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Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB

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Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB: If finding top quality topdressing solutions is the question, visitors to BTME are guaranteed to find the answer on stand 644 as GKB Machines return to Harrogate.

Before attendees have even stepped foot inside the exhibition halls, they’ll be able to see the mounted GKB SP100 parked outside of the Hall 6 entrance, with details of trailed and material-handling options all available by speaking with the GKB technical team.

Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB

Top quality topdressing tops the bill for GKB

With four different hopper capacities and trailed and mounted models, there’s a GKB Sandspreader to suit all surfaces. Delivering the ultimate versatility for broadcast topdressing, it is the fast and effective way to incorporate sand into greens, fairways and surrounding areas to assist in the breakdown of thatch, increase infiltration and create conditions for vigorous grass growth.

The GKB SP100 is the smallest unit in the range, offering a 1.0m3 hopper capacity and up to 10m spreading width making it ideal for tasks around the golf course. Moving up through the range are hopper capacities of 2.3m3, 3.0m3 and 4.0m3 – the larger SP400 models providing unrivalled productivity therefore making them a popular choice for the contractor market.

In addition to the SP range, GKB also offer three SPM models, combining all of the characteristics and qualities of the robust and reliable Sandspreader with the addition of a material handler – ideal for topping up bunkers.

If time is tight and conducting sand integration with other operations is what’s needed, then GKB have you covered here too with the renowned GKB Sandfiller! The Sandfiller is proof positive that multi-tasking doesn’t have to result in a compromise in quality, tackling the issues of organic matter, compaction, drainage and sward density in a single pass.

The Sandfiller utilises the principles of GKB’s much-praised Combinator, with carbide blades effectively slitting the surface, removing vegetation and creating channels to be easily refilled with dried sand, or a combination of sand and seed, creating a clean, play-ready finish.

Visitors will be able to see solutions from across GKB’s portfolio for natural turf in action on stand 644’s high-impact video wall, so be sure to stop by this January, grab some GKB giveaways and find out more.

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ISEKI Covers the Course at BTME

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ISEKI Covers the Course at BTME: Iseki UK and Ireland will be exhibiting tractors, a remote-control tool carrier and mowers for every area of the golf course in Hall 6, Stand 645, at BTME 2025.

Recognised as one of the leading exhibitions for greenkeepers, BTME provides the perfect platform for Iseki to showcase its innovative range of machinery tailored to the needs of golf courses and turf management.

ISEKI Covers the Course at BTME

ISEKI Covers the Course at BTME

This year, Iseki will exhibit a lineup of equipment designed for precision, efficiency, and sustainability, including the Raymo remote-controlled Torpedo with Electric Power Pack and R42/R48 Deck. This eco-friendly mower provides quiet operation and zero-emission performance across all terrain and is especially effective on side slopes, around water hazards and other areas that traditional mowers can’t reach.

The powerful yet compact theme is continued with the TH5 ROPS tractor. This tractor is perfect for a variety of course maintenance needs, with its hydrostatic transmission and high lift capacity giving the operator complete control. Comfort, lift capacity and manoeuvrability combine to make a tractor that can access and operate in almost any area of the course on essentials tasks.

For jobs that need more power over more expansive areas, Iseki has the TG6507 IQ Tractor with Loader – a robust and powerful tractor equipped with the IQ transmission system. The IQ dual-clutch gearbox works on the principle of a direct-shift gearbox, which consists of two gearboxes working in unison, offering the control of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. There are eight main gears and three ranges. Gears are changed by simply moving the gear lever through the straight shift gate with no need to use the main clutch. If D is selected, then gears 4 – 8 are operated automatically – ideal for aeration, spraying, topdressing or cutting.

For cutting in more compact areas, Iseki offers the SXG327 with 54” High-Tip Collector. Known for its precision and high-performance collection capabilities of up to 650 litres, this mower is perfect for fine turf maintenance using the high-tip function for effortless unloading, saving time and effort during busy course maintenance schedules.

Joining the SXG327 on the stand will be the SF551 Mower with 60” Rotary Deck. Built for high-capacity mowing, the SF551 offers exceptional cut quality, reliability, and speed using a turbine-driven collection system and a 1300-litre high-tipping collector, which can be emptied at any height up to 2.2m directly into skips, truck beds or trailers. As well as mowing, the SF551 is also an exceptional option for leaf collection during the autumn and winter.

