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Wet Sand no issue with the Dakota 412

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Wet Sand no issue with the Dakota 412: As the most northern links golf course on the United Kingdom mainland, having a top dresser that can spread wet sand like the Dakota 412 from Campey Turf Care Systems is a must at Scotland’s Reay Golf Club. 

The James Braid designed course is positioned on the edge of Sandside Bay with views of the Pentland Firth and the North Atlantic from every hole. The course and its stunning views have been under the control of Head Greenkeeper Jason Norwood, since March 2021, with the new man aiming to put his stamp on the course, starting with the greens.

Wet Sand no issue with the Dakota 412

Wet Sand no issue with the Dakota 412

As the sole full-time member of staff for the main 18-hole course and junior three-hole, Jason’s priority is the greens, with volunteers giving up two days a week to assist with the fairways and roughs. The limited time available to Jason needs to be spent working, and with the Dakota 412, he’s able to top-dress as and when he needs to regardless of the sand moisture.

“I’ve tried to put my own stamp on things here with different types of machinery and different ways of working, and the club has really been on board with that, and one of those things has been buying the new Dakota top dresser,” Jason explains.

“The equipment we originally had couldn’t cope well with wet sand; it was more of a large-scale fertiliser spreader. As you can imagine at the top of Scotland, there’s a lot of rain about so any sand that we do have is normally quite wet, so that was one of the main features of the Dakota for us because it can deal with that quite easily and we still get a good even spread with it.

“We really want to push forward and make use of the North Coast 500 tourist route, which is literally on our doorstep; it passes directly in front of us, so we get a lot of passing visitors now, and I think all year-round performing greens are the main thing golfers are after on a golf course so it’s making sure that we can provide that for them.

“We’ve had the machine since the middle of April, but because of the weather chances to get it out have been limited. I’ve trialled different settings on our junior course greens to get what we want for the main course, and it’s been good so far.

“With it having four wheels the weight is distributed incredibly well, so it doesn’t leave a mark on the greens, and the first time I used it you’d have no idea that anything had been done or any heavy equipment had been over the greens it because the footprint was minimal.”

The Dakota 412 features accurate and easy to operate calibration with no manual adjustment and has four Ultra-Trac turf tyres on independent floating beam axels for maximum weight distribution, allowing Jason to work without causing viable disruption to the surface.

As part of Campey’s installation, and to help Jason get the most out of the machine, Campey Product Specialist, Richard Heywood, walked him through the various settings and features, which Jason views as an invaluable experience.

Jason explains: “Because we are so far north, there is a lot more to consider when ordering machinery. Something that was great for me was being supplied through my machinery dealer Double A with support from Campey by sending Richard to demonstrate how to use the top dresser to the best of its abilities. This proved invaluable to me not having used one before.

“He went through it all, explained what all the different settings were, how to adjust it all, and that was vital. Having someone who knows how to operate it fully really maximises its performance and helps us get the best out of the machine.”

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Summer is mowing with a Countax

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Summer is mowing with a Countax: There is nothing like having a well-cared-for lawn to enjoy in the height of summer. Whether you’re just sitting out and relaxing in the sunshine or playing games with the kids, a neat lawn makes all the difference.

Even better if you have that very British finish with perfect stripes. The trouble is the lawn takes a lot of punishment through the year and needs a regime of care to maintain its good looks. Part of that comes from nourishing the grass with fertiliser at the right times, de-thatching and removing moss and aerating. The other part is mowing. Cutting the grass regularly and to the right height makes a real difference to its growth. That brings you to the type of mower you use, especially if you have extensive areas of lawn and even a paddock. Then you will probably look at a ride-on mower or garden tractor. If it does more than simply mow, performing a host of other tasks including scarifying and collecting leaves, that is a bonus.

Summer is mowing with a Countax

Summer is mowing with a Countax

One such garden tractor is the Countax, built in Britain for British gardens for over thirty years and developed around the experience and feedback of customers and dealers. What you get with a Countax is a machine that is built to manage all the British climate throws at you and work for you all year round. It may surprise you how versatile the latest model is with the ability to cut and collect grass at virtually any time, even in the wet, and lay down a striped lawn. Cutting to the right height is very precise by raising or lowering the cutter deck between 12mm and 101mm.

While most ride-on lawnmowers rely on the air from their spinning blades to blow the grass through a chute and into a hopper, the Countax cut and collect system uses a clever brush system to sweep even wet cuttings into a collector. There’s no clogging and the action of the sweeper also removes dead grass and debris, helping to reduce thatch for a healthier lawn. In the autumn, the system can be used effectively to sweep up leaves as well. The grass collector is powered by the tractor’s engine and driven by the Power Take-Off (PTO) that is also used to drive a range of accessories and powered attachments, including a broadcast spreader for spreading rock salt on ice in the winter.

