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Pellenc makes light work for Bedford Estates

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Pellenc makes light work for Bedford Estates: Jo Desborough, Head Gardener for The Bedford Estates, believes that a range of Pellenc battery-powered equipment is proving to be powerful, reliable, and extremely comfortable to work with.

The Bedford Estates is the largest private landowner in the Bloomsbury area of London and manages a varied portfolio of properties. These range from office and educational premises, hotels, restaurants, and retail premises to residential properties, lock up garages and formal garden squares.

Pellenc makes light work for Bedford Estates

Pellenc makes light work for Bedford Estates

Jo, who oversees The Bedford Estates landscaping team, provided some reasons behind choosing to go down the battery-powered route.

“We’ve chosen battery-powered products for nearly all our major maintenance equipment because it’s more sustainable. It’s easier for us to use batteries and recharge than it is to go and get petrol and all the associated issues with keeping fuel storage. They don’t smell, there are no fumes, which is another important issue in the city, and then there is the noise aspect because we have a lot of residents that we don’t want to disturb with loud machinery.

For all these reasons, we chose Pellenc.”

Over recent years, Pellenc has gained market recognition by offering a unique range of ‘zero emission’ battery-powered tools, thanks to the development of Lithium-ion ultra-high-performance batteries.

The extensive Pellenc product range features an impressive portfolio – from chainsaws, pole saws and hedge cutters to grass strimmers, brushcutters, blowers and mowers; many of which have been helping the team at The Bedford Estates, as Jo explained.

“We’ve tried other brands before Pellenc, but we have found that Pellenc’s interchangeable batteries makes it easy for us to switch between different products. It’s more efficient for us to use an entire brand across the series.

“The batteries last an incredibly long time, all day in fact, and we don’t have to continually charge them. There certainly aren’t any issues in power; the lawnmowers handle whatever we throw at them, the leaf-blowers are equal to petrol ones, and I like the fact that you’ve got different levels so you can choose to be gentle or very powerful. The strimmers cut through all the things you might want them to and the same goes for the hedge cutters. Having the battery on your back, as opposed to a fuel tank attached to the equipment is a huge advantage. It’s made lighter work for us, that’s for sure.”

Jo also added that the support she has received from her Etesia dealer, RT Machinery, has been invaluable.

“They have always supplied us with our machinery and have helped us to make the right decisions for various bits of equipment that we use. They offer a very good after sales service and are always answering any queries that we have. They have been invaluable in us maintaining our machinery.”

You can view a video of Pellenc at The Bedford Estates by visiting https://youtu.be/9Ch6q0Rc7BA

Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk/pellenc

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City

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Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City: They say that good things tend to come in threes, which is certainly the case for Norwich City FC following the recent addition of a third INFINICUT® SM34 rotary mower to their fleet at Carrow Road.

Giving the team of three outstanding versatility and quality of finish, Head of Grounds Adam Grantham adds that the delivery in June 2023, has also significantly improved efficiency when it comes to that all-important post-match cut.

Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City

Third INFINICUT® is the charm for Norwich City

Adam’s first INFINICUT® delivery came shortly after taking the reins in January 2022, following an assessment of the current fleet shared across both the stadium and club’s Lotus Training Centre. “I’d used INFINICUT’s at my previous venue and had always been impressed with their performance” he explains. “I put in a request for two SM34 rotary mowers which the club backed, and these proved to be a brilliant investment. The pair gave us a vastly improved battery-life and quality of finish compared to our previous units.”

Used initially and primarily for debris clearance and the post-match clean-up cut, Adam could see the possibilities a third SM34 could bring to the efficiency of operations, with the latest machine delivered in time for the start of the new season. “The trio have become a big part of our preparations as we move through the week, particularly during periods where we want to let the pitch ‘be’ for a little while – cutting with the rotaries to remove quantity ahead of a final cut with the cylinders.” He continues, “They’re bullet proof in their build and the set up couldn’t be simpler, literally one spanner and you’re away!”

Adopting many of the principles of their renowned collection of cylinder mowers, the SM34 from INFINICUT® delivers millimetre precision adjustment and strong vacuum performance for powerful debris removal, cleanness of cut and an immaculate finish – driven by a long-lasting and reliable 105Ah lithium-ion battery.

