Tag Archive for: Hunter

Hunter performs for Spurs

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Hunter performs for Spurs: Since upgrading to an advanced Hunter irrigation system, Tottenham Hotspur F.C’s incredible training centre has seen remarkable improvements according to Darren Baldwin, Head of Playing Surfaces & Estates, and Liam Plummer, Irrigation Technician.

Tottenham Hotspur F.C’s state of the art Enfield training centre needs little introduction. It is, after all, widely regarded as one of the best training facilities in world football.

Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs

“The chairman and I share the same vision in the sense that this facility must never look tired or old,” said Darren. “We are always developing, always adding, always tweaking, always looking to make improvements.”

This is exactly what he decided to do with the irrigation system which was purchased through KAR UK, a leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment and distributor of Hunter products.

“It was always going to be Hunter from KAR UK,” continued Darren. “The whole package is superior– from technical, set-up, products, flexibility, the design, it just all works for us.”

Not content with just a new upgraded irrigation system, perfectionist Darren also brought in Liam Plummer, an experienced Irrigation Technician, who recently joined from The Grove Golf Course.

“I was working in greenkeeping and irrigation for fifteen years, but this job really appealed to me because it enabled me to purely focus on irrigation,” said Liam. “I don’t see problems, instead I see solutions. I thought this job was just too good an opportunity to turn down.”

With 16 grass pitches and hundreds of acres of green spaces and landscaping areas, Liam quickly found that there is certainly enough to keep him busy. He does, however, admit that the upgraded Hunter system, which consists of three ACC2 controllers and the Centralus irrigation management platform, does make his life easier.

Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs

“The new software has helped me to put a watering schedule in place with ease, which is something we couldn’t do before,” he said. “We have three zones on this site and each ACC2 manages a separate zone with the Centralus software controlling those three areas.”

Hunter’s ACC2 controller delivers advanced water management to meet the demands of large-scale commercial projects. The ACC2 has built-in intelligence, with the ability to maintain preset flows on up to 6 flow zones simultaneously. Perfectly complementing the ACC2 is the Centralus irrigation management platform, which offers secure, comprehensive cloud-based control and monitoring features for ACC2 controllers. The connectivity allows users to view a controller’s status, change settings, enable automatic weather adjustments, view forecasts, save water and receive instant notifications of important system alarms.

Furthermore, it allows users to manage the ACC2 controllers remotely – as Liam explained.

“I can manage it all from my phone or laptop,” he said. “I can be anywhere and put any sprinkler on just by pressing a button. There have even been times when I’ve been sat on the sofa at home, and I’ve had a call asking me to turn some sprinklers on because they needed water after applying fertiliser to a pitch.”

The grass pitches at the training centre have also received a boost after the sprinklers were upgraded to the new TTS-885’s and I-80’s from Hunter. These powerful rotors boast some of the highest torque outputs of any rotor in the commercial sphere and provide total top serviceability (TTS) via their integrated, surface-mounted snap-rings for no-dig easy maintenance.

“They are by far the best sprinklers for large turf areas and are perfect for football pitches,” said Liam. “The coverage you get from them is fantastic. You get that all important uniformity across the whole pitch, due to the rotors and nozzle configuration being the same.

“I also like the fact that, if needed, you can take almost the entire sprinkler apart without having to de-pressurise or drain the system. It saves so much time. We also have Hunter’s MP rotators, and Pro spray nozzles on the landscaping areas such as our show lawns. They are short, low pressure, and they do exactly what we want them to do.

“I would say that the new Hunter sprinklers make us more accurate with our water usage which is very important these days.”

Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs

Darren agreed and revealed that Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished top of the 2020 Premier League Sustainability Table. Furthermore, he believes that the club’s efficient water management procedures certainly played a part in the award.

“We reviewed every single arc on every sprinkler to make sure we were not putting out too much, he said. “So, when it comes to water, and the irrigation, the system is designed around saving grey water – and we recycle this grey water back into our new Even Products irrigation tanks (also purchased through KAR UK) which give us greater capacity on the same footprint.

“Ultimately, the new Hunter software allows us to be more accurate with what we are using, and we also have less waste. The really good news out of all this is that it has massively improved our sustainability.”

