groundsman - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T15:11:05Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/groundsmanReliable Dennis G860 is essential at Colliers Parkhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/reliable-dennis-g860-is-essential-at-colliers-park2020-02-05T12:28:04.000Z2020-02-05T12:28:04.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>The Dennis G860 cylinder mower is the most reliable cylinder mower on the market according to Dylan Thompson, grounds maintenance manager, at the all-new Colliers Park in Gresford, Wales.</p><p>Built to inspire a new generation of stars, Colliers Park is primarily used to deliver training, coach education and player development. The stunning new, multi-million-pound facility was opened in the summer of 2019 and Dylan is the man responsible for maintaining the standards of facilities and pitches.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3848653909,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3848653909,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="3848653909?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Upon embarking on his new role, Dylan felt that the most important thing was to get the right turf maintenance equipment in place.</p><p>“The Dennis G860 was a machine I was very keen on using here at Colliers Park because it is something I’ve used in the past,” he said. “With so much going on here it was peace of mind because it was something that I didn’t have to worry about because I know just how good they are. It is reliable and the best mower out there in my opinion.”</p><p>Dylan isn’t the only groundsman to be of this opinion as many of his peers have long relied on the G860 to provide the perfect cut for sports turf. Lightweight at just 166kg; it is easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for - throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.</p><p>The mower features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion. The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as including scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3848654420,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3848654420,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="3848654420?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>“For our two G860’s we have 8 bladed cutting cassettes, brushing and verticutting cassettes and sorrel rollers,” continued Dylan. “I can’t believe how easy it is to change the cassette system - we are not having to waste time messing about finding different spanners or anything like that. It’s all there ready to go.”</p><p>“The G860 is the perfect mower to give the pitch that all important final cut. It gives you the best finish and it provides those lovely ‘Dennis stripes’ – which is another reason why we purchased them.</p><p> “When it comes to verticutting, we like to do it as often as we can so that we can keep the pitches under control especially when it comes to disease. It’s important to keep the pitches as clean as possible and with the speed of the G860’s it is done in no time at all.</p><p>“The brush comes in handy if we don’t want to use the rotary mowers because we simply put the brushing cassette in to the G860. It’s a great option to have because with the brush you can be a little more aggressive in the tidy-up and really give the pitch a deep clean.</p><p>“Ultimately, the G860 is an essential mower because it can be used for so many different operations.”</p><p>For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit <a href="http://www.dennisuk.com">www.dennisuk.com</a></p></div>LEARNING LIVE comes to SALTEXhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/learning-live-comes-to-saltex2015-05-06T08:37:11.000Z2015-05-06T08:37:11.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Education to play major role at SALTEX 2015</p><p>With a new venue, a more convenient date and an exhibitor list containing the industry’s biggest names, SALTEX 2015 is already promising to be the must-attend event of the year. Now the exhibition is set to be even better with the announcement of an enhanced, all-encompassing and free to attend education programme called LEARNING LIVE.</p><p>This programme is set to cater for all sectors of the groundscare industry and will offer a more extensive information-sharing experience than that offered at previous Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) conferences. A packed timetable will see three dedicated seminar theatres, featuring programmes running from 10am through to 3.30pm each day of the show. With the full timetable set to be released soon, the IOG has provided a glimpse of what to expect.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314752635?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="350" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314752635?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350" class="align-left"/></a>The seminar theatre next to the IOG Hub on the show floor will feature sports turf management panel debates with high-profile industry professionals taking centre stage. SALTEX visitors will be able to learn from those tasked with preparing the pitches for some of the world’s major international sports events such as this year’s Ashes and the Rugby World Cup. While visitors with interests in fine turf and a variety of sports surfaces will be able to choose from a range of informative seminar sessions presented by some of the industry’s national and international experts.</p><p>Two further theatres will feature dedicated seminars relevant to those working in the school, play, amenity, parks, arboriculture and forestry environments. The Parks Alliance will give an update on the state and future of the nation’s parks and green spaces, while other sessions will include an update on industry groundscare regulations, a question and answer session on pests and diseases while the inspection and safety standards in the play industry will be explored.</p><p>For young people looking to advance their career in the groundscare industry, the Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Groundsmen’s Conference, organised by the IOG’s Young Board of Directors, will offer information on educational opportunities, a guide to what some of the top grounds managers are looking for in a young recruit, and a day in the life of the 2014 Young Sports Turf Student of the Year.</p><p>Pete Hussey, manager of Stanley Park Sports Ground, Chippenham Council, recognises the importance of an extensive education programme at the national groundscare industry exhibition and is particularly pleased with the vast range of people the programme has been designed for.</p><p>“Offering SALTEX visitors the opportunity to learn while visiting the event is a real bonus,” he says. “It looks as if there will be something for everyone - particularly from a public sector point of view. It’s good to better understand what the groundsmen at elite facilities do on daily basis but as these seminars cater for all - the sessions offer a true reflection of what people can achieve with or without limited budgets.”</p><p>Rob Bradshaw, head groundsman at One Leisure sports centre in St Ives, passes his knowledge onto local volunteer workers on a weekly basis through various seminars and knows first-hand just how important education is to the future of the industry.</p><p>“It’s great that the IOG are paying a lot of attention to the education provision at SALTEX this year. The NEC, being at the centre of England, will give visitors from all over the country an opportunity to learn from both the event exhibitors and industry experts at these sessions. Education is the key and I’m sure that a lot of people will have a greater understanding of their work after they have spoken to the right people at SALTEX,” he said. <br/> <br/>SALTEX 2015’s new website is now live and visitor registrations are open. To confirm your attendance on 4/5 November 2015 visit www.iogsaltex.com<br/> <br/>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX</p></div>Sixth Year of Seamless Improvements at Stoke City FChttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/sixth-year-of-seamless-improvements-at-stoke-city-fc2014-11-11T08:58:16.000Z2014-11-11T08:58:16.