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The Benefits of Solar Aeration

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The Benefits of Solar Aeration: Solar-powered aeration systems have a wide range of benefits. If you own a lake, pond or reservoir you probably would have come up against the need for an aeration system in order to keep your waterbody healthy.

Sometimes the lack of power available means a specialist aeration system is required and with the rising energy costs, there is no better option than a solar-powered subsurface aeration system to help keep monthly energy costs down. Heathland Group’s research and development team have engineered the most efficient solar aeration system available on today’s global market.

The Benefits of Solar Aeration

The Benefits of Solar Aeration

Features and benefits of using a solar aerator

  • Environmentally friendly, self-contained power source
  • Entire water column circulation
  • Stabilisation of thermal stratification
  • Increased dissolved oxygen levels
  • Eliminates oxygen-related fish kills
  • Reduces mosquito and midge infestations in your lake
  • Reduces risks of the likelihood of algae bloom in your lake
  • Diminishes foul odours from gases
  • Reduces build-up of organic sediment in lakes
  • Improves and preserves a healthy aquatic ecosystem in your lake

Custom diffused aeration equipment

Our team will always ensure that you are recommended the most efficient diffused aeration system for your requirements. We like to ensure that every system we supply and install is the most effective system to not only help combat any existing issues but also to help prevent any further issues.

When recommending a system, a wide variety of parameters are taken into account including:

  • length
  • width
  • depth
  • any obstructions
  • bank side air obstructions (such as trees)
  • fish density
  • shape of the water body
  • access

Solar aeration systems to combat thermal stratification

During the summer, water bodies can suffer from thermal stratification, which is when water becomes divided into layers as shown below. The bottom layer of the reservoir will contain cool, oxygen-depleted water whilst the surface layer of the water will contain warmer oxygen-rich water. These two layers are separated by the thermocline which prevents the two from mixing because of differences in the water density.

A diffused aerator pumps air through the diffuser membranes, which then travels to the surface in the form of millions of tiny bubbles. When these bubbles travel up through the thermal layers they entrain the colder water and this is then carried to the surface layer, where it becomes naturally oxygenated. This colder water circulates and is replaced by warmer water providing complete circulation and balanced temperature.

Circulating and aerating from the base upwards also releases toxic gases that normally become trapped underneath the thermocline layer. This provides a balanced habitat for aquatic life. This aeration process creates aerobic conditions near the water bed and then the microbial process can naturally break down nutrients that might otherwise be used in the production of noxious aquatic weeds and algae.

Solar-powered aeration system placement

When placing a solar-powered aeration system it is important to consider the placement of the solar panels. It is important that they are placed in an open area, free of shade and any other obstructions that may cause limited light levels. Solar panels should always be south facing in order to have the longest period of exposure to the sunlight during the course of the day. You should always remember that during the winter months the sun will be lower in the sky which may result in shadowing not seen during the summer months.

Heathland Groups Solar Aeration Systems 

Heathland Group is one of the most trusted water aeration installers in Norfolk and offers all its services throughout the UK and Europe. We are here to help you with any requirements from start to finish. We offer a full servicing package with all of our products meaning you will continue to receive continued support from us for the life of your product. For more information on our custom aeration systems or our solar-powered aeration systems please contact us on 0800 3891990 or email us at info@heathandgroup.co.uk.

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The NEW Pellenc Helion 3 is here

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The NEW Pellenc Helion 3 is here: Pellenc, the world’s leading expert in battery-powered tools, has announced the launch of the new Helion 3 hedge trimmer.

Over recent years the Pellenc Helion hedge trimmer has been meeting and exceeding the needs of professionals in terms of power and trimming quality. Lightweight, quiet, and with odourless operation, it has allowed users to work comfortably when trimming hedges, ornamental trees or pruning.

The NEW Pellenc Helion 3 is here

The NEW Pellenc Helion 3 is here

This innovative trimmer has now just got better with the launch of the Helion 3.

Ultra-versatile with its three cutter blades which can be changed in under a minute, the new Helion 3 guarantees a perfect finish every time. Its exceptional cutting capacity allows operators to cut sections up to 3cm in diameter in complete safety. It can also be used all day no matter what the weather.

Here is a glimpse of some the key features of the new Helion 3:

Ultra-robust cutting blades

The Helion 3 boasts a blade guard, an aluminium stiffener, carbon steel blades and a stainless-steel anti-kickback guard.

Anti-locking blade system

The Helion 3 incorporates an exclusive device that reverses the direction of rotation if the cutting bar gets stuck in vegetation.

Speed select button

The four cutting speeds of the Helion 3 make it possible to adapt to the type of species to be trimmed or pruned.

Quick switch system for changing blades

The different sized hedge trimmer blades can be mounted and dismounted in under a minute.

New ergonomic design for safety

The new ergonomic design of the blade guard provides additional safety for the user against the risk of cuts.

Fast connector system

The Helion 3 allows quick connection and disconnection of the tool to the battery to get out of any risky situation fast.

Pellenc UK offers an industry leading four-year commercial warranty for all its batteries and a three-year warranty for all it tools.

Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Attraxor astounds at the birthplace of Rugby

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Attraxor astounds at the birthplace of Rugby: The sports pitches at Rugby School in Warwickshire are benefitting from a stronger sward after Attraxor plant growth regulator was recommended and supplied by Agrovista Amenity.

In 1823, student William Webb Ellis, took a football in his arms and ran with it, originating the game of rugby. Today, innumerable tourists visit the ‘home of the game’ and rugby teams from all over the world can be seen training at Rugby School. It certainly makes Grounds Manager, James Mead a busy man.

