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‘Wiedenmann Core Recycler saves 40% of top dressing inputs,’ says STRI

November 11, 2016/in Machinery, Press Release/by Admin

Independent trials confirm that Wiedenmann’s Core Recycler can save 40% of top dressing inputs. Results released by the Sports Turf Research Institute also state that turf treated with the Core Recycler had significantly lower disease incidence and that the recycling of cores helps maintain a significantly higher active bacterial and fungal population. Wiedenmann UK said: […]

St Neots Town Council Boasts An All-Red Toro Shed

November 11, 2016/in Education, Press Release/by Admin

Only three years ago operations manager Kevin Matthews vowed to turn St Neots Town Council’s existing fleet of machinery Toro red, following the purchase of a CT2120, which impressed with its “superb” quality of cut. In August Kevin accomplished just that with the purchase of two durable Groundsmaster 3400 out-front rotary mowers. The Council, whose […]

‘Wiedenmann Core Recycler saves 40% of top dressing inputs,’ says STRI

November 11, 2016/in Machinery, Press Release/by Admin

St Neots Town Council Boasts An All-Red Toro Shed

November 11, 2016/in Education, Press Release/by Admin

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‘Wiedenmann Core Recycler saves 40% of top dressing inputs,’ says STRI

November 11, 2016/in Machinery, Press Release/by Admin

Wiedenmann UK said: “This is great news. The machine was developed in tandem with golf course managers and contractors specifically to help reduce costs and time spent after hollow coring. This proves that recycling indigenous root zone is the obvious natural choice and also points to huge savings in labour and time taken.”

The Core Recycler is a revolutionary machine which collects and recycles hollow cores. Fresh cores are lifted via a rotating brush and processed through a series of four adjustable steel mesh sieves which move in sequence. The sieves can be set to accommodate different core lengths and diameters. As the hollow cores are propelled along the sieves, the soil and sand content is separated from the fibrous material. The soil and sand mix falls back to the ground while the less desirable fibrous material is collected in a hopper. After separation the indigenous ‘good’ material can be returned to the surface.

Two test areas of a sand soil based green [80:20] were created at the STRI’s Bingley HQ in West Yorkshire. Hollow tining took place on both plots and afterwards one area had the cores lifted manually with medium grade sand brushed in to make good the surface levels, while the other plot had the Core Recycler lift cores and return indigenous sand soil mix to the surface before also being topped up with sand.

STRI’s Research Manager Dr Christian Spring, who over saw the trials during a 24 month period, said: “The main effects of the Wiedenmann Core Recycler compared to conventionally collecting and removing cores were that it maintained soli organic matter to the same level but use of the Core Recycler reduced top dressing inputs by on average 40%. Disease incidence was significantly lower on Core Recycled plots and recycling of cores helped to maintain a significantly higher active bacterial and fungal populations.

“The benefits of using the Wiedenmann Core Recycler are clear and when used as part of a sensible maintenance programme, would provide a very useful tool in a greenkeeper or groundsman’s armoury.

Another finding from the STRI research was that, when coupled with appropriate nutrient inputs, the core recycled area had a greener colouration. The main reasons given for this were the release of nutrients from the recycled material, in addition to elevated microbial community facilitating nutrient release and uptake.

Wiedenmann UK said: “Investing in a core recycler makes good financial sense. Saving 40% on top dressing purchases is just one part of it though; if you deploy the core recycler you tie up considerably fewer staff for a far shorter period. Interruptions to play are also reduced as time taken from lifting cores to returning the surface to play is dramatically shorter. Lastly, factor the benefits of greener less stressed turf and it seems the ultimate win:win machine.”

St Neots Town Council Boasts An All-Red Toro Shed

November 11, 2016/in Education, Press Release/by Admin

The Council, whose grounds team of nine maintains a range of sites in Cambridgeshire, decided to invest in new machines when assigned more grounds to cover. Kevin says: “We needed something robust and the Toro GM3400 ticks all the boxes”.

Kevin was convinced it would be the machine for the job after attending an onsite demonstration at Reesink Turfcare: “Seeing the GM3400 up close and having Danny Lake [Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare rep] show what it can do made us realise just how brilliant it is. Reesink also managed to loan us a machine while our order was processed, which was an unexpected bonus!”

For Kevin, the main benefits of the machines include low running costs, reliability, ease of operation, ease of maintenance, and operator’s comfort. He says: “The machine is designed with the operator in mind, meaning my employees can be out all day and not suffer from fatigue.”

He goes on to say that with the GM3400s there’s “no need to worry about breakdowns because the reliability and build quality of these machines are second-to-none. Combine this with the back-up service from Reesink and you’ve got a world-leading formula.”

The GM3400s will primarily be used for Cambridgeshire County Council’s roadside verges, where Kevin believes the machines will enable him to do the job efficiently and keep the grass looking beautiful.

When speaking of the CT2120, the first ever piece of Toro kit purchased by St Neots in 2013, Kevin describes the durability and performance of the machine as “superb”. ”One of the reasons we chose this machine was because it’s light enough to be transported by trailer to different sites,” says Kevin.

This time round Kevin opted for the GM3400 because it’s as easy to operate as the CT2120, but it’s also a road-legal machine. He says: “The GM3400 came with a road-legal pack that includes lights and indicators, amongst other things. With this road pack the GM3400s are not far from being cars, and I can relax knowing my employees are safe.”

Before they owned Toro machinery, Kevin and his team were making do with competitor brand machines that weren’t right for the job and having to cut more frequently to compensate. Now, with a Toro fleet tailored to its needs, the Council has improved its cutting programme and reduced running costs too.

All of this has transformed the work lives of the grounds team at St Neots Town Council and, thanks to their reliability and performance, Kevin feels certain he will continue to invest in Toro machines exclusively.

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‘Wiedenmann Core Recycler saves 40% of top dressing inputs,’ says STRI

St Neots Town Council Boasts An All-Red Toro Shed

‘Wiedenmann Core Recycler saves 40% of top dressing inputs,’ says STRI

St Neots Town Council Boasts An All-Red Toro Shed

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‘Wiedenmann Core Recycler saves 40% of top dressing inputs,’ says STRI

St Neots Town Council Boasts An All-Red Toro Shed

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