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EDITOR'S BLOG

ROBOTIC LINEMARKING IN ACTION
Demo day last week
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

At Loughborough Grammar School, I attended a manufacturer's event that provided a clear look at what robotic line marking machines can offer the modern grounds team.

Last week I attended one of Origin’s robotic line marking demo days at Loughborough Grammer School, at their Quorn’s playing fields.

The event was an all-day programme centred around three time slots to allow visiting turf professionals to see firsthand the machines in action.

Three members of Origin’s staff were on hand to talk, demonstrate and give information about the robots - Phil Denhurst, sales director for the North, alongside Simon Hughes and Glen Howard.

Glenn, who is manager for line marking robotics at Origin Community, gave a talk on the background of the company and then went on to speak on the two robotic line markers they sell. These are the small compact TinyLineMarker Sport selling at around £15,000 and the TinyLineMarker Pro X selling at £31,000.

The concept of these line markers is set around the products’ abilities to be 100% autonomous. The company boast that it produces fast, accurate and repeatable line markings, freeing up valuable time for grounds staff.

Both machines offer line widths between 5cm-10cm, paint capacity 10 Litres, and marking speed set at 4KPH with the battery life being about five hours.

The Pro X has been designed for use on larger multi-use sporting facilities having the ability to mark multiple configurations of sports pitches, logos and signage requirements via its software app.

After the introduction of the products we went outside to see the Pro X being put through its paces, with Simon Hughes showing how to set it up and use. Basically, you chose your pitch type, select the location on the satellite map where you want it to go, and press go. It is as simple as that. For the demo, a rugby pitch was being marked out from scratch along with a small sided football pitch.

First we had to drive the robot and identify the location of the rugby post sockets. Once logged in, you select size of pitch and then away you go. Initial marking times for a rugby pitch is 30 mins; football is 20 minutes; and a 8 lane 400 metre running track can be marked out in 105 mins. I genuinely found it to be a labour-saving device. For most initial markings of both rugby and football pitches by hand, these can usually take around 2-3 hours with two people. That is effectively 6 hours-plus work. Whereas the robot can do it in less than 30 minutes. And the lines will be perfectly straight.

Without doubt, these robotic line marking machines do an impressive job. So much so, Origin Amenity have now sold over 350 of the units to date, with more and more sports clubs and contractors now seeing the benefit of investing in this technology. I know my local rugby club have just invested in one and they say it has been a game changer.

Keith Kent far right with fellow staff members

Origin also provides advanced training and support, including LANTRA-accredited courses and a dedicated ESD workshop for repairs and servicing of machines.

Another reason for attending this demo day was to catch up with Keith Kent, ex-Leicester city, Manchester Utd and Twickenham head groundsman, who now works part time at the grammar school helping Chris Parry the school’s estates manager.

It was great to catch up with Keith and have a chat about the industry. He introduced me to his fellow workers who are responsible for looking after the school’s grounds.

Also, this week we see the official announcement from Denis / SISIS of Andy Walker’s retirement, who is stepping back after a long stint of 49 years with the company.

Having met and worked alongside Andy at many of the Dennis / SISIS roadshows, I always found him to be a wealth of knowledge who cared a lot about our industry. I am sure Andy will be greatly missed by a lot of people.

I’d personally like to wish Andy all the best for the future and hope we continue see him in the future at one of the industry shows as a passing visitor.

NEWS

ANDY WALKER RETIRES
Following 49 years

In our first WEB ONLY story it's the end of an era for one of the industry’s most respected figures.

SPEAKER LINE-UP REVEALED
For upcoming educational day

In our next WEB ONLY story the regional event features a strong line-up of speakers and sessions.

"THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY IN EUROPE"
The UK robotic mower market

Watch a new video with robotic mower specialist, Niklas Broberg, telling TurfPro about the development and future potential of robotic mowers in the UK.

Upon his return to his native Sweden after seven years working in the UK, Husqvarna's Automower specialist Niklas Broberg tells TurfPro owner Duncan Murray-Clarke that the UK robotic mowing market holds "the greatest opportunity in Europe" - with the UK golfing sector specifically, offering huge potential.

