Product showcase

RIDE-ON AND MOUNTED MOWERS

ARIENS

Cutting time for cutting grass

The Zenith’s top speed and 180-degree turns mean it mows faster

FOR THE PROFESSIONAL operator, a machine that does the work in half the time of a conventional lawn tractor has to be a major consideration. This potential to increase productivity is one of the driving forces behind the popularity of zero-turn mowers in the UK. The Zenith 60 is the latest zeroturn in the Ariens range. It has been designed for durability and strength.

Powered by the reliable Kawasaki FX730V 726cc engine, the Zenith has a forward speed of 8.5mph (13.7kph) for fast mowing. Its speed and manoeuvrability cut down job time, without compromising on finish. Easy steering levers are all the operator needs to drive, brake, steer and spin on the spot. It negotiates objects easily. At the end of the mowing row it can be turned 180º, saving more time and avoiding going over already cut grass.

The Zenith’s large 152cm (60in) cutting deck makes another contribution to greater productivity. Built with 10-gauge steel its 14cm (5.5in) depth gives optimal airflow in all mowing conditions. The footoperated deck lift system provides effortless adjustments between 15 cutting positions in 6.35mm (0.25in) increments. The Constant Belt Tension System ensures the correct tension, minimising wear and heat while providing enhanced belt life. The Zenith features an industry-leading frame design with large tubular frame rails as a backbone to support the machine loads.

To keep the operator comfortable, the high-backed, ergonomically designed, padded seat not only reduces user fatigue, but also helps to absorb the impact on uneven surfaces. The Zenith 60 comes with a two-year commercial warranty or three-year residential warranty. www.ariens-uk.com

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COUNTAX

MULTI-TASKING MACHINE

COUNTAX GARDEN TRACTORS

have been made in Britain for over 30 years and have a reputation for being built for British weather conditions. A key feature of the Countax is the Power Take Off (PTO) which drives the Powered Grass Collector (PGC) and a range of accessories.

Countax has now introduced the PGC+. An accessory which transforms a C or B Series tractor into a multi-use, year-round workhorse. The PGC+ is a cassette system which allows you to quickly and easily switch accessories for specific tasks. The Grass Sweeper cassette comes as standard. Click it into place and 51 brushes rotate at over 1,100rpm to sweep grass clippings and other debris into the hopper, even when the grass is wet.

Installing the Scarifier cassette into the PGC+ reduces the need for a separate scarifier and it collects debris as it goes.

Using the PGC+ is simple. There is no need to unhitch it. By removing the need to purchase standalone machines the system can help save money, too. Additional cassettes are coming shortly, including a hard surface brush cassette.

www.countax.co.uk

The PGC+ has cassettes which are simple to swap quickly to change tasks

ETESIA

CUTTING IN ALL CONDITIONS

THE HYDRO 80 MKHP5 can cut and collect in all conditions with the added benefit of a differential lock. The new model joins the Hydro 80 range and will give operators extra traction and stability on difficult, uneven and undulating terrain by reducing wheel spin, reducing damage to the grass and help in cutting presentation.

The versatile mower also benefits from a mulching insert included as standard. It features an 80cm cutting width, 240-litre collecting box and Kawasaki FS481H 11.7 kW engine.

Thanks to a range of additional accessories including a snow plough, users are able to extend the versatility of the machine so that it is ready for anything all year round.

The Hydro 80 MKHP5 cuts and collects both long and short grass without clogging.

JOHN DEERE AVAILABLE ON John Deere’s ZTrak 900 Series commercial zero-turn rotary mowers, the Michelin X Tweel Turf airless radial tyre means customers may never need to buy rear tyres for their zero-turn mowers again.

Unlike traditional pneumatic tyres, the Michelin X Tweel Turf virtually eliminates tyre downtime and is nearly maintenance free.

Offering a mix of operator comfort, productivity and a high-quality finish, the Z994R, part of the ZTrak 900 Series, is designed to cater for customers looking for a compact solution to work in restricted spaces. It features a powerful 25hp (18.4kW) diesel engine together with a heavy-duty frame and a belt-driven deck for optimum power efficiency. High output is further achieved by the 137cm (54in) 7-Iron PRO side-discharge rotary mower deck.

“The Z994R excels in the toughest mowing conditions while also providing the fuel economy, compact

Added to that are its compact dimensions: measuring just 1.98m x 0.90m wide, it is easily transported in a van or by trailer. It can pass through most gateways and its tight turning circle makes it ideal for small or awkward areas. It mows close to walls and fences, and is highly manoeuvrable and efficient.

Cutting height and emptying of the grass collector can all be

size and durability that commercial customers value,” says John Deere’s European turf sales and marketing manager Carlos Aragones. “It also offers a range of options designed to increase operator comfort and reduce fatigue during long working hours, as well as delivering lower operating costs and improved performance.”

These options include the new Michelin X Tweel Turf tyre, which avoids downtime from punctures when compared to traditional pneumatic tyres. It has the same dimensions and bolt pattern as a standard tyre, but features automotive rubber technology that

Etesia launched the Hydro 80 ride-on mower at SALTEX 2019

adjusted or carried out from the driving seat, while the steering console is fitted with a timer, rev counter and electric starter.

A hose pipe fitting makes cleaning the cutting system quick and easy, while the tool-free access to the engine allows for easy maintenance thanks to quick access to all mechanical parts.

