Tag Archive for: The

Introducing the new and improved TYM tractors

/in , /by

Introducing the new and improved TYM tractors: In response to Stage V emissions regulations and customer feedback, TYM is launching a new range of tractors with a host of improvements and features to provide even more value to customers. And first off the blocks are the T255 subcompact and T555 compact tractors.

Replacing the TS25, a popular model in the subcompact tractor market, is the T255. With the same features that set the TS25 apart from its competitors, the T255 offers even more with its fresh new design.

Introducing the new and improved TYM tractors

Introducing the new and improved TYM tractors

Its 25.3hp Yanmar diesel engine is Stage V compliant but avoids the need for expensive exhaust treatments such as a DPF filter, keeping costs down for the customer. Available with a twin range HST, the new model is also equipped with auto throttle response as standard, which synchronises the HST pedals with the engine throttle for much simpler, and less fatiguing, operation.

A 540rpm rear PTO and 2000rpm mid PTO can be used together simultaneously to allow for efficient and multi-functional combinations such as a mid-deck and grass collector. Plus, following customer feedback, the T255 now comes with one set of spool valves as standard, rather than as an optional accessory.

The successor to the hugely popular T503, the T555 comes with even more power in the same compact frame, redefining what a compact utility tractor can do and avoiding the need to compromise on manoeuvrability.

The T555’s main attraction, and where it differs most from the T503, is its high efficiency 55.9hp Yanmar 4-cylinder diesel engine, which produces more power whilst still maximising on fuel efficiency.

It comes with two transmission options, a 16×16 manual with dash mounted forward/reverse shuttle lever, or a three range HST with auto throttle control. Plus, an updated panel with a new digital element shows the tractor hours, fuel gauge and information on the engine and emission system for improved user control.

Introducing the new and improved TYM tractors

Introducing the new and improved TYM tractors

Also available is a new TX55L loader which features self-levelling arms as standard, along with a pre-installed third function kit, and comes with a Euro fitment front bucket.

Steven Haynes, tractor sales manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “With the arrival of Stage V compliance, TYM took the opportunity to add in this essential legislation while taking all the popular features of the machines’ predecessors and improving on them with a customer focused redesign that provides even more value. Whether you’re after a neat subcompact for your large estate or small farm, or something with more power for a golf course or sports pitch, the T255 and T555 both offer an efficient, versatile, and value for money option.”

To find out more about the TYM range and the tractor attachments available from Reesink call 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk, or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Etesia is the way for Hard Graft

/in , /by

Etesia is the way for Hard Graft: Hard Graft Garden Services, based in East Lothian, Scotland, believe that two Etesia machines are leading the way when it comes to green space management.

Hard Graft Garden Services is very much a family affair. In 1986 the company was by launched by Neil Stuart who initially started working with his brother Ian and then later with his three sons – Sam, Fraser, and Lewis.

Etesia is the way for Hard Graft

Etesia is the way for Hard Graft

While Neil still does the ‘hard graft’ behind the scenes with garden visits and admin, the day-to-day operations are overseen by the three brothers.

“We all bring different skills to the company;” said Lewis. “My role is to concentrate on the machinery side of things because I have come from a mechanical background and therefore, I source all of the machinery we use.”

In living up to the company name, Hard Graft Garden Services have built a reputation for supporting the local community and providing an unrivalled customer service. Working on a wide range of domestic gardens, the family is renowned for taking great pride in their work, no matter what the size of the project.

“We are very selective when it comes to machinery – it has to be the best,” continued Lewis. “I like to keep abreast of all relevant industry media and I read lots of customer reviews and watch numerous product videos. I came across Etesia UK’s social media channels and the more I saw, and the more I read, I just got the impression that the machines were something special.”

After enquiring, Lewis was put in touch with Scottish based Etesia dealer – Border Chainsaw and Lawnmower Services. A demonstration was arranged, and the brothers were instantly impressed.

