Tag Archive for: Prees

SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees

SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees: The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is an ‘essential’ piece of equipment according to Duncan Austin, Head Groundsman at Prees Cricket and Recreation Club in Shropshire.

Prees Cricket and Recreation Club is one of Shropshire’s premier sports and community clubs. Set in beautiful countryside, the Club boasts excellent sports facilities and caters for local sports teams of all ages.

SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees

SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees

Duncan Austin is the man responsible for keeping the facilities in impeccable condition. He has been working at Prees for six years, but it was in his last position where he first became familiar with the SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5.

“I used to do the ground maintenance at a different cricket club for 18 years and we used a SISIS Rotorake there. I knew how good it was and I felt it was something we could really benefit from having here at Prees.

“We have had problems with a lot of thatch, and last year we paid a contractor to undertake a big thatch removal project. I think this also prompted us to go ahead and purchase the Auto Rotorake MK5, so that we don’t have to rely on outside help. Instead, we can keep on top of it and work towards gradually removing all the thatch.”

The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is a powerful self-propelled heavy duty scarifier designed for the removal and control of thatch on fine turf. It is ideally suited to a range of applications from sports field maintenance to lawns and amenities and features several benefits including:

  • Contra-rotating reel with specially designed tipped blades for clean, consistent cut and maximum thatch removal.
  • Alternative blades for light scarifying.
  • Depth of cut adjustment control is mounted on the handle to enable depth to be set whilst moving forwards.
  • User-friendly, operator presence controls designed for maximum operator safety.
  • Easy-fit collector box.
  • 5hp petrol engine with independent drive to wheels and reel.
  • Careful weight distribution, slick tyres and full differential ensure ease of turning and minimal surface marking.

Duncan mainly uses it on the cricket pitch but will also use it on the bowls greens from time to time.

“One of the biggest benefits of using the MK5 on a cricket pitch is the contra-rotating reels, because if the scarifier turns the same way as the mower then it pushes and compacts the thatch. This just doesn’t happen with the MK5 and that is thanks to the contra-rotating reels.

“We have the brush reel which is really good for prepping before a match cut. It stands the grasses up and helps to give you a good clean cut straight after. We’ve also got the sarel roller/spiker and I like the fact that you can change the cassettes in next to no time.

“I would say that being able to use the Auto Rotorake MK5 for a wide range of tasks is its best feature. You can use it all year round whether it is for scarifying or brushing or using the spiker to keep the surface open.

“It is just a great machine.”

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

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Dennis FT510 is a breeze at Prees

Dennis FT510 is a breeze at Prees: Duncan Austin, Head Groundsman at Prees Cricket and Recreation Club in Shropshire, needed to upgrade the Club’s trusty old Dennis FT510 cylinder mower – and there was only one machine he had in mind.

Duncan Austin has been working at Prees Cricket and Recreation Club for the past six years. He is responsible for maintaining three grass football pitches, two artificial football pitches, a cricket square and two bowling greens.

Dennis FT510 is a breeze at Prees

Dennis FT510 is a breeze at Prees

For the bowling greens, Duncan has long relied on the Dennis FT510 cylinder mower.

“I had a Dennis FT510 which was well over 20 years old,” he said. “Unfortunately, it was coming to the end of its days and the cost of repairing it was similar to the price of buying a brand new one. I didn’t even need to look at other brands of mowers. The FT510 was so good, I was adamant that I wanted another one. The treasurer backed me, and we went ahead and bought one.”

The Dennis FT510 has become the ‘must have’ piece of turf maintenance machinery at bowling clubs around the country and it’s easy to see why. With a 51cm working width, the FT510 provides its user with comfort, flexibility and excellent performance. A true sense of control is obtained through the unique roller clutch drive for a smooth take-up and a variable clip rate helping to create the desired finish.

Available with five-bladed and ten-bladed cutting cylinders the machine can be matched to any situation and the interchangeable cassettes can be changed without the requirement of any tools. The range of 11 different heads mean that one machine can be used for several key maintenance tasks including scarifying, verticutting or brushing.

Duncan explained how he uses the Dennis FT510 on a regular basis to maintain the greens.

“I cut the greens with it 2-3 times a week depending on what games are on and it provides a perfect finish every time. In the winter we normally leave the greens at a length of 10mm, but we maintain them at 5mm during the season. I will also verticut with the FT510 every three weeks and try to rotate that with a sarel roll or a brush.

“The interchangeable cassettes on the FT510 are the best feature – they are so quick and simple to change,” continued Duncan. “If I need a new bottom blade or need it sharpened, I have only got to take the cassette with me rather than take the whole machine.

“Another good feature about the Dennis FT510 is the click height adjuster – it is a very user-friendly mower. I wouldn’t want any other machine for our greens.”

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