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Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

January 31, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations: The Welsh Rugby Union and Kubota dealer Hopkins Machinery Ltd have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, dating back to the 1960s when Cardiff Arms Park was still the home of Welsh rugby. In 2005 the Newport-based dealership took on the Kubota franchise, and Kubota machinery has been […]

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

January 28, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA: Dennis and SISIS will be exhibiting at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show which takes place at the San Diego Convention Center in California from 8-10 February. Known as the Golf Industry Show (GIS) since 2005, the world’s largest golf course management […]

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

January 31, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

January 28, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

January 31, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations: The Welsh Rugby Union and Kubota dealer Hopkins Machinery Ltd have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, dating back to the 1960s when Cardiff Arms Park was still the home of Welsh rugby.

In 2005 the Newport-based dealership took on the Kubota franchise, and Kubota machinery has been an important part of the armoury ever since. Kubota tractors and RTVs fulfil various roles at Principality Stadium, home to international rugby tournaments including three World Cups and the Guinness Six Nations, which is set to thrill capacity crowds again this spring with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

“Although we use pedestrian equipment on the pitch, Kubota tractors are essential workhorses for the Stadium,” explains Head Groundsman Lee Evans. “Our relationship with Hopkins Machinery is key – if ever we need parts, service or repairs or replacement machines, their support is second-to-none.”

Evan Hopkins concurs: “Having taken the decision to move into groundcare in 1995 and then taking on Kubota in 2005, Principality Stadium is an ideal sponsorship for us, with rugby being our national sport. It’s highly prestigious and gives us a fantastic hospitality opportunity.”

Paramount in the qualities of a tractor to be used in the Stadium is dependable reliability, and the 2016 Kubota STW 40 currently in use is a perfect example.

“It’s important that we can rely on the tractor to do a job and that it is straightforward enough for any of the three groundsmen to drive,” Lee points out. “It never lets us down.”

The tractor is fitted with a Kubota LA 454 ST front end loader, and tasks range from loading grass clippings from buggies on the pitch into a skip for collection by the local authority to pulling a harrow to maintain the artificial turf surrounding the pitch and positioning goalposts.

After a match, the STW 40 gets its moment in the spotlight, pulling lighting rigs onto the pitch

while the TV cameras are still rolling.

“The pitch is on a slight incline so the nine larger rigs, which weigh two tonnes, have to be towed on with the tractor. It’s labour intensive but a crucial job as the roof makes this the darkest stadium in Europe and the light helps the turf recover quickly,” he explains.

Stadium manoeuvres are also the role of another Kubota machine, with the RTV utility vehicle used to transport Terraplas sheets used to cover the pitch for concerts.

“We don’t need the RTV all the time, so it’s a great feature of the sponsorship that Hopkins Machinery can provide one on a short term hire for jobs like this,” comments Lee.

Hopkins Machinery has a dedicated hire fleet of more than 80 RTVs, used for everything from festivals and sporting events to winter maintenance contracts, so is well equipped to be able to help out.

“With a prestigious venue like this, we’re reliant on partnerships to help us deliver high standards in a busy programme, and we really value working with Kubota and Hopkins Machinery,” he concludes.

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

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Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

January 28, 2022/in News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA: Dennis and SISIS will be exhibiting at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show which takes place at the San Diego Convention Center in California from 8-10 February.

Known as the Golf Industry Show (GIS) since 2005, the world’s largest golf course management event has been rebranded as the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 show was presented in a virtual format but this year the event will be back with a bang and will be debuting its new name.

Dennis and SISIS, long-time exhibitors, are looking forward to returning to showcase a range of equipment for all golf course maintenance requirements.

The ‘electrifying’ Dennis ES-860 will be displayed on the booth. 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 world-renowned 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

Visitors can look forward to the ever-popular Dennis Razor Ultra 560 which has a 560mm (22”) cutting width. It incorporates many key features including an 11 bladed cutting cylinder, ultra-short wheelbase for undulating surfaces, tungsten tipped groomer, compact handle design for extra manoeuvrability, click height adjusters and stub free transport wheels for easy transport from site to site.

Flying the flag for SISIS will be the Veemo HD and the Rotorake 600HD.

The 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 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 scarifying, 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 manoeuvrability.

Dennis and SISIS can be located at the show on booth 1122 where visitors will be greeted by experienced and knowledgeable staff who can 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

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)

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations

Kubota teams up for Guinness Six Nations: The Welsh Rugby Union and Kubota dealer Hopkins Machinery Ltd have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership, dating back to the 1960s when Cardiff Arms Park was still the home of Welsh rugby.

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA

Dennis & SISIS to exhibit at GCSAA: Dennis and SISIS will be exhibiting at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show which takes place at the San Diego Convention Center in California from 8-10 February.

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