Tag Archive for: New

Ventrac unveils new flail mowers

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Ventrac unveils new flail mowers: Continuing their commitment to produce the highest quality accessories, Ventrac has added two Flail mowers to its growing list of dedicated attachments.

Flail mowers are a perfect choice for any overgrown area, so the new patent-pending Fine Cut and Fast Cut mowing decks are in a class of their own. With out-front mounted couplings unique to Ventrac, these attachments provide a quality finish on tall or dense areas of vegetation for fast and efficient turf management.

Ventrac unveils new flail mowers

Ventrac unveils new flail mowers

Add Ventrac’s capability to mow difficult areas such as slopes, wet areas, or retention pond, and these new decks will ensure an enhanced appearance for any property. Ideal for landscaping applications on slopes, wet areas and retention basins, these mowers make previously impossible turf management situations, possible.

The two available models, Fine Cut (MW series) and Fast Cut (MY series), feature unique knife choices and offer two width options for more versatility of cut, speed, and application. Cutting widths for the decks are 1.42m (56”) and 1.83m (72”) and offer the most versatility for specific property needs.

The Fine Cut Flails (MW560/MW720) are equipped with scoop knives, and will achieve a quality cut with a more finished look on grassed areas mowed between three and eight times per year.

The Fast Cut Flails (MY560/MY720) feature Y-shaped knives, for taming dense and brush-type material. The Fast Cut is an excellent choice for areas of overgrown brush and woodland margins that do not require regular mowing, while providing a superior finish to that of a typical rotary rough-cut mower.

“The introduction of these two new flail options complements our existing Tough Cut rotary mowing deck”, said Rupert Price, of Price Turfcare, the distributor of Ventrac products for the UK and Ireland. “All decks have a flip-up option for easy maintenance, enabling access to the knives for sharpening or replacement.

“Although powered by a sub-25hp Kubota diesel engine, we have enough residual power to provide a rotor speed of 3,000 rpm. This is vitally important as it’s the speed of rotor that dictates the speed and efficiency of the cutting knives and, ultimately, the quality of cut and finish.

“Ventrac has made a conscious decision to keep the power unit of their 4500 tractor unit below the 25hp emissions threshold of Tier 4 legislation. It continues to surprise end-users with the power generated by a relatively small engine and its ability to effortlessly drive each and every attachment. Very rarely do you hear a change in the engine note or experience a loss of power. It is one of the major selling points of the machine.”

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Rain Bird Golf’s new block rotors

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Rain Bird Golf’s new block rotors: Last year, Rain Bird’s Golf Division introduced its new 702/752 Series Electric and IC (Integrated Control) Rotors, featuring faster, easier adjustments and fewer parts to simplify both maintenance and inventory. Now, Rain Bird Golf is expanding its rotor family with the 552, 702 and 752 block models, which will be available in the UK from June 2021 onwards.

“Golf Course Managers are loving the new 702/752 electric and IC rotors,” said product manager, Altan Tolan. “Now, the same popular features are available in block models. And with Rain Bird’s Timeless Compatibility™, the new internals fit in any Rain Bird case from the 1990s.”

Rain Bird Golf's new block rotors

Rain Bird Golf’s new block rotors

Rain Bird’s 552/702/752 Block Rotors offer flexibility and numerous other benefits, including a new self-adjusting stator which eliminates the need to change stator configurations when switching out nozzles, delivering consistent rotation speeds that optimise performance. The Rain Bird Block Rotors also offer a wider range of throw, which gives Course Managers greater installation flexibility and fewer parts to stock.

They have the option of setting 552 and 752 rotors at full-circle or part-circle arcs with the turn of a screw, thanks to Rain Bird’s Rapid-Adjust Technology. The rotors’ MemoryArcÒ feature retains two part-circle arc settings so that the rotors can be switched from full to part-circle operation in seconds. A Seal-A-Matic™ (SAM) check valve provides 17 feet of holdback, keeping lines charged with water and preventing low-head drainage. Top-serviceable access to the rotors’ components makes maintaining them faster and easier.