Attraxor astounds at the birthplace of Rugby

Attraxor astounds at the birthplace of Rugby

“There can’t be any sort of downtime for the team, and I can be taken aside at any time,” he said. “There could be a TV crew, very important persons or tourists that have made a rugby pilgrimage and want to stand on the turf where the game began. We can never afford to have an off-day here.”

James admits that he is fortunate to have a close-knit team around him; one that has been together for an astonishing amount of time.

“We have a smashing team that has always been together – in fact no one has left in 18 years,” he said. “It helps enormously because we are a very focussed group. Everyone gets a say – decisions and discussions are a collective. This way the whole team gets on-board with ideas, and everyone understands why we are doing something.”

Three years ago, the team decided to incorporate Attraxor plant growth regulator into their maintenance programme. It was a decision which has proved to be considerably successful.

“We had just Koro’d off all of the cricket outfield and were starting fresh,” explained James. “Following this we needed a product that would stick and would help to thicken the sward. Mark Allen from Agrovista Amenity recommended Attraxor and we are pleased he did – it made a huge difference to the strength and playability of the grass.”

Attraxor, a BASF product, is a plant growth regulator containing the active substance, prohexadione and can be used to regulate growth of all managed amenity turf. This active substance inhibits the Giberrelic acid pathway, which results in a reduction of turf height and turf biomass. Root growth is promoted whilst turf colour and quality are maintained.

Based on its initial success, James and the team decided to further utilise Attraxor and it is now an integral product throughout the growing season.

“Attraxor was perfect for the cricket outfield and so we then used it on our two gold standard rugby pitches – which are the ones that all the visitors come to see. Again, it made a big difference.

“We do a lot of liquid spraying and Attraxor goes nicely into our tank mixes,” he continued. “What we mix it with largely depends on the time of the year, but we will start applying Attraxor in March, as soon as the plant is up taking, and we continue to put it down every month throughout the growing season.

“In terms of cutting, we no longer have clippings to contend with and if we have had bad weather and can’t cut, then it is no longer an issue.

“I have been very impressed with Attraxor. Not only has the sward improved, but growth rates across a range of grass species have been regulated equally. I’m especially pleased to see that the strength and vigour of less desirable Poa annua plants has diminished.”

As well as reporting excellent results, James is also of the opinion that his formidable team has gained an extra member.

“Mark Allen is a very hands-on, amenable person to work with – he is a friend as well as a professional colleague. We bounce ideas off one another and it is a good collaboration. He gets on well with all the other members of staff and if anyone has any questions, he is always available to answer them.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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SISIS orange the colour for Durham

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SISIS orange the colour for Durham: When Durham County Cricket Club’s 25-year-old SISIS Auto Rotorake needed upgrading, Head Groundsman Vic Demain didn’t have to look very far for a replacement.

“If you go into any cricket shed – from village level up to professional level, you will always see an orange piece of kit in there of some description,” said Vic. “The SISIS brand is just so well-known and trusted in the cricket grounds industry.”

SISIS orange the colour for Durham

SISIS orange the colour for Durham

As one of the most experienced groundsmen in cricket, Vic Demain certainly knows the secrets behind preparing a first-class cricket pitch. He joined Durham County Cricket Club in 2015 and has been working at the Emirates Riverside Stadium ever since.

Helping him to prepare for all the games, Vic has long relied on a range of SISIS equipment over the years, but conceded that it was about time for an upgrade.

“We had a trusty SISIS Auto Rotorake but it was over 25 years old, and it needed replacing,” he said. “We didn’t even look at anything else. It is a staple piece of equipment for cricket clubs and there is nothing else on the market to challenge it in my opinion.”

A popular choice, the Auto Rotorake MK5 is a self-propelled heavy duty scarifier for the removal and control of thatch on fine and other quality turf. However, a Rolaspike Reel, which can be used for surface aeration or to create a seed bed when overseeding; and a Spiral Brush Reel can also be fitted.

“It is a multi-purpose machine that can be used for different jobs, but we mainly use it as a brush,” said Vic.

“For early preparation we will use it for standing the grass up before we mow, to make sure we get a good cut. After a game it is great for sweeping the whole length of the pitch to remove any dust or debris. This basically gives the pitch a good clean before we move on to renovating the pitch to get it back into service.

“We’ve also got artificial nets, and it is used for cleaning those and is particularly beneficial for getting rid of winter moss.

“It is used frequently, at least once every couple of days, and the whole team can use it because it is very operator friendly.”

“Ultimately, it is the proven quality of all the SISIS products that stands out and that is why I have been using them constantly throughout my career.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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The MVS 20 Li Battery Blower/Vac Shredder

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The MVS 20 Li Battery Blower/Vac Shredder: Something very handy has just arrived at Mountfield HQ and it is available to buy online!

New for 2022, and pretty nifty even if we do say so ourselves, the MVS 20 Li Battery Blower/Vac Shredder is the ultimate garden tidy tool. Lightweight, easy to use and energy efficient it not only blows leaves and debris away but can also simply vacuum and shred them into tiny pieces which collect in the 45-litre collector.

The MVS 20 Li Battery Blower/Vac Shredder

The MVS 20 Li Battery Blower/Vac Shredder

You can blow, suck or shred to your hearts content with the MVS 20 Li, because it is powered by Mountfield’s superstar STIGA 20V Lithium-Ion batteries giving an impressive air speed of 55m/s.

This machine, which has a simple mechanism to switch from blower to vacuum modes, offers up to 23 mins working time.  2 x 4Ah batteries and dual charger are included…and remember that these will fit all other tools and mowers in the Freedom100 range too!

The MVS 20 Li is available now at www.mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk

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