Keeping it genuine keeps costs down

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Keeping it genuine keeps costs down: Since Toro started filling its machines with its new PX Extended Life Hydraulic Fluid, customers have been enjoying a reduction in downtime, increased time between services and an improvement in the total cost of ownership of their machines.

To provide customers with value added improvements, Toro changed its standard fill hydraulic fluid to an extended life hydraulic fluid called Toro PX Extended Life Hydraulic Fluid.

Keeping it genuine keeps costs down

Keeping it genuine keeps costs down

Since 2019 every machine out of production has been factory-filled with this new PX fluid, and customers and distributor Reesink Turfcare have noticed that by sticking with this genuine hydraulic fluid brings big benefits.

Michael Hampton, purchasing and sales process manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “Just as buying genuine applies to all Toro parts so does it ring true when it comes to hydraulic fluid. By sticking with Toro PX Extended Life Hydraulic Fluid customers are guaranteeing a reduction in servicing intervals for hydraulic fluid and filters to up to 2,000 hours compared to using the standard Hydraulic Fluid which requires a change every 800 hours.”

Sticking with the new PX fluid allows for increased hydraulic fluid and filter change intervals, eliminates the initial low hour hydraulic fluid change, allows for common change intervals across product offerings reducing confusion during maintenance servicing, as well as reducing the overall cost of ownership.

Michael continues: “Hydraulic fluid is an essential part to the machine. Its main function is to provide energy transmission through the system, which enables motion. Hydraulic fluids are also responsible for lubrication, heat transfer and contamination control. So, when it comes to quality control and safeguarding the performance of the machine, sticking to genuine hydraulic fluid surely rates highly.”

Toro PX Extended Life Hydraulic Fluid is suitable for all Toro machines apart from the GP1260, Groundsmaster 7210, Groundsmaster 360 and Outcross. It is available through Reesink Turfcare online at via reesinkturfcare.co.uk, by phone on 01480 226800 or by email at info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens

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STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens: March 1st 2023 will see the dawn of a new innovative mowing age with STIGA’s new autonomous robotic lawn mowers.  At the heart of these machines are the ease of use, benefits both to lawns and nature, and the energy efficiency of the design.

The three fully autonomous, CABLE FREE, robot mowers, the first to bring predictive AGS technology to the garden, are:

  • A 1500
  • A 3000
  • A 500
STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens

STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens

AGS RTK GPS using cloud based 4G signals

The patented STIGA Active Guidance System (AGS) enhances the GPS RTK signal reliability by using 4G to transmit the vital course correction data. This means the link between robot and base remains reliable, no matter what obstacles or distance lies between the base and robot. The system learns satellite blind spots throughout the garden at various times of the day, ensuring that the robot has an unbroken link to the infrastructure that allows it to navigate with the high accuracy required.

No-Cable

With no need to lay cable in your lawn, you can simply use the App to drive the robot mower around the perimeter of your lawn and any obstacles within it. You do it once and it remembers every detail. Because it is virtual, it is hassle free to adjust if the layout of the garden should change should you add a pond, bush, or garden furniture.

Caring for the lawn

By using accurate navigation, the robot can cover the lawn significantly more efficiently. This means less cutting time when compared to a random navigation robot. Less cutting time allows the plant time to heal between cutting schedules. This way the grass stays healthier.

The carbon steel pivoting razor blades are strong and flexible, making them safer and more resistant to impact and results in them staying sharper, for longer. Spinning at 2850rpm they will perform a neat cut without tearing the grass. The height of cut can be adjusted between 20 and 65mm and can be controlled remotely via the smart phone app, STIGA.GO. This means you have complete control of your robot, even when away from home.

Caring for nature

By designing high efficiency robots that are able to manage cutting session during daylight hours, STIGA have ensured that nocturnal animals such as hedgehogs can safely occupy the garden overnight.

Energy efficiency

At the heart of every STIGA robot mower is an ePower battery built on premium lithium-ion batteries, which contain chemistry optimised for reliability and durability.  The new STIGA robots optimises the battery usage as they work within organised cutting patterns ensuring that there is no chance of over mowing. But don’t worry, there is also the option to programme the mower to create straight line patterns so you can still enjoy quintessential British stripes if you wish!

They cut the lawn in two mowing cycles – these are performed consequently. It will re-start any cutting cycle from where it stopped on the previous cycle and can be programmed to work in multiple mowing zones, always returning to the charging station by the fastest route.

