Tag Archive for: Top

ISEKI fleet is the top gun

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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/

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Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

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Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX: Campey has earned a reputation for supplying market-leading, innovative turf care machinery. This is demonstrated in the line-up of a selection of the top machines from Vredo, Air2G2, Imants, Dakota, Campey and AllTrec, which will all be on the stand at Saltex along with Campey’s product specialists to answer any questions.

The AllTrec Tool Carrier follows the Koro FTM with Universe Rotor and Air2G2 as one of Campey’s most innovative products. The 100% electric machine provides zero CO2 emissions can also be used with several other attachments, including the Air E-Variator, weed brush, and hedge cutter. The AllTrec will be present in the Eco Village, with regular presentations throughout the show.

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Campey brings top line-up to SALTEX

Also, on display will be

Focusing on aeration, CampeyÔ will also be exhibiting several machines whose task is to improve the health of the soil through breaking up compaction and getting air into the deeper layers. This is when machines such as the Air2G2 Inject, Imants ShockWave, Rotoknife, and Recycling dresser come into their own.

Renovations are an effortless operation with the 1.6m KoroÒ FIELDTOPMAKERÒ and Campey Universe Rotor, working together to deliver the most efficient method of fraise mowing on the market today. The accuracy on multiple surfaces comes from using the UniverseÒ rotor with 3mm and 5mm blades is unsurpassed.

Surface conditions are assured with the Campey range of brushes, scarifiers, and sweepers, including the CampeyÔ Uni-Scratch. This machine is the ideal solution for professional and effective maintenance of natural grass and can also be used for the final organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when conducting annual renovations. And of-course there is the Dakota spreader. This range of small to large manoeuvrable dual spinner top dressers are ideal for spreading sand, rubber crumb and other topdressings on all surfaces, including those that require lightweight machines to be used or are difficult to access with larger spreaders.

Vredo Overseeders completes the line-up of quality equipment with its immense germination rate of over 98% – the most accurate seeder to-date!

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GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

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GKB SP100 top of the topdressers: To support their rapid and continued growth, Garsons Group Ltd have been investing in equipment to help them deliver contracting and maintenance services to the full spectrum of sports surfaces.

One machine that joined the fleet and has now become their ‘go-to’ for topdressing is the GKB Sandspreader – and while perhaps it wasn’t quite ‘love’ at first sight, Director Gareth Davies says it was definitely ‘the perfect fit’ at first sight after spotting the SP100 at BTME!

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

“Straight away, I could tell that SP100 was a great size machine that would suit the variety of work we do” explains Gareth, who has spent 25 years working in the groundcare industry and established Garsons as a limited company three years ago. “We’re conducting renovations, reconstructions and ongoing maintenance for winter sports pitches, cricket and golf courses so need something with a large enough hopper capacity to be efficient, but not too big that access to certain sites may become compromised. The Sandspreader ticks all the boxes.”

Gareth opted for the mounted SP100 model and, since its delivery in the spring of 2021 from local dealer Ernest Does, he estimates they’ve applied in the region of 4000 tonnes of sand with it. “The hopper is the main benefit for us. The SP100 holds 1m3 of material at a time meaning we can apply over 100 tonnes in a day which is critical when the team are working to tight deadlines. It’s also really easy to use and adjust for lighter or heavier applications when needed. We use it primarily for football and rugby, but this year we used it on a cricket square for the first time and it did a brilliant job.”

The GKB SP100 is the smallest unit in the Sandspreader range, with larger models offering up to a 4m3 hopper capacity. The material is transported from the hopper to the adjustable metering valve via an internal conveyor belt, before being efficiently and evenly distributed via the double disc hydraulic spinners. As well as trailed and mounted formats, GKB also offer the SPM model, which features a side material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers or trenches.

“Another big thing for us, has been the support and customer service from GKB, which has been excellent throughout. Tom Shinkins is always on hand for advice and, when we needed some additional parts recently, he was able to get them to us in under 24 hours which is the kind of back-up we need as we drive our business forward.”

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Lawn Top Dressing applicator

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Lawn Top Dressing applicator: Would your business or sports club benefit by using a lawn top dresser to quickly and easily spread, top dressing, sand or compost onto fine turfed lawns, bowling greens, croquet lawns and cricket wickets?

Your company could increase profits by offering this service to existing customers or if you wish carry out this type of work on your sports surfaces, then an Eco 250s spreader, available in the UK from Geko Engineering Limited could make the job easier and faster.

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

Spreading top dressing is a time consuming but essential routine task which needs to be carried out at least annually to fill in minor hollows in the surface and also improve soil condition and drainage. The traditional method of using a wheelbarrow and shovel to deposit material on the low spots, then level out with a lute can be used but this is extremely hard work and slow going on anything larger than a small area.

