Tag Archive for: First

Love at first sight

/in , , /by

Love at first sight: Two ISEKI compact tractors are making a difference at Powfoot Golf Club and Head Greenkeeper Neil Hamilton claims they struck a chord from the very first demonstration.

Set in breathtaking scenery in Dumfriesshire, South West Scotland, Powfoot Golf Course presents a mixture of both links and parkland golf. Opened in 1903 and redesigned by the legendary James Braid in 1923, the course offers a superb test of golf with its many challenging holes which are set among whins and rough and has earned Powfoot the tag of ‘one of golf’s best kept secrets’.

Love at first sight

Love at first sight

Neil and his two trusty assistants maintain this wonderful course and for the last 5 years the team has had a little help from two ISEKI tractors in the TG range. It was love at first sight according to Neil.

“We originally had a demonstration with a few various tractors from different manufacturers, but we just loved the ISEKI models from the very first minute,” he said.

lSEKI’s TG Series sets the benchmark for compact tractor performance. Designed and manufactured in Japan, the TG Series is built to exceptional standards of quality — starting from the front lights through to the back three-point linkage. Every component, including the engine and transmission, features lSEKI’s stamp of approval for quality and excellence that is rarely seen in the compact tractor category. With a host of options and features to choose from, the lSEKI TG Series provides unrivalled reliability to get the job done fast, efficiently and in comfort.

Neil opted for the TG6495 – a 47 hp tractor with the innovative IQ dual-clutch 24-speed transmission and the TG6675 – a 65 hp tractor with a 6-speed hydrostatic transmission.

He provided a glimpse of how the two are commonly used on the course.

“We use the TG6675 with the front loader on it to do some flailing work – this is to thin out the roughs, to get rid of the coarse grasses and to promote the fine grasses.

“The TG6495 is used to pull the trailer and then we tip all the grass cuttings into it and then dispose of them. With the IQ transmission we can change gear without dipping the clutch, which is a massive advantage when you are working and doing flailing jobs.

“I also like the Headland management system, which is very important when you are vertidraining. It helps a lot because at the end of each line you don’t need to keep operating levers, you can just lift it to the desired height that you have set it to.”

Users of the TG range also frequently praise the spacious factory fitted cabins which are available on all models and come fitted with air conditioning as standard. All control elements are extremely clear and positioned in a readily accessible manner within the field of vision of the driver, reducing fatigue.

“The main benefits of these tractors are the ease of use and the comfort in the cab,” continued Neil. “If you are in it for long periods of time, it has everything you need from air conditioning to a radio which keeps us entertained.

“The way everything is situated around the operator is also great – from the PTO button, the throttle shifter, to the lifter which enables you to lift the arms at the back.

“We have had the tractors for approximately five years, and we will continue to use ISEKI in the future because of the reliability of them and the ease of operation.

“The dealer (Rickerby Horticulture) has been brilliant through the whole process, but I can’t really comment on the back-up because nothing has ever gone wrong with them – so in this respect, the less we see of the dealer the better!

“Ultimately, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the ISEKI tractors to any golf course.”

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.

BASIS Classroom launches first lesson

/in , /by

BASIS Classroom launches first lesson: Sustainable Turf Disease Management is the first learning module to be offered in the BASIS Classroom for those involved in the amenity sector.

BASIS Classroom, launched in 2021, enables members of the BASIS Professional Register to gain continuing professional development (CPD) points via online training. Over the past 11 months, it has proved a success. Over 17,000 courses have been taken and more than 35,000 CPD points awarded. Now, the first course for those in the amenity sector is available, with more to come.

BASIS Classroom launches first lesson

BASIS Classroom launches first lesson

This first course has been developed in conjunction with SGL which provides advice and products on sports turf around the world. The course provides an opportunity for amenity advisers to gain additional knowledge, focussed on sustainable turf disease management.

SGL agronomist Irene Vroegop said: ”In this course delegates will learn what conditions need to be met for a disease outbreak to occur and what can be done to eliminate such conditions. Disease outbreaks can be minimised by choosing a high-quality seed that is adapted to the site conditions and intended turf use, breaking the disease cycle of pathogens present or by altering the environmental conditions with maintenance practices. We will go into disease diagnosis, why a correct diagnosis is so important and what supporting tools are available.

