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Summer is mowing with a Countax

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Summer is mowing with a Countax: There is nothing like having a well-cared-for lawn to enjoy in the height of summer. Whether you’re just sitting out and relaxing in the sunshine or playing games with the kids, a neat lawn makes all the difference.

Even better if you have that very British finish with perfect stripes. The trouble is the lawn takes a lot of punishment through the year and needs a regime of care to maintain its good looks. Part of that comes from nourishing the grass with fertiliser at the right times, de-thatching and removing moss and aerating. The other part is mowing. Cutting the grass regularly and to the right height makes a real difference to its growth. That brings you to the type of mower you use, especially if you have extensive areas of lawn and even a paddock. Then you will probably look at a ride-on mower or garden tractor. If it does more than simply mow, performing a host of other tasks including scarifying and collecting leaves, that is a bonus.

Summer is mowing with a Countax

Summer is mowing with a Countax

One such garden tractor is the Countax, built in Britain for British gardens for over thirty years and developed around the experience and feedback of customers and dealers. What you get with a Countax is a machine that is built to manage all the British climate throws at you and work for you all year round. It may surprise you how versatile the latest model is with the ability to cut and collect grass at virtually any time, even in the wet, and lay down a striped lawn. Cutting to the right height is very precise by raising or lowering the cutter deck between 12mm and 101mm.

While most ride-on lawnmowers rely on the air from their spinning blades to blow the grass through a chute and into a hopper, the Countax cut and collect system uses a clever brush system to sweep even wet cuttings into a collector. There’s no clogging and the action of the sweeper also removes dead grass and debris, helping to reduce thatch for a healthier lawn. In the autumn, the system can be used effectively to sweep up leaves as well. The grass collector is powered by the tractor’s engine and driven by the Power Take-Off (PTO) that is also used to drive a range of accessories and powered attachments, including a broadcast spreader for spreading rock salt on ice in the winter.

The most recent addition to the Countax range of accessories is the PGC+. Driven by the PTO it’s a cassette system that allows you to switch accessories and transform a Countax C or B Series garden tractor into a year-round workhorse. The grass sweeper cassette comes as standard with the PGC+ and there’s an optional scarifier cassette to make removing thatch and moss easier come early spring or autumn. Even better is the fact it scarifies and collects the debris simultaneously. They build Countax garden tractors tough and versatile to work all year, and you can enhance the enjoyment of your garden throughout the summer.

You can find out more by contacting Countax on 01844 278800 or visit www.countax.co.uk/find-a-dealer to find your local dealer.

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Parks & green spaces during a pandemic

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Parks & green spaces during a pandemic: Green Space charity Fields in Trust has published an online Impact Report following their Annual General Meeting this week. The report shows that despite the challenges of the pandemic, work to champion, support and protect the UK’s parks and green spaces has continued. 

The report notes that 2020 was a year in which the value of parks and green spaces was widely recognised for the physical health and mental wellbeing benefits they contribute to regular park visitors.

Parks & green spaces during a pandemic

Parks & green spaces during a pandemic

Fields in Trust Chair of Trustees Jo Barnett said: “Like many charities we have had to adapt our services, embrace remote ways of working and more digital dissemination like this years online Impact Report. But I am pleased to say we have continued to make great progress with 31 new spaces protected during the year and significant progress made on our regional programme to work with Local Councils and deliver real change for their towns and cities.

As normal life resumes, we must not forget how vital our parks and green spaces have been – and that failing to protect them will be to our collective detriment.

At the AGM, Vice President of Fields in Trust, Gyles Brandreth spoke to reflect and appreciate the work of His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh who was President of the charity for 64 years. Gyles Brandreth, The Duke’s friend and biographer, is Vice President of Fields in Trust and spoke about The Duke of Edinburgh,  taking on the role as President of Fields in Trust, in October 1948 – his first national charity commitment. He served for over six decades, stepping down in 2013 to be replaced by his grandson, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, who remains as President today. The legacy created ensures that many much-loved parks and playing fields remain available today for play, sport and the enjoyment of nature.

