Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest

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Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest: At Groundsfest 2025, Fendt proudly presents a bold new chapter in sustainable machinery: the Fendt E100 Vario, the first fully electric tractor commercially available within the UK & Ireland.

Built for professionals who demand precision, reliability and environmental responsibility, the E100 Vario is a game-changer for grounds care, municipal work and estate management. With zero emissions and low noise, it’s ideal for sensitive environment. The E100 Vario combines the trusted comfort and control of Fendt’s Vario transmission with cutting-edge electric drive technology. It’s quiet, clean and built to the same exacting standards that define every Fendt machine.

Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest

Fendt to exhibit at GroundsFest

“The Fendt e107 S and V Vario will be available to order from autumn 2025 and is being produced at the Marktoberdorf tractor plant. Both the new e100 S and e107 V are supported and serviced by the Fendt dealer network, with trained technicians able to help introduce farmers and growers to the technology and help them reap the full benefit of these innovative machines,” explains Fendt’s Ed Dennett.

The e100 is virtually CO2 neutral, which means CO2 emissions and the tractor’s running costs are significantly reduced. Further cost savings are realised by not having exhaust gas after-treatment, engine filters and engine oil to run the machine.

“With a battery capacity of 100 kWh, the tractor achieves an operating time of around 4-7 hours when used in the partial load range, such as for mechanical weed control or planting work. Energy-intensive operations, like using a trailer in transport, will reduce the operating time,” says Mr Dennett.

The electrically powered tractor is quieter than machines with a conventional diesel engine. This extends the operating time in noise-sensitive areas, especially in residential or urban areas. Approved for a speed of up to 40 km/h, the e-tractor can also be used for short-distance transport to reduce fuel costs.

The Fendt e100 S Vario can be optionally equipped ex works with the Fendt Cargo 3X65 front loader. The design of the Fendt comfort cab is optimised for use with a front loader, with a roof window that offers the best view with a 100° viewing angle. This facilitates front loader work at height, such as storing bales.

“An optional 3L-joystick can be used to operate the front loader which has an integrated directional shift function so operators will not need to change their grip,” adds Mr Dennett.

In line with the automotive standard, the Fendt e100 models are equipped with a CCS2 socket and is compatible with standard wall outlets or public charging points. The Type 2 plug enables charging via alternating current up to 22 kW. The electric Fendts can also be charged via a widely used industrial socket with 32 A in combination with a mobile charger with 22 kW. With this charging capacity, the battery can be fully charged within approx. 5 hours.

Ready for future developments, DC fast charging with up to 80 kW charging power is possible via a CCS socket. Crucially for more demanding operators, Fendt’s battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in around 45 minutes.

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New Buy Now, Pay Later offer on all Toro machinery

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New Buy Now, Pay Later offer on all Toro machinery: Reesink Turfcare has announced its latest finance offering: a Buy Now, Pay Later deal with 0% interest across the entire Toro range, giving customers the opportunity to secure the machinery they need now, with nothing to pay until May 2026.

The new deal covers all Toro machinery with no exclusions – from greens or fairway mowers, out-front rotaries and robotic mowers to aerators and utility vehicles – and is open to all UK customers.

New Buy Now, Pay Later offer on all Toro machinery

New Buy Now, Pay Later offer on all Toro machinery

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager of Reesink Turfcare, explains the reasons behind this choice: “For many clubs and businesses, the end of the year can be a challenging time for cash flow: budgets have already been allocated while fleets and resources are often stretched.”

“This new offer means customers can plan ahead with confidence and order the latest Toro machinery today, without any payments until May next year.”

By acting now, customers can also avoid any potential price increases while upgrading their fleet before the next season begins, leveraging Toro’s latest machines to maintain optimal turf quality through the coming months and begin spring maintenance in the best possible way.

However, to meet a broad range of budgetary needs, Reesink continues to provide its usual selection of finance deals, which allow businesses to replace even a whole Toro fleet with an easily manageable upfront cost.

Short-term cash flow constraints don’t have to hold you back from using the best machines the turf and groundscare industries have to offer. With Reesink’s support and competitive financial packages, you can do more without touching your current budget to achieve the high turf standards your customers have come to expect.

For more details about the new Buy Now, Pay Later interest-free deal, visit www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800 to speak to a Reesink Turfcare representative.

