Tag Archive for: Efficiency

Efficiency and safety gains with switch to Aspen Fuel

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Efficiency and safety gains with switch to Aspen Fuel: Having read about the positive experiences of other clubs making the switch, the team at Gloucestershire’s Minchinhampton Golf Club are themselves now discovering the efficiency and safety benefits of Aspen alkylate petrol.

Used across a suite of 2-stroke equipment, club Mechanic Tom Dorey notes the significant reduction in costly faults and breakdowns, while its delivery by the barrel has reduced the time and risks associated with transporting fuel from the forecourt.

Efficiency and safety gains with switch to Aspen Fuel

Efficiency and safety gains with switch to Aspen Fuel

Minchinhampton comprises of 36-holes at the New Course site along with a further 18-holes at the historic Old Course – established in 1889 and situated 4 miles away on SSSI common land, managed in partnership with the National Trust. The third, the parkland Avening Course, has been used on multiple occasions as an Open Qualifying venue. Looking after the maintenance is a team of 17 greenkeepers who, alongside Mechanic Tom, keep the large machinery fleet and busy courses in tip-top condition.

“I was familiar with Aspen Fuel from personal experience but was seeing more articles in the press about facilities switching over and felt it was worth exploring” explains Tom. “We spoke with some other golf clubs and then met with Aspen’s Roy Narbey at BTME in 2025 who arranged a trial of Aspen-2 for us. The rest, as they say, is history and we’ve recently just taken delivery of our second barrel.”

Being virtually free from ethanol, aromatics and benzene Aspen alkylate petrol presents a 99% cleaner fuel when compared with traditional pump fuel. The significantly reduced emissions not only benefit the health and safety of the operator but also contributes to increased sustainability standards, helping the team to meet the courses environmental responsibilities.

Like other Aspen users, Minchinhampton quickly discovered the immediate benefits but were pleasantly surprised by the further ‘wins’ that came from the switch. “The difference was notable almost immediately. The team all commented on the better working environment when using tools such as backpack blowers and hedgecutters and reported the reduction in fumes and headaches as soon as we switched.” Tom adds, “In the workshop, servicing of the equipment is now much simpler. I haven’t had to spend time repairing or replacing gummed up carburettors, saving us money and enhancing the overall lifespan of the engines and the equipment.”

Aspen-2’s pre-mixed formula has also eliminated issues with incorrect mixture ratios. “Convenience has been another big plus point, with the fuel readily available on site, pre-mixed so there’s no risk of issues associated with incorrect fuel and oil ratios.”

“The support from Roy throughout the trial and in getting us up and running has also been brilliant. He gave us lots of hints and tips for correct pump operation and getting the most from our equipment.” He concludes, “The experience has been incredibly positive and eventually we hope to extend our use to Aspen-4 for the cleaner running of some of our larger equipment.”

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Four GreenMech EVO’s drive efficiency and expansion

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Four GreenMech EVO’s drive efficiency and expansion: Leading arboricultural specialists Jack Cotterill Tree Services have strengthened their operations with the addition of two EVO 205D and two EVO 205 Safe-Trak woodchippers from GreenMech.

Delivered in September 2025, the four new machines are already enhancing productivity, reliability and on-site efficiency across their expanding portfolio of tree surgery and maintenance projects.

Four GreenMech EVO’s drive efficiency and expansion

Four GreenMech EVO’s drive efficiency and expansion

With a team of 17, including 14 qualified tree surgeons, Jack Cotterill Tree Services operate nationwide, delivering top-quality tree care to both domestic and commercial clients. The recent investment made by Managing Director Jack Cotterill marks the next stage in the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to operational excellence.

“Our decision to purchase the four EVO machines was triggered by a combination of expanding our operation and modernising our fleet – with the key objective of minimising the downtime and maintenance we were experiencing with our older machines” Jack explains. “As demand for our services grows, it’s vital we invest in equipment that can keep pace, both in terms of volume and the varying demands of each job.”

After evaluating the options available, it was the EVO’s proven performance, reliability and operator-friendly features that sealed the deal for Jack, alongside GreenMech’s UK-based manufacturing and strong local support. “Having GreenMech on our doorstep gives us confidence in the availability of parts, service and support.” He adds, “It feels good to be building a strong partnership with a local business that prioritises customer service and shares our commitment to quality.”

The company’s fleet now includes both road tow and tracked EVO models, giving Jack and the team maximum flexibility for vast and varied job types and terrains. The EVO 205D’s are perfect for quick deployment across domestic jobs, while the EVO 205 Safe-Trak’s are already proving invaluable for large-scale commercial projects, those on rougher terrain and others with restricted access.

“The team really appreciate the wide infeed hoppers, no-stress feed system and overall ease of maintenance with the EVO machines. These features make the operation more efficient and user-friendly, helping us to get through jobs more quickly and safely. The build quality and quiet running are also big positives.”

Jack also praised the support provided throughout the purchase process by GreenMech, in particular Neal Hussey. “Neal has been exceptional – knowledgeable and responsive to any questions we’ve had along the way. It’s that level of service that really sets GreenMech apart” Jack concludes.

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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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Efficiency meets durability with GKB Sandspreader

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Efficiency meets durability with GKB Sandspreader: Maintaining top-tier playing conditions at North London’s Stanmore Golf Club is a constant balancing act – particularly with the ever-changing challenges posed by the climate.

After 31 years at the club, Course Manager Barry Neville know what it takes to keep the course in shape, which begins with the right machinery to deliver both efficiency and outstanding results. With a new SP100 from GKB Machines, the team now have a robust, versatile topdressing solution to support ongoing course renovation and drainage works.

