Tag Archive for: The

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

/in , /by

ISEKI fleet is the top gun: A landscape maintenance contractor has revealed why he insists on using ISEKI tractors for maintaining two former RAF (Royal Air Force) stations.

Keith Clipsham works for Urban and Civic, and he looks after two unique, former RAF stations. RAF Waterbeach and RAF Alconbury have since made way for new housing developments and Keith is the man responsible for keeping the vast areas of green space intact.

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

“We cut approximately 350 acres at Alconbury and 400 acres at Waterbeach, so we need machinery that is 100% reliable,” he said. “This is why we have three ISEKI machines.”

“My first ever ISEKI tractor was a 47hp, and that has carried out approximately 3,500 hours with a flail on the back of it which is still going strong. Based on the success of that, we bought a larger 80hp model and again it is brilliant.

“Most recently we wanted one in between the two models we already have and our dealer, Fentons of Bourne, recommended the ISEKI TG6687.”

The ISEKI TG6687 is fitted with a Stage V 67hp engine and is compact in size with all the accessories and options of the higher specification tractors. The technology allows for easy operation and less fatigue on the driver.

With a superior lift capacity of up to 1,600kg, the ISEKI TG6687 allows you to run all your implements without the need to increase the size or horsepower of your tractor.

The HST model also gives users the benefit of cruise control, which is perfect for a variety of turf maintenance implements where accuracy is required. The PS model has an F12/R12 Power Shuttle transmission.

It is safe to say that Keith is pleased with the newest addition to his ISEKI fleet.

“It is excellent for what we want it to do,” continued Keith. “It is so quiet in operation and its fuel consumption is between 50-60 litres per day which we are very happy with. Furthermore, it is very user-friendly and comfortable. On other brands of tractors, I struggle with leg length, but I don’t with an ISEKI. The options to adjust the seat are great and you are not jumping about like a kangaroo like you are on others. None of us that use the ISEKI machines struggle with bad backs which is a good sign!

“The air-conditioning is very beneficial, and maintenance wise it is very simple – for example it is very easy to declutter the radiators of any debris, dirt or dust.

“Overall, I would highly recommend ISEKI – it cuts a huge amount of grass and cuts it quickly.”

Full video interview can be found at https://www.iseki.co.uk/iseki-fleet-is-the-top-gun/

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.

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

/in , /by

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair: A Trilo S4 is proving that multi-functional machinery doesn’t have to mean compromised performance for the team at Calcot Park Golf Club.

Assisting Course Manager Tom Jennings with various maintenance tasks including scarification and cut and collect of the sites biodiversity areas, the S4 is currently tasked with keeping on top of leaf collection with assistance from their new Trilo BL960.

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

Trilo S4 and BL960 prove the perfect pair

The undulating 18-hole parkland course designed by Harry Colt resides within an exclusive private estate in Berkshire, providing the picture-perfect backdrop for players of all abilities. Pre-empting the amount of time and resources that would be required to keep on top of leaf clearance, an S4 was one of the first investments Tom made when he joined Calcot Park four years ago. “With such a huge number of trees, investing in equipment to collect leaves as quickly and efficiently as possible was a priority. As soon as we saw the Trilo S4 it was a no brainer.”

“We purchased the whole package, including flail and scarifier heads which converts the machine into one we can use year-round. The board don’t want to spend money on a machine that spends most of the year sat in the shed, or that doesn’t do a good job of what it is supposed to do – the S4 ticks all of the boxes.” Over the year, the team are utilising the S4 for cutting the eco grass areas and scarifying the roughs, along with vacuuming scarified material and other debris from the fairways. “With all the attachments, its versatile, but conducts every operation really well.”

“In the autumn, the amount of labour this machine saves us is brilliant. Where before the team would have to get into ditches and clear leaves manually, now we can use the S4’s wander hose to suck up the leaves in a matter of minutes.” To complement the S4, the club have recently purchased a BL960 blower from Trilo, delivered by local dealer Lister Wilder. “The blower we had on our fleet ran on unleaded and with fuel costs going up, we worked out it was costing us £50 per day to run. I had used a BL960 at my previous club and it’s bulletproof so bearing this in mind, along with the savings we could make by running it straight off the PTO shaft and tractor, it was an easy decision.”

The BL960 arrived in September 2022, just in-time for a busy autumn and winter season. “This blower is so powerful – it moves material quicker and leaves a much cleaner finish than our previous machine. To clear the fairways previously would have taken ten passes or more… with the BL960 the job is complete in two so not only are we getting better results, it takes fewer resources and is done in less time. I, the team and the club couldn’t be happier with our investment.”

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.

Sturdy Stoneburier proves the ideal investment

/in , /by

Sturdy Stoneburier proves the ideal investment: After years of hiring various makes and models of stoneburier with varying levels of success, ATV Contract Services Limited decided the time was right to purchase their own machine and went for the most robust model they could find – the Stoneburier from GKB Machines.

Managing Director Paul Hensman noticed the superior build quality Stoneburier at a dealer open day, and in the few months since its delivery it has more than lived up to expectations – taking commercial groundwork projects, on tough terrain, in its stride.

Sturdy Stoneburier proves the ideal investment

Sturdy Stoneburier proves the ideal investment

Based in the East Midlands but assisting with major infrastructure projects around the country, ATV Contract Services have an extensive fleet of equipment for cultivation and soil preparation – with the GKB Stoneburier SB180 the latest addition to that, delivered in Spring 2022. “These machines, with the nature of the work at hand, take a real hammering and what you don’t want is to invest in something that is going to spend more time in the workshop than out in the field!” says Paul.