“Off the back of the demonstration, we ordered an Etesia Pro 53 LKX2 straight away,” Lewis said. “The dealer also told us he was getting a lot more machinery in stock which included an Etesia scarifier. I said I was interested in that and so I initially hired it for a week to see what it was like.

“Within the first couple of hours of using it, all three of us looked at one another and agreed that this was the machine for us.”

The Etesia MSC45 is a powered pedestrian scarifier for domestic and professional use on lawns and amenity areas. The machine has a working width of 45cm and comes complete with a Honda GX160 5.5hp engine ensuring that it will be suitable for applications ranging from treating the average lawn to rejuvenating estates and formal grounds – perfectly fitting the bill for Hard Graft Garden Services.

The Etesia MSC45 can be used for regular use or as part of a maintenance programme at different depth settings with the use of interchangeable reels that can be swapped without the use of any tools allowing the spring mounted tine reel to remove thatch and the scarifier unit to take out more of the bulk.

“Our customers have been blown away by what this machine can do, and you can’t get much better feedback than a customer saying how outstanding a machine is.

“We get a lot of rain and snow up here in Scotland – so when we do get a good spell you need a good quality machine to help you do the job. We have had plenty of machines in the past that have struggled and have had various mechanical issues but the MSC45 just takes everything in its stride.

“It is also one of the easiest and by far the most comfortable pedestrian scarifier I have ever used,” he continued. “The long handlebars enable you to position your body in a better position and it is a lot easier on your back. It is great for storage too because the handlebars fold over. You can just tell that every aspect of this machine has been well thought out – and the same goes for the Etesia Pro 53 LKX2.”

Robust, durable, and highly efficient, the Etesia Pro 53 LKX2 is a professional, heavy duty 3 in 1 mower offering exceptional performance on slopes. The mower is powered by a powerful Kawasaki 6.0hp commercial grade engine for strong reliable power. Other features include 5 pre-set cutting heights ranging from 25mm to 85mm, semi-agrarian rear wheels are fitted to improve traction on slopes, and specially shaped handlebars which are fitted to provide the user with maximum comfort.

“We have had several other lawnmowers over the years and the biggest problem we have around these areas, is wet grass,” said Lewis. “The majority of the mowers fail to cut or collect in these conditions but when you see the LKX2 in action it is breath-taking. It gives us the confidence knowing that we will not ever have to arrive on site and worry about not being able to cut grass. No matter the thickness, no matter the height, no matter the weather – this tackles everything you throw at it.”

“Ultimately, these Etesia machines make us more efficient,” concluded Lewis. “The equipment is the highest in class and they make our lives easier. It’s peace of mind too, you get support from the dealer, support from the manufacturer and you have the warranty too – Etesia just goes that extra mile for the customer.”

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

You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Toro the right decision for Olton

/in , /by

Toro the right decision for Olton: Investing in your first fleet deal is a big decision, but after seeing both Toro irrigation and machinery in action, Olton Golf Club in Solihull was confident Toro was the way to go.

For the past ten years Olton Golf Club in Solihull has been slowly turning its fleet Toro red in order to improve the course and stand out against its competition. And now, with the support of the club’s committee, it was decided the time had come to make the biggest leap yet to progress the club and invest in a Toro fleet deal.

Toro the right decision for Olton

Toro the right decision for Olton

As the club’s first ever package deal it was far from a snap decision, explains course manager Mark Smith: “Moving the club from purchasing one or two new machines per year, to investing in a full five-year package deal with a mix of lease and purchase machines took a lot of time. The Toro machines we’ve been adding to the fleet throughout the years were proving themselves but the benefit that level of commitment to one brand would bring is something I’ve been bringing to the table for ten years. With the help of a forward-thinking committee, it’s finally become a reality.”

With an abundance of clubs in the local area, the committee and greenkeeping team have been working hard to improve the course in order to stand out and Toro has played a large part in that.

