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220TMP proves to be the ‘master’

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220TMP proves to be the ‘master’: When tree surgeon Paul Cutler was in the market for a new woodchipper to handle large scale domestic tree-works, there was only one machine that fitted the bill – a Chipmaster 220TMP from GreenMech.

Having been impressed with the build quality of the GreenMech machines at a local dealer open day, Paul took delivery of his machine in January 2022, and it’s already blown him away with its high output capabilities taking large conifers and other bulky material in its stride.

220TMP proves to be the ‘master'

220TMP proves to be the ‘master’

Paul has used various makes and models of woodchipper over his 35-year career, with a 4” and 6” road-tow machine currently on his fleet, sitting alongside a second-hand 6” PTO unit that began costing Paul more than it was earning! “I had recently purchased some other equipment from our local machinery dealer Thurlow Nunn Standen, when Andy Rayner mentioned they were becoming GreenMech dealers and invited me along to an open day” Paul explains.

Impressed with the build quality of the machines on show, he explored further, before settling on the Chipmaster 220TMP. “The great thing about this chipper is that it has a huge 9” capacity which is fantastic for productivity, but it only requires a 60hp tractor. It also has a really wide infeed chute which means we can put in large, twisted brash and branches without needing to spend time trimming them down or inadvertently triggering the safety bar.”

“Not only is it giving us high output, the whole machine is so simple to use” he continues. The Chipmaster 220TMP is the ultimate ‘maximum output, minimum investment’ machine. It fits the three-point linkage on tractors between 60 and 80hp, with the feed rollers powered by the tractor’s hydraulic system. The Chipmaster has been designed to deliver the perfect combination of tremendous strength and robust performance – promising the free-flow and high throughput of bulky materials.

“I’ve been using it this week on a big domestic job, and it’s been taking 20-foot long and 6” diameter conifers, with no trouble at all.” Paul concludes, “The difference between the Chipmaster and our old machine and 6” unit is huge! With the performance and significant time savings it’s already bringing to jobs, it really is a brilliant investment.”

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The healthier alternative for Patterson’s

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The healthier alternative for Patterson’s: After a decade of working with 2-stroke engines, Adam Patterson, from Patterson’s Gardening Services in Northern Ireland, thought it was time to switch to battery-powered equipment.

Covering all kinds of garden maintenance, Patterson’s Gardening Mowers, based in Lisburn continues to go from strength to strength. Renowned for its high quality of work and excellent customer service, the company never rests on its laurels.

The healthier alternative for Patterson’s

The healthier alternative for Patterson’s

Adam is proud of the company’s vast customer base, and he revealed that in the whole seven years the business has been running, he has never had a conversation starter such as his new Pellenc equipment.

“I would say the Pellenc equipment has been the biggest talking point ever,” he said. “It is a huge conversation starter with customers, and they’ll often stop me to comment on how quiet it is. It is so quiet, that sometimes I don’t even need to turn it off; or if I do, I simply take my finger off the trigger – it’s that easy.”

Adam and his customers aren’t the only ones to be bowled over by the innovative range of Pellenc battery-powered equipment. A forerunner when it comes to lithium-ion technology, Pellenc has established itself as the number one choice in the ‘zero emission’ professional power tools market for the maintenance of urban and green-spaces.

Light, odourless, noise-free, with no starting problems and enough power to enable professional users to work for a full day on a single charge, it’s no wonder more and more professional users are turning to Pellenc. It is an attractive alternative to those who have, for several years, been relying on fuel-based machinery.

Not only will users see a huge amount of savings by eliminating the necessity of purchasing fuel but by using the Pellenc equipment, they will be contributing to protecting the environment by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and noise pollution.

With three members of staff to think about, Adam’s concerns about the fumes from 2-stroke engines weren’t just limited to himself.

“The main reason for looking at battery alternatives was because of the health implications,” he said. “This was most apparent when using a hedge trimmer because myself and my staff use these tools a lot and quite often, we would be surrounded by the fumes for hours at a time. I also found myself coughing a lot at night-time. It was absolutely the right time to make the switch and I thought the hedge trimmers would be a good place to start.”

As a result, Adam arranged a demonstration with his local dealer RD Mechanical and purchased the Helion Compact 2 which is the lightest battery-powered hedge trimmer on the market. It is an efficient tool that meets the needs of professionals in terms of power and trimming quality. In fact, the Helion allows the user to work comfortably when trimming hedges, ornamental trees and can also be used for pruning.

Furthermore, a swivel head is available on the pole models, and can be adjusted by +90°/-45° which means you can work in all trimming positions. The Swivel handle is also adjustable by +/- 90° for vertical work without bending the handle.

“It’s a fantastic bit of kit and I comfortably get a full day’s work out of it,” he said. “I have the battery backpack too, and you hardly notice it is there.

