Many years ago a machinery sales rep paid me a visit one morning and said “One day, Alan, you will be able to have all of your golf course mown without using greenkeeping staff”.

I looked at him in bewilderment. He went on to explain that mowers would be able to cut the entire golf course using GPS co-ordinates. These mowers would know exactly where to mow (and more importantly know where not to mow). The sales rep continued by saying that the same technology will also be used in sprayers to carry out automatic fungicide applications and liquid feeding as well as fertilizer spreaders. I remember it was on a Monday morning when he said all this to me so I put his chat down to him having too much to drink in his local pub the night before.

That sales rep may have been fully sober after all as that day is already with us. The sales of robotic mowers this year is on the rise and increasing. Most of the sales are for the domestic market, used in home gardens. However, there are some manufacturers developing robotic mowers for the professional turf sector, especially for sportsgrounds and schools. Belrobotics, Husqvarna and STIHL are examples of such companies. They have models that can mow up to 1 acre and more. Toro have partnered with TurfTroniq to develop and deliver the technology for automated steering of Toro mowers. TurfTroniq have developed two types of automated mower steering systems, the Assisted Mowing System (AMS) and the Robotic Mowing System (RMS). The latter allows the machine to mow independently.

I must say I like the idea of the assisted type mowing system technology. I wish it had been around back in the days when I was a greenkeeper. I remember many frustrating training sessions with new staff trying to get them to mow in a straight line. The advantage with AMS is that you still require an operator but you know you will end up having perfectly straight lines on your greens, fairways or football pitches. As a result, the presentation of your golf course or sports pitch will be greatly enhanced.

Having said that, will all of this advanced technology be a good thing? First impressions would make one believe that this would be the case. Benefits of robotic mowers would include a saving in man-hours, a reduction in mowing costs, as well as environmental benefits. It would mean that course managers and groundsmen could redirect their staff to do those much needed jobs around the course that were always put on the long finger. Happy days - or is it?

Golf course and sportsground owners/directors could see the advantages of robotic mowers in a different perspective than the groundsman. The danger for sportsturf managers is that their employers would see these automated machines as a way of reducing staff numbers, despite the pleas of greenkeepers not to do so. As we know already, grounds staff numbers in Ireland have declined significantly since the financial crash of 2008, which has put a lot of pressure on sportsclubs to keep the standards of turf maintenance at the same high level pre 2008. Reducing the number of staff even further would put a lot of strain on head greenkeepers and pitch managers, thus opening the door for the potential loss of quality in sports pitch and golf course maintenance standards.

Robotic mowers look like they are here to stay, especially in the domestic market place. I can see the benefits for their use in sportsgrounds and golf courses.
I’m all in favour of new technology benefiting the greenkeeper or groundsperson. As long as it’s not to the detriment of people losing their jobs. So be careful what you wish for.

On Saturday 29th June 2019, a Portavogie man made his start on running the whole way around the island of Ireland for charity.

Noel Johnston is the man we are referring to and his target is to run over 50 miles every day for 20 days consecutively. As you read this article he is on day 10 of his run and, hopefully, is at the halfway stage. GardenCare of Carryduff and GardenCare dealer Francis Watson’s of Cloughey are supporting Noel with his efforts.

Ultramarathon man, Noel Johnston, takes time for a photo on the Greenway at Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford

Lapping the island and covering 1000 miles on foot. This is the latest fundraising effort by Noel on behalf of Jordan’s Gift, a charity that is helping young people who are disadvantaged due to disability, social deprivation and social need. Running 1,000 miles around the Irish coast while sleeping in the woods would be some people’s idea of a nightmare. In fact, the former Northern Ireland U19 international is no stranger to “excruciating” tests of physical and mental endurance. The dad-of-one took on a 40 day marathon challenge for the Simon Community last year, while in 2016 he cycled 2,000 miles across Poland to help a child with a rare condition. He went around the Isle of Ireland three times within 6 months, once running, once cycling and once walking. This latest challenge is his biggest so far.

"This is done as Ultramarathons. I plan to do it faster than before as I intend to run for 10 to 12 hours a day.

“I had never done a marathon before 2016 and ran 40 in 40 days. Now I hope to successfully attempt 40 in 20 days.

"When you do these things it hurts, but when you go through all that pain and suffering there is a moment of bliss and the journey transcends you in more ways than one.

"Anybody can do it if you really have to do it. I want others to think if he can do it, we can do it. Because that is how I look at life.”