“These new block rotors are another example of how Rain Bird is bringing industry-leading rotor innovations to golf courses everywhere with diverse needs and budgets,” Tolan said. “Whether you want electric, IC or block rotors, we have a model you can depend on for consistent coverage and superior performance for better playing conditions.”

For more information about Rain Bird’s new 552/702/752 Rotors, visit rainbird.com/golf/rotors. To learn more about Rain Bird Golf’s other innovative products for golf course irrigation, visit rainbird.com/golf or 360.rainbird.com, or contact UK distributor, Rigby Taylor.

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Kubota launches new L1-382 tractor

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Kubota launches new L1-382 tractor: Building on the success of its versatile, dependable L1 Series, Kubota has introduced a brand new model,  the L1-382.

With its enhanced features, the L1-382 model ensures greater durability and productivity, whilst also improving performance and efficiency. Its attractive new styling reflects Kubota’s new design strategy, combining a dynamic appearance with superior robustness.

Kubota launches new L1-382 tractor

Kubota launches new L1-382 tractor

Amongst its most significant improvements is a new Kubota stage V three-cylinder 38hp engine with CRS, EGR and DPF technologies designed to minimise exhaust emissions and reduce fuel consumption. The L1-382 also boasts increased fuel tank capacity at 42 litres for longer working days.

In addition to its improved efficiency and enhanced performance, this tractor offers increased visibility and comfort, with a new platform design and impressive ergonomics, all controls being optimally placed and easily within reach.

The 8F+4R manual transmission has a two-stage clutch which allows the pto to be operated while engaging the main clutch. This is particularly useful when needing to change gears when working without stopping the pto. Alternatively, the L1-382 can be specified with the popular three-range HST transmission for easy operation and smooth control of implements requiring constant speeds.

Routine maintenance is simpler and quicker thanks to a one-piece fully opening hood, and a newly designed bonnet and side cover.

L1 Series utility tractors are renowned for their robustness and high quality, as well as their powerful diesel engines and outstanding lifting capacity. The L1-382’s Cat 1 linkage has a maximum lift force of 906kg, perfect for pairing with the wide range of implements offered by Kubota. It is also ideally matched with the Kubota LA525 front loader to make an invaluable materials handling combination.

In its efforts to further improve its offer and integrate the latest technologies into all of its products and services, Kubota continues to innovate, with the help of its R&D centres located around the world, whilst simultaneously keeping up to date with new market trends and the most pressing customer needs.

The L1-382 tractor will be available for purchase from March 2021.

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New Managing Director joins STIHL GB

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New Managing Director joins STIHL GB: Kay Green has today joined STIHL Great Britain as Managing Director, following the retirement of long-standing predecessor Robin Lennie in December 2020.

For the last three years, Kay has been UK and Ireland Country Manager for Hasbro UK Ltd. During her career at Hasbro, she also held a number of senior commercial roles including director level positions in both sales and marketing, and a two-year period as Nordic Country Manager in Copenhagen.

New Managing Director joins STIHL GB

New Managing Director joins STIHL GB

Kay joins a thriving and resilient STIHL GB, with the business recording over a decade of year-on-year growth and a doubling of turnover from £57m in 2008 to £125m in 2020.

Commenting on her new role, Kay said: “I’m delighted to be joining this iconic global brand and to be building on Robin’s tremendous legacy. 2020 was a record year for STIHL GB, despite the global circumstances. The business saw growth across most markets and categories thanks to the support and commitment of the STIHL Approved Dealer network and of course our professional and domestic end-users. I’m very much looking forward to meeting our partners across the industry as soon as the situation allows.

It’s a genuinely exciting time to be taking the helm at STIHL GB. We have a game-changing new range of pro cordless tools launching this year, continued investment in consumer brand-building and plans continuing apace for our sustainable new GB Headquarters in Surrey. 2021 has all the potential to be another landmark year for the brand and our customers.”

Kay is STIHL GB’s first female Managing Director and joins an ever-increasing number of women in senior positions across the global STIHL business. Kay spent her childhood growing up on a farm and is married with two teenage children.

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New research shows growing crisis for sport

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New research shows growing crisis for sport: During GroundsWeek (1-7 March 2021), a celebration week for the turf care sector, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) has released new research that highlights the crisis the UK is facing without the next generation of grounds staff and volunteers.

