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Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

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Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation: It’s not just the greenkeepers that are impressed with the fleet of six Echo TM-2050 robotic mowers installed by GroundTech at Hartsbourne Country Club, the members are too!

Less than a month after their delivery, players and staff alike have recognised the transformation in presentation of some of the club’s perimeter areas which previously proved near-impossible to maintain in challenging winter conditions.

Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

Six Echo TM-2050’s transform the task of winter presentation

Like many heavy clay soil courses, this 27-hole club in South Hertfordshire can often lay wet during prolonged periods of rainfall, creating problems in getting machinery out to regularly cut the rough and fairways. General Manager Terry Mulford-Lawlor explains that the knock-on impact extends well beyond the winter, “Both presentation and playability suffers and then, come the spring, the grass is so long and dense that it takes a lot of hard work to get them back to where we want them to be.”

“The proposition that the Echo robotic mowers could be cutting consistently whatever the weather was of great interest.”

Terry was assisted in his search by Marcus Glover and Sam Baker from GroundTech, along with Sam Daybell from Echo who paired the club with six TM-2050 robots with solar array and portable battery chargers. The largest of the Echo range the TM-2050 offers the pinnacle of productivity, capable of mowing areas of up to 75,000m2 while simultaneously providing precise mulching of material for an immaculate finish.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that these mowers have been a gamechanger for us. The intention was that they’d be used only for the rough. However, the GroundTech team mapped all of our fairways and with the results so outstanding we’d be mad not to use them everywhere.” Terry adds, “The work these Robots are doing has already freed up our skilled team of ten greenkeepers to then focus their efforts elsewhere,  hand-cutting areas such as aprons which we’ve not previously had the resources to do and focussing on the technical and agronomic aspects of course management that will take our offering to the next level.”

“Members have been quick to comment that the rough has never looked better, but what’s more they just love watching the robots at work – we’ve even been asked if it’s possible to name and sponsor them!”

Terry concludes, “The process from start to finish has been smooth, personalised and professional. GroundTech supported us and went the extra mile to ensure we had the right set-up and infrastructure to get the most out of our machines. They didn’t over-emphasise what the mowers were capable of, but then they didn’t really need to! We already see this is the future for us.”

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John Deere Introduces the New Gator™ XUV 875M

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John Deere Introduces the New Gator™ XUV 875M: John Deere has today announced the launch of its new diesel Gator™ XUV 875M utility vehicle. Designed to improve productivity across various tasks, the Gator XUV 875M offers increased cargo capacity, enhanced comfort, and improved functionality.

Key Specifications

The new Gator model’s key features include a 22.8 hp engine with a fuel tank volume of 42.4 litres, a seating capacity for three (suitable for off-road use), a cargo box capacity of 454 kg, and fully independent suspension with 203/229mm travel (front/rear).

John Deere Introduces the New Gator™ XUV 875M

John Deere Introduces the New Gator™ XUV 875M

Reliability and Comfort

The Gator XUV 875M builds on the reliability of previous models with an updated rear suspension design and tuned shock absorbers to enhance comfort. Key improvements include relocating the air intake 30 cm higher to ensure cleaner air intake, protecting the engine. Additionally, the new CVT (continuously variable transmission) air intake and exhaust system help draw cleaner air, protecting the system from debris, water, and mud.

Versatility

The redesigned cargo box of the Gator XUV 875M offers 13% more space than the XUV865M model, allowing for greater carrying capacity. Other key features of the cargo box are:

  • increased width to enhance cargo capacity and reduce mud sling
  • 12V SAE power port for added convenience
  • five divider slots on the side and three at the front to secure items
  • option to create a second level of storage
  • redesigned tailgate with a flat work surface, metric and imperial measurements, v-groove for cutting pipe, anti-gravity pockets, bump stops, and cup holders
  • integrated clamping points to secure items
  • fold-flat tie-downs in the front-middle and four corners of the load bed
  • tie-down pockets for securing loads that obstruct access to the D-rings inside the cargo box
  • four stake pockets on each side to accommodate stake pocket clamps for tool storage

Peter Nelder, John Deere Product Manager for Gator Utility Vehicles & Compact Utility Tractors in Europe, said on the new cargo box features: “The redesigned cargo box on the Gator XUV 875M is a very significant improvement, offering more space and functionality for our customers. The added width and integrated clamping points provide users with greater flexibility and convenience, making it easier to carry and secure a variety of items.”

The John Deere Gator XUV 875M utility vehicle will be available to dealers from spring 2025.

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GroundsFest: Proud to Sponsor the LBEL Awards 2024

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GroundsFest: Proud to Sponsor the LBEL Awards 2024: GroundsFest was honoured to once again sponsor the Sports Turf and Greenkeeping category at the prestigious Land-Based and Environment Learner of the Year Awards 2024, held on Thursday, 21 November, at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

This marks the second consecutive year that GroundsFest has supported this vital initiative, showcasing its commitment to inspiring the future of the industry.

GroundsFest: Proud to Sponsor the LBEL Awards 2024

GroundsFest: Proud to Sponsor the LBEL Awards 2024

This year, the category celebrated the exceptional achievements of Craig Jordan, who was named Apprentice of the Year, and Matthew Tofts, the FE Learner of the Year. Both winners demonstrated extraordinary dedication and talent in their respective fields, exemplifying the promise of the next generation of land-based professionals.

Event Director Christopher Bassett shared his thoughts on the event, which is a collaborative effort between Landex and Lantra:

“GroundsFest is always looking to support initiatives that elevate the industry’s educational landscape. By championing awards like these, we hope to inspire the next generation of talent and highlight the incredible opportunities within the land-based and environmental sectors.”

