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The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

July 31, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Alicia Thompson

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are offering the ability to keep your sports pitch or golf course in prime condition throughout the year, thanks to the GKB Sandspreader. During both construction and maintenance, there are multiple reasons […]

Keep pond algae under control

July 31, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Janine Heath

Keep pond algae under control: With mild summer conditions proving a catalyst, preventative action using cultural control methods is encouraged to effectively manage filamentous algae. Filamentous algae, known as blanket weed, begins life underwater forming visible mats of weed near the surface or clinging to plants after considerable growth below surface has occurred. Left untreated, […]

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

July 31, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Alicia Thompson

Keep pond algae under control

July 31, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Janine Heath

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

July 31, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Alicia Thompson

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are offering the ability to keep your sports pitch or golf course in prime condition throughout the year, thanks to the GKB Sandspreader.

During both construction and maintenance, there are multiple reasons for sand filling and top dressing. In either case, the GKB Sandspreader enables the distribution of a wide variety of materials in the appropriate quantities with hassle-free application.

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

Ranging from 1m³to 4m³, there are several hopper capacity options in four different designs. The shape and design of the sand hoppers ensures efficient operation and ensures your clear view along the machine. Giving you complete control from the tractor, an optional touchscreen allows you to manoeuvre the machine from within. Not only this but the GKB Sandspreader can also be delivered with four pivoting balloon tires for the perfect distribution of the weight on your grounds.

Adapting to fit a multitude of vehicles, the SP100 especially has been developed on the back of the success of GKB’s trailed versions and is suitable for assembling on a turf truck. For example; the John Deere^® Gator™, Toro^® Workman^®or the Jacobsen^® Truckster. With complicated construction removed, mounting the GKB Sandspreader is straightforward. A simple bolt-on system and stand legs allows the SP100 to be quickly removed. Also fitted with hydraulic controls means this efficient machine can run directly off the hydraulics of the chosen turf truck.

With development constantly happening within the heart of GKB, the GKB Sandspreader was created to offer not only maintenance and construction but also versatility. Available with a conveyer belt on the front or rear, this machine can be used as a material handler for filling drainage equipment, a smaller dresser or even bunkers. With the standard design, you can set the speed of the conveyer belt and the disc spreaders utilising an attached control unit. The double, hydraulically powered, spreading discs are adjustable on multiple points and in this way enables you to create a faultless sand distribution.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617 to enquire about the GKB Sandspreader and to book a demonstration.

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Keep pond algae under control

July 31, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Janine Heath

Keep pond algae under control: With mild summer conditions proving a catalyst, preventative action using cultural control methods is encouraged to effectively manage filamentous algae.

Filamentous algae, known as blanket weed, begins life underwater forming visible mats of weed near the surface or clinging to plants after considerable growth below surface has occurred.

Keep pond algae under control

Left untreated, this common weed spreads quickly and can cover the entire surface of a pond, reducing light and available oxygen leading to risk to aquatic life. At this stage, biological treatments will no longer be as effective.

Dr Abigail Graceson, Technical Manager for Agrovista Amenity said: “When filamentous algae are allowed to proliferate to the stage where the majority of the water’s surface is covered, our solutions are limited.

“That’s why it’s important to take a long-term approach to management. This includes reducing the use of fertilisers close to the water’s edge, increasing the amount of oxygenating plants, and creating a buffer zone around the edge of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants.”

Products which can help to manage pond algae fall into three categories – biological, enzymatic and physical. Biological products manipulate the aquatic environment through introduction of bacteria which feed on excess nitrates and phosphates in the water, reducing their availability to the algae.

Enzymatic products disrupt the molecular structure of weed, causing the plant to completely break apart.

Finally, there are two main types of physical products – dyes which reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating below the surface of the water; and products which capture the algae within a substrate preventing it from absorbing nutrients.

Dr Graceson recommends understanding why the algae is growing excessively in the first place, to help inform control methods and product selection. With no authorised traditional chemical control treatments, often physical intervention will be required once algae have become established.

She added: “Enzymatic products are likely to assist with the control of existing problematic algae, but most treatment options are most effective when applied preventatively, or at the very start of visible signs of excessive algal growth.

“If sufficient amounts of algae are removed through physical methods, such as through raking, then a bacteria-based product may then help with ongoing control.

“If you are concerned about removing aquatic creatures during physical removal of algae, leave the algae at the side of the pond for a short while so they can return to the water.”

For further algae control advice, contact enquiries@agrovista.co.uk

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)

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

Keep pond algae under control

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

Keep pond algae under control

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandspreader

Keep pond algae under control

Keep pond algae under control: With mild summer conditions proving a catalyst, preventative action using cultural control methods is encouraged to effectively manage filamentous algae.

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