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Award for John Deere mowers

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Award for new John Deere mowers: After a successful launch in 2019, John Deere’s 2700 and 2750 PrecisionCut and E-Cut hybrid electric triplex mowers have been honoured as a 2020 AE50 Award winner by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

Each year the AE50 awards highlight the industry’s most innovative designs in product engineering, as chosen by a panel of international engineering experts. The development of these new John Deere cylinder mowers was based on customer needs and challenges – most importantly, the struggle to find quality labour and tight operating budgets.

Award for new John Deere mowers

Award for new John Deere mowers

With this in mind, the mowers are equipped with the proven, advanced TechControl system, which is passcode protected and allows course managers, technicians and other trusted supervisors to input commands that control nearly everything regarding the operator’s performance. This includes frequency of clip, turn speed, clean-up pass speed and how fast the cutting units raise and lower.

The engines on all models are electronically controlled and include an Eco mode that automatically reduces engine speed when mowing, saving up to 30 per cent in fuel and reducing sound levels by up to 3dB(A). The lightweight, open platform design, with a low centre of gravity, ensures excellent stability and traction performance. The mowers offer a 62in (157cm) mowing width and speeds of up to 6mph (9.7kph) for increased productivity.

“Our customers are battling a variety of challenges, from labour to budgets. The 2700 and 2750 triplex mowers have been designed to directly tackle these concerns and take the stress out of mowing,” says John Deere Golf product manager Brad Aldridge. “From the innovative TechControl system to the open platform design and excellent cut quality, these machines deliver a precise, uniform cut, regardless of who’s driving – now every operator can be your best operator.”

ASABE is an international scientific and educational organisation dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food and biological systems. Each year the Society announces and presents the AE50 awards at the ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky in February.

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Först for hire places

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Först for hire places: Först exhibited again at this year’s Executive Hire Show with real presence in the shape of their ST6P woodchipper.

The ideal hire machine for arborists and contractors, The ST6P was well received at the show which overall was very good for Först, generating an excellent turnout. When introduced, the ST6P signalled a new era with a tough and hardy woodchipper that is below the 750kg weight boundary.

Först for hire places

Först for hire places

The first Först to host a petrol engine, the ST6P rivals any diesel competitor for chipping ability and fuel consumption. What’s more, the machine complies with emission regulations, being Stage 5 ready thanks to its petrol engine, so there’s no worry about the law which will affect all diesel machines over 24 horsepower.

It was nice to catch up with existing customers at the Executive Hire Show, says the company, and the exhibition brought many new prospects to their stand. In all, there was a good, positive atmosphere with genuine interest amongst visitors in what Först woodchippers can bring to their hire businesses.

For more information visit www.forst-woodchippers.com or call +44 1264 721790

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Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

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Three phase solution for Cruden Bay: After having completed the second of three phases of a complete irrigation installation and renovation, Cruden Bay Golf Club near Peterhead is now benefitting from cost and time effective irrigation from Toro.

Course manager Alister Matherson explains: “Splitting the work into phases meant we could spread out the cost and minimise the amount of time works were disturbing customers, plus it gave us time to make informed decisions about the irrigation system we wanted.

Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

“We’re two thirds of the way through the installation and while it is a drawn out strategy it’s been worth the wait so far. We had the first phase of the irrigation installation in 2014. This involved installing a new transfer pump, holding tank and replacing the old pump set.”

And in 2019 came the cherry on the cake, with not only the addition of new pipework, cabling and Toro irrigation valves, but brand new Toro sprinklers across the greens, approaches and walkways, alongside Toro Lynx central control.

“We had a demonstration of Toro sprinklers and used them on the course alongside competitor brands. Throughout extensive trials, we saw quite clearly that Toro performed better,” says Alister. “The quality of performance of the heads and the quality of service from Reesink Turfcare was great.

“Added to that is Toro Lynx control, which is a great bit of kit. Easy to use software and very reliable, with features like the weather station which is fantastic. My favourite feature is probably the mobile app which allows us to control the irrigation from anywhere, which is superb!”

Despite the large installation and renovation, the process went smoothly with the work of OCMIS irrigation specialists and RH Associates consultancy. And since the second phase was completed, the course has certainly been seeing the benefits.

“Having a clearer plan for our irrigation means we can be more efficient and is the biggest plus,” says Alister. “The quality of coverage as well has made a big difference to the course.”

Renowned as one of the top golf courses in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses, Cruden Bay Golf Club’s traditional Scottish links course benefits from stunning views out over the sea and of Slain Castle. But it’s the unique topography and layout that makes it so popular, says Alister.

“With the course so well regarded, it’s important for us to make the course maintenance the best it can be. Having Toro irrigation means we can keep standards high and improve the course.”

Up next for the club is phase three in the irrigation installation, to cover the fairways. “We won’t change from Toro now that we’ve seen what their irrigation can do,” says Alister. “Although a few years off yet, we’re looking forward to slotting in that last piece of the jigsaw, which will give us a completely modern, functional system across the course.”