“Post match training is quite a regular thing here at Norwich so frequently the team and I are having to wait close to an hour following the end of a match before we can get on and cut. This extra machine not only knocks 20 minutes off the job but now means we can each go a bit slower to achieve a really clean, crisp finish.” He concludes, “Normally you get speed or finesse with a machine, but rarely both. With the SM34’s we can tick those boxes to the benefit of my team and the pitch quality alike.”

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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

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Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour: A superintendent at a historic, Limerick golf club has been using Green Lawnger for vibrant and healthy greens on the course which was voted as ‘Best Hidden Gem in Ireland’ in the Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards, 2013.

Brian Dunne, Golf Course Superintendent at Adare Manor Old Golf Course, has been using BASF’s Green Lawnger for over two years alongside a topical fungicide or liquid feed for optimal lawn health and colour.

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

Using Green Lawnger for improved turf colour

The club’s history dates to the late 1890s when the 4th Earl of Dunraven employed Scottish professional, Ben Sayers to design a 9-hole golf course on the estate in Adare. The club went on to many successes including winning the All-Ireland Final of the Pierce Purcell shield in 1985 and producing one of the most accomplished Irish amateur golfers, Jackie Harrington. In 1992, the club reopened as an 18-hole course, designed by Eddie Hackett and went on to celebrate its centenary year in 2000, but still boasts relics of its original layout.

The remains of Desmond Castle (1200AD) create a magnificent backdrop for golfers, as well as the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (1464AD) which dominates the centre of the challenging, but scenic course. The quality and vibrancy of the turf complements the historic parkland course, so colour management and upkeep are vital.

Brian said: “I apply Green Lawnger to the course twice a month, either alongside a fungicide or a liquid feed to maintain the colour and quality of the course. The turf pigment contains a high concentration of pigments based on turfgrass colourants, as well as Colourlock technology to ensure a long-lasting effect.”

Brian believes that his use of Green Lawnger at Adare Manor Golf Course has vastly improved the appearance of the course, saying: “Opposed to other dyes I have tried, Green Lawnger holds the colour for a long time after application and the greens look fantastic afterwards. I have also found it aids recovery from disease.”

Green Lawnger contains agronomic colourants to improve the quality of the turf as well as a resin technology to ensure strong leaf adhesion, meaning each application sticks directly to the leaf and is not transferred to skin or clothing, ensuring an even and vibrant green coverage.

The additional benefits of Green Lawnger include an instant green up, a flexible rate to achieve the required colour and a long-lasting effect. Green Lawnger can be used on any type of turfgrass and as a divot mix or sand colourant. It is the only choice turf colourant for use on stadia sports turf or for areas of use where an instant green up is required, and impact sports are played.

Brian concluded: “Green Lawnger is an effective and great product for turf colour and longevity, I highly recommend it to everyone within turf management for effective and long-lasting results.”

To find out more about Green Lawnger or to view the wider range of turf colourants, please visit: https://www.pestcontrol.basf.co.uk/en/Products/Overview/Turf-Colourant/index.html

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ICL’s Greenheaven tall fescue is the cultivar for Black Bears

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ICL’s Greenheaven tall fescue is the cultivar for Black Bears: Miles Properjohn, Head Groundsman at Black Bears Polo Club, has been relying on ICL’s Greenheaven cultivar in an attempt to increase the percentage of tall fescue in the one of the world’s most renowned polo pitches.

Lower Bolney Farm in Oxfordshire, home of Black Bears Polo Club, has deservedly gained a reputation for having some of the best facilities in the UK. The five polo grounds are kept in immaculate condition by a dedicated team of grounds staff. Pitch 5 in particular is the talk of the polo community and those that have been fortunate enough to play on it have declared it to be the “best field in the UK – if not the world”.

ICL’s Greenheaven tall fescue is the cultivar for Black Bears

ICL’s Greenheaven tall fescue is the cultivar for Black Bears

The grounds team is led by Head Groundsman Miles Properjohn, a long-term employee who has honed his skills at Black Bears, and he explained the reasoning behind using ICL’s Greenheaven.