”A high and equal pitch quality is desired by all professional and amateur athletes and will improve the performance of the athletes. Knowledge on the prerequisites of disease outbreaks will help groundsmen and greenkeepers to maintain sustainable, high-quality and climate proof pitches with successful pesticide-free management.”

There is a short assessment at the end of the course and completion will earn members 2 CPD points.

Professionalism within the amenity sector is continually improving as people engaged in the industry are trained, qualified and  improving skills through CPD. BASIS is committed to offering development opportunities to support amenity professionals. All BASIS Amenity Register members will have access to this course through the BASIS Classroom with login details provided by e-mail.

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.

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year

/in , /by

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year: The arrival of STAR EV, a leading global electric utility vehicles manufacturer, in the UK has achieved nationwide dealer coverage in its first year.

Reesink e-Vehicles, the UK distributor for the brand, is proud to confirm there are eight dealers stocking STAR EV alongside the company’s branches, meaning a total of 12 outlets are stockists in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year

Nationwide dealer coverage from STAR EV in first year

Dave French, sales manager for Reesink e-Vehicles, says it’s a fantastic start: “The response to the STAR EV brand and the range of electric transport options it brings to the UK has surpassed expectation. We knew it would prove popular, as electric vehicles are a hot topic, but people have responded particularly favourably to Reesink e-vehicles, and STAR EV as a brand.

“Like us, dealers have recognised the market for all-electric products is buoyant, as is the range of customers they appeal to. In a year we’ve seen customers from golf clubs, sports stadiums, holiday/caravan parks, private schools and estates all invest in STAR EV, appreciative of the good mileage per charge, on-board charging and extensive warranty they bring.”

The dealers bringing STAR EV to businesses across the UK are: John Osman Groundscare (North Wales), Devon Garden Machinery (South West England), Cheshire Turf Machinery (North West England), Laird Grass Machinery (Northern Ireland), Terry Harrison Machinery (South Wales), Lloyd Ltd (North England and South Scotland), Russells (North/East Midlands England) and AJ Mowers (West England). Alongside Reesink Scotland, Reesink Burwell (East Anglia and Midlands), Reesink Sheffield Park (South East) and Reesink South West and Midlands.

The STAR EV range consists of 28 electric models for all green transportation needs and features passenger vehicles of up to 23 people and small, medium and large capacity electric UTVs.

Dave continues: “There’s so much choice within the range, alongside the option to configure vehicles to the exact requirements for the job. The Capella utility vehicle series, for example, has eight different standard configurations, offering payloads from 150-670kgs and carrying up to four people as well as cargo.”

With minimal maintenance and zero emissions, these machines are dependable and cost less to own than their fuelled equivalents, often lasting three to four times as long, it’s easy to see why so many dealers are taking on the range.

To talk to Reesink e-Vehicles about STAR EV, call 01480 226800 or go online at reesink-evehicles.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.

CEORA™ arrives with first customers

/in , /by

CEORA™ arrives with first customers: HUSQVARNA, the pioneer in smart commercial grounds care and robotic mowing, today announces that the highly anticipated CEORA™ has arrived with its first customers, offering a brand-new solution for commercial turf care management in the UK.

Expected to revolutionise an industry dominated by heavy, conventional fuel-driven machinery that require manual operation, high levels of maintenance and expose the environment to harmful emissions, Husqvarna CEORA™ can independently mow an area of up to 75,000m² (the equivalent of up to eight football pitches) day or night, significantly reducing overall costs by approximately 30%, improving the quality of the turf and allowing staff to focus on other tasks.

CEORA™ arrives with first customers

CEORA™ arrives with first customers

Operating through Husqvarna’s satellite navigation system, EPOS (Exact Positioning Operating System), CEORA™ uses GPS coordinates to map out its work areas and navigates with a precision of 2-3 cm. The satellite-based technology enables CEORA™ to work within virtual boundaries, making it an easy and flexible solution for sports pitches, golf courses – and all other large green areas. Customers are able to map out different zones within the work area and set different cutting schedules and heights. All of this is controlled via their smartphones, meaning maintenance during the cutting season is limited to changing blades and cleaning.

