Tag Archive for: Solution

Top-Brush provides worm cast solution

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Top-Brush provides worm cast solution: Constructed on a heavy clay soil profile, the two 18-hole courses at Welwyn Garden City’s Brocket Hall Estate fell victim last year to what arguably has become one of the biggest challenges for fine turf managers – worm casts.

Without available curative chemistry, Golf Course Manager John Moorhouse turned to his local dealer for advice who recommended the Redexim Top-Brush. Three months on from taking delivery, the Top-Brush has proven itself to be a true multi-tasker – not only tackling the issue of worm casts but leaves and surface moisture too.

Top-Brush provides worm cast solution

Top-Brush provides worm cast solution

Quintessentially British in their design, but very different in terms of their challenge to golfers and greenkeepers alike, the Palmerston and Melbourne courses are overseen by a dedicated team of 10. “The combination of our heavy soil and milder, wetter autumns has seen a huge spike in the number of worm casts we’re seeing” explains John. “I spoke with David Fisher of George Browns to see if there was a way of removing the casts prior to cutting. He straight away organised a demonstration of the Top-Brush.”

The Redexim Top-Brush is a six-metre-wide poly-brush, comprised of three sections, that can quickly and effectively rid large areas, such as fairways, of worm casts, organic matter and dew. Because the brushes can rotate in or against the direction of travel, it can be used to remove lateral growth and stand the plant upright – contributing to better airflow into the canopy and a cleaner quality of cut.

“It’s really easy to hook-up via the 3-point linkage and it’s quick and straight forward to adjust the rotation direction and working depth. It has not only done exactly as we hoped in clearing surface casts, but it also played a major part in leaf clearance on the heavily tree-lined Palmerston course – using the brushes anti-clockwise to lift and move the leaves and other debris such as pine needles out of play and giving us a great, clean finish.”

When used with clockwise rotation, John has been impressed with the Top-Brush’s ability to remove dew and improve course presentation. “It has given us a quick and effective method of reducing surface moisture, especially early mornings, not only contributing to improvements in plant health but giving us a beautiful striped finish on the fairways.” He concludes, “As we head into the spring, in addition to all of its existing uses, we plan to use the Top-Brush to help with incorporation of topdressing material. The versatility demonstrated by this piece of kit means it has done exactly what we hoped for, and so much more.”

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‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

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‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution: Rebuilt a few years ago by architect and former European Tour player David J. Russell, the famous Machrie links on the Scottish island of Islay has now almost finished the construction of the bunkers on the new-look course.

And, according to course manager Dean Muir, it is only the use of the EcoBunker synthetic edging system that has made the installation of the bunkers possible.

‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

‘Naturalised EcoBunkers’ the solution

“Now, there are almost fifty bunkers on the course,” says Muir. “When DJ started the redesign project, the original intention was to have none. Had they been natural, we could never have managed to maintain those bunkers, because of the flymowing and strimming, and we would have had trouble building them too. Because of our island location it is difficult and expensive to get revetting turf, and our small turf nursery could never provide enough. It is the use of EcoBunker that has made these bunkers possible.”

Muir, who comes from Dunbar in the east of Scotland, first saw the EcoBunker method in use on a project in his home town, and realised quickly that it could be a help at The Machrie. Some links courses have resisted using EcoBunker, for fear that their bunkers will look artificial, but Muir believes he has found a solution to this issue. “After I saw photographs of the EcoBunkers built with double stacks of astroturf at the new Dumbarnie Links course in Fife, I realised they were just right for us,” he says. “The bunker faces were hydroseeded with fescue: once this started to grow, it made the bunkers look even better. So we rubbed fescue seed into the faces – you don’t want a lot, but a little bit of growth makes the bunkers look much more natural. Some of our EcoBunkers are nearly three years old, and a bit of age helps the naturalisation process too. The local golfers know they are EcoBunkers, but the majority of our play is visitors, and I don’t think they have any idea that the bunker faces are synthetic.”

Muir’s team has been constructing the EcoBunkers itself, following some training from the EcoBunker team. “We have built 22 EcoBunkers since October, and have just ten to go. We hope the project will be completed by Christmas,” he says.

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AH75 the solution to excessive first cuts

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AH75 the solution to excessive first cuts: With the impending difficulty some green space professionals will soon be experiencing from a delayed first cut, many are turning to the Etesia Attila AH75 brushcutter as a solution. 

The Etesia Attila AH75 brushcutter offers ride-on performance in a pedestrian machine and has been designed to work in the toughest of conditions. This powerful workhorse effectively deals with clearing vegetation from a wide variety of sites – long grass, weeds, bracken and brambles on woodland paths or orchards. Ease of operation and manoeuvrability ensure total efficiency and high output.

AH75 the solution to excessive first cuts

AH75 the solution to excessive first cuts

At a time when many will be facing excessive first cuts, green space professionals – particularly those working for local authorities and landscape contractors, will find the Etesia Attila AH75 a cost-effective solution. At just £3,200 plus VAT, this reliable and powerful machine has been proven to outperform many of its counterparts at a fraction of the price.

The Attila AH75 is powered by the Honda GXV 390 engine and fitted with a T3 transmission combining differential lock and front wheel locking system with a simple height of cut adjustment from the new handle bar design which allows movement into offset for use on slopes.

