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Robotic Innovation with Agrovista Amenity and XDC

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Robotic Innovation with Agrovista Amenity and XDC: GroundsFest 2025 visitors can expect a glimpse into the future of turf maintenance on stands RB380 and RB381, as Agrovista Amenity and XDC showcases two of the most advanced robotic solutions on the market – the RM21 Combo Mower and the Thor Robotic Mower.

The RM21 Combo Mower, distributed exclusively by Agrovista Amenity in partnership with XDC, is a true multi-tasking marvel. Combining precision line marking and mowing in one fully autonomous unit, the RM21 stands out for its ease of use, versatility, and forward-thinking features. From training grids to bespoke pitch plans, users can map out and control tasks via an intuitive tablet interface or mobile app, while optional attachments such as a dew brush, or grass collector extend its functionality across a wide range of turf environments.

Robotic Innovation with Agrovista Amenity and XDC

Robotic Innovation with Agrovista Amenity and XDC

A large-capacity battery and 25L paint container enable multiple jobs to be completed back-to-back, with centimetre-level accuracy, smart path planning, and 360° LiDAR object detection ensuring safe, efficient performance – even under trees or around obstacles.

Also on display will be Thor – a powerhouse robotic mower engineered for sports turf, golf courses, and large-scale green spaces. With a 730mm cutting width and the ability to tackle up to 9 acres per day, Thor brings together AI vision, dual-RTK GNSS, and LiDAR to deliver elite-level performance and total reliability. Its cloud-based fleet management system allows multiple units to be coordinated remotely, with real-time insights and reporting to streamline team productivity and performance.

From automated graphics marking to data-driven maintenance planning, these robots are designed to transform how turf professionals operate.

See both the RM21 and Thor in action at Stands RB380 and RB381 – and discover how robotics can help you do more, with less.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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STIHL’s new mobile box for easy charging and transportation

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STIHL’s new mobile box for easy charging and transportation: STIHL’s new CB 1 charging box allows for the efficient transportation and charging of STIHL AP batteries on the go. The all-in-one charging solution, ideal for landscaping and forestry professionals, comes in the form of a sturdy aluminium box which is built to transport and store AP System batteries. 

For ease-of-use, the CB 1 can be equipped with up to two STIHL AL 301-4 multi-chargers and can be easily mounted onto or underneath a vehicle, meaning the system can charge and transport up to eight STIHL AP System battery packs.

STIHL's new mobile box for easy charging and transportation

STIHL’s new mobile box for easy charging and transportation

Once back at the workshop, or on-site, the CB 1 box can be connected to a 230-volt socket using a standard GB plug. What’s more, once professionals are finished for the day, they can leave the batteries in the lockable box overnight for charging. The next day, simply unplug and drive to the first workplace with fully charged batteries.

Additionally, the CB 1 is IPX4 certified, meaning it is protected underneath a vehicle or from rain on top of a flat-bed truck.

To find out more about the STIHL CB 1, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac

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Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac: At Grounds Fest 2025 Price Turfcare, Ventrac distributor for the UK & Ireland will be demonstrating, live, the amazing 30 degree slope capabilities of the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor. Their specifically designed exhibition vehicle has multiple slopes so you can see for yourself what the Ventrac can do.

According to Price Turfcare’s Rupert Price, since Ventrac’s introduction into the UK, hundreds of customers have adopted it to solve labour intensive vegetation management on steep slopes. Additionally some are rethinking turf area maintenance by replacing mower only machinery with this multi season workhorse. Once adopted, the Ventrac 4520 can then complete other grounds maintenance tasks that would usually necessitate the purchase of hire of specialist machines. Tasks such as gravel and hard surface pathway maintenance, stump grinding, trenching, seeding and materials handling to name but a few.

Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac

Come and see the amazing slope capabilities of Ventrac

Price Turfcare encourage you to visit them on stand RB50 to see our live demonstrations

www.priceturfcare.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Richmond add Ventrac for versatility and efficiency

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Richmond add Ventrac for versatility and efficiency: The Richmond Golf Club is a 104 acre oasis of calm, only 9 miles from Central London. It borders Richmond Park, one of London’s 8 Royal Parks, and shares much of the wildlife in the area. The course was originally designed by Tom Dunn and has since been extensively updated to a par 70, 6091 yard course. The opulent early-Georgian club house dates back to 1725.

Les Howkins has been Course Manager for just over 17 years. He has a team of 11 including a full time mechanic and was BIGGA chairman from 2015 to 2019.