Watch below or via our sister title Service Dealer's YouTube channel.

EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR ANNOUNCED
For zone at upcoming event

Organisers say that with sponsor stepping in to support the zone, 2025’s event is set to be the biggest and most impactful yet.

GroundsFest has announced that the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) will be the exclusive sponsor of The Landscape Zone at this year's event, which takes place on 9 and 10 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Organisers say with BALI stepping in to support the Landscape Zone, 2025’s event is set to be "the biggest and most impactful yet" for the landscaping sector.

This dedicated area will showcase technologies, sustainable practices, and the latest innovations in landscaping. BALI has had a presence at GroundsFest since its inception, but 2025 marks a significant expansion of its involvement.

Wayne Grills, chief executive of BALI, said, “As the leading trade association for landscaping industries, we believe that events like GroundsFest are vital to enable the industry to grow and thrive. Not only is it fantastic that profits from GroundsFest are reinvested back into the industry to support education - which complements BALI’s own work in skills and education through our GoLandscape careers initiative - but through knowledge-sharing, collaboration and networking at the event, all attendees can improve their best practice, thereby strengthening the landscaping ecosystem as a whole. That’s why we’re proud to be supporting the Landscape Zone and would encourage businesses and people to come along and participate."

CWGC TEAMS-UP TO ENHANCE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
With dealer and manufacturer

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has recently upgraded its grounds maintenance equipment.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has recently upgraded its grounds maintenance equipment with the acquisition of a Toro Z Master 8000 Series direct collect ride-on mower, supplied by dealer Mowers & More.

The latest development in a decades-long relationship between Toro and the CWGC, this addition is set to enhance the upkeep of the Brookwood Military Cemetery near Woking, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the United Kingdom, covering 37 acres.

Matthew Coleman, sales manager professional landscape contractor & site works equipment at Toro U.K, said, "The 37-acre grounds at Brookwood Military Cemetery are meticulously maintained by the CWGC’s grounds team, and this machine’s features will make their job simpler and quicker than ever.”

Reinforcing the relationship between the two partners, Toro UK invited the CWGC to spend a day at their Spellbrook facility. The day provided an opportunity to experience the company's broad portfolio, learn more about Toro and Hayter’s groundscare innovation and share further feedback and information.

FULL EU TYPE-APPROVAL FOR HYDROGEN ENGINE
Won by manufacturer

Latest move means another significant milestone has been passed on hydrogen technology development programme.

JCB have announced that they have passed another significant milestone on its hydrogen technology development programme after securing the first full EU type-approval of its hydrogen engine for use in non-road mobile machinery.

This means that JCB’s hydrogen engine has been approved for sale and for use in machines and third-party OEM equipment in each of the 27 EU member states, and all other territories recognising EU type-approvals (e.g. EEA and EFTA territories). The EU type-approval certificate has been issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1628 and certifies JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine to prevailing EU Stage V emissions norms. The EU type-approval follows earlier landmark rulings by licensing authorities in nine countries in mainland Europe allowing the engine to be used commercially in machines in those countries under ‘new technology’ provisions.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, who has led the company’s hydrogen engine project, said, “This is another very significant moment for JCB’s hydrogen programme, It was not so long ago that some said that it was ‘game over’ for the internal combustion engine in Europe. For JCB to have secured full EU type-approval is proof positive that the combustion engine does indeed have a promising future in pursuit of a net zero world if hydrogen, a zero CO2 fuel, is used instead of fossil fuels.”

Lord Bamford added: “I could not be more delighted for the JCB team that put so much work into getting us to this stage. Now our focus will be on bringing our hydrogen technology to market. JCB’s customers are patiently waiting for our hydrogen-powered equipment to make a difference on their job sites. They won’t have much longer to wait.”

GB approval was granted rapidly, initially for the ‘new-technology’, and now as full type-approval.

JCB has already produced more than 130 evaluation engines which are powering backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and generator sets. Real world pre-launch testing of JCB’s hydrogen equipment is now at an advanced stage and said to be "progressing well."

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