Some information regarding dealership statistics came to my attention recently. The details of which came from CLIMMAR. Curious to find out more I visited the CLIMMAR website. CLIMMAR stands for the French wording Centre de Liason International des Marchands de Machines Agricoles et Réperateurs. This is a European organization of agricultural machinery organisations across Europe but can include the amenity sector as well. When I opened the home page I came across lots of information.

They held a Congress (which is an annual event) in the Czech Republic last October and the results from the congress saw some interesting findings. For example, one of the questions asked in Prague was, ‘What makes the money in a modern machinery dealership?’ The findings showed that for the ‘average’ CLIMMAR dealer, 55% of turnover came from new equipment sales – namely tractors and machinery. Sales of second-hand equipment accounted for 14% of overall turnover. The workshop drummed up 10% of turnover; parts accounted for 17%. Other sundry items ran to 4%.

This was very useful information so I searched to see if the findings were broken down for each member country. CLIMMAR has 16 member countries in its organization encompassing national associations and their member companies. In all, its 16 national bodies account for 18,864 individual dealers and dealerships. In total, they employ almost 160,000 people.

‘So, what are the statistics for Ireland?’, I asked myself. To my surprise I found that Ireland was not a member. How could this be? Our neighbours in the UK are members through BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association), which represents around 3000 dealers.

I feel it is important to be part of a wider community. Aligning ourselves with our fellow European organizations surely cannot be a bad thing. I am a member of the GCSAI (Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland) and it is a member of a European group called FEGGA (Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations). FEGGA is mainly an educational organization and strives to develop the professional development of its members, which represents over 20 greenkeeping national associations.

This concept of professional development can be included in the different machinery associations in Ireland.

CLIMMAR was founded in 1953 and meet regularly each year where each of its members contribute new ideas. If you want to find out more about this organization their website address is www.climmar.com

The next CLIMMAR Congress takes place in Thun, Switzerland from 24th – 27th October this year. It would be nice if Ireland be represented at it. Something to think about perhaps?

An important two-way technical communications role between the Argo Tractors factory and independent dealers supplying Landini and McCormick products has been taken on by Andrew Starbuck, a new recruit to the growing team covering the UK and Ireland.

New recruit – Andrew Starbuck (left) has been appointed product manager for Argo Tractors operations in the UK and Ireland as Paul Wade retires from his product specialist role after a 44-year career in agricultural engineering

“As product manager, my principal role is to communicate technical information to our dealers about the features and benefits of the tractors so they are fully informed when talking to customers,” he explains.

“But I will also be referring any constructive comments and observations from users back to our team at Harworth and also to the product managers and engineers at the Argo Tractors factory.”

Adrian Winnett, managing director of Argo Tractors operations in the UK and Ireland, says that effective two-way communication is essential to help with Argo’s philosophy of continuous development as current products are refined and improved while new tractors are planned for the future.

He adds: “This is an important role in our expanding team, so I’m delighted to welcome Andrew, whose past experience working for dealers and for Europe’s leading potato and sugar beet equipment manufacturer will be invaluable.”

Andrew takes over from product specialist Paul Wade, who has retired after a long career in agricultural engineering, first with International Harvester in the UK, then with the merged IH and Case operation before the Doncaster factory became part of the Argo Tractors group as McCormick.

“It’s 44 years since I made the journey from Bourne in Lincolnshire to Doncaster to work temporarily for IH on a programme of overseas market training,” says Paul. “That temporary position later became a permanent one and ever since then I’ve worked in product sales and technical training, and liaison with product management at various tractor factories in Europe and North America.”

Adrian Winnett said: “For years, Paul has been the go-to man for anything technical, for when product features needed explaining and putting into an on-farm context. He’s made a tremendous contribution to the uptake of tractor technology in general, as well as to the Argo Tractors business and others he’s worked for over that time. We wish him a happy and relaxed retirement.”

