The new Ferris FB1000 Hurricane leaf blowers are selling fast and already being highly acclaimed by T H WHITE customers.

The FB1000 is the UK’s first and only stand-on leaf blower and delivers far more powerful operation than any hand-held blower. It’s also much more practical and manoeuvrable than three-link PTO machines powered by compact tractors, meaning that this revolutionary new blower makes the task of clearing leaves and debris highly labour-economic.

Powered by an 18hp Vanguard V-Twin Petrol engine, the Ferris FB1000 features a foot-operated dual airflow system, hydrostatic transmission, pneumatic rear tyres and flat free castors.

The foldable operator platform with suspension makes the FB1000 extremely comfortable to use as well, a great feature for operators facing long working sessions.

It’s extreme manoeuvrability makes it easy to work in constricted spaces such as cemeteries, universities and other campus-based establishments.

Click HERE for full details of the Ferris FB1000.

The T H WHITE Groundcare sales team took an opportunity to hold one of its regular meetings at the Global HQ and manufacturing facilities of Ransomes Jacobsen in Ipswich, Suffolk, earlier in May.

The meeting was a ‘game of two halves’ which on day one saw the team review the T H WHITE business, discuss new opportunities and look at the supply challenges that are being faced in the sector.  On the second day the team were joined by senior members of the Ransomes Jacobsen management team including Simon Rainger, Global VP for Turf Care Products and Glen Hampson, Sales Director EMEA, Turf Care Products.

During the meeting, the Ransomes Jacobsen team was able to share information on product updates and some exciting sneak previews on the progress they are making with electrification in the sector – watch this space!

Discussions also took place on the steps the company is taking to deliver greater customer satisfaction with a dedicated team of people who will track and follow up the user experience of the products. There was time to look around the factory to get a close look at what Ransomes Jacobsen has done over the past 24 months since manufacturing of Jacobsen products was transferred from Augusta in the USA to Ipswich. The continued challenges of component supply that is impacting global manufacturing is being managed with intensity to ensure that products continue to roll off the production line as efficiently as possible.

The T H WHITE team concluded its visit to Ransomes Jacobsen with a positive outlook for what the future holds. We can’t wait to get our hands on the new products that we hope to be able to present to our customers soon…

Graham Martin, T H WHITE Groundcare Sales Administrator, tells us what makes his job both challenging and rewarding…

Hello Graham, can you tell us a bit about your role with T H WHITE?
I’ve run the sales administration function for the Groundcare Division since early 2020 – just as the pandemic hit – having worked in sales for T H WHITE since 2009. My job is really varied – from invoicing and stock control to supporting our sales reps, wider colleagues and customers with queries and advice. Some days the phone doesn’t stop ringing and the emails flood in, other days I’ll be focusing on reporting, taking part in ‘Teams’ meetings, or visiting depots. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like the challenge of solving some of the puzzles that come my way – for example when stock needs to be found or when we are working on delivering big contracts for our customers. It’s very satisfying when you can be part of a team that supports customers to achieve their goals, and I love working with my Groundcare colleagues to make that happen.

What are you most proud of in your job?
Since I’ve taken over Groundcare administration I’ve worked hard to streamline processes and make full use of digital methods to modernise the way we work. Stocktaking is a big part of my job and doing this on an iPad – with the ability instantly to see where stock is, move stock and to be able to provide reports to colleagues quickly – is one example of a change I have been able to introduce. Many external systems I use have also been made digital, which is great. Progressively our external suppliers and partners are also adopting digital strategies which will mean we all work more efficiently.

How do you view the Groundcare industry at present?
The Groundcare sector is undergoing substantial changes, as in so many industries at present, partly as a result of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Obtaining machinery can be a challenge and one that is unlikely to be resolved quickly, although T H WHITE’s policy of placing advance orders with suppliers means that we are able to continue supplying many key items of machinery in a timely way. 

What does life outside work involve for you?
Away from work I have a partner and two young children. I’m originally from South Africa, so I’m used to an outdoor way of life, and I love to go for walks, have a Braai (South African for BBQ) and keep active. I also enjoy Formula One, rugby, football and watching movies.

Finally, if you weren’t our Groundcare Administrator, what would you be?
I’ve always loved helicopters, so I’d probably be a helicopter pilot.

Take a look at our product line-up and secure yourself some exciting new innovations – in stock at T H WHITE Groundcare now from mowing specialists, Ferris:

First up is the all-new FB1000 Stand-On Blower. Ferris has expanded its line of stand-on products into the debris management category with the FB1000, which boasts high productivity and zero-turn manoeuvrability in a low-fatigue and compact design. Its nimble 90 cm width makes it easy to navigate through narrow passages and takes less room on a trailer. The patented Dual Deflector Air Flow System™ enables deep cleaning of packed debris, with airflow directed to the left or right side by a convenient foot pedal. The FB1000 makes light work of any clean-up challenge on turf or hard surface – moving grass, leaves and other debris quickly and effectively. It’s the perfect addition to any lawn care or grounds keeping fleet.

The ever popular range of Ferris products continues with the 400S ride-on mower – a compact, durable zero-turn model, packed with features including IS^® independent suspension, a commercial drive system and a triple mower deck. Perfect for the light commercial market, the 400S means you’ll cut quicker, more efficiently and in greater comfort than ever before!

Next, the ISX™800 is another new model which allows you to maximise your overall productivity with a faster mow – without sacrificing either the quality of cut or comfort of ride. Thanks to ForeFront™ Suspension technology, the front casters remain in an upright position throughout the entire range of suspension travel. Powered by a Briggs & Stratton Commercial Turf™ 810cc V-Twin petrol engine and generating 27-gross HP, it also features the Hydro-Gear^®  heavy duty commercial drive system and a 3 year commercial warranty.

Then there’s the IS^®2600, a powerful, Stage 5 Emission Legislation Ready diesel model – and the top of the range IS^®X3300 zero-turn. Both models feature the next-gen ForeFront™ suspension system among a host of features designed to maximize efficiency and operator comfort. These machines are rugged yet refined – truly premium turf groomers.

We also have stock of Ferris’ smallest, self-propelled, walk-behind dual hydrostatic mowers – the FW25 and FW35 models. With a compact 36” or 48” wide rear discharge cutting deck, these machines are perfect for working nimbly in confined spaces and for easy transportation.

And not forgetting the SRSZ1 – a Soft Ride Stand–on (SRS) with adjustable operator platform and suspension for a superior balance. This provides greater stability and manoeuvrability, exceeding all expectations for traction and general handling. 

Talk to your T H WHITE rep today to be sure of securing these great machines, or contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

Iseki’s TLE premium economy range of tractors feature high horse power and simple controls, making them highly versatile as well as being excellent value for money. We have a great range in stock at T H WHITE.

These compact tractors are perfectly suited to a wide range of applications, from general work around smallholdings to sports pitches. They can make a big impact where budget is tight but you don’t want to compromise on quality or horse power. In stock and ready to go we have Iseki 3410 – 4550 Stage V compliant models in 40-55hp range with up to 1200kg lift capacity and a mix of mechanical and hydrostatic transmissions.

Where light weight and small size are important – on games pitches, in cattle sheds and greenhouses for example – the Stage V compliant Iseki TG tractor range offers exceptional lift, 3-speed hydrostatic transmission and 2-speed rear PTO plus many other options.

The multi-talented Iseki TXGS is the ultimate 23hp sub-compact tractor with 2-speed hydrostatic transmission, switchable 4WD, easy access platform and controls and 540 kg lift capacity at the ball ends. Featuring independent mid and rear PTO, plus an auxiliary valve block, the SXGS can be fitted with optional front end loader attachments for a host of tasks.

We also have a great supply of SXG cut and collect mowers, 13.5hp to 21hp, 40-54″ decks and a choice of 600-litre high-tip or 550 and 320 litre low-tip collectors.

Completing our Iseki line-up we have stock of the Stage 5 compliant 22.5hp SF224 out front mowers – renowned for flexibility and manoeuvrability – and the powerful 4-cylinder 49hp SF551 collector mower, complete with automatic hydrostatic 4-wheel drive and cruise control.

If you are looking for an Iseki compact tractor or mower this season, you won’t find a better selection than at T H WHITE – contact one of our Groundcare branches HERE to find exactly the right machine.

The relocation of our Redditch team to our Stourport-on-Severn branch is complete! We are confident this move will ensure we deliver an even higher quality of sales and service support to our Groundcare customers in the region.

Our expanding team has outgrown the premises in Redditch and their new larger freehold home offers many benefits.  The premises have a better-equipped workshop with more advanced facilities including brand new grinding equipment.  There’s a separate machinery storage area providing increased bay capacity in the larger workshop.  The branch also offers a dedicated parts counter with thousands of lines of stock on site.

But the backbone of our operation is provided by our dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled staff – they are as well-oiled as the equipment, and what they don’t know about Groundcare machinery is not worth knowing!

We are thrilled to say that the whole team has transferred to our new premises to provide the continuity of service levels you currently enjoy.  Our sales representatives, technicians and parts advisors led by Ray Eckersley our Branch Manager will be the same faces you already know and rely on.

The sales representatives – Lee Miles and Harvey Brooke – continue to operate locally. Whether you want to talk about machinery, service, or parts, they are just a phone call away.

The new facility is less than 40 minutes from our previous Redditch branch and is easily accessible by the A448, A449 and M5.  However, we appreciate it’s not always easy for people to travel, so when you need service, we can arrange for our mobile engineers to carry out most tasks at your own site. When more extensive work is required, we will collect and deliver your machines without you having to take them anywhere.

The extra space at Stourport means we can display more items from our huge range of mowers, compact tractors, golf buggies, UTVs, aeration equipment, hedge cutters, scarifiers, chippers and more.  We also have lots of demo kit available which we can bring to your premises.

Service is at the heart of what we do and our Stourport operation is also home to our Agricultural and Construction teams so our multi-skilled workshop with competencies in agriculture, construction and groundcare further enhances our offering to you.

We look forward to welcome new and old customers to the new Groundcare premises at Sandy Lane Industrial Estate, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs DY13 9QB, telephone 01299 578335.

The Jacobsen Eclipse® 360 ELiTE™ Fully Electric Riding Greens Mower cuts more than grass. Fuel cost, noise and maintenance downtime are all reduced by a mower with advanced precision technology, that gives you Jake’s trusted signature cut.