With the new tanks and system supplied by KAR UK, Liam concluded by praising the support and service the club receives.

“The back-up from KAR UK is perfect,” he said. “They are always available to advise me on a product or a technical aspect I may be unsure of. If I need clarity on something, then Mike McDonnell (UK sales manager) will always come here to assist.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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KAR UK announces new Hunter products

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KAR UK announces new Hunter products: KAR UK, a leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment and distributor of Hunter products, has announced some exciting new product launches.

NEW EZ-DT diagnostic tool

The industry’s simplest two-wire system just got easier with the new handheld EZ-DT diagnostic tool from Hunter. It uses wireless technology to streamline installation and maintenance of EZ Decoder Systems.

KAR UK announces new Hunter products

KAR UK announces new Hunter products

Contractors can use the EZ-DT to quickly and easily assess system health from within the valve box — without having to uninstall the decoders — reducing time and labour.

The reliable, battery-operated EZ-DT lets EZ-1 decoder users:

  • Detect faults and perform electrical troubleshooting in the field without uninstalling decoders.
  • Quickly read decoder status, station address, current draw, and two-wire voltage to simplify maintenance.
  • Program decoder station address via wired connection to speed up installation and save time on-site.
  • Update controller face pack or decoder module firmware via ribbon cable connection for flexibility when updating systems.
  • Communicate in their preferred language using the multilingual user interface.
  • Work efficiently on the go with power supplied by four AAA batteries.

NEW MP Stake

Native plant restoration projects and subsurface drip irrigation systems often require temporary overhead watering to support delicate plants.

Designed for use with any water-efficient MP Rotator nozzle, MP Stake kits come preassembled for simple installation. Quickly give fragile plants the supplemental irrigation they need without adding significant labour.

KAR UK announces new Hunter products

KAR UK announces new Hunter products

Other key benefits include:

  • Pair with any high-efficiency MP Rotator nozzle to simplify temporary irrigation.
  • Preassembled for fast and easy installation in the field.
  • Standard kit includes a 66 cm stake, nozzle adapter, 0.345″ tubing, and ½” threaded male fitting for quick connection.
  • For maximum water savings, upgrade to a 2.8 bar (280 kPa) pressure regulator and Hunter Check Valve.

The new Hunter products are available from KAR UK with immediate effect.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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KAR’s successful launch for Hunter TTS rotors

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KAR’s successful launch for Hunter TTS rotors: Last year, KAR UK launched the new Hunter TTS-800 rotors and, in that time, they have become one of the most sought-after irrigation products in sportsturf. Sales Manager Mike McDonnell reveals the reasons why.

“Greenkeepers, Course Managers, Grounds persons, Stadium Mangers and Sports Turf Managers in general have a very difficult job when it comes to irrigation management,” said Mike. “Playability can directly impact revenue and so effective irrigation is critical at all times.

KAR's successful launch for Hunter TTS rotors

KAR’s successful launch for Hunter TTS rotors

Harsh environments and dirty water can make matters even more complicated but with heavy duty, highly efficient easy to service TTS rotors – Turf Managers can push past such obstacles to ensure beautiful, playable pitches and courses for years to come.

“We have been delighted to see such interest in the TTS-800 series in the past year.”

As Mike says, the TTS-800 series are now relied upon at some of the most prestigious sporting venues in the UK and beyond. They integrate advanced technology with unrivalled power, reliability, and performance to simplify irrigation management and cultivate impeccable playing surfaces in every application.

TTS-800 rotors combine the field-proven benefits of Hunters’ robust, highly efficient G-80 and G-85 gear drives with an all-new Total-Top-Service body, inlet valve, and control mechanism to ensure unmatched ease of installation and serviceability.

“These really are the most reliable and powerful rotors in the industry,” continued Mike. “Our customers have been quick to praise Hunter’s patented TTS (Total-Top-Service) technology which allows for every serviceable element of the rotor to be accessed through the top.

KAR's successful launch for Hunter TTS rotors

KAR’s successful launch for Hunter TTS rotors

Mechanical and electrical, big and small, operators can get to every component without disturbing the playing surface.

