Tag Archive for: GKB

GKB Leaf Blower proves the economical choice

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GKB Leaf Blower proves the economical choice: Established in 1910, Eaton Golf Club offers its members a mature parkland setting for a picturesque 18-holes of play on the outskirts of Norwich.

Jay Seaman, Head Greenkeeper, has become all too familiar with the challenges that come with managing such an established parkland site – with leaf fall not only proving to be a drain on time but also on the finances. Making the process more economical (in all senses of the word!) is a GKB Leaf Blower.

GKB Leaf Blower proves the economical choice

GKB Leaf Blower proves the economical choice

“Due to the age of the trees we have here on site, we can be clearing leaves for anywhere up to three months of the year” explains Jay, who heads up a greenkeeping team of six. “Our previous trailed blower ran on petrol and could cost us in the region of £50 a day just in fuel.” Deciding the time was right to find a more cost-effective solution, he spoke with Eddie Jack from local dealers Ernest Doe who swiftly arranged a demonstration of the GKB Leaf Blower.

“We had the machine in for a few days and the feedback from the team was really positive. It’s a solid, well-built piece of kit and, importantly, is PTO-driven so it just runs off the tractor with no need for additional fuel.” As an added bonus, when the order was placed in October 2025 the team got to keep the Leaf Blower on site, seeing them up and running in-time for the start of another busy leaf-fall season!

The Leaf Blower from GKB Machines delivers high airflow output, with low demand on the tractor – requiring less than 40hp. The adjustable rear chute and air capacity of 380m3/min makes light work of clearing leaves and other debris, to swiftly improve both playability and presentation. “Compared to other blowers I’ve used, the chute sits lower to the ground allowing you to blow leaves into the wind without them coming back at you which makes a big difference when working in challenging conditions.”

“Another thing we really like is the jockey wheels and rear anti-scalp roller which do a great job at keeping the machine stable and preventing scalping on our undulating landscape.” He adds, “It’s also incredibly simple to hitch and operate meaning anyone on the team can jump on and use it confidently.”

Beyond the machine itself, Jay also notes the excellent aftersales support they’ve received from Ernest Doe. “Eddie has kept in touch regularly just to check how things are going. Everything has been top notch.”

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GKB aeration duo making a real difference

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GKB aeration duo making a real difference: For Mike Powles and his team of six volunteer grounds staff at Walsham Le Willows Sports Club, the aim of their maintenance is simple: to keep the surfaces in the best possible condition all year round.

That task is now much easier thanks to the purchase of a Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) and Combislit from GKB Machines – allowing the club to maintain consistently high-quality pitches, without reliance on external contractors.

GKB aeration duo making a real difference

GKB aeration duo making a real difference

Located in the heart of Suffolk the club is a hive of activity, with 24 football teams and eight cricket teams just a few of those making the most of the multi-sport facilities. While the team of volunteers can keep on top of the regular grass cutting and general site maintenance, historically, they relied on contractors to aerate the pitches twice a year. However, as Mike explains, this approach came with challenges. “Contractor availability rarely aligned with our schedule or the ideal ground conditions which meant that costs quickly mounted, but the results weren’t always as we’d hope.”

Looking for a more flexible and cost-effective solution, Mike attended SALTEX, where he said the GKB Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) stood out straight away. “It looked solid and strong. You could tell it was built to last.” Despite torrential rain on demo day, the results were evident – leading to the purchase of a 1.6m model via Ernest Doe close to two years ago.

“We now have full control over where and when we aerate. If conditions are good, we get it on the back of the tractor and away we go” he says. “It’s lovely and straight forward to operate which is important for us as a volunteer team and has meant we’ve been able to get the DTA out more often which is paying dividend in terms of surface quality.”

Impressed by the performance of the DTA, the club returned to Ernest Doe earlier in 2025 to add a GKB Combislit to their fleet. “We attended a GMA event where the pitch advisor suggested we look at a slitter and, because the DTA has worked so well, we only looked at GKB.”

Together, the DTA and Combislit now give Walsham Le Willows year-round options for aeration, whether the upper surface needs opening or for when deeper penetration is required. Mike adds, “We’ve always been impressed with the service from Ernest Does, particularly Adrian Kersey who has been our point of contact for the last eight years. His support, together with that of GKB’s Tom Shinkins has got us up and running and, going into winter, the pitches have never looked better!”

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High speed, high productivity with GKB DTA models

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High speed, high productivity with GKB DTA models: If you’re looking for greater productivity in golf course aeration, then a stop by the GKB Machines stand at BTME 2026 is a must with the launch of the new Deep Tine Aerator High Speed (DTA HS) range. Available in three working widths, the DTA HS combines GKB’s precision engineering with significantly enhanced speed of operation helping greens teams to achieve optimal soil decompaction while reducing disruption time.  