The latest ELiTE™ Lithium-Ion battery and a hydraulic-free design makes the Eclipse 360 electric reel mower the greenest, quietest and highest quality Jake cut available for your golf course or fine sports turf. A single charge is sufficient to cut 22+ greens, or more than 1.1 hectares.

A lot of our Groundcare customers near our Knockdown branch will know Matthew Buffham, one of our Groundcare technicians. It has been 17 years since Matthew stepped through the doors of T H WHITE Groundcare to eagerly start his Land Based Engineering apprenticeship at Knockdown. His technician role includes regular servicing, preventative maintenance and diagnostic testing for fault-fixing.  Since then, he has worked on plenty of different machines from a whole raft of suppliers including Ransomes, Iseki, Wiedenmann, Ferris, Wessex and more.  One of his favourites being the Jacobsen Eclipse hybrid model because of its advanced ease of fuel to electric switching.

He has seen groundcare machinery adapt massively over the years with technical advancements leading to greater productivity, improvements in operator comfort and ease of use, plus all important environmental solutions creating a greener future for the industry.

Matthew’s job as a technician doesn’t just provide the opportunity of being at the forefront of the latest groundcare technology. It also takes him to some interesting locations, including a visit to Highgrove to assist Knockdown’s neighbour, HRH The Prince of Wales.

Early on, Matthew knew that studying at a college or sixth form wasn’t for him and felt lost with academic subjects at school not being his strong point.  Not one to be defeated, Matthew heard about T H WHITE apprenticeship schemes from a local friend in Tetbury and decided to apply for a position.

“The apprenticeship wasn’t your typical study route.  It allowed us to learn in an incredibly hands-on way, the majority of the time, which suited me perfectly.  I then attended some block release weeks at Evesham College for the theoretical studying side of things. I could work and learn at the same time!”

“If you are like me and enjoy getting stuck into a task, then an apprenticeship at T H WHITE is for you. Learning as you work is definitely the way forward for many.”

If you are like Matt and know that mainstream forms of study aren’t for you, then an apprenticeship with our Groundcare division could most certainly be what you need. Find out more by viewing our dedicated Apprenticeship Online Brochure.

With the growing season about to kick off it’s the right time to think about the machinery in your shed – are you ready for mowing, scarifying and topdressing?

The Ransomes HR380 commercial mower is ideal for cutting grass which is not regularly mown as well as being easy to use and maintain. Driven by a powerful Stage V 37.5hp engine, the deck sizes range from 1.52 to 1.83m and the whole unit is designed for comfortable operation and easy road transport. Flail or Rotary deck options are available including an integrated Muthing flail system or durable bolt-on and flip-up rotary deck. Ergonomic features include fingertip unit control, high spec mechanical suspension seat (air suspension seat available as an option) and a wide range of storage options.

Amazone’s Profihopper mowing and scarifying machines offer a unique collecting and compacting system which makes them ideal where dust-free single-pass collection of grass or the debris from scarifying is important. The out-front cutting deck with an integrated PowerCompactor collecting and conveying system delivers high work rates, even under difficult conditions where the grass is wet or there is a lot of ground debris. Excellent slope capabilities and zero turn manoeuvrability mean that awkward areas are no problem.

For an even more comprehensive solution, combining mowing, scarifying, collecting, chopping and rolling all in one pass, the Amazone Groundkeeper is the solution.
The Groundkeeper’s versatility makes it a reliable helper all year round. In spring, you can use it to scarify and mow grass on sports fields and golf courses without going round twice. In summer, a Groundkeeper will take on the intensive and extensive maintenance of all types of green areas, whereas in the autumn, it will pick up dead leaves, however high they are piled.

As always, you can request a demo of any of these machines at www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch/.  Contact our specialist today!

What is it that golfers notice most about the environment on the golf course? Ten to one it’s going to be the quality of the greens where the majority of shots in a typical round take place. High quality groundcare on the greens is often the factor that makes the difference between a mediocre golf course and an outstanding one, and at T H WHITE we have the tools to help you achieve the perfect finish on your course in 2022.

Jacobsen greens mowers have long been a go-to choice for professionals and in recent years the range-topping Eclipse 360 ELiTE has set new standards. Powered by a lithium-ion battery and using advanced technologies it features a hydraulic-free design (no hydraulic oil) and is the quietest, greenest ride-on reel mower for your turf. It also offers Jacobsen’s highest quality of cut with a great reel selection and a unique swing-out centre cutting unit for ease of service. A single charge will power it through cutting 22 large greens and its 63″ cutting width is matched by a cutting height between 1.6mm and 11.1mm.

Enhancing the ease of operation on ELiTE models are fully programmable controls, including frequency of cut controls and individual reel lift lower controls to reduce triplex ring from the golf green clean-up pass.

All the technological features and cut quality of the Eclipse 360 ELiTE are also available from the Eclipse 360 Hybrid diesel or petrol electric reel mower – essentially the same mower but with a petrol or diesel engine powering a generator which delivers power to the electric drive and reel motors.

Where robust design and ease of maintenance is paramount the Jacobsen GP400 diesel mower is a great alternative, Built to last with bullet proof engineering, this ride-on machine has a swing-out centre reel like the ECLiPSE and also has Jacobsen’s largest selection of blades.

Jacobsen mowers for all worldwide markets are now manufactured at the Ransomes Jacobsen plant in Ipswich which has been in business for 188 years.

For more general work around the course take a look at the Ventrac 4520 compact tractor. As well as being light on the land and nimble over contours it has more than 30 front-mounted attachments which can make it virtually whatever you want it to be – a contour mower, rough brush cutter, flail mower, finish mower, aerator, leaf blower, snow clearer and much more… It could be the most versatile machine you’ve ever seen.

And don’t forget Wiedenmann’s Terra Spike, for aeration up to 40cm deep.

T H WHITE Groundcare has all these items and more to help you get your course looking its best for this season when many golfers will be returning to the links. For a one-to-one look at these machines talk to your T H WHITE rep, or request a demo HERE.

Newbury & Crookham Golf Club have purchased a Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractor and two mowing decks, which course manager Chris Ball says will make the greenkeeping department at the 148-year-old club even more efficient. Purchased from their local T H WHITE Groundcare branch, the package included a Contour mowing deck and a Tough Cut deck, which will enable the greenkeeping team to work smarter and safely when maintaining the woodland margins and steep banks on 6,000-yard course.

“My team have done an exceptional job during the pandemic crisis and it is only right that we should ensure they work in complete safety, not just in these exceptional circumstances, but at all times. These two decks in conjunction with the eight-wheel tractor unit guarantee that when working on tee banks or around the reservoir, they can do so in complete safety. As a small team of just six, it’s important that we work smarter; now we can cut areas mechanically using just one person, where we previously used numerous team members with brushcutters, saving many greenkeeping hours that can now be utilised elsewhere on the course.

“The Tough Cut deck will help us both ecologically and aesthetically, keeping the woodland floor open and encouraging more spring bulbs to flourish. We want to see carpets of bluebells in subsequent years. Also, with the Contour deck we’ll be able to maintain steeper areas on the course making the presentation even more appealing for members and visitors. We’ve only had the equipment since mid-May, but already it has proved its worth; it’s a simple, clever design, does the job and is easy to maintain.”

Chris Ball joined Woking Golf Club as an apprentice in 1994 and knew immediately that this was to be his chosen career. In 1998 he moved on to Guildford Golf Club and four years later joined Walton Heath, working under two renowned industry figures in Clive Osgood and Ian McMillan. In 2002 he joined Bearwood Lakes, where he was appointed head greenkeeper, reporting to the course manager. He has been course manager at Newbury and Crookham since 2014.

Newbury & Crookham is one of the oldest clubs in England, established in 1873. The 18-hole, par 69 golf course measures just under 6000 yards and is set amongst beautiful mature woodland. Situated on the south side of Newbury, between Greenham Common and the racecourse, the current course dates back to 1923, when the Newbury and District Club was founded. Crookham Golf Club was founded in 1873 on Greenham Common, but after it was requisitioned in 1940 by the MOD, the members were given temporary membership by their neighbours, which eventually became permanent and the club adopting its current name.

If you would like to arrange a demo of the Ventrac 4500 for yourself, please contact your local Groundcare branch here. 

On Friday 5th November a graduation lunch was arranged for three Apprentices, across our Agriculture and Groundcare division, who have successfully graduated over the last 12 months. T H WHITE Managing Director- Alex Scott, attended the lunch and congratulated them on their achievements and presented each Apprentice with a bottle of champagne and a T H WHITE certificate.

The two graduates from our Agriculture division were Josh Icke, from Hereford, and Josh Ellison, from Toddington. They both completed their Level 3 in Land Based Service Engineering by combining their time between “on the job” training, at their respective depots, as well as block release at Reaseheath college in Cheshire. Both Josh’s are very well respected within their teams and are looking forward to the new challenges ahead of them as they progress on their career paths within T H White Agriculture.

Secondly from our Groundcare division, congratulations goes to Joe Dickenson based out of our Redditch branch. Ray Eckersley- Manager of Redditch had these kind words to say:

“We were lucky to recruit Joe who had already completed the first year of his apprenticeship with Lewis Loaders. He was about to be made redundant when we were approached and made aware of his situation by Pershore college. After interviewing him we decided their loss was our gain and offered him a position. He very quickly became a valued member of the Redditch team and excels in fabrication.”

At T H WHITE, we run a comprehensive and practical apprenticeship scheme for school leavers aged 16 and over. Opportunities exist within every division of the company and all incorporate a day of block release at college to gain the knowledge element of the qualification, with on-the-job practical experience gained in our workshops or on site. Apprenticeships are a great way to get industry experience and skills, in a hands-on working environment.

More information and how to enquire for our apprenticeship schemes can be found here.

Our Groundcare team would like to give a warm welcome to their newest member- Callum Rea!

Callum joined from his previous role in the T H WHITE Estates sales team, and will be taking the new position of Groundcare Sales Representative covering the Surrey area.

As a keen countryman, Callum started his career in estate agency covering the Newbury and Marlborough areas where he was introduced to many large property landowners and became acquainted with the particular challenges faced in running estates and overall ground management.  Then as a T H WHITE ATV and UTV specialist he grew and developed those client relationships to further deepen his knowledge.  No stranger to ground care equipment, he worked alongside the team he has now joined, often attending demonstrations and supporting quotations.  More recently, he has gained an interest in the world of golf where utilising his grounds expertise will be a great advantage.  The attention to detail and precision of course management is something that Callum is looking forward to getting stuck into.  He is excited by the great line up of leading brands we offer.  His strong foundation in grounds management coupled with his personable style will no doubt ensure he continues to provide an enhanced service for our customers.