“The pitch was originally sown with tall fescue, and we have since used other cultivars for a few seasons,” he said. “We are now keen to build back the percentage of tall fescue as we see its benefit in providing a hard wearing, low input, and great playing surface for polo. The polo schedule is very busy here with high goal being played and the players have incredibly high expectations of how the pitch should play.

“Whenever choosing a seed we always refer to the BSPB/STRI guide and we also do our own plot trial of any new seed to assess its germination speed and visual characteristics. Greenheaven was no exception.”

Greenheaven, from ICL, is a European-bred tall fescue which presents a midgreen compact growth habit. A fine leaf texture combined with excellent disease tolerance makes Greenheaven a very visually appealing variety.

Miles and the team sowed Greenheaven in September 2022 as part of a post season renovation: “Germination and development were very good after overseeding, and we found Greenheaven to be a finer more attractive cultivar than other versions,” he said.

“The tall fescue has been extremely hard wearing under a high level of wear from all the matches. It has a dense root structure and has great stability in the turf.”

Greenheaven also features excellent drought tolerance, something which Miles believes is essential. “When making a decision on species/cultivars, drought tolerance is of high importance. The irrigation is used to provide the correct firmness and traction for the ponies and players, so irrigation is for playability more than plant health. Irrigation is time consuming so the sward will have periods of no irrigation therefore the pitch needs to have excellent drought tolerance. In the hot/dry summers of 2018 and 2021 it was the only thing that was thriving. Water security and responsible water usage will be a factor for the future, so affects the decision-making process.”

Commenting on the use of Greenheaven at Black Bears Polo Club, ICL’s Martyn Parrish, said: “It’s been very much a collaborative effort learning from each other along the way, listening to Miles’ unique needs and requirements to produce a top polo pitch and providing the correct product advice and solutions to meet those needs.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growing solutions.uk or www.icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Reliable G860’s are excellent for Hartpury

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Reliable G860’s are excellent for Hartpury: Matthew Newman, Grounds and Sports Turf Manager at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucester, claims that his fleet of Dennis G860 mowers are reliable, robust, and ergonomically excellent.

Matthew was once a student at Hartpury University and College completing a National Diploma in Horticulture before being offered a position on the grounds team in 2002. He now oversees three divisions which consists of a grounds team, a sports turf team, and a construction team.

Reliable G860’s are excellent for Hartpury

Reliable G860’s are excellent for Hartpury

The eight sports pitches, which are split equally between rugby and football, require a lot of attention as Matthew explained.

“They are arguably the most demanding surfaces because of the amount they are used,” he said. “During the week we find ourselves preparing the pitches for university and college teams, which still must be high spec because they are in the top divisions, but then it gets to the weekend, and we have premiership fixtures for the women’s teams or championship rugby games for men. In these situations, we are very much aware that we are preparing pitches for the paying public and that the games will be streamed online around the world for all to see. It is a lot of work, and we need reliable machinery.”

It is for this reason that Matthew decided to upgrade his previous cylinder mowers to four Dennis G860’s.

Relied upon at world class stadia and major tournaments, the Dennis G860 is one of the most renowned cylinder mowers in the grounds management industry. Lightweight at just 166kg it is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

The mower features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion. The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as including scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting.

“Once we trialled the Dennis G860’s, we just had to have them,” continued Matthew. “They are lot more robust, more sturdy, easier to use and more manageable. For me the usability is one of its best features – they are ergonomically excellent, and everything is in the right place in terms of controls. It does a brilliant job every time and it isn’t complicated. I think there are quite a few machines out there that are perhaps over engineered. Dennis keeps it simple and straight to the point.

“The G860’s present the pitch brilliantly and they provide a more defined stripe than other mowers we have used.”

Matthew and his team use the Dennis G860’s on both the rugby and football pitches approximately three times a week. With such a busy schedule, time is of the essence and Matthew has noticed that the Dennis G860’s have helped in this respect.

“We seem to cover the same area more quickly with the Dennis G860’s. Previously we were only able to single cut and would never have enough time in the day to double cut, whereas we can do that now.

“We’ve had the Dennis G860’s for a couple of years now and nothing ever goes wrong with them. They are incredibly reliable.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK.You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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