Reesink’s new tractor specialist

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Reesink’s new tractor specialist: Reesink UK has recruited Jim Maynard as a tractor specialist, a position created due to the company’s growing prominence in the sector.

Jim has worked with customers, machinery manufacturers, dealers and distributors in his extensive career. He spent 16 years specialising in John Deere machinery and has strong experience in customer services and a sound technical ability, the company says.

Reesink's new tractor specialist

Reesink’s new tractor specialist

Steven Haynes, sales manager at Reesink, comments: “Jim has worked in the industry for many years repairing land-based equipment and we’re confident his technical knowledge and customer relations experience will translate well to his new position at Reesink.”

For Jim, this role was just the opportunity he was looking for, he says: “I’ve always wanted to work for Reesink and with so much of my career focussed on tractors – selling them and dealing with the maintenance and servicing of them too – when news of the job reached me, I felt it would really suit me. It will be great to be specialising in tractors, it’s an area I am really comfortable in and have a wealth of experience and knowledge to hopefully benefit Reesink customers.”  Jim will be delivering technical support to Reesink’s dealer network and golf, sports, grounds and farming customers across the country with Steven and the now five-strong team, as well as upholding the company’s reputation for providing award-winning aftermarket support to customers.

Steven concludes: “The trajectory of Reesink’s debut into distributing tractors in the UK just seven years ago has surpassed expectation and that’s why we’re expanding the team. Having Jim on board ensures we can continue that into the next decade.”

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Jacobsen begins a new era

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Jacobsen begins a new era: Jacobsen has started a new era of end-user focused products with the launch of the AR530 rough mower.

The AR range has been redesigned from the ground up with the focus on re-establishing Jacobsen’s commitment to engineering best in class mowers with their famous quality of cut.

Jacobsen begins a new era

Jacobsen begins a new era

To achieve this, customers and dealers participated in one of the largest ever research programmes commissioned at Jacobsen to establish the everyday challenges greenkeepers and groundsmen face. The results focused on features, quality and durability. These were crucial elements in the design process for Jacobsen Product Manager, Lee Frie.

Lee explained: “We had a machine that did well in the market, and we learnt a lot in seven years, so this was really a ground-up redesign of a good machine that we wanted to make better.

“We wanted to improve the experience of cutting with the AR and the results you get from it, and I think operators are going to find quite a bit different about this machine. We’ve improved the cut quality as well as the after cut appearance with grass clipping dispersal. We’ve also improved the traction system, so it does a fantastic job of climbing and side hill performance.

“The ergonomics are greatly improved, and it’s much easier for operators to get on and off because you don’t have to climb over the units. All of the controls are at the user’s finger tips, so it’s very easy to operate, and I think they are going to see a vast improvement.”

Nothing has been taken for granted during the redesign, and that includes the quality of cut. The new AR models are available with five or seven floating 58cm articulated contour rotary decks, with the AR530 providing a cutting width of 2.3m and the AR730 – which is due to launch in September 2020 – 3.15m.

The new TrueDeckÔ design uses smaller decks to follow tight undulations and provides the best power per width of cut ratio on the market. This eliminates clumping and produces a better after cut appearance while height of cut adjustments can be made quickly and easily.

To harness the cut quality, the traction system has been enhanced to a best in class standard using SureTrac IIÔ 4WD. This parallel-cross diversion hydraulically powered traction system, with momentary 4WD differential lock, provides superior traction when climbing difficult contours and slide slopes by transferring power from the wheel that slips to the one that grips. Using this system allows the AR to glide over hilly terrain with acute undulations while giving an even cut by utilising the weight transfer system.

The sound level of the machine has been lowered to make it quieter for the operator and to reduce passer-by noise. Vibration has also been looked at in detail. Overall operator exposure to vibration is a health and safety requirement but that aside it is often a subtle thing, and it can make users feel tired during their working day, but with the reduced vibration levels, using the AR minimises operator fatigue.

The seat position and  InCommand II control system have all been adjusted for maximum comfort and productivity while the new step design has been installed to make getting on and off the machine significantly easier.

All of these features have been combined into a Stage V compliant unit that has been assembled with a commitment to high-quality engineering and a promise of outstanding performance and service.

For a demonstration of the new AR530, contact your local Jacobsen dealer or visit https://www.jacobsenbuilt.com/.

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New appointments from Indigrow

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New appointments from Indigrow: Indigrow are delighted to announce the appointments of Andre Erlah, Andy Miller and Greg McLellan as area sales managers, helping us expand and enhance our areas of operation within the UK.

