Tag Archive for: AMS

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

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Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS: AMS Contractors have been praised for their role in a multi-year project to improve the quality of the sports surfaces at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

The team visited in early 2024 to re-grade and fully renovate the second of three football pitches at their Teddington Lock Sports Campus, where the university are still reaping the rewards of last year’s renovation work with enhanced pitch appearance and performance.

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

Reaping the rewards of renovations by AMS

Overseeing the 30-acre campus, which includes sports pitches, athletics facilities and amenity areas is Grounds Manager David Ember. He explains that a combination of location and high usage is driving the current facility improvement programme. “The three football pitches, rugby pitch and practice facilities operate at over 90% capacity with mid-week games, as well as fixtures at the weekend for commercial and community teams. With a number of local clubs already calling Teddington their home, and other notable venues like The Lensbury nearby, we felt the time was right to invest in our surfaces.”

David spoke with AMS Contractors who undertook the first phase of the works in April 2023. “They did a pitch levelling operation which involved fraise mowing the top of the surface off, power-harrowing, dressing, raking and levelling the surface before re-seeding and beginning the feeding programme. The whole project went swimmingly and, with a little help from mother nature, the results were fantastic!”

“Come the end of the season, the pitch had withstood the pressures of the high wear – even the goal mouths, which tend to be the telltale areas, had retained coverage.”

With one pitch renovated, AMS returned at the end of April 2024 to commence works on the next. “This pitch had always been problematic with significant undulations and steep hollows which risked injury to the players. The process was similar to that conducted previously, with the addition of laser-grading to ensure we achieved optimal, pin-point accuracy with the flattening and finishing.”

Though the weather wasn’t as kind this time around, it didn’t dampen spirits… or results! “AMS had three operatives on site every day, including Myles Strange who was involved in every stage of the project and still checks in regularly to make sure everything is on track.” David adds, “When you see the team arrive on site, with quality equipment that looks well maintained it all helps to instil confidence in what will be achieved. What was really appreciated was AMS’ willingness to juggle their schedule to get our job done at the right time, in the right conditions. This undoubtedly helped the end result, which is fantastic once again.”

“We’re now find ourselves in a position where the quality of the pitches is better than the infrastructure we have to support them, so reviewing things like our irrigation systems is the next step. We’ll then speak with AMS again about bringing similar improvements to the rest of the surfaces on the site.”

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AMS provide vital secondary drainage

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AMS provide vital secondary drainage: Cricket is a cornerstone of Winchester College’s student experience, and to enhance their already exceptional standards, the school enlisted AMS Contracting to install secondary drainage on their outfield.

Head Groundsman, Kim Larcombe, oversees the 250-acre site with the help of four groundsmen and five gardeners. Sixty acres are purely dedicated to sport, with cricket having a long and distinguished history at Winchester.

AMS provide vital secondary drainage

AMS provide vital secondary drainage

The programme is devised and run by the college’s cricket professional and is supported by several highly qualified coaches. A winter programme runs from October to the start of the playing season to help players reach their full potential, and it’s when the season comes around that the surfaces are vital.

With a tight 55-day schedule planned for summer 2022, Kim must ensure that matches go ahead as scheduled, with rained off games one of the most significant risks. Having had the outfield levelled in August 2021, the experienced 39 and a half year Winchester team member wanted to enhance the drainage with AMS.

Kim explains: “We had the outfield levelled back in August/September last year, and the plan was always to have some secondary drainage put in. We didn’t want primary drainage because we’re on chalk, so the water just goes away anyway, but we wanted to help the drainage and levelling a little bit as well.

“I had a preference on what secondary drainage I wanted to use, and I talked it through with AMS, and we looked at other options, but I had my preference.

“It was good to be working with a company who wanted to put options forward and explore them, but at the same time, they weren’t pushy at all. They just presented their opinions and were happy to proceed with what we wanted and work to get the best result.

