Tag Archive for: More

Engcon adds more excavator features

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Engcon adds more excavator features: The world’s leading tiltrotator manufacturer Engcon announces that there will be additional smart features on the tiltrotators’ quick hitch. The quick hitch had previously been adapted for installation of the detachable GRD grab cassette and SWD rotating sweeper.

Engcon now replaces nearly all the hoses in the quick hitch under the tiltrotator with a simple modular system. The hose-free design reduces wear and maintenance needs, increases service life and has the flexibility of adding more hydraulic functions which makes it easier for both customer, reseller and service partner.

Engcon adds more excavator features

Engcon adds more excavator features

The new quick hitch is modular with only two hoses remaining for the locking cylinder. It will now be easier to install Engcon’s EC-Oil quick hitch system in the lower bracket, as the hydraulic blocks are now bolted directly into a distribution block without any hoses.

The new hose-free design makes it simpler to install and retrofit hydraulic extra outlets to Engcon’s detachable tools. Tools such as the grab cassette (GRD) and the rotating sweeper (SWD), with the opportunity to add future tools from Engcon.

”With the new modular system, it becomes easier to maintain, supplement and replace components in the hitch. You get rid of almost all the hoses, that otherwise can be quite demanding to replace in a tight tool bracket,” says Fredrik Jonsson, Development Manager at Engcon.

New: use existing hydraulic tools with EC-Oil

The new modular and hose-free design also means an upgrade to the high-flow swivel which gets larger channels for increased hydraulic flow. A much valued function for those who need oil capacity for example to operate a flail mower, or similar tools by choosing to “directly feed” one of the extra outlets, without going through valves as before.

”Thanks to the possibility to get both the quick hitch system and manual extra outlets in the same hitch, our customers can now choose to use their existing hydraulic tools with EC-Oil or manual couplings,” explains Fredrik Jonsson, and continues:

“What is unique about our system is that the customer can start with a “simple” solution and then build on it themselves as and when there is a need for new tools for new assignments. It will also be very easy for the retailer to stock a “basic product” that can be easily adapted to the customer’s wishes,” Fredrik Jonsson concludes.

Engcon’s hose-free quick hitch is available for all markets and has been developed for EC209, EC214, EC219, EC226 and EC233. Sizes EC206 and EC204 are coming soon.

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LockStar label update gives users more flexibility

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LockStar label update gives users more flexibility: ICL has announced an update to the UK label of its residual herbicide, LockStar, which will provide users with more effective and flexible weed control.

The label update includes extended use of the product meaning that LockStar can now be applied all-year round instead of the previous limited window between February and June.

LockStar label update gives users more flexibility

LockStar label update gives users more flexibility

This will provide contractors and grounds managers with the opportunity to adapt their approach and give them greater control over weed growth.

Previously, LockStar could only be used on natural surfaces not intended to bear vegetation.

However, the new label update grants the use of the product on amenity vegetation (around). This will allow for the herbicide to be applied in a wider range of situations and be used in areas such as around the base of unsusceptible shrubs, trees, plants and other amenity areas. Full details on plant species can be found at www.icl-sf.co.uk

LockStar controls a broad spectrum of weeds for up to four months and allows for professional and safe weed control. The innovative formula contains diflufenican and iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium – which is the first new weed control active ingredient to be released in the UK for many years.

When applied pre germination LockStar creates a dual barrier on the soil surface preventing weed growth and establishment. To control weeds that are already present, LockStar can be tank-mixed with glyphosate or a fatty acid.

LockStar, available in a 500g pack, uses the latest generation of water dispersible granules, the product quickly dissolves in water and remains in solution in the spray tank for a minimum of 24 hours.

Compared to conventional weed management programmes, LockStar keeps surfaces clean and weed-free for longer, as well as reducing the number of applications and amounts of herbicide required.

LockStar should be applied at a rate of 500g/ha.

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

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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GDD Calculator aids more accurate decisions

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GDD Calculator aids more accurate decisions: A new Syngenta GreenCast Growing Degree Day calculator is set to provide turf managers with a more accurate tool to help make better decisions on timing for Primo Maxx II applications and other actions.  

The GreenCast GDD Calculator will automatically generate a predictive email notification when a user defined Growing Degree Day (GDD) target is approaching – in time for greenkeepers to assess local conditions and to decide what actions to take.   

GDD Calculator aids more accurate decisions

GDD Calculator aids more accurate decisions

Commenting on the live launch of the GDD Calculator on GreenCast this week (11 May 2020), Syngenta Technical Manager, Glenn Kirby, said: “We know that GDD can be a useful guide to many turf management actions.  

“However, from my own and other greenkeepers’ experience, the challenge in a busy working schedule is finding the time to regularly record the temperature information and the reliability of that weather data source. 

“The GDD Calculator does that all autonomously, and provides easy to interpret information in time to use for every day decision making.” 

Advancing GDD to a new level, the GreenCast calculator utilises immense data processing capability to compute figures from hourly temperatures throughout the 24-hour period, compared to a simplistic daily high and low temperature conventionally used in GDD calculation.  

“That better reflects the duration of growing conditions through the day, for a more accurate assessment of how turf will actually perform,” advised Glenn. 

Evaluation compared to conventional GDD calculation has highlighted it is more responsive to assess onset of true growing conditions, particularly through early spring, and as growth declines in the autumn.       

Users can set their own target GDD figure, or multiple targets if GDD is being used to aid decisions on different aspects of turf management, such as Primo Maxx II intervals, fertiliser programmes or pest risks, for example. 

Glenn highlights Growing Degree Days have been shown to be an extremely useful guide for timing of turf management decisions. But he cautions that much of the research and many of the models have been based on US trials, under different conditions and with different grass species seen in the UK. 

