Tag Archive for: Is

Kubota is top of the class

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Kubota is top of the class: Taking grasscutting in-house has allowed site manager Ed Crawford to have better control of the mowing cycle at Horncastle Primary School, and a Kubota Z122R is just the machine for the job.

The Lincolnshire school accommodates 580 pupils from nursery-age to year six, and the four-acre site includes grass playing fields and lawns, from small areas around car parks to a one acre field.

Kubota is top of the class

Kubota is top of the class

“We have used a contractor in the past, but last year decided to do the pedestrian mowing ourselves. It then made sense to have a ride-on for larger areas, as we were paying £2500 a year just for grass cutting.”

A discussion with local Kubota dealer Irelands Farm Machinery, which opened its groundcare division last October, suggested that a Z122R zero turn would be the ideal solution.

Powered by a 19hp petrol engine, the mower packs a punch with a 1.07m (42in) cutting deck to tackle larger areas with ease, but features a clever zero turn steering system. This uses a pair of levers for precise control of forward and reverse and steering, allowing it to manoeuvre in its own length for effortless work in tight or tricky areas such as around flowerbeds or street furniture.

“It’s very manoeuvrable,” comments Mr Crawford, who is the main driver, “But can really move on and cover the ground on a longer run. The levers took a little getting used to but I was soon up and running; it’s very easy to operate.”

He notes that the twin blade rotary deck produces a high quality cut, and says: “The grass has always been cut with a cylinder mower, but I actually think the rotary is doing a better job. We’ve also got the flexibility to mow when the grass needs it, rather than on a contractor’s fixed schedule, and at a time and in conditions that suit us.”

Cut height will mainly be kept fairly consistent, but he praises the ease of adjustment allowing a taller sward to be left in spring and autumn.

“The Kubota has a good, comfortable operator platform and there’s a clear view over the deck,” Mr Crawford notes. “The deck lifts up and there’s a hose slot for easy cleaning out, and on our use so far, fuel consumption looks low,” he says.

Irelands Farm Machinery will offer servicing as needed, but Mr Crawford expects the Z122R to have low running costs.

“It’s a really well-built machine, much more robust than others that we looked at, so I think it will stand up well to the work and will last. We’re very pleased with our choice.”

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SAGE is on for summer 2021

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SAGE is on for summer 2021: With the government’s announcement outlining the road map for this summer, SAGE is officially ON!

Join us from 27 – 29 July 2021, for the UK’s largest outdoor Sports and Grounds Expo .

SAGE is on for summer 2021

SAGE is on for summer 2021

Set in the stunning surroundings of the Three Counties Showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills, the show will feature hands-on demonstrations and experiences, offering visitors the chance to see and test out the latest products.

Visitors can also observe leading exhibitors showcasing their products, without any limitations on space, while also hearing the latest ideas from within the industry.

SAGE brings together grounds personnel from a broad range of sectors, providing an engaging and well-resourced environment. The expo will advise companies on how to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness, exploring and showcasing the products that can help.

The government’s announcement out of lockdown has really opened up the summer; SAGE now sits perfectly in the calendar, and provides a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors and to see what is on offer across the industry. Our motivation is to give visitors a hands-on experience, without compromising on safety, and at The Three Counties Show Ground this is easily achieved.” Says Event Manager Vicky Panniers

“Our aim is to provide an environment that will benefit everyone from grass roots to senior management; we are very excited about what is on offer and we look forward to seeing you all.” She continues.

The Sports & Grounds Expo will be the highlight of the industry calendar this summer, offering a safe and proactive environment for those operating across all sectors of the sports and grounds maintenance industry. SAGE is a free event open to all, who are interested in the sports and grounds industry.

For more information, contact the team today by email: team@sportsandgrounds.co.uk, by phone: +44 (0)1684 580101 or visit the website: www.sportsandgrounds.co.uk.

Visitor registration is now open – Go to www.sportsandgrounds.co.uk to register and to be kept up to date with what’s to come! Follow SAGE news on Twitter & Facebook for updates.

The safety of visitors and exhibitors is a priority, the latest health & safety advice will be implemented, security measures including social distancing have already been put into action, hand sanitiser will be readily available and free pre-registered bookings for all visitors to reduce queues are heavily encouraged.

