Tag Archive for: Quality

Vanmac to showcase quality contour cutting

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Vanmac to showcase quality contour cutting: As restrictions on curative chemistries continue to pose a challenge to course managers, it is now more critical than ever that every operation conducted above ground has plant health at its core.

As the most regular task, mowing can have either a positive or negative impact on the plant depending on whether the correct cutting performance can be attained. This will be the focus for Vanmac as they return to BTME in 2023, showcasing a range of rotary and multi-deck mowers from Progressive that offer industry-leading cut quality and contour-following ability.

Vanmac to showcase quality contour cutting

Vanmac to showcase quality contour cutting

The Progressive TDR-X features three independently floating decks which promise to closely follow undulations without the risk of scalping – thereby reducing the risk of creating entry points for pathogens to take hold. A 3.2m cutting width and easily adjustable cutting height range of between 10mm and 85mm gives complete versatility for use on both fine and sports turf surfaces, with full width rollers on both the front and rear of each deck leaving a first-class finish.

Along with other machines in the Progressive range, the TDR-X features Pro Lift-N-Turn™ technology, which enables the operator to temporarily lift the decks with the PTO still engaged, increasing manoeuvrability and overall productivity.

The TDR-X will be on show on stand 526 alongside the Pro-Flex 120 – the most widely used trailed contour finishing mower. The Pro-Flex is ideal for producing a fine finish on fairways and surrounds, featuring a high blade tip speed and graduated cut height options down to 25mm for uniformity of cut and unbeatable versatility. Totalling 3m in width, each of the three decks is equipped with a shock absorber to tackle cutting tasks on even the toughest, uneven ground.

If it’s cut and collect on the agenda, then Vanmac have that covered too with the Trilo range of multi-purpose collector units. The Trilo M4 can be configured with a variety of shaft options – including a choice of flail rotor styles – and features a powerful fan to lift the mown material up into the 4m3 hopper, leaving a clean finish after a single pass. Scarifier and brush shafts are also available for the M-Series to complete tasks across the full maintenance calendar.

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Investment to improve quality of grounds

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Investment to improve quality of grounds: Yesterday, the GMA’s CEO, Geoff Webb joined England Manager, Gareth Southgate and stars from cricket, rugby union and rugby league to mark a game-changing multi-sport, multi-million-pound investment announcement.

As part of a £92 million, three-year multi-sport investment commitment, the Football Foundation has extended use of their FREE revolutionary pitch inspection app, PitchPower, to cricket, rugby union and rugby league clubs.

Investment to improve quality of grounds

Investment to improve quality of grounds

Through PitchPower, community clubs and organisations are able to carry out their own grass pitch inspections and receive bespoke advice and recommendations from experts at the Grounds Management Association to improve the quality of their grass pitches.

PitchPower has already been a game-changer in transforming the country’s grass football pitches. In its trial alone, PitchPower helped to inspect almost 5,000 football pitches, leading to £8.6m of Football Foundation investment.

The app is now available to rugby league and is set to go live for rugby union at the season opener on 17/18th September, whilst cricket will follow at the next season.

Beyond inspections, from Spring 2023, a new £15m funding pot will also be made available via the Football Foundation over the next three years enabling cricket, rugby league and rugby union clubs to apply for a grant funded by the Sport England National Lottery fund.

Football Foundation says, “Grass pitches are essential to grassroots sport. Better grass pitches will mean fewer matches will be postponed and more people can play more rugby, cricket, and football. The PitchPower app will help revolutionise the quality of grass pitches across England. We know that more opportunities to play improves not only physical health but also mental wellbeing, the places we live and the local economy too.”

GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb says, “The Ground Management Association is proud to have been a key delivery partner in the pilot for the PitchPower app and continues to work closely with the Football Foundation as we extend the service to a wider sporting community enabling cricket and rugby to also start reaping the benefits. If there’s no ground, there’s no game. As simple as that, so we welcome this additional investment to support grounds management.”