Efficiency

  • Heavy-duty brush cutting (up to Ø30)
  • Mowing on the most difficult slopes (up to 20°) thanks to the hydraulic transmission with a differential lock
  • Two idlers that can be locked without a tool for improved stability on slopes
  • Possibility to fit two wider rear wheels as an option
  • Cutting height adjustment with three positions from the new handle bar design
  • Handle offset control from the operating position with three working positions and one transport position

Comfort

  • High manoeuvrability thanks to the hydraulic transmission – three forward speeds and one reverse speed
  • Differential lock can be engaged without interrupting movement
  • All operating controls are available from the operating position for convenience and safety
  • Central handle bar that allows easier access to low controls (parking brake, forward transmission bypass, engine starter), with full protection for cables
  • Parking brake for safe immobilisation
  • Anti-vibration rubber handles

Ruggedness

  • Machine can be moved into vertical position to gain access to the cutter blade for maintenance and cleaning
  • Maintenance-free hydrostatic transmission with forced-air cooling, integrated expansion vessel
  • Flail blades: reversible, protect the blade transmission system, low maintenance costs
  • Rugged and reliable engine: Engine crank shaft mounted on bearings.

A full two-year commercial warranty comes as standard.

You can view a video of the machine in action: https://youtu.be/LDpj7a013Ys

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

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

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Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

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Three phase solution for Cruden Bay: After having completed the second of three phases of a complete irrigation installation and renovation, Cruden Bay Golf Club near Peterhead is now benefitting from cost and time effective irrigation from Toro.

Course manager Alister Matherson explains: “Splitting the work into phases meant we could spread out the cost and minimise the amount of time works were disturbing customers, plus it gave us time to make informed decisions about the irrigation system we wanted.

Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

Three phase solution for Cruden Bay

“We’re two thirds of the way through the installation and while it is a drawn out strategy it’s been worth the wait so far. We had the first phase of the irrigation installation in 2014. This involved installing a new transfer pump, holding tank and replacing the old pump set.”

And in 2019 came the cherry on the cake, with not only the addition of new pipework, cabling and Toro irrigation valves, but brand new Toro sprinklers across the greens, approaches and walkways, alongside Toro Lynx central control.

“We had a demonstration of Toro sprinklers and used them on the course alongside competitor brands. Throughout extensive trials, we saw quite clearly that Toro performed better,” says Alister. “The quality of performance of the heads and the quality of service from Reesink Turfcare was great.

“Added to that is Toro Lynx control, which is a great bit of kit. Easy to use software and very reliable, with features like the weather station which is fantastic. My favourite feature is probably the mobile app which allows us to control the irrigation from anywhere, which is superb!”

Despite the large installation and renovation, the process went smoothly with the work of OCMIS irrigation specialists and RH Associates consultancy. And since the second phase was completed, the course has certainly been seeing the benefits.

“Having a clearer plan for our irrigation means we can be more efficient and is the biggest plus,” says Alister. “The quality of coverage as well has made a big difference to the course.”

Renowned as one of the top golf courses in the world by Top 100 Golf Courses, Cruden Bay Golf Club’s traditional Scottish links course benefits from stunning views out over the sea and of Slain Castle. But it’s the unique topography and layout that makes it so popular, says Alister.

“With the course so well regarded, it’s important for us to make the course maintenance the best it can be. Having Toro irrigation means we can keep standards high and improve the course.”

Up next for the club is phase three in the irrigation installation, to cover the fairways. “We won’t change from Toro now that we’ve seen what their irrigation can do,” says Alister. “Although a few years off yet, we’re looking forward to slotting in that last piece of the jigsaw, which will give us a completely modern, functional system across the course.”

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The total solution from Toro

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The total solution from Toro: Stratford-On-Avon Golf Club in Warwickshire has chosen Toro for its new irrigation system, adding to its full fleet of Toro machinery and becoming a Total Solutions customer.

Having spent years building up a complete Toro fleet to maintain its 18-hole parkland course, Stratford-On-Avon Golf Club knows the value of investing in the brand, which is why course manager Chris Bromley opted for Toro again when it came to club’s irrigation needs.

The total solution from Toro

“We’ve had Toro Infinity sprinklers installed across the course on the fairways, greens, surrounds, approaches and the larger tees, as well as T5 sprinklers for the smaller tees and then the Lynx control system with weather station to top it off,” says Chris.

“To put it simply, Toro irrigation provides everything we need. The sprinklers are easy to maintain and easy to use, particularly the Infinity sprinklers. They’re top accessible which makes any maintenance simple, plus changing the arcs, nozzles and trajectory is all quick and easy to do.

“With Lynx, everything you need is all on one screen. With the click of a button you can set up the irrigation for your whole golf course and control watering to the second which has had a big effect on water savings. We also opted for the weather station, which is great, because it allows us to monitor the course more accurately and irrigate precisely.”

With the club’s previous system coming to the end of its life, the new irrigation system was a welcome addition.

“Our old system was 20 years old and not having the latest technology to hand was made all the more evident in the heatwave of 2018,” says Chris. “The weather was so severe the fairways burned up and we were doing lots of hand watering. Trying to do that across a 160-acre course is hard work, so it was vital we got a new system in place as soon as possible.”

Despite the need for a new system, for Chris it was important that thorough research was undertaken before making a decision on which brand and system to go with.

“We visited distributor Reesink Turfcare on stand at SALTEX and Harrogate to talk through the benefits of the Lynx system as well as going along to Toro roadshows and visiting other golf clubs to see it in action. The club was investing a large amount, so it had to be absolutely right.”

Since the quick and seamless installation by Full Circle Irrigation completed in May this year, it seems Toro has more than proved itself to be the right system for the club.

“From start to finish it’s been great. The installation and service from both Full Circle Irrigation and Reesink have been very good and the course has massively improved. Previously it could take up to half an hour to set up a sprinkler programme, with Toro that takes seconds, and the water coverage we’ve seen is superb,” concludes Chris.

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