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Premiership football club Stoke City continues to see improvements at its 8-pitch Clayton Wood training complex, thanks to specialist contractor Souters Sports.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314688629?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314688629?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>As part of an annual on-going renovation project carried out by Souters Sports, slit drainage at two-metre centres was installed this summer on the club’s first team pitches, similar to that laid last year on the U21’s/18’s match pitch. The academy area had further investment with the Koro slit drain.</p><p>“The idea of supplementing the pitches’ main drainage with a slit system is to help keep them in play even in the wettest winter conditions. It’s important we have the contact from the top of the surface to the drain so we get the most out of the infiltration rates,” said Stoke City head groundsman Andrew Jackson.</p><p>The club’s heavy and daily use of its training complex means yearly close season refurbishment is essential, and it gives an opportunity to upgrade the surfaces. Souters Sports’ work at Clayton Wood, now in its sixth year, is a four-phase operation on a strict timetable which ensures continuous availability of some of the soil-based pitches during the latter stages of the season and guaranteed that the two first team pitches were ready for the start of the season.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314690405?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314690405?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-right"/></a></p><p>The contractor’s Koro machines stripped 70,000 square metres of turf systematically from all of the pitches on the complex, followed by Koro slit draining or injected sand bands across all pitches, followed by the usual Verti-draining, topdressing all 70,000m² of land before re-seeding of all surfaces with the 100 per cent ryegrass mix with Limagrain’s MM60 which is known for its rapid germination and disease resistance. All eight pitches were re-seeded in four directions: three ways by disc seeding and one by dimple seeding.</p><p>Souter Sports in-house workforce was on site seven days a week until completion. Mark Higgs was in charge of the project for the contractors, who also worked in conjunction with the club’s pitch advisers PSD.</p><p>“The depth of the sward on the academy pitches with their new slit drainage is excellent, as it is on all eight of the pitches at Clayton Wood,” said Andrew.</p><p>“All the pitches looked and played superbly from the off. Yet again Souters did a great job for us in a very tight specified schedule.”</p><p>For further information, please contact Souters Sports Limited on 01236 453030 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.souterssports.co.uk">www.souterssports.co.uk</a>. Souters Sports are also on Twitter @SoutersSports</p></div>Dennis - The Jewel on the Crown At The Waterloohttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/dennis-the-jewel-on-the-crown-at-the-waterloo2014-11-03T11:36:02.000Z2014-11-03T11:36:02.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>The British Crown Green Bowling Association’s (BCGBA) Champion of Champion’s event, held at Waterloo Hotel, Blackpool last month, had a playing surface fit for the country’s best players thanks to the help of a Dennis FT510 mower and range of interchangeable cassettes.</p><p>The event brings together thirty-two of the major event winners from all over the country – each vying to become the champion of champions. Therefore it is imperative the playing surface is in pristine condition; something which unfortunately hasn’t always been the case in previous years.</p><p>“One of the biggest problems we had here was thatch and compaction. The Dennis FT510 mower really has improved the green. I’ve been speaking to some of the top players here today, and they’ve all said they have never played on the green when it’s been running as well as it has today. It’s actually caught a few of the players out because it’s playing so well!” said Mel Evans MBE, organiser of the event.</p><p>With an innovative interchangeable cassette system, the 510mm (20”) cylinder mower is proving to be the top choice for venues requiring more than just a mower. A range of 11 interchangeable cassettes means that one machine can be used for several key maintenance tasks including scarifying, verticutting or brushing; something which Mark Audin, bowls manager at the Waterloo hotel, particularly likes.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314198671?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314198671?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>“What I like most about the Dennis FT510 is how easy it is to change the cassettes over; it’s literally a thirty second job. Prior to the FT510, we used to have a mower which used to take up to 5 or 10 minutes to change just the cutting cylinder, so it’s the machine’s ease of use and the quality of cut that I like most,” he said.<br/> Mark uses the Dennis FT510 along with four cassettes; a ten-bladed cutting cylinder, sorrel roller, scarifier and verti-cutter; which Mark says has been “an absolute God-send.” Responsible for looking after the playing green and the various surroundings at the Waterloo Hotel, the introduction of the FT510 has certainly made his life that much easier. Mark is also pleased with the feedback he has received.</p><p>“All of the comments from the bowlers have been absolutely brilliant; there have been no negatives from anyone. The green has improved no end from last year and it’s all down to this machine.</p><p>“In my opinion, Dennis is the best in the market and I would advise anyone involved at a bowling club to get this machine.”</p><p>Dennis and SISIS are proud supporters of The British Crown Green Championship which is the flagship event for British Crown green bowling.</p><p>For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dennisuk.com">www.dennisuk.com</a></p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK.You">www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK.You</a> can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/DennisMowers">www.youtube.com/DennisMowers</a></p></div>Etesia UK Announce First ETMower Dealerhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/etesia-uk-announce-first-etmower-dealer2014-10-23T14:05:05.000Z2014-10-23T14:05:05.000ZEtesia UKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/EtesiaUK<div><p>Etesia UK is pleased to announce the appointment of Green Choice Limited, based in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, as their exclusive robotic mower dealer for East Anglia. The company will supply, service and install the complete range of ETMower robotic mowers as well as other Etesia models from the Green Technology™ range.</p><p>Green Choice believes there is a ‘technology revolution’ underway in groundscare machinery and this new partnership underlines the company’s eco-friendly philosophy. Using lithium-ion batteries, the ETmower; a range of three robotic mowers which can maintain areas up to 20,000m², is a non-polluting alternative to the typical petrol or diesel powered mower. Robot mowers reduce the cost of grass maintenance considerably, not only in terms of labour and maintenance costs, but also by cutting energy bills and maintenance costs.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314188971?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314188971?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>“Green is the future – it’s quiet, it’s safe, has low or nil emissions and of course it’s much more cost-effective which is why we first started looking at the range of Etesia robot mowers. If you look at it, the figures do stack up. So from a commercial point of view, if it stacks up for us then it stacks up for everyone else and of course with the environmental benefits and noise benefits – it makes perfect sense,” said John McCallum, Director of Green Choice.