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Is there a crisis in golf greenkeeping?

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Is there a crisis in golf greenkeeping?: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has launched an industry-wide survey that will quantify information relating to a perceived ‘crisis’ within the greenkeeping and wider golfing sector.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that golf clubs are struggling to fill available vacancies, particularly in the greenkeeping department. Reasons generally put forward for this include the requirement to work anti-social hours, lack of appreciation and a relatively low entry salary. However, for those who do embark upon a career in greenkeeping, the positives are many.

Is there a crisis in golf greenkeeping?

Is there a crisis in golf greenkeeping?

This survey is crucial as it is vital the scale of the challenge is quantified, as well as the key drivers for the issues. Effective golf club staff are critical to the health and growth of the sport as they strongly influence the experience of golfers on a day-to-day basis.

As BIGGA seeks to fulfil its overarching ambition of creating a more positive working environment for the UK’s greenkeepers, BIGGA hopes the hard data from the survey will enable the association to positively guide the broader golf industry.

Head greenkeepers, course managers and other members of the turf management team at golf clubs are invited to complete the survey. Only one response is required per golf club. The survey can be completed online at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2VZ52PH

BIGGA has requested the support of partner organisations with regards this research and will publish the results in full when the periods for submissions has closed.

BIGGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “With the ongoing cost of living crisis at the forefront of our minds and the COVID-19 pandemic having caused many people to consider their priorities, the golf industry faces a very real challenge to engage sufficient staff at club level, to effectively deliver the sport to the nation’s five million regular golfers. Participation in the sport is booming at just the time that recruiting and retaining greenkeeping staff is at its most challenging. It is vital the golf industry – utilising real data – considers positive solutions to the ongoing labour issues.

“We encourage all our members to respond to this survey, which we believe will benefit all greenkeepers and golf club staff.”

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Kubota best in all events

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Kubota best in all events: With 200 acres of grass to care for and a packed programme of events ranging from Truckfest to the International Antiques Fair and the Festival of Motorcycling, East of England Arena and Events Centre needs reliable, productive machinery.

After a round of demonstrations aimed at updating their fleet, the grounds team has chosen a Kubota M5112 tractor, RTV-X1110 utility vehicle and ZD1211 zero turn mower, supplied by dealer Irelands Farm Machinery.

Kubota best in all events

Kubota best in all events

The main tasks for the 110hp M5112 are mowing the large expanses of grass used for exhibition space and parking, plus general haulage, head of maintenance Dean Wyers explains.

“We have also purchased a 4.6m Spearhead Multicut mower from Irelands, and the combination gives us the output we need to keep the extensive grass areas tidy. The Kubota tractor handles the mower really well, and it’s very comfortable to drive, with great visibility.”

Next on the shopping list was a ride-on mower, essential for cutting tighter areas.

“We had a front mower before but were interested in a zero turn to work around the many lamp posts, stand pipes and electricity boxes on the site. The ZD1211 is a huge improvement, so much quicker, but with a very good quality cut,” he comments. “It’s also durable enough to cope with the debris that can be hidden in the grass after an event and very easy to check and clean with its flip up deck.”

To get around the huge site and move tools and materials, the 24hp RTV-X 1110 has proved a great choice. Mr Wyers points out.

“It’s very good to drive and comfortable due to its all-round suspension – I’ve already clocked up some miles in it, and it’s proving economical on fuel. We do a lot of towing for which it gives plenty of power, and it can also be fitted with a specialist sprayer which we find very useful for weed control around fencelines.”

The RTV has a hydraulic tipping bed as standard, which he suggests will be handy for moving materials such as soil for ground repairs in the show season. The East of England Arena and Events Centre has specified a full cab with heater, for protection from the elements.

“We demonstrated one with a ROPS, but it is a very open site so we do appreciate the cab,” he comments. “It’s very roomy and easy to access.”

An onsite workshop means that most of the machinery maintenance is kept in-house, and Mr Wyers praises the ease of service access on all three machines, while Irelands are close at hand for back-up and parts should they be needed.

