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Makita continues to provide the power

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Makita continues to provide the power: As part of its new October product releases, leading power tool manufacturer, Makita UK has revealed a number of new 40VMax cordless machines that have been added to its exciting XGT range.

The new high-powered products provide a one-battery solution to handle the most demanding jobs and environments, without sacrificing run time.

40VMAX LS004G XGT MITRE SAW

Driven by a 40VMax brushless motor, this XGT 260mm Slide Compound Mitre Saw provides a no load speed of up to 3,600rpm for high power cutting that is comparable to corded machines.

Makita continues to provide the power

Makita continues to provide the power

The rail-forward design allows users to maximise workspace as the machine can be positioned next to a wall and its single sliding system enables smooth operation to produce superior cuts.  Its 48o bevel range and 60o mitre range are easily adjusted with quick lock and release, making it simple to achieve the cut required.

This impressive tool is also packed with safety features including Auto-Start Wireless System technology (AWS), enabling the machine to connect to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth. When applied, the dust extractor is powered on and off while the saw is in use. An LED light improves task visibility, and for greater safety, an electric brake stops the blade in seconds.

80VMAX UR012GZ04 XGT BRUSH CUTTER

Delivering up to 6,400rpm and a maximum power output at 2.0kW, the powerful 80VMax (40Vx2) XGT Brushless Brush Cutter provides users with performance similar to a 40cc class engine grass trimmer, making this machine ideal for heavy duty applications.

Users can adjust speed according to the task with 3-stage control, and thanks to Makita’s innovative Automatic Torque Drive Technology (ADT), which adapts the cutting speed according to the load conditions, users can trust that the machine is always working at its optimum.

The UR012GZ04 also features Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) that shuts down the tool if the rotation speed suddenly slows, protecting the user against kickback. And the useful reverse switch removes any material that gets stuck in the blade, reducing user downtime.

On the announcement, Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “Our XGT platform was designed to provide professionals with even more power to meet high demand applications with ease. All of our XGT solutions are engineered with built-in programming, that provides digital communication between the battery and the tool, so that both work together for optimum performance and sustained power.

“We are pleased to expand the XGT range with our latest 40VMax and 80VMax equipment and tools, so that professionals can fully experience a truly cordless job site.”

To find out more about Makita and its wide range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Facing the future

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Facing the future: To say we live in challenging times is somewhat of an understatement. The impact is being felt everywhere and in so many directions. The Amenity Forum Conference & Exhibition has long been regarded as a must attend event for those involved in or with an interest in amenity management. This year its significance is even greater.

The event being held on 21st October at the Pirelli Stadium at Burton on Trent has a range of specialist speakers set to cover the key issues of the day including important policy updates and how they are to impact. There will also be leading practitioners giving their views and much more. The exhibition area also provides valuable networking opportunities.

Facing the future

Facing the future

John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum said ‘’ throughout the years, the amenity sector has shown its ability to innovate and respond and I have no doubt that this will continue. What happens in amenity management impacts upon all of us every day, no more emphasised that in recent COVID times. Our conference this year is a major opportunity to update and should not be missed’’

To secure your place, contact Kate at Admin@amenityforum.net .  At a price of £95 per delegate, thanks to our supporters, it provides excellent value. The full programme can be found at https://amenityforum.co.uk/conference/the-amenity-forum-conference-2021/

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Ventrac package for the RAC

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Ventrac package for the RAC: Iain Dye, the Courses Manager at The RAC in Woodcote Park, has taken delivery of a Ventrac 4500 with Contour deck and Tough Cut deck, to help maintain the two downland golf courses and surrounding estate.

Situated within the rolling Epsom Downs in Surrey, the Old Course, designed by the renowned William Herbert Fowler, was opened in 1915, while the Coronation Course was inaugurated in 1953, occupying the site of the club’s former New Course, which had been ploughed up during the Second World War.

