Tag Archive for: First

Makita launches first robotic mower

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Makita launches first robotic mower: Makita continues to power the outdoors with its new robotic mower. Providing automatic mowing and charging, the RM350D Robotic Mower can cover lawns up to 3,500m2 and slopes of up to 26°. With a cutting width of 240mm, rapid charging capabilities and long uninterrupted usage time, the solution provides ultimate convenience for those looking for fuss-free lawn maintenance. 

The RM350D Robotic Mower is designed to mow the lawn and recharge automatically on its dedicated charging station. It cuts the grass into small pieces, leaving them on the lawn to act as a natural fertiliser. Thanks to the automatic cutting height adjustment, both the starting and target height of the lawn can be adjusted. Specifically, the cutting height can be adjusted from 20-60mm in precise 5mm increments.

Makita launches first robotic mower

Makita launches first robotic mower

The RM350D is simple to operate. Users simply need to set the boundary wires and guides and press go, with no need to download and sync up to an app. Four high quality brushless motors drive the blades and power the machine across the working area and once the battery has discharged, it automatically returns to its charging station and resumes mowing when the charging is completed, making it a totally autonomous system.

This design means the machine is not reliant on satellites for navigation control. As such, the RM350D is not incumbered by overhead obstructions such as trees, bushes and other garden features which may otherwise have restricted the cutting area.

Users will also enjoy the schedule settings feature, where the product can be programmed to run on specific days and times of the week – it simply leaves its charging station automatically, mows the lawn and then returns to the charging station independently.

In terms of maintenance, the RM350D simple to clean and reduce the burden of off-season maintenance. Its IPX5 rating means is can be cleaned with a hose – simply remove the top cover to wash the entire machine with water.

Matt Chilton, Product Manager at Makita UK commented: “We are delighted to add the RM350D to our growing outdoor collection. Thanks to battery operation, not only it is quieter, but also more environmentally friendly than a petrol powered lawnmower. It’s easy to set up and totally autonomous, meaning professionals can take care of other work on site while the robot takes care of the lawn. And with schedule setting capabilities, it has never been easier to manage and fulfil a lawncare timetable.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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SALTEX announces first round of speakers

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SALTEX announces first round of speakers: SALTEX is renowned for its exceptional range of professional development opportunities, showcased through its industry-leading Learning LIVE programme. 

This year, over 20 industry pioneers, technical specialists, and experts will speak across three stages, including the brand-new Community Sports Stage, over two days – making it the largest free live learning event in the sector. Many visitors cite Learning LIVE, which also offers the opportunity to gain CPD points, as a key reason for attending the show.

SALTEX announces first round of speakers

SALTEX announces first round of speakers

The Main Stage will feature discussions on the latest hot topics and issues, engaging visitors in the big conversations of the moment. Day one highlights include Lee Guerriero, UEFA Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert, presenting the ‘UEFA EURO 2024 Pitch Quality Review’.

He said: “I’m excited to share the UEFA 2024 Pitch Quality Support Program with the visitors at SALTEX. My session will cover the program’s strategy, findings, and learnings, offering insights from the main stadia to the training pitches used throughout this year’s tournament.”

Also on day one, Robert Sullivan, CEO of The Football Foundation, will discuss ‘Funding The Future of Sport’.

Day two on the Main Stage will feature Professor David James, Group CEO at LABOSPORT Group, delivering the ‘FIFA Football Turf Quality Programme’.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be sharing my insights at SALTEX once again. Working closely with FIFA, I help shape new standards and test methods for football infrastructure. This talk will offer an exciting overview of FIFA’s innovative approach to enhancing the quality of football turf surfaces.”

Additionally, Mark Ferguson, Agronomist at All England Lawn Tennis Club,  will present on ‘Raising Tennis Surfaces Standards – From Grassroots to Major International Championships’. His session will cover the expanding grass court season, grass court characteristics, grassroots venues, preparation for Wimbledon, and the growth of grass court tennis.

SALTEX will also see the return of the Spotlight Stage, featuring crowd-pullers in an ask-the-experts-style forum. On day one, Paul Bannister, with 28 years of experience in commercial horticulture, landscaping, and sports turf industries, will deliver ‘How to Provide a Safe Working Environment – Are You Compliant?’.

Day two will see Professor John Moverley OBE, former executive chairman of the UK Amenity Forum, present ‘Principles & Practices of Sustainable Amenity Management’. This session will review policy drivers, key elements of sustainable management, and integrated approaches to management and operational practice.

Geoff Fenn, Research & Development Director at Origin Amenity Solutions, will also present ‘Independent Turfgrass Research – Latest Results’, sharing insights from his extensive experience in turf management.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial and Events at the Grounds Management Association, said: “We’re incredibly excited about this year’s SALTEX, especially the Learning LIVE schedule. It’s always great to see so many industry-leading professionals come together to share their knowledge. Our aim is to create sessions where everyone feels welcome and can take something extra away with them, we believe this year’s lineup  of speakers and sessions will do just that. There’s something here for everyone.”

For more information on SALTEX 2024 and to register for the event, please visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/.

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Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary

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Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary: St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy in Derby suffered a devastating fire in October 2020, demolishing the site. A new multi-million-pound school has now risen from the ashes to become the UK’s greenest school.

St Mary’s is the country’s first biophilic school and has been built as part of a pilot project for the Department for Education (DfE).

Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary

Green-tech helps create first purpose-built biophilic primary

Biophilic design focuses on connecting those inside, with nature, to promote physical and mental health. The goal for St Mary’s is to be net zero carbon in operation where the amount of carbon emissions added is no more than the amount taken away, making it the UK’s greenest school.