Outside of work, Callum enjoys country pursuits with his border terrier, is a track and field athlete and started playing golf last year. Callum will be introducing himself to all existing T H WHITE customers in his area over the coming weeks but in the meantime you can reach him directly on 07917172861 or callum.rea@thwhite.co.uk

Andrew Hannington- Service Manager of T H WHITE Pro-Agri and Groundcare in Stockbridge has been awarded a Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership; the highest status that can be achieved in the management profession, undertaken in conjunction with the Chartered Management Institute and Sparsholt College.

Andrew tells us that after an initial interview process and passing the pre-qualifying criteria, he undertook a 12 month long programme with a mix of distance learning and class room studies. “This was particularly challenging to balance the time between managing 2 busy service departments during peak season and all the trials and tribulations of having a young family. It was only with the support of my colleagues and family that I was able to dedicate the time to be able to complete this challenging qualification.”

“With subjects covering many aspects of management and leadership including; principles of leadership, coaching and mentoring, innovation and continuous improvement it was a fascinating insight to a wide variety of management practices.”

Upon completion Andrew was awarded a Level 5 diploma, plus also having the opportunity to apply to gain Chartered Manager status- which he was successfully awarded. “This has given me professional recognition and is the highest status that can be achieved in the management and leadership profession.” Chartered status recognises managers with exceptional management and leadership skills, plus commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD), demonstrating to employers and peers the value of a professional approach that delivers measurable impact.

All at T H WHITE send their congratulations to Andrew, and look forward to seeing him develop in his management role and inspire his team through their careers at T H WHITE.

One of the most annoying things about the British climate is when rain stops work. Iseki’s SXG+ range of powerful but compact cut and collect mowers are designed to perform equally well in all conditions – even in the wet – allowing you to carry on working whatever the weather.

Among the clever design features is the fact that on all three SXG+ models the rear axle is mounted high under the seat, well out of the way, with a chain drive to each of the rear wheels. This allows the grass to flow straight through from the deck to the collector with no obstructions to avoid unwanted blockages.

High displacement, high torque, low-revving diesel engines are another core feature. Many compact mowers rely on small capacity, high revving engines, inevitably resulting in more noise, discomfort and wear, but that has never been the Iseki way. Even the entry level SXG216+ has a powerful 13.5hp, 688cc, 2 cylinder diesel engine which delivers plenty of torque at low revs, ideal for tackling parks and gardens. The 19hp he SXG323+ and 21hp SXG326+ are both fitted with a large capacity, low revving 1123cc engine which creates very little vibration and wear and tear on the engine itself, also being very fuel efficient and powerful.

To make disposing of grass cuttings easy the SXG323+ and SXG326+ have an hydraulically operated high or low tip collection system which can lift up to a height of 1.97m. Built to be perfectly balanced, even when the collector is full and tipping from maximum height, there are no additional weights required. The SXG216+ comes with a low tip collector operated by an electric, fingertip control, so you don’t have to empty the collector manually by tipping it up.

With the SXG+ mowers there’s a choice of 40″ to 54″ centre discharge decks, 600 litre high tip or 550 and 320 litre low tip collectors, and a mulching deck is also available with a flip-up floor kit to cut and drop.

We think you will be amazed at the quality of cut consistently produced by these compact mowers, even in the most demanding situations.

Many commercial users opt for out-front mowers and the Iseki SF2 range offers either the fuel efficient Stage V 22.5hp in the SF224, or the high-performing Stage V 35hp engine in the SF237. The 60″ rotary deck has a quick height adjustment system.

Users can opt for a high-tip collection system up to 2.25m high with a cuttings capacity of 950 litres or, on the SF224, a cut-and-drop system with a tool carrying deck on the back of the machine in place of the collector – perfect for cutting and maintaining large areas of grass and parkland where collection is not required.

T H WHITE Groundcare has a large selection of Iseki mowers in stock, ready to go. You can request more information or a demo by visiting thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch.

As we go into winter it’s the ideal time to address the maintenance of woodlands and hedgerows.

T H WHITE Groundcare is a dealer for Jensen, the original maker of premium woodchippers, and one of the most popular Jensen machines is the road-towable, 6″ capacity A530.

Fitted with either a diesel or petrol 35hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine, the A530 is tailor-made for the professional arborist, offering exceptional safety with electronic safety sensors fitted as standard, enabling users to turn the feed rollers off and on with a quick tap of a hand.

Due to its sub 750kg tow weight it can be towed with a standard Class B licence, but for users who want something lighter still the A530L option weighs in at just 730kg.

Both models feature a galvanised chassis, hydraulic infeed rollers and adjustable trap and 270 degree rotation chute, a control box to record hours and servicing intervals and a fitted toolbox containing a comprehensive tool kit.

The Jensen A530 is also available with a 270 degree turntable for greater loading and discharge flexibility – believed to be the only 6″ woodchipper in the world with this functionality.

Getting hedgerows into good shape before the new growing season can save a lot of work later on and one of the most versatile implements for the task are McConnel’s lightweight 30-Series power arms. Compact and highly manoeuvrable, these power arms deliver are equipped with the latest parallel arm geometry, bringing the benefits of McConnel’s advanced hedge and verge-cutting technology to customers with compact and low horsepower tractors. The PA3430 – in stock now at T H WHITE – is compatible with machines of just 35hp while still achieving precision and a neat fine cut.

The popular Jensen chippers and McConnel power arms are available immediately, ex-stock and no wait time, from T H WHITE Groundcare. If you would like to try one either contact your rep or use the form at thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch.

T H WHITE Groundcare representative Harvey Brooke is the first to admit that he’s obsessed by grass. “It began when I was no more than 8 years old, when I started cutting the grass at home for my dad. I just loved doing it!”

His passion for perfect greensward continues to this day – both at home where he admits to mowing his lawn at least three times a week in the growing season, and through his job with T H WHITE – with 11 years before that which he spent working at Redditch Golf Club where he eventually became Deputy Course Manager.

“It’s strange really, coming to Groundcare sales from the perspective of having been a customer. When I was at Redditch Golf Club Simon Bingham used to come in as our local T H WHITE rep and I always remember how his enthusiasm was both infectious and helpful. If we had any problems on the course he would always try to come up with the best solution. I never thought that one day I might be doing that job.

“It was in April 2018 that I saw the sales post advertised at T H WHITE’s Redditch branch. I applied and, to my astonishment, I was offered the job. When you start a new job you never really know how good you are going to be, but the customers I went to see were really welcoming. Of course, it helped having been on the ‘inside’ maintaining a golf course – many customers already knew me from those days and they rapidly gave me their confidence in knowing that I wouldn’t try to sell them something that wasn’t going to be suitable.”

Today Harvey’s ‘patch’ covers virtually everything west of the M5 to the Welsh border, from Ross-on-Wye in the south to Wolverhampton in the north, including much of the Birmingham-Wolverhampton conurbation.

“Having been a member of BIGGA – the British and International Golf and Greenkeepers Association – I felt comfortable in the golf world, but it was a different story going to see customers in the municipal sector where the approach is very different. Rather than thinking about equipment that would help them achieve perfect grass around a tee, the council teams have a tough job to do on a tightly controlled budget, so they quite often know exactly what they want, but we are always ready to give impartial guidance if they are unsure. I always remember going in to see the teams at Dudley and Sandwell the first time – it was a different world from golf, but you soon get to know the operators and build a relationship of trust.

“I am proud to have been able to solve a problem for Birmingham City Council too. The team there needed a trailer with a lift arm grab. Rather than going to the expense of a bespoke BIGAB trailer, I managed to source exactly what they needed as a stock item from Eastern Europe. I can also lay claim to having sold not one, but FOUR Ransomes HM600 mowers – one of the toughest, most sophisticated and expensive machines that we offer – so I suppose I can say I’m doing all right!

“I find it hugely rewarding to apply the knowledge I have gained over my years in the groundcare business to deliver a positive outcome for a customer – often one that they may not have thought of. It’s also gratifying to be able to contribute to the pool of expertise that sits within T H WHITE’s Groundcare division, helping the team always to deliver great customer service.

“No two days are the same – I might be out delivering, demonstrating, or just talking to customers about the things they want to achieve and how we can help them with that. It’s certainly busy, but it’s a terrific job – I love it and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

Considering all that, it’s surprising indeed that Harvey has time for anything else, but his enthusiasm for perfect grass spills over into his leisure time in which he has made quite a few turf-related videos. Search YouTube for ‘How to get the perfect lawn’. What a character!

If you have a question relating to grass you can contact Harvey on 07483 038769, or email him harvey.brooke@thwhite.co.uk.

When it comes to compact tractors, Iseki makes some of the most accomplished machines in the field.

Baby of the Iseki compact tractor line-up is the TM range, but these little machines still punch well above their weight. Ideally suited to gardens, schools and small sports turf areas like tennis courts, the most compact of all – the TM3185 – has a 16hp engine, 4WD, power steering, optional loader, plus rear PTO. 

A step up to the 25hp TM3267 or TM3217 maintains the light footprint for minimal turf damage, but the high lift capacity allows the use of numerous rear mounted and PTO driven equipment. The standard mid – PTO can run a mid mount mower deck. A front hitch and PTO may be specified for use with a snow plough, sweeping brush or front mounted mower.

Iseki’s TLE economy range of tractors feature 40hp to 55 hp engines with up to 1200 kg lift capacity at the ball ends and 1100 kg lift capacity at 24″ behind, making them excellent value for money. TLE tractors can be used on a wide range of applications, from smallholders to sport pitches where budget is tight but you don’t want to compromise on quality and horse power.

The Iseki TH is a mid range tractor ideal for large sports pitches, where lightweight machinery is required, but high horse power and exceptional lift capacity for its size cannot be compromised.  The compact dimensions also make it perfect for cattlesheds and greenhouses. The specification includes 40hp 35 35hp Stage V 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engines, 3-speed hydrostatic transmission, 1200 kg lift capacity at the ball end and 2 speed rear PTO.

