Tag Archive for: GKB

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines: Careful management of organic matter levels is critical to optimising both the health and play characteristics of golf greens.

When it comes to managing these thatch layers, there is no universal tool or technique that will suit every course, however methods and machines are now at our disposal that are far less disruptive and can incorporate additional operations such as simultaneous sand injection which helps to bring surfaces back into play even quicker. One such machine is the Sandfiller from GKB.

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines

The GKB Sandfiller scarifies the surface down to depths of up to 40mm, removing organic matter and creating channels which are simultaneously filled with sand or a combination of sand and seed – maximising efficiency and improving drainage and ground firmness in one pass. The unit features a 400L hopper to collect the removed material, leaving a clean and tidy finish and allowing the surface to be back in play almost instantly.

One venue who employed the services of a contractor last September to conduct the Sandfiller operation is Wenvoe Castle Golf Club. Head Greenkeeper Lucy Sellick explains, “The wetter winters, combined with a smaller than normal greenkeeping team, meant we were looking for a fast and effective solution to removing organic matter and firming up the greens. The contractor began on a Thursday morning, and by Friday lunchtime all 19 greens were back in play – with organic matter removed, backfilled with 22 tons of kiln-dried sand and just one team member brushing in the remaining surface sand. Any concerns we had about how the Sandfiller would handle our Mackenzie style slopes and undulations were also unfounded.”

“Now in February, our organic matter readings have reduced, and the greens are definitely firmer. Despite all the rainfall, we’ve managed to get a triple on the greens which just wouldn’t have been possible before.” She concludes, “We had the Sandfiller in during spring renovations back in 2023 to carry out scarification work only, and have it booked in again this September where it’ll play an important role in our pre-winter renovations and organic matter management once again.”

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GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions

GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions: One of the country’s leading sports construction and maintenance companies has explained why they turn to GKB Machines when it comes to solutions for secondary drainage.

Following the wet winter, Plant and Operations Manager for White Horse Contractors, Mick Cross, predicts a busy season ahead for their pair of Drainmaster’s alongside their GKB Deep Tine Aerator (DTA).

GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions

GKB delivers the secondary drainage solutions

White Horse Contractors were early adopters of GKB equipment, with some machines on their fleet clocking up more than 10 years of reliable service. In addition to two Drainmasters and the DTA, two Combinators and a Rotobrush from GKB form part of a sizeable fleet of equipment, used on projects across the south of the UK by a team of 40+ operatives. “When it comes to purchasing machinery, two things we look for are time-effective solutions and build quality – giving us the reliability to keep on track with a packed schedule” explains Mick, who has been with White Horse for over 30 years. “The Drainmaster’s tick both of these boxes.”

The 2 or 3 cutting wheels of the GKB Drainmaster are spaced at either 50cm or 1m, creating channels at a depth of up to 23cm which are simultaneously filled with sand to leave a stable surface, with improved, long-lasting drainage. “The beauty of this machine is that it conducts multiple operations in one pass, meaning we’re not having to cover the ground multiple times or use multiple machines.”

Mick continues, “We purchased our first Drainmaster in 2010, and a second one more recently and both are out on a regular basis between March and October. Last year, they completed work on upwards of 20 pitches – both natural turf and hybrid pitches which is another great thing about this machine.” Together with football pitches from local council up to Premier League level, the Drainmaster has also been put to task on polo grounds and racecourses. “It’s versatility, efficiency and robust build quality makes it ideal for the contractor market” he adds.

“The DTA is very much built in the same vein, giving us a tough and reliable aerator for regular work on elite sports surfaces.” Mick concludes, “There aren’t many manufacturers offering products so well suited to the requirements of the contractor market which is why we’ve already invested in a fleet of GKB Machines and are currently in the process of increasing this with all eyes on a busy year ahead.”

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Time saving solutions the focus for GKB at BTME

Time saving solutions the focus for GKB at BTME: Time is a precious and ever-decreasing commodity when it comes to completing operations around the golf course. That’s why the multi-functional Sandfiller will be taking centre stage on the GKB stand, when they return to BTME in 2024.

The GKB Sandfiller is designed to tackle the problem of surface drainage and aeration on sports turf and golf courses, especially on greens. A true multi-tasker, the Sandfiller scarifies and simultaneously backfills with sand, or a combination of sand and seed, in a single pass. Delivering the perfect conditions for excellent root growth and optimal plant health, the Sandfiller can be operated by one person, where other similar methods demand more time and labour.

Time saving solutions the focus for GKB at BTME

Time saving solutions the focus for GKB at BTME

Tried and tested by contractors and courses up and down the country, the heart of the Sandfiller utilises the principles of GKB’s much-praised Combinator – carbide blades effectively slitting the surface and creating channels to be easily refilled with dried sand and leaving a clean, play-ready finish in its wake.

