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Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

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Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX: British sprayer manufacturer Team Sprayers will be at SALTEX this year with a selection of sprayers from their pedestrian and mounted range of ground care sprayers.

Amongst the pedestrian sprayers they will be showcasing the Cub, Scout and Vixen Pro SP sprayers. The Team Cub sprayer has been designed for the greenkeeper or groundsman who requires a simple, efficient and reliable pedestrian sprayer.  The Team Scout pedestrian sprayer is an efficient and reliable ground care sprayer which hosts a range of features, but is simple to operate and maintain. It features an adjustable pressure control system as standard, which ensures constant, accurate liquid application. The Scout sprayer also features two pneumatic wheels with the option of adding a third ‘jockey type’ wheel which increases sprayer manoeuvrability and handling.

Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

Team Sprayers show the breadth of their range at SALTEX

The Team Vixen Pro Sp pedestrian sprayer will also be on stand. This sprayer has been designed for the greenkeeper or groundsman who requires efficient, reliable low-ground pressure application. It features a robust and simple design with the option to spray in either forward or reverse direction. The smooth action 24V powered axle is highly responsive with fully adjustable forward and reverse speeds. Constant speed settings ensure accurate spray application.

From their mounted range Team are showcasing their Team Club  sprayer, a full spec groundcare sprayer range incorporating all the requirements to meet the latest spraying legislation and the needs of the modern greenkeeper. Reliable, robust design and ‘easy to use’ operator controls make this machine very user friendly.  Standard features include; tank flushing system, chemical induction hopper, hand wash tank and PPE locker.

To see their range of ground care sprayers and to meet the Team visit them on stand C095.

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Husqvarna’s AI-ready platform of robotic mowers

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Husqvarna’s AI-ready platform of robotic mowers: Husqvarna, a world leader in robotic mowing, proudly unveils its latest innovation: a new platform of autonomous robotic lawnmowers designed for commercial use.

The AI-ready platform includes two new robotic mowers launching in the UK – the Automower® 580L EPOS™ and Automower® 560 EPOS™, which are set to disrupt turf care in sports fields, golf courses and other commercial areas.

Husqvarna's AI-ready platform of robotic mowers

Husqvarna’s AI-ready platform of robotic mowers

Designed with a focus on performance, power and efficiency, the duo offer advanced autonomous capabilities, including wire-free mowing and selectable cutting patterns. The two new mowers, which will be available from March 2025, will enable businesses to effortlessly maintain their turf care whilst saving time, cuttings costs and enhance turf quality.

The platform expands Husqvarna’s portfolio of autonomous solutions, aligning with its vision of advancing the future of landscaping through smart technology and ensuring that commercial users have access to state-of-the-art solutions that drive productivity and deliver superior results.

“The demand for reliable commercial autonomous turf care solutions continues to rise. With the new products we can now address more customer needs and develop a new market segment for commercial robotic lawn mowers, building on the success from Husqvarna CEORA™,” said Glen Instone, President Forest & Garden at Husqvarna.Glen continues: “Husqvarna is taking this opportunity to redefine the segment, drawing on our unrivalled expertise in robotics and innovation to deliver cutting-edge solutions for professional landscapers. We’re ready to lead the charge.”

A future-proof eco system for sports, golf and facility management
The new platform is engineered to be future-proof, with the capability to incorporate new features as they become available. After launch, it will offer benefits like compatibility with a new solar panel charger for remote sites, tailored to work seamlessly with the platform. Furthermore, it is AI-ready, with its first applications being a camera that provides night vision and exceptional obstacle avoidance capabilities. The camera application will be available in 2026 and will be compatible with the three new models.

The new models in Husqvarna’s groundbreaking new platform are tailored to meet the diverse needs of commercial users:

Golf and Sports
Automower® 580L EPOS™: Geared towards golf courses and sports clubs, it comes equipped with a low-cut disc enabling cutting heights down to 10mm.The powerful cutting, wire-free operation and selectable mowing patterns makes this model ideal for mowing fairways or sports pitches. This model is optimised for maximum uptime with remote start options.

Facility Management
Automower® 560 EPOS™: Tailored for facilities management, this model is optimised for maximum uptime with remote start options, providing enhanced operational flexibility. It also features wire-free mowing with selectable patterns, and a flexible front wheel axle making it a reliable choice for hilly, large, and complex landscapes.

Key Facts about the new platform:
Automower® 580L EPOS™: Wire-free, powerful cutting down to 10mm, designed specifically for golf courses and sports clubs, with a low-cut disc for specific turf requirements.

  • Up to 16,000 m² (in 48h) (4 acres)
  • Cut height 10-50 mm (0.4-2”)
  • 45% slope performance
  • 80W cutting motor

RRP: £7,799.00 (inc. VAT)

Automower® 560 EPOS™: Designed for facilities with optimised uptime, remote start option, and wire-free mowing. Excellent slope performance thanks to the flexible front wheel axle.

  • Up to 12,000 m² (in 48h) (3 acres)
  • Cut height 20-60 mm (0.8-2.4”)
  • 50% slope performance
  • 40W cutting motor

RRP: £6,099.00 (inc. VAT)

The new platform will be available from March 2025. For more information on Husqvarna’s new robotic mowers and other innovative products, visit Husqvarna’s website: www.husqvarna.com/uk.

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

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Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award: Congratulations to the brilliant finalists of the Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award, announced at this year’s Amenity Forum Conference in October.

Selected from the biggest ever entry to the prestigious competition to find the UK’s best sprayer operators across the industry, the finalists through to the next round of judging are:

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

Finalists of Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Award

The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) Award is organised by the Amenity Forum, with the support and sponsorship of ICL and Syngenta.

