Tag Archive for: Revolution

EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time

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EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time: 18 years after Richard Allen first conceived the idea of using synthetic turf to create low maintenance, high durability edging for bunker walls, industry pioneers EcoBunker have announced the latest in their long line of innovations in the sector – Pre-Cut synthetic tiles.

“EcoBunker Advanced was the last big step forward we took in bunker edge technology,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker and inventor of synthetic bunker edging. “That enabled us to build bigger, stronger walls with fewer synthetic tiles, so the impact on the business and our bunkers was very dramatic. While our latest innovation, pre-cut tiles, might not be as obviously impactful, the results we are seeing from early adopters are quite remarkable.”

EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time

EcoBunker Pre-Cut Revolution Halves Bunker Build Time

The process of installing traditional EcoBunker Advanced walls and edging involves the individual cutting of each tile to provide the flexibility required to shape the bunker wall. With the new pre-cut tiles, build time on each project is dramatically reduced, while quality, consistency and safety are all increasing.

“Pre-cut might not sound much, but an average bunker uses 750 synthetic tiles so that’s a lot of time saved! But it’s not just the cutting time,” continued Richard. “Greenkeeping staff have to wet pallets if they become dry, handle tiles with care when they turn them over, and they have to use a Stanley knife to hand-cut each tile. When you also account for all that time unstacking and re-stacking, we have been able to reduce the average bunker build by half on several projects. And when we pre-cut, each tile has exactly the same cut. This all adds up to a very high level of quality, consistency and durability.”

One club that has already used pre-cut tiles in the third phase of their work with EcoBunker is Lundin Links. Having previously used traditional EcoBunker Advanced technology, course manager, Gavin Neill, noticed an immediate and significant impact.

He said, “For the first two phases of our bunker restoration project we used EcoBunker Advanced and the results have been fantastic. The new bunkers look great and have significantly cut down on maintenance time. For the most recent phase we used the new EcoBunker pre-cut tiles and couldn’t believe the time we saved on installation. We are now able to build bunkers in half the time. Eliminating all on-site cutting also means that not only is it quicker, but it’s safer and reduces the number of waste tiles.”

While the introduction of pre-cut offers immediate advantages for clubs who are looking to build new bunkers themselves, the benefits of the new system are also available for clubs who want to commission a bunker project.

“As a contractor who regularly installs EcoBunker products, having the option to buy pre-cut Advanced Tiles is a major advantage for us. It removes the need to spend time on site cutting tiles, which immediately reduces labour hours, accommodation and travel costs, and allows us to offer more competitive and transparent quotes to clubs,” commented Andrew Greenslade, Managing Director at AMG golf course renovation. “Pre-cut tiles also mean we can start construction as soon as we arrive, rather than losing one or two days preparing materials. This keeps the programme tight and helps us deliver projects more efficiently.”

“We’ve introduced several advancements to the bunker sector, but this has actually been one of the most difficult to perfect.” concluded Richard. “Now we have the tooling and methodology to create consistent cuts every time, this will revolutionise the way in which greenkeeping teams approach a bunker project. All the advantages of EcoBunker technology remain – significantly lower maintenance, increased longevity, sustainability and zero sand contamination – and all of that is now accessible in half the time.”

For more information on EcoBunker please visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution

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Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution: Wildflower Turf Ltd are delighted to celebrate their 20th birthday as the original innovators of Wildflower Turf. Their remarkable journey has seen Wildflower Turf Ltd expand from their Hampshire HQ to Shropshire and Yorkshire.  

This news comes in the wake of many groundbreaking initiatives and accomplishments of the company, including:

Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution

Pioneering the Wildflower Turf Revolution

  • How their first square metre of wildflower turf was discarded, only for it to flourish in the yard one month later!
  • Their first RHS Chelsea Flower Show appearance in 2004.
  • How a green roof above a playhouse in 2004 is now eclipsed by huge projects such as Skelton Lake Services.
  • The highly acclaimed 256-page book ‘How to make a Wildflower Meadow’ by James Hewetson-Brown was released in 2016.
  • In 2023, Wildflower Turf Ltd James Hewetson-Brown was voted onto the GRO (The Green Roof Organisation) board.

To learn more about the 20 year milestone, click here.

About Wildflower Turf Ltd: Founded in 2003, Wildflower Turf Ltd pioneered and developed a soil less growing system which has transformed the concept of turf growing. As the original innovators of Wildflower Turf®, the research laboratory at their Ashe Warren Farm headquarters reinforces them as leading experts in Wildflower spaces, with unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable practices and biodiversity.

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When red leads the green revolution

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When red leads the green revolution: How green are the UK’s golf clubs? If the number of those approaching Reesink Turfcare about its all-electric and hybrid mowing and utility vehicle range from Toro is anything to go by, then the answer is they’re making the green machinery choice wherever possible.

The latest case in point is Fulwell Golf Club in Middlesex who has set itself the goal to be the most sustainable club in the county and, through its machinery choices, boost its relationship with the community.

When red leads the green revolution

When red leads the green revolution

Director of golf, Peter Hall, explains: “The reasons for making the green choice were two-fold. We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint as well as bringing the club closer to the community and lessening the impact on our neighbours. We’re surrounded by residential houses and have certain restrictions for when we can work. Having all-electric and hybrid machines means we can mow early in the morning and cut the greens without disturbing anyone, increasing efficiency and productivity.

“We’re dedicated to improving our place in the community whilst producing great results and promoting sustainability at the club. Toro was the only partner to help us achieve that. It was fundamental to get the right equipment – you can only be as good as the machinery you have, and that’s the reason why we invested in Toro. They’re proven to have the best cut, quality and reliability on the market for their diesel mowers and lead the way with electric and hybrid technology.”