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EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity

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EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity: The Babraham Research Campus, one of the UK’s leading locations for academic and commercial bioscience, have taken delivery of an EVO 205D SAFE-Trak to keep pace with the site’s demand for wood chip and weed suppressant.

The 100-acre campus sits within an additional 360 acres of estate land, maintained by Estates and Waste Manager Matt Antrobus and two ground teams – all of whom have been mightily impressed with the power, performance and build quality of their new woodchipper from GreenMech’s EVO series.

EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity

EVO 205D SAFE-Trak delivers quality and quantity

“The site has grown and changed a lot over the last decade, both in terms of the variety and types of research conducted here and the push towards more environmentally-friendly methods of maintenance” explains Matt, who has been at the Campus for 15 years. “We use in the region of 300 tons of woodchip every year for suppressing weeds as well as decoration for borders, beds and miles and miles of public footpaths! Our previous chipper was struggling to cope and, after comparing a couple of options, the EVO 205D emerged head and shoulders above the competition.”

The backbone of the EVO 205D’s design is a deep beam, high tensile steel chassis, with a generous in-feed hopper measuring 1250mm x 700mm allowing the easy processing of bulky material. Maximum chipping efficiency is powered by a Kubota Stage V-Complaint 50hp diesel engine, while GreenMech’s SAFE-Trak system delivers ground clearance of up to 400mm, enabling access across uneven terrain and in difficult ground conditions.

“The EVO was installed in July by our local dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen and Julian Cullis of GreenMech, who delivered some outstanding training to the team that was on a par with – if not better than, some of the official woodchipper courses available. Although we’ve only had it a few weeks, the operators love it! The first major thing they commented on was the ease of manoeuvrability and access, meaning we can position the 205D exactly where we are working which saves a lot of time. Secondly, the feed rate is drastically quicker with this machine… the teams just can’t keep up with it!”

“There isn’t really much the team haven’t been impressed with. The build quality is fantastic and from a usability perspective, you can tell that GreenMech have really thought about what the operator wants and needs from a woodchipper.” Matt adds, “This EVO 205D will be fundamental to our new willow replanting and rotation programme which will help give us the quantity of wood and chip we need to continue our sustainable site management programme.”

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Foley bring automatic quality to BTME

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Foley bring automatic quality to BTME: American grinder manufacturer, Foley Company, is bringing automatic quality to BTME 2022 with their range of fully and semi-automatic spin and relief grinders.

In the months leading up to the show at the end of March, Foley’s UK and Ireland distributor, ProSport UK Ltd, has completed the installation of several units. Golf clubs including St Annes Old Links, West Sussex, The Hertsmere, Radlett, The Buckinghamshire and Kingsbarns are only some to have purchased cylinder or bedknife grinders as well as contractors Gibson Groundcare Machinery.

Foley bring automatic quality to BTME

Foley bring automatic quality to BTME

For many, the automated process of the Accu-Pro models ranging from the 633 reel grinder to the 673 automated bedknife grinder was the main reason behind their decision. This and the ability to relief grind back to OEM specifications are the reasons why so many turf professionals in the UK, Ireland and worldwide are opting for Foley.

“In the first few months of 2022, it has been brilliant to get out to our customers with their new grinders,” Managing Director of ProSport UK Ltd, Ian Robson, said. “We have found that in-house grinding is becoming an increasingly viable and popular option for clubs and contractors, and the automation and relief grinding options we provide really appeal to those who are looking into it for the first time.

“What is equally pleasing for us is clubs such as The Buckinghamshire and Carnoustie who have done their grinding for several years but have seen the difference a Foley Company machine can make for them. In many cases, this is quality and time saving, which are of paramount importance.

“BTME 2022 gives us a chance to catch up with these clubs and introduce new people to what Foley has to offer, so we’re excited about the exhibition. We’ll have working grinders on the stand, so attendees can have a hands-on demonstration of the machines in action and have any questions they have answered.”

