PRODUCT SHOWCASE PRODUCTS HIGHLIGHTS OF 2020
MAJOR EQUIPMENT
Major TDR mower The Major TDR mower has proved a vital piece of kit for Blackpool Council. The council is among many that have faced challenges due to austerity cuts in recent years. But despite this, it has seen major achievements, including improving local amenities. In 2019, Blackpool’s Stanley Park was awarded Best UK Park by Fields in Trust, a UK-wide charity that safeguards recreational spaces. With a local population of almost 160,000 and a total green amenity area of around 150 hectares, the maintenance team at Blackpool Council takes great pride in keeping local amenities in tip-top condition, and the Major TDR mower plays a big part in achieving this. Blackpool’s lead operations supervisor for grounds maintenance is Nick Horner. “Our responsibility as a grounds maintenance team includes local parks, sports facilities, the nature reserve, the local airport, schools, verges and green open spaces - including all the greens on Blackpool’s promenade,” he said. With a team of 26 grounds maintenance professionals Nick and his team are kept busy. They have learned over the years which equipment works and which costs the council both time and money. Tasos Lambrou, an operator with Blackpool Council, explained: “The difference between using cylinders and the Major TDR mower is night and day cost wise. The developments to rotary machines over the years means that they cut as good as a cylinder.” Nick added: “On the nature reserve and conservation areas, there are mandatory requirements in how we cut and
clear areas – but the Major TDR gives us so much operational flexibility, with very a low cost of operation, that we can use it in any type of amenity area.” There has been a significant increase in people’s use of their local parks during the coronavirus pandemic. Tasos Lambrou notes the pleasure that local children get from the improved sports pitches. “It’s great to see the kids turn up every week. When the goals are up and the pitches are marked out, it looks out of this world,” he enthused. “I’d go so far to say that the Major TDR roller mower has helped us at Blackpool to provide a far better amenity for our residents, with a lower cost of operation and with a longer working life,” continued Nick. “That has to be a significant benefit to our community.” www.major-equipment.com
PRICE TU RFCARE
Ventrac 4500 tractor
Grounds management is comprised of numerous operations – from the intricacies of maintaining fine turf to ensuring large estates are kept in an organised manner.
26 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | DECEMBER 2020
The recently introduced Ventrac 4500 all-terrain, multi-purpose compact tractor, with more than 30 dedicated attachments, is a machine that provides year-round solutions to help the busy grounds manager with a multitude of grounds care operations. One of the most popular mowing decks, of the five available for the Ventrac, is the Tough Cut, a specialist deck for mowing long grass, heavy brush and bracken. A large baffled front opening helps direct materials into the deck and prevents debris from escaping. Three heavy-duty blades counter rotate to cut and deposit waste evenly without windrowing. The
blades are sharp on both sides so they can be used on right- or left-hand spindles, allowing for extended blade life. Capable of tackling saplings up to 2.54mm (1 inch) in diameter, the Tough Cut makes short work out of overgrown thickets. It can be adjusted to three cutting heights: 76mm, 92mm and 108mm. Easy servicing of belts and pulleys is provided by the hinged and removable cover. The tilt-up deck provides easy access to the blades. In its dual-wheel configuration it can tackle slopes of up to 30 degrees in complete safety. www.priceturfcare.com
