Tag Archive for: Brings

Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations: The purchase of a Combiseeder from GKB Machines has brought new convenience and efficiency to the overseeding operations at Hertfordshire’s Letchworth Golf Club.

Previously hiring a seeder, the combination of high traffic, poor weather and ongoing construction projects around the 18-hole course has seen an increase in the need for both routine and recovery seeding, which Course Manager Rob Groves explains can now be carried out as frequently and intensively as required.

Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

Rob took over as Course Manager at the parkland course in May 2022 and is assisted on the regular maintenance and larger renovation projects by a team of four full-time staff and one part-time greenkeeper. “We’ve conducted a number of bunker renovations, as well as installing a new irrigation system, which have all involved using heavy machinery on and around the greens” he explains. “We’ve previously hired a seeder which is not only expensive but means you are restricted as to when you are able to get it – often not at the right time! With areas to recover, along with combating general wear and tear the time was right to invest in our own seeder.”

The club opted for the CS120 from the GKB Combiseeder range, featuring the tried and trusted combination of two spiked rollers and two adjustable brushes to deliver and encase the seed for optimal germination. Delivered by dealers Ernest Doe on a wet Thursday in March 2024, it was out the following Monday and the next three consecutive days, delivering seed into the surfaces as part of the club’s renovation week.

“I’d used the Combiseeder at my previous club and was always impressed by how simple it is to operate and adjust, meaning we can overseed the greens with finer, smaller seed as well as use it on other areas around the course.” Rob continues, “We have grass covered driving tees, for example, which would need divoting and seeding by hand at least once a week. We can now do the whole area in one pass with the Combiseeder saving valuable labour hours. We also plan to use it on the greens, without seed, as a sarel roller as it’s got the right weight to give us some good aeration in the top of the profile without being too aggressive.”

“It’s already proven to be a great investment and, despite the weather, we saw good strike from our March operations.” He adds, “When you factor in the opportunities and benefits of conducting overseeding more frequently, together with the savings on hire and labour, the Combiseeder will pay for itself in no time.”

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 and Instagram 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.

Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost: Initial marking for athletics and other sports used to be a source of anxiety and stress at Dollar Academy, but since using the Turf Tank One, the mindset of the team has been positively transformed.

Situated in the town of Dollar, Central Scotland, the co-educational day and boarding school occupies a 70-acre site at the base of the Ochil Hills. It is there Head of Grounds, John Vaughan-Davis, and his team strive to provide the best surfaces possible for the 1300 children aged 5-18.

Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

A significant part of that task is pitch presentation and line marking. Previously, the job of initial line marking for athletics, in particular, brought a lot of stress to the team, creating a negative environment to work in. But with the Turf Tank robot at their disposal, that’s all changed.

“I think the mental health of our team has improved because of the Turf Tank,” John begins. “Historically, leading up to athletics marking, initial rugby marking, and football initial markings, there’s always been a bit of anxiety, a bit of stress, and it was a really, really anxious environment to be around.

“Now that we’ve got the Turf Tank, it’s completely changed the team’s mindset. It’s gone from being tense to just relaxed and having faith and trust in the Turf Tank. It just eased everyone’s concerns. It’s made a much better working environment for all of us, leading up to those points by removing an added stress and taking it away.

“So mental health is probably one of the biggest benefits that I’m not sure people talk about enough.”

As well as benefitting the existing team, John has also seen an impact when recruiting. In his experience, the use of innovative technology has interested potential candidates and should be used as a tool to attract people into the industry.

By attracting new staff and boosting the morale of the existing team, the Turf Tank is helping John achieve his goals for the site and add finishes like school logos and numbers on rugby pitches, which they couldn’t do without the robot.

“Having pride in what we do reflects across the whole school, and that’s very much at the core of our working process,” John explains.

“We want to try and produce the best pitches that we can in the conditions we are given, and the Turf Tank certainly helps us present the pitches in the best way possible.

“We can’t do a lot of the things that the Turf Tank does by hand. For example, the numbers that we did today, the school badge or a lacrosse pitch at short notice that we can now do within 20 minutes. We’ve marked small football pitches for charity days and other events that we couldn’t have done without the Turf Tank.