Richmond add Ventrac for versatility and efficiency

Richmond add Ventrac for versatility and efficiency

Les had been introduced to Ventrac some years ago after Assistant Deputy Course Manager, Chris Browett, had seen it exhibited at BTME Harrogate and thought it might be a useful alternative to some of the machines in their fleet. More recently some of the fleet needed replacing and a Ventrac demo persuaded Les that it had a place at Richmond. “It’s replaced an old out front rider-rotary and a worn out tractor mounted rotorvator” commented Les. But it’s also allowed Les to add new attachments to complete tasks the team could not easily tackle before. “I purchased the brush which is going to be used for carpark and driveway cleaning” said Les. He added, “The long-term view is it’s going to fit into a different methodology going forward”.

Les’ s new methodology includes experimenting with robotic mowers to take care of the rough on two holes. If that works he says he will perhaps “expand the feet” but won’t need a wide area mower. That’s where the Ventrac will continue to fit in future. “We’ll buy the contour deck to deal with areas the robots can’t. I can have a fleet of robots and a Ventrac for less money than one wide area mower” said Les. He may also consider the MR Reel Mowers so one power unit can cover many needs but at less cost.

Additional attractions for Les are the low ground pressure and the wide variety of attachments including one, which Les has purchased, the DC Soil Cultivator which has 4 main components; cultivator tines pulverise the soil, separator tines sift and bury stones and debris, a distribution blade spreads sifted soil evenly and a perforated roller creates a pocketed surface to accept grass seed. “The day we saw that demonstrated it was pouring. The golf course was shut, which doesn’t happen very often. We drove the machine out and the wheels made less mess than my feet. It was unbelievable!” exclaims Les. The Soil Cultivator has been used to return woodchip tee-to-fairway pathways on the front nine back to irrigated grass. Les is delighted with the results as are his members. He will tackle the back nine in the winter. “Its quite a big project” said Les, “Having the right equipment is vital, really”

Les also commented on the HQ Tough Cut mower, another attachment he purchased. “It’s manoeuvrability is brilliant” he said. The Tough Cut mower is designed to tackle those areas that tend to get neglected and like all Ventrac attachments can be mounted on the tractor within minutes by one operator.

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Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction

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Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction: It’s every greenkeeper’s worst nightmare – to receive a call informing them of vandalism on the course. That nightmare was the unfortunate reality for David Byron of Thorndon Park who returned from BTME 2025 to discover the ‘destruction’ of six greens, three tees and numerous fairways.

With sheer determination, a concerted team effort and the outstanding recovery demonstrated by mixtures from across the Johnsons Sports Seed range, the surfaces were fit and ready for club championships just a few short months later.

Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction

Determination, teamwork and Johnsons overcomes destruction

The only club in Essex to make the England Top 100 list, David has been at Thorndon Park since 2008 and has held the position of Course Manager for the last five. “Being in Harrogate when the news broke of our misfortune was both good and bad” he explains. “While I was not in a position to personally assess the damage the quadbikes had caused, I was completely overwhelmed by the support and offers of assistance I received from the greenkeeping community. I decided to take advantage of as many extra pairs of hands as I could when I returned to clear the greens and managed to get hold of a lot of materials on overnight shipments – the club, our members and the whole industry went above and beyond in our hour of need, and we’re incredibly grateful.”

David and his team of nine set about re-levelling and restoring the affected greens one at a time, sacrificing the club’s putting green to bring the surfaces back into play as swiftly as possible. “We took our time to blend the turfed areas in with micro-coring, topdressing and overseeding with Johnsons J All Bent and J Ultrafine Rye Green.”

“We’ve used Johnsons seed here for many years and it just works for us on all areas of the course” says David. “I consulted with DLF’s Craig Spooner in the wake of the vandalism and we agreed on an overseeding strategy combining the two mixtures – using the quick-establishing ryegrass as a nursery plant, then going back to favouring the bent grasses. The photos and reaction we’ve had from the players at our recent club championship speak volumes for how successful the programme has performed.”

Johnsons J All Bent sets the industry standard for density, sustainability and visual quality. With the inclusion of three top-rated browntop bent cultivars, the mixture delivers a sward tolerant of high wear and close mowing, while the class leading disease resistance also reduces requirements for chemical inputs.

The recovery on the greens has been matched by the performance of Johnsons J Tee and a bespoke dwarf ryegrass mixture, from DLF, on the fairways. “Most of the other damaged areas have bounced back with some regular overseeding and a good dose of TLC!” he adds. “We have to praise the Johnsons mixtures and support from Craig in getting us to where we are today – it’s all part of, what has been, a momentous team effort.”

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