Iseki’s machinery is meticulously engineered to address the unique challenges of golf course maintenance, including manoeuvrability in tight spaces, minimal ground disturbance, and superior cut quality.

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The Toro “must have tool”

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The Toro “must have tool”: The latest club to invest in a Toro ProCore 648 aerator is Royal Aberdeen Golf Club with Course Manager Richard Johnstone declaring it a must have tool for golf aeration.

Prior to Richard’s arrival a tractor-mounted aerator was being used on the classic Scottish links course but when Richard joined the club 10 months ago it was one of the first things he looked to change.

The Toro "must have tool"

The Toro “must have tool”

Richard explains: “The Balgownie course in particular is known for having undulating greens and surrounds with steep slopes rising to tees situated high up in the dunes. The proximity of the tees and slopes are small and tight making it difficult for the tractor-mounted aerator to access everywhere we needed it to.”

Richard knew there was a solution, that it came from Toro and was called the ProCore 648. He says: “I was at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club for eight years as Course Manager prior to arriving in Aberdeen, where we’d had a ProCore 648 since 2013. It was nimble, manoeuvrable, effective, and easy to use. When you’ve had an experience like that with a piece of machinery you don’t tend to look any further. I did however have a team to persuade, so we enquired about getting a demo model in to ensure it was right for our particular site.

“Everyone on the team got to trial the aerator and evaluate it on a feedback sheet, and it scored very highly. The conclusion was that it was the best pedestrian aerator for our site.”

This probably isn’t too surprising for many to read. The Toro ProCore 648 is, after all, the market-leading, customer-favourite aerator that, no matter your brand preference, there’s no denying is the best in the business. A statement Richard readily agreed with: “Absolutely, it does what it’s supposed to do well.”

The ProCore arrives in time to assist in some course construction, as Richard explains: “We’re hollow coring two hectares of greens and approaches to reduce the organic matter within the profile and the cores will be used to construct a new green and approach within our practice ground. This will provide consistency and a perfect match for the type of grasses maintained across the greens within our site.”

When asked if there was anything else in terms of machine highlights, Richard didn’t hesitate in explaining just how satisfying it is to use: “It’s fast and neat whatever kind of aeration it is doing. We do a variety of solid, pencil, and hollow tine in the main and whichever you’re doing you can use it all day without feeling it. The vibrations are negligible.”

To find out more about the aerator which sets the gold standard for greens aeration, visit Reesink Turfcare at reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association: It’s hard to believe that we are only three weeks away from Christmas.  After a wet and quite warm autumn, the weather seems to be chilling and feeling more as it should do as we prepare for the festive season.  But that doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about our lawns! 

The experts from The Lawn Association have plenty of tips for keeping your winter sea of green in tip-top condition, and ready for any visits from Father Christmas this December!

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

Sustainable lawn care is all about harmonising with the natural cycles, which means this should be a year-round commitment. So, with that in mind, the tips below will help your lawn over the winter period and prepare it for future seasons too!

Preventing the encroachment of the disease Grinch

Regularly clearing your lawn of leaves, twigs, and other debris is essential in preventing disease from taking root. This is not just a one-time task, try making it part of your routine to go outside and gather any organic material that has fallen onto your grass.

Still Time to Mow…Ho…Ho

Additionally, continue to mow if conditions allow. A light trim with the mower blade set high is all you need. This practice not only keeps your grass healthy by avoiding wet, overgrown foliage that breeds disease but also ensures a beautiful lawn to admire while enjoying your Christmas dinner!

Seasonal Soil Care

Hollow tine aeration is a highly effective method for enhancing your lawn’s health and it is the easiest and most rewarding option for maintaining a beautiful domestic lawn. Don’t hesitate to give your lawn this Christmas gift to keep it vibrant and healthy.

Service And Repairs from STIGA 

December is a great time of year to get your mower blades and other garden tools sharpened. It is also a good idea to check if you need any other batteries, accessories or spare parts for your garden products leading up to the spring season.  These can all be found on the STIGA website, as can the dealers who will be able to service your mower or tools.

Keep Off the Naughty List Next Year

How? By starting to plan ahead in December for the year ahead. Look back on your lawn program and determine what has worked and what hasn’t, and make some notes on what you need to do to improve things next year. You’ll find this a great motivation during the next two months as you wait patiently for spring to return.  The Lawn Association have launched a new Record Keeping Manual to help you along the way!

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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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