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Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

July 28, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370: Toro’s long-awaited all-electric game-changing mower arrives at Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club and brings with it the technological advances and peace and quiet course manager Ian Beech has been dreaming of for years. It was six years ago that Ian first heard about the battery technology in development during a […]

Amenity Forum conference

July 28, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Kate Hopkins

Amenity Forum conference: Following full consideration of the external circumstances, the Forum has decided to switch delivery of its annual conference being held on October 15th 2020 to a fully online format using specialist professional conferencing facilities. The theme will be ‘’Planning for the Future’’. The event has an impressive range of specialist speakers and […]

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

July 28, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Amenity Forum conference

July 28, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Kate Hopkins

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

July 28, 2020/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Izzy Cutler

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370: Toro’s long-awaited all-electric game-changing mower arrives at Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club and brings with it the technological advances and peace and quiet course manager Ian Beech has been dreaming of for years.

It was six years ago that Ian first heard about the battery technology in development during a visit to Toro’s headquarters and R&D centre in Minneapolis. He says: “Seeing the prototype and hearing all about this game-changing technology really captured my interest and I’ve been waiting for the day we could get our hands on one of these machines ever since.”

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

That day arrived in late spring and the Toro eTriFlex 3370 has exceeded expectations for Ian and the six-strong team: “One of the main selling points was that the battery could mow up to 20 average sized greens on a single charge. Incredibly we’ve been getting up to 56 greens done! Even with accessories such as the grooming brushes on the cutting units we’re still getting 38-40 greens done!

“We’ve been a Toro club for decades so we’re fully aware what the brand delivers in terms of quality and innovation and this is the future. You’re told on a clear display screen what’s left of your power supply and it gives enough warning so that wherever you are on the course you have enough power to finish the green you’re working on and get back to the shed.

“We racked up 90 hours in the first five weeks, we charge it overnight and as yet haven’t noticed an increase on our electric bill.” But as Ian goes on to tell us this may not be a factor soon: “We’re looking into installing solar panels on the shed roof, perhaps in time there will be no reliance on the main electric supply at all to power the machine.”

There is also the impact being fuel-free has on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the machine, as fuel can comprise up to 15 percent of the TCO: “It’s much cheaper to run so far, fuel is such a big expense and the cost of diesel can fluctuate, so it’s good not having to factor that in,” Ian says. “There’s a guarantee on the battery so no worries there and to be honest we’ve yet to find fault with the machine.”

It’s been 40 years (his tenure at the club and in the industry), that Ian has been waiting for the kind of peace and quiet the eTriFlex 3370 delivers. It is, he says “absolutely silent”, enabling the team to be more productive and extending the cutting window: “We can start work earlier near the residential areas, we can cut during the day if need be around the clubhouse and the members don’t hear us doing so.”

As Richard Beech, club manager, agrees: “Having this machine means we don’t have to choose between being responsible neighbours and preparing the course for our members. It is unbelievable just how quiet this machine is, it means we can cut the greens in the very early hours without disturbing the houses next to the course. It is very exciting to be the first to have the new electric mower and pleasing that our members are seeing the benefits.”

Ian continues: “Words can’t describe the difference this machine has made going around the course. It gives something back to those who operate it. Without ear defenders and no machine noise we can hear the birds sing while we mow, and often see and work alongside the deer. I just can’t stress how much it has exceeded all our expectations. One of the reasons so many of us get into this business is because we like being outdoors and close to nature, this machine makes the experience of being a greenkeeper better and put simply, improves the day.”

To think Ian had two options available to him 40 years ago. Go down the coal pits or become a greenkeeper: from fossil fuel to future fuel, two very different paths! Ian says: “I was a keen golfer and had actually applied for membership at the club when the post became available. Instead of being underground, I was outside in the fresh air every day!”

When he started, there was a limited shed of equipment: two tractors, some Flymos and a couple of triple mowers, and with each passing year as Ian noticed how the demands on the course were getting greater, he soon struck up a relationship with nearby dealer Cheshire Turf Machinery to help him develop the course into one of the most consistent and fast in the area.

“I always attend the shows to see what’s available and network to learn from other people’s experiences,” he says. “It’s for those reasons I’m confident we have the best combination working with Cheshire Turf Machinery and Reesink and using Toro. Add to that having the right staff, the right training and a progressive club who continues to invest in its future and the result has been an increase in membership as the country comes out of lockdown.”

Richard Beech, club manager, concludes by saying: “Having this machine means we don’t have to choose between being responsible neighbours and preparing the course for our members. It is unbelievable just how quiet this machine is, it means we can cut the greens in the very early hours without disturbing the houses next to the course. It is very exciting to be the first to have the new electric mower and pleasing that our members are seeing the benefits.”

To talk to someone about the alternative energy technologies available from Toro, call 01480 226800.

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Amenity Forum conference

July 28, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Kate Hopkins

Amenity Forum conference: Following full consideration of the external circumstances, the Forum has decided to switch delivery of its annual conference being held on October 15^th 2020 to a fully online format using specialist professional conferencing facilities. The theme will be ‘’Planning for the Future’’.

The event has an impressive range of specialist speakers and the programme will include an address will be included from a senior government representative. This is a particularly important time for the sector not just because of the challenges arising from the pandemic but also given the on-going review of the National Action Plan relating to weed, pest and disease management. There is also a review of pesticide policy being undertaken. This is a great opportunity to hear and debate current issues and get up to the minute information on the reviews. There will also be focus on innovation and new methods and approaches emerging from research and technological development.

Amenity Forum conference

This full-scale conference will be easily accessed online for full participation, and includes:

Full conference programme including adequate comfort breaks
Information-rich presentations from specialist speakers
Conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
Speakers presenting, accompanied by slides, using a professional online conference platform (easy for delegates – we’ll provide full details)
Opportunities for questions with all speakers
Full slide presentations cleared by speakers will be made available to all registered delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings

The delegate rate is £50 + VAT

For further information on the programme, how to book or for more detail, contact Admin@amenityforum.net

The Amenity Forum conference has a well established reputation and is regarded by many as an event not to miss.

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)

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

Amenity Forum conference

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

Amenity Forum conference

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370

Golf club first to own eTriFlex 3370: Toro’s long-awaited all-electric game-changing mower arrives at Newcastle-under-Lyme Golf Club and brings with it the technological advances and peace and quiet course manager Ian Beech has been dreaming of for years.

Amenity Forum conference

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