Tag Archive for: tech

Robotics and Green Tech Take Centre Stage

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Robotics and Green Tech Take Centre Stage: The GroundsFest Academy continued its mission to upskill the industry with another free educational day, held on 31 July at Lantra House, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

With a strong focus on robotics and sustainable technology, the CPD-accredited event brought together the GroundsFest Academy, Husqvarna, Origin Amenity, and Lantra to highlight how innovation is transforming the way outdoor spaces are managed.

Robotics and Green Tech Take Centre Stage

Robotics and Green Tech Take Centre Stage

Attendees – ranging from contractors and council staff to colleges, airport grounds teams and greenkeepers – were treated to a hands-on, interactive experience. Robotic mowers, battery-powered tools, and automated line-marking systems were put through their paces on a purpose-prepared green space, while expert-led talks explored current trends, training opportunities, and the broader impact of green technology.

“This was our second free educational day – and it’s incredible to see how far things have moved on in terms of robotics and green technology – even in a short space of time,” said Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for the GroundsFest Academy.

The day covered key topics including the benefits of robotic mowing systems, the rise of battery-powered machinery, and how these technologies can support sustainability targets. Practical sessions, combined with product demos, gave visitors a chance to see the equipment in a realistic setting.

Simon Hughes, Line Marking Sales Manager for Origin Amenity Solutions, said the event was an ideal platform to share fast-evolving tech:

“We felt it was important to get involved and to get in front of people – the right people. When it comes to technology – the systems, the software, there’s a lot that can assist you and free up labour to do other tasks while robotics handle routine work. Every year we are developing. Everything’s changing and we must get that across to customers. So, it’s good to get out there and stay ahead of the field.”

For many, it was also a valuable opportunity to ask meaningful questions and see how the machines could work in their day-to-day roles.

Adam Little, Key Account Manager for Husqvarna, said:

“There was an abundance of questions from the delegates – which shows how good the event was and how engaged the group was. Demonstrating the machines on green space marked out like a football pitch gives people a feel for how they’d actually use them. If you asked anyone who came, they’d say it was a very informative day.”

As well as showcasing technology, the day also included career guidance and training insights from Lantra – something that resonated with attendees of all ages and experience levels.

David Fisher, Lantra’s Head of Industry Partnerships, said:

“Whether you’re new to the industry or have been in it for years, there’s always more to learn. We’ve been pleased to host today’s event and share updates on our training and qualifications. It’s been great to be involved – and we look forward to more opportunities like this in future.”

That educational focus was echoed by Victoria Fiander, Assessor in Horticulture & Sports Turf at Wiltshire College:

“It’s really good to come here and keep your CPD going. These events are so important for bringing new talent into our industry – showing the younger generation what technology is out there. It’s not just about cutting grass. Events like this are great to showcase what we do in our industry. It’s really important to stay up to date with emerging technology to help us with climate change and sustainability.”

For many attendees, the event proved a turning point in how they view robotics and battery-powered solutions.

Nick Williams, Estates & Grounds Maintenance Team Leader at Aspire Housing, said:

“We went to a demo three or four years ago and the range just wasn’t there. But it’s come on in leaps and bounds. Now it feels like a real option for us. This is event has been fantastic because it’s not just sitting in a classroom – you’re outside, seeing it in action. I’m going to go back and tell the team all about it. Hopefully we’ll invest in some battery-powered kit.”

Others were keen to take what they’d learned and implement change.

Des Porter, Parks Team Leader at South Oxfordshire & Vale of White Horse District Councils, said:

“Our grounds team is still quite old school – petrol and diesel – but our goal is to be fully electric by 2030. I’ve got some great information today and I’ll be going back with proposals for making that switch.”

With momentum building and the appetite for education clear, the GroundsFest Academy plans to continue offering free, accessible training to help the industry stay at the forefront of innovation.

“Everyone benefits when knowledge is shared in the right environment,” added Bradley Tennant. “We’re excited to keep pushing forward with more events like this – and to help people at all levels get ready for the future. Everyone walked away with a smile on their face – and for me, it’s exactly how I’d want to be trained. That’s what makes this format so successful.”

Watch the video highlights of the day here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_4A8bdbfaY

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Toro’s sidewinder tech

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Toro’s sidewinder tech: Ratho Park Golf Club in Edinburgh, Scotland, has a long history with Toro and has recently acquired one of the brand’s bestsellers: the Reelmaster 3100-D cylinder mower featuring its innovative Sidewinder technology.

Craig McCrorie, head greenkeeper for over three years, and his team of five have been busy this year rebuilding 12 greens on the 18-hole tree-lined parkland course with plans to remodel the bunkers in the next few years, so the need for a machine to make the work easier, faster and with better results became a priority. The Reelmaster 3100-D was, thus, selected for the job.