Fulwell’s team selected two Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370 riding greensmowers, two Workman GTX Lithium-Ion utility vehicles, a Greensmaster e1021 pedestrian greensmower and the hybrid Reelmaster 5010-H fairway mower from the Toro range available from distributor Reesink Turfcare.

Course manager Ryan Bezzant, who has been at the club for just over four years and manages a team of eight full-time staff, explains why the time was right to bring in a Toro fleet, the club’s first: “Toro are market leaders and very good at what they do, so we felt confident that buying fully electric machines from them wouldn’t make us lose performance. And it’s proved to be true: they’re very efficient and cut just as well and as quickly as the diesel ones.”

Ryan says these choices have significantly improved operations, he continues: “We don’t have to worry about hydraulic fluids leaking and damaging the greens; there’s a lot less maintenance and it’s a lot cleaner too and charging is so easy – we just plug them in at the end of the day and they’re ready to go the next morning. The guys are over the moon with them.”

The club plans to continue to invest over the next two or three years in Toro with Reesink, as Ryan concludes: “We’re at full capacity at the moment with 100 golfers a day every day, seven days a week, and golf seems to be turning into an all-year round activity. Having the option of all-electric means we can mow whenever needed especially with the handmowers.

“We need to make sure the course is always kept at a high standard, and with Toro, we know it is. And we can’t fault Reesink, they’ve been very good with communication, making us aware of delivery times so it was easy to plan. We’re also hoping Toro will offer even more electric options in the future, as we’d like more now!”

To talk to someone about Toro technology and how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA

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Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA: Focusing on power, performance and versatility, BRP is showcasing the new Can-Am Traxter HD7 and Can-Am Traxter HD9 at LAMMA 2022 in hall six stand 6.850. These SSVs highlight that Can-Am’s off-road line-up continues to prioritise the user, as they have been designed to handle the job demands of utility riders as well as the challenging conditions they face on a daily basis.

The Can-Am Traxter HD7 is a work ready vehicle that provides the user with consistent performance, no matter the terrain. With the help of the new HD7 Rotax engine, the vehicle has been optimised for off-road use and produces 37 per cent more power than the HD5 engine it has replaced.

Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA

Can-Am off-road revolution drives into LAMMA

The Can-Am Traxter HD9 offers class-leading power and low-end torque through the new Rotax HD9 engine, so travelling up the side of hills or towing and carrying cargo on the flat is now easier and more efficient.

The other vehicles on show are made up of Can-Am’s most popular models. The price competitive Can-Am Outlander 450 is built with class-leading performance, no matter the rigours of any situation put in front of it. The Can-Am Outlander 570 XU combines controlled handling, power and performance, enabling the user to travel across multiple terrains with ease and efficiently tow and carry cargo.

A selection of Can-Am Traxter SSVs, built to take on the toughest jobs quickly, easily, efficiently and safely, will also be present on the stand.

To support the vehicles, the Can-Am off-road team will be on hand to highlight its exclusive partnership with the NFU; to communicate the importance of ATV and SSV security and the benefits of Can-Am’s Digitally Encoded Security System (D.E.S.S.) Key, which restricts access to the bike’s electronic ignition system; to highlight its responsible rider programme; and promote its road legal vehicle line-up, and the exclusive finance offer run by Société Générale.

James Dalke, BRP commercial manager UK and Ireland, says, “We are excited to physically be back at LAMMA to showcase the latest additions to our growing off-road line-up to an engaged and interested audience who use ATVs and SSVs on a daily basis. Over the last two years, the line-up has continued to evolve with the help of the BRP R&D team, who have been working tirelessly to meet the constantly changing demands of the UK utility market. This is highlighted by the new Can-Am Traxter HD7 and Can-Am Traxter HD9 models and we believe that they will provide utility users with class leading performance, power and versatility, so that jobs are completed quickly, easily, efficiently and safely. In addition, we also see this show as a great platform from which to promote and highlight the importance of rider safety to visitors and as part of this we will be hosting the Farm Safety Foundation on our stand.”

For more information visit https://uk.brp.com/off-road/ https://www.lammashow.com/

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Först starts a revolution

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Först starts a revolution: Först has done it again. They have taken the world’s most popular sub 750kg petrol wood chipper and turned it into something of a revolution for arboriculture.

The new Först TT6 has arrived in style, weighing in at just 745kg, boasting a 270-degree turntable and delivering a fully emission compliant 37 horsepower. It’s perfect for city contractors and any arborists looking for outstanding performance, unrivalled manoeuvrability and convenience.

Först starts a revolution

Först starts a revolution

Take a look at the TT6 and you’ll immediately see true innovation in this showstopper. It’s built even tougher and stronger than its predecessors. Incorporating the chipping chamber and engine from the perennial favourite Först ST6P it is designed sleek and sharp to look good behind any vehicle. It’s amazingly compact measuring just 2800mm in transport position and 2250mm when turned 90 degrees, adding another dimension to what the Först line up brings. There’s a wide hopper right down to the FörstGrip feed which in turn gives an exceptional grip on timber. The Först flywheel system is outstanding at clearing chip and green material and what’s more the chipper is quick and easy to service and maintain.   The TT6 is clearly the product of intelligent, cutting edge engineering from Först’s in-house engineering team and its introduction follows months of rigorous testing to guarantee a strong, robust product. So needed with such a weight-sensitive product. On that score, it’s also backed by an uncompromising 3-year warranty. The TT6 is sold directly to you from Först, the manufacturer, serving customers from UK locations: the factory in Andover, Hampshire, Doncaster, South Yorkshire and through Först partners in Glasgow. Först provides a service network of its own people and approved service partners across the UK, which means service support for your Först chipper is never far away.

For more information visit www.forst-woodchippers.com or call +44 1264 721790

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