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Etesia is the way for Hard Graft

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Etesia is the way for Hard Graft: Hard Graft Garden Services, based in East Lothian, Scotland, believe that two Etesia machines are leading the way when it comes to green space management.

Hard Graft Garden Services is very much a family affair. In 1986 the company was by launched by Neil Stuart who initially started working with his brother Ian and then later with his three sons – Sam, Fraser, and Lewis.

Etesia is the way for Hard Graft

Etesia is the way for Hard Graft

While Neil still does the ‘hard graft’ behind the scenes with garden visits and admin, the day-to-day operations are overseen by the three brothers.

“We all bring different skills to the company;” said Lewis. “My role is to concentrate on the machinery side of things because I have come from a mechanical background and therefore, I source all of the machinery we use.”

In living up to the company name, Hard Graft Garden Services have built a reputation for supporting the local community and providing an unrivalled customer service. Working on a wide range of domestic gardens, the family is renowned for taking great pride in their work, no matter what the size of the project.

“We are very selective when it comes to machinery – it has to be the best,” continued Lewis. “I like to keep abreast of all relevant industry media and I read lots of customer reviews and watch numerous product videos. I came across Etesia UK’s social media channels and the more I saw, and the more I read, I just got the impression that the machines were something special.”

After enquiring, Lewis was put in touch with Scottish based Etesia dealer – Border Chainsaw and Lawnmower Services. A demonstration was arranged, and the brothers were instantly impressed.

“Off the back of the demonstration, we ordered an Etesia Pro 53 LKX2 straight away,” Lewis said. “The dealer also told us he was getting a lot more machinery in stock which included an Etesia scarifier. I said I was interested in that and so I initially hired it for a week to see what it was like.

“Within the first couple of hours of using it, all three of us looked at one another and agreed that this was the machine for us.”

The Etesia MSC45 is a powered pedestrian scarifier for domestic and professional use on lawns and amenity areas. The machine has a working width of 45cm and comes complete with a Honda GX160 5.5hp engine ensuring that it will be suitable for applications ranging from treating the average lawn to rejuvenating estates and formal grounds – perfectly fitting the bill for Hard Graft Garden Services.

The Etesia MSC45 can be used for regular use or as part of a maintenance programme at different depth settings with the use of interchangeable reels that can be swapped without the use of any tools allowing the spring mounted tine reel to remove thatch and the scarifier unit to take out more of the bulk.

“Our customers have been blown away by what this machine can do, and you can’t get much better feedback than a customer saying how outstanding a machine is.

“We get a lot of rain and snow up here in Scotland – so when we do get a good spell you need a good quality machine to help you do the job. We have had plenty of machines in the past that have struggled and have had various mechanical issues but the MSC45 just takes everything in its stride.

“It is also one of the easiest and by far the most comfortable pedestrian scarifier I have ever used,” he continued. “The long handlebars enable you to position your body in a better position and it is a lot easier on your back. It is great for storage too because the handlebars fold over. You can just tell that every aspect of this machine has been well thought out – and the same goes for the Etesia Pro 53 LKX2.”

Robust, durable, and highly efficient, the Etesia Pro 53 LKX2 is a professional, heavy duty 3 in 1 mower offering exceptional performance on slopes. The mower is powered by a powerful Kawasaki 6.0hp commercial grade engine for strong reliable power. Other features include 5 pre-set cutting heights ranging from 25mm to 85mm, semi-agrarian rear wheels are fitted to improve traction on slopes, and specially shaped handlebars which are fitted to provide the user with maximum comfort.

“We have had several other lawnmowers over the years and the biggest problem we have around these areas, is wet grass,” said Lewis. “The majority of the mowers fail to cut or collect in these conditions but when you see the LKX2 in action it is breath-taking. It gives us the confidence knowing that we will not ever have to arrive on site and worry about not being able to cut grass. No matter the thickness, no matter the height, no matter the weather – this tackles everything you throw at it.”

“Ultimately, these Etesia machines make us more efficient,” concluded Lewis. “The equipment is the highest in class and they make our lives easier. It’s peace of mind too, you get support from the dealer, support from the manufacturer and you have the warranty too – Etesia just goes that extra mile for the customer.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Pellenc is the way for Border Lawns

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Pellenc is the way for Border Lawns: Angus Roberts believes he has an opportunity to make his new business – Border Lawns, stand out from the competition and he claims that his recent investment in a range of Pellenc products will certainly help his cause.