The new STIGA autonomous range of robot mowers starts at £3086 including installation and will be available for purchase online and in selected retail locations on the 1st of March 2023

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Cobra celebrates 10th anniversary

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Cobra celebrates 10th anniversary: 10 years ago this spring, a new brand entered the garden machinery market and fast became established as one of the leading players, rapidly becoming the go-to brand of choice for many gardeners across the UK.

The brand was launched by Nottingham-based, Henton & Chattell, one of the largest distributors of garden machinery in the UK with more than 1,500 dealerships across the country. Founded in 1931, the Henton & Chattell team used its unique market insight garnered from more than 80 years of being in the industry and knowing customer demands, to launch its own brand: Cobra.

Cobra celebrates 10th anniversary

Cobra celebrates 10th anniversary

Now, to celebrate the brand’s 10th birthday, Cobra is launching perhaps its biggest innovation yet with the introduction of its new ride-on lawn mowers this spring. This significant investment for Cobra really marks the next chapter for the brand. The ride-on mower range features eight models, aimed at helping those with larger lawns to mow with ease and comfort, at an affordable price.

Wanting to bring variety and an extensive range from day to always give customers the ideal solution no matter what size garden they had or task they were tackling, Cobra launched with a bang and an impressive 46 models from day one.

The Cobra range started with the electric GTRM range, which is still a key seller to this day. Followed shortly by the 2-stroke powered brushcutters, hedge trimmers and chainsaws. Instead of big seasonal launches, Cobra instead chose to take a continual approach to new product development and R&D and new products are regularly introduced to the range across all product categories and the range now consists of a staggering 160 products. Staying true to its lawncare specialism roots, 46% of these are lawnmowers – making Cobra the largest powered lawnmower brand in the UK.

Electric handheld machinery was one of the first category expansions in 2014, with hedgetrimmers, leaf blowers and grass strimmers being launched.

A momentous key product development for Cobra was the launch of its battery mower range in 2015, with the MX4140V leading the way, which was followed soon after by the battery handhold range of 24-volt products in 2016 and 40-volt in 2017. The interchangeable battery technology enables gardeners and customers loyal to the Cobra brand, to have battery-powered hedge trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and mowers, all powered by one battery – alleviating the need for petrol power or electric cables.

Over time, the range has continued to expand and now, alongside Cobra’s extensive offering of wider lawncare products such as robotic mowers, scarifiers and aerators, the range also features pressure washers, generators, shredders, cultivators, chippers, multitools and brushcutters.

Notable highlights in the Cobra journey include its limited-edition pink lawnmower that was launched in partnership with Breast Cancer Now in 2019 and has raised more than £20,000 for the charity. Alongside that, Cobra products have received wide recognition and accolades with multiple awards, “best buy” features and endorsements.

Discussing the brand’s growth and success, managing director of Cobra, Peter Chaloner commented: “We are so thrilled with the success of Cobra over the past 10 years, the response and demand from customers has been incredible. We’re really excited about the next chapter with the new ride-on tractors and have lots more product development in the pipeline for the future too.”

“We’ve seen across our nationwide dealer network of Cobra stockists that the demand is very positive and we’re committed to bringing even more products to our dealers.  We are 100% focused on supporting our dealers.”

For further information about Cobra, please visit www.cobragarden.co.uk.

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Greenkeeper describes moment of rescue

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Greenkeeper describes moment of rescue: A north-east man has described the moment he pulled a man from the River Don after seeing him fall from an Aberdeen bridge.

Read the full article from Press & Journal here

Greenkeeper describes moment of rescue

Greenkeeper describes moment of rescue

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Kubota LX 351 a real workhorse

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Kubota LX 351 a real workhorse: Lifting, mowing and manoeuvring within confined areas are proving no problem for an estate in the heart of Lincolnshire following the delivery of a Kubota LX 351 – which the owner describes as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of compact tractors.

Complete with a range of attachments, the LX 351 was installed by Irelands Farm Machinery in Spring 2022 and has gone on to be fundamental to the expanding orchard operation, making light work of the year-round estate management and reducing the reliance on external contractors.