As the new product manager, Andrew Starbuck is realising an ambition to work with tractors once more after 10 years with Grimme in area and national sales roles within the UK, which followed three years in farm management and two years with a dealership in his home county of Nottinghamshire demonstrating tractors and harvest machinery.
“This new role combines elements of all the jobs I’ve had in the past – product technical detail, technical and sales training, and liaison between all parties in the process of supplying machinery to end users,” he points out.

“I was well aware of the Landini and McCormick ranges, of course, but not so knowledgeable about the Argo Tractors organisation behind the products – and it’s been a real eye-opener.

“My first visit to the factories in northern Italy emphasised that Argo is a manufacturer not just an assembler of tractors; machining and assembly of all transaxles, hydraulics and front axles for all models from 43hp to 140hp is carried out in-house and Argo also makes the cabs for all its tractors.

“And when you consider how the entire range has been transformed in the past six years with new and improved tractors that now go to 310hp, it’s quite astounding for a family-owned business.”

Time spent with his own family – he is married with a young son and daughter – is an important part of Andrew Starbuck’s life, so a shorter commute from his home in Mansfield to the Argo Tractors base in Harworth, South Yorkshire for the UK and Ireland markets was another attraction of the new job.

“My background is very much hands-on farming, mainly arable and beef, and of course I’ve always been interested in machinery and tractors in particular,” says Andrew. “To now have an involvement in the tractor industry at this level is brilliant, a fresh challenge; the Landini products are durable and user-friendly and I’ll happily put a McCormick X7 Series in the field against any competitor – it’s that good!”

Greenkeeper, Alex Newenham from Douglas Golf Club in Cork was the lucky person chosen by John Deere and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland (GCSAI) to travel to The Players Championship in Sawgrass, Florida as part of John Deere’s volunteer programme to prepare for the tournament.

Alex Newenham at the Players Championship Sawgrass

Each year John Deere select six BIGGA members and one GCSAI member to be part of the volunteer team, where volunteers help prepare the ‘course set up’ for The Players Championship, one week before the tournament begins, and during the tournament itself.

Alex was delighted to have been chosen and had an amazing experience.

“My journey started with an interview in November to become the GCSAI representative on the John Deere volunteer programme at TPC Sawgrass” said Alex. “This was quickly followed by an official unveiling and press photo-shoot in BTME Harrogate late in January. The excitement really started then when I met up with the BIGGA boys from GB and Denmark. The care we got from John Deere and Sharon Milne in the office was great. Sharon organised everything for us and was so accommodating in every aspect. We were due to return home on my daughters birthday and I was scheduled to get home close to midnight, Sharon was able to change a few things around and got me home in time for dinner and birthday cake. My time in Sawgrass taught me that one of the differences between a golf course and a great golf course is simply the little things and the attention to the little details, a character exemplified by John Deere that I found when dealing with the small matter of getting home for a birthday.

"I can’t begin to describe the opportunities I had during my time there for professional development. Before I went out I had expected to be raking bunkers, possibly cutting fairways. I had dreamed of cutting the 17th green. Nothing could have prepared me for the task I was assigned for the week: Justin (an intern with the Ohio State Programme) and I were given responsibility for moisture consistency on the back nine greens. The 17th was one of the first places I went in the morning and one of the last places I went in the evening, it felt like our office for the week.

“Since I’ve been back people have asked me what my next step is going to be. A fair question as I’ve been in the same job for 14 years. As far as I know there are no really interesting opportunities on the horizon. However, having seen what can be done and met passionate greenkeepers from around the globe, I have got the bit between my teeth to progress. Having been encouraged no end by the people I have met during my time in Sawgrass from Greenkeepers, to agronomists, to sales reps, to superintendents and golfers, I feel far more equipped to reach out and grab future opportunities when they present themselves. I’m excited for the the future of golf course management and presentation and the role I could play in that. I have learned so much and gained invaluable experience thanks to the John Deere volunteer programme.”

Husqvarna has been successful in a test of the best robotic lawnmowers on the market. Husqvarna Automower 310, Husqvarna Automower 430X and Husqvarna Automower 450X have all come out on top in their respected categories.

