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Ventrac Praised In Northampton

September 5, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Peter Driver

Ventrac Praised In Northampton: Despite a summer of prolonged dry periods and drought conditions, Northampton Borough Council’s green spaces are still looking in great shape. This is due to a unique contract between two major facilities management companies – Veolia and idverde – along with a little help from a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor with ToughCut mowing deck. […]

SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details

September 4, 2018/in Events, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details: The all-encompassing Learning LIVE education programme will once again be a prominent feature at this year’s SALTEX exhibition. The CPD-accredited seminars are free to attend and registration is now open for all sessions that are due to take place in four purpose-built seminar theatres on the SALTEX show floor in Halls […]

Ventrac Praised In Northampton

September 5, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Peter Driver

SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details

September 4, 2018/in Events, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Ventrac Praised In Northampton

September 5, 2018/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Peter Driver

“This is the first time that we have joined forces with a major resource management company on a sub-contractor basis to maintain green spaces,” says Angus Lindsay, Group Head of Assets and Fleet at idVerde. “We began the contract early in June and the green spaces were, to say the least, a challenge. Long grass, especially in public spaces, is difficult to get back into specification when neglected, but the Ventrac with its ToughCut deck has certainly helped us get on top of the job quickly. In my opinion, this deck is a good as a flail, if not better. Without a doubt it’s a very good, reliable and robust compact tractor and mower combination, which has proved ideal for this contract.”

Craig Langford, idverde’s Operations Manager for Northampton added,

“The Ventrac has been a godsend! At the start of the contract we were faced with acres of significantly overgrown and unmaintained space, but the Ventrac with ToughCut deck quickly got to grips with these areas. Being able to operate on 30 degree banks is one of its main attributes and it has worked brilliantly for us.”

Operator Steve Glover, who began his career with the council and has been employed by various contract management companies, has maintained the Borough’s green spaces for over 32 years.

“This is the best machine that I have operated over the last 32 years,” he said. “Although I spend a lot of time on banks and slopes, I feel extremely safe. Its wide footprint, eight tyres and low centre of gravity make it incredibly stable and the articulated frame makes it highly manoeuvrable.

“This ToughCut deck is amazing; it cuts down anything and leaves a really acceptable finish. It has simple to use controls and the visibility of the out-front attachments is very good. I have used it for 108 hours and it hasn’t missed a beat, apart from one puncture when I ran over a broken bottle! How it gets the power to do the job from a 24 hp engine, I do not know, but it just keeps on delivering. The managers at idverde have certainly given us the tools to do the job and I’m sure we’ll be getting more attachments over the course of the contract.”

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SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details

September 4, 2018/in Events, News, Press Release/by Lucy Nicholls

Last year’s Learning LIVE programme was the biggest one yet and featured more than 100 industry experts who took to the stage to address a variety of topical issues and highlight best practice case studies within the turf care industry – and feedback gathered from seminar delegates has helped organisers to create an even better line up of speakers and learning opportunities to suit the needs of all SALTEX visitors at this year’s event.

Day one will feature an interesting panel debate featuring Professor Colin Fleming (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute), Neil Stubley (AELTC), Tony Bell (Middlesbrough FC) and Andy Gray (Southampton FC), who will discuss a chemical-free alternative to clean up your soil. Adam Witchell (Forest Green Rovers FC) and Roy Rigby (Manchester City FC) will be among those highlighting emerging trends in groundsmanship and a panel of professional groundsmen including Anthony Facey (Colchester Utd FC), Dave Mitchell (Carlisle Utd FC) and Stuart Vause (Castleford Tigers) will be discussing groundsmanship on a budget and sharing valuable money-saving tips.

Elsewhere on day one HR consultant Frank Newberry and Scott Tingley (Watford FC) will be on hand to provide career development tips and reveal how to secure the top jobs, while delegates will get the chance to ask questions to a panel of pest and disease experts in a session run by the Amenity Forum. There will also be plenty of technical advice on offer within Dr Ruth Mann’s (STRI) presentation on how technological advances are helping to improve turf grass quality on playing surfaces.

On day two, Phil Garrod (Advance Grass Solutions) will be sharing new ideas that have had successful outcomes in preparing pristine turf for multi sports on a single site and Ted Mitchell and Corin Palmer from the RFU will explain how the RFU and Premiership Rugby are raising the standards of groundsmanship. Andy McKay (Sussex CCC), Gary Barwell (Warwickshire CCC) and Chris Wood (ECB) will also explain how to prepare a cricket wicket to world-class standards.

In addition, phosphite for cool-season turf grass management; sports pitch renovations; the benefits of topdressing and education in the sports turf industry will be addressed by expert speakers including Andy Spetch (British Sugar Topsoil) and Dr Stewart Brown (University Centre Myerscough).

This is just a snapshot of sessions available at this year’s show. Go to www.iogsaltex.com to check out the full programme, register your visit to SALTEX and book into your preferred sessions to avoid the queues.

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.

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)

Ventrac Praised In Northampton

SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details

Ventrac Praised In Northampton

SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Ventrac Praised In Northampton

SALTEX Reveal Learning Live Details

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