Tag Archive for: performs

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington: John Spraggs, Course Manager at the Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand, has reported excellent results from using a range of SISIS equipment to maintain the historic course.

Royal Wellington Golf Club is regarded as one of New Zealand’s finest courses. Situated alongside the Hutt River near Silverstream, the parkland course offers an enjoyable and stimulating golfing challenge in a beautiful setting.

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington

SISIS performs at the Royal Wellington

A course of this stature deserves to be in good hands and that is where the highly respected and extremely experienced John Spraggs comes in. John, who started work in the turf industry in 1978, has been the Course Manager at Royal Wellington for 17 years. He oversees an impressive team of 11 Greenkeepers, 1 Horticulturist, 1 Equipment Manager and 1 Equipment Serviceman.

Also remarkable is the arsenal of turf maintenance equipment which is used to keep the Royal Wellington in superb condition. John claims that there is one brand which has, and always will, have a place in his equipment shed.

“I have been in the turf industry since 1978 and have used and seen many brands,” he said. “Due to its simplicity and robustness, the SISIS brand is known for its quality and performance, making our work easier.”

John and the Royal Wellington team are currently relying on two SISIS products – the Litamisa 1800 tractor mounted sweeper and collector and the Javelin Aer-Aid tractor mounted aerator.

“In regard to the Javelin Aer-Aid – we use this monthly on our sand constructed greens, tees, and greens approaches – to provide aeration and inject air into the rootzone,” said John.

As John says, not only does the Javelin Aer-Aid aerate with a vertical action but it also injects air into the root zone at a fast-working rate, creating thousands of fissures. The cam trigger mechanism ensures that the air is always expelled at the bottom of the tine penetration, enabling treatment to be targeted precisely and consistently.

10mm diameter ‘tipped’ tines are spaced at 75mm (3ins) with depth of penetration, infinitely variable, to a maximum of 127mm (5ins). These air injection tines are specially designed to use the maximum air available from the compressor and produces clean, fresh, air at a constant rate of 88 litres per minute, while surface disturbance is kept to a minimum.

“The Royal Wellington is a large parkland course with many deciduous trees,” continued John. “Therefore, leaves are an issue, and this is why we use the Litamisa. We also use it to pick up cores and debris following turf renovations.”

The SISIS Litamisa 1800 is ideal for sweeping requirements, from large sports fields to gardens and extensive lawns. It features a spiral design brush for improved collection, a hydraulic tip facility for easy emptying and a large capacity hopper. It follows ground contours and is simple to use and maintain.

John further explained the benefits from using these two machines.

“Gathering leaf litter, and clearing debris from turf renovations are simpler, and more productive,” he said. “Minimising surface disturbance from hole punching is critical to keep our players happy. The Aer-Aid does a fantastic job with the surfaces being playable following a light roll, straight behind the Aer-Aid.

“I would say that the simplicity of the SISIS equipment is the greatest feature; they are very easy to service and adjust.”

The two products were purchased though SISIS dealer Powerturf NZ, but John revealed that he also receives support from SISIS.

“The service from SISIS is absolutely first class – it has exceeded all expectations. I have on occasion gone direct to SISIS asking questions and the responses back have always been fast and informative.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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

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S500 Plus performs at Victoria Park

S500 Plus performs at Victoria Park: Mike Finch of idverde has praised the performance of the Dennis S500 Plus seeder which he uses on the five greens at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa.

idverde was appointed by Warwick District Council in 2012 to undertake grounds maintenance and horticultural services within the district and has been doing so ever since.

S500 Plus performs at Victoria Park

S500 Plus performs at Victoria Park

Under their remit, idverde maintains a staggering 43 football pitches, 20 tennis courts, various hard surfaces and running tracks. All these sports facilities are overseen by the vastly experienced Mike Finch, who spent 24 years as head groundsman at Coventry City FC.

Whatever the nature of the sports surface Mike has the knowledge to maintain it, but he admits that the bowling greens at Leamington Spa’s Victoria Park are particularly precious to him.

“My main interest is the bowling club,” he said. “Bowling greens are very precise animals – they need a lot of attention. Greenkeeping isn’t about time – it is about dedication and precision. I take it seriously every single day and I don’t allow myself to play second best. My drive is passion and excellence and I always try and exceed expectations.”