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Kirkcaldy GC’s Jacobsen duo

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Kirkcaldy GC’s  Jacobsen duo: Kirkcaldy Golf Club’s greenkeeping team have seen an instant lift in course presentation thanks to the arrival of two Jacobsen machines — an LF570 fairway mower and an AR522 rotary mower.

Head Greenkeeper Callum White, who joined the Fife club in April 2024 from nearby Charleton GC, says the pair have already changed daily routines for himself, deputy Mark Hood and trainee Finn Wallace.

Kirkcaldy GC’s Jacobsen duo

Kirkcaldy GC’s Jacobsen duo

“We’ve had them since April, just as the warm weather arrived,” says Callum. “They’ve slotted into our programme perfectly, and the improvement to presentation was immediate.”

Securing reliable mowing equipment was one of Callum’s first priorities on taking up the post. Familiar with Jacobsen’s reputation for quality of cut, he turned to Fairways GM Area Sales Manager, Mike Lindsay, who was able to highlight two refurbished models about to land. The club committee quickly approved the deal.

One of Callum’s main aims was to raise the standard of the rough — both in quality and appearance.

“The Jake cut is very precise and much healthier for the grass than what we had been using. I also really wanted to show definition across the course and have the ability to stripe,” he explains.

Deputy Course Manager Mark Hood has taken ownership of the AR522, which has proven indispensable. “On our steeper holes — notably the 1st and 17th, which play straight up and down — that 4WD is essential. Without it, you simply wouldn’t get up there.”

It now takes Mark around three days to cut the rough each week at 39 mm. “It’s so much faster than what we used before, and it keeps the finish more uniform. Our golfers really appreciate the upgrade as it speeds up play.”

Callum manages the fairways himself with the LF570, delivering a healthier, more precise cut. Fairways are also cut weekly at 12 mm, taking around 1.5 days to complete.

“We haven’t had much rain in four weeks, so they’ve dried out, but once they get moisture they really bounce back — and the machine shows that improvement immediately.”

The reaction from members has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Everyone is really pleased with the progress we’re making. The close, crisp finish gives better playability and really enhances presentation.”

Kirkcaldy is a fine example of a classic parkland course — and it has a special place in golfing history as the final course designed by Old Tom Morris.

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How Oundle School’s Grounds Team Met Record Demands

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How Oundle School’s Grounds Team Met Record Demands: With 257 matches and extreme weather to contend with, the team share how planning, machinery choice and adaptability kept standards high.

 It has been a season like no other at Oundle School. The grounds staff not only prepared surfaces for the school’s extensive fixture list, but also supported Northants Cricket Academy, a testament to the quality and reputation of the school’s facilities.

How Oundle School’s Grounds Team Met Record Demands

How Oundle School’s Grounds Team Met Record Demands

The workload placed on the team has been immense:

  • 257 cricket matches hosted,
  • 60 pitches prepared across eight squares,
  • plus ongoing upkeep of 11 rugby and football pitches.

These achievements came against the backdrop of one of the most challenging starts to the year for grounds professionals nationwide. The first half of 2025 was marked by prolonged dry spells, minimal rainfall and increased pressure on irrigation resources. Across the sector, grounds teams have reported increased difficulty in maintaining turf quality under these conditions, with fixture demands often compounding the pressure.

To help meet these challenges, the Oundle team reviewed their equipment and invested in a new battery-powered mower to support both performance and sustainability.

For Sam Wyles, who has been part of the grounds team for over a decade, the season highlighted just how important reliable and versatile machinery was in coping with demand.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and we’ve always had a lot to manage, but with 257 matches this summer, it was on another level. We knew early on we needed a mower that could handle long days, give us flexibility and help us reduce the strain on the team. The ES-510 hasn’t disappointed.”

The decision to switch from petrol-powered equipment to a battery-powered mower was not made lightly. The team carried out research, spoke to colleagues at other schools and tested options. After a successful demonstration from Dennis’ sales manager, Jason Briggs, the school chose the ES-510.

“We did some research and found that the ES-510 had a really good battery life. We’ve had friends and colleagues in other schools that have used the machine and it came highly recommended; it hasn’t disappointed. It’s built to last and robust.”

For the team, the benefits quickly became clear: low noise, zero emissions, reduced HAVs and long-lasting battery power.