“So for us to produce the best pitches we can is one thing, but being able to do things on short notice is another thing that we keep on having to do. The Turf Tank takes all the pressure off of that element of it, but also knowing that when we do put it out, it’s going to do a 100% job.

“It is correct every single time we put that machine out, it’s spot on. Regardless of the event, it is always, always 100% right.”

Dollar Academy Video Interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NC6cGNsO1A

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 and Instagram 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.

Campey Brings the Best to Europe

Campey Brings the Best to Europe: Campey Turf Care Systems has completed an eight-country demonstration tour visiting 14 venues as the company continues to provide industry-leading customer support and training.

The dates comprised sports turf and golf-specific events at Royal Krakow GC, Poland, Golf de Giez, France, the training ground of Hungarian football champions Ferencvárosi, and the Slovakia Football Association’s groundsmen training day.

Working with turf professionals to solve issues specific to their sport and conditions was key at all events. For Campey Director Lee Morgado, this is the primary purpose of the in-person demos and is invaluable to what Campey offers.

“Giving people detailed advice on issues specific to them is priceless, and the impact of it really can’t be overestimated,” Lee said. “The challenges groundsmen and greenkeepers face around Europe can vary considerably, so to have the opportunity to talk through those issues can make a difference for them and us because we can learn and adapt from it.

“The other key component of the tour is to give people hands-on experience with the machinery. We often talk about the easy set-up and operation but watching and doing the process yourself is unbeatable. And then there’s seeing the results of using a machine with your own eyes, and that again is hard to match, especially when you’re in surroundings familiar to your own work environment.”

Industry Leading Machinery

Experiencing machinery first-hand is what the demo tour is all about, and with a selection of industry favourites in their portfolio, Campey has plenty to offer.

The Campey™ Uni-Scratch™ is the ideal solution for those looking for professional and effective maintenance of natural and synthetic grass surfaces. The machine has been developed to infill or refill when installing or looking after synthetic grass carpets. It can also be used for the final organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when carrying out annual renovations.

Pioneered in greenkeeping, the Foley Air2G2 336 has become one of the most recognised names in aeration in all of turf, and for a good reason. Consistent use of the Air2G2 is proven to create healthy, firm, and free-draining surfaces.

All of this is done with virtually no disruption to play, combating one of the most challenging demands in modern-day turf maintenance. Also addressing that issue is the Imants ShockWave. For wide area non-disruptive aeration, there is nothing better for revitalising heavily used areas. In 2022 the machine was redesigned to increase its effectiveness on undulating ground as a direct response from greenkeepers at events like the Campey Demo Tour.

Campey will have more demonstration events through 2023 and a full schedule in 2024. For more information on these dates, check the Campey Turf Care website or follow on social media.

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 and Instagram 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.

Wembley brings in new pitch

Wembley brings in new pitch: Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, will have a new state-of-the-art pitch in place for this week’s FA Community Shield between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC.

The FA Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to a new football season. Last year’s contest was moved to the King Power Stadium in Leicester while Wembley Stadium hosted the UEFA Women’s Euro ‘22 Final.

Wembley brings in new pitch

Wembley brings in new pitch

The fixture returns to its usual home this week, with the Wembley grounds-team adding the final touches to a playing surface, which over the summer played host to sell-out concerts attended by over half a million people.

The fact Wembley Stadium is ready to host such a prestigious football match, so soon after concert season, is down to the latest advancement in pitch technology. The hybrid carpet ‘Lay and Play’ grass pitch was grown off site, on a turf farm hundreds of miles away from the stadium. Link to timelapse video here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HEHX2zIwjzPx_wLp7qjQ6YzdbSNhD1HS?usp=sharing

Once it was ready, more than 720 rolls of the hallowed turf were put on a number of lorries and transported to the stadium, before it was laid out last week. At 10 metres long by 1.2 metres (which if end to end would be 7km in length), the whole install took 60 hours to complete.