“I looked at a couple of other brands of battery-powered powered products, but Pellenc just stood out to me, along with the great back-up service I get from RD Mechanical. I think one of the biggest selling points is that they are waterproof and that gave me extra confidence. Combine that with the 4-year warranty on the tools and a 3-year warranty on the battery, and you simply can’t go wrong with Pellenc.”

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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Imperative MM impresses the Imps

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Imperative MM impresses the Imps: Lincoln City FC, also known as the Imps, boasts a pitch consisting of MM60 grass seed and Head Groundsman Craig Housley could not be more impressed.

MM60 is the UK’s leading winter sports renovation mixture and can be attributed with playing a key role in many of the finest sporting venues you see today. The 100% Ryegrass formula, which is perfect for divot repair, is renowned for its extremely fast germination and its high wear tolerance. It produces fantastic aesthetic qualities, and its high disease resistance provides ultimate protection.

Imperative MM impresses the Imps

Imperative MM impresses the Imps

Craig, currently in his second season as the Head Groundsman at Lincoln City FC, is no stranger to the market leading grass seed. “I knew just how good the seed was because I had used it in my previous role at Scunthorpe Untied FC. I would highly recommend it and will carry on using it in the future,” he said.

The decision to apply MM60 at Lincoln City FC’s LNER Stadium coincided with the construction of a brand new Fibresand pitch which took place at the end of the 2020/21 season. In fact, the process began the very next day after the Imps’ last game of the season.

A month later and MM60 was ready to be used. Craig applied the seed in four passes at a rate of 35g per square metre. This, in theory, would have provided enough time for the pitch to be completely ready in time for the first game of the season, but based on Craig’s experience of using MM60, he knew that this would never be in doubt.

“I’ve never known grass to come through so quickly which I believe is due to the HEADSTART® GOLD treatment,” he said.

As Craig says, MM60 is treated with HEADSTART® GOLD, which has been developed using the latest scientific findings and field experience. It is a natural revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid germination and is perfect for enhancing performance on sports fields, golf courses, lawns and amenity turf.

Imperative MM impresses the Imps

Imperative MM impresses the Imps

“There are so many benefits from using MM60,” continued Craig. “The colour you get from it is really good, as is the recovery, and the speed of germination is fantastic. I’ve never had any issues and it keeps the pitch free from disease.

“It’s a hard-wearing seed and we have managed to maintain really good grass coverage. Football is a difficult sport to maintain grass, especially now with the rigorous warm-ups before a game; even the cool-downs are like full training sessions. We don’t struggle for grass coverage anywhere on the pitch, even in the tight areas, and I believe that is down to the MM60.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s new website www.mm-seeds.co.uk. You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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Hunter on target for the Darts

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Hunter on target for the Darts: The heavily used pitch at Dartford FC’s Princes Park Stadium is benefitting from a recently installed Hunter irrigation system, supplied by KAR UK.

From Dartford FC’s first team to the academy teams; from the Dartford ladies’ teams and London City Lionesses to Charlton FC’s Under 23’s, the pitch at Princes Park is in regular demand. To be precise, it averages 76 games per year.

Hunter on target for the Darts

Hunter on target for the Darts

Responsible for ensuring every one of those games takes place is the experienced Head Groundsman Jay Berkhauer who works for Jordans Sports Ground Solutions – who are responsible for the maintenance of Princess Park as well as a host of other clubs all over the South East.

Jay has been in charge at Princes Park Stadium for three seasons and has made a significant improvement to the pitch.

In recognising that such a heavily used pitch requires good irrigation, he was quick to ensure it was one of his first actions when starting the role at Princes Park.

“When I first came in the irrigation system wasn’t in good shape and it had been neglected for a few years,” he said. “Most of the sprinkler heads didn’t work and the control point was located so far away from the pitch. On a matchday I was constantly running back and forth, switching it on and off, whenever the manager wanted water on the pitch. This was a nightmare especially as I am the only groundsperson based here.

“Therefore, the irrigation was something that I wanted fixed as soon as possible.”

Supplied by KAR UK and installed by Prime Irrigation, Jay chose the i-40 rotors, and the Centralus irrigation management platform. This provides a highly secure, comprehensive cloud-based control and monitoring features to the ICC2 controller at the stadium.

The connectivity allows users to view a controller’s status, change settings, view forecasts, save water, and receive instant notification of important system alarms — all without costly and time-consuming travel and site visits.

Hunter on target for the Darts

Hunter on target for the Darts

“It has been a huge game changer since it was installed,” said Jay. “Gone are the days of running back and forth because I can control it all from my phone no matter where I am. For example, there have been times when the pitch is being watered while I’m at home. There has been a downpour and I can simply turn the system off through my phone.

