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Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

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Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft: Hard Graft Garden Services, based in East Lothian, Scotland, believes that Pellenc is a ‘superior’ brand of battery-powered technology.

Hard Graft Garden Services is a family-run business based in Longniddry, East Lothian. Founded by father Stuart, the day-to-day running of the business now largely falls his three sons Sam, Fraser and Lewis.

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Over the years, the family has built a reputation for supporting the local community and providing an unrivalled customer service. Always looking to the future, Lewis revealed that green technology is integral to the company’s future plans.

“I would say that 90% of our equipment is now battery powered, and now that we have discovered Pellenc, we are planning on investing in a lot more of the products.”

Lewis admits that he only turned to Pellenc after being dissatisfied with a product from another manufacturer. It was at this point that he got in touch with Etesia – exclusive UK distributors of Pellenc products.

“We had an electric brushcutter from another manufacturer, but the battery just wasn’t lasting as long as we needed it to and there were a few other build quality issues,” he said. “I did some research, found Pellenc and watched some YouTube videos of the products in action and read some end-user reviews. I then got in contact with Etesia and a demonstration was quickly arranged with our local dealer Agrovista Amenity. As soon as I saw that brushcutter in action, I knew it was the one for us.”

The brushcutter Lewis saw being demonstrated was the powerful Excelion 2. With a rotational speed of 6,600rpm and a cutting diameter of 420mm, the Excelion 2 battery-powered brushcutter offers superior performance for professional intensive landscaping and forestry work.

Weighing 30% less than petrol-powered brushcutters, it also has a newly designed smart handle that enables agile manoeuvring and displays digital information in real-time including current speed, battery life (as a percentage and in minutes) and power indication.

“We are using the Excelion 2 every day,” said Lewis. “Sometimes there will be days when we are using it from morning till night. The battery life on it is fantastic and the run time is something that we just don’t have to worry about anymore. I also like the way the digital screen monitors the way you are working, and it provides you with information on your current speed and your battery life.

“To be honest, the Excelion can probably go longer than I can,” he continued. “The other day I was on 89% battery, and I still had seven hours of run time left and that is way beyond how long I would want to strim for!

“I also like the way there are four speed settings. Level one manages the small gardens perfectly, and if you come across a bigger section with larger grass, then a quick tap of the button and you are up to level 3 or 4 and away you go. You can use it no matter what the size of the garden.”

Lewis and the Hard Graft team power the Excellion 2 with the Pellenc ULiB 1500 backpack battery, which gives the user freedom of movement and optimal work quality.

“We thought we would go for the ULiB1500 battery because it is the biggest battery in the range and we plan to invest in more Pellenc equipment, which can all be used with this battery.

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Everything feels great, it is very comfortable, and you have no issues with your back – because of the harness.

“It is a great design and very compact for something so powerful – it is not as big as some of its competitors, and it fits nicely in the van when you are storing it.”

Lewis is being looked after by Pellenc dealer Agrovista UK, and Allan Wright has been on hand to ensure Hard Graft are happy with their Pellenc purchase. From the product to support – it is safe to say that Lewis is a happy customer.

“Both Allan and Stephen Muir from Eteisa UK have been very helpful – both of their knowledge is fantastic – I simply cannot fault the service. They walked us through everything, explained everything thoroughly, and that is what you want because you are investing in premium products.

“For the more money you spend, you are getting battery powered technology which is far superior and a first-class service. The products are built to last, and this is backed by the four-year battery warranty.

“As I say, I did a lot of research and I looked at what other manufacturers had to offer. It was clear that Pellenc is a cut above the rest.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

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

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Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC

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Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC: Head Greenkeeper, John Guthrie at Edinburgh’s Duddingston Golf Club favours the little and often approach to aeration. Maintaining healthy surfaces is key for the parkland club which nestles below Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur’s Seat and has a history dating over 125 years.

The purchase of a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD deep aerator in May, from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Kinross, was essential to his strategy, and five months’ hence, he continues to be really pleased.

Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC

Year-round aeration for Duddingston GC

“It’s making a big difference; I knew the GXi8 would be good, but I didn’t factor quite as quick or as neat. Easily all 18 greens can be done before 1.00 pm, so about a hectare’s worth in total. In the past, aeration tied up three people. we would have had someone following on with a roller and another person tidying up behind. The Wiedenmann is so clean, you don’t always have to roll at the back if you set it up properly. Two of the team can be free to do other tasks; resource wise, that is a significant benefit.

“Since May, we’ve taken a discrete approach, tining down on the greens to 100- 150 mm and tees to 200 mm, all with 12 mm tines, experimenting with heave at 5° occasionally. From November, we switch to 20 mm tines and might go 250 mm on the greens if conditions allow, possibly again with a little amount of heave. The fairways, too, will get the full depth and the bigger tine.

“A good machine deserves its praise.  H&S on the machine is first rate. It really is smooth, and the operator doesn’t leave the cab feeling they’ve had a full body work out.  Also, smoothness means the Terra Spike is surprisingly quiet, not too noisy for members playing nearby, but mostly we can be done before they get anywhere close.

“Hopefully, we’re out all 12 months a year, weather permitting, and target a few choice areas with extra runs when there’s time available.”

Membership at Duddingston GC has increased over lock down but tee times have remained constant for John and his team of five. “There’s nothing for it but to keep doing your best and the whole team has done really well, even now new members are still joining.

