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Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

August 12, 2022/in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference: Five minutes into a demo of the Turf Tank One, Haileybury School Grounds Manager, Andy Richards, knew he needed one. Andy, who has been at the private school for three years, was sceptical about the overmarking ability of the robot, having looked at alternatives over a three-year period. But, the […]

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

August 11, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors: A full range of MX-built Kubota loaders is now available for M-series tractors including the M4, M5, M6 and M7 models which span the 66-170hp sector. Designated the LK range, the orange-liveried loader models provide an integrated, high-precision materials handling solution for M-series tractors, enabling customers to choose a […]

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

August 12, 2022/in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

August 11, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

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Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

August 12, 2022/in News, Press Release/by CharmianRobson

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference: Five minutes into a demo of the Turf Tank One, Haileybury School Grounds Manager, Andy Richards, knew he needed one.

Andy, who has been at the private school for three years, was sceptical about the overmarking ability of the robot, having looked at alternatives over a three-year period. But, the accuracy, quality of the lines and undulation capabilities sold it to him.

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

With 20 sports pitches split between football, rugby and lacrosse to mark and athletics in the summer, Andy’s primary focus was initial marking. During renovations and changeovers between sports, he found his skilled groundsmen were removed from crucial maintenance for up to two weeks.

To combat that, he had to become over reliant on using contractors. This became a costly exercise and was not as flexible as determining your own pitch line-marking schedule. So, when Andy weighed up the costs for the initial marking against having the accuracy of the Turf Tank One all year round for consistent and regular over-marking, the robot more than justified itself.

“My main concern has always been overmarking because I never thought GPS robots were accurate enough to overmark. So, when we had the demo from Turf Tank, overmarking was the major thing.

“To be honest, because I’d seen so many other GPS markers, either push ones or robots, I was sceptical. But we within five minutes of seeing the Turf Tank in action on the demo, I said I’d buy it because I was so impressed with the quality and precision of the line.

“I’ve used laser markers in the past, and I genuinely thought we’d still use one on our first team rugby and football pitch. But it would be hard for most people to tell the difference between the two, which has been a massive eye opener for me.”

For Andy, utilising the Turf Tank One is also a direct response to the skilled labour shortage in the turf industry, and it was a primary consideration of the school when weighing up their decision.

“Skilled labour is difficult to get, and line marking is a technical job. So, in some ways, that is what got it over the line with the Bursar because we are short staffed, it’s hard to get labour, and it’s hard to get skilled labour.

“To take out one of your most skilled jobs and give it to a robot is almost a no brainer. I’ve got someone now from a different field of expertise, but very keen to learn, and we can now send him out with the robot, and within two hours, he can mark out a running track, a lacrosse pitch, discus, javelin and shotput before break time. And it’s done accurately and perfectly, and it’s just unbelievable because it would have taken one or even two skilled groundsmen until lunchtime. Now I can use their skills and time to improve other areas of our maintenance programme.”

Since receiving their robot in December 2021, Haileybury has seen the full benefit. For example, marking six rugby pitches has gone from taking three people over two days to one person in two hours. Likewise, facilitating a last-minute request for a lacrosse pitch took 15 minutes to line, whereas before, it wouldn’t have happened.

These advantages, along with the service from Turf Tank’s Alex Robinson and Liam Pindred, have led Andy to give some simple advice to anyone considering GPS line marking: “Buy a Turf Tank. I honestly can’t see a downside of it.”

For more information on the Turf Tank One or to have a demonstration contact alex@turftank.co.uk (southern UK) or matt@turftank.co.uk (northern UK).

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

August 11, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors: A full range of MX-built Kubota loaders is now available for M-series tractors including the M4, M5, M6 and M7 models which span the 66-170hp sector.

Designated the LK range, the orange-liveried loader models provide an integrated, high-precision materials handling solution for M-series tractors, enabling customers to choose a tractor and high-performance loader package that closely suits their needs.

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

There are three series of loader available, badged LK U (utility-mechanical), LK M (mechanical) and LK H (hydraulic). And all three series differ in specification, lift capacity and tractor suitability. LK U and LK M versions offer a mechanical parallel lift and a headstock that uses automatic mechanical attachment locking, while LK H loaders benefit from a hydraulic parallel lift system. All models can be equipped with the optional Mach 2 coupling for loader and attachment hydraulic services, which delivers simultaneous coupling of hydraulic and electrical connections in a single action.

Loader numbers closely reflect lift capacities, which extend from 1,180kg to 2,410kg depending on model, while maximum lift height at the pivot pint is from 3.5m to 4.15m.

Buyers can choose from three control systems to suit their model of LK loader. These include the cable-operated ProPilot joystick; a low-pressure servo-based FlexPilot joystick; or the electronic e-Pilot S control system. Push-button control options are available for auxiliary services, and depending on the model, these can also include a fourth hydraulic service and an automatic return to dig function.

Fitting and removing the loader from the tractor is a straightforward process, thanks to Fitlock – the mechanical latching mechanism that secures the loader onto the tractor’s brackets. The operator only needs to leave the cab once to unlock the loader, as the drive-in format relocks automatically when engaged. Fitlock uses a coloured mechanical indicator – visible from the inside and outside the cab – to provide an easy visual reference of the loader’s status; locked or unlocked.

In addition, LK H models can be equipped with the optional Fastlock attachment connection and Speedlink 3^rd and 4^th service connections, enabling attachment swaps without needing to leave the cab.

Integral parking stands and pivot pins with protected grease nipples add to the operator convenience, as does the Shock Eliminator hydraulic boom suspension system, while pipework protection comes from passing hydraulic hoses through the inside of the loader boom.

LK loaders are priced from £7,278 for the LK1500U model in loader-ready configuration including a third service, tractor brackets and Pro Pilot joystick controls.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference

Overmarking accuracy makes the difference: Five minutes into a demo of the Turf Tank One, Haileybury School Grounds Manager, Andy Richards, knew he needed one.

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors

Kubota loader range for M-series tractors: A full range of MX-built Kubota loaders is now available for M-series tractors including the M4, M5, M6 and M7 models which span the 66-170hp sector.

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