</p><p>Mulch mowing is 100% natural as it does away with the need to gather up, store and dispose of the grass clippings. It also fertilises the soil, helps the grass stand up to drought conditions and because the ETMower can make for an easier life for many groundscare professionals, John insists that it can enable them to concentrate on other areas of their work.</p><p>“It’s just another great tool for any groundsman to use. It’s not to replace them; in fact the robot mower allows them to get on with all the important tasks such as soil analysis and scarification. You can leave more of the hard work, so to speak, to the machine!” he said.</p><p>John believes that their market will predominantly be sports grounds, organisations like the National Trust, schools, hospitals, and large domestic properties and although the robot mower is new to Green Choice, the grounds maintenance specialists have built up a good working relationship with Etesia over recent years.</p><p>“We have been using Etesia machines for the last two or three years and we’ve had a great service from them. The back-up we receive is really good and we just like their style. We can trust them, we can work with them and so we thought that if we are going to partner with someone in the UK then we want to partner with someone we trust.”</p><p>For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.etesia.co.uk">www.etesia.co.uk</a>. You can also follow Etesia on Twitter @EtesiaUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.</p><p>You can also contact Green Choice Limited on 01284 789 661 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.greenchoiceltd.co.uk">www.greenchoiceltd.co.uk</a></p></div>New SALTEX Is The Way Forwardhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/new-saltex-is-the-way-forward2014-10-22T08:20:54.000Z2014-10-22T08:20:54.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Following the recent announcement that SALTEX will be moving to the NEC in Birmingham, visitors from around the UK say that the new indoor element and new time of year are key reasons behind their decisions to attend the exhibition in 2015.</p><p>With the threat rain putting a damper to many outdoor exhibitions and attractions, resulting in double digit percentage declines (The Guardian 2014), indoor venues have thrived. In fact many exhibitions representing the same interests as SALTEX are located in an indoor environment.</p><p>Take GaLaBau in Neuremberg as an example. One of Europe’s leading trade fairs, GaLaBau showcases an entire spectrum of products and services for the design, construction and maintenance of urban, green and open spaces. The event covers thirteen exhibition halls and attracts an impressive 60,000 visitors and 1200 exhibitors on average. Some of these exhibitors include industry heavyweights such as John Deere, Ransomes, Toro, Kubota, Dennis and SISIS; which are regular exhibitors at SALTEX.</p><p>Part of the success of this show is due to its excellent travel links. Neuremberg has a major European transport hub and you can reach the exhibition centre quickly and directly via motorway, rail or airport. SALTEX’s new home, the NEC in Birmingham, is at the heart of the UK motorway network. Birmingham’s international rail station is on-site and Birmingham international airport is just minutes away via a free air-rail link.</p><p>The growing popularity of indoor groundscare exhibitions is a positive sign. Other successful shows within the industry include the Golf Industry Show (GIS) and Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) in US and the FSB Fair in Cologne.</p><p>These indoor shows offer excellent marketing opportunity for exhibitors to promote their products and services. At GaLaBau 2014; 97 per cent of the exhibitors reached their most important target groups while 93 per cent made new business connections.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314177059?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314177059?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>At these events, exhibitors do not rely on outdoor areas for demonstration purposes; their success is built upon the role of their stand as a shop window; a gateway to sales leads in which demonstrations are carried out at a potential client’s site. In fact many SALTEX visitors say they prefer a personal demonstration in the comfort of their own surroundings.</p><p>“I like having a browse around and seeing different products. I take it all in and then look forward to a deeper look when we get home and exhibitors bring kit to the racecourse so we can try it out properly. I’m a great believer in getting our hands on kit at our own place,” said Adrian Kay, head groundsman at York Racecourse.</p><p>Darren Baldwin, grounds manager at Tottenham Hotspur FC, also believes that SALTEX is more about seeing what companies have to offer. “Trade shows 10 years ago, were a place to do business. You would go along and you would do deals there and then, but that’s not something that happens anymore – it’s just the nature of the industry. SALTEX, for me has always been fantastic but it was time for change, so I applaud the IOG for making a bold move. I’d be disappointed if people in our industry don’t go there to support it.”</p><p>Of course, moving to the NEC does not signal the end of SALTEX demonstrations altogether. The NEC hosts numerous industry trade shows within which demonstrations are carried out; as one subscriber on Service Dealer was quick to point out: “The construction industry doesn't seem to have a problem demonstrating large kit at the NEC, so I don't see why SALTEX machinery should be a special case.”</p><p>The change of date is also favourable among many visitors. In November, end of season renovations will have been completed for summer sports while those working at schools, universities and other educational environments will have more space in their busy diary.</p><p>Regular SALTEX visitors Turbary House Nursery took to Twitter to say: “Much better as it’s a quieter time of year for most, we can make more time to visit.”<br/> While head groundsman at Chester F.C, Steve Ollerenshaw, thought that the move made complete sense: “It’s a quiet time for the majority of the industry. Central. Weather proof halls; it’s a no brainer.”</p><p>Aside from the obvious weather benefits, indoor venues provide a more compact visitor experience, which allows for more focused exhibitor attention and greater networking opportunities are also presented with the IOG’s annual conference and awards taking place at SALTEX 2015.</p><p>So with a new quieter time of year, a more accessible venue opening the gates to a much wider audience, all signs indicate that visitor numbers for SALTEX 2015 will be at an all-time high.</p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and visit the website at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.iogsaltex.com">www.iogsaltex.com</a></p></div>Industry Shows Support For New SALTEXhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/industry-shows-support-for-new-saltex2014-09-26T08:42:28.000Z2014-09-26T08:42:28.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>The recent announcement that SALTEX (Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition) will be moving from Windsor to the NEC Birmingham, has been met with enthusiastic support from both exhibitors and visitors. The new look SALTEX will take place on 4 and 5 November 2015.</p><p>The announcement has been well received by exhibitors, with close to 100 already committed to exhibiting at the 2015 event - which will incorporate a wide range of educational seminars and turf debates, the unique ‘Ask The Expert’ clinic, and for the first time, will combine with the IOG’s annual conference and awards.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314186412?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314186412?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>The move has also re-ignited interest for those who didn’t appear at this year’s show – the final one at Windsor Racecourse. Companies such as Indigrow, Vitax Amenity and Campey Turf Care Systems have already signed up to the 2015 event; explaining that a central location and a more convenient time of year for visitors were major reasons for their return.