The ultimate compact multipurpose tractor is the Iseki TXGS24 – perfect for a huge range of jobs in many different applications, from homeowner or landscaper, to equestrian or sports turf maintenance. A powerful 23hp engine with a lift capacity of 540kg allows this reliable workhorse to be extremely versatile. Whether working with the loader, mowing the grass, or operating a huge range of implements, the uses for the TXGS24 compact tractor are limitless.

Ideal for high specification aeration and turf maintenance on sports pitches, the TG is the most advanced tractor in the ISEKI range with 40-67hp engines. Featuring many accessories and options of the higher specification agricultural tractors, the TG can also be used in farming for easy access to cowsheds and farms where space is limited.

T H WHITE Groundcare has a large selection of Iseki compact tractors in stock, ready to go. You can request more information or a demo by visiting thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch.

Ransomes built their first mower in 1832, the same year that T H WHITE was established, and today’s Ransomes mowers are the product of almost 190 years of grass cutting experience. We now have all the models below in stock and ready for you to try.

HR380
The HR380 features a clean running, powerful and reliable EU Stage V Kubota engine gets work done with less impact on the environment. Low maintenance features, with fewer moving parts and significantly fewer lubrication points ensure ease of use and reduced downtime. Easier-to-change cutting units, reliable hydraulics and simple on-board diagnostics bring efficiency to your outfront frontline operation.

MT383
The MT383 cylinder mower comes armed with Ransomes industry-proven Magna Cutting Cylinders. Powered by a Stage V 37.5hp engine, it also features precision fingertip lift & lower unit controls, a temperature-controlled reversible cooling fan for all-day productivity and an easy-access engine service bay. Electronic unit locks make safe transport easy too, while optional LED/halogen road lights and mirrors are available for increased visibility.

MP653
Highly manoeuvrable, easy to transport and offering the best power to weight ratio in its class, the Ransomes MP653 is powered by a 65hp turbo charged Kubota common rail diesel engine. Clean running and fully compliant with Stage IIIB (Tier 4F), this intelligent, high performing engine is fully linked to the electronic over hydraulic transmission system. Allowing operators and supervisors advanced support and control to make the most of the power and deliver consistently high results in all conditions.

HM600
The HM600 has been built in collaboration with Müthing to deliver a robust, reliable mower with the ability to tackle the toughest jobs, and the finesse to manoeuvre tight spaces while providing a quality after-cut appearance. From a clean, fine, rolled finish across sports pitches to routine cuts, the HM600 leaves an even spread of mulched clippings. It also tackles the irregular cuts, bringing the lesser maintained areas back under control.

Contact your T H WHITE Groundcare rep today, or go to thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch.

Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the foremost horse racing venues in the UK. Operated by the Jockey Club, the course is home to the Cheltenham Festival and the famous Gold Cup.

The task of maintaining more than 350 acres of grass on the course – which has to be perfectly presented for racegoers as well as creating the best possible conditions for racing – falls to Head of Groundstaff Ben Hastie and his team. As you would expect, the right choice of mower is important for the work they do.

“The mowers we had been using covered the ground quite quickly but the quality of cut just wasn’t what we were looking for,” says Ben. “When the time came to replace them we decided to see if we could do better. At the top of our list of requirements was obviously quality of cut, speed and productivity, but reliability is incredibly important too. 

“If one of our mowers breaks down for any reason we need to get it back in action within hours. That means having a competent dealer on hand and – most importantly – ready availability of all replacement parts in the UK.”

Callum Bourke at the controls of the Ransomes MP653XC wide area mower, Cheltenham Racecourse.

Ben’s search took him to T H WHITE’s Knockdown branch where Groundcare specialist Mike Harris was able to demonstrate the Ransomes MP653XC wide area mower. “We really struck gold,” said Ben. “Not only did the MP653XC deliver exactly the type of cut we were looking for, but it covered the ground at an excellent speed with a 4.25m cutting width which is ideal for our large grass areas. As the side decks fold upwards its easy to move the mower around the whole racecourse complex too, through the many restricted width crossings in the course rails.”

With the side mowing decks lifted, the Ransomes MP653XC is easy to manoeuvre around the racecourse.

Ben took delivery of the first MP653XC in June 2019, and a second one replacing the last of the old machines in January 2021, both fitted with all-weather cabs which allow the grounds staff to continue working in comfort, whatever the conditions. Ben’s requirement for readily available parts is no problem either as the Ransomes UK base is in Ipswich and the T H WHITE Groundcare team are always on hand when needed. 

“Buying the Ransomes mowers was a great decision,” adds Ben, “and T H WHITE have really looked after us. For anyone thinking of purchasing a wide area mower I can thoroughly recommend the Ransomes MP653XC and also the service at T H WHITE Groundcare.”

If you would like to request a demonstration of any Ransomes mower, just complete the form at thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch.

A WARM WELCOME TO MATT TOWNSEND who joins us as our new Groundcare Sales Representative working from our Stockbridge depot covering a sales territory of Berkshire and Southern Oxfordshire.

Matt brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his position, having spent 13 in the golf sector as a greenkeeper for Burford Golf Club and more recently as a groundsman at Lockinge Estate, in Oxfordshire.  His insight in maintaining grounds and operating machinery means he knows just what a user needs from their equipment making him prime-placed to understand the buying triggers and sought after features to make those all-important customer recommendations for use.  As an extensive user himself, he also appreciates the value of after-care and the importance of the parts and service we at T H WHITE provide.

Matt has extensive knowledge of many brands in our portfolio including Ransomes, Jacobsen, Amazone, Hardi and Wiedenmann and is as comfortable with arboriculture equipment as he is with mowers and grounds-maintenance machinery.  He also has licenses in spraying, tree felling, and telehandling making him a real all-rounder on the team.  Passionate about the sector Matt relishes this new challenge commenting ‘I can’t wait to build new relationships with customers and help them get the best from their machinery within grounds, parks, estates and golf courses.  It’s great to be joining such an experienced team who place the customer’s needs at the heart of every sale’.

In his spare time, Matt takes the lead on landscaping and gardening projects for friends and family and enjoys playing both football and golf.  Matt will be contacting all existing T H WHITE customers in his new area over the coming weeks but in the meantime you can reach him directly on 07733 306992 or matt.townsend@thwhite.co.uk

The big draw for people visiting the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens near Burford is, of course, the fantastic range of exotic species to be seen in a beautiful setting. But when visitors start to comment on how good the car park looks, the groundcare team know they must be doing something above and beyond the norm!

It started at the beginning of the year when head groundsman Liam Grey took delivery of a Wessex Proline CRM-500 tri-deck mower from Mike Harris at T H WHITE Groundcare. “Our previous trailed mower was showing its age,” says Liam. “We had been using it for more than 12 years, mainly for keeping the grass tidy in the car park area which covers about 25 of the Park’s 160 acres, but it was SO slow. The job was taking about four and a half hours and we had situations where we were still mowing when cars were trying to come in. There had to be something better…

“Mike suggested trying the Wessex CRX-500 and I was simply amazed. The triple mowing decks cover a 5m width – wider than our our old mower – and it was fast too. The aspect that really appealed to me is that each mowing deck can be set up with four castoring wheels which make it easy to set a precise cutting height which was ideal for the short cut we wanted in the car park, so we ordered one!

“After the first few uses we were getting a cut and finish that was absolutely beautiful. Not only that, but we could get the job done in around two hours – less than half the time we had needed before – and that when we started receiving very positive remarks from the visitors. The CRX-500 is truly versatile too; it’s very easy and user-friendly to adjust the castoring wheels using the collar system – I can raise the cut by 4-5 inches to go from car park cutting to paddock topping within a few minutes.

“With a wide mower like this you might think you would need a powerful tractor to drive it, but it works very well with our 50hp tractor. I can honestly say it has transformed the way we work.”

If you would like to talk about the Wessex CRX-500 you can call Mike Harris on 07831 448337, or just contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

As leaves begin to fall the task of keeping them under control is ever-present. Leaf blowers certainly make the task much easier and quicker, but sadly too many are noisy, cumbersome and tiring to use, as well as being far from energy efficient.

Not so the Pellenc Airion 3. Making less noise than an average hair dryer, the battery-powered Airion weighs only 2.55kg, yet has an unmatched thrust of 17.5 Newtons. Its body-worn lithium-ion battery pack will deliver a full day’s work and the Airion will remain perfectly balanced in operation, regardless of which of the four power settings you select, or whether you are using it in your right to left hand.

The Pellenc Airion 3 comes with a lifetime guarantee thanks to the tough magnesium alloy body and an IP54 (ingress protection) rating which shields against dust and rain. It’s a great way to make light work of keeping grounds tidy, especially as it’s inoffensive to use in sensitive areas such as built-up zones, parks and gardens.

Pellenc batteries have been designed for use with any of the brand’s power tools so if, for example, you have a battery pack for an Airion blower, you could also use it with a Pellenc Helion 2 Compact hedge trimmer – and there are many sound reasons for making that choice. Like the Airion 3, the Helion 2 Compact is quiet to use and ergonomically-designed for comfort in work. The head is flexible from +90º to -45º making it easy to trim in all positions and there are four types of interchangeable cutter which can be changed in less than a minute. If the blade gets caught in vegetation a unique anti-lock system will reverse the direction of motor rotation, preventing damage.

If you are looking for a true all-rounder that can be used for mowing but also scarifying, mulching or collecting dead leaves and other debris, the Amazone Profihopper 1250 could be the perfect answer. This compact, zero-turn,self-propelled cut-and-collect mower has a 1.25m cutting deck and a hopper with capacity for 1,000 litres of cuttings. Leaf collection is highly effective, even in wet conditions, and the unit’s powerful suction will pick up all types of debris including chestnuts and acorns, all of which are chopped by the mower’s rotating blades to speed decomposition.For even greater capacity when mowing and collecting, the Iseki SF450 has a 1,300 litre container. This is the most powerful outfront mower in the Iseki range, working at high speed as well as reducing the frequency of dumping.

If you don’t need quite that much capacity, the Iseki SXG Range is a great all-round cut and collect mower with capacities of 600, 550 or 320 litres. All Iseki mowers will keep you working in wet or dry conditions and are supremely economical.

Autumn cutting, pruning and estate management produces a great deal of timber boughs and branches that require environmentally-friendly disposal – a task that calls for the original and best woodchipper – Jensen – designed and built in Germany since 1884. Jensen’s petrol or diesel-powered chippers are some of the most popular in the industry. Fixed and turntable road-towable models have capacities from 6in to 12in, and there are tracked models too for working in difficult areas such as railways, highway embankments and hillsides.

