Tag Archive for: Brings

SISIS partnership brings feel-good factor

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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

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Otterbine brings new life

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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

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Kubota brings new machines to Saltex

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Kubota brings new machines to Saltex: Kubota will present an extensive range of new machines at Saltex 2021, with plenty for visitors to investigate at the UK’s first major indoor groundcare exhibition for two years.

Since October 2020, Kubota has introduced a number of new product lines, and the Grounds Management Association’s event, held at the NEC, Birmingham, will offer the opportunity to see them ‘in the metal’ on stand C070.

Kubota brings new machines to Saltex

Kubota brings new machines to Saltex

Heading up the launches is the new LX Series, a range of multi-purpose compact tractors from 35-40hp, that allow users to handle a wide variety of tasks ranging from mowing and snow clearance to materials handling and cultivations. With an impressive lift capacity, optional front loader, front linkage and pto, this is a tractor for all seasons.

The recently upgraded L Series is also represented, now equipped with Kubota Stage V engines and a stylish new look.

Kubota’s mowing equipment is the mainstay of leading grounds maintenance contractors and local authorities across the country, and latest addition to the renowned F Series front mowers, the 38hp F391, will be revealed offering unmatched output and performance for commercial mowing.

The new G Series ride-on mowers have had an outstanding reception across the industry, and Kubota will launch the G261 RD, with rear discharge deck and optional mulching, which offers high work rates and quality of cut for operations that do not require collection, while still capable of accessing restricted areas.

In addition to a selection of Kubota’s extensive established groundcare machinery and examples of the implement range, a mini excavator from the company’s construction range, renowned as essential tools for renovation and development projects, will also be on show.

Kubota maintains an excellent working relationship with Baroness, sharing many of the same dealers, and examples of the fine turf specialist’s mowing range can also be seen on the stand.

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

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Kubota brings new machines to SALTEX

/in , /by

Kubota brings new machines to SALTEX: Kubota will present an extensive range of new machines at Saltex 2021, with plenty for visitors to investigate at the UK’s first major indoor groundcare exhibition for two years.

Since October 2020, Kubota has introduced a number of new product lines, and the Grounds Management Association’s event, held at the NEC, Birmingham, will offer the opportunity to see them ‘in the metal’ on stand C070.

Kubota brings new machines to SALTEX

Kubota brings new machines to SALTEX

Heading up the launches is the new LX Series, a range of multi-purpose compact tractors from 35-40hp, that allow users to handle a wide variety of tasks ranging from mowing and snow clearance to materials handling and cultivations. With an impressive lift capacity, optional front loader, front linkage and pto, this is a tractor for all seasons.

The recently upgraded L Series is also represented, now equipped with Kubota Stage V engines and a stylish new look.

Kubota’s mowing equipment is the mainstay of leading grounds maintenance contractors and local authorities across the country, and latest addition to the renowned F Series front mowers, the 38hp F391, will be revealed offering unmatched output and performance for commercial mowing.

The new G Series ride-on mowers have had an outstanding reception across the industry, and Kubota will launch the G261 RD, with rear discharge deck and optional mulching, which offers high work rates and quality of cut for operations that do not require collection, while still capable of accessing restricted areas.

In addition to a selection of Kubota’s extensive established groundcare machinery and examples of the implement range, a mini excavator from the company’s construction range, renowned as essential tools for renovation and development projects, will also be on show.

Kubota maintains an excellent working relationship with Baroness, sharing many of the same dealers, and examples of the fine turf specialist’s mowing range can also be seen on the stand.

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

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Fairways GM brings Jacobsen GP400 to Pitlochry GC

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Fairways GM brings Jacobsen GP400 to Pitlochry GC: A busy course manager to two golf courses in the central Highlands has raised over £9,000 in his spare time for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance Service.

Almost a year ago, a helicopter rescued Stuart Griffiths after an on-course accident left him trapped for nearly two hours under a machine. Emergency surgery and thirteen nights in hospital followed, with Stuart happily making a full recovery and back to work in October.

Fairways GM brings Jacobsen GP400 to Pitlochry GC

Fairways GM brings Jacobsen GP400 to Pitlochry GC

Stuart’s day job is split across two glorious Perthshire courses, eight miles apart. Pitlochry GC has 18 dramatic and scenic holes plus a tricky six-hole Pitch & Putt course while near neighbour, Blair Atholl GC has nine holes, also with stunning backdrops of the Cairngorms’ National Park.  Both courses are owned by Pitlochry contractors, RW Bell Electrical, which in the last five years has successfully harnessed positive community momentum and a resurgence of visitors from near and far, to win some prestigious tourism accolades.

“I joined Blair Atholl in 2010 as head greenkeeper. In 2015, when Stephen Carruthers, owner of Pitlochry, decided to merge the two, he asked me to manage them together, which frankly, took a lot of heat off me, as I was caring for a nine-hole course with a large expenditure,” explained Stuart.

“So, I became course manager of both; the first couple of seasons took a little bit of sorting, in respect of taking staff and machinery between two places, but soon we were in a better routine than before. We are very lucky.  Blair Atholl had a decent set of machinery prior to Pitlochry taking over, so actually, there is very little machinery swapping, only say, when we are spraying or top dressing.

“Staff wise, we work it out, essentially, everyone’s at both. We’re a team of five – full timers Billy Hoggins, Douglas Black, Sean Menzies, and Rob Coughlan, plus our long standing volunteer mechanic, and cutter of rough, Frank Brennan. Traditionally, there’s a big weekly Wednesday competition for visitors at Pitlochry, so on Wednesdays after set up, we all come to Blair Atholl.

To boost their fleet, in April, Stuart purchased a Jacobsen GP400 ride on greens mower, exclusively for Pitlochry’s greens. Mike Lindsay, Area Sales Manager, from local dealer, Fairways GM at Kinross, was on hand to provide sales support and demonstration know how.

“It’s May, there’s snow on the hills and we’ve been out cutting with it twice,” laughed Stuart. “That sorts of says it all for the season so far, but we’re extremely positive and excited for warmer temperatures. Feedback from the team on the GP400 is very good. The overall cutting experience is great. Technology-wise, it is a big step up from what we’ve had; it’s got great design, is precise and clean and we’ll be able to cut the greens so much quicker.”

Fairways GM’s, Mike Lindsay, said: “It’s such an all-rounder when you’re against time and got greens to prepare. The swing-out centre cutting unit allows easy access for changing height of cut and routine inspection.  For access, there’s a neat step behind the front wheel and for visibility, the angle of the curved steering arm gives the best view of the right-hand cutting unit. Also a steering arm clamp, lets your arm take up a really comfy position.  It’s a machine that makes life easier.”

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