“The Kubota machines are robust and well made,” he says. “Reliability really is key for us as we can often have just two days turnaround to get the site looking pristine for the next event, and we’re confident that they will provide this.”

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Tillers Turf invests in Kubota power

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Tillers Turf invests in Kubota power: Leading turf grower and supplier Tillers Turf has invested in Kubota’s new M6-142 tractor to provide the power for high output maintenance and harvesting equipment.

The 142hp tractor from the latest M6002 series is powered by a Kubota Stage V 6.1 litre four-cylinder engine and weighs in at just six tonnes, offering an excellent power to weight ratio for work with more demanding implements while maintaining a light tread on the top quality turf, which is used in leading sports venues around the country.

Tillers Turf invests in Kubota power

Tillers Turf invests in Kubota power

Its 24×24 (36×36 with creeper) speed Powershift transmission makes the best use of the engine’s muscle whether on the road or in the field, and rear linkage lift capacity of 7000kg with up to four spool valves means that it can handle a wide range of implements.

For Tillers Turf’s specialist requirements the M6-142 has been equipped with the latest Egnos guidance system for increased accuracy on tasks such as mowing. It has also been fitted with BKT turf tyres which exert minimal ground pressure as possible and have a wide, flat bottom tyres to avoid making indentations in the ground.

The tractor immediately impressed when paired with a 23 reel, 16m working width V-Mow cylinder gang mower, purpose-built for large scale turf production, but the team at Tillers’ Turf also put their prospective purchase through an extensive series of trials, as Production Manager Charles Applewhite explains:

“We run a fleet of some 20 tractors of 100-160hp for a variety of turf growing tasks and when we had M6 on demo we trialled it on 12 different applications from towing large trailers of turf rolls from the field to rotary mowing, cylinder mowing and powering specialist equipment for drainage operations, all of which it performed really well.”

This was thought provoking for the company, he adds:

“We even used it for some of the land work applications that are normally carried out using six-cylinder tractors. The M6 has an interesting engine – a 6.1 litre, four-cylinder which is a very large displacement, so there’s less lag. It’s a more traditional approach than some other engines, but easy to operate and it really surprised us with the variety of tasks it can do.”

Tillers Turf also asked eight different operators to put the tractor through its paces and Mr Applewhite comments that it got the thumbs up.

“They really liked it – they praised the suspension, which gives the ride you’d expect from a bigger tractor, and found the Kubota extremely comfortable on the road.”

“The decent DAB radio, heating and air conditioning and comfortable seat were also appreciated,” he reports. “It may sound trivial, but when you are putting in long hours in the tractor, comfort is very important.”

The M6 also scored highly for its manoeuvrability, with a good steering lock, and for how it performed on the turf, he explains:

“It’s light and power dense, which is crucial for us as we don’t want to put excessive ground pressure on the areas that we are working on.”

With the M6-142 now in its first season at Tillers Turf, and its bigger brother the M7003, also now in for evaluation, the tractors’ capabilities have led him to think of the future:

“We have five front line tractors which are changed every couple of years, but we also have 15-20 much older tractors which are kept in the fleet because they are simpler and we can maintain them ourselves in our own workshop. With the front line tractors, we are slowly losing the ability to do this, because everything needs a computer and specialist tooling,” he explains.

“The M6 is unique because while it’s as straightforward to maintain as one from the early 2000s, it still offers all the benefits of a modern tractor. We may be able to replace our older fleet with the Kubotas, which is where we saw it fitting in.”

“What surprised us, however, is there were jobs that we thought only a six-cylinder tractor could do, but it could perform these. So looking to the future, a tractor like this with 140hp under the bonnet, but being so light and capable, could fit into our business model very well.”

Tillers Turf Production Manager Charles Applewhite put the Kubota M6-1452 through a comprehensive evaluation process before purchase.

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Kress dealers support in Ireland

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Kress dealers support in Ireland: Positec UK & Ireland has taken the decision to streamline the route to market for its desirable range of Kress products, by working directly with its dealer network across the island of Ireland.

