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Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

July 18, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac: Habs Boys and Habs Girls are two leading independent schools, dating back to 1690, on a fabulous 104 acre, co-educational campus in Hertfordshire. Mike Kemmett is Head of Grounds & Gardens. He and his team are responsible for maintaining the extensive grounds to a high standard. Football, rugby, […]

Doing more than a fraction of the job

July 18, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Doing more than a fraction of the job: Aerators play the central role in creating a balanced water management programme and Otterbine’s Fractional Series is now even more efficient and easy to use. Otterbine’s Fractional Series offers the most productive, cost-effective way of ensuring the water quality of small and mid-sized ponds regardless of the […]

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

July 18, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Doing more than a fraction of the job

July 18, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

July 18, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac: Habs Boys and Habs Girls are two leading independent schools, dating back to 1690, on a fabulous 104 acre, co-educational campus in Hertfordshire.

Mike Kemmett is Head of Grounds & Gardens. He and his team are responsible for maintaining the extensive grounds to a high standard. Football, rugby, lacrosse and cricket, to name a few, all have to have turf playing surfaces maintained. As with all establishments, however, Mike’s budget needs careful control. In September 2024 Habs was reconsidering its ageing machinery fleet. It was at that time that Mike considered their first Ventrac package from RT Machinery. Versatility and multi-tasking were high on the list of requirements from new machinery and the combination had perform more efficiently than the outgoing fleet. Has the plan worked?

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

Mike commented that previously Habs had an out-front rider with flail mower for their rough areas, tractors with rear mounted rotaries for quick pitch recovery between games and cylinder mowers for cricket and fine turf maintenance. In fact Mike’s first experience with Ventrac was a demonstration of the 4520 tractor with a Power Rake. “A cricket net area had been let go and needed reclamation. We had concrete rubble, bits of steel and other rubbish, it was a mess” says Mike. “A demo from Ventrac restored it in a few hours to a point where we could replant the area”. Mike also commented that “In addition we saw the stump grinder and trenching attachment, both of which completed tasks that would have taken us much longer to do otherwise. I was impressed”

On the back of these demonstrations Habs purchased a Ventrac 4520, MU720 Finishing Mower, an HQ682 Rough Cut Mower and a KM500 Fore-end Loader, knowing that other accessories could be purchased or hired in future. Mike likes the one power unit, many attachments concept. One immediate advantage being it saves space in his barn. Another advantage is “One operator can swap from one attachment to another in minutes” says Mike. “The Tough Cut mower has cleared woodlands that haven’t been touched in years, we even cut twelve foot bamboo down. It was an old assault course we will now use for something else.”

The Wide Area Mower allows Mike and his team to repair divots and pitch damage even in winter. “We’re predominantly clay. Our pitches take a punishing sometimes” said Mike. “The rear roller stripes the pitches nicely and makes the pitch safer even if the pitches are over used during events like rugby sevens”. With their old fleet of tractors and mowers they would not have got onto the pitches so play would be cancelled or held elsewhere. Mike has found that the compactness, low ground pressure and articulated steering of the Ventrac allows him to turn faster at the end of each run on a pitch without turf damage. “A job that took three and half hours now takes two and half” commented Mike, a 28% improvement in efficiency.

Habs continues to expand its horizons and is introducing new facilities, planning for the future. The versatility of more than thirty two attachments will ensure the Ventracs indispensability in helping to maintain the campus to the high standard that is expected. The plan is working.

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Doing more than a fraction of the job

July 18, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Doing more than a fraction of the job: Aerators play the central role in creating a balanced water management programme and Otterbine’s Fractional Series is now even more efficient and easy to use.

Otterbine’s Fractional Series offers the most productive, cost-effective way of ensuring the water quality of small and mid-sized ponds regardless of the weather. And when the weather conditions are already, and look set to continue being, the warmest in 70 years, it’s important not to fall foul to doing nothing – reparative maintenance is not the cheap or easy option.

$Doing more than a fraction of the job$

Doing more than a fraction of the job

Robert Jackson, Division Manager for Reesink Hydro-Scapes, UK distributor for Otterbine aerators, says: “So far this year, the conditions are perfect for creating water problems in ponds and lakes. The weather is warm enough and consistent enough to cause significant problems.”

Why is aeration needed?

The sun exacerbates thermal stratification, water stagnation and oxygen depletion – creating the perfect environment for algae and anaerobic bacteria. This proliferation may endanger the pond ecosystem while also leading to unpleasant smells and aesthetics that put off visitors and increase maintenance costs.

Whether you’re managing ponds in a holiday park, a golf course or a private estate, a proactive approach to water quality is the most effective way to minimise the need for reparative maintenance in the long run.

That’s where the Fractional comes in

The Otterbine Fractional Series delivers the perfect solution for ponds less than three quarters of an acre in size. With the ability to transfer 1kg (2.2 lbs) of oxygen per horsepower per hour and pump 115m³ of water per hour, they will significantly improve water circulation and oxygenation.

Using aeration, it is possible to prevent high-maintenance conditions like algal bloom and thermal stratification and ensure a thriving ecosystem.

Boasting a cost-effective design and the highest performance rate in the class, Otterbine’s Fractional Series comes complete with a manufacturer certified control panel to protect the unit, and the ability to switch between five interchangeable spray pattern configurations.

But the Fractional Series isn’t just about utility: it also provides four visually striking configuration options – plus a horizontal circulator – with different heights, diameters and patterns that can elevate the aesthetics of any pond. And for an even greater visual impact, LED and RGBW colour-changing lights can be added to create a kaleidoscopic effect that will make your water features stand out, day or night.

Rob concludes: “Offering a cost-effective alternative to large-scale aerators, the Fractional Series aerators are quick to install, easy to maintain and designed for long-term durability. They are also backed by our national network of contractors, dealers and installers, providing expert support and guidance whenever needed.”

For protecting ponds, creating scenic water features, or safeguarding the biodiversity of the site, the Otterbine Fractional Series is the smart, simple solution for cleaner, healthier water. Want to learn more? Call 01480 226800 to speak with an expert or visit reesink-hydroscapes.co.uk.

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)

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

Doing more than a fraction of the job

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

Doing more than a fraction of the job

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac

Habs grounds team more efficient with Ventrac: Habs Boys and Habs Girls are two leading independent schools, dating back to 1690, on a fabulous 104 acre, co-educational campus in Hertfordshire.

Doing more than a fraction of the job

Doing more than a fraction of the job: Aerators play the central role in creating a balanced water management programme and Otterbine’s Fractional Series is now even more efficient and easy to use.

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