Tag Archive for: Turf

Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance

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Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance: The arrival of the new Kress Mega 600 robot mower marks a pivotal moment for sports turf management.

The KR238E Kress Master series Mega 600 has been developed for continuous, overnight operation across large and demanding turf areas autonomous mowing system delivers tournament-quality results while addressing the persistent challenges of labour costs, environmental impact, and consistency that have long plagued groundskeepers.

Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance

Kress Mega 600 redefines sports turf maintenance

What sets the Mega 600 apart is its precision engineering tailored specifically for sports surfaces. The 620mm deck with on-board roller paired with high-speed blades operates at 3,800 rpm, creating professional striping patterns between three and six meters wide that rival traditional mowers. But unlike conventional equipment, this robotic solution maintains these standards autonomously, completing 22,000 square meters in just twelve hours with remarkable consistency.

The technology behind this efficiency is equally impressive. Centimetre-level RTK satellite positioning eliminates the need for boundary wires while ensuring systematic coverage in parallel lines. Terrain-adaptive dual floating decks adjust automatically to undulating surfaces, preventing scalping and delivering an even cut regardless of ground contours. The system achieves an industry-low 10mm cutting height with millimetre precision, crucial for sports fields where playing surface quality directly impacts athlete performance and safety.

Perhaps most significant for facilities managers is the operational flexibility. Fast 30-minute charging cycles with nearest-dock return functionality maximise working time, while the quiet electric operation allows nighttime mowing without disturbing neighbouring communities. This scheduling freedom means sports fields can be maintained during off-peak hours, eliminating conflicts with practice schedules and events.

The environmental benefits are substantial. Zero emissions, reduced noise pollution, and elimination of fuel costs align with growing sustainability mandates facing the industry. For sports turf professionals seeking to elevate surface quality while controlling costs, the Kress Mega 600 represents not just an equipment upgrade, but a fundamental reimagining of what’s possible in field maintenance.

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Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division

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Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division: Replay Maintenance has announced the launch of a new Natural Turf division, marking a significant expansion of the company’s service offering and reinforcing its long-term commitment to supporting grassroots and community sport.

The move is supported by the appointment of Ben Sadler as Head of Natural Turf, bringing more than 25 years of hands-on and strategic experience in sports turf management to the business.

Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division

Replay Maintenance launches Natural Turf division

Best known as a nationwide provider of synthetic surface maintenance and refurbishment, Replay Maintenance has spent the last two decades working closely with clubs, local authorities and governing bodies.

The introduction of a Natural Turf division enables the company to offer a more comprehensive, joined-up service for sites operating both synthetic and natural grass pitches.

Ben’s career spans golf, sports turf contracting and grassroots football, combining practical expertise with a deep understanding of funding, education and long-term pitch improvement. He began his career working on a local golf course in the Midlands before moving into a fast-growing lawn care business, where he played a key role in scaling the operation from a start-up into a medium-sized company.

“I fell in love with the industry early on, but I was keen to understand the business side as well as the practical side,” said Ben. “Being involved in everything from marketing and sales through to training and operations gave me a really solid foundation.”

More recently, Ben held a technical role focused on grassroots football pitches across Leicestershire, working closely with County FA partners and the Football Foundation. During this time, he supported between 200 and 300 pitches across 40–50 sites, guiding clubs through funding applications, developing schedules of work and delivering on-the-ground improvements.

“There was a lot of education involved, helping clubs understand why certain practices mattered and how they could create a better environment for people to play football,” he explained.

Ben said the opportunity to join Replay Maintenance and build a new division from the ground up was one he couldn’t ignore. “It’s a really exciting opportunity to come in with almost a blank page and work alongside people with so much experience. The ambition is to grow initially across the East Midlands and then expand further as the offer develops.”

As Head of Natural Turf, Ben will lead a programme focused on core maintenance services such as aeration, seeding, fertilising, weed control and top dressing. While the initial emphasis will be on grassroots football, the division will also support rugby, cricket outfields and other natural turf facilities.

“For clubs that don’t have the time, equipment or expertise, we can take that burden away,” said Ben. “For Replay, it means becoming a genuine one-stop shop – looking after both synthetic surfaces and natural turf on the same site.”

Matt Bartle, Group Head of Commercial Strategy at Replay Maintenance, said the launch of the division was a natural progression for the business.

“We’re already a nationwide service provider on the synthetic side, and when the opportunity arose to bring someone of Ben’s calibre into the organisation, it made complete sense to look at natural turf,” said Matt. “It allows us to better support our existing partners and improve footfall and performance across all their pitches.”

Matt added that Ben’s background was a key factor in the decision. “You have to invest in the foundations if you want to get the offer right. Ben came highly recommended, and it quickly became clear that he was the right person to lead this.”

Initially, the Natural Turf division will focus on Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. However, Matt confirmed that longer-term ambitions are firmly nationwide.

“We’ll spend the next 12 months refining the offer, learning and working closely with partners,” he said. “We’ve built a strong reputation in the industry, and by bringing the right people in, we’re confident this division will grow to meet demand in the years ahead.”

For more information, visit www.replaymaintenance.co.uk

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Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed

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Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed: A landmark synthetic turf project in The Netherlands has equipped amateur football club FC Weesp with a high-quality playing surface manufactured from post-consumer recycling.

