come after Agrovista Amenity won a contract for the supply of weed control products to Luton Council. The tender was based on Roundup glyphosate and Mankar ULV spraying units.

Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council

Mankar ULV praised by Luton Council

Mankar spraying units are professional systems for effective, environmentally responsible and economical weed control, with Roundup glyphosate being applied without water. All the spraying units are based on ULV technology which stands for ‘ultra-low volume.’

The primary area of application for Luton Council is pavement weed control, but the units can be introduced for use on highways, parks, grounds, public gardens, cemeteries and educational establishments.

Duncan Stirling, Street Spraying Manager at Luton Council, was attracted to the many benefits of the Mankar spraying system. He said: “A 50% reduction in the amount of herbicide required to maintain these areas will provide an immediate economic benefit, both in purchasing herbicide, and reduction in disposing of plastic containers.

“The ease of use with the Mankar system, in that the herbicide can be applied neat, is of continual benefit to us as it negates the need to pre-mix into knapsacks or source water supplies. This will provide a noticeable benefit to operatives in time efficiency.

“The battery life of the machine provides more than enough charge for each period of use and if required, batteries can be easily switched. Feedback from all our operatives has been extremely positive, particularly in relation to ergonomics; the 3.4kg spraying unit is a lot more comfortable in comparison to knapsack and other spraying systems, which can weigh over 20kg. The team has also commented on how quiet the device is when operating, causing minimal disruption to members of the public.

“Not only will we be saving money, but we will also see an improvement in the quality of the areas we maintain.”

Following the award of the contract, Agrovista Amenity delivered a training session to the team of operatives. Ed Smith, Landscape Team Manager for Agrovista Amenity is delighted to see the Mankar systems making a difference for Luton Council.

“It’s been fantastic to see Luton Council report such positive results from using the Mankar sprayers,” he said.

“Not only are they a cost-effective solution, but they are more environmentally friendly, more comfortable for the operatives and ultimately, they achieve a high level of weed control in comparison to other spray systems available.”

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

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Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

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Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder: Leading Belgium manufacturer Eliet have announced the launch of an innovative new overseeding machine, the  DZC450, a more compact counterpart to the popular DZC overseeder.

Over recent years, there has been continued demand for growth maintenance and renovation solutions. With the launch of the popular DZC 600 Overseeder, Eliet have firmly established themselves as an industry leader, and the patented overseeding concept for the ELIET DZC 600 has been showered with innovation awards. In response to customer analysis and demand, the manufacturer identified a requirement for an even more compact, cost effective, entry-level model.

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Smaller than the DZC 600, the DZC 450 is highly effective machine and is designed to make overseeding more accessible. With a usable width of 45 cm, the DZC450 is lighter and more compact that it’s “big brother”, with dimensions that make it perfect for use in smaller and less accessible contemporary gardens.

Just like the DZC 600, this newcomer is equipped with the patented ELIET Helix Seed DuctTM seed distribution system and the residual seed can easily be removed from the machine when the work is complete. The 45 Permanently Sharp BladesTM, with 27mm spacing, ensure perfect performance for overseeding. The DZC450 features an exclusive rubber ejection paddle that efficiently discharges any materials removed by the blades and spreads it evenly as topdressing behind the machine.

Why overseed?

As the years go by, all grass is subject to ageing and scarifying and spraying can help to briefly interrupt the decline, however the only long-term solution is to fully rejuvenate the grass, through overseeding.

During the process, new grass seeds are sown into the existing grass and the germinating seeds fill the open space between the old grass plants with healthy young ones. Enhanced germination is encouraged via the powered rubber roller which immediately follows the seed distribution process and ensures that there is good contact between the soil and the seeds by pressing the earth down.

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Eliet launch revolutionary overseeder

Overseeding not only restores the diversity of grass varieties, but also increases the plant density and rejuvenates the lawn. Two weeks after the treatment, the grass will look fuller and greener. The lawn’s resistance to drought and pathogens is also much higher and mosses will have practically no chance anymore. An overseeding treatment is the quickest and cheapest way of giving grass a total make-over.

With the Eliet DZC overseeders you can renovate tired and thin grass in no time at all. This inexpensive alternative can take place quickly and guarantees a visible result in less than a month. The grass will be available for normal use immediately after overseeding which for some customers, including golf clubs, cricket clubs and football clubs, is extremely important.