Wembley Stadium’s Grounds Manager Karl Standley said: “Lay and Play is a game-changer for a multi-purpose venue like Wembley Stadium. Previously, it might have taken up to five weeks after a concert to get a pitch ready for a football fixture. Now this can be done in just five days.

“Growing it offsite means we can ultimately cut down the time required between concerts and football to let the pitch recover, so that Wembley can continue to keep up with global demand to stage world-class events.”

It took more than three years of research and development to get to a stage where the meticulous Wembley team was happy that lay and play technology could meet their high standards.

“The Wembley pitch is unique and has very certain requirements. It involves a specific blend of sun, water, nutrients and takes 14 weeks to get into perfect shape. Even the fertiliser plan is bespoke to our requirements,” adds Karl.

“It is like one big chemistry experiment. We had to test every stage of the process including the grow time, any potential damage during transport and how it reacts when it comes into the stadium. It is a very precise procedure, and we monitor every stage closely.

“The pitch for this week’s FA Community Shield fixture came into the stadium on July 25 and has settled in nicely. After that it will be used for the Rugby League Challenge Final before concerts and events including AEW Elite Wrestling at the stadium.

“The next step is to make the whole process sustainable with the old pitch going back into grassroots football.

“At present the old pitch goes off to a production site where the grass, sand and plastic is separated. The grass decomposes naturally, and the sand is sent back to us so it can be re-used or sent out for use on grassroot pitches.

“We are close to now finding a use for the plastic, whereby it can be melted down and used to produce equipment for sports teams. Eventually the whole process will be 100% sustainable.”

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 and Instagram 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.

Campey brings leading quality to Sage

Campey brings leading quality to Sage: Campey Turf Care Systems has prepared a 16-strong machinery fleet for Sage 2023 that delivers industry-leading quality across every turf maintenance discipline, including aeration, top dressing, seeding and utility vehicles.

Across the 19th and 20 July 2023, the Sports & Grounds Expo will deliver two days of hands-on action and live demonstrations at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, and Campey’s fleet will be leading the way on performance and quality.

Campey brings  leading quality to Sage

Campey brings leading quality to Sage

Established industry favourites such as the Campey Unirake, Dakota 310, and ShockWave 160 will be joined by the latest innovations including the new Bellonmit BM40 professional scarifier with fixed blade collection. The high-performance rotor guarantees excellent work in all conditions, even when the cutting edge of the blade is not in optimal condition. In addition, the collector with hydraulic discharge on the ground allows the material removed from the ground to be collected in a single pass. The high ventilation created by the rotor allows it to be used also as a leaf vacuum.

Weighing less than 700kg and fitted with Cat I and Cat II hitch, the Campey TDS2 is designed to deliver a sub-surface shattering effect quickly and effectively with minimum surface disturbance. This creates fissures for grass roots to grow into, allows excess water to drain and links up existing drainage, all without the need for external hydraulics or PTO.

Performance and versatility are huge attributes in the Campey range and feature in the Martin Lishman MC120 micro sprayer. The key aim of the Micro-Spray is to bring versatility to the turf professionals’ armoury. A narrow footprint allows it to fit through most gateways and passageways to tackle hard-to-reach spraying areas.

With a 120-litre tank, the option of a 2.5m six nozzle or 3.5m eight nozzle three-section folding boom and the perfect combination of power, control and responsive handling, the Micro-Spray is suited to all types of sports grounds, golf courses and landscaping work.

Whether it’s all-electric mowing, brushing and weed management with the AllTrec, tree management with the Mini Rotoknife or site transport using the Clubcar 1500, Campey will have options for every turf professional at the Three Counties Showground.

Campey’s team of product experts will complete the line up on stand, who can advise on the best solutions for your turf issues.

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 and Instagram 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.

Campey brings leading quality to Sage

Campey brings leading quality to Sage: Campey Turf Care Systems has prepared a 16-strong machinery fleet for Sage 2023 that delivers industry-leading quality across every turf maintenance discipline, including aeration, top dressing, seeding and utility vehicles.

Across the 19th and 20 July 2023, the Sports & Grounds Expo will deliver two days of hands-on action and live demonstrations at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, and Campey’s fleet will be leading the way on performance and quality.