Ventrac package for the RAC

Ventrac package for the RAC

Commenting recently Iain Dye said,

“I first saw the Ventrac during a demonstration at Tandridge Golf Club and although very impressed, we didn’t have the budget at the time to purchase it. However, the recent construction of our new reservoir prompted me to ask Rupert Price of Price Turfcare for demo here.

“It really comes into its own when mowing the steep sides of the retention walls. It would take a huge number of team hours to strim this area, so it’s saving a lot of time that can be used productively elsewhere on the courses.

“Apart from some utility vehicles we are a Toro fleet, but this Ventrac is unique and extremely versatile. We can use it for woodland management with the Tough Cut deck to get into the margins to clear brambles and brush. The health and safety aspect was an important factor in the purchase; nobody likes strimming at the best of times, but on steep slopes it’s a particularly onerous task. The Ventrac can operate on slopes of 30 degrees in complete safety; it seems to go anywhere!

“The Contour deck articulates well on uneven terrain, reducing scalping on high areas and we’ll be using it on our fairways during the winter to protect our fairway units from any worm casts. Also, it can go out in wet weather as the eight tyres produce only 6 psi, so it won’t mark the finer turf areas.

“We can now raise the presentation around the courses, maintaining steeper banks which we were unable to manage previously. These areas can be mown regularly and therefore become even more manageable over time.”

During the summer months Iain has a team of 27 including two Deputy Course Managers; Gary Stewart is responsible for the Old Course and Simon Glover for the Coronation Course. He also has two full-time mechanics and a mechanic/greenkeeper, who all ensure that the machinery works well at all times. He joined the RAC in June 2020 from Tandridge Golf Club, where he spent 14 years, initially as Deputy Course Manager before being promoted to Course Manager in 2013. After studying at Elmwood College, he joined the greenkeeping team on the Jubilee Course at St. Andrews in 1997 and worked on the Old Course from 2001, before moving from Scotland to take the job at Tandridge.

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Coombe Wood GC the ‘best in decades’

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Coombe Wood GC the ‘best in decades’: Coombe Wood Golf Club in Kingston Upon Thames is reaping the benefits of a tailored turf management programme from ICL and a dedicated greenkeeping team – according to Course Manager Laurence Fennemore.

“I knew the course needed a lot of work when I joined, but I saw it as an opportunity,” said Laurence. “It was a chance to test myself and put my name on the map. It helps having a great team around me too.”

Coombe Wood GC the ‘best in decades’

Coombe Wood GC the ‘best in decades’

Laurence always wanted to be a Greenkeeper – ever since embarking on work experience at a local golf club at the age of 15. He has been an apprentice, a deputy and now he finds himself in the top seat at Coombe Wood Golf Club – which he admitted is not without its challenges.

“It is like managing two different courses,” he said. The top half of the course consists of 10 very gravelly holes and the lower half, holes 11-18, is on clay which hold a lot of water. As soon as I came here in 2019, we had a very wet winter, and the lower half of the course wasn’t open at all.

“I found that the grass had died off on the fairways and had been overrun with weeds and there was quite a lot of disease on the greens.”

Laurence explained it was at this point that he got in touch with ICL.

“My old Course Manager worked with an ICL turf management programme, and I saw the successful results from that first hand. With this in mind I got in contact with ICL to see how they could help me out.”

Matt Nutter, ICL Technical Area Sales Manager, worked with Laurence to put a specific programme together for a full season that was within his budget. “We needed to focus on the greens and fairways and take into consideration that it is a very wet site, without any irrigation,” said Matt. “The aim was to apply some controlled release granular fertilisers as base feeds; get some good growth and give the golfers a course that they could use.”

Starting with the greens, the programme first saw Laurence apply Greenmaster Pro-Lite Turf Tonic 8-0-0 – a micro-granular fertiliser before going onto a fortnightly tank-mix consisting of Greenmaster Liquid CalMag, Vitalnova Stressbuster, Primo Maxx II plant growth regulator and Syngenta’s Ryder turf pigment. As part of the programme, Laurence also relies on monthly applications of Vitalnova SeaMax liquid seaweed extract and H2Pro TriSmart wetting agent.