Newly appointed Kress Brand and Business Manager, Gary Tully says; “We have an excellent, established dealer network across Ireland and this new and more efficient structure will help us all to fully maximise the distribution of the exciting range of Kress mowers and power tools”.

Kress dealers support in Ireland

Kress dealers support in Ireland

Tully adds, “Demand for Kress products has outstripped supply over the last 2 years and we are keen to ensure that stock availability in Ireland meets demand in the future. During April we will make contact with each dealer to communicate our plans in detail”.

Kress’s advanced battery technology provides the most powerful and durable range of outdoor green power tools available on the market, extending from the Mission range of robotic mowers, to 20V and 60V grass and hedge trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and more.

Kress batteries are high quality lithium-ion, designed for demanding jobs and with a range of functions that offer seamless, high-power operation for as long as it is needed.

The Kress 60V range is therefore also particularly ideal for Landscapers, Commercial contractors, Sports Clubs and Landowners looking to reduce emissions, fuel and the operating costs to manage sports pitches, lawns and large grounds.

With annual growth that has reached tenfold, robotic mowers are becoming ever more popular with businesses and homeowners. However, their basic design had not changed significantly since they were invented in 1995, until now. Kress believes robotic mowers should do more than relieve users of the burden of pushing a mower each week and the Kress robot mower range has been designed from the ground up, featuring a raft of innovative technologies, that will set the industry standards for the coming years. This exciting new Kress Mission range of lawn management products, is packed with innovative technology to take robotic mowing to the next level.

As well as saving both time and cost, Kress Mission robotic mowers are also enabled to take autonomous decisions to protect and enhance the health of turf through innovative technology:

  • Intelligent Navigation Technology Inbound Variable Angle. Kress Mission’s INTIVA enabled mowers optimize their mowing, getting the job done faster and more efficiently, with less wear. Conversely, other robotic mowers stop, reverse, stop, and eventually turn, without being aware of which direction is best. Not only does this waste time, it wears the lawn along the borders and especially the corners.
  • Kress’ ultrasonic Obstacle Avoidance System, is years ahead of the competition. Not only does the OAS avoid collisions, it tells the mower how to best navigate complex paths, such as through a group of trees in the lawn.
  • Climate intelligence. Temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation all affect grass growth. Connected to a network of local weather stations, Mission robots autonomously customize their work schedule accordingly.
  • Climate friendly. Kress REGEN (regenerative brake system) technology recharges the battery when the mower is running downhill, increasing the runtime and reducing charging time and costs.
  • Blade design. Designing a robotic lawn mower around the grass does not mean neglecting users’ needs. The biggest complaint robotic lawnmower owners have is still manually trimming borders. The Kress Mission blade design is offset to mow the perimeter of the lawn as closely as possible.
  • The charging station has also been re-thought from scratch. Unlike conventional charging stations which sit on large plastic pads, both unpleasant to the eye and killing the grass underneath, the pad of Mission’s base is the grass.

Not to mention an App to control the mower remotely, multi-Zone programming, a rain sensor and grass-friendly charging, the Mission family ranges from the mini Nano to the Kress Mega Mower, offering powerful mowing capacity from 1 square metre up to an incredible 6,500 square metres.

Tony Macer National Sales Manager for Kress says: “In order to provide a better and more efficient service to both dealers and consumers, we have streamlined the supply chain to improve dealer support and get closer to our customers. With exciting new Kress products streaming onto the market, we want our valued dealers across the island of Ireland to enjoy the same benefits and margins as the rest of the UK & Europe”.

Tony adds: “With industry leading mowing power, all of our lawnmowers perform exceptionally in Irish grass conditions, wet or dry. The power tools in the 60v range are comparable to petrol. Kress and its products offer a real opportunity for dealers in Ireland to futureproof their business and evolve into the sustainable robotic and battery sectors, supported by a new, efficient and profitable structure”.

