Toro prevails at Brett Vale

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Toro prevails at Brett Vale: With its third Toro package deal, Brett Vale Golf Club has invested in both purchase and lease Toro machines due to their exceptional durability.

Newly appointed head greenkeeper Tony Barker has great things in mind for Brett Vale Golf Club in Suffolk, and after seeing the machinery already at the course in action it made sense to further invest in Toro to continue the good work, he says.

Toro prevails at Brett Vale

“I started nine months ago at the same time the last Toro fleet deal had come to an end,” he says. “So my first big task was to look into the options available when it came to signing another machinery deal.

“I did look at the alternatives, but nothing could beat the way Toro worked on the terrain here. In fact, new machines from other brands didn’t perform as well as the Toro machines we’d had for five years already! Our location means we have a lot of steep hills that take a lot of power to climb up and the machines from other brands didn’t have the power to manage the steep terrain, whereas the old and new Toro machines did.”

After Toro came out on top at the demonstration, it was clear to Tony the way forward was to expand the club’s Toro fleet, achieved by purchasing a mix of the machines from its last deal as well as bringing in new additions.

“Toro machines are more durable than most competitor brands, without a doubt,” he says. “So it made sense to purchase some of the machines already at the club which had been, and still are, doing great work. But I wanted to expand the fleet too, to help progress the club and course further and improve on the already high standards. Having a comprehensive Toro fleet is a fundamental part of this progression, and credit must go to the club owner Chris Waters whose investment has enabled us to make this progression.”

And it’s an impressive fleet that has been created, with a Reelmaster 6700-D, Groundsmaster 4700-D, three Greensmaster Flex 2120 pedestrian mowers, a Multi Pro WM Sprayer, a TYM T293 and more purchased at the end of the lease from the previous fleet, with a ProCore 648, two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420s, a Groundsmaster 4500-D and a Workman HDX-D added to continue the good work.

“The Groundsmaster 4500-D that we purchased for the roughs is probably my new favourite,” says Tony. “It’s doing a great job already and really proving itself. In fact all the machines are. The playing surface has definitely improved already because of the quality of cut and the whole team is loving using Toro across the course.”

Set within a vale designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, the 137 acre parkland course at Brett Vale makes for one of the most idyllic courses in Suffolk. With the club’s relationship with Toro and Reesink Turfcare, its official UK distributor continuing, the course looks set to keep improving.

Tony concludes: “At the end of the day, Toro provides durable and high quality machines that give us real results – so why would I change that?”

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Tributes to JCB employee

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Tributes to JCB employee: Tributes have been paid to a former JCB employee who joined the company as a teaboy and rose through the ranks to become a director.

Bill Hirst MBE – who was the third person recruited by JCB in 1947 – passed away last night (Sunday, January 5th) at the age of 86.

Tributes to JCB employee

Today JCB Chairman Lord Bamford led the tributes to the man who joined JCB as the company was in its infancy. Lord Bamford said: “Bill and his generation helped my father to build a company which became a real force in the world of construction equipment.  Bill was very proud to have worked for JCB and will be remembered by many, many people from the early days of the company. I’d like to offer my condolences to Bill’s wife Jean and all her family at this very sad time.”

Bill, the fourth of eight children, joined JCB as a 14-year-old tea boy when he left St Joseph’s School in Uttoxeter, where he had been Head Boy.

He was recruited on a salary of £1 a week when the company was based at stables at Crakemarsh, three miles down the road from JCB’s World Headquarters at Rocester.

And it was Bill who was instrumental in the relocation to Rocester in 1950 to the site of a former cheese factory. Bill knew JCB Founder Joseph Cyril Bamford was searching for a new location for a factory and suggested the Rocester site – because it was closer to home and meant he could spend an extra 10 minutes in bed each morning.

Tributes to JCB employee

Bill started his National Service in 1951 as was posted as a Royal Military Policeman to Kenya, returning to JCB two years later.  He married his wife Jean in 1955 and the couple had four children.