Husqvarna has launched two autonomous models into the UK market – Husqvarna CEORA™ 544 EPOS (RRP £14,199.00) and Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 EPOS (RRP £18,199.00), which are used in combination with the Husqvarna Razor 43M Cutting Deck (RRP £7,499.00). In the future, the ground-breaking solution of CEORA™ will expand with more attachments designed with turf care professionals in mind, with ideas including to help with fertilising, lawn striping, or even collecting golf balls from playing areas.

Following the UK roll-out, The Ridge Golf Club in Kent was the first to have CEORA™ arrive on its course, with an installation carried out in partnership with Ernest Doe, an authorised Husqvarna CEORA™ dealer.

Hannah Cooper, Professional Segment Manager, at Husqvarna UK said: “Since announcing CEORA™ last year, we have had an overwhelming response from all corners of the industry who are desperate to get their hands on the new models. We are excited to finally see this revolutionary new product with customers and to have stock available through our approved CEORA™ network of dealers. CEORA™ is set to change the game in turf care, and we are confident it will be a much-appreciated addition to any fleet.”

CEORA™ is available to order now from selected authorised dealerships across the UK. CEORA™ is also available in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Poland.

For more information on Husqvarna and CEORA™, visit www.husqvarna.com/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.

World first from STIGA

/in , /by

World first from STIGA: The world’s first ride-on mower with interchangeable batteries that will power hand-held garden products from the range is launched in the UK by STIGA.

As one of the leading manufacturers of ride-on mowers, STIGA sets brand new standards in ePower with its Swift lawn tractor.   The batteries from the mower can be used to power strimmers, blowers and hedge cutters.

World first from STIGA

World first from STIGA

Swift batteries are compatible with STIGA handheld equipment.

The STIGA Swift is equipped with a combined 25 Ah battery pack comprising four 48V batteries (2 x 5 Ah + 2 x 7.5 Ah), included in standard delivery. Innovative interchangeable batteries make for virtually limitless riding time, rendering the Swift ideally suited for use on expansive, demanding lawns. The batteries work synchronously and constantly balance the available energy: Onboard charging supplies new energy to one battery after the other, so that the first one is ready for use again after just 30 minutes. A further innovative feature is the system compatibility of the high-performance power units:

The interchangeable batteries can be used seamlessly in a wide variety of STIGA range handheld equipment. Mowing the lawn and cleaning up pavements at the same time with a leaf blower or trimming back hedges with a multitool? No problem! The Swift runs reliably and efficiently even on only three batteries. Users will benefit from the flexibility of these batteries and can always count on full ePower.

Link to product video: https://bit.ly/3JXN5JM

Short turning radius, smart mowing mode

The Swift is the optimal solution for mowing complex gardens. Why? Featuring a width of just 735 mm, it has proved to master even the “narrowest” of challenges. It also has an extremely low minimum outer turning radius of 1,620 mm, offering the greatest possible manoeuvrability, which is why it works cleanly and precisely even in areas with many obstacles. Cutting-edge mowing technology and smart mowing modes optimise Swift operation. Three mowing options are available in total according to demand and energy consumption: While the standard mode provides a performance of 3,500 rpm, the boost mode with 3,700 rpm masters even dense, tall lawns with ease. Eco mode (3,200 rpm) saves users up to 40% energy, covering an area of around 2,800 sqm.

Comfortable and safe handling

Equally convincing is the comfortable handling: Low-vibration, ergonomic features and a reduced noise level guarantee pleasant and quiet operation. While the steering wheel can be turned easily with just one finger, the one-button start, cruise control and STIGA One Pedal Drive ensure intuitive start-up and driving. The tractor stops automatically when the drive pedal is released. The parking brake also activates automatically as soon as the machine comes to a stop, with no need for manual intervention. Using the extended connectivity with the STIGA.GO app and the virtual dashboard, users can always keep track of the current battery status and also adjust the various settings to suit their personal needs. With a low centre of gravity of 351 mm, the Swift brings manageability and safety to every cut. The new dual-blade mowing deck is designed for more efficient airflow inside the tunnel and at the blades, which also improves the collection of clippings. The shredded grass is fed reliably, quickly and without clogging into the 170 l catcher bag. With the special washing attachment, cleaning only takes a few seconds after the work is done.

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.