The test was carried out by PriceRunner and compared a total of 24 models over a period of several months. Challenging the mowers on a range of different lawn types and in all kinds of weather, each model was assessed on performance, efficiency, reliability, ease of use, functionality, security, design and build quality.

The mowers were then compared on their price and value, and overall winners were confirmed. Husqvarna's Automower® 310, 430X and 450X all came out winners in the categories "Best in test", "Best premium choice” and“ Best luxury choice ”.

Automower 310 – Best in Test

The testers praised the good terrain handling, smart connectivity and an almost silent operating level of the Automower 310.

The machine's ability to navigate complicated gardens and keep heavily sloped areas and elongated corridors well cut also impressed PriceRunner’s team of testers.

Automower 430X - Best Premium Choice

PriceRunner’s test said that Automower 430X is industry-leading when it comes to dealing with different terrains, making light work of heavy slopes, bumps, roots, loose surfaces, high grass, complex areas and obstacles, navigating narrow passages and hard to reach areas with ease.

With an RRP. of £2,700, the testers stated it offered an “unbeatable combination of reliability, terrain handling and ease of use."

Husqvarna Automower 450X – Best Luxury Choice

PriceRunner’s testers commented on Automower 450X’s ability to handle extreme slopes as well as navigating a range of challenging terrains in different weather conditions, meaning there are very few lawns this model can’t handle.

The testers concluded this model is in a "class of its own".

Founded in 1910, St Loman’s is one of two GAA clubs in the Westmeath county town of Mullingar. Its superb clubhouse and ultra-modern facilities is home to two men’s teams (senior and minor), a senior ladies team, and an active academy of 25 underage teams.

One of the pitches at St. Loman’s GAA Club in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

With seven county senior titles plus one county senior hurling championship, the blue and white jerseys are a model club for the region. Gaelic football stars like Mick Carley (’57-’77) and John Heslin (2009-current) add considerable prestige and honour, compelling the club to maintain high standards on and off the pitch.

Club secretary Rodney Martin appreciates the level of detail and discipline needed to sustain the club’s prominence. When he’s not representing the club or working at his full-time job as a construction engineer, he’s on the tractor cutting the grass and surrounds on the park’s two pitches, soon to be three pitches beginning next year.

“Getting out on the tractor and mowing is my time out,” Rodney laughs. “It’s a chance for me to get away from it all.”

The club bought a MAJOR Swift 2.4m roller mower, which has significantly reduced mowing times while leaving a professional striped finish every time. “In the springtime, I’m out mowing twice a week, three times during the summer,” says Rodney. The 60mm blade overlap gives a consistently high-quality cut. “It leaves a beautiful striped finish, far better than the mower we previously used.”

The Major Swift 2.4m roller mower

“Appearance is hugely important for the players and the visiting team,” continues Rodney. “I’ll double cut the pitch before the big games. We’ve set a standard in this region, so much so that surrounding clubs ask to play on our pitch.”

Easy operability and versatility of the gear-driven roller mower were also advantages. “It’s so simple to operate,” commented Rodney. “I’m not technical at all and I’m able to use it and do any repairs required. It’s really useful – not only do we cut the two pitches with it, we also cut the surrounds.”

With the various events and activities happening throughout the year, the club required a reliable and trouble-free mower. The gear-driven powerline eliminates the problems associated with belt-driven mowers. “It’s so inexpensive to run and maintain. We sharpen the blades and that’s it,” Rodney remarks. “No other repairs what-so-ever. An added bonus – it’s made here in Ireland.”

Switch out the old and bring in the new. With grass growth fast and furious make sure you and your machines are ready for high season with Toro’s rotary blades and guarantee a beautiful finish.

Genuine Toro rotary blades

Too often, we talk about how important it is to have a good quality mower and forget that, just as important as the mower, are the parts you put in it. Now, with grass growth at its peak, is the time to be vigilant and ensure rotary blades are sharp and ready to deliver the best cut possible.