Alongside the Sandfiller on stand 644 will be the equally versatile Combiseeder. Four working widths of Combiseeder are available, all equipped with twin spiked rollers which create 1500 holes per square metre, and two brushes to ensure seed is accurately deposited into the pockets for optimal germination conditions. Facilitating routine overseeding quickly and efficiently, the GKB Combiseeder proves an effective tool in retaining sward density and preventing weed, annual meadow grass or moss ingress as more chemical remedies are removed from the market.

The Sandfiller and Combiseeder are just two of a broad portfolio of quality-built maintenance solutions from GKB Machines, further details of which can be found by speaking to the technical team on hand across the three days in January.

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GKB to showcase a range of machines at SALTEX

GKB to showcase a range of machines at SALTEX: No trip to SALTEX is complete without a stop by the bright and bold stand of GKB Machines! This year, stand H051 has been redesigned to maximise visual impact and make space for a wide range of machinery from across GKB’s portfolio of maintenance solutions for natural, hybrid and synthetic surfaces.

Part of the wider GKB Group, GKB Machines has been developing innovative machinery solutions since 1985. Using the knowledge and experience gained from their contracting division, the range is renowned for its robust build quality, functionality and efficiency – with the customers’ needs at the core of every design.

GKB to showcase a range of machines at SALTEX

GKB to showcase a range of machines at SALTEX

From the natural offering, particular highlights include the Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) and GKB Sandspreader. The Sandspreader range features four models, offering hopper capacities between 1m3 and 4m3 to cater for fine turf, sports turf and contractor applications. The material is transported from the hopper to the adjustable metering valve via an internal conveyor belt, before being efficiently and evenly distributed via the double disc hydraulic spinners. As well as trailed and mounted formats, GKB also offer the SPM model, which features a side material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers or trenches.

On synthetics, one important fact to consider when it comes to both the usage and maintenance of a surface is minimising the migration of infill into the environment. With the use of a synthetic pitch, infill will naturally tend to disperse outwards towards the pitch perimeters which is where effective maintenance will be needed, to ensure infill is returned to the higher use areas where it is required for surface stability and playability.

The easiest way to achieve this is via brushing, for which GKB have a range of options. The 4m wide Brush is ideal for quick surface coverage, with hydraulically foldable wings for convenient transportation and storage, while the GKB Quick-Brush can be configured with a range of optional extras including a rake or rubber finishing mat to suit individual requirements. Also in the GKB stable is the Rotobrush, equipped with a rotating brush head which can switch between clockwise and anti-clockwise operation, which effectively collects infill accumulations from the perimeter and move it towards the centre of the surface.

The GKB team will be on hand to answer any technical questions over the course of the two days, and look forward to seeing customers old and new this November.

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GKB Sandspreader SP300 doubles productivity

GKB Sandspreader SP300 doubles productivity: Productivity and efficiency from topdressing operations has more than doubled for the team at Cutting Edge Grounds Maintenance following their purchase of a SP300 Sandspreader from GKB Machines.

Director Josh Blackburn cites that the exceptional build quality of the high-capacity disc dresser allows them to spread up to 240 tonnes of material each day on a variety of sports pitch and amenity surface renovations.

GKB Sandspreader SP300 doubles productivity

GKB Sandspreader SP300 doubles productivity

Having worked in the groundcare industry for close to 15 years, Josh established Cutting Edge two and a half years ago and leads a team of eight operatives on contracts in and around Teesside, North Yorkshire & County Durham. “We’d been using a second-hand spreader for some time so, with the number of pitch renovation jobs increasing, we were due an upgrade” he explains.

“We had demonstrations of a couple of different brands, but the GKB Sandspreader was head and shoulders above the competition – not just from the user-friendly set-up and accuracy of distribution but the impeccable build quality.” Delivered by local dealers Lloyds of Bishop Auckland in the summer of 2022, Josh goes on to emphasise, “You too frequently find that with the machines at the bigger end of the ranges, you lose build quality, but with GKB that is not the case. You can be assured that everything that comes out of their factory is going to last, and work to a high standard.”

The GKB SP300 is the ultimate tool for sports facilities and contractors, looking for a versatile solution to large area topdressing. The 3m3 capacity and ability to quickly and simply adjust the spreading discs makes the Sandspreader suitable for use on a wide variety of applications, from football pitches and cricket outfields to school grounds and golf fairways. “Being hydraulically-driven rather than PTO, it’s really simple to adjust belt speed, disc speed, angle, and thickness. You can tell GKB have designed the machine with the way the operator will use it in mind.”