On his return to JCB, Bill completed 10 years as welding foreman, five in research and then joined the service and spares department at Rocester as service engineer, later becoming Warranty and Final Inspection Manager. He was awarded the MBE for services to export in the New Year’s Honours List of 1975 and became Technical Services Director in 1981. Bill Retired in 1991. He was a staunch supporter of the Royal British Legion and served as President of the Uttoxeter branch in retirement.

Speaking on JCB’s 65th anniversary in 2010, Bill said: “I am proud to have been part of JCB – it’s been my life.”

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STIHL return to BTME

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STIHL return to BTME: After a successful debut, STIHL will be returning to BTME 2020 to showcase its full range of groundscare products, including its range of high performance professional lawn mowers, as well as its latest chainsaws.

Taking centre stage will be STIHL’s new RMA 765 V PRO mower, which is the latest addition to STIHL’s expanding range of high-performance professional models. Packed with innovative features, the new cordless mower is designed with a 63cm aluminium twin blade cutting deck, height adjustable front wheels for zero turn, and an electric ground speed control. In addition, the solid mono handlebar ensures users can empty the tough fabric 80-litre grass catcher box with ease.

STIHL return to BTME

The extended range of STIHL’s professional lawn mowers will also be on display, including the RM 765 YC, the RM 655 RS rear roller mower and the RM 4 RTP mulching mower. All created for professional use on larger areas, each mower within the collection is built for maximum durability and comfort for prolonged use.

Visitors to the stand will be able to see up close the new MS 400 C-M, the world’s first chainsaw with a magnesium piston. The new chainsaw has been designed with professionals in mind, offering the highest maximum speed (14,000 rpm) in the 60cm3 -class. The new 66.8cc 2-MIX engine has more displacement, providing both more power and torque than the MS 362C-M, as well as rapid acceleration.

STIHL’s MSA 220 C-B will also be on display, the most powerful cordless chainsaw in the STIHL range. Powered by a 36 V Lithium-Ion battery, the new saw comes as standard with the STIHL exclusive 3/8” Picco Super 3 (PS3) full chisel saw chain with a guide bar length of 35cm/14”. The powerful MSA 220 C-B makes quick work of any task and guarantees consistently high-quality cutting performance, regardless of the battery charge level.

Completing the groundscare range showcase is the new STIHL BR 800 C-E, the latest addition to its range of innovative and high-performance blowers. Producing an impressive blowing force of 41N, the 80cc STIHL 4-MIX® engine runs on a fuel-oil mix just like a 2-stroke model and offers the benefits without the compromises of 4-stroke power. The STIHL 4-MIX® engine provides fast acceleration, more power, added torque, and lower noise during operation to complete jobs quickly and more easily. In addition, the engine offers reduced emissions and increased fuel efficiency.

To make getting up and running even easier, the BR 800 C-E is designed with a convenient starting system featured on the side of the machine, allowing users to start the blower while wearing it. The simplified starting system also features an automatic choke reset and a switch position on the control handle that is always ‘ON’, ensuring that the professional user can start the BR 800 C-E with ease.

For more information on STIHL’s professional groundscare range and latest chainsaws, be sure to visit stand Blue 165 at BTME on 21st – 23rd January 2020, or visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GIS

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Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GIS: Dennis and SISIS will feature a wide range of quality turf maintenance products on booth 1122 at the Golf Industry Show (GIS), which is taking place at the Orlando Convention Center, Florida on January 29-30.

From tee to green, Dennis and SISIS provide a full range of equipment for all golf course maintenance requirements. Superintendents, owners, technicians and other golf management professionals can look forward to seeing a great line-up of products at the show.

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GIS

New for 2020, visitors to booth 1122 will get the opportunity to find out more about Dennis’ new E-Series range of battery-powered mowers. Recently unveiled at SALTEX 2019, the ES-860 will be displayed on the booth at GIS. This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of thirteen interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brush, slitting and aeration.

A robust keypad screen is an integral feature of the handlebar console providing the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information.

