Tag Archive for: Launch

GreenFields Launch Pitch Awards

/in , , /by

GreenFields Launch Pitch Awards: GreenFields, official Pitch Partner of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League, have launched their second annual Pitch of the Year Awards. The Pitch of the Year Awards recognise individuals and clubs who work tirelessly to ensure that their pitches look and feel the best that they can despite often having limited resources.

The awards were launched via an online survey sent out to all clubs and they will be able to make one vote for their top pitch in the EVO-STIK NPL. Clubs have 21 days to complete the survey, and with nominations from 80% of member clubs for the 2018 awards GreenFields are hoping that 2019 will see even more clubs cast their all-important vote.

GreenFields Launch Pitch Awards

Paul Milton, Commercial Director at GreenFields commented: “We are incredibly proud to be sponsoring and judging the second EVO-STIK NPL Pitch of the Year Awards and hope that even more clubs vote this year. There is so much hard work and dedication that goes into maintaining a pitch and it is of paramount importance to us that both individuals and clubs receive the recognition they so rightly deserve.”

Once the votes are in GreenFields will be shortlisting three clubs per division to carry out pitch inspections at towards the end of March. The shortlisted pitches will be judged on the following criteria: clegg and moisture results, visibility of lines, overall grass coverage, quality of grass in goal mouth areas and overall surface stability. The judges will also take time to interview each Groundsman on aspects such as fertiliser frequency and Summer renovation plans as well as taking into account the staff used for pitch maintenance, the maintenance equipment owned by the club, the weather on the day of the visit, the geographical location and weather implications, the average hours of pitch usage and the level of irrigation in place at the club. GreenFields will document the visits by using a dedicated app and by taking a series of photos.

EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Chairman, Mark Harris commented: “The quality of playing surfaces is an essential part of any thriving Non-League football club and the volunteers who maintain them are cherished. The Pitch of the Year Awards complement the Football Association’s Groundsman of the Year scheme by giving further recognition to those pitches in the Northern Premier League that are already of an exceptional standard. We are delighted to be working with GreenFields on this initiative.”

As with last year’s winners, (Premier- Whitby Town FC, North- Trafford FC and South- Loughborough Dynamo FC) there will be one winner per division. The winners will be announced at the League’s Annual End of Season Awards on 15 June in Blackpool and will be presented with a trophy along with a £500 voucher to redeem against maintenance materials or services from GreenFields.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

ICL Launch H2Pro SaltSmart

/in , /by

ICL Launch H2Pro SaltSmart: ICL is expanding its leading range of H2Pro wetting agents with the launch of H2Pro “SaltSmart”.

Utilising advanced polymer and surfactant technology, the H2Pro range of specialist wetting agents have been carefully formulated and tested to help turf managers achieve maximum control of their moisture management.

ICL Launch H2Pro SaltSmart

The existing H2Pro’s DewSmart, TriSmart, FlowSmart and AquaSmart have been designed to achieve specific goals, each with a different blend of surfactants. The four products have been widely commended for offering a number of solutions such as; preventative and curative action against Dry Patch, providing a drier surface in wet conditions and significantly reducing irrigation requirements.

H2Pro SaltSmart is the latest addition to the H2Pro range and is set to provide turf managers with an even wider range of options for their moisture management strategies. A unique blend of penetrant surfactant with Calcium macro-polymer, H2Pro SaltSmart has been designed to move water and exchange cations thus reducing the impact of salt on turf. This specialist product works by allowing water to penetrate and dissolve and flush salts below the rooting level or out into the drainage system.

The build-up of salt levels in rootzones can be problematic in sports turf and H2Pro SaltSmart will be a welcome addition for venues such as links courses which may be situated close to the sea or for those who encounter high evaporation and low rainfall.

The product could also be extremely beneficial for low CEC sand-based rootzones that have limited buffering against salt influx and for turf managers who have poor quality groundwater for irrigation.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Triple Toro Launch At BTME

/in , , , /by

Triple Toro Launch At BTME: Reesink Turfcare brought visitors to BTME a Toro triple this year: three new launches – two on the machinery side and one for irrigation. And all three reflected what Toro does best – innovation.

David Cole, managing director, says: “It was a first for us to have three launches at one show, but this demonstrates our dedication for bringing our customers the very latest advancements in turfcare technology.”

Triple Toro Launch At BTME

The eTriFlex is a classic example of Toro responding to customer demand by creating a machine which significantly reduces noise. The new hydraulics-free Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360 with lithium-ion battery cuts noise to deliver quiet, leak-free, clean cutting. This allows work to start earlier and may circumvent noise regulations. It will help avoid complaints from area residents and prevent having to delay mowing certain greens early in the morning or during the day. Plus, with greens ready earlier, it could enhance revenue by allowing earlier tee times.

The new Greensmaster 1021 brings a new level of consistency to pedestrian mowing and takes all that was revolutionary, popular and legacy-making about the 1000 pedestrian mower and adds design improvements to make operation smoother, green-to-green cut more consistent and adjustment easier. The 21-inch mower features a new telescoping loop handle which can be easily adjusted to comfortably accommodate operators of all heights and skill levels and handle isolation mounts to give the cutting unit constant contact with the ground throughout the mowing process.

David says: “These machines launch in America at the GIS Show 2019, so they really are the latest in terms of cutting-edge design and technology.”

