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EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity

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EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity: The Babraham Research Campus, one of the UK’s leading locations for academic and commercial bioscience, have taken delivery of an EVO 205D SAFE-Trak to keep pace with the site’s demand for wood chip and weed suppressant.

The 100-acre campus sits within an additional 360 acres of estate land, maintained by Estates and Waste Manager Matt Antrobus and two ground teams – all of whom have been mightily impressed with the power, performance and build quality of their new woodchipper from GreenMech’s EVO series.

EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity

EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity

“The site has grown and changed a lot over the last decade, both in terms of the variety and types of research conducted here and the push towards more environmentally-friendly methods of maintenance” explains Matt, who has been at the Campus for 15 years. “We use in the region of 300 tons of woodchip every year for suppressing weeds as well as decoration for borders, beds and miles and miles of public footpaths! Our previous chipper was struggling to cope and, after comparing a couple of options, the EVO 205D emerged head and shoulders above the competition.”

The backbone of the EVO 205D’s design is a deep beam, high tensile steel chassis, with a generous in-feed hopper measuring 1250mm x 700mm allowing the easy processing of bulky material. Maximum chipping efficiency is powered by a Kubota Stage V-Complaint 50hp diesel engine, while GreenMech’s SAFE-Trak system delivers ground clearance of up to 400mm, enabling access across uneven terrain and in difficult ground conditions.

“The EVO was installed in July by our local dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen and Julian Cullis of GreenMech, who delivered some outstanding training to the team that was on a par with – if not better than, some of the official woodchipper courses available. Although we’ve only had it a few weeks, the operators love it! The first major thing they commented on was the ease of manoeuvrability and access, meaning we can position the 205D exactly where we are working which saves a lot of time. Secondly, the feed rate is drastically quicker with this machine… the teams just can’t keep up with it!”

“There isn’t really much the team haven’t been impressed with. The build quality is fantastic and from a usability perspective, you can tell that GreenMech have really thought about what the operator wants and needs from a woodchipper.” Matt adds, “This EVO 205D will be fundamental to our new willow replanting and rotation programme which will help give us the quantity of wood and chip we need to continue our sustainable site management programme.”

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Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud

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Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud: Toro’s latest irrigation technology unites with sustainability in the new Tempus Air, a solar-powered, cloud-based, battery-operated, remote-controlled, wireless control system offering flexible programming to take water automation to the next level.

Technology and sustainability form a symbiotic partnership as we see a solar panel power a nine-volt battery in a product where all its data and information are stored in the cloud. It is a perfect example of how, when the two work together, a cost-effective green solution emerges.

Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud

Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud

So, what’s the difference between traditional and air automation? Well, air is fully automated, moveable, scalable, precise and affordable, providing detailed feedback and information.

Robert Jackson, division manager for Reesink Hydro-Scapes, the UK distributor of Toro irrigation products, explains more: “Air automation removes some of the inevitable issues of traditional automation such as the expense, labour required, and time needed to install. It’s the no effort way to take control of your water. It’s an extremely stable and secure connection offering real-time connectivity, now proven in the field.

“Scalability is a key feature making this an affordable water delivery solution – Wi-Fi allows you to manage up to 30 modules and 3G manages up to 25. Field conditions can be remotely monitored, and you can programme by time, volume and rainfall. And being able to deliver water at the right time and place means there’s no water wastage.”

Tempus Air can also control the hydraulic valves, water pumps, pressure valve sensors and filters; you can link moisture levels, temperature, wind speed, so adding a lot of functionality as well as monitoring a wide set of field parameters for even more precise and efficient irrigation scheduling.

“Toro has designed a one-of-a-kind next generation system,” continues Robert. “It is entirely unique with nothing else like it on the market today. It’s fully app controlled so no control box or PC set up,” Robert continues. “The app itself is very intuitive and user friendly and Bluetooth connectivity is integrated to allow full control through the app via a smartphone, tablet or PC if you prefer – simply download and choose up to six stations, four independent programmes and three start times.”

In terms of the sprinklers that can be used, Robert explains: “As you may expect the connecting modules fit into Toro Infinity Sprinklers, the smartest, hardest-working sprinklers on the market – top accessibility to all the critical components and built for flexible expansion, it’s the perfect combination.”