The AGM comes a month after the current president of Fields in Trust HRH The Duke of Cambridge, launched the Green Space Index as part of his engagement with a range of charities focused on environmental issues ahead of COP26. The Index is an annual barometer of green space provision and distribution which can be used as a tool to support local authorities with green infrastructure planning to mitigate climate change. It shows there are around 2.8 million people in Great Britain who live more than a ten-minute walk from their nearest park or green space Areas with the least provision tend to be those with a higher incidence of deprivation – precisely the communities who benefit most from green space access. The Fields in Trust Impact Report can be viewed online www.fieldsintrust.org/impact-report

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A tougher machine for tougher jobs

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A tougher machine for tougher jobs: The Toro Company, a global leader in turf and landscape equipment, has revealed a heavy-duty and battery powered addition to its domestic line of lawnmowers. The Toro 60V HD Proline further reinforces Toro’s move to more environmentally friendly products, while still providing a powerful and reliable machine.

The HD Proline features a 6mm thick cast aluminium deck and is designed to withstand the demands from professional gardeners and landscapers – but still remains simple and easy to use for the everyday gardener. The HD Proline is the ideal choice for those with slightly larger areas of land, where a standard consumer lawnmower would not be suitable, and a ride on would be too large an investment – the HD Proline fits perfectly in this gap.

A tougher machine for tougher jobs

A tougher machine for tougher jobs

The Recycler technology is designed to lift, suspend and recut grass clippings into a fine mulch, and redistribution across the lawn contributes towards a much healthier turf. The design of the deck also works to reduce the chance of blockages and will more efficiently collect grass. While being designed to withstand the extremes of commercial mowing, the HD Proline is extremely lightweight for its purpose, allowing for extended daily use.

The HD Proline uses a heavy duty 60V lithium-ion battery to optimise its runtime and output. The battery is also interchangeable with the Flex-Force range of garden machinery, to allow for maximum flexibility and easy power to get the job done. The range includes a leaf blower, hedge trimmer, chainsaw and string trimmer – all of which may be required in an area with more land. The Flex-Force range also includes more domestic Recycler lawnmowers.

For more information please visit: https://www.pros.toro.com/equipment/powered-by-battery-fueled-by-toro-new-60v-hd-proline-53cm/

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More than a Premier Wicket

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More than a Premier Wicket: A break in play caused by the first COVID lockdown provided Ageas Bowl Head Groundsman Simon Lee with a window of opportunity to conduct a full renovation of the club’s nursery ground.

While the events of last year certainly kept everyone on their toes, Simon’s knowledge and experience of using Johnsons Sports Seed mixtures for the last 10 years, meant the results of the renovation – completed with J Intense – came as no surprise!

More than a Premier Wicket

More than a Premier Wicket

Simon took over at the home of Hampshire CCC in January 2020, on the back of nine years as Head Groundsman at Somerset CCC where he’d used both J Intense and J Premier Wicket. “You know what you’re going to get with Johnsons in terms of germination and quality of sward. We had just under seven weeks to get the project complete, before a number of international teams used the ground as a base for three months of training. The speed with which the seed established allowed us to get the ground back in play rapidly and I strongly believe that without that, we would have really struggled for coverage with the high levels of sustained play.”

The 100% perennial ryegrass J Intense mixture was sown on the nursery ground outfields in May – providing exceptional disease resistance and high wear tolerance and recovery, even under close mown conditions. On the main ground it was the proven Johnsons J Premier Wicket mixture, sown at relatively high rates, to recover some bare areas from the previous season and set the stage for a condensed season of matches – albeit behind closed doors.

“I have always had fantastic results with J Premier Wicket mixture in the past but coming to a new ground with different conditions you’re never sure how a product will adapt. My team and I couldn’t be happier with the strength and robustness we have achieved on our squares and now with matches every two weeks, we’re relying on its rapid germination to not only improve presentation, but to provide enough resilience to host matches later in the year.”

Simon concludes, “Despite the cold and challenging conditions we’ve had to start this year, the Johnsons mixtures are hardy enough and we can see the fruits of our labour with some germination already, and only more to come when conditions allow.”

Johnsons J Premier Wicket is also available with DLF’s ProNitro® seed coat technology – making it a great overseeding option for upcoming autumn renovations. Now including hydroactive water management technology, ProNitro® contains both fast and slow-release nitrogen to improve nutrient utilisation through the early stages of plant growth leading to stronger germination, quick uniform growth and improved root & shoot density.