Campey brings leading quality to Sage

Campey brings leading quality to Sage

Established industry favourites such as the Campey Unirake, Dakota 310, and ShockWave 160 will be joined by the latest innovations including the new Bellonmit BM40 professional scarifier with fixed blade collection. The high-performance rotor guarantees excellent work in all conditions, even when the cutting edge of the blade is not in optimal condition. In addition, the collector with hydraulic discharge on the ground allows the material removed from the ground to be collected in a single pass. The high ventilation created by the rotor allows it to be used also as a leaf vacuum.

Weighing less than 700kg and fitted with Cat I and Cat II hitch, the Campey TDS2 is designed to deliver a sub-surface shattering effect quickly and effectively with minimum surface disturbance. This creates fissures for grass roots to grow into, allows excess water to drain and links up existing drainage, all without the need for external hydraulics or PTO.

Performance and versatility are huge attributes in the Campey range and feature in the Martin Lishman MC120 micro sprayer. The key aim of the Micro-Spray is to bring versatility to the turf professionals’ armoury. A narrow footprint allows it to fit through most gateways and passageways to tackle hard-to-reach spraying areas.

With a 120-litre tank, the option of a 2.5m six nozzle or 3.5m eight nozzle three-section folding boom and the perfect combination of power, control and responsive handling, the Micro-Spray is suited to all types of sports grounds, golf courses and landscaping work.

Whether it’s all-electric mowing, brushing and weed management with the AllTrec, tree management with the Mini Rotoknife or site transport using the Clubcar 1500, Campey will have options for every turf professional at the Three Counties Showground.

Campey’s team of product experts will complete the line up on stand, who can advise on the best solutions for your turf issues.

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 and Instagram 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.

STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens

STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens: March 1st 2023 will see the dawn of a new innovative mowing age with STIGA’s new autonomous robotic lawn mowers.  At the heart of these machines are the ease of use, benefits both to lawns and nature, and the energy efficiency of the design.

The three fully autonomous, CABLE FREE, robot mowers, the first to bring predictive AGS technology to the garden, are:

  • A 1500
  • A 3000
  • A 500
STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens

STIGA brings Artificial Intelligence to gardens

AGS RTK GPS using cloud based 4G signals

The patented STIGA Active Guidance System (AGS) enhances the GPS RTK signal reliability by using 4G to transmit the vital course correction data. This means the link between robot and base remains reliable, no matter what obstacles or distance lies between the base and robot. The system learns satellite blind spots throughout the garden at various times of the day, ensuring that the robot has an unbroken link to the infrastructure that allows it to navigate with the high accuracy required.

No-Cable

With no need to lay cable in your lawn, you can simply use the App to drive the robot mower around the perimeter of your lawn and any obstacles within it. You do it once and it remembers every detail. Because it is virtual, it is hassle free to adjust if the layout of the garden should change should you add a pond, bush, or garden furniture.

Caring for the lawn

By using accurate navigation, the robot can cover the lawn significantly more efficiently. This means less cutting time when compared to a random navigation robot. Less cutting time allows the plant time to heal between cutting schedules. This way the grass stays healthier.

The carbon steel pivoting razor blades are strong and flexible, making them safer and more resistant to impact and results in them staying sharper, for longer. Spinning at 2850rpm they will perform a neat cut without tearing the grass. The height of cut can be adjusted between 20 and 65mm and can be controlled remotely via the smart phone app, STIGA.GO. This means you have complete control of your robot, even when away from home.

Caring for nature

By designing high efficiency robots that are able to manage cutting session during daylight hours, STIGA have ensured that nocturnal animals such as hedgehogs can safely occupy the garden overnight.

Energy efficiency

At the heart of every STIGA robot mower is an ePower battery built on premium lithium-ion batteries, which contain chemistry optimised for reliability and durability.  The new STIGA robots optimises the battery usage as they work within organised cutting patterns ensuring that there is no chance of over mowing. But don’t worry, there is also the option to programme the mower to create straight line patterns so you can still enjoy quintessential British stripes if you wish!