“This means there’s no more digging, no more unsightly scars, and perhaps more importantly, it is one less item on a busy turf manager’s schedule.”

Other benefits of the TTS series include:

  • Exclusive pressure port nozzle technology which maximizes distribution uniformity for healthy, playable turf in any setting.
  • The high-torque gear drive is the strongest in the industry to mitigate the challenges of reclaimed water and debris infiltration.
  • The TTS-800 Series are available in four models to ensure optimised performance in a range of applications.
  • A threaded inlet which sets the industry standard with heavy duty impact-resistant construction.
  • Three ports of entry are available – to allow for fast, organised, and easy wire management during installation.
  • The regulator is adjustable when installed or removed, allowing for easy fine-tuning of settings for optimal performance.
  • The on-off/auto-selector is colour coded with a visual indicator which makes it easy to identify when the rotor is in the manual off position.
  • A stage two filter protection helps prevent rotor weeping.
  • The powerful patented planetary gear drive powers through even the harshest conditions.
  • A range of nozzle packages are available with flows from 33.71 litres per minute at a radius of 11.3m to 225.6 litres per minute at a radius of 29.5m
  • Speciality low angle nozzles are also available to accommodate high-wind environments and other specific needs.

“A lot of research has been carried out over the years and it is not a surprise to see that Hunter systems offer 17% savings in water usage over the competition on average,” said Mike. “At KAR we are proud to distribute and work with such a leading brand.

“In particular, the TTS-800 rotors are built to maximise convenience and minimise waste. We are hoping for another successful year with these popular and powerful rotors.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Hunter hits the mark at the London Stadium

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Hunter hits the mark at the London Stadium: Last year a Hunter Industries irrigation system, supplied by KAR UK, was installed at the iconic London Stadium. After seeing a number of benefits, Head Groundsman James Williams wanted to extend the Hunter system to other areas of the stadium.

The former Swansea and Liberty Stadium groundsman has certainly made an impression in London since he took the job in 2016. James’ work has been widely praised by his peers, and also by players and managers. By his own admission he is addicted to his profession.

Hunter hits the mark at the London Stadium

Hunter hits the mark at the London Stadium

“I think every head groundsman has a bit of an obsession with their pitch,” he said. “The lads are always asking why I’m messaging them even when I’m on holiday but I have cameras all around the pitch which I view on my phone and I’m forever spotting things. It’s difficult to switch off.”

James now has even greater control over the pitch when it comes to irrigation – so much so that he can even manage it from his own home or wherever he may be.

“We’ve got probes in the pitch which give me a lot of readings such as moisture, the humidity in the stadium, the temperature and a lot more. Every morning I get an email with a report telling me what the moisture levels are from three different depths. If I see that the moisture has dropped below 10% then I’ll turn the irrigation system on through my phone.”

This advantage has all been made possible thanks to a newly installed Hunter Industries irrigation system. Last year James felt that he was not getting the best out of the previous irrigation system and the pitch wasn’t getting the water it needed. After getting in touch with KAR UK, the UK’s leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment, a new Hunter system was installed. The system included eight of the most technologically advanced commercial rotors on the market – the all-new I-80’s.

Engineered for sports turf, the I-80 is built with a robust, dirt-tolerant gear drive that offers the highest torque output of any rotor in the commercial sphere, and extends a radius range from 11.3 to 29.6 meters. The I-80 features a wide range of highly efficient, dual-trajectory, wind-fighting nozzles for highly efficient performance in a range of applications. It also provides total top serviceability (TTS) via its integrated, surface-mounted snap-ring for no-dig easy maintenance.

Hunter hits the mark at the London Stadium

Hunter hits the mark at the London Stadium

“I was instantly impressed with how good they were,” said James. “The service from KAR UK was also excellent and was part of the reason why I decided to go ahead and replace the outfield and pitch surrounds with the new Hunter TTS-885’s with no-bounce covers and turf cups.”

The new Hunter TTS-800 rotors provide maximum uniformity and longevity as they use the same gear drive and nozzles as the I-80’s. The high-torque gear drives are the strongest in the industry, so the challenges of reclaimed water use or poor water quality are mitigated. An extra-large, fast-access flange compartment comfortably accommodates wire connections and other components.