Angus recently announced that he was stepping away from greenkeeping to set-up a new landscaping business called Border Lawns in Scotland. He admits to it being not without risk though, especially as he held a prominent position as the deputy course manager at the Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course. However, with youth and experience on his side, it seems a logical decision – even more so when you refer to his already impressive CV.

Pellenc is the way for Border Lawns

Pellenc is the way for Border Lawns

Angus left school and began an apprenticeship at the Roxburghe in 2017 but he got his first taste of tournament preparation in 2016 when he volunteered to be part of the BIGGA Volunteer Support Team that helped at the British Masters in 2016.

A year later and he was awarded the prestigious Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year. It was an incredible achievement for someone who had just a year’s full-time greenkeeping experience. Never one to rest on his laurels, Angus continued to impress and as well as achieving his level 3 qualification in greenkeeping, he also received successive promotions at the Roxburghe. However, he now feels the time is right to go it alone.

“I’ve branched out from greenkeeping to form Border Lawns and it is something I have been working on in my spare time for a while now,” said Angus. “The company specialises in lawn treatment and other general services such as mowing and hedge cutting. There is a lot of competition with other big franchise companies but after a lot of research, I do feel there is an opportunity for my company to stand out from the crowd.”

To do this, Angus believes in only using market leading equipment and it is for this reason that he had his heart set on the Pellenc range of battery-powered equipment.

A forerunner when it comes to lithium-ion technology, Pellenc has established itself as the number one choice in the ‘zero emission’ professional power tools market for the maintenance of urban and green-spaces.

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and enough power to enable professional users to work for a full day on a single charge, it’s no wonder more and more professional users are turning to Pellenc. It is an attractive alternative to those who have, for several years, been relying on fuel-based machinery.

With an extensive product list available from Pellenc, Angus chose to invest in a whole new fleet consisting of chainsaws, blowers, hedge cutters, brushcutters pole saws, grass strimmers and mowers. All these products will be powered by 1200 and 1500 ultra-lithium batteries.

“I first saw the products being demonstrated by Agrovista Amenity when I was working at the golf course and I was taken aback,” he said. “I have used lots of petrol-powered machinery over the years and they have been great but there is an expense to keep them going, and you do get issues with them. As a company I would like to be environmentally sustainable and benefit from the long-term savings that can be achieved through battery-powered products.

As Angus says, not only will users see a huge amount of savings by eliminating the necessity of purchasing fuel but by using the Pellenc equipment, they will be contributing to protecting the environment by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and noise pollution.

“The fact that they are so quiet and comfortable are huge benefits too,” continued Angus. “I can start work earlier in the morning because the equipment doesn’t disturb anyone, and I can work for longer periods because the machinery doesn’t scream my head off!

“The run time of the Pellenc equipment is so far ahead of all of the other electric products out there. They are waterproof with an IP54 rating too so I can work in any weather – which is vital. Another big benefit is that the batteries are recyclable.

Pellenc UK recently announced the launch of an industry leading four-year commercial warranty for all batteries and three-year warranty for all tools – something which further impressed Angus.

“The warranty is a great peace of mind,” he said. “Ultimately, the Pellenc equipment is powerful, reliable, environmentally friendly and keeps its worth for several years – it is a good investment in my opinion. Allan Wright from Agrovista Amenity, who supplied the equipment, has also been very helpful – that’s exactly what you need from a dealer.”

Pellenc products are exclusively distributed in the UK by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Ferris® Introduces IS®6200

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Ferris® Introduces IS®6200: Ferris®  introduces the IS®6200 commercial zero-turn mower that uses the latest EU Stage 5 emission technology in combination with unique mowing technology to provide commercial cutters with superior performance, quality and comfort. The all new IS®6200 has all it needs to impress even the most demanding professional cutter.

Zero Turn mowers have come a long way in 20 years. Nowadays they are bigger and faster and they put more stress on their operators. After 18 years it was time to update our flagship mower, the IS®5100Z. With the development of its successor we kept building our old flagship mower in mind. We used our worldwide facilities to take the trails further. So rather than rest on the many laurels we went full-out bringing it up to date and even beyond. It is a powerhouse evolved directly from the IS®5100Z, adding 41% (!) more engine power with stunning performance and unshakeable endurance that will set the pace for many years to come.