“The Sandspreader is primarily used seasonally, but we have had it out working as late as October which it can do thanks to the four large balloon tyres which effectively spread the weight making it highly adaptable.” He continues, “It’s not only the quality of machine but the support you have with GKB which we really like. The one issue we had was resolved with a phone call in a matter of minutes. It’s the whole package.”

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GKB SP100 improves accuracy and efficiency

GKB SP100 improves accuracy and efficiency: The Course Manager at Longniddry Golf Club in East Lothian has praised the versatility delivered by their new GKB SP100 topdresser, following its delivery in September 2022.

Replacing an older, heavier unit that was difficult to manoeuvre around the 18-hole links/parkland hybrid course, the SP100 mounts onto their existing ProGator for fast, accurate and efficient dressing of the greens, tees and approaches.

David Drummond joined as Longniddry Course Manager in May 2022, and after a quick assessment of the machinery in the shed, the GKB Sandspreader was one of the first investments to support him and his team of five. “Our previous topdresser was showing signs of age and as a bigger unit that needed a heavy tractor, it wasn’t really suited to our current requirements. With this is mind, I spoke to local dealer Thomas Sherriff & Co about a vehicle-mounted unit” explains David. “Because we only have one utility vehicle, whatever we went for needed to be easily demountable and while I’d not had first-hand experience of the GKB machine before, we looked at it and were instantly impressed.”

“It’s a great set-up, very robust and the controls are all nice and simple. One particular feature we really like is the ability to adjust the distance of the spinning discs on the SP100 which gives us more control over the amount of dressing we apply.”

Offering a range of adjustable parameters, the SP100 is the smallest unit in the GKB Sandspreader range but doesn’t compromise when it comes to capacity – offering a 1m3 hopper which David says has significantly improved the efficiency of the operation. “The hopper is really easy to load using our compact tractor and can hold a good amount of material which results in fewer re-loads, saving all-important labour time.”

David continues, “The SP100 was out on the very first day it was delivered and has so far carried out operations on the greens, tees and approaches and moving forwards it’ll be critical to our ongoing maintenance programme.” He explains that the SP100 will be in use for spring renovations in February and following this it’ll be out at least once a month until October – possibly even conducting some work on the fairways.

“We’ve been really pleased with both the machine and the service and support we’ve received from Sherriff’s throughout and after the purchase process. The team and I now look forward to putting it through its paces in the very busy season ahead.”

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GKB return to BTME

GKB return to BTME: With all eyes set firmly on spring renovations, GKB Machines return to BTME to showcase an impressive line-up of equipment whether its scarification, aeration or overseeding on the agenda.

After making its UK debut at BTME in March 2022, the VCollector will be back in Harrogate, showcasing the benefits of effective organic matter removal and collection of the extracted material in one quick and simple pass.

GKB return to BTME

GKB return to BTME

The VCollector is available in two working widths – 1.2m and 1.6m – and is equipped with precision-engineered steel blades, spaced at 25, 50, 75 or 100mm, for the accurate removal of thatch, surface debris and lateral growth down to depths of 40mm. At the heart of the VCollector is the unique GKB CombiRotor®, fitted with wind paddles to generate the suction required to effectively vacuum the removed material up and into the 400L hopper – hydraulically lifted and emptied at the touch of a button.

Alongside the VCollector with be the GKB Deep Tine Aerator (DTA). Precision engineered and built for durability and strength, the DTA is available in four working widths from 1.2m to 2.6m meaning there’s a model suited to most fine turf and sports turf applications. Smaller models like the DTA 120 and DTA 160 are ideally suited to aeration tasks around the golf course, offering a maximum working depth of 250mm and a heave angle of up to 25 degrees.

Completing the line-up will be the versatile Combiseeder, available in four working widths to meet the needs of greenkeepers, sports turf managers and contractors alike and capable of both seeding and routine overseeding work. The tried and trusted combination of two spiked rollers and two brushes create the optimal number of holes in the ground, allowing for accurate seed distribution and creating the ideal conditions for germination.

The GKB Technical Team will be on hand to discuss these products, and many more from their innovative golf and sports turf portfolio, across the three days on stand 644.

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Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines: Combining versatility and value-for-money, GKB Machines have launched their new Combi-Tool.

With a GKB engineered 3-point linkage frame and an ability to equip a range of maintenance attachments, the Combi-Tool gives turf managers the option of conducting multiple operations such as slitting, raking, rolling and brushing in one quick and simple pass.

Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

On show for the first time at SALTEX 2022, the Combi-Tool features four attachment slots which can be tailored to the venue or the task to be conducted on a given day. Brush heads, rake tines, slitting tines, slitting discs and a range of rollers are available – with the option of equipping the Combi-Tool with multiple rows of the same attachment for a more intensive operation if required. Because of its multi-purpose functionality, the Combi-Tool is ideal for multi-sport venues such as winter sport facilities, schools, local authorities and contractors.

