Tag Archive for: Reliability

DTA delivers robust reliability

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DTA delivers robust reliability: Tasked with delivering reliability and efficiency for both contracting and self-drive hire, a Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) from GKB Machines has so far ticked every box for Cleveland Land Services in Teesside.

Purchased to replace another aerator in the summer of 2021, the robust versatility of the 2.1m DTA has seen it well used on a variety of projects and sports surfaces including football, racecourses and golf course fairways.

DTA delivers robust reliability

DTA delivers robust reliability

Cleveland Land Services have earned a reputation for industry-leading innovation and outstanding customer service across their three divisions – CLS Landscape & Earthworks, CLS Sports and CLS Selfdrive – providing a high-standard of completion on all projects, undertaken nationwide, for over 50 years. With an equipment bank spanning the group, it was the task of Andrew Willis, General Manager of the Selfdrive division, to find the replacement for a well-utilised aerator on their hire fleet.

He explains, “We had a good look at the alternatives and, following a demonstration of the DTA 210 from local dealers Russells, decided that the price, the build quality and the specification of the DTA was a great fit for us. With a range of operators and applications, we could tell this would be capable of delivering any and every task we put it on.”

The DTA 210 combines a 2.1m working width and maximum working depth of up to 40cm (16”) making it an excellent solution for large and/or heavy compacted applications. One of a range of deep tine aerators from GKB, the DTA features hydraulic height adjustment and a range of tine options for complete versatility – making it a popular choice with contractors.

“We’ve been using it on our own contracting work, primarily football pitch maintenance, and when not used internally it’s been on hire with a whole host of turf managers who all find the machine incredibly efficient and simple to operate.” Andrew continues, “One thing we really noticed was how smooth the DTA runs. There isn’t the typical ‘bouncing’ you get with some brands.”

The DTA was the first GKB machine purchased by Cleveland Land Services, more recently joined by an SPM 400 topdresser. “This is another fantastic piece of kit – high capacity and high productivity which is just what we need to ensure jobs get completed on time, and to a high spec.” He adds, “The support from GKB and Russells is also brilliant, quickly answering any questions we have and providing valuable advice to keep everything ticking along as it should.”

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Trilo’s deliver twenty plus years of reliability

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Trilo’s deliver twenty plus years of reliability: Whether it’s for the collection of grass clippings or debris following scarification, or out on hire during autumn’s leaf fall season, Fineturf have got a Trilo machine for the job!

It’s more than 25 years since Owner Simon Hutton purchased his first refurbished Trilo and, more than two decades on, that SG700 continues to deliver reliable service alongside more than 20 other vacuum units from across the Trilo range.

Trilo’s deliver twenty plus years of reliability

Trilo’s deliver twenty plus years of reliability

An extensive fleet of equipment assists Simon and the teams across the group of companies which includes Tillers Turf and Fineturf Machinery – delivering maintenance and contracting services to leading venues across the sporting spectrum. Undertaking work on racecourses, football pitches, cricket, tennis and fine turf surfaces demands flexibility from their machinery, with a wide variety of Trilo machines used for a multitude of tasks.

Simon explains “Over the businesses we have an SG700, an SG1165, four SG1100’s, 11 SG400’s, an S3, two S4’s and an S12 – all purchased at different times when workload has demanded the investment. The higher capacity machines such as the S12 and SG1100’s are used primarily for grass collection and large scale clearance work such as post-concert clean-ups. The mid-sized and smaller units including the SG700 with its 7m3 capacity are used for contracting and contract hire – vacuuming after koroing, or after scarifying cricket outfields for example.”

“There are three things we really like about the Trilo brand; namely the simplicity of use, build quality and reliability we get from the brand. It’s equipment that stands the test of time!” An example of that is the SG700, which was refurbished by Trilo’s Jeremy Vincent more than 25 years ago and still out working today. “As we speak, that machine is up at the Manchester United Training Ground with a team there completing new season renovation works.”

The SG1165, equipped with six-metre wings is the only machine dedicated to work at the Tillers Turf site, while the rest are utilised year-round by the contracting division – switching from grass collection to leaf collection when autumn arrives. “We see a big spike in hire requests from sports venues, golf clubs and local authorities when the leaves start to drop. The Trilo range being so straight forward to set-up is ideal to go out in those instances, where multiple operators can get stuck in, clear large areas and achieve a great finish.”

“We work closely with both Jeremy and James Boyle who keep us up to speed on new developments and ensure everything keeps running like it should.” He concludes, “With such a large number of people depending on us and our equipment, we need machines we can rely on and with Trilo, that’s never in doubt.”

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Newark GC note improvements in reliability

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Newark GC note improvements in reliability: Newark Golf Club are one of a growing list of UK courses discovering the many benefits that Aspen Fuel brings to the operation of their petrol-powered equipment.

It’s been three years since Course Manager Alex Clarricoates made the switch to Aspen 2 and Aspen 4 for a selection of their machinery and hand tools – including seasonal equipment which now starts first time, every time, even after significant periods in storage.

Newark GC note improvements in reliability

Newark GC note improvements in reliability

“We were familiar with Aspen and decided to give it a try during COVID, when we started to encounter difficulties in accessing pump fuel” explains Alex, who has been at the 18-hole parkland course for 15 years. “It’s not until you incorporate it into the day to day operations that you really begin to appreciate the improvements that an ethanol-free alkylate fuel can have for both the operators and the equipment. The biggest benefit for me is the shelf-life of Aspen, which has seen us get equipment out of the shed which has been dormant for a year and starts again with no trouble at all.”