Ferris® Introduces IS®6200

Ferris® Introduces IS®6200

We offer you the most powerful Zero Turn mower in the industry, enabling you to achieve the highest production with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership. Get rid of backlogs and capacity problems. Latest Stage 5 technology in combination with HVO100 synthetic Diesel¹) enables you to reach your climate targets and reduce your Carbon Footprint.

The IS®6200 is powered by a Caterpillar® 48-gross HP, 1699cc Liquid Cooled 3-cylinder EU Stage 5 Diesel engine, featuring a Turbo charger, a Common Rail fuel system and a Diesel Oxygen Catalyst. This CAT® C1.7 Turbo Diesel provides a wide range of benefits which include reduced fuel consumption, increased power (+41%) and a max. torque of 166.5Nm at 1400 rpm.

Ferris patented IS Independent Suspension® system with adjustable coil-over-shocks at the front wheels of the machine in conjunction with adjustable, (double at the IS®6200) coil-over-shocks at the rear wheels, offering superior operator comfort and increased mowing productivity. The IS Independent Suspension® system utilises four upper and lower control rods and mower-specific shocks designed to eliminate caster chatter and to ensure the casters remain properly oriented throughout the entire range of suspension travel to improve ride and cut quality. This controlled motion results in a smoother ride, more precise tracing of the terrain and an improved cut. The patented suspension system responds to the most unforgiving terrain with refined control and incomparable steering accuracy. It allows the operator maintain ground speed on rough underground, not slow down, taking full advantage of the available horsepower resulting in more covered square meters per hour and lower operational costs. On top of that, a Ferris ZTR has no limitations on the daily allowable exposure in regards to hand/arm and whole-body vibrations. (HAV’s and WBV’s)

The IS®6200 is a commercial workhorse offering superior durability and is built with industry-leading commercial-grade components. Dual commercial Hydro Gear PW pumps in conjunction with Parker TG0335 LSHT Torq motors deliver unmatched power, traction and durability. The unique and patented 183cm (72”) Triple iCD™ Mowing Technology deck features a rear- and a side discharge option, as well as a semi- and full mulching baffle and Hercules™ II cast-iron spindle housings; accommodating double-row industrial angular-contact bearings. An all new double belt mower drive system is covered by 3 years (max.300 hours) warranty Other features include a foot operated hydraulic mower deck lift, a premium high-back seat with padded armrests, adjustable headrest and integrated retractable seat belt, a digital CAN display monitoring engine parameters, a large 51 litre fuel tank capacity and a foldable ROPS system.

Specifications:

  • 48HP (166.5Nm@1400rpm) CAT C1.7 Turbo-charged common-rail Diesel, EU Stage 5
  • Four-wheel IS Independent Suspension®  enables mowing speeds up to 20km/h
  • All day mowing: No need to re-fill (51ℓ capacity) or re-charge. No limitations on HAVS/WBV
  • Capacity: up to 2.93 hectares/hour (based on 80% efficiency)
  • 183cm (72”) fabricated steel mower deck with hydraulic mower lift and Triple iCD™ Mowing Technology featuring rear-and side discharge option as well as semi- or full mulching mode.
  • Foot operated hydraulic deck lift with cutting height ranging from 38-152mm in 0,6cm increments
  • Large 26×12-12 drive tyres and 13×6.5-6 caster tyres

The IS®6200 includes the Ferris 2+2 Year Limited Warranty which covers the unit for four years (48 months) or 500 hours, whichever occurs first. During the first two years (24 months), the mower is covered for unlimited hours. (Belts, tires, brake pads, battery and blades are covered for 90 days.) In addition, coil-over-shocks and all suspension-related components are covered for five years (60 months), unlimited hours and 3-years (36 months) or 300 hours, whichever occurs first on the mower deck drive belts. (Parts and labor in year one; parts only in years two and three). 2-Year / 2000 hours Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty on the CAT®-engine.

Available to market: April/May 2021/Recommended Retail Price IS®6200 with 183cm deck: € 34.333,- excl. VAT.

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