The Combi-Tool comes in 1.6m and 2.0m working widths and, as with all GKB Machines, is precision engineered for strength and durability. Swapping between attachments is fast, with the ability to independently adjust each implement once fitted to suit desired working depths.

Commenting on its introduction, UK Operations Manager Tom Shinkins said, “This is a brilliant addition to the GKB portfolio and has been introduced in direct response to demand from our dealer network. Its versatility is its biggest selling point so we’re expecting to see a lot of interest from those managing pitches at grassroots level who don’t always have the budgets or resources available to invest in multiple machines to conduct some of the basic maintenance operations that can have a massive impact on the presentation, playability and health of their surface.”

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GKB to showcase Leaf Reducer

GKB to showcase Leaf Reducer: GKB Machines will be retuning to SALTEX for 2022, showcasing a new solution to the problem of large-area leaf clearance. The GKB Leaf Reducer offers an economic and environmentally-friendly alternative to the time-consuming task of leaf collection – effectively mulching the material and returning it, and its nutrients, back into the surface to the benefit of impoverished soils.

This, and many other innovative machinery solutions for natural, hybrid and synthetic surfaces, will be on show on stand H051.

GKB to showcase Leaf Reducer

GKB to showcase Leaf Reducer

The Leaf Reducer has been developed in direct response to demand from local authorities, looking for a more sustainable working method to using blowers, vacuums and trucks to collect and dispose of fallen leaves. In a single pass, the flails on the Leaf Reducer collect the leaves before a turbine provides both initial fragmentation and the airflow needed to pull the material into the machine where it is further milled into a fine mulch. The fine ‘porridge-like’ material is then returned to the surface via a rear ejector which can be adjusted to a desired direction depending on the location.

In trials conducted by municipalities in The Netherlands, it has proven not just to deliver labour and cost savings to the task but has proven effective at returning an all-important source of food and nutrients back into the soil. The Leaf Reducer is available with a 1.5m working width, and an adjustable working height to treat areas with both low and higher heights of cut.

The technical team will be on hand to discuss this and other products from the GKB range including the Deep-Clean, for effective cleaning and removal of contaminants from synthetic surfaces and the Deep Tine Aerator (DTA). The DTA is available in four working widths to suit both fine and sports turf surfaces and offers effective compaction relief down to depths of up to 400mm (16”). The DTA features GKB’s unique tine mounting system, utilising ‘blocks’ instead of individual mountings, allowing for more tines per head and reducing downtime when switching between sets

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GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers: To support their rapid and continued growth, Garsons Group Ltd have been investing in equipment to help them deliver contracting and maintenance services to the full spectrum of sports surfaces.

One machine that joined the fleet and has now become their ‘go-to’ for topdressing is the GKB Sandspreader – and while perhaps it wasn’t quite ‘love’ at first sight, Director Gareth Davies says it was definitely ‘the perfect fit’ at first sight after spotting the SP100 at BTME!

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

“Straight away, I could tell that SP100 was a great size machine that would suit the variety of work we do” explains Gareth, who has spent 25 years working in the groundcare industry and established Garsons as a limited company three years ago. “We’re conducting renovations, reconstructions and ongoing maintenance for winter sports pitches, cricket and golf courses so need something with a large enough hopper capacity to be efficient, but not too big that access to certain sites may become compromised. The Sandspreader ticks all the boxes.”

Gareth opted for the mounted SP100 model and, since its delivery in the spring of 2021 from local dealer Ernest Does, he estimates they’ve applied in the region of 4000 tonnes of sand with it. “The hopper is the main benefit for us. The SP100 holds 1m3 of material at a time meaning we can apply over 100 tonnes in a day which is critical when the team are working to tight deadlines. It’s also really easy to use and adjust for lighter or heavier applications when needed. We use it primarily for football and rugby, but this year we used it on a cricket square for the first time and it did a brilliant job.”

The GKB SP100 is the smallest unit in the Sandspreader range, with larger models offering up to a 4m3 hopper capacity. The material is transported from the hopper to the adjustable metering valve via an internal conveyor belt, before being efficiently and evenly distributed via the double disc hydraulic spinners. As well as trailed and mounted formats, GKB also offer the SPM model, which features a side material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers or trenches.

“Another big thing for us, has been the support and customer service from GKB, which has been excellent throughout. Tom Shinkins is always on hand for advice and, when we needed some additional parts recently, he was able to get them to us in under 24 hours which is the kind of back-up we need as we drive our business forward.”

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