These are just a few of the tools that can make your life easier dealing with grounds maintenance tasks through autumn and into winter, but T H WHITE Groundcare can assist you with a vast choice of machinery. To try any of the items we have shown you here, or just to find out more, contact your T H WHITE rep or any of our Groundcare branches.

• The ST200 Flex-Verticutter scarifies to 25 mm using carbide tipped blades with tool free adjustment.  The blades counter rotate against the direction of travel so material is lifted tidily out the way rather than dragged into the slits.
• To relieve compaction down to 60 mm in stressed turf, the ST210 Vibe-Spike Aerator allows for expert following of undulations or making curves as required. Unlike conventional spike aerators, the spike tools vibrate to crack the soil, punching holes to let air and nutrients through.
• The ST170 FlexFraise-Mower targets problem areas by stripping off the top layer of turf to a maximum depth of 20 mm, leaving a perfectly flat and smooth surface ready to overseed. It is also ideal for removing bumps and undulations on goal mouths, tee boxes and gardens.
• Finally, the ST418 VibeDisc-Seeder head uses unique technology to plant the seed right where it should be and protect it against all kinds of outside influences.  This is a slit seeder which can dose seed from 0 to -15 mm at as low as 2g/m² to 15g/m². The seed box contains up to 6 kg of seed with disc seeder slit spacings at 42 mm. Coming soon is a new dimple seeder head which will create a pattern of dimples where the seeds will be placed.

Call any T H WHITE Groundcare branch to make your booking!

Book your service now to be completed and invoiced by December 31 2021 to qualify for your 10% discount on parts and labour*.  Our manufacturer-trained service technicians can service, repair and carry out any additional preventative maintenance needed to get your machine back to you in top condition ready for the new season, giving you complete peace of mind.  Together we can arrange for your service to be booked in at a time convenient both for you and for our busy technicians over the coming months. You can request your service online at: www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch, or by calling your nearest branch:

Knockdown: 01454 238181

Redditch: 01527 597770

Stockbridge: 01264 811260

*Terms and Conditions apply. Parts discount available on stocked parts only. All prices exclude VAT.

Wiedenmann’s new lightweight aerator – the Terra Spike SL6 – has suddenly made the maintenance of hard-to-access areas like tees and greens a whole lot easier. Weighing in at just 470kg within width of 1.4m, it can be used in places that may have been off limits before, especially as it only requires an 18hp tractor.

The tines on the Terra Spike SL6 go down to 210 mm, more than twice the depth of some shallow aerators, making a significant difference for those seeking that extra reach. Wiedenmann’s QuickSet feature enables tool-free adjustment of both tine depth and heave, with settings visible on a large scale, while the QuickChange facility allows tine heads to be exchanged with only one screw.

The Wiedenmann Terra Spike SL6 could be the machine that makes caring for your greens and tees a whole lot easier. To arrange a demo just call your T H WHITE Groundcare rep.

Grab a great deal on batteries for your EZGO or Cushman buggies and ATVs this month with offers on Trojan batteries from T H WHITE Groundcare.

Ordered to your requirements, the batteries are available for collection from your local T H WHITE Groundcare branch within 28 days.

👉 T105 – save 28% – now just £136

👉 T125 – save 23% – now just £162

👉 T145 – save 29% – now just £172

👉 T875 – save 38% – now just £136

👉 T1275+ – save 35% – now just £195

👉 T890 – save 35% – now just £160

All prices subject to VAT.

Contact your local T H WHITE Groundcare depot to place your order today – offer valid until 30th June 2021.

• Call Redditch: 01527 597770
• Call Knockdown: 01454 238181
• Call Stockbridge: 01264 811260

T H WHITE has made a significant investment in a larger, modern facility for our Groundcare division at the Stockbridge dealership. We have transferred our business from premises we had outgrown near Reading to the new facility and the expanded premises will enable us to deliver an even higher quality of sales and service support to our Groundcare division customers in the southern counties.

That development includes a brand new workshop fitted out with all the latest equipment – PLUS a state-of-the-art parts facility. The premises are outstanding, but the backbone of our operation is provided by the dedicated and skilled staff – sales representatives, technicians and parts advisors. They are as well-oiled as the equipment, and what they don’t know about groundcare machinery isn’t worth knowing!

Easily accessed from the M3 and A34, our Stockbridge branch now has much more space, enabling us to display many items from our huge range of mowers, compact tractors, golf cars, UTVs, aeration equipment, hedge cutters, scarifiers, chippers and more… We also have lots of demo kit available which we can bring to your premises. Our machinery comes from leading and trusted industry suppliers including Ransomes Jacobsen, Iseki, New Holland, Wiedenmann, Amazone, Hardi, Wessex, McConnel, Ferris, E-Z-GO, Jensen, Honda and Kawasaki. Service is at the heart of what we do and the Stockbridge workshop benefits from a larger service team led by Senior Service Manager Andrew Hannington and working foreman Mike Sims. With competencies in both agricultural and groundcare machinery, there is nothing too challenging for our workshop.

We support our main franchises with the latest machinery software and testing equipment, but beyond that we will service machinery of literally any make, any model and any age. To bring real peace of mind to groundcare equipment users, all work is carried out by fully equipped, mobile, factory-trained service engineers. Our seasonal servicing programme includes filters, oils, batteries, belts, and tyres, plus regular health checks.

On the parts front we have installed the latest Kardex parts system which enables the storage of literally thousands of genuine parts, any of which can be picked and retrieved almost instantly. This means that if you place an order AM, we post PM for next day delivery. Our major investment in the new Groundcare division facility at Stockbridge has been designed to deliver an excellent customer experience that will save you time and money.

We would love to welcome you. We are at Windyridge, Sailisbury Road, Houghton Down, Stockbridge SO20 6JR.

Wiedenmann’s Terra Spike brand offers no fewer than 11 machines so there is quite literally an aerator to suit everyone. But who buys what?

According to Weidenmann’s  UK Sales Manager, Chas Ayres, the starting point generally depends on the answer to two questions; a) what do you want to achieve? and b) what size is the tractor?  The filtering process then moves to factors like required depth, speed, size of site, versatility and budget concluding normally with a match of one or two aerators that often can be demonstrated in situ.

“Mostly purchasers have already identified they have issues with compaction or thatch, or indeed, a combination of both. Solid tining is the traditional route to resolve compaction. Usually clients volunteer where their specific problems lie, typically somewhere in the range of 100 mm to 300 mm below the surface,” he said.

“Machines range from a competent 220 mm to 400 mm, so most machines remain in the frame. If thatch is severe then perhaps the aerator’s focus will be hollow coring. Depth here wouldn’t be as big as a concern as thatch normally occurs in the top 50 mm of the soil layer, but a faster machine could be favoured as it produces optimal hollow coring results.”

Knowing which tractor will be used is essential – the larger the aerator the more hp is required. Tractors from approximately 25hp to 60hp can all accommodate one or more aerator. Importantly, the aerator’s working width should be slightly wider than the tractor wheel span preventing issues with tyres tracking over newly tined ground. Wiedenmann’s fleet goes from working widths of 1.35m right the way up to 2.1m so contractors or those with considerable territory to cover, such as estate managers, might start by looking at the widest machines first.

The name badges attached to the Terra Spike fleet give a clue to each area of machine speciality – the extra fast XF, the extra deep XD, the extra penetrative XP while the ‘G’ prefix on the GXi relates to its suitability to greens and fine turf areas.

All Terra Spike aerators have easy-to-operate controls for depth and heave settings that are tool free. Changing tines takes less than 15 minutes. By using a variety of tines in combination, soil decompaction and soil exchange can be done cost effectively using only one machine.

An excellent anti-vibration system significantly reduces any vibration through the tractor to the operator. Another advantage delivered by Wiedenmann machines is the consistently regular hole pattern and clean finish. Wiedenmann machines prove daily that aeration can be done quickly and effortlessly without leaving tell tale signs.

Versatility is the key with all the Terra Spikes, the XF, the XD and the XP can access all areas, so can be seen widely on golf courses, municipal sites and club pitches, and are capable of serious decompaction and promoting gaseous exchange far below the surface.

“Once someone has expressed interest in seeing a Terra Spike, generally the T H WHITE team and I will arrange things so that I can attend too,” continued Chas. “On arrival we hitch the Terra Spike to an existing tractor so that it’s a totally genuine in-situ experience for the customer and they see how their tractor and aerator perform together. We take the machine maybe through a tight gate or somewhere with undulations if that’s a priority, or sometimes with two machines, it all depends. We conduct all the H&S training for the demo and ensure everything is safe. Then, if the customer purchases the machine, we come back again and do a very specific H&S briefing and handover involving all members of the team that will be operating the machine.”

To find out more contact your T H WHITE Groundcare representative today.

Launched this month from Jacobsen, the new Eclipse 360 ELiTE mower features lithium-ion batteries that the company says can cut 50+ large greens on a single charge. Almost silent in operation, it produces zero air pollution.

There is also a diesel/petrol hybrid model which offers reduced fuel consumption.

The patented ‘Frequency of Clip Control’ ensures a consistent cut by linking the reel speed to the forward speed. By having the reels turning in time with the wheels, users are able to keep a consistent speed of cut plus the option to increase it without reducing the mowing speed if preferred. This control is taken further with individual unit control that can adapt the cutting configuration to vary wheel runs and truly eliminate the annoying triplex ring that can result from over-mowing.

Attention has also been paid to access and maintenance. The unique swing-out centre cutting unit has been retained for quick and easy cleaning, maintenance, or swapping the unit. No tools are required to swing the unit out – simply remove the lynchpin and then replace it to hold the unit in the swung-out position.

The changes are the result of a  comprehensive durability review that has also involved the addition of new brushless lift actuators with ten times the lifespan of the previous option.

Seven, nine, eleven, or fifteen blade reels are available for the E360 ELiTE to allow for varied applications of the machine, from golf greens and tees to sports fields and ornamental gardens.

Arrange a free on-site demonstration with T H WHITE Groundcare this spring – contact us on www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch to be the first to try this new ELiTE solution for yourself.

Prepare for the first cut of the season…

Buy your replacement mower blades, flails or tines now. Available from all T H WHITE Groundcare depots – speak to your local T H WHITE branch today.