The most recent addition to the Countax range of accessories is the PGC+. Driven by the PTO it’s a cassette system that allows you to switch accessories and transform a Countax C or B Series garden tractor into a year-round workhorse. The grass sweeper cassette comes as standard with the PGC+ and there’s an optional scarifier cassette to make removing thatch and moss easier come early spring or autumn. Even better is the fact it scarifies and collects the debris simultaneously. They build Countax garden tractors tough and versatile to work all year, and you can enhance the enjoyment of your garden throughout the summer.

You can find out more by contacting Countax on 01844 278800 or visit www.countax.co.uk/find-a-dealer to find your local dealer.

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Agrigem partners up with county FA’s

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Agrigem partners up with county FA’s: Agrigem have announced several new partnership agreements with County Football Associations, which enable affiliated clubs to access special prices on a wide range of grass pitch‐related products.

Whether clubs are creating a brand‐new pitch, improving their current playing surface or trying to increase the number of games they can play each week, Agrigem’s unique understanding of both professional and grassroots pitches ensures that all affiliated clubs receive fantastic service and support in developing, improving and maintaining their pitches.

Agrigem partners up with county FA's

Agrigem partners up with county FA’s

In addition to the highest level of technical advice and customer service, affiliated clubs receive a discount on all products such as fertilisers, grass seed, selective weed control, top dressing and line marking paint.

Agrigem’s Sales Manager, Martin Ford, who is a grassroots volunteer himself said; “We are thrilled that we have been able to partner with so many Regional FA’s. In addition to Lincolnshire, we also now work with Amateur FA, Northumberland, North Riding & most recently West Riding. Our “Putting the Grass Into Grassroots” initiative has been extremely successful and engaging with volunteers has reaped rewards for so many clubs already. Adam Grantham joined us last year as Technical Consultant for Sports Turf, and his vast knowledge from his experience as Grounds Manager at Reading FC has been invaluable to so many – myself included!”

Adam writes a monthly blog on a range of seasonal topics which is shared to affiliated clubs, and in addition to being available for practical help and support the team attend monthly forums and events wherever possible.

Martin continued “Having the right product at an affordable price is one thing, but having access to one of the country’s top grounds people really shows our commitment to grassroots sport, not just the professional game.”

Lincolnshire FA were the first partnership on board and immediately saw an impact, even during the pandemic. The two parties are now forging ahead with even more innovation in their offering.

Adam Thurston, Football Development Manager, Lincolnshire FA: “Agrigem have been in partnership with Lincolnshire FA for over a year now. We have worked together on many aspects of improving natural turf pitches in partnership with our clubs, not only through technical advice and supply of materials, but on areas that will really innovate how our clubs can access information and the right products for what they need.

Martin, Adam and the team really understand the issues and processes that grassroots clubs face and do their upmost to make things work as smoothly and quickly as possible for the volunteers who are giving their valuable time to improve their local pitches.”Since The Lincolnshire FA joined, Agrigem have also welcomed the Amateur Football Association, Northumberland, North Riding and West Riding Football Associations with ongoing discussions with several more associations.

To take advantage of this offer or discuss how Agrigem can support the development, improvement or maintenance of your grass pitches, please contact Martin Ford at martin.ford@agrigem.co.uk

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Dennis & SISIS partner with Staffordshire FA

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Dennis & SISIS partner with Staffordshire FA: Dennis and SISIS and the Staffordshire Football Association have announced a new partnership which is set to benefit grassroots pitches throughout the county.

For nearly 100 years Dennis and SISIS have been providing world class turf maintenance equipment; from Premier League to grassroots sports clubs, there are solutions available to suit all surfaces and budgets.

Dennis & SISIS partner with Staffordshire FA

Dennis & SISIS partner with Staffordshire FA

The two British manufacturers have been long-term supporters of grassroots sports; frequently offering training and education to eager-to-learn volunteers. The new partnership with the Staffordshire FA is set to benefit grassroots football and will be a key component in the Football Association’s goal of improving a total of 20,000 grass pitches across England over the next decade.

“We have just over 1,100 pitches in total across the county,” said Staffordshire FA Partnerships and Communications Officer, Gareth Thomas. “This consists of local authority pitches, educational sites, privately owned pitches, and that is everything from 11-a-side down to mini soccer. We’ve got approximately 500 clubs which equates to about 2000 teams, and we want all of those teams playing on the best surfaces they can.”

Toby Clarke, of Dennis and SISIS, praised the work of Staffordshire FA and revealed the companies delight at being a part of the programme.

“The Staffordshire FA is a very pro-active organisation and Gareth and his team, which consists of Andy Jackson (Stoke FC Grounds Manager), Kevin Duffill (GMA Regional Pitch Advisor) and Kevin Staples (Staffordshire FA Head of Delivery), work extremely hard for grassroots football.

“We are looking forward to supporting Gareth, Andy, Kevin and Kevin, out in the field to help provide the clubs with the right machines for the right jobs.”