Andre began his career working on rugby, football, cricket and athletic facilities at his local college. He moved to Trentham Park Golf Club where he progressed from assistant to head greenkeeper. After spending 16 years as the course manager at Easingwold Golf Club, Andre returned to his native Staffordshire to run his own landscaping and consultancy business before joining Indigrow.

New appointments from Indigrow

Andy has worked as a greenkeeper throughout his career, spending 10 years across Clitheroe Golf Club, Nelson Golf Club and Burnley Golf Club, before making the step to head greenkeeper. Andy has most recently been head greenkeeper at Marsden Park Golf Club.

Greg started in the industry early, spending his summers working on golf courses whilst still studying. After leaving school, he took an apprenticeship at Callender Golf Club, where he excelled, passing all of his qualifications. More recently, he has been working at the prestigious GWest Resort, but has decided to take on a new challenge on the other side of the industry.

Andre will be responsible for the Midlands, Andy for the North West of England and Greg for North & East Scotland. Their knowledge and expertise from the world of sports turf and agronomy are priceless to us and invaluable to our customers. If you wish to contact any of them, their contact details are as follows:

Andre Erlah 07483 053 216 aerlah@indigrow.co.uk
Andy Miller 07483 053 217 amiller@indigrow.co.uk
Greg McLellan 07483 053 218 gmclellan@indigrow.co.uk

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Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

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Three phase solution for Cruden Bay: After having completed the second of three phases of a complete irrigation installation and renovation, Cruden Bay Golf Club near Peterhead is now benefitting from cost and time effective irrigation from Toro.

Course manager Alister Matherson explains: “Splitting the work into phases meant we could spread out the cost and minimise the amount of time works were disturbing customers, plus it gave us time to make informed decisions about the irrigation system we wanted.

Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

“We’re two thirds of the way through the installation and while it is a drawn out strategy it’s been worth the wait so far. We had the first phase of the irrigation installation in 2014. This involved installing a new transfer pump, holding tank and replacing the old pump set.”

And in 2019 came the cherry on the cake, with not only the addition of new pipework, cabling and Toro irrigation valves, but brand new Toro sprinklers across the greens, approaches and walkways, alongside Toro Lynx central control.

“We had a demonstration of Toro sprinklers and used them on the course alongside competitor brands. Throughout extensive trials, we saw quite clearly that Toro performed better,” says Alister. “The quality of performance of the heads and the quality of service from Reesink Turfcare was great.

“Added to that is Toro Lynx control, which is a great bit of kit. Easy to use software and very reliable, with features like the weather station which is fantastic. My favourite feature is probably the mobile app which allows us to control the irrigation from anywhere, which is superb!”

Despite the large installation and renovation, the process went smoothly with the work of OCMIS irrigation specialists and RH Associates consultancy. And since the second phase was completed, the course has certainly been seeing the benefits.

“Having a clearer plan for our irrigation means we can be more efficient and is the biggest plus,” says Alister. “The quality of coverage as well has made a big difference to the course.”

Renowned as one of the top golf courses in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses, Cruden Bay Golf Club’s traditional Scottish links course benefits from stunning views out over the sea and of Slain Castle. But it’s the unique topography and layout that makes it so popular, says Alister.

“With the course so well regarded, it’s important for us to make the course maintenance the best it can be. Having Toro irrigation means we can keep standards high and improve the course.”

Up next for the club is phase three in the irrigation installation, to cover the fairways. “We won’t change from Toro now that we’ve seen what their irrigation can do,” says Alister. “Although a few years off yet, we’re looking forward to slotting in that last piece of the jigsaw, which will give us a completely modern, functional system across the course.”

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Greenkeeper’s 30 years of service

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Greenkeeper’s 30 years of service: Market Drayton Golf Club’s head greenkeeper has achieved a remarkable 30 years of service with the club.

Simon Cotterill, who joined the club staff as the 11-hole course was expanding to 18 holes, has greatly influenced its development.

Market Drayton Golf Course is now recognised as one of the best in the area and can boast a challenging, well-maintained, scenic course that is rarely closed.

During the ongoing development of the course, the club has been mindful of its beautiful natural surroundings, with Cotterill always been a great advocate in this area. He also undertakes extracurricular work on behalf of the club through his role in maintaining the playing areas of a number of local sports facilities.

The club said: “The extraordinary contribution of Cotterill over the years and the superb quality of the course and greens, is testimony to his long-term commitment.

“Simon is a keen angler and the club demonstrated their gratitude for such loyalty by presenting him a significant gift to enhance his enjoyment of his favourite pastime.”

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