</p><p>“The move shows that the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has really listened to the industry. Birmingham is a more central national location, which offers easier access for existing and potential SALTEX visitors - especially those who couldn’t travel down to Windsor. Vitax wholly supports the move,” said Mike King, sales and marketing manager for Vitax Amenity.</p><p>Mike’s views are echoed by Carl Crome, managing director of Indigrow: “I think this announcement will bring the UK turf exhibition into the 21st century. I’ve been attending the show since 1976, and welcome the idea of not having to contend with the outdoor elements. The transport links to the NEC are excellent, both for international and UK visitors. Given the location, SALTEX could now become the premier sports turf show for groundsmen and greenkeepers and rival the Golf Industry Show (GIS) in the USA.”</p><p>While Richard Campey, managing director of Campey Turf Care Systems said: “The move to the NEC is a positive one and we will be there in 2015.”</p><p>GreenMech, The British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA), Dennis, SISIS, Schiller Grounds Care UK, Etesia, Lloyds of Letchworth and Complete Weed Control, were also among a whole host of exhibitors who are quick to publicly declare their support for the move:</p><p>“Relocating SALTEX to the NEC will provide exhibitors and visitors with excellent indoor facilities and transport links. The change in date opens up the event to more visitors including those groundcare professionals who previously couldn’t attend the show at Windsor in September due to work commitments,” said Roger Moore, customer manager at Dennis and SISIS.</p><p>“Judging by the more considered opinions at this year’s show it will be a positive move and one that suits the majority of the visitors who attend the show to buy equipment. The industry needs a show of this character as it is the last of its type in the UK. It needs to be supported by all and the sceptics need to adapt to the concept of a modern show in a central location in a controlled environment to ensure its future. Well done to the IOG for having the strength and conviction to make this historic move,” said Keith Christian, director of BAGMA.</p><p>Martin Lucas, sales director at GreenMech said: “SALTEX, over the past few years has become a regional event. The move to the NEC will open up a new audience for us that has never visited SALTEX before.”</p><p>While David Goose, managing director of Schiller Grounds Care UK commented: “Although the timing for us as a company might be the wrong time of year – it’s the perfect time for our customer – the visitor. The NEC is a better location than Windsor with better transport links. SALTEX 2015 is a show we have to be at.”</p><p>Social media channels and online forums were flooded with industry professionals who also welcomed the announcement:<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314185415?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314185415?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-right"/></a></p><p>“I think that the move to the NEC is a positive move for all concerned. There are a lot of people who cannot attend at present as they are in the middle of their end of season renovations. And being indoors you can guarantee being in the dry no matter what the weather. A very brave decision but one done for the best of reasons and I believe one that will pay dividends going forward,” said Keith Kent, RFU head groundsman at Twickenham Stadium.</p><p>“To bring together the trade show, the IOG Conference and Awards is a positive move that hopefully encourages more people in our industry to attend SALTEX and get involved,” said Neil Stubley, head groundsman at Wimbledon AELTC.</p><p>“As someone who lives just a stone’s throw from Windsor (Crowthorne), I think it is a great move. As for the date, that is fantastic news,” said Bryan Evans, head groundsman at Wellington College.</p><p>“The IOG SALTEX show offers so much for groundsmen and is certainly the best show in the UK for us. Moving the show to the NEC in Birmingham is a fantastic idea as I believe it’s more central and will offer more,” said Robert Bradshaw, head groundsman at One Leisure.</p><p>“Good idea. NEC is an excellent place for exhibitions. I have been many times and there is plenty of room and space for demonstrating very large pieces of kit such as 60ft high extrusion machines. It means you can visit the show without planning an overnight stay and it opens the show to a much wider audience,” said a subscriber on the Service Dealer website.</p><p>Speaking on behalf of the IOG Board, Geoff Webb, CEO of the IOG commented: ‘We are absolutely delighted with the support we have received following the announcement. It certainly wasn’t a decision that was made on a whim and is not a change for change sake. We passionately believe that our industry deserves a thriving trade show as its shop window to the world. We hope many will see the potential and, like us, take the opportunity to bring SALTEX into the 21st century.”</p><p>A new SALTEX, new venue and new date; the industry has spoken and it appears that SALTEX 2015 is already shaping up to be the unmissable event of the year.</p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and visit the website at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.iogsaltex.com">www.iogsaltex.com</a></p></div>Dennis a Premier Supplier to Tottenham Hotspurhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/dennis-a-premier-supplier-to-tottenham-hotspur2014-09-09T09:16:15.000Z2014-09-09T09:16:15.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Tottenham Hotspur Football Club grounds manager Darren Baldwin considers Dennis as a key supplier of maintenance equipment for use at both White Hart Lane stadium and the club’s new state-of-the-art training complex in Enfield.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314181866?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314181866?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>The award winning groundsman and his team of 27 grounds staff use a range of Dennis Premier cylinder mowers and G860 interchangeable cassette mowers, which allow a range of key maintenance tasks to be carried out, using just one power source.</p><p>Dennis Premier at Tottenham Hotspur FC 02Darren, who has been at Tottenham for 18 years and involved in the industry for 24 years, has had an association with Dennis for the past 20 years. He said: “One of the fundamental things for me is to be able to work with a number of key suppliers; especially our mowing machinery. We cut 50/50 with a range of ride-on and pedestrian machines at the training ground, but predominately we will use the Dennis Premier at White Hart Lane because there is not a better mower on the market that has the quality of cut and which produces the perfect stripe – imperative in today’s televised Barclays Premiership games.”</p><p>Fitted with either a powerful Honda Petrol or Kubota diesel engine, the Dennis Premier is available in 30” and 36” cutting widths. A 3 section rear roller and steering brakes make it easy to manoeuvre giving an excellent stripe pattern and rolling characteristics. Complete with a large diameter front roller with adjustable scraper, for precise height of cut control, the machine is easy to adjust on both sides with the use of a single spanner.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314189816?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314189816?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-right"/></a></p><p>“I’ve had an excellent product relationship with both the Premier and the G860. The key reason for me choosing the Premier is its design - it has an excellent weight distribution. For me, another key feature is the fact that you can see the front roller whilst using the machine. For us at Tottenham, presentation is paramount and cutting with string lines you need to be able to see the front roller.”