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Relief fund for Ciara victims

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Relief fund for Ciara victims: Storm damaged pitches and facilities could be back in use sooner than expected thanks to a new emergency flood relief fund from Sport England.

The effects of Storm Ciara are still being fully assessed but, in an attempt to rectify the damage as soon as possible, local authorities and community sports organisations are being invited to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 to pay for emergency repairs.

Gale force winds and torrential rain have left pitches, pavilions and floodlights in a state of disrepair, with Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire among the worst-hit areas.

The grants, which will come from the Community Asset Fund, can be provided in as little as three weeks. But chief executive, Tim Hollingsworth, has highlighted where attentions should be focused.

“When flooding happens, the priority must be making sure people are safe, they can get back into their homes and vital public services are back up and running,” he said.

“But we know from the floods in 2013 and 2015 that flood water can cause significant damage to sports pitches and pavilions, changing and social facilities.

“We’re making emergency funding available now so when the time is right sports organisations can pay for rebuilds and repairs quickly.

“We want to ensure that the sports facilities in local communities that help keep people physically active are not forgotten in the floods so they are ready to use as soon as people want them.”

The grants could typically be used to restore grass pitches, to repair and decontaminate flood or wind-damaged clubhouses, replace damaged electrical systems or dredge blocked drains.

The Community Asset Fund was designed to help communities quickly respond to emergencies or unexpected events that stop people from being active.

From damaged sports club roofs to areas hit by flood damage, our team aims to provide quick responses to those most badly affected.

Yorkshire Sport Foundation chief executive officer Nigel Harrison said his organisation is working with local authorities, national governing bodies and partner organisations in the west and south of the county to assess the full extent of the damage.

“The impact is far reaching and covers large parts of the area,” he said. “We welcome Sport England’s early intervention, and we look forward to working with them to help get the affected clubs and facilities up and running again as soon as possible.”

Organisations that need assistance with their application should contact the Funding line.

While guidance on dealing with both the aftermath of flooding and mitigating damage can be found on the sustainability page.

Click here to read the original article

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First Toro fleet for Cotswold Hills

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First Toro fleet for Cotswold Hills: When it comes to golf course machinery, time is money, and as such efficient machines are fast becoming a must have for golf courses across the country. Which is exactly the reason Cotswold Hills opted for the Groundsmaster 5900-D in its first Toro fleet deal.

“We have a team of six here to maintain a 157 acre course,” explains course manager Wayne Vincent. “Plus, with the course draining naturally because of its position on Limestone rock it’s playable year-round, which means there’s no let up on maintenance. That’s why it’s so important to have efficient machines that get the job done quickly to a high standard.”

First Toro fleet for Cotswold Hills

First Toro fleet for Cotswold Hills

The 18-hole, 6,800-yard course at Cotswold Hills is situated at the top a hill 850 feet above sea level. With the club’s impressive views and stunning tree-lined course, it’s attracted a membership of near 1000, with member expectations for the course as high as they are above sea level.

With that in mind, updating the club’s machinery fleet after years of replacing one machine at a time was of the utmost importance. And it’s the Groundsmaster 5900-D, capable of mowing 17 acres an hour, that heads up the new fleet of efficient Toro machinery.

“We have a lot of rough to cover on the course and previously we were spending three days each week cutting it,” says Wayne. “It was obvious we needed a larger machine to get the job done quicker. Although our fleet was already predominantly Toro and had served us well, we looked into other brands for due diligence. But there wasn’t another brand that had the size of machine we wanted available – no one could match the offering that Toro provided not only when it came to the spec of the GM5900-D, but the fleet too.

“The GM5900-D has cut our rough cutting time in half already,” Wayne says. “With the increase in cutting width and speed, alongside its excellent contour following, we can now get the whole course done in a day and a half and the finish of cut is brilliant.”

Joined by a new Reelmaster 3100-D Sidewinder, RM3575-D and a Greensmaster Flex 2120 pedestrian mower, the new Toro fleet has certainly made an impression.

“From experience I know that Toro machines are incredibly durable, which is why we’ve had a fleet of purchased Toro machines for so long. But having these four new machines with the latest upgrades and technological advancements has made a vast difference already.

“The Greensmaster Flex 2120 follows contours really well and is helping us extend the collar cut into the aprons and run offs and the Reelmaster 3100-D Sidewinder is giving us a better, cleaner cut, particularly in wet conditions.”

And going forward, this first lease deal with Toro is just the beginning of a longer term investment in the club’s machinery to help improve the course.

“Continuing an agreement plan with Toro will mean that we can consistently bring to the course the newest technology and upgrades, while simultaneously reducing machinery downtime. We’ve already seen the team’s productivity increase after only having these new machines for a few months, so it’s definitely proven to be the right move for the club” concludes Wayne.

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