They cut the lawn in two mowing cycles – these are performed consequently. It will re-start any cutting cycle from where it stopped on the previous cycle and can be programmed to work in multiple mowing zones, always returning to the charging station by the fastest route.

The new STIGA autonomous range of robot mowers starts at £3086 including installation and will be available for purchase online and in selected retail locations on the 1st of March 2023

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 and Instagram 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.

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX: Campey has earned a reputation for supplying market-leading, innovative turf care machinery. This is demonstrated in the line-up of a selection of the top machines from Vredo, Air2G2, Imants, Dakota, Campey and AllTrec, which will all be on the stand at Saltex along with Campey’s product specialists to answer any questions.

The AllTrec Tool Carrier follows the Koro FTM with Universe Rotor and Air2G2 as one of Campey’s most innovative products. The 100% electric machine provides zero CO2 emissions can also be used with several other attachments, including the Air E-Variator, weed brush, and hedge cutter. The AllTrec will be present in the Eco Village, with regular presentations throughout the show.

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Also, on display will be

Focusing on aeration, CampeyÔ will also be exhibiting several machines whose task is to improve the health of the soil through breaking up compaction and getting air into the deeper layers. This is when machines such as the Air2G2 Inject, Imants ShockWave, Rotoknife, and Recycling dresser come into their own.

Renovations are an effortless operation with the 1.6m KoroÒ FIELDTOPMAKERÒ and Campey Universe Rotor, working together to deliver the most efficient method of fraise mowing on the market today. The accuracy on multiple surfaces comes from using the UniverseÒ rotor with 3mm and 5mm blades is unsurpassed.

Surface conditions are assured with the Campey range of brushes, scarifiers, and sweepers, including the CampeyÔ Uni-Scratch. This machine is the ideal solution for professional and effective maintenance of natural grass and can also be used for the final organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when conducting annual renovations. And of-course there is the Dakota spreader. This range of small to large manoeuvrable dual spinner top dressers are ideal for spreading sand, rubber crumb and other topdressings on all surfaces, including those that require lightweight machines to be used or are difficult to access with larger spreaders.

Vredo Overseeders completes the line-up of quality equipment with its immense germination rate of over 98% – the most accurate seeder to-date!

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 and Instagram 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.

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor: Waterhouses FC is the latest grassroots football club to benefit from the new partnership between Dennis, SISIS, Campey Turfcare and the Staffordshire Football Association.

This partnership will be a key component in the Football Association’s goal of improving a total of 20,000 grass pitches across England over the next decade.

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

Gareth Thomas, Commercial and Partnership Lead for Staffordshire FA, revealed how partnerships with such companies are integral to achieving this goal.

“We are measured by participation, so we are tasked by the government and the Football Association to get more people playing football,” he said. “The reality is, if clubs have not got good, quality surfaces to play on then people won’t want to play.

“Already we have seen a huge improvement from the clubs who have made the most of the funding by purchasing the right equipment. Working with the likes of SISIS helps to make our programme as impactful as it possibly can be.”

Waterhouses FC, based in North Staffordshire, plays a large part in the local community and is home to many teams ranging from Under 8’s upwards. The pitch improvement project has been driven by Waterhouses Parish Council and David Stone – Chairman, and Chris Hinton – Clerk to the Parish Council, explained why it was so important.

“Since 2008 the maintenance of the pitches has been down to the Parish Council, but with five villages within the parish, and with so much to do, it has been difficult to juggle everything,” said David. “As a result, the pitches suffered and now we want to improve them.

The facilities here are certainly worthy of that.”

Chris added: “From experience I’ve seen just how hard it is to find good pitches to play on when the bad weather hits. Quite often, teams will end up on a 3G pitch which costs a fortune. We quickly tuned into the fact that the FA is trying to improve this widespread problem.”

Through the programme, significant funding is available to support grassroots clubs, and part of the criteria involves a qualified pitch advisor visiting the site. Andy Jackson (Stoke FC Grounds Manager) visited Waterhouses FC and wrote a full report in which he recommended three pieces of equipment. One of those products was the SISIS Quadraplay.