Reesink Turfcare’s parts manager Michael Hampton says: “Spring sees greenkeepers tackle large areas of grass much more frequently than other times of the year; activity that can quickly dull rotary blades. Here we look at how to prevent unnecessary downtime and out-of-action machines, with proper maintenance and parts stock planning.”

Maintenance best practice includes checking all blades to ensure they are not twisted or bent as they require more horsepower to operate, damage the turf, create vibration and noise, and shorten spindle life.

Michael comments: “To stay on top of maintenance while mowers are being used more regularly, I highly recommend Toro customers stock up on replacement rotary blades now, rather than waiting until there is an issue. In order to prevent damage to your machine and ensure operator safety, when signs of wear are identified, the blade must be replaced immediately – making on-hand spares extremely useful.”

Choosing blades produced by the manufacturer of your machine is recommended, as is “choosing blades with a toughened steel microstructure to improve wear resistance”, says Michael. “Choosing a generic blade that is not precisely manufactured for the mower may result in poor quality of cut due to incorrect blade angle and height.”

Toro’s precisely engineered blades fit the cutting unit perfectly, but each is carefully crafted to specific turf needs. For example, the ‘No Sail’ (flat) blade is a good choice in high summer working well in very dry and dusty conditions and across areas that are not mowed as regularly, plus these blades make quick work of cutting down weeds.

The ‘High Sail’ is best used early in the spring season when the grass is still thin and wispy or prone to falling over a lot, or if you’re missing grass leaves with other rotary blades.

An ‘Angled’ blade is usually what is supplied as standard with the machine, giving the best all-round cut and the ‘Atomic Sail’ is what’s best later in the season, perfect for mulching up leaves or for use with a recycling deck to mulch the grass.

Genuine Toro rotary blades are designed to work harder for longer, reducing the risk of unexpected wear and breakages other non-genuine parts can suffer. They will not need replacing as often as ‘will-fit’ parts and mowers will deliver a sharper cut for a beautiful finish for longer.

To find out more or place on order, contact Reesink’s parts department on 01480 226870.

Biohort's Equipment Locker, AvantGarde, and Europa storage solutions have proven themselves on the market, with the Europa line securing over 150,000 sold units to-date.
Everyone has experienced storage problems for items such as sports equipment, garden tools, foldable garden chairs, cushions, bicycles, decorations, or items that have no real place, now your customers can stay organised with Biohort’s garden and tool sheds.

Biohort offers a wide variety of storage solutions for everything your customers love but don’t want to have laying around. Everything can be kept neat and tidy in a Biohort garden and tool shed.

Europa garden and tool shed

The Europa provides quality at a reasonable price, with convenient double doors as standard.

Proven and tested for decades and still very popular, more than 150,000 Biohort Europa sheds have been sold to-date. The Europa is as popular today as it was when it was first launched.

The reasons are clear: its highly stable and functional design, combined with long lasting durable materials, low maintenance costs, and Biohort’s standard 20-year guarantee.
Available in nine sizes, four colours, and with many handy accessories – also available as combined sheds for even more storage space.

AvantGarde garden and tool shed

The AvantGarde is a top-quality tool shed with sloping roof and 360-degree daylight roof design.

The AvantGarde lives up to its name as an extremely robust and sturdy metal garden shed which meets the requirements of modern architecture.

Its attractive appearance and the numerous practical advantages it offers for daily use will guarantee endless enjoyment.

It is lifelong maintenance-free and will save your customers money, as well as valuable time.

Equipment Locker

Where storage space is scarce, the Biohort Equipment Locker shows its class. In the garden, on the terrace, in the garage, or on the balcony, it organises and stores your customers’ tools without restricting their living space.

If installed outdoors, the Biohort Equipment Locker also protects its contents from both rain and theft. Its compact size and elegant design blend in harmoniously with your surroundings.

Available in three sizes, four colours, and with many handy accessories.

Interested in becoming a Biohort dealer ahead of the summer months? Visit Biohort’s website or email: ireland@biohort.at

Biohort’s partners in Ireland currently include: DYG Howbert & Mays Gardens, Outdoor Living Munster, The OutdoorScene, and Awnings of Ireland.