Tag Archive for: Best

Toro Best For North Foreland

/in , , /by

Toro Best For North Foreland: Ten new machines are scoring top marks for results on the ‘Long’ and ‘Short’ courses at North Foreland Golf Club, based in Broadstairs, Kent.

The purchase marks a change in strategy by course manager Simon Grand, who joined the club two years ago, and greens chairman Mark Strand as Simon explains: “The frontline machinery was suffering from under investment and the number of breakdowns we were having were coming at a significant cost.”

Toro Best For North Foreland

The order of two Reelmaster 3575-D, four Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, two GreensPro 1260, a Groundsmaster 4700-D and a Workman HDX-D is the first lease deal for North Foreland, and has brought big differences to the courses’ appearance and the club’s maintenance regime.

“This investment, which is spread over five years, has solved all our equipment issues,” says Simon. “It’s made us competitive and efficient, and the change in the presentation of the courses is undeniable – members noticed a difference within weeks.”

And that’s down to the quality of the machines, as Simon explains: “It’s been said many times before, but you really do notice the difference when it comes to Toro. The quality of cut and reliability it offers makes a big difference to the way we do our job; it’s so much easier now. We’ve also been impressed by the increased operator protection provided by the addition of the new Toro golf ball protection cages we have fitted to all the mowing machines, as well as the way using Toro is changing the way we manage the cutting of certain areas. For example, with the Reelmaster 3575-D we can close-cut the run-off areas around the links-style greens because the machines are so lightweight and benefit from ‘no tread’ balloon tyres.”

The deal comes as the club, which is one of only six designed by two of golf’s pre-eminent golf architects, Herbert Fowler and Tom Simpson, enters a period of restoration as Simon tells us: “We’re restoring the course to its original downland design, including the refurbishment of the bunkers. This will be aided greatly by all the Toro machines at some point, but especially the Workman HDX-D for transportation.”

Richard Wood, from Reesink, an official UK distributor of Toro, says this is a classic example of how easy it is to catch up on machinery replacement: “This deal marks North Foreland’s return to machinery leasing and is already making a significant difference. It’s provided a huge boost to the club, the course and the team.”

Simon agrees: “Investment reflects and demonstrates the value placed on the work we do. It’s been great to see the way the team has responded, and how much more enjoyable and less frustrating the work is.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Fresh Is Best In Nematodes’ Battle Against Pests

/in , /by

Fresh Is Best In Nematodes’ Battle Against Pests: Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worm-like organisms that are found naturally in garden soil. They are nature’s way of controlling slugs and other garden pests and BASF, the EU’s largest specialist nematode producer, has harnessed this natural control process and grows five species that each attack different pests.

Nematodes are grown at BASF’s facility in Littlehampton, Sussex, and can be used to control slugs, vine weevil, leatherjackets, ants, chafer grubs, as well as a product containing a number of different nematode species which will protect against a range of pests that attack various fruit and vegetables.

Fresh Is Best In Nematodes' Battle Against Pests

BASF is passionate about supplying its nematodes fresh, rather than dried, as this ensures the quality of the product remains high and consistently effective.

Gavin Wood, BASF’s European account and sales manager, says “To successfully hunt down their prey, nematodes must be healthy when customers receive them. That is why we do not freeze dry them and they are delivered fresh, with enough food matter in the packet so that they remain alive. It is safe to store them in the refrigerator and use before the date shown on the packaging.”

Watered on to borders, beds, lawns, hanging baskets, houseplants and containers, nematodes are a harmless biological control that do not pose a risk to children, pets or non-target species such as birds and small mammals.

An entire season’s worth of pest control can be purchased via online stockists and delivered straight to your door throughout the season, allowing you to spend more time in the garden and rest assured that your pest control is taken care of for another year.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Husqvarna Automower Best In Test

/in , /by

Husqvarna Automower Best In Test: For the third year in a row, Husqvarna Automower® is unchallenged in robotic lawn mower performance after being awarded Best in Test and Best Premium Choice by testing site Price Runner UK.

Husqvarna Automower® 315 received the Best in Test accolade in this year’s assessment. It was praised by an independent panel of testers for its excellent terrain-handling abilities along with its ease of use, intelligent design, low noise level, reliability and its excellent app function.

Husqvarna Automower "Best In Test"

The feedback received stated Husqvarna Automower® 315 as ‘a very good purchase for anyone who wants a reliable and easy to manage robotic lawn mower.’

Husqvarna Automower® 430X, which was also awarded Best Premium Choice, was complimented on its many strengths – excellent terrain-handling abilities, a phenomenal problem-solving capacity and lots of intelligent functions.

Testers commended the robotic lawn mower, stating ‘it’s very easy to install as a result of clear markings and a straightforward connection method. It has no problems with cutting the stated maximum surface area. It doesn’t even need to go out cutting often to achieve an excellent result. And it always finds its way home.’

All robotic lawn mowers were tested over a period of several months on several types of lawns and in different weather to ensure test results were as reliable as possible. The assessment focused on the following characteristics – performance, effectiveness, reliability, ease of use, design, construction quality, functionality and safety.

On Husqvarna’s achievements, Husqvarna UK Sales and Marketing Director Ken Brewster said: “For Husqvarna Automower® to be recognised for its outstanding abilities three years running is fantastic. The feedback received from the test was great to hear. It highlights our commitment to the continued development of Husqvarna Automower® and robotic lawn mower technology to make it much more time efficient and easier for customers to maintain their lawns.”

