New Charterhouse launches at BTME

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New Charterhouse launches at BTME: A brand-new addition to the renowned Redexim Verti-Drain range will be a particular highlight on the Charterhouse Turf Machinery stand at BTME 2020.

Expanding the existing offering with a new 1.9m working width, it is ideal for use on a variety of turf surfaces. Visitors to stand 432 in the Purple Zone will also be able to find out about the new 6m wide Top-Brush for course presentation, removal of organic matter and dispersal of worm casts.

New Charterhouse launches at BTME

The Verti-Drain 2519 is considered the next generation of high-speed, high-productivity aerator. It combines it’s 1.9m working width with a variable working depth of up to 250mm (10”) and can accept a range of tine options including 12mm and 19mm solid tines, as well as hollow tines for coring. This versatility makes it a popular choice with greenkeepers, groundsmen and contractors alike looking for a machine suitable for year-round operation. As standard, the 2519 features user-friendly controls, an easy to adjust heave lever and a new draw rod system. Together with new features, it also comes with new styling and livery.

As well as updates to the aeration portfolio, Charterhouse will also be launching a new tool into their brush range. As an ever-increasing number of chemicals continue to be withdrawn from the market, Course Managers are turning to mechanical forms of maintenance to keep surfaces balanced and reduce contributing factors to disease. Brushing stands the grass plant upright, helping to achieve a cleaner quality of cut and can rid the surface of excess moisture and dew to maintain good airflow through the turf canopy.

The Redexim Top-Brush’s 6m working width makes it ideal for large areas such as golf fairways and sports pitches. It is comprised of 3 poly brushes, that can be accurately set to the desired depth to achieve a light surface brush-in or more aggressively loosen surface material. The ‘wings’ can then be hydraulically lifted and folded for convenient transportation and storage.

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An Update from Scott MacCallum

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An Update from Scott MacCallum: The fastest moving month of the year has no doubt caught us all out again as we get to the stage where we have no time left to do so many things we’d put off until later in the month.

I enjoy Christmas. At least I enjoy certain aspects of the festive season. I enjoy the odd Christmas party – although I’m pushing it this year with two on the same day. I enjoy that there is more to watch on TV than in the summer months. I enjoy nibbling on party food and not feeling overly guilty. I enjoy the occasional carol service. I enjoy finding the perfect present for someone.

An Update from Scott MacCallum

I’m not so keen on having to listen to Jona Lewie’s Stop the Cavalry every time I wander into Boots for an entire month. But that’s another matter.

I’m here to wish you all the very best for the festive season and not whinge about what I don’t like.

So, from everyone here at Turf Matters have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year which brings you happiness and fulfilment.

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New Sandspreader for Kingfishers GC

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New Sandspreader for Kingfishers GC: Home to a picturesque 18-hole golf course set in 120 acres of rural Suffolk, Kingfishers Golf Club has recently purchased a GKB Sandspreader SP100 to maintain their impressive grounds, through GKB’s distributor Ernest Doe.

“Finding a machine that‘s compatible with our Jacobsen Truckster was essential to us and a main factor when choosing the GKB Sandspreader SP100,” explains Matthew Thacker, Managing Director of Kingfishers.  Matthew also comments on the quality of customer service and the product range offered by GKB and its distributor Ernest Doe saying, “GKB machines are extremely well designed and built.”

New Sandspreader for Kingfishers GC

Developed and produced in GKB Machines’ Dutch energy neutral industrial plant the GKB Sandspreader SP100 showcases premium quality with industrial durability. Available in four different designs with several options, Kingfishers Golf Club will mostly be sanding their greens with the GKB Sandspreader SP100. Accurately applying sand and in varying quantities to keep golf courses in prime condition, this machine is ideal for both construction and maintenance.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617.

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TYM Tractors for Southampton

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TYM Tractors for Southampton: After taking on the maintenance of an additional stadium, Southampton Football Club is continuing its 16-year relationship with TYM Tractors and has invested in a new T503 tractor to help with the extra workload.