This is certainly evident at the prestigious Victoria Park – the home of English Bowls. Always striving for perfection, Mike was pleased when he was recently offered the chance to purchase some new equipment and it is a process which he does not take lightly.

“Using the wrong equipment or using it at the wrong time can do a lot of damage and that is why I do a lot of research,” said Mike. “I make a point of listening to what other users have said and see what their experiences are; I will never rush into a decision. I’ve been doing this for 37 years and I like to think I know which equipment works best for the sites I am looking after.”

Mike chose the Dennis S500 Plus seeder. Ideal for bowls, cricket, golf and other fine turf and ornamental lawn areas, this dual-purpose machine has a 510mm (20″) operating width complete with interchangeable spiker and slotter reels. The spiker reel punches through the ‘surface pan’ allowing air, water and fertiliser to penetrate the root zone, while the slotter reel creates ideal seed germination pockets thus reducing seed wastage. Using the optional seed box attachment will ensure grass seed is dropped onto the ground at the prescribed rate and brushed into the pockets.

“I was on the lookout for a good pedestrian seeder and I came across the S500 Plus. We looked at various machines, which included second-hand ones and hiring them, but it was the S500 which stood out.

“Jason Briggs (area sales manager for Dennis and SISIS) brought it to us for a demonstration and it imprinted really well – we purchased it straight away.

“I like the way the seed is dragged in with the brush which is also attached to the S500. It drops the seed into all the slots, which makes the perfect seedbed, therefore allowing the seed to get top dressed and filled in.

“For general overseeding on established greens, it works very well and I’m incredibly pleased with how it performs.”

For further information or a no-obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter or Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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

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PRO 34R performs at Bromsgrove School

PRO 34R performs at Bromsgrove School: Two Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers are going above and beyond their duties at Bromsgrove School according to head groundsperson Richard Hare.

The prestigious Bromsgrove School in Worcestershire, consisting of a Senior and Prep School, lies in over one hundred acres of grounds with grass pitches galore. As national, county and regional champions in a wide range of sports over the last few years, it is imperative that the School has pitches of the highest standard.

PRO 34R performs at Bromsgrove School

PRO 34R performs at Bromsgrove School

Richard, head groundsperson for the past seven years, is the man tasked with this responsibility. He oversees a team of fifteen multi-skilled members of staff that can lend their hand to any kind of grounds maintenance, whether it be sports pitches, lawns, or any other landscape areas.

When it comes to the sports pitches, the team has recently received a boost after Richard approved the purchase of two new Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers. Always striving for perfection, he explained the reason behind the purchase.

“We do a lot of work with rotary mowers,” he said. “Previously, we were using 24-inch rotary mowers and it required three of us using them on the pitches. It was taking us a very long time especially when cutting the pitches both ways. I needed something bigger and better and that is why I bought two Dennis PRO 34R’s. They have been an absolute godsend.”

Designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface the Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“I know most will use the PRO 34R’s for winter pitches, but we cut virtually everything with them, even the cricket squares,” said Richard. “If anyone can tell me the difference in cut between that and a cylinder mower I’d be surprised. The technology used by Dennis is incredible – they are superb machines.

PRO 34R performs at Bromsgrove School

PRO 34R performs at Bromsgrove School

“The PRO 34R’s are used for both pre-match and post-match preparation. They pick absolutely every piece of debris up and because they are bigger and faster than our previous rotary mowers, the job takes less time too.

“I’ve been quick to recommend the mowers,” continued Richard. “We do a lot of work for a local cricket club, and they were looking for a mower and I recommended the PRO 34R.

They took my advice and bought one and they are absolutely loving it. They said it has made a real difference.

“There are of course lots of other options when it comes to rotary mowers, but I just like Dennis. The machines have always performed and have been reliable – it is as simple as that.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter or Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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

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Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs: Since upgrading to an advanced Hunter irrigation system, Tottenham Hotspur F.C’s incredible training centre has seen remarkable improvements according to Darren Baldwin, Head of Playing Surfaces & Estates, and Liam Plummer, Irrigation Technician.