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A compact tractor with a big heart

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A compact tractor with a big heart: Massey Ferguson’s reputation for attention to detail, build quality and reliability is evident across its comprehensive line-up of agricultural tractors. Exactly the same approach has also been rigorously applied to its latest range of compact machines in the six-model MF 1700 S series – two of which are new introductions.

Powered by a range engine capacities of between 35hp and 67hp, with either three or four cylinders. the MF 1700 M is likely to appeal to a variety of users – farmers, smallholders, groundscare professionals, contractors and others.

A compact tractor with a big heart

A compact tractor with a big heart

One of the most important factors from an environmental angle is that each model in this new range is powered one of the latest Stage V-compliant engines, reducing still further their carbon footprint.

Versatility is the first word that springs to mind when describing the MF 1700 M range. Not far behind in the list of must-have qualities is the new HST transmission, which delivers precision control and a higher maximum speed, together with the new factory-fitted cab option.

The transmission uses a shuttle lever to control the tractor’s progress – as you would find on a normal agricultural tractor – simplifying the operating experience

Operator comfort and ease of operation were factors high on the list of design priorities for both the cab and platform versions – a tiltable steering column, easy access, air conditioning, heated rear window – and with ergonomically and logically-arranged controls, for example.

In addition, each model comes with a mechanically-suspended seat as standard, with pneumatic suspension available as an option. The operator’s working day can be enhanced considerably with the radio-ready pack – consisting of antenna and speaker – together with two USB sockets and storage space for a mobile phone.

All-round visibility has been maximised to enhance machine control in confined spaces and buildings with restricted headroom.

Like many of its bigger brothers, the MF 1700 M has an array of logically positioned controls, including the joystick – standard on cab models, but  available as an option on platform versions. This incorporates two levers to control rear spool valves, while the joystick itself controls the mid-mounted spool valves and the front loader, where specified.

First-time users have commented on the model’s smoothly efficient operation and it’s ability to access confined or restricted spaces. By the same token, they have been impressed by how readily it takes to field work when coupled with a range of implements – and, indeed, when in road transport mode. The sheer versatility is really underlined when specialist users take to the golf course for the intricacies of green mowing and maintenance.

The control procedure for the independent PTO is a new feature that further enhances the machine’s field of operation by allowing the operator to set different operating modes – normal, soft or automatic – to take account of which implement is being used and what the actual ground conditions dictate. There’s also an external PTO switch, located on the rear fender, for additional convenience of operation.

A pair of rear spool valves is included as standard specification, each of which is available with single- or double-acting operation, while activation can be locked using levers to ‘free-flow’ mode for ease of operation and enhanced efficiency.

Automatic four-wheel drive introduces a significant increase in the machine’s overall productivity – and, indeed, it’s safety. How it works is that as soon as the brake pedal is depressed, the system simultaneously switches from two-wheel drive to four, so applying the brake to all four wheels.

A hydrostatic speed control lever enables the operator to adjust the cruising speed while on the move. When engaged, the tractor works more efficiently while enhancing operator comfort.

Another simple, but highly-effective safety feature is PTO automatic mode. When engaged, the rear- or mid-PTO rotates while moving forward and stops when travelling in reverse – or when the tractor stops.

Other options on the MF 1700 M include front weights and air-suspension seats, together with a comprehensive choice of agricultural and larger turf tyres.

The MF 1735 M and MF 1740 M models can be ordered with new factory-fitted mower deck. Easy to mount, the deck is specified with three blades and is 60in wide, proving cutting heights of between 20mm and 115mm. The desired height can be set from the operator’s seat and is adjustable in eight steps. The new, larger tyres provide a ground clearance of 150mm.

Platform models benefit from foldable ROPS protection as standard and have the same operator controls as those versions fitted with cabs.

Massey Ferguson makes the point that the higher specifications found on its latest 1700 M tractors are part of the company’s on-going strategy of overall enhancement across its range of machines. This, the company states, means more models to suit the wider requirements and greater demands of more farmers and contractors.

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