“The greens have seen a big improvement and there is a lot more grass coverage,” said Laurence. “Primo Maxx II is controlling the growth and we are not taking large amounts of clippings off every time we cut; we have a nice tighter sward, and Ryder has really helped visually – it gives the turf a fantastic green colour.”

Matt was in agreement and added that he feels that the tank-mix has been integral to the results on the greens: “This mix is so consistent,” he said. “You don’t get a massive flush of growth and you don’t see the colour dipping off – you get the full 14 days out of it until it is ready for the next application.”

When it came to the fairways, Laurence applies Sportsmaster CRF Mini fertiliser and monthly applications of H2Pro AquaSmart wetting agent.

“The plan was to get moisture in the ground and to make the most of the wet in the spring,” he said. “AquaSmart at 10L/ha every four weeks from March until June really helped to keep enough water in the ground when the dry spells came in August and September. As a result, we didn’t lose any grass coverage.”

Without any irrigation, Laurence was forced to apply AquaSmart when it rained and that meant that he had to be flexible.

Coombe Wood GC the ‘best in decades’

Coombe Wood GC the ‘best in decades’

“We had the plans and everything in place but if it didn’t rain on the day I wanted to apply AquaSmart, then I needed to apply it as close to that day, within the four week window, as possible. This often meant coming in on my days off, but it was worth it because we have a nice even growth now and the moisture meter readings are proving that we have a high percentage of water being retained in the fairways.”

Buoyed by the successful results, Matt is now devising a new programme with some additions and tweaks. In the meantime, Laurence is not the only one to be impressed at Coombe Wood.

“The members are very happy with many commenting that it is the best it has been in decades,” said Laurence. “It is reassuring to have ICL and Matt on-board – I am always asking for suggestions and he is happy to talk it through and give me his opinion.

“It’s great to be able to bounce ideas off one another and the fact that I can have a tailored maintenance programme to suit my budget is invaluable.

“I would also like to add that my team have worked incredibly hard to turn the course around. Some of their practices have really maximised the results of the ICL programme.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Baroness makes the cut

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Baroness makes the cut: Cowglen Golf Club, based just outside of Glasgow, run a fleet of Baroness Machines to help keep their greens in perfect condition for their customers.

Their fleet includes the LM2400 Fairway Mower, the LM315 Greens Triple Mower, the LM66 Pedestrian Tees Mower and the LM56 Pedestrian Greens Mower.

Baroness makes the cut

Baroness makes the cut

Local dealer, the Hamilton Ross Group, speak to Course Manager, Michael Slack, to find out how the Baroness Machinery makes the cut for Cowglen!

Can you tell me a bit about what you use your Baroness machines for?

“We use the LM 66 Pedestrian Tees Machines for cutting tees three times a week.

We use the 56 for mowing greens three times a week, the LM315 for mowing greens three to four times a week and the LM2400 for mowing fairways two to three times a week.”

How has the machinery helped with your day to day tasks?

“The quality of cut saves time and offers golfers a better experience by presenting nice greens.”

What made you choose Baroness?

“I have a good relationship with Paul, and he introduced me to Baroness. I liked the machinery, and it gave a really high quality cut. The price and availability played a factor as well and the machines are all user friendly and easy to operate.”

What kind of finish do you get with the Baroness Machinery?

“A lovely finish on our tees and fairways.”

How did you first become aware of the Hamilton Ross Group?

“I have been dealing with Paul for 14 years as we inherited a fleet of machines from Hamilton Brothers.”

How has the sales and service support been?

“Really good, Paul has always been there to help straight away when we need him, and the response time is speedy.

Overall, Paul makes us feel like an important customer, which is great.”

We wish the team at Cowglen all the best with their Baroness Fleet!

Looking to find out more about the range? Get in touch with the Bishopton depot today on 01505 862010.

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