“I’m really pleased with how the project went. It all ran very smoothly, and I think that was due to the project’s planning and then the execution. It’s filling in nicely, and it was left in good condition, so we were able to play on it a week after the work was completed, and that is a testament to how well everything went.

“We’ve got about 55 days of cricket coming up on there, so it’ll be very busy. Because we have such a busy schedule, we need to play the matches when they are planned, and that’s why having good secondary drainage is so important.”

The method of drainage requested by Kim was the Blec Vibramaster at 20mm sand slits, 250mm apart and 150mm deep. This was implemented after the whole outfield had been ShockWaved and was followed with topdressing, drag matting and overseeding using a 2.5m Vredo overseeder in two directions.

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AMS Robotics working to improve turf health

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AMS Robotics working to improve turf health: Sports facilities, large gardens and businesses across the UK have seen improved turf health with AMS’s robot technology. Clients both old and new have recognised the significant differences and improvements it has made to their outfields and maintenance methods. With the mowing capacity increased to up to 75,000m2, the sky’s now the limit for robotic turf care.

The lightweight Belrobotics mower provides frequent grass cutting, rain or shine, which minimises the impact on the turf. The tiny quick-composting clippings provide a constant source of fertilisation and moisture, resulting in beautifully dense turf. For sports facilities in particular, this improves the pitch’s overall ability to withstand a busy match schedule and hours of use.

Pictured are two examples of areas in which you can see the comparison of the areas that the AMS robots manage and the areas which they don’t. Stirling university has one of the original large models, BigMow Connected, which has a mowing capacity of up to 24,000m2. These mowers work on a random cutting pattern and will mow the total area 3-5 times per week. This picture demonstrates the quality of the turf on the right managed by robots compared to the turf on the left which is not.

Another example of where the AMS robots have enhanced the quality of the grass is in this private client’s garden. The right hand side is managed by the AMS Robots and the left is not.

This area is managed by the smaller robot, ParcMow, which has a mowing capacity of up to 14,000m2 3-5 times per week on a random mowing pattern. However, this robot is kitted with the latest GPS RTK technology which allows the robot to work on pattern and stripe mode, therefore the mowing capacity is increased up to 40,000m2 5-7 times per week – making the process smarter and more efficient.

University Of Stirling

AMS Robotics working to improve turf health

AMS Robotics working to improve turf health

Private client

AMS Robotics working to improve turf health

AMS Robotics working to improve turf health

AMS Robotics are pleased to announce their latest partnership at Highfield Rangers FC. AMS are thrilled to be supporting such a brilliant project.

For all enquiries contact AMS on 01462 676 222 or sales@amsrobotics.co.uk

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AMS Robotics and BIGGA unite to celebrate achievements

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AMS Robotics and BIGGA unite to celebrate achievements: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is proud to reveal that AMS Robotics has become lead sponsor of the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, taking place on the opening night of BTME 2022.

Presented by popular television presenter and leading golf personality Naga Munchetty, the BIGGA Welcome Celebration is a an informal event that recognises the achievements of BIGGA members throughout the previous year, including the presentation of the BIGGA Awards 2022.

AMS Robotics and BIGGA unite to celebrate achievements

AMS Robotics and BIGGA unite to celebrate achievements

The free-to-attend welcome event takes place in the Main Auditorium of the Harrogate Convention Centre and will recognise the many people who have contributed positively to the industry since the previous BTME in January 2020. BIGGA and AMS Robotics are united in their belief that building a strong community is key to growing a thriving sport for years to come.

The BIGGA Welcome Celebration takes place on Tuesday 22 March at 5.30pm. At the event BIGGA will announce:

  • The winners of the BIGGA Awards 2022
  • The winner of the Innovation and Thought Leadership Award sponsored by Campey Turf Care Solutions.