For the full test results visit www.pricerunner.uk/reviews/robotic-lawn-mower

To learn more about the Husqvarna Automower® range, visit: www.husqvarna.com/uk/products/robotic-lawn-mowers/

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Revenge Is Best Served… Fresh!

/in , /by

Revenge Is Best Served… Fresh!: Remember last year, when pests decimated your carefully planned and sowed plants and flowers before you even had a chance to enjoy them? This year start plotting your revenge now, by ordering a season’s worth of fresh nematodes, to be delivered straight to your door to provide ongoing protection. 

Nematodes offer a biological solution to pest control, and the various species grown by BASF, in the only specialist nematode production facility in Britain, can protect your plants from a variety of pests.   Nematodes are naturally occurring microscopic animal organisms that act as natural pest controls.

Revenge Is Best Served… Fresh!

BASF grow a range of nematode products including Nemaslug and Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer, Leatherjacket Killer, Vine Weevil Killer and No Ants. There is, even, a nematode product, containing a variety of different nematode species, created specifically for fruit and vegetable pests, making it perfect for gardeners who are passionate about ‘grow your own’.

BASF grows fresh nematodes, rather than dehydrated, and is passionate about doing so as this ensures the quality of the product remains high and consistently effective.

Nematodes attack the pest by entering natural body openings, releasing a bacteria which quickly and safely kills it. The nematodes then reproduce inside the dead pest and release a new generation of hungry nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey.

Unlike alternative pest control solutions, nematodes can be used as a preventative control, so even if you are lucky enough to have not seen any damage yet, treating the garden to a dose of nematodes will keep the critters at bay before they become a real problem.

Simply mix with water and either apply from a watering can with a coarse rose or spray the nematodes onto the foliage and soil, depending on the variety. There is no need to keep children or pets away from treated areas and the whole programme is entirely biological so that all the Nemasys products can be used by organic gardeners.

All Nemasys products can be ordered online, with an entire season’s worth being ordered and sent out as and when needed. This means that all of your planning can be done now, and you can concentrate of planting and growing, safe in the knowledge that your pest control is taken care of.

For more information, visit: www.basf.com

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Newcastle Receive Best Pitch In 15 years With MJ Abbott

/in /by

Newcastle United Football Club Receive Best Pitch in 15 years, working with MJ Abbott: Newcastle United’s stadium manager, Eddie Rutherford, has hailed the new SIS Grass pitch at St James’ Park, installed by MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, as the best in his 16-years at the club.

St James’ Park sits in the centre of Newcastle as a monument to football, with progress being made under Rafael Benitez after bouncing back from The Championship at the first time of asking in 2016/17.

Newcastle Receive Best Pitch In 15 years With MJ Abbott

Results on the new pitch have been promising through to the end of October, seeing three wins, a draw and one loss, but the decision to install a new irrigation system and playing surface was taken at short notice and required swift planning and cohesive team work between MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, with the result delighting Eddie and the club.

“We are extremely happy with the pitch, it’s played really well,” Eddie said. “It’s probably the best the pitch has been since I’ve been here, and I know it hasn’t gone through the winter period yet but at the same stage in the last 15-years it hasn’t been any better.

“We did the job at very short notice. We decided to put the SIS Grass pitch in with only four weeks’ notice, so considering the time they had to get everything organised and put in place I couldn’t fault them.

“My only worry was that when you put two companies together, will they work well together. But they were both spot on throughout the project. When one is getting towards the end the other needs to be ready and mobilised and that worked really well, it couldn’t have worked any better.

“MJ Abbott come as a partnership with Premier Pitches when installing SIS Grass pitches. Premier Pitches have done a lot of work in the past with us and do our end of season renovations, but I know MJ Abbott are good contractor so I was quite happy to work with the two combined”

Nathan George, Contracts Manager at MJ Abbott explained “The project comprised removing the existing fibre sand surface down to a suitable depth as to expose the existing drainage slits. This operation had to be very carefully completed as to not destroy the integrity of the retained drainage.”

“A new fully automatic pitch irrigation system was installed and an imported rootzone laid to re-establish the original pitch levels. Premier Pitches completed the preparation and seeding of the new pitch, which delivered the project a week ahead of the proposed programme”

“The SISGRASS stitching was installed following grass establishment, a process that took 7 days”

The quick planning required for the project was helped by Premier Pitches’ experience at the city centre venue, and director, Russell Latham, commended the work of the design team in the build-up to the start date.

“The design team needs to work well together from the outset, especially on this project because of the time scale, but more importantly the men on the ground need to work in harmony from start to finish.

“Newcastle United have been a long-standing client of Premier Pitches so the pitfalls of working at a city centre Premier League stadium were well known. Nevertheless, without the rigorous planning and logistics from the outset things still could have gone wrong.

“The logistics of plant deliveries, material removal and material deliveries all had to be scheduled to the second to ensure that the project ran smoothly.

“We have worked with MJ Abbott on our prestigious pitch construction projects for over five years now. Their efficient and meticulous way of approaching a product from design and planning to delivery is everything that our key clients want to see but it doesn’t stop there. The back-up and support and knowledge is second to none.”

For more information, visit: www.mjabbott.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfnews.co.uk

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.