Designed for superior output without compromising aeration depth or quality, the DTA HS models allow greenkeepers to cover more ground in less time – an ideal solution for today’s increasingly time-sensitive maintenance schedules. With 1.2m, 1.6m and 1.8m working widths available, whether you’re tackling compaction on tight tees and greens or larger, undulating fairways, there’s a DTA HS model to meet your needs.

High speed, high productivity with GKB DTA models

High speed, high productivity with GKB DTA models

Productivity is also assured with the Sandspreader range, which will also be on show at Harrogate Convention Centre in January. Positioned at the entrance to the show, the SP100 mounted model will set the tone for precision turfcare – compact, reliable and engineered for accurate sand distribution, the Sandspreader is the perfect partner to the new DTA HS for those upcoming spring renovations.

On the topic of renovations, the GKB technical team will be on hand across the duration of the show to discuss the full fine turf maintenance portfolio – whether it’s aeration, topdressing, scarification or seeding on the cards. For the latter, the GKB Combiseeder utilises the tried and trusted combination of two spiked rollers and two brushes to accurately deliver seed into the surface and optimise conditions for germination. Suitable for seeding and routine overseeding work, the Combiseeder is available in four working widths to suit greenkeepers, sports turf managers and contractors alike.

All of this and more can be found on stand 644 when BTME returns on 20th to 22nd January 2026.

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New GKB Deep-Clean to combat microplastic pollution

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New GKB Deep-Clean to combat microplastic pollution: GKB are pleased to launch the next generation of their Deep-Clean machine, introduced in direct response to growing concern around microplastic pollution from artificial turf fields.

Featuring different sieve options to suit various infill types and a self-cleaning filter system, the Deep-Clean – developed in collaboration with SMG Sportplatzmaschinenbau – sieves, separates and collects microplastics with precision.

New GKB Deep-Clean to combat microplastic pollution

New GKB Deep-Clean to combat microplastic pollution

Recent research from the University of Barcelona has raised alarm after finding that up to 15% of the microplastics found in open water originate from artificial turf pitches. These particles, released via fibre wear and tear or from infill materials such as rubber and TBE, accumulate within the surface and eventually contaminate the environment via footfall, rainfall or maintenance activities.

The new GKB Deep-Clean directly addresses this issue, penetrating the surface to extract contamination such as broken fibres as well as smaller particulates nestled within the infill layer.

Redeveloping one of the most popular machines within GKB’s synthetic portfolio, the new Deep-Clean will be available with a 1.2m, 1.5m or 1.8m working widths – all offering effective dust extraction to collect dirt and microplastic contamination, and return clean infill granules back into the surface. Importantly, the unique cleaning system means that dirt automatically falls into the collection container, eliminating the need to replace filters which significantly reduces ongoing maintenance costs.

Its operation couldn’t be simpler. Brushes lift the fibre and infill, before passing the collected material through a vibrating sieve to separate the infill from both large and finer contaminants. The result is a cleaner, safer and more presentable pitch in just one pass.

The introduction of the Deep-Clean is the first major development in the strategic partnership between GKB Machines and SMG, formally announced in March 2025. The agreement sees GKB providing essential maintenance products to the German company and, likewise, market machines developed by SMG under the GKB brand for the combined benefit of customers around the world. Together, the focus is on providing practical, high-performance and sustainable solutions for the construction and maintenance of synthetic sports fields.

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GKB to celebrate 10 Years in the UK at SALTEX

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GKB to celebrate 10 Years in the UK at SALTEX: GKB Machines are pleased to be returning to SALTEX in what is a special year for the company as they celebrate 10 years of their UK operation. Stand A080 promises to encapsulate the very best of innovation, growth and partnerships from the last decade – including the new Deep Clean for synthetic surface maintenance which will be making its global debut.

While GKB Machines was founded in 1946, the dedicated UK division was only established in 2015, which makes the growth and the success of GKB in the UK grounds management industry even more impressive! Under the stewardship of Tom Shinkins, GKB has gone from strength to strength, with equipment from their natural and artificial portfolio finding homes with professionals at all levels – from grassroots facilities to elite venues around the country.

GKB to celebrate 10 Years in the UK at SALTEX

GKB to celebrate 10 Years in the UK at SALTEX

At SALTEX, one of the latest additions to that range will be on show in the form of the new Deep Clean. A core part of the GKB synthetic maintenance range for many years, the Deep Clean has been enhanced and redeveloped in collaboration with SMG. The next generation machine will be available in 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8m working widths and will offer improved cleaning and maintenance performance on all types of synthetic surface.

Developed with grassroots facilities in mind and showcasing the very best in GKB engineering, visitors can also expect to see the GKB Combitool. Providing the perfect partnership of versatility and efficiency, the Combitool features four attachment slots which can be quickly and easily tailored to the needs of any facility. Suitable for natural and hybrid surfaces, operators can rake, roll, slit and brush in a single pass making it ideal for community clubs and smaller venues looking for professional results at an accessible price.

See the range first hand and celebrate a decade of turf maintenance excellence with the GKB Team with a stop by stand A080 when SALTEX returns to The NEC this November.

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