The coach and motivational speaker is spending any nights where accommodation was unattainable in the wilderness. Surviving in nature, washing in the rivers and lakes and cooking by fire. Noel started the challenge in Cloughey and ran South towards Newcastle, finished at Warrenpoint on day one. He then continued South passing through Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, before heading north along the wild Atlantic way until he reaches the North Coast and homeward bound. You can follow his journey on Facebook @ Noel Johnston. Or Call to run with him +447930222304. Alternatively you can click on the following link and donate to this great cause https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/runtheislandii

Special thanks go to GardenCare dealer Francis Watson’s of Cloughey and Gardencare of Carryduff for supporting this fundraising event.

GLAS is a one-day opportunity to meet all the leading suppliers and specialists relevant to your business. Nowhere else will you find such a focused event, bringing all these business sectors under one roof. Also included is the Sportsturf Machinery village.

GLAS is a trade-only exhibition and is a free to attend event that takes place in Citywest, Dublin on July 18th from 9am to 5pm.

A limited number of exhibition stands are still available. If you want to book a stand contact Eamonn Maguire on 01 2947765 or visit www.glasireland.ie

Exhibitors in the sports surfaces village and machinery park include:

• Brodericks A8
• Dublin Grass Machinery ST18
• Irish Grass Machinery ST20
• Irish Institute of Sports Surfaces ST1
• Leinster Turf Equipment ST7
• Leixlip Tool Hire ST12
• Martyns Grasslawns ST9
• MG Seed Company ST2
• MSK Silversands ST6
• Pat O’Donnell Co. ST4
• Reesink Turfcare ST3
• Ryalls Equipment ST5
• Southern Machinery ST11
• Woodpecker Environmental ST22

A recent survey conducted amongst the readers of The Irish Garden magazine confirmed improved consumer sentiment for 2019, with 62% of respondents intending to spend more on their garden this year versus last.

Improved consumer buying sentiment means more sales opportunities for your business. Make a stand at GLAS part of your plans to take advantage of this.

Major Equipment Intl Ltd, based in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, is pleased to announce the appointment of Wade Incorporated as the US importer of MAJOR agricultural mowers and shredders.

The Major MJ30-560 Cyclone Shredder

“We are excited to be working with Wade Incorporated,” explains Martin Walsh, US Sales Director at Major Equipment. “They are well established in the US and have an excellent reputation in customer service and after-sales support. Wade and his team are extremely knowledgeable and personable. Their customer-centric approach resonates with our own values of putting the customer first so the MAJOR brand will be well represented.”

Wade Incorporated will be distributing the award-winning MAJOR Cyclone rotary shredder, which bridges the gap between conventional batwing mower and flail shredder with 50% less HP requirement than a similar-sized flail.

“MAJOR is a global brand renowned for strength, stamina and value, which we strongly relate to,” begins Wade Litton, President and CEO of Wade Incorporated.

“American farmers are looking for dependability, efficiency, and economy and MAJOR products tick all those boxes and more. Early demonstrations of the MAJOR Cyclone working on Mississippi cotton have been very impressive. I’m looking forward to showing our customers what these mowers can do for farming families across America.”

Wade Incorporated is a fully authorized dealer of MAJOR branded equipment including parts, service and maintenance across its 13 locations in the Mississippi Delta. The MAJOR Cyclone Shredder is available in 18ft and 20ft working widths.

Honda’s Mean Mower has re-entered the record books after setting a brand new Guinness World Records title for the Fastest Acceleration 0-100 mph for a lawnmower.

The Honda Mean Mower V2. Photo courtesy of Honda

The new record was set at the Dekra Lausitzring, near Dresden, Germany, on May 6, 2019. Under the watchful eye of a Guinness World Records adjudicator, Honda’s all new Mean Mower V2 averaged 0-100 mph in just 6.29 seconds; driven by Jess Hawkins, experienced stunt driver, and kart and car racer.

As well as hitting such a blistering straight-line speed to set the new record, Mean Mower V2 also had to demonstrate that it could still do what it is actually designed for - to cut grass - which it does.

The ability to still cut grass is thanks to slight revisions to the cutter deck to house the chain driving the rear tyres and the two batteries required to power electric motors which spin carbon fibre blades to mow.

Under the regulations of Guinness World Records, the mower must also “intrinsically look like a lawnmower” - in this case the Honda HF 2622 lawn tractor - which it does by carrying over its front cowl, grass box, and body panels.