The Boomer range is New Holland’s compact tractor with hundreds of applications. We answer some of the most commonly asked questions about these versatile machines…

Q  What are the typical uses of New Holland’s Boomer tractor series?
These models have been developed for agricultural and municipality use encompassing farms, golf courses, parks, vineyards, large estates, and orchards.

Q  How would you characterise a Boomer?
Compact, manoeuvrable and versatile.

Q  What are the 3 classes?

• Boomer 25 – Three-cylinder 23hp and 27hp engines with dual-range hydrostatic transmission (also offered a small but mighty 4WD Boomer 25 Compact)
• Boomer 30 and 35 – Four-cylinder 28hp to 38hp engines, with three-range hydrostatic (or 12×12) syncromesh transmission
• Boomer 40 and 50 –  Four-cylinder 41hp and 47hp engines, with three-range hydrostatic (or 16×16) syncromesh transmission and a creeper option

Q  What are some of the key features you will find on a boomer?

• Operating ease from a large uncluttered operating platform
• Synchronized shuttle shift (SSS) for Boomer 30 and above, alleviating the need to come to a complete stop before shuttling between forward and reverse
• Mid-mount hydraulics and PTO
• Easy implement change making Boomers ready for any job with category I three-point hitch and one or two rear hydraulic remotes depending on the model
• Independent, electro-hydraulic 540-rpm rear PTO on the 25, 30 and 35 models and electro-hydraulic three-speed (540 / 750 / 1000rpm) rear PTO on the 40 and 50 models
• Electro-hydraulic independent mid-PTO to power mid and front-mount implements is standard on all hydrostatic versions
• Ground drive PTO option available on Boomer 40 and 50 models with 16×16 transmission

Q How does the cab experience compete?
The new factory-installed Boomer Suite™ cab is brimming with standard features, and clean modern, ergonomic styling. The list of standard equipment includes air conditioning, opening rear side windows, radio ready, tilted steering column, high comfort seat, and excellent rear visibility and operator comfort.  Dual rear work lamps and wash wipe also come as standard.

Q  Why are Boomers ideally suited to fruit production horticulture?
The power and size suit both wide-area and restricted access food production systems.  New Holland Boomers have a high standard specification, excellent comfort and low operating costs. From glasshouse to field and from orchard to vegetable production, the efficient mechanical transmission Boomer 30, 35, 40 and 50 have the performance needed for such applications at a very affordable price.

Q What are the lift capacities?

• The Boomer 25 offers a class-leading 650kg lift capacity
• The Boomer 30 and 35 have a big 820kg lift capacity
• The Boomer 40 and 50 offer a massive 1,250kg lift capacity

Q What benefits would groundsmen find in opting for a Boomer?
Boomer tractors are all offered with hydrostatic transmissions making these tractors the ideal choice for mowing, transport and other duties to include sweeping, snow clearance and general maintenance. When it comes to hydraulic flow, only New Holland list full capacity and do not include power steering providing the right specification for the job without costly options.

Q How does the Boomer range cope with continuous operation demands?
New Holland Boomers are designed for just that circumstance meeting the demands of professional users working in equestrian, estate management, farming or professional grounds care.  Affordable pricing ensures these qualities can be delivered to those needing a rugged and easy to operate tractor that may see less intensive operation but still needs to work around the clock to keep businesses running. The benefit? Reliable, and dependable performance over an extended working life. Boomer tractors have a choice of hydrostatic or more traditional mechanical transmissions with high levels of operator safety and comfort and T H WHITE service workshops are ready and waiting to support your Boomer with regular servicing and maintenance as required.

Get the big story on New Holland’s baby Boomers from your T H WHITE rep.

All items offered are subject to remaining unsold.  Prices shown do not include VAT. Some images may be library photographs and spec may differ slightly. Accessories may not be included.

Contact us on 07876 396635 to discuss any of these machines and arrange your purchase.

Jacobsen Turfcat, NEW Ex-display 

Outfront rotary mower, 60” Rear Discharge Deck. 

REF: 71105153.  £14,250

Jacobsen Greens Mower, NEW Ex-display

Choice of cutting decks, powered rear roller brush, grass catcher kit.

REF: 71114848.  £19,995

2019 Iseki TXG237

STOCK OFFER – 25hp diesel, 540kg hydraulic lift, loaders, rear discharge and mulch.

REF: 71118382.  £8,600

2017 Iseki TG6675 Compact Tractor 

Ex- Hire, 66hp, air conditioning, 6x front weights,  F12XR12 Powershuttle transmission.

REF: 91108149.  £18,500

2019 Iseki TLE3400

New – shop soiled, 38hp diesel, 1000kg 3 point linkage, 2/4 wheel Hydrostatic drive, Power steering.

REF: 71118373.  £12,430

Ferris IS600Z

Zero turn, 44″ rear discharge, 25hp Briggs & Stratton petrol, Independent suspension, new turf tyres.

REF: H1000298.  £3,250

Ferris FW35 Walk-Behind Ex-Demonstrator

48″ Rear discharge, Briggs&Stratton Vanguard Engine.

REF: H1001046.  £3,750

2017 Smithco Tournament Ultra Greens Roller

Ex-hire, 16hp petrol engine, dual drive rollers, transport trailer, 260 hours.

REF: 71110031.  £9,200

2015 Wright Stander Mower

Large Frame,  48” cutting deck, Kawasaki engine, very good condition, recently serviced.

REF: H1002019. £3,500

Spider ILD02 Slope Mower, Ex-display

Mows up to 55 degrees, 70mm-120mm height of cut range, winch.

REF: H1106222.  £26,500

The latest professional mower from Ransomes, the HR380, is ideal for cutting grass which is not regularly mowed as well as being easy to use and maintain.

Using a powerful and clean EU Stage V 37.5hp engine, the deck sizes range from 1.52 to 1.83m and the whole unit is designed for comfortable operation and easy road transport. Flail or Rotary deck options are available including an integrated Muthing flail system or durable bolt-on and flip-up rotary deck. Ergonomic features include fingertip unit control, high spec mechanical suspension seat (air suspension seat available as an option) and wide range of storage options. Contact your groundcare branch to request a free, on site demonstration.

In these uncertain times it’s particularly pleasing to see a West of England football club making a serious investment in the future of the national game. T H WHITE too is proud to be playing a part in the initiative. 

In 2017 the owners of Bristol Rovers FC purchased a 28-acre site at Almondsbury with the intention of creating a new training centre for the club. The need to go ahead and build the new training ground became more pressing this year as the Rovers players had to vacate their previous training facility when the lease expired. 

The objective was to create two fibre sand pitches and a practice area alongside a building containing changing rooms, a gym and a physio room, with a new club house to follow later. 

Contractors moved in at the end of June and were faced with a mammoth task. The existing terrain was uneven and rocky, with large rocks buried deep in the subsoil, some of which were too big to move without risking the stability of the surface. That meant the height of the pitches had to be raised more than originally anticipated.

Once the basic earthworks had been completed, drainage work and piping for sprinkler systems was incorporated prior to the delicate task of creating perfectly level, high quality pitches. Layers of gravel and sand were then spread across the ground, precision levelling being achieved using a laser and spirit level combination which communicated directly with the drivers spreading the gravel. Fine sand and topsoil followed, with final levelling being carried out by hand.

Responsibility for the finished pitches was then passed to the Bristol Rovers groundstaff, led by Head Groundsman Daryle Sullivan and his assistant Martyn Rendell.

“The seeding was carried out in mid-August,” said Daryle, “so we spent almost every day on site nurturing and watering the newly-sown grass, and eventually starting carefully-controlled mowing. At the beginning that was all done with walk-behind pedestrian mowers, but we needed to start thinking about the on-going pitch maintenance.”

Enter Stuart Fry of T H WHITE. “When I saw the quality of what had been achieved with the new pitches I knew some quality kit would be needed to keep it that way. After speaking to Daryle the club ordered a Jacobsen TR 320 triple mower, an Iseki TG6495 IQ compact tractor, Wiedenmann GXi8 Terra Spike for maintaining good drainage, and a Terra Rake 230. For high quality finish-mowing four Honda HRD 536 QX professional walk-behind mowers were added to the order, as well as a Kawasaki Mule SX to move things around the site.”

The first training sessions on the new pitches took place on 26 October, giving the players a superb environment to keep on top of the new League season.

“It’s great to be helping a football club maintain the highest standards despite the current situation,” said Stuart.

If you would like to talk about high quality groundcare equipment, call Stuart Fry on 07774 212926, or contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

Top: Head groundsman Daryle Sullivan, Stuart Fry and Assistant Groundsman Martyn Rendell with some of the new equipment being used at the Bristol Rovers Training centre.

Seeing is believing. The quality of the pitches and training area at Almondsbury is exceptional.

The woodchipping season is well underway and what better range of machinery to help you get through all your jobs this winter than Jensen? 

Jensen offers the widest range of professional woodchippers in the industry, from 6” to 24” capacity, with trailed, tracked and PTO options available.

Almost every Jensen woodchipper model is available with 270 degree Turntable functionality too, meaning you can quickly and easily manoeuvre the machine into the safest and most efficient position to load and discharge. This makes working from dangerous roadsides, verges or even pedestrian walkways safer and easier, feeding material in from a convenient position and expelling it to your desired location using the 270-degree rotating chute.

The A530L and A540 models have been upgraded this year with new, Stage 5 certified diesel engines too, 

ensuring low emission, high capacity and full compliance with any jobs requiring Stage 5 certification and in Clean Air Zones.

The 6” A530XL and 8” A540 models are available on tracks, in both fixed and Jensen’s patented ‘Spider’ formats, offering supreme manoeuvrability and access to even the most challenging terrain. These machines are ideal for challenging off-road positions, such as alongside railways, on embankments or in wooded areas where it just isn’t feasible to take a towed chipper.

The patented Spider tracks offer ultimate flexibility and unrivalled stability, with the ability to move each side track independently from the other, both up/down and in/out. This means you can move easily over rough terrain, lifting the machine high over obstacles as needed and levelling the woodchipper safely when ready to work. At only 1315mm wide, the A540 Spider woodchipper is compact enough to also fit between narrow gaps.

Another benefit of the Jensen range is the option for customers to choose a fully custom build – the only brand in the industry with that ability. Whatever your requirements, we can work with you and Jensen to produce a machine that is perfect for the work you do.