“We’ve also noticed that we have saved a lot of money on water usage too,” continued Jay.

“It allows me to target specific areas on the pitch – one area might need five minutes of water while another area might just need two minutes on a matchday. It’s great to have this flexibility and to be able to only use water when and where the pitch needs it.

“It has never gone wrong, and I’ve never had any problems with it. Compared to what I’ve used in my career, this irrigation system is by far the best and the easiest to use.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A

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UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A: The 150th Open at St Andrews is set to be a historic event with record crowds witnessing the world’s greatest players contest the Claret Jug and a team of almost 50 greenkeepers from golf clubs all over the United Kingdom and further afield will be supporting the home greenkeeping team as they prepare the Old Course’s famous fairways.

Each year The R&A requests the assistance of British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) members in the staging of the event. Every full BIGGA member who has been with the association for at least two years is eligible to apply for a place on the Volunteer Open Support Team and those who are selected are given incredible access to golf’s greatest championship, supporting every match with bunker raking duties.

UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A

UK greenkeepers selected to support The R&A

The history of the Volunteer Open Support Team began at St Andrews in 1984 following years of complaints from golfers and the governing body that bunker raking at The Open was inconsistent. Walter Woods BEM, links superintendent at St Andrews at the time, proposed that members of the Scottish & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (SIGGA), which existed prior to the formation of BIGGA in 1987, could be enlisted on a volunteer basis. Having a deputised band of trained greenkeepers on site would also provide the home greenkeeping team with additional support, should the need arise. The Volunteer Open Support Team was formed and has attended every Open since, providing hundreds of BIGGA members with incredible memories and inspiring them to achieve greater things both in their careers and at their home facilities.

Joining the BIGGA volunteers will be Gordon Moir, BIGGA President 2022, himself a former links superintendent at St Andrews and an industry veteran who supervised the hosting of five Opens. Gordon will begin his presidency at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) 2022, taking place from 22 to 24 March at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “The 150th Open will be a spectacular celebration of the sport of golf and in some ways the Volunteer Open Support Team recognises the vital role greenkeepers have played over the centuries in the development and prospering of this wonderful game, so we are thankful to The R&A for providing this opportunity for BIGGA members each year. The Open is the world’s greatest golf tournament and this is set to be the biggest and best instalment ever, so everyone at BIGGA – including those members who form the home St Andrews greenkeeping team – is looking forward to playing our part in the hosting of the championship.”

This year’s BIGGA Volunteer Open Support Team features a record number of first-time team members and each year is provided with accommodation, subsistence and uniform for the event. Restrictions may be in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and any necessary adjustments to working practices will be made clear to BIGGA members ahead of the championship.

The 150th Open takes place from 10 to 17 July 2022. Applications for the BIGGA Volunteer Open Support Team for The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool will open later this year.

Here are the BIGGA members who will be assisting the home greenkeepers for the duration of The 150th Open:

Robert Acheson, Thonock Park; Daniel Ashelby, Reddish Vale; George Barr, Worthing; Robert Bemment, Elsham; Simon Bone, Royal Wimbledon; James Bonfield, The Hertfordshire; Adam Brackley, Heworth; Tim Brown, Hockley; Michael Budd, Richmond Park; Steven Carmichael, Dumfries & Galloway; Stuart Christon, Middlesbrough (Brass Castle); Paul Clarkson, Sherborne; Mark Cleverley, Ludlow; David Davies, St Annes Old Links; Jack Fairbairn, Shipton; David Forbes, Faughan Valley; Dean Franks, West Sussex; Michael Gibbons, Dunham Forest; James Gilchrist, Harborne; Andrew Harding, Boyce Hill; Darren Hexley, Muir of Ord; Stevie-Jon Hood, Ljunghusens, Sweden; Jamie Hughes, Lyme Regis; Paul Law, South Staffordshire; Craig Littlejohn, Douglas Park; David McCormick, Royal Porthcawl; Matthew Milligan, Rudding Park; Tiffany Mills, Ryston Park; David McCormick, Royal Porthcawl; William Morton, Llanishen; Ronnie Myles, Buchanan Castle; Ian Nichols, Orsett; George Nock, Enville; Joshua Raper, Hosel EV, Germany; Scott Rigby, Gathurst; Scott Robertson, Strathmore; Harry Roe, Alwoodley; Andrew Sellars, The Grove; Chris Sheehan, Chorlton-cum-Hardy; Niels Sorensen, Randers, Denmark; Craig Surgeon, Kirkcaldy; Rick Tegtmeier CGCS MG, Des Moines, USA; Mark Thompson, Galgorm Castle; Ross Traill, Kilmarnock (Barassie); Sean Tully, Meadow Club, USA; Jeremy Ward, Bradford Moor; George Watton, Ludlow; Aidan Wright, Camberley Heath.

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