Unveiled in summer 2018, Mean Mower V2 set out to build on the success of the original Mean Mower, which became the world’s fastest lawnmower on March 8, 2014 when it hit 116.87mph. But this time Honda and its British Touring Car Championship partner, Team Dynamics, took the development to a whole new level, using computer aided design, bespoke parts, advanced materials, and 3D printing.

The engine
At the heart of Mean Mower V2 lies its engine. This time a 999cc four-cylinder unit taken from Honda’s high-performing CBR1000RR Fireblade SP motorcycle – producing 200bhp at 13,000rpm.

It packs almost double the power of the original Mean Mower, with a super-light frame, and engine dry weight of just 69.1kg, which overall results in a power-to-weight ratio in excess of that of a Bugatti Chiron.

The official acceleration figure was measured using a VBOX on-board recording device, which was fitted, set up, and verified by independent and accredited timers, Timing Solutions Limited.

Breaking the record
To meet the requirements of Guinness World Records, the mower had to record the same run, in both directions, within an hour – with the average acceleration of these two runs taken as the official time.

With an average of 6.29 seconds, Honda set the new Guinness World Records title for “The fastest acceleration 0-100 mph for a lawnmower (prototype)”.

The team also took the opportunity while at the Lausiztring to put Mean Mower V2 through its paces on a longer run to see what it is really capable of, recording an incredible top speed of 150.99mph. The time was once again independently recorded by Timing Solutions Limited using the VBOX data.

“The original Mean Mower was an incredible machine; but this time we’ve taken it to a whole new level with version two. After taking the top speed record in 2014, we wanted to do something a little different by setting an all-new record for acceleration, and the result is fantastic. Team Dynamics have gone above and beyond in developing and building this real feat of engineering, and hats off to Jess for being brave enough to get behind the wheel.”, said Dave Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK.

Mean Mower V2 key statistics

• Engine - Honda Fireblade SP in-line four cylinder (stock)
• Size - 999cc
• Power - 189+ bhp @ 13,000rpm
• 0-60 - Sub 3 seconds
• MPG - 35mpg
• Optimum RPM - 13,000
• PTW ratio - 1000bhp/tonne (est.)
• Torque - 116nm @ 11,000rpm
• Body - Honda HF2622 Lawn Tractor
• Chassis - T45 steel (custom-made)
• Weight - 140kg (approx.)
• Length - 2770mm
• Wheelbase - 1380mm
• Width - 1365mm

Yanmar Holdings in the U.S has announced an agreement to acquire Minnesota-based, compact equipment manufacturer ASV Holdings Inc., a designer and manufacturer of compact tracked loaders and skid-steer loaders.

It has been reported that Yanmar is to acquire ASV through the mechanism of a statutory merger.

Giuliano Parodi, Executive Officer of Yanmar Holdings, stated, “We believe that the Yanmar Group’s acquisition of ASV will significantly bolster Yanmar’s compact equipment offerings in the loader segment, a product range vital for success in the all-important North American market.”

He added, “With its highly-skilled workforce and quality compact tracked loader and skid-steer loader lineup, ASV is a great fit for both Yanmar’s focus on quality, and our growth and expansion plans in the North American and global markets as it will create a comprehensive and global provider of compact equipment with virtually no overlap in distribution networks.”

U.S trade magazine Equipment Journal says, the transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2019, and Yanmar will acquire 100 per cent of ASV’s outstanding shares of common stock for $70.70 million, or $7.05 per share.

Campey Turf Care Systems’ latest innovation, the Uni-Scratch, is a solution for those looking for a professional and effective maintenance of natural and synthetic grass surface.

The machine can be used for organic matter removal on natural grass hybrid carpet pitches when carrying out annual renovations.

The Campey Uni-Scratch

Regularly maintaining synthetic pitches is vital because it prevents infill compaction. When a synthetic surface is regularly used the infill can become lodged and cause uneven hard and soft areas that eventually leads to drainage issues and flattening of the artificial fibres. To prevent this, the Uni-Scratch has been developed to provide essential maintenance by de-compacting and redistributing the infill. The machine can also be used to evenly distribute the infill in synthetic carpets during installation.

idverde UK who manage a growing portfolio of sports pitches and facilities on behalf of several local authorities, is the first company in the United Kingdom to purchase the Uni Scratch and operations manager, Steve Tingley, explains why. He said: “We install and maintain a lot of hybrid carpet surfaces and we are always looking at new machines and how they can improve our operation. We bought the Uni-Scratch specifically to speed up and improve our maintenance procedure and it has met the aims we had for it.”