As with all Eliet machines, operator safety and comfort is key, and the handlebars are fitted with anti-vibration dampers that are variably adjustable to the correct height, while the working depth of the blades can be quickly and easily altered.

The new machine is available from PSD Groundscare through their network of specialist Dealers. PSD Groundscare are the exclusive UK distributor for innovative European manufacturers AS Motor, Eliet, Koppl & TS Industrie.

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Terra Spike XF central to new era

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Terra Spike XF central to new era: One of Hertfordshire’s leading independent day and boarding schools has embarked upon a new era of grounds maintenance across its 130-acre site, with a team restructure and additional grounds investment.

Bishop’s Stortford College appointed Adam Smith as their new Head Groundsman in March, with responsibility for both the sports surfaces and the extensive ornamental gardens. With over 1200 pupils, and a reputation for sporting excellence, rugby in particular, the College is a ‘Partnership School’ with Premiership rugby neighbours, Saracens RFC.

Terra Spike XF central to new era

Terra Spike XF central to new era

Specifically on sport, Adam, plus two staff, Ben Baker and David Beckenham, look after 20 hectares of sport surfaces which include five full size and 10 junior rugby pitches, an assortment of training grids and pitches, one full size and five junior football pitches, six cricket squares -consisting 34 tracks , two Astros and a MUGA.

Progress on many fronts is being made.  “Increasing our maintenance machinery fleet was my initial task,” said Adam Smith, whose career to date has included seven years as a horticultural mechanic for one of the largest contractors in Europe, two years working for a dealership in Brisbane Australia and seven years at Haileybury Imperial College. “My career history has given me enormous insight and a great understanding of the needs of a multisport educational establishment.”

“An aerator was central to our plans.  For me, Wiedenmann who are renowned for build quality so it had to be the XF6 to support productivity within our maintenance regimes. Regular aeration is key to our maintenance programmes to improve our carrying capacity for training and sports fixtures. We are really pleased with the XF’s work rate and our ability to aerate multiple pitches in one day; a junior pitch is taking less than an hour.

“The cricket squares had their first aeration in mid-November and held up well; depth was 150mm with 16mm tines.  They also got a little feed using Sierrablen Plus 3 19-5-18+2Mgo+TE.  I was happily surprised the disturbance was so negligible. Seeing as little disturbance encouraged me to revise my plan… we’ll fit in an additional run, so we’ll go again before Christmas, instead of just the once… at 200mm to try to break the pan a little deeper, In January, I may, ground conditions allowing, go out one more time using the multi tine holders and 10 mm tines, probably down to 100mm to encourage root growth, then that finishes off aeration on the squares.

“The outfields were another pleasant surprise.  The XF covers our 1st team outfield in just five hours using 16mm tines and a 4×4 pattern going down 150mm, which is impressive considering it’s 14 000 sqm, Often, though, we opt for punching more holes in the ground rather than chasing speed.  It’s so productive whichever way you look at it and was the definitely right decision for us.”

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Toro at the fore for two clubs

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Toro at the fore for two clubs: Green Circle Leisure is bringing in more Toro to keep standards high as it embarks on the next stage of development across two of its clubs in the North West.  

For five years, Toro machinery has been at the forefront of Green Circle Leisures’ investment in Allerton Manor Golf Club in South Liverpool and Sherdley Park Golf Club in St Helens, Merseyside. Now with both clubs having made great progress, two new Toro Greensmaster 1000 walk behind cylinder mowers have been bought in to provide the best possible maintenance for the new turf across the new greens and tees of Sherdley Park.

Toro at the fore for two clubs

Toro at the fore for two clubs

In 2015, Green Circle Leisure, the official golf operating partner with Liverpool City Council, purchased a fleet of Toro machinery from Cheshire Turf Machinery in Stockport, as part of the reinvention of Allerton Manor Golf Club. The company’s excellent relationship with Cheshire Turf Machinery, and the reliability and quality of Toro machinery, led to Green Circle Leisure purchasing additional Toro machinery for Sherdley Park Golf Club in 2018, after becoming the operating partner of St Helens Council.

Steve Halley, managing director at Cheshire Turf Machinery said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Michael Hanlon, chief executive at Green Circle Leisure, and his team and witness the transformation of the golf courses and facilities in their care. Since 2015, as well as investing in new equipment, Green Circle Leisure has moved to protect that investment by confirming maintenance programmes with us on all their machines, helping to ensure the continued improvement of the golf courses.”