“We use a lot of petrol-powered machinery and we’re finding that we need to reduce HAVs wherever we can. So, we’ve moved to battery-powered equipment and this has not disappointed. The ES-510 doesn’t need much of a grip to hold onto it, so there’s less strain on your wrists and the reduced handle arm vibration levels have really been noticeable.”

Noise reduction has been another benefit in a busy school environment.

“Noise levels are an issue for us. The quieter machine has made it a lot easier. We can start a bit earlier without affecting anyone else around us.”

With zero emissions and a full day’s battery life, the mower supported the school’s sustainability ambitions as well as its practical needs.

“We’ve been using this mower to prep our cricket wickets. We used to use petrol equipment, but we found that we can get a full day’s running out of this with the batteries.”

Time was at a premium all season and versatility quickly became one of the mower’s standout strengths.

“The versatility of the ES-510 has made a real difference. We can quickly swap between cassettes, brushing wickets one moment, then switching back to a cylinder the next, which means we need fewer machines to do the same range of jobs. The ability to adjust the cylinder or the cutting height without tools is really easy and saves time. Importantly, we can set the walking speed and the clip rate separately and the machine automatically keeps the clip rate consistent even if the speed changes. That gives us a better, more uniform finish while ensuring everyone on the team can work at the same pace.”

Even with the packed schedule, standards were never allowed to slip. The built-in back-lapping feature in the controls allowed the team to keep the mower and grass in peak condition all through the season.

Grounds Manager Gary Peden reflected on the decision to invest:

“The school is deeply committed to becoming more environmentally friendly and sustainable. After chatting with Richard at Oakham School, who uses this particular model, we went for the Dennis ES-510. It has given us the confidence to maintain the highest standards across every cricket pitch and square while using electric power. Its battery performance, low noise and versatility have allowed the team to work more efficiently; it’s been a huge step forward for us.”

Looking back, Peden says the investment has given the team confidence to maintain the highest standards across every pitch, while also moving towards more sustainable working practices. For schools and clubs facing similar fixture pressures, he believes the lessons learned this season will be invaluable.

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POGO Turfpro announces new appointments

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POGO Turfpro announces new appointments: POGO Turfpro, a division of Stevens Water Monitoring System, specializing in soil and turf management data insight solutions, is pleased to announce the three new POGO Business Development Directors.

These individuals bring extensive experience as superintendents and turf managers, further strengthening POGO’s growing team. These professionals underscore POGO’s ongoing commitment to advancing agronomy practices and scientific approaches through data-driven decisions in turf performance, health, and irrigation management for golf courses, sports turf, and turf industry professionals.

POGO Turfpro announces new appointments

POGO Turfpro announces new appointments

POGO Turfpro officially welcomed Jonathan Dees, Kevin Neal, and Richard Douglas with a full product demonstration at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. The event showcased POGO’s capacity to deliver instant, science-driven insights into turf health, enabling managers to make more informed and sustainable agronomic decisions.

  • Jonathan Dees, leading support in AZ, CO, NM, TX, WY, New Zealand, and Australia, is a former golf course superintendent with extensive experience in golf green construction, irrigation system design, and agronomic planning for championship tournaments. He holds degrees in Turf Management and Horticulture.
  • Kevin Neal, leading support in CA, HI, and NV, is a former Certified Golf Course Superintendent with a strong background in golf course maintenance, regional operations, and business development. Neal successfully launched a golf division that grew brand recognition and sales momentum through strategic partnerships with organizations including the GCSAA, USGA, CMAA, and major water districts. He holds a degree in Botany and Plant Sciences.
  • Richard Douglas, leading support in GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV, and specific sport turf management properties, brings years of experience as a professional sports turf manager across Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and NCAA athletics. Skilled in turfgrass science, irrigation management, and high-performance field maintenance, Douglas also holds degrees in Business Administration and Turfgrass Science.

We are pleased to welcome Jonathan, Kevin, and Richard to our team. Their extensive expertise and firsthand experience in managing premium playing surfaces will enhance POGO’s capacity to support turf professionals and property management. Their insights will contribute to optimizing turf health and developing innovative features to advance the quality of golf and sports turf maintenance.

The POGO team thanks Tom Keenan, Superintendent at Rock Creek Country Club, for hosting and allowing for a live demonstration of the POGO Turfpro system’s powerful turf insights.

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