The leading not-for-profit membership organisation for the grounds sector is calling on the nation to celebrate the vital contribution of grounds staff, and urging young sports fans to consider the profession.

New research shows growing crisis for sport

New research shows growing crisis for sport

The foundation of physical activity

Sport relies on grounds staff and volunteers to keep the nation active. However, with 40% of the workforce now over 50, this vital sector is facing a 9% reduction in those who maintain grounds and sports surfaces in the next 5 years. This gap means approximately 5,120 pitches in the UK could be left without a grounds person, leaving 9% of kids that play weekly (around 340,000 junior players) unable to play on safe and good quality pitches without staff and volunteers to care for them.

4.3 million people work behind the scenes in sport in the UK, fulfilling vital roles such as referees, coaches, physios, grounds staff and managers, and ultimately supporting 14,000 professional sports players. However, while almost 6,000 young people must join the turf care sector as professionals in the next 5 years to fill the skills gap, most young people haven’t even considered it as a profession.

32% of young people said they wanted to work in sport in the future and 57% regularly take part in and enjoy sport, but overall, 95% of children asked didn’t know the careers available to them in their favourite sports, and a meagre 2% had considered grounds management.

When it comes to adults, in a survey of 2,000 general consumers, 72% think grounds management is vital to sport, and 23% would encourage young people to consider grounds management as a career path, but only 11% of adults would consider it for themselves. Without an attitude shift, sport in the UK will face significant and potentially permanent challenges, despite it currently contributing £39 billion to the economy each year.

Volunteers are the backbone of enabling play; they make up 56% of the grounds management sector and overall contribute a value of over £120 million. Over 37,000 grounds volunteers in England offer their time to ensure sport at grassroots level can go ahead, supporting the 3.8 million children who would ordinarily play weekly. Despite this, only 9% of children and 15% of adults would currently consider volunteering as a grounds person in the future. Encouraging volunteers of all ages is even more important now; two thirds of community grounds volunteer are over 60, and are therefore more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, commented:

“We know how vital the turf care sector is to sport, but it’s often misunderstood and undervalued. This #GroundsWeek, we want everyone – whether you’re in the sector, a player, or just enjoy watching – to take the time to think about what grounds staff and volunteers do to make sport possible. Great surfaces don’t happen without them.

“Come rain or shine, they’re out there ensuring that your matches can go ahead – and by becoming a groundsperson, you can be a part of something amazing, and help make sport happen across the world. Let’s celebrate their contribution to sport, give the industry the respect it deserves, and ensure that a new generation know that grounds management makes sport and physical activity possible.”

Zeynu Bedru, apprentice at Harrogate RFU, said:

“I love my job. I came here as a refugee from Eritrea, and at first I didn’t know what I was going to do. I entered the grounds sector as a volunteer, and was lucky enough to be taken on at Harrogate RFU as an apprentice. I would encourage anyone and everyone to consider becoming a grounds professional; you could get a job anywhere – including travelling abroad – and it’s amazing to be able to work outside every day with such a great team.

“GroundsWeek is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the amazing work we do, and show young people what a career in grounds management can offer.”

Wes Matthews, a volunteer at Cranfield United, said:

“It’s great to see GroundsWeek being launched and to have people across all sports celebrating what we do. Getting the pitch ready for game day is so important, and incredibly rewarding – I actually gave up coaching and managing a team to focus on volunteering as a groundsperson! It’s very satisfying watching the teams play on a surface I’ve helped prepare, and knowing I’ve been a part of making sure the game can go ahead.

“I’d love for everyone to get involved with the week by sharing the #GroundsWeek hashtag on social media, thanking their local grounds person, or even volunteering at their local grounds. Grounds management is a great way to stay active and meet new people, both in your local community, and in the grounds management community.”

To help spread the word, the GMA has developed a toolkit for clubs, teams and organisations to engage with, including social media templates, graphics and imagery. It also includes top tips for looking after your local pitches, and tips for ensuring your club or team is doing enough to celebrate local grounds volunteers and staff.

For further information about #GroundsWeek visit: www.thegma.org.uk/groundsweek

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