Visitors to BTME were also given the first glimpse of Toro’s Lynx Smart Module and Smart Hub irrigation setup which provides the flexibility of a satellite controller with the cost savings of a two-wire system.

Based on decades of engineering experience from Toro to deliver high speed diagnostics using rapid two-way communications, the Lynx Smart Module two-wire system is an adaptation on the already successful GDC control system. It’s a forwards and backwards compatible add-on tool which provides backup and operation should connection to the central control be interrupted so irrigation continues.

It comes with attachments to expand the capabilities of the Lynx central control system to another level. The module makes irrigation smart – add it to a GDC system, for example, for extra precision and speed. Meanwhile, the pedestal or wall-mounted Smart Hub enables the system to be segmented into manageable areas by strategically placing up to nine Smart Hubs over the site for simplified maintenance.

David concludes: “To have three such interesting launches at BTME meant we had a consistently busy stand! It was great to see so much interest in the new technology from Toro and for our other brands Otterbine, TYM Tractors and 1st Products.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws

/in , /by

Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws: Makita chainsaws are renowned amongst forestry professionals for power, performance, reliability and great value.  The new Makita DUC355Z and DUC405Z twin 18V Brushless LXT Chainsaws supply energy to the powerful 36V DC motor drive system inherent in these models.  Combining the power and market-leading features that the industry has asked for, these new chainsaws are expected to be well received.

Compact and lightweight, these rear-handled chainsaws, with bar lengths of 35cm and 40cm respectively, can utilise twin Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries that generate a 1100 watt output to run the 3/8th inch chain over the 35cm and 40cm bars at up to 20 metres per second.  This exceeds the performance of Makita’s mains powered machines.  The Brushless motor ensures longer runtime, substantially greater power and overall lower maintenance.

Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws

Recognised as an industry benchmark these new models feature the main power switch with the Auto power-off function making them ultra-safe in use.  This function automatically turns the machine off, to protect the operator from unintentional start up should the switch trigger not be pulled for a period of a few seconds after the main power switch has been turned off.

Weighing 4.8kg, without batteries, these cordless machines feature a variable speed control trigger, electric chain brake, kick-back chain brake and battery protection circuit.  Sold as body only machines these LXT chainsaws have a constant speed control; adjustable automatic chain lubrication and oil capacity display, as well as a comfortable ergonomic grip and metal spike bar that enables a firm grip to the timber.

Both models feature captive nuts designed to satisfy industry demand.  This facility prevents loss of nuts when removing the sprocket cover to replace the guide bar, or saw chain, which greatly improves operator convenience and ease of use.

Makita Launch New Cordless Chainsaws

These powerful chainsaws provide the additional benefits of low noise in operation, low vibration of 5.3 m/s² for operator protection and comfort when cutting into wood, unbeatable charge times and zero emissions for improved environmental and sustainability qualities.

For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com.  Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

BASF Launch Nematode Challenge

/in , /by

BASF Launch Nematode Challenge: BASF, the leading producer of beneficial nematodes used as pest control in British gardens, is on the search for volunteers to take part in its 2019 Nematode Challenge.

The Sussex-based company grows trillions of beneficial nematodes for use in its Nemasys range of pest controls. After an initial launch in 2017, the company has decided to run its Nematode Challenge for 2019. It will also, for a second successive year exclusively be launched in conjunction with the National Allotment Society (NAS).

BASF Launch Nematode Challenge

The representative body has over 125,000 members in which it assists them to acquire, maintain, manage and enjoy allotments across the UK.

Diane Appleyard, marketing co-ordinator at the NAS said: “We are thrilled to be working with BASF again to help build awareness of the benefits of nematodes. By working together, we can educate our members on how to keep their allotments pest-free whilst also having fun outdoors in our garden or allotment – a win-win situation!”

If you have not yet tried nematodes, then you will be surprised at just how simple and easy they are in helping get rid of garden or allotment pests. All of the six products are simply mixed with water and either applied from a watering can with a coarse rose or sprayed onto the foliage and soil, depending on the variety.

This process is repeated throughout the season, from the moment that the first signs of pests occur and can be easily slotted into your regular watering routine. There is no need to keep children or pets away from treated areas and the whole programme is entirely biological, meaning all the products can be used by organic gardeners.

Despite this simplicity, and their many benefits, many gardeners and growers are put off by them, thinking them to be too complicated or expensive.

So, in order to tackle this mindset, BASF is looking for 25 volunteers across the UK to give beneficial nematodes a try and to report on their results. The allotment gardeners will represent a diverse range soil types and growing problems, along with, no doubt, preconceptions about nematodes.

Volunteering couldn’t be easier, and the whole process is designed to be as easy as possibly, adding as little work to the allotments-holders as possible. To get involved, all you have to do is email sarahbryan@paskett.co.uk by 8th April 2019.

Successful volunteers will be supplied with a free season’s worth of Nemaslug, along with a short, initial questionnaire to fill in, which will contain questions such as:

  • Where is your allotment garden?
  • What do you grow?
  • How would you rate your recent slug problems?
  • Which pest control products do you usually use?
  • Which have been successful?
  • Do you actively encourage wildlife into your allotment?

In late September, results and feedback questionnaires will be circulated, containing questions about how the volunteers found their experience of using Nemaslug, and whether they would use it again.

This is a great opportunity to try something new, and you may just find your new favourite pest control solution!

If you are interested, please get in touch and we will send further information.

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

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.