Efficiency meets durability with GKB Sandspreader

Efficiency meets durability with GKB Sandspreader

Set on challenging London clay, the course — originally an inland links — has evolved into a mature parkland layout, now grappling like most with more prolonged periods of rainfall and the need for drainage improvements. Together with seeking to improve efficiency of routine topdressing, Barry explains that this multi-year programme drove the demand for a new, reliable solution. “Our previous dresser had served us well for close to two decades so the process of finding its replacement wasn’t taken lightly. We looked at a good few options, but the GKB Sandspreader really stood out. Seeing it at BTME 2025 then again at the Doe Show, the build quality was apparent immediately” he says.

“Not only could you tell the steel construction was robust, we also liked the fact the Sandspreader uses hydraulic controls rather than electric. A lot of modern kit is becoming more complex which is fine when it works, but in the real world with the weather and conditions in which we operate, things eventually go wrong” Barry says.

The SP100 was delivered by dealers Ernest Doe in June 2025 once the machine had been fully equipped to meet the club’s unique requirements. “Filling the trenches after the installation of the new drainage has been a labour-intensive task, with a lot of barrowing, tipping and backfilling by hand. This is manageable on greens but for fairways and larger areas, it just wasn’t efficient” he explains. “The ability to swap out the spinning discs of the SP100 for a cross conveyor has proved to be a gamechanger.”

Together with transforming the task of topping up trenches, the SP100 has also been impressing with the routine topdressing around the course. “We’ve dressed the greens twice with it and it’s gone faultlessly. If we get out first thing in the morning, the job is done by 9:00am and within a couple of hours the light dressing is brushed in so the golfers hardly even notice.”

“In addition, we’ve been using the conveyor system to top up bunkers which is already presenting a major time saving.”

Looking ahead, Barry foresees the versatility of the Sandspreader will pay dividends across the course. “Together with routine topdressing every couple of weeks, we’ll be looking to put 100 tonnes of material through it during our maintenance week in August. With the hopper slightly larger than our previous machine, we also have the potential to dress our fairways in the future. It’s a futureproofed purchase.”

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Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK

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Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK: Hindley Hall Golf Club, a hidden gem nestled in the Northwest of England has invested in a state-of-the-art Hunter irrigation system supplied by KAR UK.

The system, featuring the Hunter ACC2 controller and TTS-800 Series Golf Rotors, has already had a transformative impact on the course, providing better water efficiency, improved turf quality, and an enhanced playing experience for members.

Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK

Hindley Hall Upgrades Irrigation Efficiency with KAR UK

Hindley Hall Golf Club is a compact 18-hole course spread across 96 acres, with undulating greens and narrow fairways that offer a deceptively challenging round for golfers. Despite its relatively small size, the course poses unique challenges for Course Manager Andrew Birchall and his team, particularly due to the region’s high annual rainfall and predominantly clay-based soil.

Andrew, who has been at Hindley Hall for 15 years – 10 years as Deputy and the last 5 years as Course Manager – is dedicated to ensuring the course remains playable and in top condition, and that is why upgrading the aging irrigation system became a priority.

Prior to the installation, Hindley Hall’s irrigation system was failing, particularly at the sprinkler level. “It was putting too much water out in the wrong places, and we were really struggling to get water onto the greens when we needed to,” Andrew said.

Recognising the need for a modern, efficient system, Andrew opted for the Hunter ACC2 controller and TTS-800 Series Golf Rotors, which were installed by his own team. “We did everything in-house, which was a challenge, but it’s something we believe in – if we can be self-sustainable, we will be.”

The Hunter ACC2 controller, which allows remote management via mobile and desktop applications, has given Andrew and his team the flexibility to manage the irrigation system with ease. “The remote control is a game-changer. My deputy and I can control the system from anywhere – if I’m not at the course and there’s a sudden change in weather, I can adjust the irrigation instantly.”

This newfound control has also streamlined feeding the greens, saving both time and effort.

“In the past, if we applied a granular feed, we’d have to wait for a forecasted night of rain to wash it in. Now, if there’s no rain on the horizon, I can simply switch the irrigation on from my mobile as I’m going around,” Andrew explained. “It’s brilliant. Everything’s at your fingertips. As I’m feeding one green, I can turn the one behind me on to wash in the feed that’s just gone down. I can get it done at six o’clock in the morning without affecting play – no disruption at all.”

Furthermore, the controller integrates with a weather station to prevent unnecessary watering. “If the system detects more than an 85% chance of rain, it automatically shuts off the scheduled irrigation,” he states.

The TTS-800 Series Golf Rotors have also been a revelation for the course. “What I love most is that they’re totally top serviceable,” Andrew said. “If there’s an issue, we don’t have to dig up the entire sprinkler or disturb play. We just take the cover off, make the fix, and we’re done.”

The new system has delivered measurable improvements in water efficiency and turf quality. “We’re seeing around a 30% reduction in water usage because we’re putting less water out but delivering it exactly where it’s needed. The greens are getting more water without the wastage, and the uniformity is unbelievable.”

This precision has also improved playability, as the greens remain firm yet receptive. “In the past, some greens would dry out and become non-receptive to golf balls, but now we’re maintaining that fine balance between firmness and playability.”

KAR UK’s support, particularly from Wesley Henshaw (Golf Sales Manager), was instrumental during the installation process. “Wes was brilliant,” Andrew remarked. “He sent us the products exactly when we needed them, talked us through everything, and was always on hand if we encountered any issues. He knows the challenges we face because he’s been in our shoes, having worked in golf course construction and irrigation installations.”

As Hindley Hall continues its commitment to providing an exceptional golfing experience, the partnership with KAR UK and Hunter is proving to be a winning combination.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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