Jensen uses galvanised steel for almost every component, ensuring longevity and robustness, as well as improved resale value when it’s time to replace your machine. Finally, the illuminated touchpads featured as standard on many models and available as an option on others, offer superior safety with immediate feed switch-off at the touch of a sensor with no water or vibration issues typically found with other electric systems.

If you would like to try a Jensen for yourself this winter, speak to our team to arrange an on-site, no-obligation demonstration. We would love to show you just what a Jensen can do for your business.

Request your free demo online at www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch

With years of experience supporting golf clubs across the country with quality fleet solutions, T H WHITE is the ideal partner to help you replace or add to your golf car fleet ready for 2021.

Working in partnership with you, we can tailor a competitively-priced package to meet your needs, with a range of vehicles and finance options for all requirements.

Our premium golf buggies and utility vehicles from market leaders E-Z-GO and Cushman always offer exceptional value for money, with industry leading functionality including maintenance free lithium-ion batteries, or economical petrol engines, the industry’s largest bagwells, impact resistant bumpers and much more.

E-Z-GO vehicles are the only buggies in the industry with the patented Intellibrake technology – electronic brakes which stop the vehicle when the accelerator pedal is released, hugely increasing safety and removing the need for brake maintenance.

Speak to us today about the options for replacing or adding to your fleet – visit www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch

All items offered are subject to remaining unsold.  Prices shown do not include VAT. Some images may be library photographs and spec may differ slightly. Accessories may not be included.

Contact us on 07876 396635 to discuss any of these machines and arrange your purchase.

2015 Ransomes Parkway 3 

Triple cylinder mower, 42hp Kubota diesel, 6 knife magna fixed heads, ROPS, 398 hours. 

REF: 71117675.  £15,000

2012 Ransomes 2250 

Ride-on cylinder mower, 6 knife magna units, full ROPS.

REF: H1117911.  £4,250

2019 Iseki TXG237 

STOCK OFFER – 25hp diesel, 540kg hydraulic lift, loaders, rear discharge and mulch.

REF: 71118382.  £8,600

2014 Iseki SXG326 M 

54″ mulching deck, 21hp diesel, rear tow hitch receiver, PAS, 2 pedal hydrostatic drive.

REF: H1119803.  £3,950

2019 Iseki TLE3400 

New – shop soiled, 38hp diesel, 1000kg 3 point linkage, 2/4 wheel Hydrostatic drive, Power steering.

REF: 71118373.  £12,430

Ferris IS600Z 

Zero turn, 44″ rear discharge, 25hp Briggs & Stratton petrol, Independent suspension, new turf tyres.

REF: H1000298.  £3,250

Ferris SRS Z1 Stand-On 

48″ Rear discharge, 22hp Kawasaki V Twin engine, suspension, mulch blades as standard. 

REF: H1000922.  £4,500

2017 Smithco Tournament Ultra Greens Roller

Ex-hire, 16hp petrol engine, dual drive rollers, transport trailer, 260 hours.  

REF: 71110031.  £9,200

Ifor Williams GD84 trailer 

Full rear ramp, single axle, 1,400kg gross, very good condition. 

REF: H1120110. £850

2014 Jensen A340 

12in woodchipper, turntable system, electronic touch safety sensors, galvanised steel chassis.

REF: 91112912.  £13,000

We’re offering a best price promise on all Winter Servicing from T H WHITE Groundcare.

Contact your local depot to negotiate the VIP price for your service today. Great deals available and our trusted and experienced Groundcare specialists will service all makes and models.

You can request a Service online at:

www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch or call your nearest branch:

Knockdown: Tim Counsell – 01454 238181

Reading: Simon Paget – 01189 760088

Redditch: Nick Maxwell – 01527 597770

Stockbridge: Simon Paget – 01264 811260

Applicable to all enquiries made for bookings between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.

We’re offering a best price promise on all Winter Servicing from T H WHITE Groundcare.

Contact your local depot to negotiate the VIP price for your service today. Great deals available and our trusted and experienced Groundcare specialists will service all makes and models.

 You can request a Service online at: 

www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/get-in-touch or call your nearest branch:

Knockdown: Tim Counsell – 01454 238181

Reading: Simon Paget – 01189 760088

Redditch: Nick Maxwell – 01527 597770

Stockbridge: Simon Paget – 01264 811260

Applicable to all enquiries made for bookings between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.

When you are producing more than 1.5 million plants a year and supplying top name garden centres across the UK, you need a thoroughly reliable system for gathering each diverse plant order from the nursery and bringing it to the distribution point for onward transport.

At the Bransford Webbs Plant Company near Worcester a 24-acre site has been developed over many years since the 1940s, of which today over 10 acres is under glass with much of the rest covered by poly-tunnels.  Plant orders often comprise specimens from opposite ends of the site and in order to gather them quickly and efficiently Bransford Webbs has been a long term operator of Cushman electric utility vehicles, or UTVs. Working extensively in climate-controlled areas under glass, it’s particularly important to minimise or eliminate emissions.

Financial Director Richard Colbourne explains: “Years ago we used to have some petrol powered UTVs and we have also used mini tractors from time to time, but even in the relatively large enclosed spaces of our greenhouses vehicle fumes can be very unpleasant for the workforce. So, back in 2005 we made the decision to use electric pick-ups for collecting plants around the nursery and we currently have a fleet of five.

“When the oldest vehicle came up for replacement we were keen to see whether the latest technological developments could give us a vehicle that was even more efficient.”

Luckily for Richard, T H WHITE’s specialist Golf & Utility business – a sub-division of T H WHITE Groundcare – and its resident experts were there to advise.  They knew that the 72-volt Cushman Hauler Pro would be an excellent solution for Bransford Webbs – the extra power compared to the earlier 48-volt models is ideal for trailer-hauling tasks in the nursery, and with a 50-mile range from one charge it has the capacity to work all day uninterrupted. It’s remarkable how much work it can do on a single charge.

As well as being economical to run, the Cushman Hauler Pro also features an enhanced controller unit which provides more finesse in the controlling the machine’s powerful acceleration – an important factor when hauling trailers laden with plants where any sudden jolt needs to be avoided. Other advances include simpler diagnostics and battery state monitoring.

The verdict from Bransford Webbs? “The Cushman Hauler Pro is the plantsman’s perfect pony,” Richard Colbourne enthused.

The T H WHITE Golf & Utility team can help you with a vast range of applications where there is a need for efficient, green and low cost haulage. To discuss the possibilities contact your T H WHITE Groundcare representative or any Groundcare branch.

The launch of the new Wessex CRX Series MultiCut professional turf mowers heralds the arrival of a new concept of rotary mowers. 

Here are the first truly professional fine turf mowers that can be used either as a professional roller mower with full width rollers front and rear, a finishing mower with four fully-castoring wheels, or a combination of the two featuring castoring front wheels and a full width roller on the rear. 

Added to that, the British-built CRX MultiCut mowers can be front or rear mounted thanks to the reversible linkage, can be side or rear discharge by altering the baffles beneath the deck and adding the side delivery chute, and can also offer the option of mulching.

The quality of cut is not compromised by the fact that the machine is multi-functional – wherever it goes, the Wessex CRX MutiCut mower will leave the turf looking its best.

The perfect partner for the Wessex CRX multi-cut mower is an Iseki compact tractor. 

The Iseki TLE premium economy range features 38hp or 46hp engines and simple controls, delivering outstanding value for money. Step up to the Iseki’s most advanced range – the TG tractors – and you get 36-65hp engines, up to 1,600 kg lift capacity at the ball ends and 1,500 kg lift capacity 24in behind and a Category 2 Cabin with uprated air-conditioning. There’s also the option of a ROPS configuration.

For the full picture on Wessex CRX MultiCut mowers or Iseki compact tractors, talk to the specialists at any of our Groundcare branches.

As golf courses around the country re-open, the savvy ones will be looking at ways make more of their money in these uncertain times, at the same time enhancing their offering to players. 

Top choice for style, economy and power efficiency, with less ‘out-of-the-wall’ power consumption and the lowest total cost of ownership, the E-Z-GO ELiTE series of lithium battery-powered vehicles is in a class of its own. In fact, in a survey of more than 80,000 golf cars at over 1,350 courses worldwide, no other golf car came close to the power, efficiency, and cost savings of an ELiTE vehicle. Not only do ELiTE cars use half as much electricity as conventional lead/acid powered cars, but there’s also no need to wait for a full charge to get your ELiTE car back on course with reliable power that will not fade at the end of the day. After 36 holes, it will still have enough power to play another round.

Thanks to the lithium battery, ELiTE cars are around 250 lbs lighter than other electric golf cars, impacting less on the turf and less money spent on ground repairs. The cost of upgrading can soon be recovered through significant savings on electricity bills. Taken in the round, lithium ELiTE golf cars offer the lowest annual cost of operation.

Contact Simon Bingham on 07813 835212 for details or to arrange a demo.

As lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted, it’s time to tackle the large backlog of grounds maintenance tasks. 

The remarkable weather over the last couple of months means there is much work to do and for many applications the ideal machines are from the Iseki SXG range of cut and collect mowers.

With power options from 13.5hp to 21hp and deck widths from 40in to 54in, the SXG machines are compact with low ground impact and feature one of the most effective grass collection systems in the business, equally good in the wet or dry. 

Get more details  or arrange a demo at any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

True to the company’s reputation for design, innovation and technology, McConnel has launched the Robocut range of remote controlled mowers. 

The smallest of these, the RC28,  offers a real leap forward in performance with a new and powerful EFI engine, low fuel consumption and low emissions combined with a low centre of gravity for smooth operation. Boasting the leading power-to-weight ratio on the market, the centre of gravity has been lowered in the new models for go-anywhere slope capacity – now up to 55 degrees.  The 150m operational range allows for safe and flexible working, and there’s a new flailhead safety control system. On top of that, the Robocut RC28 can be enabled with GPS Autosteer technology – developed in conjunction with Trimble – allowing it to automatically steer to within 25mm accuracy along it’s cutting route.

Impress yourself by requesting a demo from T H WHITE Groundcare.

If you’re looking for a high performing utility vehicle – perfect for hundreds of jobs around the farm or estate – the Cushman 1600XD could be for you.

This 4×4 UTV comes with a 22hp diesel engine, rugged tyres, 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel independent suspension. It can tackle tough terrain with ease, no matter what the task, it’s a great solution for environments such as private estates, parks and gardens, showgrounds and arenas – even large construction sites.