</p><p>“The G860 has been a fantastic addition to the Dennis fleet. The versatility of being able to change cassettes means that you have four machines in one which is fantastic. We have a cutting cylinder, a brush, a sorrel roller for opening up the first 5mm of our Desso Grass Master surface after games and in the height of the cutting season; the verticutter cassette – all in all, it’s a fantastic versatile machine.”</p><p>Built on the FT principle and with a cutting width of 34”, the Dennis G860 professional mower has an interchangeable cassette system, with one minute changeover, giving options to fit 6 different types of heads including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters as well as 6 or 8 bladed cutter cassettes.Dennis Premier Tottenham Hotspur FC 01</p><p>“With the challenges that the modern day groundsman faces; I would thoroughly recommend both the Dennis Premier and the Dennis G860. The fact that the Premier comes in either a 30” or 36” cutting width just adds to their quality.”</p><p>For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dennisuk.com">www.dennisuk.com</a></p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK">www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK</a>. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/DennisMowers">www.youtube.com/DennisMowers</a>.</p></div>Souters Sports Construct Two Pitches for Sandal Rugby Clubhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/souters-sports-construct-two-pitches-for-sandal-rugby-club-22014-07-24T14:40:20.000Z2014-07-24T14:40:20.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Sandal Rugby Club in Wakefield, Yorkshire has entered a new exciting era in their long history with two new pitches constructed by Souters Sports, one of the UK’s leading natural sportsturf contractors.</p><p>Following a competitive tendering process, the contractor worked closely alongside consultant John Hacker from Professional Sportsturf Design (NW), with funding coming from the Rugby Football Union. Souters worked on the site using their specialist sports surface construction expertise, machinery and technical knowledge to deliver the project on time and on budget.</p><p>After spraying off the area, the area was then ploughed, subsoiled and cultivated. The areas were then trimmed with a level frame utilising the current topsoil depths to grade out any undulations. A mains and lateral drainage system was then installed followed by Koro Top Drain Sand Slits by Souters’ in-house team.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314159546?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314159546?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>The area was then finally cultivated and trimmed using specialist rota rakes in several directions to provide an even seed bed. As a specialist contractor, Souters Sports takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and was committed to ensuring the project was developed in a sustainable way.</p><p>Wherever possible, all material was retained on the site and special attention given to retaining the biodiversity of the area, helping to reduce the financial and environmental impact of the project. Special care was taken during the project to maintain two public footpaths during the works with fencing and signage to protect the public.</p><p>After the final cultivations and pre-seeding fertiliser application, the site was then seeded. Both pitches are expected to be used for light use from November 2013 onwards before both being brought into full use for the 2014/15 season. Souters Sports will be carrying out the initial marking of the pitches and installing new goals at the end of October. Careful planning of the project and communication with local farmers for an alternative access route to the site maximised the use of equipment and labour and dramatically reduced the programme to just six weeks.</p><p>“Souters Sports were very professional throughout the project and the works were completed to a high standard,” said John Hacker of PSD. “We have an excellent working relationship with them. They managed to complete the project in a tight time-frame and their continued attention to detail is very impressive.”</p><p>Robert Heath, Contracts Director at Souters Sports said: “The quality of the work we do is a direct result of the skill and attention to detail of our dedicated in-house staff, plus our continual commitment to investing in state-of-the-art specialist equipment.”</p><p>For further information, please contact Souters Sports Limited on 01236 453030 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.souterssports.co.uk">www.souterssports.co.uk</a>. Souters Sports are also on Twitter @SoutersSports</p></div>Souters Sports Construct Two Pitches for Sandal Rugby Clubhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/souters-sports-construct-two-pitches-for-sandal-rugby-club-12014-07-24T14:40:18.000Z2014-07-24T14:40:18.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Sandal Rugby Club in Wakefield, Yorkshire has entered a new exciting era in their long history with two new pitches constructed by Souters Sports, one of the UK’s leading natural sportsturf contractors.</p><p>Following a competitive tendering process, the contractor worked closely alongside consultant John Hacker from Professional Sportsturf Design (NW), with funding coming from the Rugby Football Union. Souters worked on the site using their specialist sports surface construction expertise, machinery and technical knowledge to deliver the project on time and on budget.</p><p>After spraying off the area, the area was then ploughed, subsoiled and cultivated. The areas were then trimmed with a level frame utilising the current topsoil depths to grade out any undulations. A mains and lateral drainage system was then installed followed by Koro Top Drain Sand Slits by Souters’ in-house team.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314159546?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314159546?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>The area was then finally cultivated and trimmed using specialist rota rakes in several directions to provide an even seed bed. As a specialist contractor, Souters Sports takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and was committed to ensuring the project was developed in a sustainable way.</p><p>Wherever possible, all material was retained on the site and special attention given to retaining the biodiversity of the area, helping to reduce the financial and environmental impact of the project. Special care was taken during the project to maintain two public footpaths during the works with fencing and signage to protect the public.</p><p>After the final cultivations and pre-seeding fertiliser application, the site was then seeded. Both pitches are expected to be used for light use from November 2013 onwards before both being brought into full use for the 2014/15 season. Souters Sports will be carrying out the initial marking of the pitches and installing new goals at the end of October. Careful planning of the project and communication with local farmers for an alternative access route to the site maximised the use of equipment and labour and dramatically reduced the programme to just six weeks.</p><p>“Souters Sports were very professional throughout the project and the works were completed to a high standard,” said John Hacker of PSD. “We have an excellent working relationship with them. They managed to complete the project in a tight time-frame and their continued attention to detail is very impressive.”</p><p>Robert Heath, Contracts Director at Souters Sports said: “The quality of the work we do is a direct result of the skill and attention to detail of our dedicated in-house staff, plus our continual commitment to investing in state-of-the-art specialist equipment.”</p><p>For further information, please contact Souters Sports Limited on 01236 453030 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.souterssports.co.uk">www.souterssports.co.uk</a>. Souters Sports are also on Twitter @SoutersSports</p></div>Artificial Surface Maintenance Mattershttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/artificial-surface-maintenance-matters2014-07-24T08:00:00.000Z2014-07-24T08:00:00.