The 633 Accu-Pro is an industry leader in versatility and can complete quick touch-up spin grinds or return the reel to manufacturers specifications through relief grinding. The operation is fast and straightforward with the Accu-Reel Selector, and cylinder height stop automatically locating the reel for spin and relief grinding in one set-up. Pre-set relief angles are easily identified on the relief angle adjuster, which makes it effortless to grind the correct angles and achieve proper clearances for each reel type.

Using the optional Accu-Touch 3 Control makes this even easier. You tell the machine what you’re working on and it does the rest using pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque and in-feeds. With or without the Accu-Touch 3, once the grinder has started, operators are free to continue with other tasks while grinding is completed.

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Kawasaki build quality a key factor

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Kawasaki build quality a key factor: Kawasaki’s engine build quality has been cited as one of the contributing factors to Lawn Care Legend John Ryan’s self-employed business success. Along with its power, durability, reliability and performance.

John has been a lawn care contractor at his company, John’s Lawn Mowing Services in Bangor Northern Ireland for 23 years, he’s also the founder of one of the fastest growing social media groups in the lawn care industry, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that what he doesn’t know about lawn care isn’t worth knowing.

Kawasaki build quality a key factor

Kawasaki build quality a key factor

Working as a solo operator delivering high quality, reliable and affordable grass cutting, John has learned along the way the value of having the right machinery for the job. He says: “It’s easy to think you need the job first then the machine, but the truth is you need to reverse that thinking. I’ve been there with the wrong machinery and all it delivered was headache after headache, lots of stopping and starting and unnecessary wear and tear on the machine.

“I started taking my influence from successful businesses around me and Kawasaki came up time and again for its reliability and productivity. I learnt that when you have a small team, having efficient machinery is like having another couple of people. It’s the best investment you’ll make for your business and if you compromise on quality, you compromise on profitability and success.”

In his fleet John has three mowers powered by Kawasaki engines. His Ferris 36-inch Soft Ride Stand-on SRS and Ariens Zenith 60 Zero-Turn mower both feature a powerful, heavy-duty Kawasaki FX engine, while Kawasaki’s FJ180V KAI – a durable, commercial-quality single cylinder engine – powers his Weibang pedestrian mower.

So, what makes machines powered by Kawasaki such a safe bet? Lots of reasons, but significantly the quality of their engineering, raw materials and components. The FJ180V KAI and FX Series engines all feature metal engine covers, for example, to protect them throughout a life of heavy commercial use and repeated transport from job to job. Both also use dual-stage, high particle capture air filters, for a cleaner air intake, vital for combustion efficiency and engine performance. Cast iron is chosen to line the engine cylinders – a material highly resistant to the wear, temperature and pressure inside the engine cylinder. Added to that, everyone who assembles a Kawasaki engine also rigorously inspects it, and every finished engine, not just a sample, is test-run before being sold – a major contributory factor to Kawasaki’s reliability, durability and consistency.

John says about these choices: “Kawasaki is a name that speaks for itself and my machines have never let me down. As we all know if you’re not cutting, you’re not earning, so downtime has always been a deciding factor in my machinery choices. With these machines, downtime is absolutely minimal and I can get a lot done in a lot less time.”

It’s not just the machinery to which John attributes to his success, it’s the support of a good dealer too. He says: “Dealers are the backbone of the industry and a decent one will pull out all the stops to help you. As a commercial contractor and it being just me, that’s been something I’ve relied on in my career and it’s played a big part in the success of the business. Not having that support can result in a knock-on effect to your schedule and can set you back, delaying other jobs.”

Alongside build quality, power, performance and reliability, John says the ergonomics and aesthetics of the machine is important too: “The Kawasaki name speaks for itself. When you turn up to a job with machines powered by Kawasaki, it instils confidence in customers and represents the sign of a professional outfit.”

And all these factors have certainly proved effective for John; if 23 years industry experience, a thriving contract business, and 5000 Lawn Care Legends Social Media followers are anything to go by!

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