“Securing the package deal is our next big step in improving the course, but before that we already knew Toro was the way to go,” says Mark. “Over the years we’ve been steadily replacing machines in the fleet so we could have majority Toro equipment. Toro machines are reliable and high quality and give us the confidence that we are in safe hands. It made sense with our drive to continuously improve the course that we would continue to invest in Toro.”

And before agreeing the Toro package deal, the quality of the Toro brand had been proving itself on the irrigation side too.

Mark says: “The year before we agreed the Toro machinery deal, we decided to improve and expand on our irrigation system and added Infinity and Flex800 sprinklers across the greens, surrounds, aprons and around 50 percent of the tees. After that it was time to turn our attention to our control system.”

And with confidence in the quality of the Toro brand at a high, Mark says: “It was logical to look at the options from Toro and after a demonstration of the Lynx Central Control system by Reesink Turfcare, we were sold immediately. And so far, it’s been great. It’s incredibly easy to use, particularly the mobile app.”

Further proof of Mark and the club’s commitment to improving the course is that they are now increasing their use of Toro sprinklers further, Mark confirms: “We’re currently trying to phase them in across the rest of the tees so we have a complete Toro irrigation solution.”

With both Toro irrigation and machinery now on board to help improve the course, Mark sees bright things for the future of the club: “We really pride ourselves on presentation, and with these new Toro machines alongside Toro irrigation I foresee big improvements to the course. We’ve trialled many brands over the years, but Toro has always outperformed them all. The course here stretches 90 acres and is largely made up of undulating land which Toro deals with brilliantly. One of our new machines is the Groundsmaster 3500-D triplex rotary mower and is a perfect example of a Toro machine built to perform excellently on undulating terrain. The contour following is superb!”

Mark concludes: “We really needed a fresh start with our machinery in order to make the improvements we wanted. With this new five-year agreement, not only can we achieve this in the near future, but we can continue to upgrade our front line cutting equipment every five years, ensuring we get the latest and greatest technology to keep on improving.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

/in , /by

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution: Interview with David Pritchard, Chief Commercial Officer (david@groundwow.com)

It was at Saltex in late 2019 that we first met. Neither of us had a crystal ball at the Show but 12 months on how is everyone at GroundWOW? Safe and well and finding a way to work…?

Amazing how quickly the year since Saltex has passed and I am pleased to report that we are in fantastic shape. As for our way of working, the team is well organised and ahead of the first lockdown, we put together a detailed plan that supported our transition to home working for as and when we’ve needed to. The faith we had in our team and our processes through that period was paid back times over. Remote working during lockdown worked especially well on areas that sometimes struggle for airtime in a busy production setting.

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

That all sounds very positive. Does that mean you have you already reconciled the last twelve months and moved on?

Absolutely. Despite the many positives that occurred in GroundWOW during this difficult time, such as new products for the sports sector and in healthcare, I think we are all looking forward to moving on. Looking back, what we ended up seeing was a split between organisations that were forced to wait for the pandemic ‘storm’ to pass versus others who had decided they would maintain business as usual as best they could. We saw two very different approaches to life “behind closed doors” and to be fair, both were entirely understandable.

For anybody less familiar with our business, outside of core sports marking products, we manage a pipeline of development projects, some that we will deliver in to sport and others that leverage our modular technology and state of the art factory into other sectors. It is an approach we envisaged from the outset, endorsed and encouraged by our backers who are profoundly bought into the vision of our core autonomous robotic technology, and our wider RAAS (Robotics As A Service) offering. For them, that is all part of investing in a deep technology business. For us, it is this diversity of opportunity that minimises our exposure to any single sector.

Can you tell us any more about these other opportunities for your core technology?

Outside of sport, we are approached regularly with alternative use suggestions for GroundWOW’s multi-patented technology (now 8 patents and counting!). A quick look through the newspapers and you can see that RAAS Technology businesses everywhere have continued to grow massively despite the pandemic. In our case, it is easy to see how autonomous robotics might transition into transportation infrastructure or last mile delivery for example.  So, while our primary focus today is sport, it was our constant review of analogous markets that led us into discussions with the NHS in 2020. Appetite is all the way to the top of Government and as a result, we are delighted to have an offer currently under consideration for the whole of the Worldwide health care market.