Kubota LX 351 a real workhorse

Kubota LX 351 a real workhorse

The 400-acre family-run estate comprises arable land, run by a tenant farmer, with 34 acres of woodland a further 6 acres of grassland in the final stages of being converted into a fully-operational orchard – with close to 1000 apple trees planted come the end of February 2023. A spokesperson for the estate said, “Our tractor is at the centre of everything we do here, so when it came to looking for a new one, we spent extensive time researching and comparing the options available. We had used Kubota machinery on hire previously and were impressed with the quality and engineering, but still looked at the specification of comparable brands.”

They continue, “Our wish list was for a 35hp tractor, powerful but small enough to navigate around the estate and capable of being equipped with attachments for mowing, towing, hedge cutting and lifting and moving pallets to where they are needed. We also wanted a cab and air-con for comfort and safety as we work all year-round.” Ticking every box, with a competitive price tag and excellent back-up support from the team at Irelands, the LX 351 complete with mixed service tyres, front-end loader and counterweight, front forks, log grapple, 60” mid-mounted mower deck and 2-tonne Kubota tipping trailer was installed in April last year.

“It’s proven itself to be a real workhorse, from lifting pallets on and off delivery vehicles, assisting with pruning trees, felling and planting jobs throughout the winter and spring and assisting with the apple harvest in September and October. Attachments are easy to switch with the ‘quick attach’ mechanism and all of the controls and features are designed for comfort, making for a very pleasant operator experience. The cut quality with the mid-mounted deck has also been superb, navigating around the newly planted saplings where the gap is no more than 4m.”

The LX 351 has also enabled the team to conduct more operations in-house, saving money otherwise spent on bringing in contractors, to the point where the estate are now considering offering contracting services themselves to those in the surrounding area. “This investment will pay for itself in no time and there’s been nothing we have asked of it to date, that it hasn’t been able to deliver.” They conclude, “The whole experience has been so positive that we would not hesitate to consider further equipment from the Kubota brand in the future, as and when the need arises.”

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Two new starters for Agrovista Amenity

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Two new starters for Agrovista Amenity: Agrovista Amenity has announced the appointment of Stewart Carbray and Sam Sweetzer who will join the company’s renowned team of Amenity Specialists.

Stewart joins Agrovista Amenity from Bothwell Castle Golf Club where he worked for twenty-three years after initially joining as an apprentice. During this time, he worked his way up to the position of Head Greenkeeper, and after six years in this position he felt the time was right to embark on a new opportunity.

Two new starters for Agrovista Amenity

Two new starters for Agrovista Amenity

“I achieved what I set out to do at Bothwell Castle and I saw so many improvements at the course. I wanted to stay within the industry and always had an interest in the other side of the business, so the Agrovista opportunity was just too big to ignore.”

Stewart, who will be covering the areas of west and central Scotland and further down into Dumfries and Galloway borders, believes he has the perfect mentor at Agrovista Amenity.

“Ramsay MacGregor, my line manager, is the guy everyone goes to for technical advice and problem solving. I want to learn from him and pick up the reigns and become trusted and recognised just like him.

“Ultimately, I’m looking forward to working in a great team and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Sam Sweetzer also comes from a greenkeeping background, and his last role was at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club as the Deputy Course Manager. Throughout his career he has relied on several products from Agrovista Amenity and is looking forward to learning more about the science behind them.

“There is a huge amount of pressure and demand on greenkeepers at the moment and I’m looking forward to finding solutions for them,” he said. “In the past we have always worked with Agrovista Amenity because they have such an extensive portfolio from various manufacturers. There are also specialist products that only Agrovista Amenity can sell such as Compo Expert and BASF products.

Two new starters for Agrovista Amenity

Two new starters for Agrovista Amenity

“In the last few weeks, I have already learnt a lot about all these products. The technology that goes into these products is fascinating and I think it is important to always keep moving forward with the times.”

Sam will be focusing on the areas of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire and is relishing the opportunity of building relationships with a wide variety of customers.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out on the road and meeting lots of different people, from many different sites and furthering my knowledge on various sports turf surfaces. My background might be in golf, but a lot of my clients will be working in colleges, schools, cricket, rugby and football.

“It’s an exciting prospect that people will be coming to me for advice. Having been in their shoes is important because it will help me build good long-term relationships with them, and that is what it is all about.”

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

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Envu embraces 2023

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Envu embraces 2023: Only a matter of months since Envu was created following the divestment of Bayer Environmental Sciences, the company is establishing a clear direction and growing from strength to strength.  The most recent appointments include Phil Logan, as National Account Manager UK & Ireland, and Paul Fisher promoted as Head of Sales UK & Ireland.

