Tag Archive for: GKB

Combi-Tool available from GKB Machines

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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

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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

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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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GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds

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GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds: After seeing the machine at SALTEX 2021, South Wales Sports Grounds organised for a demonstration model of the Infiller to be shipped over from GKB HQ on the basis that if they were impressed with it, they’d keep it… and they did!

Adding to a vast and varied fleet of equipment for the construction and maintenance of both natural and artificial surfaces, the GKB Infiller has dramatically improved the speed of infill spreading, whilst retaining the quality of finish.

GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds

GKB infiller heads to South Wales Sports Grounds

South Wales Sports Grounds (SWSG) undertake contracts for a range of clients from local authorities to schools and independent sports clubs, everywhere between West Wales and Gloucester. Maintenance Manager Matt Dennison explains how they decided to take a look at the GKB Infiller, after noticing their previous machine was slowing down the process of dispensing and topping-up infill.

“We’re very particular about how we install an artificial/3G pitch, using the best tools and techniques to produce the best results” explains Matt. “We wanted a machine that was simpler to use and that would ultimately make the job quicker and more efficient. As soon as we received the Infiller in December, from our local dealer Hopkins Machinery, it was evident straight away that it ticked all the boxes.”

Suited to all types of infill material, the Infiller provides a quick and accurate spreading solution. The metering valve can be adjusted manually or hydraulically to suit the depth and type of infill required. The specification is completed by a large 3m3 hopper. “One big key point for us is that you can rotate the seat to spread the sand in front of the wheels of travel, ensuring the infill gets down into the fibres before they’re flattened.”

Along with sand, Matt intends to use rubber in the Infiller and indicates that the machine and the team have a busy synthetic season ahead. “So far, it’s done two artificial constructions and is now about to do another.” He concludes, “Because it’s so easy to operate, we’ve now got a number of our operatives trained up with it, who all can’t wait to benefit from the speed and accuracy we can now achieve in getting the job done.”

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GKB proves the perfect partner

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GKB proves the perfect partner: A fleet of orange and blue is forming for the team at Premiership Lawncare, as continued investment sees a bank of equipment from GKB Machines trusted to deliver projects for a growing range of sports turf customers.

In the last two years, Owners Josef Farrow and Mark Pettit have purchased a Deep Tine Aerator (DTA), SP100 topdresser, Dragmat and, most recently, a GKB Combinator – enabling the team to expand their range of services to both football and cricket clients.

GKB proves the perfect partner

GKB proves the perfect partner

Premiership Lawncare pride themselves on using the very best equipment to satisfy the vast and varied requirements of domestic, sports turf and commercial customers. “We’ve grown a lot in seven years and now have in the region of 30 cricket clubs on our books, and a very good relationship with a number of clubs under the remit of Northampton FA” explains Josef. “Investment in equipment has been critical and that’s where our relationship with GKB has gone from strength to strength.”

Recognising the requirement for a bigger, more robust aerator to cope with the demands of challenging ground, Premiership Lawncare became one of the first contractors in the UK to purchase a Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) almost two years ago. “Our DTA 160 is a fantastic machine! As the name suggests, it works to depths of up to 12” to break through compaction and is used on all of our football work, including some council pitches which could certainly pose a problem for machines that are not as well-built as the DTA.”

“Impressed with that and the service and support we received, we then purchased the GKB Dragmat and an SP100 Sandspreader which fits on the back of our Toro Workman and has been a really great investment. We can get 1.5 tonnes of sand in there, and thanks to the wide conveyor, heavy duty discs and easy adjustment we get a really accurate, fine spread.”

The latest addition to the fleet is a GKB Combinator, delivered in May 2022 and put straight to work on a football renovation project. “With our sports-turf client base ever-increasing we decided the time was right to purchase our own machine to strip surfaces and after comparing the options, the GKB CB120 came out on top. In its first week it removed around 80 tonnes of vegetation which is impressive for a machine that’s only 1.2m wide!”

Josef adds, “One particular feature which is great for us is the ability to swap out the fraise blades in our CB120 for scarifier blades, which means we can use it to remove OM accumulations in some of our cricket squares. It’s clear already this machine is going to deliver real value to our business and it’s this sort of investment, in quality machinery, that’s going to help us to take our services and business to the next level.”

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