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Garry Martin, managing director of Replay Maintenance talks about the steps to prolong the life of your artificial surface whilst also preserving player safety.</p><p>Whilst the low maintenance requirements of artificial turf pitches (ATP’s) have always been one of their strongest selling points, it has become clear that a planned, proactive maintenance programme is the best way to maximise the life of it whilst also preserving player safety.</p><p>‘Maintenance free’ is associated with car batteries, not as some would have you believe, about artificial surfaces. The reality is that everything requires some sort of maintenance if you want it to perform to the highest standard and also stand the test of time.</p><p>Artificial surface maintenance is crucial to the longevity of an ATP. A poorly maintained pitch may show signs of premature aging. Things to look out for are an uneven surface, compaction, infill loss, poor shock absorption, loss of traction for players, moss and algae and also drainage issues.</p><p>It is a false economy to scrimp on artificial surface maintenance. Whilst you may save money in the short term by extending maintenance intervals or waiting until problems occur, an expensive recovery operation or total renewal will be required far sooner than if the correct maintenance programme is put in place from day one.</p><p>Although suppliers and installers of artificial surfaces opinions generally differ over what is best for their clients, there is at least agreement from all parties on the fundamental aspects involved in the maintenance of the surfaces once they have been installed.</p><p>Any artificial playing surface which contains an infill, whether its sand or rubber, will at some stage, suffer migration away from the areas which are used most often. The intensity will vary dependent on the usage and the particular system used, but rest assured, it will happen.</p><p>Dirt and debris will accumulate on the playing surface which may have been brought on by the wind and rain, the player’s footwear, or if an indoor facility is being used, general dirt and dust from within the building.</p><p>If left untreated, the surface will gradually deteriorate.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314178065?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314178065?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>Degradation of the artificial carpet fibres and infill (whether using rubber and/or sand) will occur. The severity of this will depend on the system being used and the quality of materials used during the installation of the carpet. However, through general play and exposure to the natural elements of the weather, there will be some loss of integrity.</p><p>With no maintenance programme in place to counter these issues, the playing surface will eventually become contaminated. This will not only affect the performance of the surface but also the general health and safety of the surface. It is therefore imperative that an appropriate maintenance programme is introduced as early as possible from the installation date.</p><p>Drag Brushing is now considered to be a fundamental part of any maintenance programme. Various recommendations exist on what machinery should be used for this process, which can include the use of static/oscillating brushes or drag mats fitted to a suitable vehicle. Whatever method is preferred, it is important that the process should ensure that the infill is kept evenly spread and the pile is kept erect. The frequency will depend on a number of factors i.e. amount of usage, sport being played etc but should be carried out on a weekly basis wherever possible.</p><p>It is important to remove organic debris from the surface to prevent the material rotting, breaking down and stopping the drainage properties of the surface. If the surface cannot drain properly it remains damp in warm conditions providing the perfect environment for moss and algae growth. This can then seal the surface with it eventually flooding in certain places. Having regular and also the correct maintenance programme in place is the key.</p><p>Brushing or ‘drag brushing’ is an essential part of any artificial pitch maintenance regime and will help to keep the sand and/or rubber infill evenly distributed over the surface, which will naturally migrate from high wear areas of the pitch to the edges and or/corners. As the infill acts as the ‘wearing course’, it is essential that it is returned back to these high-use areas in order to prolong the overall life of the synthetic carpet.</p><p>Replay Maintenance can supply a range of artificial maintenance equipment which allows facilities to carry out their own in-house maintenance.</p><p>Perhaps the most critical maintenance step is to regularly de-compact the infill. Rubber, especially small granules of rubber, will compact over time and make the playing surface harder under foot. The Fieldman testing device is a way of testing the affect that maintenance has on a surface. It provides an instant force reduction ratio, deformation reading and energy restitution reading that can be replicated across a synthetic pitch to provide an overall firmness ratio.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314183311?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314183311?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-right"/></a>The Fieldman testing device measures the safety of the surfaces to the players where a player is running and falling onto a surface. The foot stability and deformation to an artificial surface is important to make sure the infill to the surface hasn’t caused the carpet to compact to be almost like concrete.</p><p>The testing is carried out on-site and monitors the results of several areas giving the vertical deformation, energy restitution and force reduction test reports. For the first time, groundsmen and facility managers will be able to monitor how effective their maintenance regimes are and be able to predict when a surface may need rejuvenating.</p><p>The Fieldman could end the long search for quantifiable research into how best to maintain artificial pitches. The Fieldman is only available in the UK through Replay Maintenance and we offer it free of charge as part of our Service Agreements.</p><p>So to conclude; artificial surfaces, whilst being able to be played on in all weather conditions, are not ‘maintenance free’ as some people would have you believe – like all playing surfaces, they require a maintenance programme to be able to perform at their best.</p><p>Replay Maintenance is at the forefront of the artificial sports surfacing industry and is one of the most respected and long established names within the sector. Their aim is to provide a quality service at a competitive price, all delivered via their professional and approachable in-house team. Their client base spans the length and breadth of the country and includes large local authorities as well as small clubs and private court owners; Replay are the official training supplier to the IOG, hold partnership status with the East Midland Counties FA and were the Supplier of track cleaning services (Olympic Stadium) to the London 2012 Games.</p><p>For further information, please contact Replay Maintenance on 01636 640 506 or visit the company’s website <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.replaymaintenance.co.uk">www.replaymaintenance.co.uk</a></p></div>Eagles Head Groundsman Flies the Nest to Complete Weed Controlhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/eagles-head-groundsman-flies-the-nest-to-complete-weed-control2014-06-19T10:51:10.000Z2014-06-19T10:51:10.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Former Crystal Palace Football Club head groundsman Mark Perrin has been confirmed as Complete Weed Control’s newest franchisee. Mark leaves South East London to begin his new challenge covering the Cheshire Staffordshire and Shropshire areas.