Coming back to opportunity in sport, something we are regularly asked of our technology is, can it service any of our other wider needs. Well, I am pleased to exclusively announce that we’ll be unveiling something new for the sector very soon that will excite and delight everyone in sport – from the grounds crew to the Executive Board. As a self-sufficient manufacturer, we can take a project from the design phase to production readiness in literally a matter of days. But just because we can, doesn’t always mean that we will. Every idea must go via a rigorous research protocol to establish a meaningful strategic benefit, or otherwise.

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

How has the company grown over the last 12 months?

Commercially, we have continued to build relationships around the globe including with organisations who are either keen to deploy our technology or collaborate with us in their part of the world on one project or another. In the same way as so many others during the lockdown, we developed different ways to demonstrate our technology remotely, but hand on heart, I cannot wait to get back to more in person face to face conversations.

Team wise, we have recruited heavily over twelve months, building out a multi-national team of engineers and developers all based at our HQ, and we are still actively recruiting. The unwavering commitment to recruitment was also a clear signal to everybody else at GroundWOW that their livelihood was secure and the business still building proactively despite the biggest downturn in history.

Finally, with a larger team comes a larger space requirement and so we decided that we would accelerate our plans to create the Smart Factory we had envisioned from day one. We are thrilled with the result and the reactions from visitors. We occupy a large facility with an indoor test track in the middle and if you walked through the door today you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Silicon Valley rather than South Manchester. World class teams deserve world class environments and we have taken huge steps in that direction to invest in our people and our customer journey.

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

The return of televised sport plays into your hands and I know you had big success at Cheltenham and Soccer Aid. Can you talk a little bit about those and some of the other major relationships you build during these difficult times?

Yes, Cheltenham and Soccer-Aid were like the book ends of a Spring Summer period that is normally the prime time for sport in this country. At Cheltenham, we installed for The Jockey Club’s headline sponsor (Magners) one week before the Festival and we ended up in lockdown a week after the actual event. The Jockey Club were brilliant partners and hugely excited about new inventory facilitated by GroundWOW technology. As you might imagine, when you deliver an event of that profile, there is an inevitable spike in interest in the weeks and months that follow.

It was during Cheltenham week when Soccer Aid for Unicef made their initial approach to ask if we would be interested to deliver pitch side branding for their main event sponsors at Old Trafford. As you now know, the original June date was postponed but we picked up in summer and delivered in September. Exactly like Cheltenham, delivering on a major stage like Old Trafford supercharges the level of inbound interest – but it is a nice problem considering these times of general uncertainty across the sector.

Relationship wise, our travel plans to certain parts of the world were put on hold. However, we found we were suddenly receiving a major level of interest from football. Typically, our discussions have been with proactive leaders looking for innovative logo and large-scale branding solutions to support their event delivery. The other notable and enjoyable feature of our process is the sheer variety of discussions we are having with organisations who differ wildly in terms of available resources. Our technology is not cost-prohibitive and so we are able to engage prospects from all levels of sport.

What can you offer sporting events or sporting venues as revenue generating options during their televised / behind closed doors events?

This has always been the central proposition of GroundWOW, enabling a partner to drive revenue streams by printing sponsor brands and advertising logos on their real estate. i.e. sweating their asset. The main topics for discussion are either about selling pitchside real estate to matchday sponsors or in other cases, activating the pitch perimeter to drive added value for existing sponsors. We have all heard about spikes in TV audience figures and we know the value is always in fixed positions in front of the cameras. That is what ground printed logos are. The fact too that we run an autonomous vehicle and don’t rely on huge teams of people to carry out our work is also noteworthy given current stringent controls around stadium access.

