Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

John Deere’s futuristic vision

March 23, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Martin Ward

John Deere’s futuristic vision: John Deere has set out its vision for a more connected, guided and electrified future for greenkeepers as the company prepares to make more ground-breaking technology available to UK golf courses. Utilising proven JDLink™ technology from John Deere’s agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and electrified […]

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

March 22, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Denise Ewbank

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine: British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch will be cycling 100 miles on Sunday, 29th May, in support of Ukraine by raising funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee. He and his wife Jane are taking part in the RideLondon-Essex 100, which is taking place after a two-year hiatus as a result […]

John Deere’s futuristic vision

March 23, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Martin Ward

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

March 22, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Denise Ewbank

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

John Deere’s futuristic vision

March 23, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Martin Ward

John Deere’s futuristic vision: John Deere has set out its vision for a more connected, guided and electrified future for greenkeepers as the company prepares to make more ground-breaking technology available to UK golf courses.

Utilising proven JDLink™ technology from John Deere’s agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and electrified machines, course owners and managers will have the power to create a more efficient and sustainable future.

John Deere’s futuristic vision

At the international turf management exhibition, BTME, in Harrogate this week, John Deere outlined how recent product development and acquisitions had provided the foundations for three new principles for golf course care; Connect, Guide, Manage.

Key to this vision is John Deere’s acquisition of cloud-based golf course management software, OnLink, in 2019 which has been developed and will soon be launched across Europe, starting in the UK.

It allows users to automatically synchronise selected machines working anywhere on the course, managing activity remotely.

The technology delivers integrated labour and fleet management tools. OnEquip provides information on fleet activity such as engine hour tracking and servicing intervals, while OnLabor provides labour tools such as electronic job boards to improve overall management and to track assignments.

OnLink connects to machines using John Deere’s long-established JDLink and the John Deere Operations Center which have been used on the company’s farm machinery for more than 15 years. For greenkeepers, this means connected machines will also provide their real-time location on the course through the OnLink mapping feature.

Data gathered can be used to plan and improve operation efficiency, as each machine’s working hours can be balanced across its life cycle to reduce the cost of ownership. Mowing patterns, reducing the time required to complete work, can also be managed.

The technology provides owners settings for geofences and curfews to send alerts if the machine is working outside of set locations or hours, increasing its security profile.

OnLink offers customers the ability to plan for weather conditions, track the speed of greens, and monitor soil moisture while also creating accurate budget forecasts and use the workboard updates to plan tasks.

OnLink will be available on any internet connected device; desktop, tablet and mobile devices.

The company recently announced the launch of the world’s first fully autonomous tractor in the USA – a statement of innovation which will feed across to the golf business over time, allowing more guided and semi-autonomous operations on the course.

John Deere’s Sales Manager for Turf and Golf, Chris Meacock, said: “At John Deere, we believe the future of golf course maintenance is about connectivity, sustainability, autonomy and intelligence, while embracing electric.

“Our exciting plans for the next few years involve applying our proven technology innovations to all our golf equipment, so that greenkeepers can better plan for weather conditions, forecast accurate budgets and meticulously manage equipment and labour costs.

“The John Deere OnLink golf course management solution will be key for allowing greenkeepers to save valuable time, increase operational efficiency by identifying the problem areas causing delays in task completion, reduce cost of ownership, and provide increased security and peace of mind. I also envisage greenkeeping teams harnessing its data for future decision making and increasing effective communication.”

Electrification

John Deere is also committing to electrify its golf portfolio.

In February the company presented its 185 / 225 E-Cut™ Electric Walk Greens Mowers in the USA for the first time. Powered by 48V Lithium-Ion Battery, the electric mowers produce zero emissions and low sound levels.

John Deere’s journey to electrification, as well as developing battery drive equipment, will emphasise the addition of smart features to make operation easier and more comfortable, putting the decision making into the hand of head greenkeepers so the performance in the field is the same on every area, at every time, independent from the operator.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

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.

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

March 22, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Denise Ewbank

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine: British Sugar TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch will be cycling 100 miles on Sunday, 29^th May, in support of Ukraine by raising funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee. He and his wife Jane are taking part in the RideLondon-Essex 100, which is taking place after a two-year hiatus as a result of COVID.

The ride starts on London’s Victoria Embankment and continues into Essex via Epping Forest, Ongar, Fyfield, Great Dunmow and Chelmsford, returning through Ongar to Central London and the finish at Tower Bridge.

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

Whilst Andy and Jane enjoy ‘leisure’ cycling, this event is going to be quite a mission for them both: “Like every thinking person, we’ve watched with disbelief the conflict unfolding in Ukraine and wanted to do what we could to help the now millions of people fleeing the country,” said Andy. “Any short-lived discomfort Jane and I experience during the 100 miles of the cycle ride will be nothing compared to the despair the Ukrainian people are experiencing. I hope my industry colleagues will help us raise as much money as possible by sponsoring us.”

You can sponsor Andy and Jane Spetch at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Jane-Spetch

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

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)

John Deere’s futuristic vision

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

John Deere’s futuristic vision

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

John Deere’s futuristic vision

John Deere’s futuristic vision: John Deere has set out its vision for a more connected, guided and electrified future for greenkeepers as the company prepares to make more ground-breaking technology available to UK golf courses.

TOPSOIL’s Andy Spetch rides for Ukraine

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT