Tag Archive for: Time

Time To Safeguard Herbicides

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Time To Safeguard Herbicides: Safe and timely use of herbicide products not only helps to ensure that active ingredients fulfil the requirements of amenity managers, but can also help to safeguard their future availability and effectiveness, points out Bayer.

Roundup® Development Manager Barrie Hunt explains: “Glyphosate has been reapproved until at least 2022 and we now need play our part to ensure that we continue to have this important herbicide at our disposal to control weeds in the amenity sector in the long term.”

Time To Safeguard Herbicides

The mild winter has meant continued growth in many parts of the country, but groundcare professionals should resist the urge to make an early start on weed control, he emphasises.

“Timeliness is essential to get the best out of products – check label recommendations for the correct application timing for the weed species being targeted. Planning applications carefully to ensure that the active ingredient is at its most effective helps to prevent survivors.”

Effective treatment of weeds also helps reduce the risk of herbicide resistance, a looming threat to our ability to maintain control, says Mr Hunt.

“There are currently no known cases of glyphosate resistance in the UK. However, globally, resistance has evolved due to practices including over-reliance on of the same herbicide i.e. glyphosate, not following label recommendations and a lack of, or limited, Integrated Weed Management strategies.”

Good Plant Protection Practice and an Integrated Weed Management strategy are key to demonstrating stewardship and responsible use of plant protection products which can help safeguard active ingredients, he comments.

“Whenever possible, use mixtures of herbicides, and consider integrating non-chemical control measures,” explains Mr Hunt. “Opportunities for selective applications are limited in groundcare, but spot spraying can be an extremely effective approach and application equipment technology is developing all the time.

Incorporating a residual partner with a different mode of herbicidal action is also possible in some circumstances.”

“By being vigilant, and keeping good practice to the forefront, we can help these valuable chemicals to continue to maintain the quality of sporting and leisure facilities.”

Caption: Timely application of herbicides is essential to get the best out of products and minimise the risk of resistance.

For further information on Roundup® contact the Technical Helpline on 01954 717575. Email: technical.helpline.uk@monsanto.com Web: www.monsanto-ag.co.uk 

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Save Time With Toro EdgeMax Bedknives

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Save Time With Toro EdgeMax Bedknives: Switching out the old and worn for a new set of Toro EdgeMax bedknives will save you time and money and bring a sharper cut to your Toro greens and fairway mowers.

Now is the perfect time of year, before the growing season starts, to check for worn bedknives and ensure you’re ahead of the game by choosing a high-quality replacement.

Save Time With Toro EdgeMax Bedknives

Brought to the UK by Reesink Turfcare, Toro’s bedknives come with a host of benefits. Made of solid, hardened steel, Toro EdgeMax bedknives provide up to three times longer edge retention than a standard fairway bedknife and twice as long for greens.

Michael Hampton, parts manager at Reesink, says: “With Toro EdgeMax bedknives you know you’re getting the genuine, original part for a reasonable cost, which will ultimately save you more in the future.”

Replace your bedknives quickly and without the hassle or stress of gambling on will-fit competitors. Michael continues: “With genuine Toro parts, you can be sure you’re getting first-rate parts built to fit perfectly with your machine, with consistent hole alignment on every bedknife, certified and trackable steels coils and computer-controlled machining and finishing, thanks to Toro’s leading manufacturing process.”

Designed to meet strict Toro engineering specifications, the longer lasting bedknives don’t sacrifice on quality and guarantee excellent after-cut appearance. Plus with the bedknives staying sharper for longer, the machine incurs less wear, enabling it to work more efficiently and smoothly, delivering a healthier turf.

Available across Toro’s Greensmaster and Reelmaster ranges on models fitted with DPA (Dual Precision Adjustment) cutting units, EdgeMax bedknives bring a 9.5mm and above height of cut to fairways and a 1.59mm and above height of cut to greens. To find out more or place on order, contact Reesink’s parts department on 01480 226870.

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Wiedenmann A Time Saver

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Wiedenmann A Time Saver: Two new kit arrivals for a busy Middlesex grounds team are saving up to five working days a month.

The Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD and the Wiedenmann Super 500, delivered in October, are significantly reducing time spent on aeration, collecting and scarifying.

Wiedenmann A Time Saver

Chris Lynch, Grounds Manager at John Lyon School, Harrow-on the-Hill and his two assistants, Mark Chandler and Joe Naughton now have breathing space to tackle different projects. The site, at Sudbury Fields in North West London, has four full size football pitches, three junior size pitches, 4 training zones and three cricket squares. On any given afternoon up to 200 pupils and PE staff from the independent boys’ day school, make full use of the playing facilities.

“Other than our 1st team football pitch, each pitch and training zone can get used up to nine times per week,” said Chris Lynch.

“With our previous aerator, we could expect to cover all 28 acres, minus the cricket squares, in five to six working days. Now with the GXi8 HD, the sports fields with the cricket squares included can be done in less than three days.

“We’re also saving at least two days a week with the Super 500.  Just last week all pitches were raked quite roughly to take out dead grass. Lots of material came out. We took the Super 500 across and in one pass it picked everything up.  I was beyond impressed.  All 28 acres collected with one pass in just over two days.”

“In terms of time saved and work quality these machines are fantastic. All of a sudden productivity is increased by a week per month.  Over a year we’re talking about an extra month to do other work across the site.  Any Head Greenkeepers or Grounds Managers reading this with a similar amount of usage every day will know how invaluable that kind of time is to absorb the extra work given to us. I am very fortunate to work for a school that backs me with the machinery needed to keep the surfaces at their best.”

The Terra Spike will run at least once every three to four weeks, typically, September through until April or May.