Until now few alternatives were available to smaller companies and sporting clubs who understand the benefits of top dressing and wish to add this service in addition to aeration and scarification as part of an annual maintenance program but could not justify the initial expenditure or charge for the labour time and effort required.

The Ecolawn Eco250s top dresser can spread up to approximately 1 tonne per hour evenly and quickly and is within the finances of most companies especially if a financing option or sports grant is used.

Operation of the machine is simple,

  • fill the hopper, drive the machine to the spread zone,
  • adjust the door opening to select how much material to discharge
  • engage the conveyor and drive the machine forwards at a brisk walking pace.
  • Adding the EcoSeeder attachment allows overseeding to take place simultaneously saving even more time, and offers a further revenue stream.

All Ecolawn powered machines utilise the professional grade Honda GX160 engine ensuring easy starting and reliable running. Machine controls are connected by linkages adjustable from the operating position, making adjustments whilst on the move possible. Servicing and maintenance requirements are minimal and easy to carry out by most people with basic knowledge therefore keeping the machine in good condition at minimum cost. Other advantages of these compact machines are their small size and low weight providing access through most gateways and transport between jobs by medium size van or small trailer.

Geko Engineering Limited are the sole UK distributor for the Ecolawn range, why not contact us now and find out more about Ecolawn machines.

Note to Editors:  Geko Engineering Ltd, supply professional landscaping equipment domestically and internationally. Working with manufacturers and distributors to provide specialist equipment/

Our range includes but is not limited to; Top dressing / compost spreaders, Spray equipment, Tree stump grinder attachment suitable for mini excavators, air spade non contact excavation tool, mowers, debris vacuums, leaf loaders, aerators, powered brushes

We offer UK delivery with personal handover on some products to ensure our customers understand operation and maintenance

(contact details for further information).

Geko Engineering Ltd.

Unit 16 Sherdley Road

Lostock Hall

Preston, Lancashire

PR5 5JF

Tel +44 (0)1772 459049

Mob+44 (0)7770 683679

email sales@gekoengineering.co.uk

Web http://www.gekoengineering.co.uk/

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Kubota tractor is top gun

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Kubota tractor is top gun: The latest generation of Kubota’s renowned compact tractors is flying high at a leading military base. Set in a stunning location off the coast of North Wales, RAF Valley on Anglesey is home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for the UK’s next generation of world-class fighter pilots.

Aircrew are trained at RAF Valley for mountain and maritime operations throughout the world and it is also home to the Mountain Rescue Service, the military’s search and rescue, aircraft post-crash management asset.

Kubota tractor is top gun

Kubota tractor is top gun

A total of 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley, and in addition to the extensive grass areas for operational use, the site has a large sports and leisure complex for the use of staff and the community.

It is one of a number of MOD sites maintained by national contractor idverde, and in October 2021, a new Kubota L2-622 compact tractor was added to the machinery fleet to work at RAF Valley.

“We had an older L series tractor and Lloyds five-unit gang mower,” explains operator Chris Hickey, “But we needed to update the mowing equipment to suit the often wet condition of the grounds, so a Trimax Snake S2 gang roller mower and the latest Kubota L2-622 were purchased.”

Over the winter, the L2 did duty with a front end loader to fill gritters and keep the site operational in icy weather, but since March it has been dedicated to mowing.

“We are cutting five days a week, maintaining all of the airfield and any other short grass such as the sportsfields,” Chris says. “The mower has to be able to cut at a range of heights, including below 25mm for areas where the Instrument Landing System is in operation, to avoid interference from the grass to the radar.”

With such a key role, reliability of machinery is vital, which is where Kubota excels.

“I was familiar with the tractors having driven the previous L series,” he comments. “But this new L2 seems a lot smoother and more comfortable to drive. Hydrostatic transmission was specified for the speed of operation and to make use of the cruise control on long runs, and the move to a single pedal makes it much more convenient to use.”

He also praises the manoeuvrability of the tractor, which is highly compact for its 62hp output.

“It will virtually turn in its own length, and handles the steeper terrain on the site well with its low transmission range and well-balanced design; plus there’s always plenty of power.”

Standard turf tyres handle the work on a range of surfaces and also provide a light tread in North Wales’s often wet conditions, he points out.

One of the most significant upgrades on the latest L Series tractors is a new, more spacious cab, and this comes in for particular praise from Chris.

“It’s a big improvement, very-user friendly. Small details such as the sun visor, air conditioning and radio make a difference when you are in the tractor all day, and the opening three quarter windows at the rear allow fresh air in. It’s a great tractor to drive and work with.”

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