Horizon Landscapes are Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Contractors based In Nottingham. They were awarded the tree planting and soft landscaping contract for this pilot project.

As part of the landscape strategy, 100 new trees were planted, many of which were semi-mature to help the school become quickly embedded in the Biophilic landscape. Additional landscape features include rain gardens, season bulb planting, green roof, and wildflower meadows to maximise biodiversity and local ecology.

For planting in the hard landscaped areas Green-tech supplied 128 TreeParker® units, 40 tonnes of Green-tree Geosoil and 40 tonnes of Green-tree Subsoil. The TreeParker® Cell System is an underground structural soil cell system that provides an ideal environment for trees to thrive beneath the pavement in urban environments. The system provides large volumes of non-compact high-quality soil and maximises the usable space beneath the ground, providing unlimited expansion for unimpeded root growth, while supporting traffic loads at the same time. It is ideal for new trees in areas such as pavements, car parks, and green roofs. In addition to this key function, TreeParker® aids stormwater management within the system, dealing with rainwater runoff at source – the ideal SuDS solution.

Green-tech supplied 85 tree anchor systems for the installation of trees into the soft landscaping scheme. Green-tech has a range of tree anchor systems designed to provide much-needed anchoring and stability for newly planted trees. In most cases, the tree anchor is secured over the root ball, providing greater contact with the surface area of the root ball and in turn improved root support for the newly planted tree.

Amanda Greaves, Executive Headteacher at St Mary’s, comments: “I am so delighted for the children, staff, parents, and wider community as we begin the next chapter in the new St Mary’s, the greenest school in the UK. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this incredible pathway project. I think the best thing about the new building is being able to see all of the outside areas from all of the buildings and everything is integrated. We have 100 trees, the trim trail, and lots of benches and everything feels calm and relaxed. Everyone is just excited to be here.”

Richard Hale, Managing Director of Horizon Landscapes adds, “This was a stunning project to work on.  It was an honour to be involved in creating the first biophilic school and for the importance of the outside to be truly recognised as comparable with the inside of the building. The project has been a huge success and well-received. We have worked with Green-tech for many years and as ever they supplied what we needed, when we needed it. They are our go-to for all soft landscaping materials”.

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First ever roll-on roll-off quick-spin grinder

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First ever roll-on roll-off quick-spin grinder: It is not often that a completely new product is introduced into the market which will be a complete game-changer, but that is exactly what has happened at the 2024 BTME exhibition in Harrogate and the 2024 GCSAA Conference & Trade Show in Phoenix, AZ

The Foley 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder brings a whole new meaning to quick spin. The 642 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 all need for heavy lifting facilities, revolutionising the way the Equipment Managers view touch-up spin grinding. Foley’s professional grinders already offer the best spin and relief methods for sharpening blades and the new Foley 642 Quick Spin Grinder will be complimentary to these methods. It offers a fast, easy operated option for providing a quick touch-up spin, between the regular relief grinding schedules. It is also the perfect solution to sharpening the extra wide, heavy mowers used on sports fields/pitches, which are often cumbersome to load into the standard grinder.

First ever roll-on roll-off quick-spin grinder

First ever roll-on roll-off quick-spin grinder

Last week Paul Rauker, CEO and President of Foley Company had made the trip to Harrogate to support Foley Company’s launch of the world’s first ever professional floor level roll-on, roll-off grinder. ‘This is truly a remarkable occasion,’ said Paul. ‘The 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder is the first of its kind and I’m delighted to be here 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!’

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 is spin only, with adjustable traverse speed and adjustable spin speed. It will accept up to 42” reel width and operates on 240v/15a power.

For more information on the new 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder visit: www.foleyco.com/642-quick-spin

Foley Company is targeting production models to be available later this year.

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First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

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First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced: Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery is the proud winner of a range of battery-powered Pellenc equipment – a GroundsFest registration prize that added an extra layer of excitement to the spectacular event.

The inaugural GroundsFest proved to be a huge success, captivating visitors with the largest display of outdoor machinery demonstrations in the UK, free educational sessions, live music performances, and the opportunity to engage in hands-on practical training.

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

First GroundsFest Prize Winner Announced

Amidst the countless opportunities at GroundsFest, every participant who registered and attended the event had a chance to win some exceptional prizes. The first prize was a battery-powered Rasion Basic lawnmower and a Selion telescopic polesaw from Pellenc.

Weighing less than 25 kg, the Rasion redefines working conditions for green space professionals. Its ultra-manoeuvrability, easy transport, and unmatched power ensures impeccable cut quality for various mowing tasks. With a reach of up to 14.76 ft, work can be carried out with the Selion polesaw without a carrying harness because of their lightness.

They are ideal for use in noise sensitive areas and powerful enough for forestry work.

The Pellenc prizes were won by Nathan Lewis from Lewis Garden Machinery, a well-established and reputable family business specialising in garden and landscape maintenance since 1987. The company, known for its bespoke maintenance schedules, has built a large portfolio of domestic and commercial clients through continued investment in equipment and improved work practices.

In recent years, Lewis Garden Services has made significant investments in battery equipment, particularly suitable for noise-sensitive areas such as offices, nursing homes, and hospitals. The addition of the Pellenc Rasion and Selion to the company’s machinery fleet aligns seamlessly with their commitment to providing an efficient, sustainable, and affordable service.

Ecstatic about the prize, Nathan admitted that winning was the perfect way to conclude his first memorable GroundsFest experience, emphasising the outdoor demonstrations, the wide variety of exhibitors, and the lively performance by the Queen tribute band as particular highlights.

Anticipation now builds for the announcement of the second registration prize winner, which will be announced soon.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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