Toro's sidewinder tech

Toro’s sidewinder tech

“The Sidewinder technology is brilliant,” Craig comments. “The fact that all three cutting units can move 12 inches right or left from the centre position for a full 24 inches of travel allows you to cut the grass exactly how you want it even when in tricky positions. Not having to put so much weight on the bunkers as we drive around them is perfect as we still get that close cut, but the tyres are kept back from the edges.”

The ride-on mower is also being used on the semi roughs, as Craig comments: “We’re cutting those to around 20mm in height and it hasn’t posed a problem for the Reelmaster. It goes through it like butter. It’s a huge step up – a night and day difference – between this and the mower we were using before. Toro really is unique in the technology it delivers.”

Toro’s renowned Dual Precision Adjustment (DPA) cutting units feature a one-click dial for quick adjustment of the bedknife in exact increments for a clean and consistent cut of each blade of grass, which helps keep the sward green and healthy. That, paired with a patented three-wheel drive system that provides an impressive traction in both hilly and wet conditions, with minimal wheel slip that’s gentle on the turf, makes the Reelmaster 3100-D a great addition to any golf club.

Not only can it get under and around trees and other hard-to-reach places while bringing precise control to delicate jobs such as trimming around bunkers, water features, tee boxes and greens edges on the golf course but it also means that more junior members of staff can perform expert edging, as well as trimming neatly and closely around sensitive areas while keeping the mower’s wheels a safe distance away.

“The quality of these machines is unbeatable: the finish, the usability, the longevity, it’s a whole package,” Craig continues. “Everyone agrees. Using them is saving us a huge amount of time as we don’t have to go through the hassle of setting them up. Plus, we’ve had far fewer breakdowns. The frequency of breakdowns of our previous machine is what put us off buying them again. But with Toro, we’ve had a break down this week for the first time since we bought them from distributor Reesink two years ago.

“They were minor issues and solved quickly by Reesink as they were still under warranty. The chances of Toro machines breaking down are very slim – it does happen, obviously, but it’s not common – that’s the difference. And that puts us at ease since downtime is not an option.

“Toro just seems to work on our golf course,” Craig concludes. “Especially the Sidewinder. Its performance has exceeded expectations and we hope to benefit from more of Toro’s technology in the future.”

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

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Yamaha adds Lithium-Ion battery tech

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Yamaha adds Lithium-Ion battery tech: Yamaha Motor Europe N.V., Branch UK has introduced Lithium-Ion battery technology into its golf car range with the introduction of the new Drive² AC Li.

The new Lithium-Ion battery is a high-performance, maintenance-free, cobalt-free unit from the renowned manufacturer, Roypow®, and offers a number of key benefits. Linked to a powerful 3.3 kW motor, it provides fast, smooth acceleration and, with greater torque than a conventional lead acid battery, it’s 20% faster climbing a 15-degree incline.

Yamaha adds Lithium-Ion battery tech

Yamaha adds Lithium-Ion battery tech

Of appeal to golf course operators, the batteries are maintenance-free resulting in considerable savings in time and labour costs. They also come with a five-year warranty and a useful working life of up to eight years. They charge almost twice as quickly as their lead-acid equivalents and provide in excess of three rounds before they require recharging.

A sophisticated, comfortable and powerful golf car, the new Drive² AC Li has fully independent front suspension, optimised to compliment the lightweight battery pack, to provide a pleasant, smooth ride. The rear suspension has been redesigned and offers increased comfort for the golfer while allowing golf course owners to deliver a better experience for their members and guests.

The new Drive² AC Li can utilise YamaTrack, Yamaha’s management system, that improves the operational efficiency of any golf car fleet. A 25 cm (10”) screen, mounted on the dashboard, allows golfers to enjoy 3-D terrain graphics and customisable Pro tips. Geo-zones can be set up to protect environmentally sensitive areas and players can pre-order food and beverages while out on the course.

The system also has a Lockdown feature for improving overnight security; it allows the monitoring of battery condition to improve fleet rotation and can send maintenance alerts from the car to the pro shop.

Commenting on the arrival of the new Drive² AC Li, Dan Palmer, Manager, Power Products (Yamaha Motor) said, “The use of Lithium-Ion technology offers several performance advantages such as more rounds per charge, longer life and faster charging. All of which are major and important factors for golf course operators.

“When coupled with our YamaTrack system, course operators can manage their fleets, removing the hassle and optimising their business operations and profitability. As you would expect, we will continue to stay close to our customers in the golf fleet sector to ensure that we identify and provide solutions that best meet their needs.”

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