Tottenham Hotspur F.C’s state of the art Enfield training centre needs little introduction. It is, after all, widely regarded as one of the best training facilities in world football.

Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs

“The chairman and I share the same vision in the sense that this facility must never look tired or old,” said Darren. “We are always developing, always adding, always tweaking, always looking to make improvements.”

This is exactly what he decided to do with the irrigation system which was purchased through KAR UK, a leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment and distributor of Hunter products.

“It was always going to be Hunter from KAR UK,” continued Darren. “The whole package is superior– from technical, set-up, products, flexibility, the design, it just all works for us.”

Not content with just a new upgraded irrigation system, perfectionist Darren also brought in Liam Plummer, an experienced Irrigation Technician, who recently joined from The Grove Golf Course.

“I was working in greenkeeping and irrigation for fifteen years, but this job really appealed to me because it enabled me to purely focus on irrigation,” said Liam. “I don’t see problems, instead I see solutions. I thought this job was just too good an opportunity to turn down.”

With 16 grass pitches and hundreds of acres of green spaces and landscaping areas, Liam quickly found that there is certainly enough to keep him busy. He does, however, admit that the upgraded Hunter system, which consists of three ACC2 controllers and the Centralus irrigation management platform, does make his life easier.

Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs

“The new software has helped me to put a watering schedule in place with ease, which is something we couldn’t do before,” he said. “We have three zones on this site and each ACC2 manages a separate zone with the Centralus software controlling those three areas.”

Hunter’s ACC2 controller delivers advanced water management to meet the demands of large-scale commercial projects. The ACC2 has built-in intelligence, with the ability to maintain preset flows on up to 6 flow zones simultaneously. Perfectly complementing the ACC2 is the Centralus irrigation management platform, which offers secure, comprehensive cloud-based control and monitoring features for ACC2 controllers. The connectivity allows users to view a controller’s status, change settings, enable automatic weather adjustments, view forecasts, save water and receive instant notifications of important system alarms.

Furthermore, it allows users to manage the ACC2 controllers remotely – as Liam explained.

“I can manage it all from my phone or laptop,” he said. “I can be anywhere and put any sprinkler on just by pressing a button. There have even been times when I’ve been sat on the sofa at home, and I’ve had a call asking me to turn some sprinklers on because they needed water after applying fertiliser to a pitch.”

The grass pitches at the training centre have also received a boost after the sprinklers were upgraded to the new TTS-885’s and I-80’s from Hunter. These powerful rotors boast some of the highest torque outputs of any rotor in the commercial sphere and provide total top serviceability (TTS) via their integrated, surface-mounted snap-rings for no-dig easy maintenance.

“They are by far the best sprinklers for large turf areas and are perfect for football pitches,” said Liam. “The coverage you get from them is fantastic. You get that all important uniformity across the whole pitch, due to the rotors and nozzle configuration being the same.

“I also like the fact that, if needed, you can take almost the entire sprinkler apart without having to de-pressurise or drain the system. It saves so much time. We also have Hunter’s MP rotators, and Pro spray nozzles on the landscaping areas such as our show lawns. They are short, low pressure, and they do exactly what we want them to do.

“I would say that the new Hunter sprinklers make us more accurate with our water usage which is very important these days.”

Hunter performs for Spurs

Hunter performs for Spurs

Darren agreed and revealed that Tottenham Hotspur F.C finished top of the 2020 Premier League Sustainability Table. Furthermore, he believes that the club’s efficient water management procedures certainly played a part in the award.

“We reviewed every single arc on every sprinkler to make sure we were not putting out too much, he said. “So, when it comes to water, and the irrigation, the system is designed around saving grey water – and we recycle this grey water back into our new Even Products irrigation tanks (also purchased through KAR UK) which give us greater capacity on the same footprint.

“Ultimately, the new Hunter software allows us to be more accurate with what we are using, and we also have less waste. The really good news out of all this is that it has massively improved our sustainability.”

With the new tanks and system supplied by KAR UK, Liam concluded by praising the support and service the club receives.

“The back-up from KAR UK is perfect,” he said. “They are always available to advise me on a product or a technical aspect I may be unsure of. If I need clarity on something, then Mike McDonnell (UK sales manager) will always come here to assist.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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

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