BIGGA will also recognise the:

  • BIGGA Annual Photographic Competition winner
  • BIGGA’s latest Life Members
  • CPD achievers
  • Master Greenkeepers

BIGGA will also introduce the BIGGA president and BIGGA Vice President for 2022.

AMS Robotics is the exclusive UK distributors of Belrobotics robots. Belrobotics has created a high performance and innovative range of robot lawn mowers, along with a ground-breaking robotic ball collector. The robots form part of AMS’s automated maintenance service offered to golf facilities, sports clubs, land owners and other public and private green spaces.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “The BIGGA Welcome Celebration is the one event of the year where every BIGGA member can join us to recognise all the hard work that has been done across the association. It’s free to attend so you don’t need an invitation and there’ll also be all necessary COVID safety measures in place. All we ask is that you come along and celebrate everything we have overcome since the last time we were together in January 2020. The world has changed, but let’s use this as an opportunity to announce that we are back and better than ever!

“Our thanks go to AMS Robotics for their support of this fantastic event. AMS Robotics is an innovative company that is helping to drive the greenkeeping industry forwards and as such their values align closely with those of BIGGA members and the association.”

Philip Sear, CEO of AMS Robotics, said: “We are very much looking forward to attending the show this year. Pitching at BIGGA has always and will continue to open up many opportunities for us. The last few years has been challenging for the industry and we want nothing more than to support the work carried carried out by BIGGA and everyone involved.”

Registration continues for BTME this March on the BTME website and we look forward to seeing you in Harrogate in March.

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AMS Robotics GPS – RTK Upgrade

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AMS Robotics GPS – RTK Upgrade: AMS Robotics, official UK distribution for the Belrobotics commercial grounds maintenance systems are well underway with their formation of a regional dealer network covering the whole of the Uk, just in time for the official introduction of the new GPS – RTK kit. 

The already first class equipment just got even better, adopting all the advantages of the connected line robots in addition to some new technology which makes up the GPS – RTK system. Belrobotics have dedicated a lot towards the new kit as it is now clear this is the pathway to a more productive and sustainable future in turf care. It is still the same high performing, low noise and zero emission professional robotic mower, but better.

AMS Robotics GPS - RTK Upgrade

AMS Robotics GPS – RTK Upgrade

Equipped with the latest navigation technology available, the robots can now navigate in pattern mode. With real time Kinematic installation, the robot navigates with a 2-3 cm level precision, enabling it to mow in pattern mode with minimal overlap. This new feature will enable striping for football and other sports pitches, presenting your pitch to the highest standard. BigMow RTK’s cut height is also able to be reduced, making it suitable for cricket pitches and any other areas requiring a shorter cut.

BigMow RTK can manage an area up to 75,000m2, and due to pattern mode at a quicker speed of five times per week in comparison to BigMow connected, which will still dominate an area up to 24,000m2, however three to five times per week. ParcMow RTK can manage an area of up to 45,000m2 five times per week, in comparison to ParcMow connected which will still happily manage 12,000m2, but again with the slightly longer cut time of three to five times per week depending on the area. Both BigMow and ParcMow Connected can be upgraded with the RTK GPS anytime, which is great for existing customers that want their system to go that extra mile.

“We are very excited to introduce the new developments in the Belrobotics technology. We have been at the forefront of the professional commercial robotic mowing industry in the UK for eight years now and it is really begun to take shape over the last few years. With outdoor sports commencing at the end of the month, it’s great timing and we have some superb clients coming on board.” Philip Sear Managing Director AMS Robotics

GPS – RTK has now taken the ever growing commercial robotic mowing market to the next level and the software will continuously develop over the next year. Both Big and Parc Mow Connected and RTK are the perfect solution for sports pitches, contractors, councils and golf facilities to utilise, save money and improve the quality of their grounds. GPS – RTK is now available in the UK and the first of the products are being installed by AMS in early April. Introductory offers and trial periods are available, get in contact to for more information: interested@amsrobotics.co.uk or call 01462 676222

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