Commenting on the expanding team, Alan Morris, Managing Director (UK) & Head of North Europe at Envu explains that “people are everything to our business and everything to our customers.  We’ve been lucky to invest and bring in new people, so as Envu develops we bring in new ideas, and new thinking which benefits our customers”.

Envu embraces 2023

Envu embraces 2023

In addition to a progressive, innovative team, a key to Envu’s success in the amenity and turf sector is industry knowledge, with the ability to understand turf issues.  This is a key strength for newly appointed Phil Logan and after gaining a first-class honours degree in Turfgrass Science and Management from UCLAN, he has worked in greenkeeping at some iconic golf courses including The West Course, Wentworth and The Old Course, St Andrews,  as a Trials Manager and within various technical & sales roles.  Adding to the extensive industry experience and expertise, Phil is a fully qualified BASIS adviser which ensures excellent technical advice for Envu customers.

Complementing the team further, Paul Fisher’s promotion to Head of Sales UK and Ireland brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from within the Environmental Science industry.  Paul has over 20 years of experience, both from the service provider and supply chain sectors giving a unique perspective.  Paul’s key emphasis is to help customers experience the level of support that is expected from a market leader such as Envu, as well as working to deliver solutions that help customers overcome their challenges.  Paul says, “I’m extremely excited about the opportunities within Envu, and being part of a market leading business with one of the strongest product portfolios.  And we have the freedom to bring more innovation to the market for the professional.”

Confirming this company position and the direction of Envu, Alan Morris, explains “Envu is looking for acquisition opportunities across all business units, and we have pending registrations with forthcoming product launches through our divested pipeline from Bayer.  It is an exciting time for Envu and as we grow, we remain committed to keeping our customers at the centre of everything we do”.

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Pols appointed as new INFINICUT® distributor

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Pols appointed as new INFINICUT® distributor: Pols, leading distributors for a number of green technology manufacturers in The Netherlands, have been announced as a new dealer partner for INFINICUT® as they continue to expand their global network.

Based in Zuidland, Pols have worked with a number of leading franchises over their 70-year history, with INFINICUT® the latest on an illustrious list to benefit from their outstanding sales and service to customers across the Benelux.

Pols appointed as new INFINICUT® distributor

Pols appointed as new INFINICUT® distributor

Appointed in November, Pols represent brands including Kioti, Ransomes and Cushman and have a team of more than 70 employees working closely with customers from a cross-range of industries from golf courses, parks and public space managers. The INFINICUT® range, with its precise cut quality and lithium power technology, is a great fit for Pols who pride themselves on being leaders in supplying environmentally-friendly solutions for turf management.

Commenting on their appointment, Pols Turfcare Sales Manager Cees Wolters said, “As specialists in sports turf, the INFINICUT® is a great addition to our portfolio. In the first few months of our partnership, we have already started supplying SMARTCut™ cassettes on our Jacobsen Eclipse lithium green mowers – which can now be found in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, ADO Den Haag’s Bingoal Stadium and on the new natural grass of ‘Het Kasteel’, home of Sparta. The quality of these cutting units has taken performance to the next level, so we can’t wait to be able to supply these and the complete INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ ranges to customers across our area.”

“Pols are a long-established, well-respected family business with a fantastic reputation for service and supplying leading green technologies across all areas of their business” adds Vinny Tarbox, INFINICUT® Sales Manager. “They have an enviable sales record in The Netherlands and have recently expanded into Belgium with new office and service facilities, making it an easy decision for us to partner with them to work in both of these vital markets.”

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LNER Community Stadium embrace GroundWOW

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LNER Community Stadium embrace GroundWOW: GroundWOW have delivered their latest signing to LNER Community Stadium in York. The onsite delivery and set up of the GroundWOW® SFX MAX™ is the start of an exciting revenue opportunity for York Stadium Management, with teams York City FC and York Knights RLFC reinventing their revenue model by converting under-utilised ground into advertising inventory.

The GroundWOW team worked with York Stadium Management to train their grounds and operations team on the hardware and software, so that the stadium can make the most of the new technology and take full ownership of unlocking the value of their surfaces.

