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Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines

September 20, 2017/in Events, Press Release/by Henrietta Painter

Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines: Turf professionals looking for the most innovative and high quality groundcare equipment are being encouraged to go and see Kubota UK’s newest groundcare solutions at this year’s SALTEX. The market leading machinery manufacturer is launching a number of new products on Stand C070, as well as […]

Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World

September 20, 2017/in Turf Spotlight/by Turf Matters

Edward Bunn is Facilities Manager at Hickstead, one of the most iconic show jumping arena in the world. Still a family-run business, Ed’s been tending to the showground since 1983. Having watched it grow from strength to strength, in 2011 he managed a £650k complete reconstruction of its international arena. Ed says: “We’d admired the […]

Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines

September 20, 2017/in Events, Press Release/by Henrietta Painter

Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World

September 20, 2017/in Turf Spotlight/by Turf Matters

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Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines

September 20, 2017/in Events, Press Release/by Henrietta Painter

The market leading machinery manufacturer is launching a number of new products on Stand C070, as well as promoting its innovative Kubota Care warranty programme and its first class aftersales support including genuine parts offering.

The new machines on the Kubota stand will include the company’s new line of B1 (12hp to 24hp standard spec) and B2 (20hp to 31hp premium spec) compact tractors. There will also be an improved BX231 on display as well as a new zero turn mower – the ZD1211.

Adrian Langmead, Business Development Manager for Kubota UK’s Groundcare Division, said: “We will be giving visitors to the show the opportunity to have an exclusive preview of a number of new machines that will be introduced into our industry leading range across 2018. These new models have all been designed to meet and exceed the ever changing needs of the market and are being launched as part of our ongoing commitment to raise the bar in the sector.

“Our products have earned a fantastic reputation for innovation, reliability and quality. The latest machines being launched continue to build on this, with a number of key features to maximise productivity, power and comfort. In addition, visitors can also find out more about Kubota Care, our unique extended warranty programme introduced to offer our customers complete peace of mind.”

Adrian continued: “SALTEX is a great platform to showcase new solutions so we are really looking forward to the show and seeing as many groundsmen, greenkeepers, estates managers, turf professionals on our two stands over the two days.”

The company will also be showcasing its world-renowned engines on Stand G085. Kubota’s expert team will be on-hand to provide information on Stage V legislation, due to come into force in 2019, and to highlight why Kubota Engines are the answer.

For more information and to find your nearest dealer, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call + 44 1844 268000.

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Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World

September 20, 2017/in Turf Spotlight/by Turf Matters

Ed says: “We’d admired the renovation work done by STRI at the RDS in Dublin – at the time recognised as one of the best grass arenas in the world. So we turned to them for help with a complete dig out, rebuild and re-drain. We’re susceptible to bad weather here, making for a soft, muddy course after heavy rain,” said Ed.

“That’s why international show jumping tends to be dominated by all-weather surfaces: such as sand arenas… but we’ve been a grass course since 1960 and we wanted to keep it that way. So our challenge was: How do we provide consistent conditions, so riders get a level playing field even in torrential rain?”

The answer came from the STRI who pointed Ed in the direction of Barenbrug.

“The STRI recommended Barenbrug BAR SPRINT, which we used across the 1.8 hectare site. We’d considered turfing, but the cost was huge and we knew growing from seed would yield better results – if we had time and weather on our side. We did, and within three years, Hickstead got voted the best arena in the world by international riders.”

Last year, Ed looked at Barenbrug’s RPR (Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass) technology to assist with repairs. With only a month between summer events, he wanted to trial the unique cultivars, renowned for the determinate stolons that spread into surrounding areas, quickly filling gaps in sward.

“Last year, I spoke to Sam Horner, at Barenbrug, who agreed to create a one off special mix for us, featuring BAR SPRINT and RPR. Grass seed is a science that continually develops and I was curious to see what it could do for our autumn renovations and repairs.

“We scarified the ring back, taking out 40 to 50%. Then carried out de-compaction work. When you’ve got a tonne of horse taking off and landing on the same spot, you get a lot of holes and compaction. After that we overseeded with the newly developed BAR SPRINT RPR. Despite a dry autumn, it germinated within three to four days. It’s been our best renovation yet, with dense infilled gaps, and a lush carpet-like effect. It’ll be interesting to see how it recovers from this summer’s shows. And, over the coming years, as the percentage of RPR builds up.”

The international arena runs just 16 days a year. However, the condition must be maintained to world-class standards, even when time is limited.

“Because of the short period between events, we pre-germinate the grass seed; putting it into hessian sacks and into water. We put it in on the Friday of an event, and it’s ready to use on the Monday. Then we create a divot mix, using sand and soil, and we just go round and seed the patches. It’s a real kick start for the grass,” explained Ed.

“We also fertilise a lot, and maintain and mow, but nothing special. BAR SPRINT RPR isn’t a fussy grass seed. It’s not delicate, but it still gives us the perfect look – essential when you’re on television and live-streaming on the internet – and under the scrutiny of millions of viewers. “

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Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines

Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World

Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines

Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World

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Kubota UK Gearing Up For SALTEX With Exciting New Machines

Providing Consistent Conditions To The Best Show Jumping Arena In The World

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