Bob Marshall, Area Sales Manager at Fairways GM said:

“The GXi8 was absolutely the right fit for John and his team.  It paired well with their existing Kubota L4240 tractor and for his site it’s got access-all-areas status.”

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New appointments for INFINICUT®

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New appointments for INFINICUT®: To support their ongoing growth, INFINICUT® have been busy making appointments as they expand both their internal sales team and external, nationwide dealer network.

Taking up the role of Territory Sales Manager for Scotland and the North of England is Bobby McDougall – a third generation greenkeeper and well-known name, having gained years of valuable experience on both sides of the industry fence. Also, now part of the INFINICUT® network are Hunt Forest Group, taking on the sales, service and support for the range across the South.

New appointments for INFINICUT®

New appointments for INFINICUT®

Bobby began greenkeeping in 1997 where he worked underneath John Coleman at Abbeydale Golf Club. After taking up a role in sales with Aitkens in 2009, he then moved more into the construction side, taking up a position with Souter Sports and then later joining dealership Fairways GM. In addition to the North, Bobby’s new role at INFINICUT® will also see him looking after Sweden, Norway and Southeast Asia.

“Having previously worked alongside John, we have remained in touch and I have naturally always followed the developments of both the INFINICUT® and TMSystem™ ranges. When the opportunity arose to come on board, it was an invitation I couldn’t turn down” explains Bobby, who joined the team in July 2021. “It’s fantastic to be part of such an innovative, forward-thinking company with products that are always improving and set the standards for the industry.”

In another appointment, Hunt Forest Group are the latest name to be added to the growing dealer network, strengthening coverage across Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. Formed in 2019 following a merger between two prominent John Deere dealerships, Hunt Forest offer a broad selection of franchises to meet the requirements of both agricultural and amenity customers.

New appointments for INFINICUT®

New appointments for INFINICUT®

Commenting on the news, Turf & Construction Sales Director Ed Smales said, “We are delighted to be working with INFINICUT® – it is a unique product that is well-built and has an excellent reputation in the market. The range is a fantastic fit alongside the JD brand and the rest of our existing portfolio, meaning we can now offer even more quality solutions to new and existing customers to satisfy their maintenance needs.”

Oliver Hall, INFINICUT® Territory Sales Manager added, “Hunt Forest have a great reputation for sales and aftercare and across their depots will have factory trained technicians and a plethora of parts on the shelf to support customers in their area. We are very much looking forward to working with Ed and the team to further raise the INFINICUT® profile and offer a more localised service across this key territory.”

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Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX

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Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX: Headland Amenity will be in a new location this year the same technical team will be on hand to discuss your needs and focusing on the very latest in disease prevention methods.

Headland has, over 14 years, trials data on various disease prevention strategies including the popular 20.20.30 mix, and are committed to continued investment in many research areas. Come and talk to us over a cup of coffee about some of our latest trial work, and how best we can help you with your specific issues.

Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX

Headland Amenity ready for SALTEX

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Ventrac package for the RAC

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Ventrac package for the RAC: Iain Dye, the Courses Manager at The RAC in Woodcote Park, has taken delivery of a Ventrac 4500 with Contour deck and Tough Cut deck, to help maintain the two downland golf courses and surrounding estate.

Situated within the rolling Epsom Downs in Surrey, the Old Course, designed by the renowned William Herbert Fowler, was opened in 1915, while the Coronation Course was inaugurated in 1953, occupying the site of the club’s former New Course, which had been ploughed up during the Second World War.

Ventrac package for the RAC

Ventrac package for the RAC

Commenting recently Iain Dye said,

“I first saw the Ventrac during a demonstration at Tandridge Golf Club and although very impressed, we didn’t have the budget at the time to purchase it. However, the recent construction of our new reservoir prompted me to ask Rupert Price of Price Turfcare for demo here.

“It really comes into its own when mowing the steep sides of the retention walls. It would take a huge number of team hours to strim this area, so it’s saving a lot of time that can be used productively elsewhere on the courses.

“Apart from some utility vehicles we are a Toro fleet, but this Ventrac is unique and extremely versatile. We can use it for woodland management with the Tough Cut deck to get into the margins to clear brambles and brush. The health and safety aspect was an important factor in the purchase; nobody likes strimming at the best of times, but on steep slopes it’s a particularly onerous task. The Ventrac can operate on slopes of 30 degrees in complete safety; it seems to go anywhere!

“The Contour deck articulates well on uneven terrain, reducing scalping on high areas and we’ll be using it on our fairways during the winter to protect our fairway units from any worm casts. Also, it can go out in wet weather as the eight tyres produce only 6 psi, so it won’t mark the finer turf areas.

“We can now raise the presentation around the courses, maintaining steeper banks which we were unable to manage previously. These areas can be mown regularly and therefore become even more manageable over time.”

During the summer months Iain has a team of 27 including two Deputy Course Managers; Gary Stewart is responsible for the Old Course and Simon Glover for the Coronation Course. He also has two full-time mechanics and a mechanic/greenkeeper, who all ensure that the machinery works well at all times. He joined the RAC in June 2020 from Tandridge Golf Club, where he spent 14 years, initially as Deputy Course Manager before being promoted to Course Manager in 2013. After studying at Elmwood College, he joined the greenkeeping team on the Jubilee Course at St. Andrews in 1997 and worked on the Old Course from 2001, before moving from Scotland to take the job at Tandridge.

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