“We saw the GKB machine at an open day hosted by Fentons of Bourne and the first thing that struck me was how sturdy and robust it was and, following a good chat with the GKB team, we placed an order. The proof has been in the pudding and in the first eight weeks from delivery, the Stoneburier did six weeks’ worth of work and everybody was incredibly impressed with it. It’s been on a lot of POS (public open space) work where you’ll very often find debris such as discarded kerbstones or lumps of tarmac in the ground and the SB180 hasn’t missed a beat.”

The Stoneburier utilises blades that rotate against the direction of travel to effectively screen stones and other debris from the top 7” of the surface, creating an optimal seedbed in a single pass. One particular feature that has impressed Paul and the team is the 45o angle on the GKB blades meaning that when they turn in the ground, no pan layer is created. He explains, “Other stoneburiers we’ve used with blades at 90o to the rotor can actually compact the ground in such a way that restricts drainage and negatively impacts seed germination. That simple design feature on the GKB Stoneburier makes a huge difference to not only the quality of finish, but how often the machine will jam or clog up.”

“The GKB Stoneburier made great commercial sense and has proven to be a fantastic investment. We are already benefitting from having it on our fleet, available whenever and wherever we need it” Paul concludes.

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.

Lynch clinches the BIGGA National Championship

/in , /by

Lynch clinches the BIGGA National Championship: West Sussex Golf Club greenkeeper James Lynch won the BIGGA National Championship at the first attempt following two wonderful rounds of golf at Enville Golf Club.

Taking place on the 10th and 11th October, the event was hosted by the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and was sponsored by the association’s official Golf Partner, Origin Amenity Solutions.

Lynch clinches the BIGGA National Championship

Lynch clinches the BIGGA National Championship

James pipped three-time winner David Simpson of Crieff Golf Club by a single stroke to lift the BIGGA National Challenge Trophy, contested for over Enville’s Highgate course. Located in Staffordshire, Enville is a Regional Open Qualifying venue that is also the current host of The R&A Girls U16 Amateur Championship.

Playing in his first BIGGA National Championship, James shot two rounds of 74 to card a 4-over par 148, with David shooting 149 and previous winner Oly Browning of Queenwood Golf Club shooting 150.

In the Stableford competition, Tyler Holmes came out on top after shooting a combined total of 73 points. Anthony Duffield of Ham Manor Golf Club was second with 68 points.

James was accompanied throughout the two rounds by his fiancée April Watkins. The pair are due to marry in August next year, but with James set to defend the championship at Saunton Golf Club next September, he will have to convince April that Devon is a nice place to enjoy their honeymoon.

A scratch golfer, James said: “It feels amazing and I’m so happy to have won such a prestigious tournament. It’s my first year that I’ve been playing in it and it was a battle to the end. The lead changed hands throughout the round and I’m so relieved that I was able to win. My thanks go to BIGGA, Origin Amenity Solutions and Enville Golf Club for hosting such an amazing tournament.”

Andy Wood, golf course manager at Enville Golf Club, said: “It was a pleasure to host the BIGGA National Championship sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions. We always enjoy preparing the course for a championship, but to host this prestigious event for fellow greenkeepers is a real honour and I hope everyone enjoyed their visit to Enville. Our greenkeeping team has done the club proud in setting up for this event, which gave them an opportunity to showcase their work to fellow professionals.”

On behalf of Origin Amenity Solutions, Glen Howard added: “It has been a fantastic two days. The course is looking amazing, we’ve been blessed with great weather and I’ve witnessed some cracking golf. It is a privilege to sponsor the BIGGA National Championship, which brings together golfers of all standards from across the association. It gives us an opportunity to catch up with people from within the industry, which I and the rest of the OAS team find invaluable. Congratulations to all the trophy winners, thank you to Enville Golf Club for a warm welcome and well done to all involved, particularly the greenkeeping team, who did a superb job.”

The 2023 BIGGA National Championship sponsored by Origin Amenity Solutions will take place at Saunton Golf Club on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th September 2023.

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.

Register for SALTEX for the chance to win a robotic mower

/in , /by

Register for SALTEX for the chance to win a robotic mower: For the chance to win a robotic mower worth over £1000, simply register and attend this year’s SALTEX taking place at the Birmingham NEC on 2-3 November.

Ahead of Europe’s largest sports turf, amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, opening its doors for the 76th time in November, show organisers at the Grounds Management Association are delighted to announce that they have partnered with DANARM to offer one lucky person who registers and attends the show the chance to win the Wiper Blitz XH2, the latest in robotic mower technology.

Register for SALTEX for the chance to win a robotic mower

Register for SALTEX for the chance to win a robotic mower

With technology and environmental issues top of the agenda at the 2022 show, Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, says joining up with DANARM to offer those who register a chance to win this innovative mower that retails at £1,049.00 was a logical fit: “Attending SALTEX is all about discovering the emerging and progressive technologies in the industry and this mower from DANARM fits those criteria. To be able to give one away is a real draw for those who register. It’s free to register, only take a few minutes and if you don’t win, you’re guaranteed an informative and valuable day out. It’s a win/win situation.”

The winner can be assured of a prize that is little to no hassle – there’s no oil to change, gas to refill or plugs to replace. With such little maintenance, mowing is as easy as pressing the on button. Plus, fall-stair detection sensors detect if the Wiper Blitz XH2 is approaching a step or sudden fall, so there’s no need to worry about it getting into trouble.

To be in with the chance of winning this latest robotic mower technology, simply register for SALTEX by Friday 21st October 2022 and attend the event – https://www.saltex.org.uk/saltex-2022-visitor-registration-competition

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.