Rob continues: “Combining all these features makes Tempus Air ideal for those looking for a sustainable and unique solution and where areas without electricity such as sports pitches, stadiums and training grounds keen to eliminate cables from the sidelines and professional landscaping projects. Remote management allows for control from up to 800 metres away and automated responses can be applied based on pre-set thresholds.”

To find out how the perfect combination of technology and sustainability can benefit your water regime and business’ bottom line, call Reesink Hydro-Scapes on 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk for further information.

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MM and Designer terrific for Truro

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MM and Designer terrific for Truro: After experimenting with various seeds, Dominic Gibbard – Head Greenkeeper at Truro Golf Club, found that the market leading MM and Designer brands of grass seed produced the best results.

Dominic has been working at Truro Golf Club for four years. He spent three of those as the Deputy Head Greenkeeper but last year his hard work and dedication to the role was rewarded with a promotion.

MM and Designer terrific for Truro

MM and Designer terrific for Truro

He now oversees a team of three who work around the clock to maintain the stunning 18-hole, par 67 parkland course in Cornwall.

“It’s a great place to work,” said Dominic. “Truro is a short, tight and challenging course, which attracts a lot of golfers – in fact we are picking up members all the time.”

One look at the course will tell you why Truro is so popular – it is beautifully maintained by the team, and Dominic is considerably careful when it comes to selecting the correct products.

“Over the years I have experimented with lots of various seeds, but I haven’t found any particular benefits from using others compared to the MM and Designer brands,” he said.

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK amenity industry, with over 40 years of experience and knowledge. The extensive product portfolio is second to none with performance proven mixtures that are used at many leading venues in the UK and Europe.

All the varieties have an excellent breeding pedigree and have been selected and bred for their ability to deliver a range of quality turf characteristics. The Designer range is also formulated specifically to meet the needs of landscapers, local authorities and sports clubs.

Investing in the Designer range offers true value for money as they combine high performance with competitive pricing.

At Truro Golf Club, Dominic relies on two specific mixtures from the MM and Designer brands which he purchases through David Bevan of Agrovista Amenity.

For the greens he uses Elite Green from the Designer range which is an excellent, all bent (70% Sefton Browntop bent and 30% Arletta Browntop bent) mixture that produces a fine, dense hard-wearing surface.

“It is a brilliant seed which gives us great germination,” he said. “We are really increasing the amount of bent and reducing the Poa in the greens and this mixture is helping us.

“I have found it is quite soil temperature dependent for us, so I don’t tend to overseed with Elite Green until mid-summer after our big golf week. I’ll follow up with another overseed towards the end of September, early October, and these two big hits work incredibly well for us. The greens are in a great condition and the seed has been integral.”

On the tees Dominic relies on MM50 which possesses exceptional shoot density along with tolerance to close mowing making. This superior mix contains the perennial ryegrass cultivars, Venice, Alison and Malibu, which are renowned for providing a great sward for golf use.

“It is great for repairing divots and worn areas,” he said. “We have even used MM50 really early in the season in February and we had germination in temperatures of 6-7 degrees Celsius, which it is not even meant to do. We couldn’t believe it.”

Both the Designer and MM seeds are treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – a unique seaweed-based seed treatment which helps to ensure rapid and even germination. This tried and tested grass seed treatment helps the seed get off to the best possible start.

“I’m really impressed with the products, and they are very good value for money,” said Dominic. “It is for these reasons why we keep choosing MM and Designer.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s new website www.mm-seeds.co.uk. You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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Bourne to Ride and ISEKI’s world record

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Bourne to Ride and ISEKI’s world record: Bourne to Ride Charity challenge has beaten the previous record for driving from Lands End to John O Groats on a ride on mower from Iseki.

Travelling at a maximum of 12mph for 880 miles, for 20 hours per day, Bourne to Garden founder, Colin North, driving the ISEKI SF544 ride on mower, has beaten the previous record of 5 days 8 hours from Lands End to John O Groats in 4 days 6 hours and 9 minutes.