“On 20 mm tines we will comfortably get down to 250 mm as no complex pipework lies beneath any of the pitches. The Terra Spike will not only help repair and replace levels but keep air and water moving through the profile,” continued Chris Lynch, who took up his role 2.5 years ago after a 15 year spell at The Harrow School.

“Another key benefit will come during March/April, when 400 tonnes of sand is put down to help aid pitch recovery as part of our renovations. The Terra Spike’s efforts will also assist the way we deliver chemical and fertiliser products required for the turf. Sand aids in unlocking positive nutrients locked up in the clay and the Terra Spike will allow the sand to work down into the clay to aid this process. “

“For me the Terra Spike is the easiest machine on the market to use.  Its set up is really simply.  If you are not happy with something it’s a small quick adjustment to the depth or the heave.

Wiedenmann’s Super 500 is a three-in-one sweeper, collector, scarifier known across the industry for its versatility and 2.5 m³ capacity. The John Lyon team has seamlessly incorporated the Super 500 into their weekly routine.

Wiedenmann A Time Saver

“We have the largest collection of oak trees in the neighbourhood and need to lift leaves before they contaminate the turf surface so the Super 500 is out on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. We cut on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and mark everything on Fridays, weather dependent of course” explained Chris Lynch.

“The Super 500 has been set up as a scarifier which just tickles the surface as we work. We don’t want to go into hard, as leaf collecting is the priority for now.  When I joined, one of the biggest problems I inherited was thatch and there is still some thatch level in our pitches.   The Super 500 given time will help alleviate that, stopping debris working its way down through the surface.  In this instance, it’s not necessarily what you see on the top that causes problems, it can be what’s down below. I am looking forward to getting this into the surface far more aggressively come renovations time next spring”

Area Sales Manager, Grant Buckingham, from Wiedenmann UK dealer, Ernest Doe & Sons, at Esher, was on hand throughout the sales process.

The John Lyon School was founded in 1876 for the education of local boys by the Governors of Harrow School, in keeping with the wishes of John Lyon, the founder of Harrow. Now it takes 650 pupils with sport being central of importance. In particular the school has a tailored sports mentoring programme which helps nurture and develop elite sports performers and selected sports scholars.

For more information, visit: www.wiedenmann.com

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Pitch Vandalised For Third Time

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Pitch Vandalised For Third Time: Vandals have driven over the Rew Valley football pitch for the third time since Christmas.

The pitch, at Watcombe Bottom on Whitwell Rd, Ventnor, is home to Rew Valley Youth FC, which has 125 players and many more who train there weekly.

The damage to the grounds has been a devastating blow for the team, which has suffered an expensive season so far with lots of unexpected costs and things needing replacing.

Organisers are now desperately trying to raise funds to erect fencing around the pitches, to prevent them being driven over.

Jess Cutler, youth team secretary, said: “Being repeatedly hit by vandalism is a massive blow.

“We’re entirely run on donations and the children’s subs, which we try to keep as low as possible as we feel sport and being part of a team or club is really important for young people. It not only keeps them fit but teaches them valuable things like respect and how to work together.

“Unfortunately, since Christmas we have been blighted by vandalism. Our pitch was driven on for the third time in so many months. The first two times the damage was caused by a car driving on it.

“We hoped to stop the problem by erecting a chain across the access lane, which seemed to work, but the latest damage was caused by a motorbike which drove through a gap in the fence. We need to enclose the whole pitch.”

The team is hosting a touring club from Herefordshire for the first time soon, and is hoping the pitch will be in good enough condition.

The children are very active in the club’s fundraising efforts and have recently been bag packing, taken part in sponsored events, sold raffle tickets and run stalls at community events.

A crowdfunding page is at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rewvalley A jumble sale has been organised for Saturday, April 14, at Ventnor Baptist Church from 2pm to 4pm. A quiz night is being held at the Mill Bay Inn on Wednesday, April 11.

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APEX Zero-turn Cuts Time As Well As Grass

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APEX Zero-turn Cuts Time As Well As Grass: Designed and built with the professional in mind, Ariens Company has recently introduced the new APEX zero-turn mower to the UK.

The Ariens name has been built on a reputation for engineering excellence and the APEX zero-turn continues this tradition with its ‘built to last’ quality. Well-crafted components, Hydro-Gear® transaxles and a robust 4-point cutting deck bring you commercial performance. The APEX features an industry-leading frame design, with large formed tubular rails serving as the backbone to support the loads of the machine.

APEX Zero-turn Cuts Time As Well As Grass

The highly durable 10-gauge steel deck is 14cm (5 ½”) deep with a reinforced leading edge providing the airflow needed to tackle tough mowing conditions. It boasts fifteen cutting positions in 0.6cm (¼”) increments. These are easily selected using a foot-operated deck lift and vertical pin system. There is a Constant Belt Tension System to ensure the belt is always at the right tension to minimise wear and heat, while providing enhanced belt life with minimal adjustments necessary. The category leading large tyres provide superior traction and ride quality.

The APEX is comfortable too, featuring an adjustable high-back seat with padded arm rests helping to reduce operator fatigue. The frame on the APEX can also be fitted with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS) for added protection. Powering you through the work is a reliable premium grade Kawasaki V-Twin (726cc) engine – ideal when you have a lot of ground to cover. The APEX zero-turn is available in two models: APEX 48 with a 122cm (48”) cutter deck and the APEX 52 with a 132cm (52”) cutter deck. With its commercial grade DNA, the APEX is a highly durable zero-turn and will outlast most other machines in its class.

The Ariens brand has been family owned for over 80 years and is rapidly growing in the UK with a large network of dealers. To find your local dealer visit www.ariens-uk.com, or for more information contact Ariens Company on 0800 597 7777

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