</p><p>"We are very excited to welcome Mark to Complete Weed Control," commented Ian Graham, managing director of the UK's leading specialist contract service for the eradication of all problem weeds. “Mark brings a wealth of industry knowledge with him and I am sure that not only will his customers appreciate speaking to someone from within the industry but will also be able to learn from his own past experiences as head groundsman at a Premiership football club.”</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314224135?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314224135?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>After nine years of seeing Crystal Palace move up the leagues to the Barclays Premiership as the club’s head groundsman and overseeing a team of four groundsmen; Mark moves from South East London back to his North West roots, where he was previously head groundsman at Stockport County.</p><p>“I see the Complete Weed Control franchise as a great opportunity for not just myself but also my family,” said Mark. “With it being a national company, the core of the business is very strong. With the Complete Ice Control gritting side of the business - it’s a truly 12-month business model. I did look at other franchise options, but I wanted to stay in the turfcare industry in a business to business environment, rather than domestic lawncare. With the CWC business, I will be visiting some of the most prestigious sporting venues in the country – whether they are golf courses, football and rugby facilities or local authority facilities.”</p><p>Established in 1972, Complete Weed Control is the largest specialist weed control and vegetation management company in the UK. Each franchise operates to a common set of standards and procedures in providing a comprehensive service of weed control, plant pest and disease control, hydro-seeding and other related services to their customer base. These clients include sporting venues, local authorities, schools, airfields, cemeteries, industrial sites, highways & parks. This nationwide service remains unique in its local delivery of expertise.</p><p>Mark first became aware of Complete Weed Control having seen at first-hand what the contractor was able to achieve after bringing them in at Stockport County. “We used them at the training ground at Stockport and when I moved to St Mary’s College in Twickenham, I continued to use them because of the fantastic job that was carried out in a very professional manner. When I moved to Crystal Palace, I brought them in again. It works out to be far more cost effective to work with a specialist contractor than to carry out the work in-house. There is no cost for equipment and I knew all the CWC staff members were BASIS trained and Amenity Assured approved – something which is very expensive to keep up-to-date with, but a necessity in today’s world.”</p><p>“There is great room for expansion in my area and that is another reason why it became so attractive. My aim is to bring my experience as a head groundsman to my new customers and I’m very excited to get started.”</p><p>For more information, please contact Complete Weed Control’s National office on 01325 324 277 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk">www.completeweedcontrol.co.uk</a>. You can follow Complete Weed Control on Twitter @CWCLimited and view a video of Mark on the Company’s YouTube channel <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/completeweedcontrol1">www.youtube.com/user/completeweedcontrol1</a></p></div>Etesia UK Announce Neal Barker Promotionhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/etesia-uk-announce-neal-barker-promotion2014-06-18T09:57:27.000Z2014-06-18T09:57:27.000ZEtesia UKhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/EtesiaUK<div><p>Etesia UK are pleased to announce the promotion of Neal Barker to field sales assistant with immediate effect.</p><p>Neal will combine his present role as technical and aftersales manager with the newly created position and will be responsible both Etesia and Pellenc Green Technology™ battery-powered products.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314220568?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314220568?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>Commenting on the promotion, Etesia UK general manager Les Malin said, "Neal has been an invaluable part of our team over the past eight years. With the continual development of our range of Etesia and Pellenc Green Technology™ range of mowers and hand tools we required someone who extensively knew the products. I’m very confident that Neal will be very successful.”</p><p>Favoured by many of the UK's top councils as well as landscapers and groundsmen, including National Trust gardens, both Etesia and Pellenc has gained a reputation for producing equipment that are highly reliable with low maintenance, making them the number one choice for many users.</p><p>"I am looking forward to meeting dealers and also end-users, addressing new challenges and promoting the Etesia and Pellenc brands, especially the company's exciting new Green Technology™ products”.</p><p>Neal can be contacted on 01295 680 120 or emailed at technical@etesia.co.uk</p><p>For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.etesia.co.uk">www.etesia.co.uk</a></p><p>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK">www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK</a>. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK">www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK</a></p></div>Artificial Turf Pitch Maintenance is Keyhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/artificial-turf-pitch-maintenance-is-key-12014-03-03T11:30:00.000Z2014-03-03T11:30:00.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314199558?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314199558?profile=original" width="300"/></a></p><p>As one of the UK’s leading artificial pitch maintenance providers, Replay Maintenance recognises the importance of specialist maintenance to aid safe and enjoyable play as well as prolonging the longevity of the surface. Here, Nick Harris, Business Development Manager from Replay, who has over ten years’ experience of synthetic surface maintenance, talks about the development of maintenance of artificial sports surfaces from being a contentious issue to an accepted normality.</p><p>Once thought of as all-weather and maintenance free, it is now clear that to maximise the durability and longevity of a surface maintenance is key. And as for all-weather, which many people refer to, think ‘more-weather’. A quick look back to this past winter is evidence enough to show that come wind, rain or shine the pitch will be fine, but add a drop in temperature and a bit of snow then they can become a complete no-go.</p><p>Artificial Turf Pitches (ATP’s) have clearly evolved through their generations, with the much vaunted, non-filled 4G carpets a very real possibility. Each generation of surface has brought its own specific maintenance requirements, which the solutions for has generally evolved retrospectively rather than been at the forefront of the carpet manufacturers R&D departments.</p><p>Before these surfaces become available for use in the mainstream they have to go through rigorous laboratory tests. One of which utilises the Lisport machine (the Lisport is a machine which has become the industry standard for artificial wear simulation of synthetic surfaces), but of course the real test is in everyday usage. The accepted Industry standard is that for every ten hours of pitch use, then you need to allocate one hour of maintenance, although this figure can vary greatly with the size of surface, extended hours of play and actual footfall.<br/> In the early years, maintenance was wrongly considered unnecessary until a problem became apparent; which often resulted in an expensive but necessary reactive fix. All surfaces require a pro-active approach to maintenance and now with modern techniques and processes; the look, feel and life of an artificial surface are greatly enhanced.