Together with damaging plastic and rubber components, ethanol binds moisture which then acidifies, causing the issues commonly experienced with ‘gummy deposits’, reliability issues and reduced storage life. Being free from ethanol as well as benzene, sulphur and many other harmful substances, Aspen Alkylate petrol offers a clean alternative for both 2 and 4-stroke engines – available in a range of pack sizes and bulk ordering available, which includes safe and convenient delivery to site.

“We use roughly 400 litres of the 4-stroke Aspen, and 200 litres of the 2-stroke each year, both delivered in 200 litre barrels and stored exactly where we need it. Another benefit we’ve found is the Aspen 2 being pre-mixed which has eliminated issues we’ve experienced in the past where incorrect fuel to oil ratios have resulted in faults with some of our 2-stroke engines.”

Along with reduction in service time and the associated costs, Alex notes that improvements have also been observed to the operator working environment. “The cleaner burn results in a big reduction in noxious fumes so, when you’re working with a chainsaw in dense woodland for example, you’ll notice that come the end of the day you don’t have headaches.” These qualities have also been well received by the club. “Like a lot of venues we’re looking at sustainability and ways of reducing the impact we make on our surroundings. Aspen Alkylate powering our petrol equipment is a great step forward in us being more environmentally friendly.”

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GreenMech Chippers Deliver Reliability

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GreenMech Chippers Deliver Reliability: A fleet of GreenMech woodchippers have been fundamental in the successful delivery of large-scale utility arb contracts for South Wales Arborists. Running both tracked and road tow models, Director Stuart Michael and his arb teams are well-equipped to deal with all tree, shrub and woodland projects which ensure the safe management of the power networks.

As approved contractors for Western Power Distribution (WPD), SWA have over 10 years of experience in managing trees in close proximity to overhead lines, both low and high voltage. “Our chippers are the key tools in helping us to deliver the contracts, and the vast array of sites we attend mean we’re often working on a variety of different terrains” explains Stuart. “We’ve used a few different makes of woodchipper over the years but have had various reliability issues and found parts to be expensive so when we made the decision to look around, I got in touch with Julian Cullis of GreenMech.”

GreenMech Chippers Deliver Reliability

“We were immediately impressed with what the GreenMech machines offered and bought our first tracked machine from them roughly 8 years ago.” SWA now have a 9” ChipMaster 220 TMP for large, high-volume projects, two Arborist 150 road-tow machines used predominately on low-voltage street works and, the most recent additions to their fleet, two ArbTrak 150’s for off-road projects and those on challenging ground conditions. Stuart also specified his machines in red livery, the company’s corporate colours.

“These chippers have been brilliant, they’re efficient and chip a range of materials thoroughly and accurately. Though 99% of our workload is utility arb, we have the range of machines now to easily reach a variety of locations and handle material no matter the size.” Stuart is hoping to have fully converted his fleet over to GreenMech machines by the end of this year. “Since the introduction of the first GreenMech chipper all those years ago we’ve never really looked back. We get fantastic support from Julian and look forward to continuing to deliver our contracts, with the help of GreenMech, for many years to come.”

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Toro Reliability At Rookery Park

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Toro Reliability At Rookery Park: Rookery Park Golf Club in Suffolk has recently purchased three Toro machines because “reliability is key” for course manager Neil Davey.

Neil explains: “We’re gradually replacing all of our old machines and the time had come to update two of our fairway mowers. They were continuously breaking down and we were putting money into repairs for machines that just weren’t dependable, and we couldn’t rely on to deliver what we needed. So, to replace them, we turned to Toro and bought two Reelmaster 3575-D mowers at the start of the year, and more recently we invested in another Greensmaster TriFlex 3400.”

Toro Reliability At Rookery Park

Even though Toro already makes up 90 percent of the greenkeeping equipment at the club, each machinery purchase is done on a case-by-case basis and Toro has been chosen again, predominantly for its reliability but also for the results it produces. “It’s not a given we’ll go with Toro the next time we update the fleet but from my experience it’s highly likely! We base ourselves on hard work, so what we need are trustworthy machines. Everywhere I’ve worked throughout my career, there’s been Toro, and for good reason. It consistently provides high-quality for a good price, and that allows us to do the best job possible with the budget we have.”

After contacting Julian Copping from Reesink Turfcare who set up a demonstration, Neil and the team put the machines to the test. With the features of the Reelmaster 3575-D including a powerful 24.8hp diesel engine as well as smooth turf-friendly tyres to reduce compaction and damage, it was no wonder Neil and the team were impressed.

He enthuses: “I particularly liked the three-wheel-drive system on the Reelmaster, it allows for tight turns easily and the handling in general was great. In fact, the whole team loves to use Toro, it’s easy to operate and whenever there have been any issues, they get sorted immediately. The service from Reesink is great.”

When it came to the Greensmaster TriFlex 3400, Neil didn’t need much convincing. “It’s definitely one of the best machines I’ve ever used,” he comments. “It has such good flexibility; the quick-change units make servicing the cutting units fast and easy. We’ve purchased a new model but we’re keeping the old one. Toro is known to keep its residual value and this machine is proof of that, it’s still in great condition with plenty of life yet.”

The 27-hole course set as it is in parkland, provides not only a challenging game for its 700 members, but a challenge for Neil and the team to keep in top condition too, but with Toro in the shed Neil says: “Our members have all seen an improvement in the course since we’ve brought in more Toro machines, the results are clear and prove we made the right decision. I know I’m doing my job right by going with Toro and I can know I can trust them not to let us down.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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