The SISIS Quadraplay multiple-purpose, single-pass maintenance incorporates a mounted frame for up to four implements such as grooming rakes, spikers, slitters, rollers and brushes. The implements can be fitted to the mainframe in any order and can be independently adjusted to achieve the desired effect. Compact, robust, versatile and with the ability to carry out up to four operations simultaneously – the Quadraplay makes life a lot easier for many grounds persons, as Chris explained.

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

“The Quadraplay helps with the presentation of the pitch, it disperses the worm casts, it rolls the pitch and de-thatches it. Depending on weather, we plan on using it at least once a week – it will be invaluable to us.”

Gareth clarified why the Staffordshire FA will always be quick to recommend both the Quadraplay and SISIS in general.

“We don’t want clubs to buy equipment that they might only be able to use a couple of times a year,” he said. “The Quadraplay is ideal because it is versatile and can be used on a regular basis throughout the year. It is a product we are more than happy to put our name to.

“We know that all the products from SISIS are quality, but perhaps more importantly, the SISIS team are brilliant at ensuring grounds personnel know how the equipment works. They are always on the other end of the phone if you need them and if clubs aren’t too sure on when or how to use a product, a member of the SISIS team will be quick to visit and show them how.”

David admitted that the pitch improvement project has brought a feel-good factor to the community.

“The children, the families – all the local people that come here, will benefit from this,” he said. “The quality of the pitches will go up and the costs of doing it will go down, because we no longer have to bring in third parties.

“It’s really quite incredible to be honest.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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 and Instagram 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.

Otterbine brings new life

Otterbine brings new life: Darlington Council has recently acquired two Sunburst aerating fountains from Otterbine for the lake in the town’s historic South Park, and is reaping the benefits of clean, healthy water and decorative spray patterns which are attracting visitors and bringing new life to the park.

The Green Flag Award Victorian park has something for everyone, from a multi-use games area to an aviary, café, bandstand, skate park, bowling green, green gym, childrens’ play area – and now, it also has two new Otterbine fountains, much to the public’s delight.

Otterbine brings new life

Otterbine brings new life

The purchase was made via Otterbine distributor Reesink Turfcare and the installation carried out by pond and lake specialist Clearwater Pond and Lake Management. Brian Graham, Head of Environmental Services at Darlington Council since 2006 who manages a team of over 200 people and had been hoping to make South Park even more inviting by getting rid of the algae in the lake and elevating its presentation.

“A colleague of mine knew someone who had an Otterbine fountain installed and recommended it to us,” Brian explains. “The process was absolutely fine. Reesink was great with the finance and arranged for the contractors to come in and do all the electrical work. The fountains were up and running within two days.”

Besides providing two new aesthetically pleasing elements to the lake and new focal point to the park, the 1HP Sunburst aerating fountains prevent algae from forming on the top and accumulating around the edges, creating a cleaner look and healthy water, getting rid of odours and aquatic weeds in the process. Not only that but they are energy-efficient and made up of corrosion-resistant and durable stainless steel.

After purchasing and having the fountains installed, Brian has noted a big difference: “The lake looks a lot better now, with crystal clear water and two lovely spray patterns. The biggest thing is the feedback from the visitors, which has been very positive. People like the sight and sound of the spray, and it’s brought new life to the park. It was already popular by itself but now it has an improved look that has attracted the public even more.”

One of Otterbine’s most popular fountains, the Sunburst provides superior aeration while displaying a traditional yet striking pattern. Designed to give the best of both worlds by offering function and beauty, it can operate in as little as 75cm of water and can move over three times as much water than decorative patterns (pumping up to 237 cubic metres per hour), thanks to its open-throat propeller design.

Boasting proven high oxygen transfer rates and providing an attractive display with the capability to manage severe aquatic environments, the Sunburst is also backed by a five-year warranty for added peace of mind and can have Fountain Glo™ LED lighting fitted in for an extra decorative element as the sun goes down.

To find out more about the Otterbine range of aerators and fountains, contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or 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 and Instagram 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.