The pilot project was commissioned by municipality Gemeente Amsterdam with the backing of the EU, with the aim of creating a professional-standard durable football pitch, while also contributing towards the EU sustainable development goal of achieving 50% recyclability of plastic waste by 2030. After a competitive tender process, Edel Grass BV was appointed as the primary contractor and Van de Wetering Projects as the installer.

Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed

Netherlands’ First Recycled Synthetic Turf Pitch Installed

Using cork granulate performance infill, recycled sand stabilising infill, and recycled components from old pitches in the turf yarns, backing coating, and shockpads; the field is the first of its kind installed in The Netherlands, representing a major milestone in circularity.

Data from independent life-cycle assessments shows that the system achieves a 43.4% reduction in carbon emissions per metre squared compared to a traditional 3G pitch.

Crucially, the pitch satisfies all KNVB performance standards for key factors such as ball roll, shock absorption, and durability, giving assurances for player safety and pitch quality. As a result, the pitch at Sportpark Papelaan is now eligible for competitive play in the 5e Klasse D, where FC Weesp’s first team currently plies its trade, as well as for local community use and training across the club’s 91 teams spanning a variety of age groups and abilities.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), said: “A synthetic turf pitch is the ideal solution for a club of FC Weesp’s size, offering a durable, high-quality playing surface that can meet KNVB standards without the maintenance costs associated with a natural grass pitch, demonstrating that sustainability, affordability, and performance can all work in tandem.

“This proof-of-concept project is just one of many ways that football clubs and local authorities can offer a high-quality playing surface that can sustain long-term intensive usage, while also working towards a more circular economy.”

Find out more at www.estc.info

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Two John Deere dealers to expand turf area in 2026

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Two John Deere dealers to expand turf area in 2026: Two John Deere turf dealerships are expanding their areas of responsibility later this year.

Ripon Ground Care and Turner Groundscare will extend their respective geographies from 9 July 2026 when Balmers GM leaves the John Deere dealership network.

Two John Deere dealers to expand turf area in 2026

Two John Deere dealers to expand turf area in 2026

Part of the Ripon Group, Ripon Ground Care has been selling and servicing John Deere machinery and technology since 1982, with 13 branches located across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Teesside.

For over 40 years, the company has supplied equipment for industries such as golf and sports turf, local authorities, contractors, caravan parks and similar environments.

Similarly, Turner Groundscare has over 30 years’ experience and offers a full range of premium John Deere equipment across Cheshire. The company has an excellent reputation for its servicing and customer support.

“With decades of experience between them, John Deere is proud to have both Ripon Ground Care and Turner Groundscare taking over operations in the Lancashire and West Yorkshire areas,” says Chris Meacock, John Deere’s Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf.

“Over the next six months before this transition takes effect, we will put everything in place to ensure a seamless transfer for John Deere customers who will be dealing with Ripon Ground Care or Turner Groundscare in due course.

“We would also like to thank Balmers GM for their hard work and years of service with John Deere.”

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SISIS to Showcase Proven Turf Performance at BTME

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SISIS to Showcase Proven Turf Performance at BTME: SISIS, part of the Howardson Group, will return to BTME 2026 with a focused range of professional turf maintenance machinery, designed to support consistent playing conditions across golf courses and fine turf environments. Built for durability, serviceability and long-term performance, SISIS equipment is trusted by greenkeepers seeking reliable results season after season.

Multislit

The SISIS Multislit provides a proven alternative to traditional hollow tining. Using narrow blades to create clean slits, it improves water infiltration, gas exchange and root development with minimal surface disruption.

SISIS to Showcase Proven Turf Performance at BTME

SISIS to Showcase Proven Turf Performance at BTME

Unlike hollow tining, which removes material and can interrupt play, Multislit aeration allows greenkeepers to maintain playability while delivering meaningful agronomic benefits. Its speed and low-impact operation make it particularly valuable during the playing season.

Triplay with Fine Grooming Rakes

The SISIS Triplay is a single-pass maintenance system developed to improve efficiency without compromising surface quality. Ideal for golf fairways, it can be mounted to tractors via a three-point linkage or to utility vehicles with the appropriate frame, making it suitable for natural turf and hard porous surfaces.

Fitted with Fine Grooming Rakes, the Triplay delivers controlled surface grooming and thatch management. The 5mm spring tines lift grasses to improve presentation, help create a tilth in worn areas and provide effective grooming with minimal surface disruption.

Flexibrush

Designed for large turf areas such as golf fairways and sports grounds, the Flexibrush provides fast, effective brushing. It is ideal for brushing in topdressings, dispersing dew and lifting grasses prior to mowing, helping to deliver a clean, uniform finish. Floating brush sections allow accurate contour following, while hydraulically folding outer sections simplify transport and storage.

Rotorake TM1000

The Rotorake TM1000 is a tractor-mounted scarifier and linear aerator engineered for effective thatch control and surface preparation. Floating units follow ground contours for consistent depth, while the contra-rotating reel throws debris forward to produce a clean, even finish. Interchangeable reels and simple depth adjustment make it a dependable renovation tool.

Javelin Aer-Aid

The Javelin Aer-Aid is a compact aeration solution designed to relieve surface compaction and improve air and moisture movement in fine turf areas such as greens and tees. Robustly built and straightforward to operate, it supports healthier root development and consistent playing performance.

Expert Support from the SISIS Team

The SISIS team will be available on Stand 252 throughout BTME 2026 to discuss turf challenges and provide practical guidance on selecting the right solutions.

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

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