GroundsFest’s sponsorship reflects its dedication to encouraging innovation, growth, and learning within the grounds care and landscaping industries.

“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists—your achievements shine a light on the future of this vital sector!” added Christopher.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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

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South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future’

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South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future’: South Staffordshire Golf Club are busy equipping themselves with a machinery fleet that’s fit for the challenges of the future – and for that, they’ve chosen Redexim.

Whether it’s managing increased rainfall, or disease and pest control in an era with fewer chemical treatments, the greenkeeping team are well placed to tackle the issues head on with a range of machines from across Redexim’s aeration, overseeding, scarification and brushing portfolio.

South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future'

South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future’

While Paul Law has been at the club for the last eight years, and Course Manager for the last four, the club’s history with Redexim dates back much further! “We’ve got Verti-Drains in the shed which are close to 30 years old, that are still playing an active role in our annual maintenance” Paul says. No strangers to the Redexim build quality and in-field performance, he says they’ve been the first port of call now that maintenance requirements are changing.

“This year has been incredibly wet, so drainage works have been top of the priority list.” Complementing the Verti-Drains, Pauls most recent purchase is a linear aerator in the form of the Redexim Verti-Quake® 2516. “We tried one of these on demonstration last year, on a particularly compacted area where we had no drainage whatsoever. It was incredible! It’s no exaggeration to say that this machine is set to transform our drainage.”

“At the opposite end of the spectrum, when we’ve had periods of drought, it’s again been Redexim that has come to the rescue. We’ve been employing the services of our Overseeder 1275 to incorporate more tolerant species into our surfaces, and maintaining presentation during those really high-pressure periods with the Redexim Top-Brush.”

Paul continues, “The 6m Top-Brush has become one of our most important pieces of equipment. We’ve had it since 2022 and it’s blown us away with how many applications we’ve found for it. We’ve been removing organic matter from the fairways, delivering incredible presentation through the winter with it, as well as clearing dew and dispersing worm casts to improve plant health and playability.”

Further work to remove organic matter has been conducted using the Redexim Verti-Cut, which was delivered in early 2024. “We’ve worked hard to reduce OM over the last four years, and with the Verti-Cut bringing new speed and efficiency to the task, we’ll be able to continue this on the greens and other areas of the course.”

The loyalty to Redexim and belief in the product, is equalled by the trust and quality of partnership established with local dealers Charlies Ag & Turf. “I’ve known Matt Lewis from Charlies for a long time and he and the whole team have always gone above and beyond to support us over the years.” He adds, “It’s great to know we have both the equipment and the advice to help us face whatever challenges lay ahead!”

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Toro guarding the resource at Royal County Down

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Toro guarding the resource at Royal County Down: Delivery met expectations, when Toro, Reesink Hydro-Scapes, Adrian Mortram Associates and MJ Abbott Limited united to provide Royal County Down Golf Club with a new system to redefine the areas of irrigation and act as a guardian of the resource in a project about as big as it gets in the UK.

The preservation of the traditional links conditions of Royal County Down in Northern Ireland is of paramount importance to Links Manager Eamonn Crawford and his team, who adhere to a strict links maintenance programme.

Toro guarding the resource at Royal County Down

Toro guarding the resource at Royal County Down

The club needed an efficient state-of-the-art irrigation system for its fairways, greens, tees, and pathways to be used as a management tool and in times of drought. More control over application and better management of the resource was needed, and it was important to use water conservatively, only irrigating the surfaces required.

David Morgan, Secretary at Royal County Down, says: “We have a social responsibility to manage our water usage, as well as an obligation to the course and our members to present it as a traditional links course. This requires a certain level of irrigation control and precision to keep it alive but not green.”

Eamonn and David had done their due diligence in terms of brand comparisons before specialist irrigation designer and consultant, Adrian Mortram from Adrian Mortram Associates, tendered for the project and Adrian was instructed to gear the irrigation system specification plans entirely towards Toro.

“Having the best technology and resources available is essential to ensure we deliver our links maintenance programme effectively and efficiently and to the best of our capabilities,” says Eamonn. “There was never any doubt that Toro and Reesink were the partners for us in that respect.”

Toro Lynx Central Control system and Smart Hub were specified and Robert Jackson, Divisional Manager, Reesink Hydro-Scapes, explains this provided Eamonn “with all the data needed to make decisions in real-time and run the system with precision from the first sprinkler to the last, controlling the application of water on different areas with different conditions and requirements.”

Toro Infinity and Flex sprinklers were chosen to provide accurate and precise watering from the source and installation ran simultaneously on both 18-hole courses over winter 2023, the wettest season and hardest winter in 25 years. The effects of this on working conditions for the installation teams were not to be underestimated, especially when adding the terrain of a links course to the situation.

But that didn’t affect delivery as David says: “Overall delivery met expectations. All parties came together seamlessly to deliver Royal County Down with an irrigation solution to the budget and timescale set.”

This system, its design and installation are a classic example of how to redefine the areas of irrigation to act as a guardian of the resource. Through technology, the club has increased its area of irrigation but uses less water and wetting agents and now water can be retained in the low structure of the course.

“Now, we have full control in managing the system and water application,” says Eamonn. “There’s no wastage and we only use what is needed where it’s needed. Irrigation really is made easy with Toro and this is the best system at this time and the process has been well worth it.”

Jim Price from MJ Abbott Limited concludes: “This is now a fully connected course in real-time. To deliver a project of this magnitude in those conditions on time is a huge success story.”

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