James and his team are now able to control the system both to the pitch and the outfields through the mobile-friendly Centralus irrigation management platform. This provides highly secure, comprehensive cloud-based control and monitoring features to the new ACC2 controller at the stadium. The connectivity allows users to view a controller’s status, change settings, view forecasts, save water, and receive instant notification of important system alarms — all without costly and time-consuming travel and site visits.

It is a technologically advanced system, yet incredibly user friendly – something which James felt was important.

“The one thing that stands out the most for me is that this system is very simple to use and that was essential. I needed something that the whole team could use – not just myself.

“I’m very impressed with the whole system. There is a reason that more and more stadiums are switching over to Hunter.

“The service and support from KAR UK has again been fantastic.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Hunter the choice at Arthur Miller Stadium

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Hunter the choice at Arthur Miller Stadium: Daniel Connor, groundsman at the Arthur Miller Stadium in Leeds, has reported excellent results since a new Hunter Industries irrigation system from KAR UK was installed.

The Arthur Miller Stadium is home to Stanningley Sports & Rugby Club and is used as a training base for the Leeds Rhinos first-team. It also plays host to Rhinos’ Academy teams from under 6’s up to under 19’s.

Hunter the choice at Arthur Miller Stadium

Hunter the choice at Arthur Miller Stadium

Overseeing the maintenance of the full-sized pitch and three smaller pitches is Daniel Connor, who says that the playing surfaces have significantly improved since the new irrigation system was installed.

“We used to connect our old system up to the mains and used to do four runs which took six hours just to get a bit of water on the pitch,” said Daniel. “In the heat of the summer you just could never get enough water on it no matter how hard you tried with the old irrigation system. The pitch literally used to dry out in hot weather and from May until July it used to turn into a dust bowl. It was rock solid to play on and we lost grass coverage straight down the middle.”

“I looked around to see what was on the market and I also got a number of quotes,” continued Daniel. “We had a lot of options but we were most impressed with KAR UK who came to visit us. They came across incredibly professional and knowledgeable and we concluded that the Hunter System from KAR UK was our preferred choice.”

As a result, KAR UK – the UK and Ireland distributor of Hunter Industries irrigation equipment, supplied a variety of G885 and I-40 rotary sprinklers, PGV valves, an ACC2 controller with Wi-Fi and a Roam remote.

The I-40 is a tough commercial rotor that delivers water with accuracy and efficiency at distances up to 23.2 m. Featuring diverse three-port nozzle options, a non-strippable drive, and a thick rubber cover built to prevent injury; it’s no wonder this rotor is found in more stadiums than any other in the world. With the strength of stainless steel, the I-40 is built to last in the harshest sports, public park, and commercial environments.

Working in harmony with the I-40’s, the G885 rotary sprinklers boast one of the highest torque outputs on the market and its patented gear drive will push through anything that gets in its way. With such a powerful core, an array of efficient nozzles, and true full circle and part circle capabilities, the G885 is relied on by turf managers throughout the globe. Throw in the convenient serviceability of Total Top Service (TTS) and Decoder-In Head (DIH) technology, and you don’t just have the most powerful choice in rotors, you’ve got the most intelligent choice as well.

Hunter the choice at Arthur Miller Stadium

Hunter the choice at Arthur Miller Stadium

Daniel also benefits from the use of the ACC2 controller which is ideal for delivering advanced water management to meet the demands of large-scale commercial projects and the Roam remote – which eliminates the need to go back and forth to the sprinkler controller.

“Since we have had the new system installed the difference in the pitch has been phenomenal,” he said. “It has also made my life so much easier. The controls are incredibly effective and simple to use and we can now water at night which has been a huge benefit. From a maintenance point of view, it is very straight forward. It’s a simple screw and you can get right into the head without having to dig them out.

“It really does offer top performance. The rotors go 360°, head-to-head and we can now get water onto the middle of the pitch – which is something we previously struggled with.

“Ultimately, I’m over the moon with the system. We’ve been able to maintain grass coverage and we have a consistently good playing surface.”

Hunter Industries is distributed in the UK by KAR UK. For more information, please visit www.karuk.com or www.hunterindustries.com.

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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