The FA’s grass pitch improvement strategy has been a huge success with over 6,000 pitches already benefiting throughout the UK. The strategy enables grassroots football clubs, who manage and maintain their own pitches, to gain significant funding to support them in improving their pitches on an annual basis.

Gareth continued: “I have been challenged, as part of my role, to try and generate partnerships which can help our grass pitch programme be as impactful as it can be.

“For us, having such a recognised partner as Dennis and SISIS on-board, adds a huge amount of value to what we are trying to achieve. We want clubs to have the right equipment for the job and we know that Dennis and SISIS supply that equipment – they have a fantastic track record for doing that in this county.

“We look forward to having the support of Dennis and SISIS – not just for the equipment but also from the educational support they provide as well.”

A video about the partnership can be viewed by visiting https://youtu.be/fPFpyX3h9Ck

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and SISIS @SISISMachinery. You can like the Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK and www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery.

You can also view the latest Dennis and SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers and www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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A compact tractor with a big heart

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A compact tractor with a big heart: Massey Ferguson’s reputation for attention to detail, build quality and reliability is evident across its comprehensive line-up of agricultural tractors. Exactly the same approach has also been rigorously applied to its latest range of compact machines in the six-model MF 1700 S series – two of which are new introductions.

Powered by a range engine capacities of between 35hp and 67hp, with either three or four cylinders. the MF 1700 M is likely to appeal to a variety of users – farmers, smallholders, groundscare professionals, contractors and others.

A compact tractor with a big heart

A compact tractor with a big heart

One of the most important factors from an environmental angle is that each model in this new range is powered one of the latest Stage V-compliant engines, reducing still further their carbon footprint.

Versatility is the first word that springs to mind when describing the MF 1700 M range. Not far behind in the list of must-have qualities is the new HST transmission, which delivers precision control and a higher maximum speed, together with the new factory-fitted cab option.

The transmission uses a shuttle lever to control the tractor’s progress – as you would find on a normal agricultural tractor – simplifying the operating experience

Operator comfort and ease of operation were factors high on the list of design priorities for both the cab and platform versions – a tiltable steering column, easy access, air conditioning, heated rear window – and with ergonomically and logically-arranged controls, for example.

In addition, each model comes with a mechanically-suspended seat as standard, with pneumatic suspension available as an option. The operator’s working day can be enhanced considerably with the radio-ready pack – consisting of antenna and speaker – together with two USB sockets and storage space for a mobile phone.

All-round visibility has been maximised to enhance machine control in confined spaces and buildings with restricted headroom.

Like many of its bigger brothers, the MF 1700 M has an array of logically positioned controls, including the joystick – standard on cab models, but  available as an option on platform versions. This incorporates two levers to control rear spool valves, while the joystick itself controls the mid-mounted spool valves and the front loader, where specified.

First-time users have commented on the model’s smoothly efficient operation and it’s ability to access confined or restricted spaces. By the same token, they have been impressed by how readily it takes to field work when coupled with a range of implements – and, indeed, when in road transport mode. The sheer versatility is really underlined when specialist users take to the golf course for the intricacies of green mowing and maintenance.

The control procedure for the independent PTO is a new feature that further enhances the machine’s field of operation by allowing the operator to set different operating modes – normal, soft or automatic – to take account of which implement is being used and what the actual ground conditions dictate. There’s also an external PTO switch, located on the rear fender, for additional convenience of operation.

A pair of rear spool valves is included as standard specification, each of which is available with single- or double-acting operation, while activation can be locked using levers to ‘free-flow’ mode for ease of operation and enhanced efficiency.

Automatic four-wheel drive introduces a significant increase in the machine’s overall productivity – and, indeed, it’s safety. How it works is that as soon as the brake pedal is depressed, the system simultaneously switches from two-wheel drive to four, so applying the brake to all four wheels.

A hydrostatic speed control lever enables the operator to adjust the cruising speed while on the move. When engaged, the tractor works more efficiently while enhancing operator comfort.

Another simple, but highly-effective safety feature is PTO automatic mode. When engaged, the rear- or mid-PTO rotates while moving forward and stops when travelling in reverse – or when the tractor stops.

Other options on the MF 1700 M include front weights and air-suspension seats, together with a comprehensive choice of agricultural and larger turf tyres.

The MF 1735 M and MF 1740 M models can be ordered with new factory-fitted mower deck. Easy to mount, the deck is specified with three blades and is 60in wide, proving cutting heights of between 20mm and 115mm. The desired height can be set from the operator’s seat and is adjustable in eight steps. The new, larger tyres provide a ground clearance of 150mm.

Platform models benefit from foldable ROPS protection as standard and have the same operator controls as those versions fitted with cabs.

Massey Ferguson makes the point that the higher specifications found on its latest 1700 M tractors are part of the company’s on-going strategy of overall enhancement across its range of machines. This, the company states, means more models to suit the wider requirements and greater demands of more farmers and contractors.

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