A new partnership between Southampton Football Club and AFC Totton has seen the Saints’ women’s team play their home games and train at AFC Totton’s Testwood Stadium this year, and as a result Southampton FC’s grounds team has taken on the site’s maintenance.

Andy Gray, Southampton FC’s grounds manager, explains: “Taking over maintenance of the new stadium, alongside our own St Mary’s Stadium and Staplewood training ground is certainly a challenge, which is why we’ve invested in a new TYM Tractor to help take on the task.”

The new T503 joins three other T503 mid-duty tractors which have recently been replaced like-for-like, and added three new T293 compact utility tractors, says Andy: “Over the past three years we’ve been updating our fleet and most recently added a T503 for the Testwood Stadium, which brings our fleet of TYM tractors up to seven.

“We updated the fleet with a mix of like-for-like upgrades and new additions because we’ve been using TYM Tractors since 2003 and they’ve never let us down. The T503 is easy to use and as we know from experience, reliable, and the T293 is great because of its compact size – we use it for the smaller daily jobs to reduce the stress on the turf. We’ve definitely seen a big improvement to the grounds because of that.”

And it seems the use of TYM at the club has created somewhat of a buzz locally, says Andy. “Word of mouth has already spread about the quality of the pitch at AFC Totton; we’ve had other clubs in the same league asking us how we maintain it to such a high standard! Of course the answer is always: hard work combined with high quality machinery.”

“Despite the challenge the extra work provides, the whole team are behind the partnership with AFC Totton,” says Andy. “Partly because Testwood Stadium is also used by local community groups and giving them, as well as the women’s team, the best pitch possible is a great way to give back.”

With the Staplewood training ground and Testwood Stadium needing maintenance on a near-daily basis, the TYM tractors are in constant use carrying out a variety of jobs.

“The TYM tractors work perfectly for the jobs we need them to do, from seeding and aerating to moving equipment,” says Andy. “The icing on the cake is the service from Reesink Turfcare. They only deal with the best machinery brands and are always able to get us what we need. As well as TYM, we’ve been using Toro – which Reesink distributes in the UK – for 20 years, and that’s not likely to change.”

Scott Turner, TYM regional sales manager from Reesink, adds: “We are very proud to have a long-term working partnership with Andy and his team, in addition to DJ Scott Garden Machinery who first supplied TYM to the club and, since Reesink took over distribution, have provided them excellent servicing and maintenance. The TYM fleet Southampton FC has invested in has proved to be a great benefit to their multiple sites and we look forward to continuing this relationship and providing support in the future.”

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First chainsaw with Auto Choke

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First chainsaw with Auto Choke: ECHO has launched the world’s first chainsaw with Auto Choke. The CS-352AC is an all-round rear handle chainsaw, with the patented Auto Choke feature enabling quicker, easier and safer starting.

All that’s needed is one pull, regardless of the engine temperature, and the chainsaw starts first time – without the risk of flooding the engine.

First chainsaw with Auto Choke

The chainsaw has a 34.0cc professional-grade ECHO two-stroke engine which provides powerful cutting with low emissions and low noise levels. The Auto Choke comprises a solenoid valve on the engine’s carburettor to control the amount of fuel depending on the engine temperature, giving optimal performance in all conditions. The usual steps of pulling and pushing the choke, starting with partial throttle and pulling the throttle trigger are all dispensed with. The chainsaw is started on idle speed, making it altogether simpler for infrequent users who want to operate their chainsaw without the need to adjust the choke before starting. Combined with ECHO’s ES-Start system you get fast and effortless starting.

The CS-352AC is ideal for pruning and cutting firewood. It is built to ECHO’s usual professional standards for optimum performance, durability and ergonomics. Another key feature of this saw is the professional-grade anti-vibration system, which improves user comfort without sacrificing on power. The inboard clutch enables both easy bar and chain replacement and easy maintenance. Additionally, a large cassette-type air filter, with an aerodynamic air passage, reduces dust discharge entering the airflow into the engine. The CS-352AC comes with a 90PX (0.043 gauge) chain for smoother and faster cutting.

ECHO power tools come with a five-year domestic warranty or two-year warranty in professional use. You can find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer. You can also visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 01844 278800 for more information

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