Reinventing the Tweel

www.etesia.co.uk

allows the tread to last up to three times longer. The Tweel also reduces ground compaction and increases ride quality, which is enhanced by the mower’s new ComfortGlide seat. www.deere.co.uk

Michelin X Tweels in action on a Z994R mower

KAR UK

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

DANIEL CONNOR, GROUNDSMAN at the Arthur Miller Stadium in Leeds, has reported excellent results since a new Hunter Industries irrigation system from KAR UK was installed.

Daniel oversees the maintenance of the full-sized pitch at the stadium, home to Stanningley Sports & Rugby Club and training base for Leeds Rhinos, and three smaller pitches. The club’s previous irrigation system had to be connected to the mains and took six hours for the grounds team to water the pitch.

After exploring his options, Daniel decided on the Hunter System, investing in a range of G885 and I-40 rotary sprinklers, PGV valves, an ACC2 controller with WiFi and a Roam remote.

The I-40 is a tough commercial rotor that delivers water with accuracy and efficiency at distances up to 23.2m. Featuring diverse three-port nozzle options, a nonstrippable drive and a thick rubber cover built to prevent injury, it’s no wonder this rotor is found in more stadia than any other in the world, says KAR UK. With the strength of stainless steel, the I-40 is built to last in the harshest sports, public park and commercial environments.

Working in harmony with the I-40s, the G885 rotary sprinklers boast one

SCH SUPPLIES Reel appeal

of the highest torque outputs on the market and the patented gear drive will push through anything that gets in its way.

“Since we have had the new system installed the difference in the pitch has been phenomenal,” says Daniel. “It has also made my life so much easier. The controls are incredibly effective and simple to use and we can now water at night, which has been a huge benefit. From a maintenance point of view, it is very straightforward. It’s a simple screw and you can get right into the heads without having to dig them out.

“It really does offer top performance. The rotors go 360°, head-to-head and we can now get water onto the middle of the pitch – which is something we previously struggled with.

“Ultimately, I’m over the moon with the system. We’ve been able to maintain grass coverage and we have a consistently good playing surface.”

The powerful Hunter system at the Arthur Miller Stadium

www.karuk.com

THE IGU IRRIGATION UNIT

is useful for ground watering young trees, plants and grass. The reliable Honda engine can be used to pump water from a static water source such as a pond or lake. It is also a great match with a towed or mounted water bowser. The powerful 2in pump can deliver up to 110 gallons per minute, allowing users to water significant areas in a fraction of the time compared to a standard hosepipe.

The IGU can be attached to an irrigation system to cover vast areas of grass very quickly. The unit comes with a hose reel, which will accommodate 80m of 1in hose or 120m of ¾in hose.

www.schsupplies. co.uk

The IGU comes with up to 120m of hose reel

To advertise in the classified section of Grounds Management Please contact FRED COMBE 0203 859 7100 fred.combe@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

RAIN BIRD

SMART AND SECURE

RAIN BIRD’S NEW IQ4-Cloud platform, the latest development of the company’s IQ system, has been completely redesigned and rewritten to become more versatile, user-friendly and secure than ever, and can be downloaded free by anyone who owns compatible Rain Bird controllers.

IQ4-Cloud is designed for use with Rain Bird’s established ESP-LX Series controllers or the new ESPLX IVM range. It is 100% browser

TORO Setting the standard for sprinklers

LEICESTER CITY’S HEAD

groundsman Simon Gibson has labelled the TS90 as “Toro’s ultimate infield sprinkler”.

Toro TS90 sprinklers

TS90 sprinklers have a

based and operates in a similar way to online banking, offering high levels of functionality and control over irrigation through any internet connected smartphone, tablet or desktop PC. The full suite of remote management tools is accessible through a mobile-ready, user-friendly interface with automatic scaling of pages and forms on any chosen device.

The IQ4 gives real-time

information on � ow rates and more

New features, including streamlined navigation, allow fast programming of controllers. For example, the time required to drill down to each controller’s program and the time spent setting a new program or adding new zones and controllers has been significantly reduced. As well as automated email alerts and alarms, text notifications on mobile phones are now available.

Data and settings from the platform are securely backed up on the Cloud and can be accessed at any time, while IQ4’s operation is now permission based so that managers can permit or restrict who can view information and operate programs.

radius of 16m to 29m, and full and part circle capabilities in one fully adjustable rotor. Other features include Toro’s patented TruJectory, which allows for the fine tuning of nozzle spray height from 7 to 30 degrees to ensure wind resistance and head-tohead coverage, alongside its constant-velocity drive feature which maintains a reliable rotation speed.

The three-nozzle configuration provides better distribution uniformity,

www.rainbird.eu

nozzle flexibility and system efficiency, and the ratcheting riser allows you to adjust the riser position in the body with no disassembly.

To achieve seamlesslooking turf, simply pair the TS90 sprinklers with Toro’s TurfCup for hidden infield irrigation. The TurfCup feature can be added to allow the sprinkler to seamlessly integrate into either natural grass or artificial turf sports fields.

www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk

RIGBY TAYLOR

PROBING THE SURFACE OF MOISTURE MANAGEMENT

RIGBY TAYLOR’S POGO Pro moisture management system measures all four of the most influential variable governing turf performance – moisture, salinity (EC), canopy temperature and salinity index – to enable more informed decisions to be made about irrigation management.

The system connects remotely to any Apple or android device and its integrated GPS features include precise location. Once this information is updated to the user’s computer, maps of dry and wet areas can be created as well as ‘visuals’ in either map form or graphs that show the history of each playing surface, highlighting definite patterns. www.rigbytaylor.com

The Pogo Moisture Pro connects to your phone