LNER Community Stadium embrace GroundWOW

LNER Community Stadium embrace GroundWOW

Pete Kitchen, Stadium Manager at LNER Community Stadium said about the delivery and initial training session; “After a brief session inside while GroundWOW talked my team through the technology, we went pitch side to create the first autonomous prints ever seen at the LNER Community Stadium. The install crew oversaw the first one before my guys took over the controls to deliver their own….and they looked brilliant.”

He continued, “We first visited GroundWOW at their very cool HQ in Manchester and we were instantly sold on the technology. Taking delivery of our own system today is an exciting moment and really only the start of our partnership with them. My team were engaged from the first minute with the training and to be able to operate it themselves so quickly speaks volumes for how intuitive GroundWOW have made the user experience.”

About the possible revenue generating opportunities and creative capabilities, Kitchen said; “Our minds are already racing with the commercial possibilities that GroundWOW instantly opens up, especially so when you consider our dual mandate across rugby and football and our host venue status for major events beginning with Rugby League’s Summer Bash in May”.

GroundWOW’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Pritchard, said “The LNER Community stadium is an incredible venue and partnering there with the team from York Stadium Management is an amazing prospect. Not only is it the home stadium of York Knights and York City F.C, it is a community facility built on innovation and ambition, characteristics of our own DNA at GroundWOW. It’s a real thrill to see our technology deployed at such a modern, pristine venue and we are looking forward to working with such a forward-thinking team across different sports as they bring major commercial opportunities to life”.

GroundWOW unlocks the value in sports stadia by turning any surface into advertising real estate easily and quickly. The world’s first autonomous full colour stadium ground printer with integrated end-to-end inventory management software platform hosted in the cloud is bringing the whole sponsorship and advertising process in-house. As market leaders, GroundWOW help stadia and venues to monetise, unlock and maximise the value in surfaces by connecting brands to land with an affordable monthly subscription.

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4turf® delivers a sustainable drought-tolerant sward

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4turf® delivers a sustainable drought-tolerant sward: Opened in late 2019, Stoneham Lane Football Complex comprises 64sq.Km of artificial and natural sports pitches – supporting grass roots football for players of all ages and abilities.

Part of the FA’s Parklife Project, the maintenance of the Complex falls under the remit of Hampshire FA Facility Operations Manager Pete Hussey who, in conjunction with seed from DLF, keeps the five grass pitches fit for more than 425 matches per season.

4turf® delivers a sustainable drought-tolerant sward

4turf® delivers a sustainable drought-tolerant sward

Alongside the Stoneham Lane facility in Eastleigh, Pete also manages operations at the Winklebury Football Complex in Basingstoke and the Front Lawn Community Hub in Havant – all designed to support and fund grass roots sport within the local area. “I’ve been in this role for three and a half years, but have worked with DLF for 17 years, having used various seed formulations at my previous venue” explains Pete.

“When Stoneham was constructed, one of the major focuses was on drainage – giving us incredible infiltration rates in the region of 52mm per hour. However, the flip side of that is that we have no irrigation meaning that in the dry months, pitches struggle to retain moisture and thin out quickly.” Foreseeing the challenges that lay ahead, Pete spoke to his DLF Regional Technical Manager Ian Barnett to explore more drought-tolerant varieties – and just in time, before one of the most prolonged droughts experienced in the UK, in the summer of 2022!

“We opted to switch from the 100% diploid perennial ryegrass mix to Johnsons J 4Turf 50, sown in May 2022, and we couldn’t have been more impressed with the results.” J 4Turf 50 incorporates 4turf® tetraploid perennial ryegrass, a larger seed with higher energy reserves to deliver deeper rooting, better establishing plants – including in cooler temperatures – with enhanced colour, disease resistance and drought tolerance. The 2023 formulation contains 50% 4turf® tetraploid rye and 50% diploid perennial ryegrass.

“The J 4Turf 50 established well before the hot conditions arrived. We were limited on how much water we could get onto the pitches and were thinking we would need to do a lot of recovery work ahead of the new season, however after the rain returned, the pitches recovered amazingly! We didn’t need to do any additional overseeding or fertilising, we relied on mother nature and the seed to do what it promised it would, and it did exactly that.”

Pete continues, “As the season progressed, the J 4Turf 50 coped with the high wear, recovered fast and remained strong enough that we saw no disease activity at all last year. In fact the pitches looked so good, we were able to wait until after Christmas to put a feed down.” He adds, “This switch has given us everything we want in terms of performance, but more than that, has moved us towards a lower input sward which is more sustainable to manage.”

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