“The Syngenta GDD Calculator gives far greater flexibility to be able to utilise and interpret a wide range of information resources. But they do all need to be validated against an individual course’s specific conditions to see how they can be applied.  

Uniquely, the Syngenta calculator allows users to adjust the base temperature used in calculations. Whilst a normal base for the UK is 6°C, which reflects the onset of consistent turf growth, Glenn suggests, many US models work from a base of 10°C – which generates hugely different cumulative GDD figures.  

“It is crucial to understand how recommendations have been calculated and the information on which they are based, and then use the GDD Calculator to interpret how that will work on your course,” he advocated. 

Whilst a GDD of 150 may be appropriate for Primo Maxx II intervals on one specific course, for example, he points out another course with a different management style, turf species or soil types, may find they get better results by repeating applications at a GDD of 140.     

The GDD calculator is now being used at STRI in Yorkshire, as part of a new initiative assessing Primo Maxx II applications and intervals to aid turf management under lower intensity lockdown management. 

“For the first time, there will be scientifically assessed GDD data for cool season grasses under UK growing conditions, to enable turf managers to better interpret existing turf growth models for their own individual situations,” added Glenn.  

”It is free and easy to use, so would urge anyone to start gathering the data and assess how it correlates to their own decision making process now, to be able to further integrate GDD in the future,”  

The Syngenta GDD Calculator is available for all UK turf managers, agronomists and researchers registered on the GreenCast website.

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Mowing forward with more choice

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Mowing forward with more choice: Adding to its award-winning range of cordless power tools, EGO is now launching a new 42cm self-propelled lawnmower (LM1701E-SP). Combined with other features, it’s designed to make mowing easy with incredible collection even on slopes and difficult terrain.

In addition to the variable speed self-propelled drive system, the lawnmower has wheels with a larger than usual tread to give better traction. It also features adjustable handle heights and an easy to access battery and grass-box.

Mowing forward with more choice

Mowing forward with more choice

Weighing just 25kg, the 42cm mower benefits from an extra-large 55-litre textile bag for grass collection and supplied with a 2.5Ah battery and standard charger, users can cut up to 300sqm on one single charge. It’s also manufactured from a robust and easy to clean polymer material which is a proven winner when it comes to collecting, mulching and rear discharge cutting.

Powered by industry-leading 56-volt Arc lithium-ion technology, there are no power cables to get tangled in, and no petrol to deal with.

But that doesn’t mean users don’t get equivalent performance.

From leaf blowers and chain saws through to the new mower, all of EGO’s market-leading range of cordless equipment matches or surpasses the performance of petrol-powered tools – without the noise, vibration or pollution, but with plenty of added value.

Retailing at £529.00 with a 5-year domestic warranty, the new 42cm mower proves the point.

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Commending dealers who do more

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Commending dealers who do more: Reesink Turfcare recognised its dealers at its annual Aftermarket Dealer Awards ceremony, which was held in February.

Recognising an overall Dealer of the Year for ‘Excellence in Customer Support’ alongside Outstanding Performance in Service, Skills and Parts, the awards acknowledge the top performers in customer service across Reesink’s UK dealer network and are a huge achievement.

Commending dealers who do more

Commending dealers who do more

The much-coveted Dealer of the Year Award for Excellence in Customer Support is awarded to Lloyd Ltd. While Cheshire Turf Machinery in Stockport was awarded for Outstanding Service, Lloyd Ltd for Outstanding Skills and Revill Mowers in Gloucestershire for Outstanding Parts.

David Jackman, Reesink’s operations manager, says: “As a distributor, we are focussed on the way we communicate with our customers and the way we deal with customer support. It’s why we work closely with our dealers and delight in awarding those who do more to offer the very best in customer service.”

Reflecting on the win, groundcare service manager Glen McVittie at Lloyd Ltd, says: “Winning these awards is a real reflection of our team and their hard work. At Lloyd Ltd, we are committed to both investing in our staff to realise their full potential and offering our customers the best possible service and results. We are thrilled to have had that recognised by Reesink and to have come away with the top prize for Dealer of the Year and the award for Skills.”

Runners up in the categories are The Mowershop in Northamptonshire for Service, Oliver Landpower in Hertfordshire for Skills, RedTech Machinery in Coventry for Parts and Cheshire Turf Machinery for Excellence in Customer Support.

Reesink awards those dealers achieving the best scores in keeping with its Service Level Agreement (SLA), which benchmarks great customer service. Rated on quarterly Key Performance Indicators (KPI), within each of the three sections, the Dealer of the Year Award combines the KPI scores from all three.

David explains more about the scheme: “Over the years, we have continued to invest in our customer service and especially so in our after sales offering. One of the ways we showcase to our customers the quality of Reesink’s service is through our Service Level Agreement, which is adopted by all our Authorised Service and Dealer Locations. With this, customers can be sure that our excellent dealer network reflects Reesink’s core customer service standards, goals and considerations, and these awards are further proof of that.”

Mark Woodward, service director at Cheshire Turf Machinery, says: “By committing to following Reesink UK’s service level agreement, our service department has been elevated to the next level. To see the result of that acknowledged by winning the award for Service and finishing as the runner up for Dealer of the Year is extremely pleasing and a strong testament to the hard work of our after sales team.”

As a leading UK distributor of top turfcare brands, delivering excellence on all fronts, and particularly when it comes to customer service, is paramount to Reesink – and doing so with all its business partners is vital, concludes David: “Over the years, we have continued to invest in our customer service and especially so in our after sales offering and to see that represented by the dealers so brilliantly means we are achieving in our goal to keep on improving the overall experience for all our customers.”

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