Versatile, precise and comfortable: The Dennis G860 cylinder mower will also be on display. With an interchangeable cassette system; the user has the option of fitting 13 quick changeover cassette including de-thatchers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters as well as 6 or 8 bladed cutting cassettes

For ultimate aeration look no further than the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid 1500. This tractor mounted vertical action aerator injects air directly into the root zone speeding up the aeration process, moving air uniformly throughout the root zone for complete aeration and not just where the tines have penetrated the surface. Those operating the Javelin Aer-Aid have the flexibility to alternate tines for other operations such as hollow coring prior to top dressing.

Also featuring on the stand will be a leading range of tractor mounted and pedestrian equipment which have been expertly designed for the removal of thatch.

The SISIS Veemo HD is a tractor-mounted de-thatcher used for removing thatch from large areas of turf, such as golf course fairways. The Veemo’s strong cutting blades are designed for minimum surface disturbance and maximum thatch removal via three floating heads which are independent from the main frame.

The SISIS Rotorake 600HD is a heavy-duty pedestrian de-thatcher and linear aerator which can be used for regular, routine use at a shallow setting or a deeper setting as and when required. Offering versatility with a range of quick-release interchangeable reels including de-thatching, verticutting and brushing, the machine is renowned for its ease of use. It also features variable blade spacing, a large working width of 600mm (24”), six forward speeds and a reverse gear for efficiency under varying terrain.

For further scarifying requirements, GIS visitors will be pleased to see the SISIS Rotorake TM1000 – a tractor mounted heavy duty scarifier and linear aerator, which is un-rivalled when it comes to removing and controlling thatch. It includes a collector box and floating unit to follow ground contours and its contra-rotating reel throws debris forward for a clean, consistent groove to ensure excellent greens care when the time comes to scarify. With interchangeable reels and a quick, simple depth setting without tools, it’s no wonder that so many greenkeepers and course managers have reported excellent results.

The company’s experienced and knowledgeable staff will also be on hand to offer valuable advice about golf course maintenance and the machinery best suited.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter & Instagram @DennisMowers and SISIS @SISISMachinery. You can like the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK and www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest Dennis and SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers and www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery.

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Etesia announce new Donky

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Etesia announce new customised Donky: Etesia UK has announced the launch of the new Donky electric wheelbarrow.

The environmentally friendly Donky electric wheel barrow has quickly become a popular choice for those responsible for landscape management with many green space managers praising the machine for making site work a lot easier – no more relying on the strength of your arms alone for moving heavy loads. No more noise, polluting fumes and no need to buy fuel.

Etesia announce new customised Donky

The new Donky will offer its operators even more versatility with the ability to customise the electric wheelbarrow. The classic plastic tub can now be removed and replaced with whatever is required for the task ahead. Users may choose to attach a wooden board for transport or assembly of work equipment, or alternatively they may opt for the all new tin tub which will ensure that it is even more robust.

The Donky is not just comfortable, environmentally friendly and silent, it is also a true tool carrier; with its exclusive MRM tray and accessories, it will help you in a large variety of jobs throughout the year from cleaning, landscaping, snow removal, transportation of liquids and work platforms. It allows the transport of bulky products (boards, cross member, closing fabric and reel), and provides a working surface at a suitable height. The Donky also features a tray emptying function which is achieved by a central lever, with unlocking and assistance.

With a powerful 1700 W engine, electronic advance management and two driving wheels with an agricultural profile, the Donky has an impressive capacity to move in difficult terrain. Unlike non-electric motorised wheelbarrows, users can enjoy up to two days of work without any harmful pollutants – in turn helping to protect the environment.

Working and moving in complete silence, and not creating any noise problems for the surrounding area, the Donky electric wheelbarrow can move up to 250 kg or 180 L (400L with the boards) in one trip. With a tank integrated in the tray and a 1″ valve, it can carry 85 L of water or liquid and a spray hose can be connected to it.

This versatile machine can be used in many areas including building and landscaping sites, breeding farms, transport activities, snow clearing, green space maintenance, vegetable farming and plant nurseries.

Furthermore, the hourly cost of use of an Etesia Donky wheelbarrow is approximately £0.03 meaning that the operator will notice significant savings when compared to a fuel based wheelbarrow.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

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