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

The Complete Stadium Branding Solution

What about opportunity outside of game day? You talk a lot about being a complete stadium solution, are these two elements related?

The main point here is that our conversations are not rooted in game day activations only. Whilst conference and exhibition are largely stalled for now, non-game day brand activations are core GroundWOW opportunities. In football for example, there may be thirty to forty game days each year (depending on cup runs) but on the other three hundred and twenty days, it is not uncommon for stadia owners to host multiple events every single day. In many cases, companies that hire out a venue are willing to pay for brand presence in incredible environments like stadia.

GroundWOW makes this possible as the World’s first enterprise-wide ‘ground printer’ solution that literally anybody in the club can use. Not just the Grounds Team but also the marketing department, the sales department, the conference and exhibition team, and the charitable foundation. Teams have brought to us their own list of desired applications including end of season pitch days, stadium tours, car parks, media use, training grounds, concerts, wayfinding, grand scale art, product launches, partner films – that is what we mean when we talk about a complete stadium solution. Suddenly, the concept of a fully branded campus becomes a year-round reality.

For interested parties, what can they expect of a technology product business model?

Our business model is a really simple monthly subscription for Robot/Software As A Service. Easiest analogy is a person’s mobile phone subscription. All relevant hardware and software are provided to the client including access to our full cloud infrastructure. How exciting is that?

You have grown the company significantly during the toughest economic downturn in our lifetime. What opportunities do you see for yourselves when we do get back to some sort of normality – whether that be in 2021 or heaven forbid, beyond that?

We feel good about where we are but we are sensitive to the proper process of emerging from lockdown safely. When the time is right, we’ll operationalise our growth plan further in sports marking and whole campus activation and we will also open offices this year in Australia and the United States. In the meantime, our new products in sport and healthcare, will continue to build value for us.

As history has shown, lots of innovative businesses have emerged and thrived as the result of a downturn exposing a need for things to change. We are looking forward with great optimism to whatever 2021 has in store.  Watch this space.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Vanmac Ltd, the new home for Progressive Mowers

/in , /by

Vanmac Ltd, the new home for Progressive Mowers: Vanmac Ltd are pleased to announce they have been appointed as full-line distributors of the Progressive range of trailed and mounted rotary mowers for the professional grounds and sports turf market.

Having represented Progressive in the turf farm sector for several years, the extension of the partnership to incorporate distribution to the professional amenity sector is effective from 15th March 2021.

Vanmac Ltd, the new home for Progressive Mowers

Vanmac Ltd, the new home for Progressive Mowers

Progressive have a long and illustrious track record for designing and manufacturing innovative, rotary finishing mowers suitable for a wide range of applications – from golf courses to sports fields, turf producers and local authorities. This, combined with Vanmac Ltd’s vast knowledge and experience in the sector through the distribution of other leading brands such as Trilo vacuum sweepers, promises to bear fruit for both parties.

With the main growing season fast approaching, of particular interest from the Progressive range – and available in the UK for the first time – will be the tri-deck TDR-X contour mower. The three independently floating decks promise to closely follow the contours of the ground, without scalping, offering a combined cutting width of 3.2m and an easily adjustable cutting height range from 9.5mm to 84.5mm. Along with other machines in the range, the TDR-X takes advantage of Progressive’s Pro Lift-N-Turn™ technology, allowing the operator to temporarily raise the decks, with the PTO still engaged, to make turning easier and increase overall productivity.

“Expanding our agreement with Progressive to cover the professional turf care market is absolutely fantastic news for Vanmac Ltd” comments Area Sales Manager Jeremy Vincent. “Their range is renowned for delivering durability and fantastic cut quality and it complements our other product lines, including Trilo and Brouwer Kesmac, fantastically. We can now offer those managing turf surfaces a comprehensive collection of equipment, together with parts service, all from under one roof. Over the next few months, we look forward to building a network of dedicated dealers to assist with the all-important back-up support and beginning demonstrations as soon as we can.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.