Product showcase

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

Grounds management is comprised of numerous operations – from the intricacies of maintaining fine turf to ensuring large estates are kept in an organised manner. 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.

RAIN BIRD R-VAN nozzles

Rain Bird’s R-VAN nozzles set high standards in performance, with nine models required for 45 to 360 degree coverage and ranges from 2.4 to 7.3m. Units are colour coded for easy identification and can be quickly hand adjusted for arc and radius. By pushing down and turning the nozzle cap, the arc can be increased by up to 270 degrees and by turning the radius adjustment dial clockwise, the throw distance is increased without needing to use a separate adjustment tool. Areas of any shape can be irrigated.

The precipitation rate of the R-VAN nozzles is matched with the Rain Bird 5000 series rotors. Long-distance watering is effectively increased to up to 10.7m within the same zone. Precipatation rates are also matched across all the different types of R-VAN nozzles, making irrigation design layouts and zoning much easier.

Producing gentle rotating streams of water, R-VAN nozzles provide uniform coverage with lower precipitation rates. This lessens the risk of wasteful run-off that can lead to ground erosion. R-VAN nozzles can require up to 33% shorter run-times, providing significant water savings, and are ideal for applications where there are time restrictions on irrigation cycles. R-VAN nozzles have high wind resistance and can be used in windier conditions without misting.

www.rainbird.eu

BELCHIM CROP PROTECTION Enclean biocide

The amenity sector is set to benefit following the approval of a new product for the professional biocide market.

Enclean, containing 500g/l of the active ingredient Nonanoic acid, has just received registration and will strengthen and expand Belchim Crop Protection’s product range into the amenity sector says Belchim amenity specialist William Weld.

“Enclean has been greatly anticipated. It’s a natural plant origin biocide specifically designed to remove algae from a wide range of hard surfaces including pavements, greenhouses (outside), patios, roofs, wooden decking and fence panels. Enclean’s active ingredient Nonanoic acid is extremely effective, non-corrosive and quickly degrades into natural elements. It offers good operator safety and has no environmental hazard classification. It also has a very low dilution requirement making it one of the easiest biocides to use; one litre of formulated product will cover the same area as 5 litres of most other surface cleaners,” he adds.

Enclean comes in 1l packs, with a dilution rate of one pack per 14l of water offering users 550m2 of coverage from a single 15l knapsack sprayer using an Evenspray red 0.4 nozzle. According to William, this is four times the coverage of most other biocides under the same operating conditions.

“Enclean will help to simplify the application of surface cleaners whilst delivering excellent results on algae,” he concludes.

www.belchim.co.uk / www.rigbytaylor.com (distributor)

AGRIGEM Nutrigrow MossTop

Agrigem’s premium brand Nutri-grow MossTop has certainly made an impact throughout 2020. This quality fertiliser is the essential fertiliser for use during the cooler months on any green areas covering sports turf, pastures and lawns. Whilst it is commonly used during the cooler periods, Nutrigrow MossTop can also be used during the spring.

Treating turf and grass in the cooler months is fundamental as part of any pitch/ground preparation care programme. Using MossTop can significantly reduce the moss population due to its high level of iron (Fe). Containing 6% nitrogen, population due to its high level of iron (Fe). Containing 6% nitrogen, 5% phosphate, 10% potassium and 6% iron, MossTop also contains a 5% phosphate, 10% potassium and 6% iron, MossTop also contains a balanced amount of nutrients which are important for treating turf in balanced amount of nutrients which are important for treating turf in the cooler months.

MossTop is a mini granule compound formula which allows an even coverage during application. Its slow release formulation will gradually release over six-weeks. It is recommended to also use one of the supporting fertilisers within the Nutrigrow product range which has a high nitrogen content to encourage lush, rapid spring growth.

www.agrigem.co.uk

REESINK Farmtrac FT25G electric tractor

2020 will always stand out for the arrival of electric technology and battery power to the UK for sustainable landcare. The innovation and technology of the FT25G electric tractor from Farmtrac is cutting-edge.

No more emissions and no more pollution, the 72V lithium-ion battery powers a 18kW electric motor, which is ample to tackle those small and mid-duty jobs around a wide variety of grounds applications. Charged from a domestic socket from 0 to 100% in eight hours and able to run for up to seven hours, operational use isn’t affected by the decision to go green. Oil-immersed brakes, power steering and position control hydraulic linkage add to the range of features on the FT25G.

Professor of soil erosion and conservation at Cranfield Soil and AgriFood Institute and president of the IAgrE, Jane Rickson says: “With lithium-ion battery technology and quick charge time, this compact and agile tractor represents a significant development in agricultural engineering. We were impressed by the tractor’s huge potential in a range of land-based industries both here and overseas, including horticulture, livestock and amenity use.”

STIHL RMA 765 V cordless mower

STIHL continues to expand its range of highperformance mowers with the introduction of the new RMA 765 V, a professional cordless mower with a 63cm cutting width, ideal for landscapers tackling large grass cutting jobs.

Powered by a 36V high capacity lithium-ion battery from the STIHL PRO cordless system, the robust RMA 765 V is ideal for work in noise-sensitive areas and is highly manoeuvrable thanks to the zero turn function of the front wheels. Both front and rear wheels are height adjustable from 25mm-100mm.

The new mower boasts a five-speed control panel, featuring an eco-mode and a battery power level indicator to ensure professional users have full sight of the performance of the machine at a quick glance, and the ergonomic mono-comfort handlebar, with super soft grip, is adjustable to three different heights.

The aluminium and polymer hybrid housing features front, side and gearbox protection, as well as the polymer inner housing being impact and abrasion resistant. In addition, the 63cm cutting deck utilises synchronised multi-blades that lift the grass, cut it efficiently and blow the grass cuttings into the grass catcher bag.

Designed with a foldable handlebar, the STIHL RMA 765 V cordless mower is easy for users to transport and convenient to store. Additional features include a diagnostic connection for servicing and a safety key required for operation.