</p><p>With 3G surfaces, the need for regular pro-active maintenance is clear for all to see. With rubber infill particles bouncing around off each other, often through the fence or into the shoes of players, with 15mm of unsupported carpet fibres above the infill wilting under the footfall of several hundred 5-a-side players (some wearing their flat soled all-purpose trainers against the better advice of the manufacturer and facility) the surface can start to look pretty weary very quickly. The visible and physical benefits of maintaining a 3G pitch is therefore very apparent. The rubber infill is loosened and cleaned, evenly redistributed and the carpet fibres lifted upright again to help ensure the perfect playing surface.</p><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197211?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314197211?profile=RESIZE_480x480" class="align-right" width="400"/></a>Historically, maintenance had to be sold by maintenance companies and not by the people that had the most influence, namely consultants, manufacturers, contractors and installers. Fortunately, over the last few years the importance of good, best-practice maintenance has been widely accepted and indoctrinated into the provision of ATP’s. On a national level, those that influence and often fund the build of such facilities such as Sport England, The FA and RFU have recognised that maintenance is key in protecting their investment and insist that this is included in all tender and procurement documents.</p><p>When a maintenance provider comes along, make sure that you get a unique, tailored maintenance regime suited to your needs which will benefit your facility, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ package which only benefits the contractor and not you, the customer. To make a simple analogy, just like cars, who regardless of make and model all require petrol, oil, windscreen wash and correctly inflated tyres and don’t forget the annual service and MOT. But be aware, just like the quality, experience and cost of mechanics can vary, so can your ATP maintenance provider.</p><p>Always ensure you choose a maintenance contractor that comes accredited, recommended and approved. That they can recognise your needs and diagnose your specific problem and don’t try and sell you anything more than you really need.</p><p>Replay Maintenance is proud to be a founding member of the IOG customer driven website and supplier of bespoke tailored synthetic sports surface maintenance training for the benefit of synthetic sports facilities and the individuals responsible for them across the UK.</p><p>For further information, please contact Replay Maintenance on 01636 640 506 or visit the company’s website <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.replaymaintenance.co.uk" target="_blank">www.replaymaintenance.co.uk</a></p></div>Dennis and SISIS at BTME 2014 – Built to Performhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/dennis-and-sisis-at-btme-2014-built-to-perform2014-01-08T11:30:00.000Z2014-01-08T11:30:00.000ZFusion Mediahttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/FusionMedia<div><p>Dennis and SISIS return to BTME 2014 on stand A5 with a continuation of the successful product launches from IOG SALTEX earlier this year. The joint stand will feature a range of products that have been engineered to provide turf professionals with machines that really perform.<br/> <br/> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314183385?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="450" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314183385?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="450" class="align-left"/></a>On the stand will be the new SISIS Rotorake 600HD pedestrian scarifier and redesigned SISIS TM1000 tractor mounted scarifier which now features five quick release interchangeable reels to aid the removal and control of thatch and help reduce standing surface water by improving water infiltration. Completing the SISIS line-up will be the Autoslit pedestrian deep slitter, which is ideal for use on fine or outfield turf.<br/><br/>From Dennis, there will be the Razor Ultra 560 mower which has been developed specifically for golf greens and tees, cricket pitches and bowling greens. The machine has a 560mm (22”) cutting width and incorporates many key features including an 11 bladed cutting cylinder, ultra short wheelbase for undulating surfaces, tungsten tipped groomer, compact handle design for extra manoeuvrability, click height adjusters and stub free transport wheels for easy transport from site to site.<br/><br/>Finally, the most popular Dennis machine - the FT interchangeable cassette mower will also be on display. The range gives operators maximum versatility with options to fit 11 different heads including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers and slitters as well as 5 or 10 blade cutter cassettes with 30 seconds changeover of cassettes. Models are available as 17" (43cm), 20" (51cm) and 24" (61cm) widths.<br/><br/>For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter @DennisMowers and SISIS @SISISMachinery. You can like the Facebook page – <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK">www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery">www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery</a>. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/DennisMowers">www.youtube.com/DennisMowers</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery">www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery</a></p></div>Perennial - What we dohttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/perennial-what-we-do2012-05-04T14:29:43.000Z2012-05-04T14:29:43.000ZLindsey Churchillhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/LindseyChurchill<div><p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314118352?profile=original" width="217"/></a></p><p>As I write 15 Perennial staff across the country will be helping colleagues in horticultural trades as they face some of lifes toughest challenges.</p><p>We have 11 caseworkers and 4 debt advisors who are professional, friendly and non judgemental and happy to help whether you are facing sudden loss of income through redundancy or major illness, disadvantaged by disability or family circumstances or overwhelmed by personal debt, these are just some of the circumstances which bring people to us.</p><p>Our caseworkers can help you with claiming or challenging benefits and tax credits decisions, we are all fully trained so whether you need help working out what you are entitled to or you need representation at a Social Security tribunal, we have someone in your area that can help you.</p><p>We also help with ensuring that people can access the help that they are entitled to from other government departments. Particularly relevant if you are suddenly facing living with a disability or life changing illness or maybe you are juggling working with a caring repsonsibility. We understand that getting the help and equipment that you need can be tough, we can help with that and where state help isn't available we may be able to help with a grant from our funds.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117973?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="75" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3314117973?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="75" height="112"/></a></p><p>Our debt advisors can help with personal debt, negotition with creditors, dealing with county court judgements, bankruptcy and debt relief orders etc and there is no charge - not even hidden in the small print!</p><p>We help the whole family, we love being able to help the children of horticulturists since merging with the Royal Fund for Gardeners Children.</p><p>There is no typical client, we deal with individuals with individual problems and we respect that, our aim is to help you to find a way forward and we will work with you for as long as is needed to either solve your problem or until the best possible outcome has been acheived.</p><p>For more information please contact me <a rel="nofollow" href="mailto:lchurchill@perennial.org.uk">lchurchill@perennial.org.uk</a> or to access our services please call 0845 230 1839.</p><p> </p><p> </p></div>