Bourne to Ride and ISEKI's world record

Bourne to Ride and ISEKI’s world record

The team including a support van and overnight driver, plus Phil Self as ISEKI technical support, received amazing local and national support on the way and a boost to the fundraising. Colin, Managing Director of Bourne to Garden says “most drivers gave us the thumbs up and giving us friendly toots as they over took us”. During this gruelling journey Colin has stopped for refreshments and showers, battled heavy rain, wrapped up in a duvet to handle sitting and driving in the cold nights. “The toughest part was probably the mosquitoes in Scotland, waves of them hitting my face!” He wrapped up and used goggles to protect himself again. “We also had a loose wheel nut and puncture on the way but were able to sort these on the road side without too many delays”. This exciting tough fundraiser has caught the interest and endorsement from local and national media including Radio 1 & 2. The team have been putting out ‘at the moment’ pictures and video to encourage support and donations locally and nationally.

David Withers from ISEKI UK adds; “It’s been so exciting this week, tracking the guys on the mower, waking up each morning seeing where they have got up to. All the photos and videos they have been sharing from the route has been brilliant, some amazing scenery and some interesting weather at times!  It has been a real team effort to enable this to go ahead with ourselves and Bourne to Garden Ltd.  The machine has performed without any problems whatsoever, we just had one puncture in the whole 876 miles.

Bourne to Ride and ISEKI's world record

Bourne to Ride and ISEKI’s world record

We have donated some money for the charities chosen by Bourne to Garden Ltd and please, if you can, donate something to the three charities they would be incredibly grateful.  All are worthy causes and every penny of the money donated is going straight to the charities….We are Guinness World Record holders!”

To Donate please click https://gofund.me/2e8249e6

For More information about the route go to https://www.iseki.co.uk/bourne-to-ride-iseki-world-record-attempt/

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One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

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One company, three turfcare and transport solutions: Reesink UK has built up a portfolio of leading brands and extensive turfcare and transport machinery options and the latest customer to benefit from this comprehensive offering is John O’Gaunt Golf Club in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

A long-term Toro machinery customer, and a ‘Total Solutions’ customer since 2013 when it had the Carthagena course installed with a Lynx Central Control System and dual trajectory sprinklers, John O’Gaunt’s latest order sees an influx of new machinery, irrigation for the 18-hole John O’Gaunt course and seven STAR EV all-electric golf buggies.

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

One company, three turfcare and transport solutions

Course manager Nigel Broadwith, who has been at the club, which is about to celebrate its 75th anniversary, for 15 years, says: “We’ve maintained a long-lasting relationship with Reesink UK and as they add more brands to their offering it makes life even easier for us.

“Historically, we usually purchase three machines every year but this time we decided to go for longer-term and invest over £470k in new machinery over five years. I always prefer Toro equipment, it’s robust and the machines last a long time; we only have to deal with normal wear and tear from them.”

The fleet includes for the first time two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420 greensmowers, because, Nigel says: “We want to move on to all-electric as quickly as possible and the hybrids are the first step in that direction. The hybrids use very little fuel and are really quiet.”

Talking of electric power, the Club’s Head PGA Professional, Tom Simm, opted to replace the six-year old golf buggy fleet as well. He purchased seven lithium-powered STAR EV Capella golf buggies from Reesink’s e-Vehicles division. He explains: “We purchased seven electric buggies. They’ve been out around the course, the members have tried them and the feedback is great. Because the brand was part of Reesink and we wanted to keep everything in one bundle so it was easy to manage. We’re now looking into getting a STAR EV refreshment unit as well.”

Completing the three-way deal is a Toro Lynx Control System, installed by Ocmis, and from Reesink Hydro-Scapes, Reesink UK’s new division with a focus on providing water solutions for all landscapes. This time it was the turn of the John O’Gaunt course for the Toro treatment, following on from the Toro touch on the Carthagena course nine years ago.

Nigel says: “We know from first-hand experience on the Carthagena course that the Lynx Central Control System makes a big difference. The area is notoriously very dry and we’ve seen a huge improvement on the greens. We can manage our resources efficiently and get the precision we need to the millilitre. We can customise almost everything, depending on the course’s conditions and requirements, and very quickly just from our phones. We’re really happy with this complete irrigation solution.”

So how has it been dealing with Reesink for all three, very different aspects to his turfcare and transport machinery requirements? Nigel says it’s all about the relationships: “We’ve got a good relationship with the Reesink Turfcare rep Julian Copping, as well as Rob Jackson from Hydro-Scapes. They’re always there if we need them and have always been very helpful, especially with the delays and everything that’s been happening in the world at the moment. They always fulfilled their promises, so we’ve been completely at ease.”

To find out more about the complete collection of turfcare and transport options from Reesink UK, visit reesinkuk.co.uk.

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