Established over 50 years ago, Positec owned brand, Kress, is World number 2 in robotic mower sales, with a culture of innovation, high quality engineering and patented technology, all at a very competitive price point, supported by a 3 year warranty, excellent aftersales service and dealer support. Accentuated through the latest Kress range of zero emission, high power battery products, Kress is proud to hold the WWF platinum award for sustainability.

Please contact Gary Tully today to see how you can evolve and grow with Kress.

Contact details:

Gary Tully, Kress Brand & Business Manager – ROI and NI

Positec UK & Ireland Ltd

Mobile: +44 (0) 7432 202 872

Email:    gary.tully@positecgroup.com

For all other UK enquiries or to become a Kress Dealer, please contact: Tony.Macer@positecgroup.com

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Makita puts the power in your hands

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Makita puts the power in your hands: Makita UK has expanded its powerful XGT 40VMax range of machines to offer professional users even more high-power products to aid their efficiency and productivity on site.

LS003G XGT 40VMax 305mm Brushless Slide Compound Mitre Saw

The new LS003G has been designed for high precision and consistent smooth cutting. It has an LED lamp that casts a helpful shadow of the saw blade onto the workpiece, acting as an accurate cutting line. The LS003G delivers an impressive no-load speed of up to 3,600rpm and has a maximum mitre range of 60° to 60° (L-R) and bevel range of 48° to 48° (L-R). For maximum versatility, the LS003G’s rail forward design means that the rear of the machine can be placed close to the wall, and the subbase supports a wide workpiece.

Makita puts the power in your hands

Makita puts the power in your hands

For improved safety, the LS003G also features Makita’s Auto Start Wireless System that automatically connects the LS003G to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth so that when the machine is in use, the dust extractor automatically runs.

AS001G XGT 40VMax Brushless Dust Blower

The AS001G is an incredibly versatile machine and can be used across a range of tasks including tool maintenance and cleaning, inflating and deflating inner tubes, blowing dust away from equipment and cleaning air conditioner filters thanks to its blower and vacuum modes. For increased usability, it delivers a maximum air volume of 1.1m3/min, sealed suction of 10.3kPa and air pressure of 20.6kPa. With four air volume options to choose from and one touch nozzle replacement, it is easy to adjust the tool to suit the task in hand.

The AS001G also includes a filter to prevent foreign matter from being sucked in and damaging the tool.

VC001GL and VC003GL XGT 40VMax L-Class Dust Extractors

With Makita’s powerful XGT 40VMax technology at their core, the VC001GL and VC003GL dust extractors deliver impressive output that is equivalent to corded alternatives. Both machines can house two XGT 40VMax batteries so that when the first battery runs out of charge, the second one automatically kicks in to keep the machine running for longer. To improve productivity further, the VC001GL and VC003GL have large tank capacities of 8-litres and 15-litres respectively, preventing the need to regularly down tools to empty the dust bag.

With numerous power options available, including ‘high power’ and ‘quiet’ modes, users can easily select the most appropriate setting for the application. The VC001GL and VC003GL can also be used for both wet and dry vacuum cleaning, providing professionals with a solution for every job. For wet vacuuming, the machines benefit from IPX-4 water resistance rating.

The VC001GL and VC003GL’s quiet operation means they can be used in occupied premises with minimal disruption to the building’s occupants.

CW001G XGT 40VMax Cooler/Warmer Box

The CW001G is the perfect jobsite companion. This 20litre cooler and warmer box has seven temperature settings ranging from -18oC up to 60oC, to either cool or warm food and drink items, for year-round usability. It also features a bottle opener and USB output port for charging mobile devices. For ease of transportation, the CW001G has large 100mm caster wheels and a carry handle with grips for added comfort.

The CW001G can be powered by four sources, so it can be easily added to any tradesperson’s Makita collection. Users can choose from using their XGT or LXT batteries, or a car DC utility socket, or an AC adapter.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “At Makita, we are dedicated to offering tradespeople a wide range of cordless solutions to suit any job or on-site need. Our XGT range of products are ideal for those looking expand their existing Makita cordless toolkits with a selection of even more powerful models suited to higher demand applications.”

To find out more about Makita and its products visit: www.makitauk.com

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