Announcing the finalists, Ian Graham, Amenity Forum Chairman said: “Being named a finalist is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and expertise in amenity spraying.”

He also commended all the entrants to the Awards for their hard work and dedication to the amenity industry, which does not go unnoticed. “We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your participation.

“We strongly encourage you to apply again next year, as each entry helps to raise the standards and recognise the excellence in our industry.”

The next stage of the competition will involve individual interviews for the finalists with the judging panel. The overall winner will be announced at the BIGGA Industry Awards during the BTME event in Harrogate in January 2025.

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A decade of grassroots pitch improvement

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A decade of grassroots pitch improvement: Over the last ten years, the GMA’s skilled team of regional pitch advisors has been working with grassroots sports clubs to raise the standards of sports surfaces and train volunteers.

In that time, almost 50,000 pitches have been improved across grassroots football, cricket, rugby league and union.

A decade of grassroots pitch improvement

A decade of grassroots pitch improvement

The programme has worked with more than 12,500 clubs and 14,500 volunteers.

The Pitch Advisory Service, formerly the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme, was launched in 2014 and is funded by Sport England and the Football Foundation, working in association with the FA, ECB, RFL and RFU.

Jason Booth leads the Pitch Advisory Service, he says: “This is a brilliant example of sporting bodies working together to raise the standards of sports surfaces and the understanding of sports turf management practices among grassroots sports clubs across England.

“There has never been more pressure on pitches. Whether that’s the effect of more extreme weather caused by climate change, or more demand as a greater and more diverse range of people want to play sport.

“We all want more people playing – it brings so many health and wellbeing benefits. To enable that, we need to make sure our grassroots pitches are properly maintained – grounds are literally the foundation of sport. We need to recognise that, value grounds teams, and invest in them.”

One of the clubs that have benefitted from the Pitch Advisory Service is the Ashton Bears Rugby Club in Wigan.

The rugby league outfit, which hosts a total of 25 men’s, women’s, and children’s teams, had been hampered by an unstable pitch that frequently became waterlogged throughout the season.

“Before support from the Pitch Advisory Service, our pitches would regularly have to close for player safety. One surface was only playable for three months of the year” says Club Secretary, Mark Webster.

The Pitch Advisory Service team carried out an assessment and made a number of recommendations, including reducing the height of the cut to 40mm from 70mm and to increase the cutting frequency to weekly. Decompaction, sand topdressing, weed killing, and overseeding were also recommended. Funding was secured to install a drainage solution for the pitches.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support we received. It’s truly transformed our facilities at Bear Park. We now have some of the most resilient pitches in the area – staying open when others have had to close” Mark continues.

“Our girls’ teams can play concurrently and both men’s open-age teams can play at home. We host up to eight games on a Sunday. We’ve also been able to expand to create new women’s teams, something which previously was impossible due to the lack of capacity on the old pitches.”

Building on the success so far, the Pitch Advisory Service continues to offer support to grassroots clubs.

Any club in England looking for support can contact the Pitch Advisory Service to find out more: www.thegma.org.uk/services/pitch-advisory-service

There are also a host of free resources available with the Grounds Management Toolkit, essential grounds maintenance resources for volunteers from the GMA: https://resources.thegma.org.uk

The Grounds Management Framework is a good place to start to consider the surface quality a club is aiming for, and the investment and skills needed to get there: https://thegma.org.uk/GMF

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GreenMech goes to the heart of operations

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GreenMech goes to the heart of operations: The purchase of an Arborist 150D Max from GreenMech has changed operations for the Heart of England Forest, providing usable woodchip to projects across their 7,500 acres of forest habitat.

As the only woodchipper on their fleet, the purchase in February 2024 is compact yet powerful enough to tackle coppicing projects and pruning works as the charity strive to create and manage woodland across Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

GreenMech goes to the heart of operations

GreenMech goes to the heart of operations

The Heart of England Forest (HOEF) is looking to create and manage a 30,000 acre forest with the aim of restoring forest cover, biodiversity and peoples connection with nature. Ian Hayward is a Senior Forest Ranger and works with a 21-strong forestry team on the broad range of maintenance needed in a woodland setting. “In the summer we’re access mowing our trail networks, looking after our young trees or conducting biodiversity surveys, then in winter it’s tree planting and maintenance, including coppicing and selective thinning – which is where our new GreenMech woodchipper comes in” he explains.

“As a local company to us, and proud British manufacturer, GreenMech was our first port of call and the machines we saw seriously impressed. After trying a couple of models, we opted for the Arborist 150D Max – diesel-powered, capable of processing all the by-products from our forestry work, and meeting both our budget and the needs of the team.”

The 150D Max is the latest addition to GreenMech’s Arborist range, one of the most successful and sought-after 6” chipper collections on the market. Powered by a 25hp Kubota diesel engine, the Arborist 150D Max utilises GreenMech’s disc-blade chipping technology and ‘No-Stress’ in-feed system to offer reliable, durable performance on timber and bushy brash.

Ian goes on to emphasise the simplicity of both the purchase process and the chippers operation. “We received training on the machine and the team find its straight-forward operation a really positive feature. The communication we’ve had from GreenMech throughout has been top-notch, especially from Neal Hussey who went out of his way to help us throughout the procurement process.”

“It’s currently our only chipper and will be really helpful when we’re doing coppicing projects as well as being utilised for clearance of material from tree safety and pruning work.” He continues, “As the forest grows, the amount of maintenance will increase the demand for the Arborist 150D Max with things like selective thinning needed more frequently. Here, we can turn the top end brash into woodchip for use on our woodland trails.”

“With this woodchipper we will be able to handle greater volumes of material and repurpose it for more positive projects – it will change how we operate.”

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