Tag Archive for: Brings

Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity

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Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity: Forres Golf Club in Moray, Scotland has gone all-in on Toro with a small fleet to optimise operations and do more with its experienced team of four. 

Before committing to a five-year hire purchase deal with Reesink Turfcare which allows the club to upgrade its machines regularly, Forres was using mowers from two different brands with mixed results across its 18-hole course.

Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity

Fleet from Toro brings boost in productivity

Now, with the Toro Reelmaster 5010-H, two Greensmaster TriFlex 3400 and Workman MDX, Head Greenkeeper Ross Macleod is seeing improvements in productivity and operations and receiving compliments from members noticing the difference.

One of the reasons for the increase in productivity is how fast and convenient it is to change the cutting units in the Greensmaster TriFlex says Ross: “With the TriFlex, we can easily swap the cutting units without tools, quickly switching from greens to tees units to mow the different areas of the course. Previously, we were experiencing cutting inconsistencies due to using different machines and having to fine-tune the height of cut every time which led to excessive time wasting.

“Since using Toro, we’ve been far more productive. We can consistently mow multiple times without having to adjust the units. The set-up efficiency means we have finally freed up time because the team is spending less time in the sheds setting up the machines and has more time to be outside improving the course. We’re now getting round to doing all those small jobs that always seemed to be delayed, such as tidying up the bunkers and pathways.”

Ross has been at Forres for 29 years and as he and the team undertake a new rough management programme, he’s been particularly happy with the fuel efficiency provided by the Toro Reelmaster 5010-H.

He says: “Before we purchased the Reelmaster 5010-H, we used to cut the grass wall to wall, mowing all the roughs and fairways every week. Now, we are simply thinning out the roughs, allowing for the growth of wildflowers which enables us to cut less often and save manpower, man hours and fuel, which is just better in every way. The fact that the machine is a hybrid brings even more fuel-savings and its quality of cut really is outstanding.”

“All in all, we’re very happy with our new Toro machines,” Ross concludes. “They are elevating the quality of mowing, are incredibly comfortable to use, don’t require much maintenance and are helping us do much more with the same small team. What’s even better is it’s not just us noticing, the members have noticed the difference Toro has brought across the course, too.”

Discover how Toro’s technology could benefit your course by calling distributor Reesink Turfcare at 01480 226800, emailing info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visiting reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Campey brings compact maintenance to SALTEX

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Campey brings compact maintenance to SALTEX: Campey Turf Systems is ready to showcase a select range of compact maintenance equipment at Saltex 2024, including the Dakota 310 Turf Tender, Vredo Turf Buddy and Campey SeedShot.

Providing precision turf equipment for every situation has always been a priority for Campey, and focusing on machines and tools that work in smaller areas is this year’s theme on Stand H120 at the NEC.

Campey brings compact maintenance to SALTEX

Campey brings compact maintenance to SALTEX

The largest machine on display will be the Dakota 310. The compact and very manoeuvrable dual spinner pedestrian top-dresser is designed to ensure you can take Dakota’s renowned spread anywhere. The six-meter-wide spread can be infinitely varied using the individual controls, making it perfect for spreading sand, rubber crumb and other top dressings on sports surfaces wherever they are located.

For precision overseeding where other machines can’t access, Campey has the Vredo Turf Buddy. Using the tried and tested double disc system, the Turf Buddy sows in four rows at a 35 mm distance, with the 15 cm discs cutting the soil open for the grass seed to be deposited at a depth between 10 and 20 mm before the wheel compacts the soil.

Sometimes, very specific areas need to be targeted, and the Campey Seed Shot is the perfect tool for the job. Using 19 holes designed for ryegrass or similar-sized seed, the tool injects up to 20 mm deep, ensuring precise quantities and optimal germination rates.

Campey product specialists will be on Stand H120 to discuss these machines and others in the Campey range, have a catch-up or discuss any questions over a coffee.

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Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest

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Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest: Foley Company’s UK and Ireland distributor, ProSport UK Ltd, will be on stand OSA540 at GroundsFest 2024, demonstrating the unrivalled benefits of relief grinding and the new floor level Foley 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder.

Foley’s automated Accu-Pro 633 cylinder grinder and Accu-Pro 672 bedknife grinder will be in action across the two days, allowing people to experience the whole process from setup to the finished product.

Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest

Foley brings live relief grinding to GroundsFest

The automated features on the Accu-Pro 633 provide a step-by-step tutorial for new technicians and a quicker setup and spin grind feature for the more experienced operators. You tell the machine what you’re working on, and it automatically spin or relief grinds to completion. Pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque, and in-feeds are only a few features in the ACCU-Touch 3 system that ensure efficiency and guarantee a quality grind with every use.

Joining the two machines will be Foley’s new floor level 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder. The new grinder is designed to accommodate the widest of mower cylinders and is a simple roll-on roll-off solution to grinding, with the machine sitting at floor level. The roll-on roll-off solution removes the need for heavy lifting facilities, revolutionizing how equipment managers view touch-up spin grinding.

It offers a fast, easy-operated option for providing a quick touch-up spin between regular relief grinding schedules, and is a solution for sharpening the extra wide, heavy mowers used on sports fields/pitches. The Foley 642 Quick-Spin features simple to use controls, counter balanced spin drive, patented front and rear clamping system for pedestrian mowers, and power rear positioning levers for cylinders. It will accept up to 42-inch reel width and operates on 240v/15a power.

Speaking about the machine, Foley President and CEO Paul Rauker said: “The 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder is the first of its kind, and I’m delighted to acknowledge the significance of our latest development. It is a machine that will appeal to all grounds professionals who are looking to improve the performance and efficiency of their grinding programs. As the leading manufacturer of grinding equipment, Foley is once again leading the way in grinding technology. We have developed and patented simple to use controls to save time without compromising on performance.

“The patented clamping system effortlessly secures any cutting unit in all configurations, and the roller clamp is adjustable for any variety of rollers and groomers. This machine really will change the way we look at grinding in the future.”

ProSport UK Ltd’s Ian Robson will run demonstrations throughout both days of GroundsFest and be available to discuss any questions or requirements.

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Combiseeder brings convenience to overseeding operations

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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.”

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Turf Tank Brings Mental Health Boost

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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

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