Director of golf, Bryan Joelson-Mulhall explains: “Over the past few years we’ve invested in both Allerton Manor and Sherdley Park, with our goal from the start to provide facilities as good as or better than private members clubs, while staying affordable and accessible to the whole community. In order to continue making improvements to the courses in line with our goals, we need the best machinery. And having the best machinery means Toro.”

A number of improvements have already been made to both clubs, with more on the way as the redevelopment continues, and this led to Green Circle Leisure to add to its Toro fleet with the purchase of two Greensmaster 1000 walk behind cylinder mowers for Sherdley Park.

The Greensmaster 1000 is ideal for greenkeepers needing an efficient and easy to operate walk-behind mower that delivers an excellent quality of cut. The front weight bias offsets the operator’s natural tendency to place weight on the handle, allowing the reel to better follow ground contours for a consistent cutting height, plus it is uniquely weighted, front to rear, providing greater turf penetration.

“We’re working to make Sherdley Park an all weather course, suitable to play year-round,” says Bryan. “So that means new greens, new tees and new bunker systems. We needed high-quality walk behind mowers for the maintenance of new turf as it grows in, and the Greensmaster 1000 is perfect for that.”

And with planning permission approved for the next phase of work at Allerton Manor, it certainly seems like its fleet of Toro machinery, which includes two Greensmaster 1600s, two Greensmaster 1000 pedestrian mowers, a Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, a Reelmaster 5510-D, and two Groundsmaster 4000-D machines among others, will be put to work over the next couple of years.

“We’re going to be turning the course at Allerton Manor from a par 67, to a par 72,” says Bryan. “That’s alongside a brand new golfers pavilion, adventure golf course for families, a driving range, hotel and spa and a new greenkeeper compound.”

Richard Shields, Allerton Manor head greenkeeper said: “We are always looking at how to improve the courses, and Toro does a fantastic job keeping standards high and improving the quality of the course. We don’t hesitate to bring in more Toro when needed as we know the importance of having reliable, quality kit.

“Since 2015, Toro machinery, the after-service care from Cheshire Turf Machinery and Reesink Turfcare and the feedback from the team have all been good, so we’ve no plans to change a winning formula.”

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Multi-Seeder a great all-rounder

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Multi-Seeder a great all-rounder: Impressed with the versatility it offered, sports ground contractors Bothams Prestige purchased a BLEC Multi-Seeder 2100 almost two years ago, but this year it has been busier than ever!

Its ability to conduct both the initial seeding operation, together with more routine overseeding has paid dividends for co-owner Josh Botham who notes the particular role the dimple seeder has had for renovations on Desso and hybrid sports surfaces.

Multi-Seeder a great all-rounder

Multi-Seeder a great all-rounder

Complimenting an Overseeder and a number of other Redexim machines on their fleet, Josh explains how the size and weight of the BLEC Multi-Seeder was a perfect fit for the variety of work they undertake. “The 2.1m working width of this machine makes is suitable for use on golf fairways and greens, as well as football pitches and racecourses” explains Josh, “and the fact that we now have the flexibility to choose between a disc and dimple seeder means we are well equipped to choose the best delivery method depending on the venue and ground conditions on a given day.”

“We’re lucky enough to work with a number of football clubs at all levels from Premiership right through to those in the lower leagues, conducting both in-season and end of season renovations and repairs. The Multi-Seeder is excellent for this. With the Desso construction of the Sheffield Wednesday pitch for example, the dimple seeding system safely, effectively and accurately saturates the surface with seed – recently delivering germination which the groundsman was really impressed with.”

As well as winter sports, the Multi-Seeder has been busy this year with cricket renovations. “A lot of dimple seeders aren’t heavy enough to penetrate hard clay profiles when it’s hot and dry but the weight of the BLEC machine saw it take this rock-hard ground in its stride.” Should difficult ground conditions demand additional penetration, the Multi-Seeder has the added benefit of an integrated weight mounting frame, allowing suitcase weights to be added if required.

Josh concludes, “Having used a range of Redexim and BLEC machines in the past we knew we would be assured of robust build quality and user-friendly operation with the Multi-Seeder. What you get on top of this is fantastic support when needed direct from Andy O’Neill or via Julian Simpson at Acorn Tractors, who has a wealth of knowledge and friendly advice when it comes to the BLEC range.”

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