The lighting system on the 1600XD is road-legal and the vehicle is homologated as a tractor, making it perfect not only for use around the site but also out on the road when needed.

For the ultimate in transporting people, tools and equipment, the Cushman comes with a 14.4 cubic feet steel cargo bed, full ROPS for safety, 3-point seatbelts, windshield and a spacious, ergonomic dash with plenty of storage for all the day-to-day essentials.

T H WHITE Groundcare are pleased to have Cushman 1600XD UTVs in stock and ready for delivery. At prices from £13,150 + VAT, it’s a steal.

Cotswold Turfcare Ltd, based near Stroud, maintains turf across the South and South West, focusing on sports and equestrian facilities, as well as local authority spaces and private estates.

When owner Phil Cole decided to replace one of his existing tractors and aerators, T H WHITE came to the table with a deal he just couldn’t turn down…

“I’ve always used and liked New Holland tractors,” says Phil. “ Mike Harris at T H WHITE Groundcare in Knockdown was able not only to offer me a great price but he also had a New Holland T5.120 tractor with a front loader in stock, so it enabled me to get great value for money and pick up a new machine from a local dealer at a convenient time for my business.”

Phil had also been thinking about purchasing a Wiedenmann aerator for several years: “When I was buying the New Holland, Mike gave me a demonstration of the Wiedenmann XD8 aerator and I was really pleased with it’s performance, so I bought the demonstrator which had only been used for a few hours. I’ve been really impressed with the speed and reliability of the Wiedenmann, it operates almost 50% faster than my other machines which means I can cover more ground.

“Mike is one of the best reps I’ve ever come across – always there when you need advice, but not at all pushy. He is a credit to the company, and I enjoy dealing with him.”

For more information on the range of market-leading Wiedenmann and New Holland machinery, visit www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk.

Innovative, zero emission battery-powered tools from French manufacturer Pellenc have been added to the range of equipment offered by T H WHITE Groundcare branches in Redditch, Knockdown, Reading and Stockbridge.

Powered by lithium-ion ultra-high performance batteries, the Pellenc range covers an impressive portfolio – from chainsaws, pole saws and hedge cutters to grass strimmers, brushcutters, blowers and mowers. Each tool incorporates a brushless motor for performance, reliability and durability, at the same time reducing power consumption, weight and overall size. A full day’s use on a single charge keeps running costs low, while the light weight and low noise output makes the tools easy and comfortable to use. Not only do the tools produce no emissions, but noise levels are also significantly lower than similar conventional tools, making Pellenc equipment suitable for use at sensitive sites.

Pellenc’s newest battery technology is also IP54 water-proof rated, protecting it from dust and moisture while eliminating any concerns around working in the rain. The battery can also be worn on the operator’s back in an ergonomic harness, taking weight off the machine, helping improve posture and reduce back pain from carrying heavy tools on one side of the body.

Rob Iddeson, Head of the T H WHITE Groundcare division, is enthusiastic about making the Pellenc range available through the division’s branches in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Berkshire: “There’s an increasing demand for zero-emission products that can compete with the performance of traditional technologies,” he said. “That’s already a strong sector in the domestic market, but our customers need products that are designed and warrantied for the professional user, and Pellenc offers exactly that.”

All Pellenc tools and batteries are covered by a three-year commercial warranty as standard, the first manufacturer to offer this on battery-powered tools. As always, T H WHITE will be supporting Pellenc products with our exceptional sales and servicing teams.

To give T H WHITE customers first-hand experience of the quality, power and benefits offered by Pellenc battery tools, we would love to visit you at your own site with our range of demonstration equipment. Just contact your local T H WHITE Groundcare depot to arrange your demonstration or discuss your specific requirements.

When you book a winter service for your groundcare machinery with T H WHITE before 31 March 2020, you will receive a 10% discount on labour and in-stock parts.

Our Groundcare service teams can service any make, any model and any machine. With specialist training and a wealth of industry experience, our teams work with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your machinery is in top condition ready for the new season. 

Our great end-of-season service deals include:

Kawasaki Mule DX/DXT from £385

Iseki SXG323 ride-on mower from £385

Amazone Profihopper from £550

We will also carry out in-situ cutting cylinder regrinding from just £85

View all the details and request your discounted service online NOW at thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/servicing, or just call any of our Groundcare branches.

Book a winter service for your groundcare machinery before 31 March 2020 to receive a 10% DISCOUNT on labour and in-stock parts.

Our Groundcare service teams can service any make, any model and any machine. With specialist training and a wealth of industry experience, our teams work from fully-equipped workshops with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your machinery is in top condition ready for the new season.

Not only do we offer fixed price servicing, we also provide up to 12 months warranty on parts and labour and carry out FREE software diagnostic checks.

Our great end-of-season service deals include:

Kawasaki Mule DX/DXT from £385

Iseki SXG323 ride-on mower from £385

Amazone Profihopper from £550

We will also carry out in-situ cutting cylinder regrinding from just £85

View all the details and request your discounted service online NOW at www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/servicing

Use our Earlybird programme to book a winter service for your groundcare machinery before 31 March 2020 to receive a 10% discount on labour and in-stock parts. AND, if you book by 30 November you will be entered into a draw to win one of four luxury Christmas hampers!

Our Groundcare service teams can service any make, any model and any machine. With specialist training and a wealth of industry experience, our teams work from fully-equipped workshops with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your machinery is in top condition ready for the new season.

Not only do we offer fixed price servicing, we also provide up to 12 months warranty on parts and labour and carry out FREE software diagnostic checks. As examples of our great deals, we will carry out an end-of-season service on:

Kawasaki Mule DX/DXT from £385

Iseki SXG323 ride-on mower from £385

Amazone Profihopper from £550

We will also carry out in-situ cutting cylinder regrinding from just £85,

You can view all the details and request your discounted Earlybird service online at thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/servicing, or just call any of our Groundcare branches.

Sapey Golf and Country Club near Worcester has always been a ‘young’ club – young in years, having been established as recently as 1990 – and with a young clientele.

The main 18 hole course and adjoining 9 hole course were set out by the Preece family on undulating land with beautiful views of the Malvern Hills. Over the years trees have grown and matured creating breath-taking vistas across the parkland course which, combined with water features and an excellent clubhouse and restaurant has made it one of the most popular golf courses in Worcestershire.

In 2017 the Preeces decided to retire and the club was sold to Wyldecrest Parks. Significant new investment has been announced which will bring new facilities to Sapey, as well as lodges in the grounds so people can stay for golf breaks. The highly playable par 3, 6,000-yard course also has a new general manager, Paul Hubner, who has great ambitions to bring some major tournaments to the club, as well as broadening appeal among young golfers who represent the future of the sport.

“Young players are often pressed for time,” says Paul. “They have busy jobs and like to play a quick round of golf before or after work. Very much part of that is the convenience of having golf cars available to move around the course.”

The new investment at Sapey has enabled Paul to  replace the club’s entire fleet of golf cars and, following discussions with Simon Bingham of 

T H WHITE Golf & Utility, he decided on what is probably the most advanced golf car on the market – the E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE with lithium power. In fact Paul was so impressed with the RXV ELiTE’s specification that he ordered 15 of them!

“The E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE is closely based on the hugely popular lead-acid powered RXV golf car,” explains Simon Bingham, “but E-Z-GO has teamed up with Samsung SDI to replace the lead-acid batteries with a zero-maintenance lithium battery system. Everything is literally sealed for life and the only maintenance accessory you will ever need is a can of WD-40!”

With an astonishing 15-stone weight saving compared to the standard RXV, the RXV ELiTE is 59 per cent more efficient. A full charge will deliver between 85 and 100 minutes running time and the lithium batteries can be charged  on-the fly at any time – a 20 minute charge lifting the battery status to around 80 per cent. That means the cars can always be powered up and ready to go, regardless of the length of the golfing day. An advanced battery management system monitors efficiency, temperatures, state-of-charge, and the health of the lithium batteries which are covered by a 5-year unlimited amp-hour warranty, while the whole vehicle is covered by a 2-year warranty. RXV ELiTE golf cars also benefit from a limited slip differential to eliminate wheel marks on the turf, as well as the patented Intellibrake system which brings added safety by stopping the car automatically if the driver’s feet are removed from the pedals.

Paul’s verdict is that the E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE cars are “a real winner with the club’s golfers.” If you would like to know more about E-Z-GO golf cars or utility vehicles, you can call Simon Bingham on 07813 835212, or email sjb@thwhite.co.uk.

A key element in the appeal of many British golf courses is the beautiful landscaping and topography. Leamington & County Golf club is a classic example – one of the very best parkland golf courses in Warwickshire. 

But the undulating nature of the land and consequent drainage patterns can also present challenges, particularly during the long, hot, dry spells that are increasingly characterising our summers.

At Leamington, the grounds team were faced with areas of the course that drained freely and then dried out rapidly – to the point where it was becoming difficult to maintain the turf to the high standard demanded by the club. One solution could have been the installation of a buried irrigation system, but apart from the very high cost and the disruption of digging up parts of the course to lay pipes, it would not have delivered the instant flexibility of delivering water precisely when and where it was needed.

This is where T H WHITE was able to provide a solution. As part of the club’s continual investment, grounds manager Jason Cooper was discussing the equipment he would need for the coming season with T H WHITE Groundcare representative Lee Miles, when he mentioned the irrigation problem. Lee remembered that T H WHITE’s Agriculture Division is a dealer for Hi Spec tankers, widely used by farmers mainly for slurry applications. The Hi Spec range starts with a single-axle tanker of 800 gallons capacity; Its laden weight was within the payload capacity of a tractor the Leamington club already had, and on large, soft tyres, ground impaction would be minimal.

“It turned out to be the perfect answer,” says Jason.  “The tanker incorporates a pump driven by the tractor PTO which jets the water out onto a splash plate, creating a wonderful artificial rainstorm which covers about a 25m width.”

The club has a reservoir tank fed by a local water course from which the Hi Spec tanker can be filled in about seven minutes. “The 800 gallons is enough for about two minutes’ spraying on the fairways and in the recent hot spells we have been taking the tanker out up to 18 times a day,” added Jason. “The great thing is that we have been able to put water exactly where it is most needed, reducing wastage and achieving some very noticeable improvements on the course.”

Commenting on the innovation, Lee Miles said: “I was delighted to be able to offer a simple and effective solution. It’s also a great example of being able to call upon resources across the T H WHITE Group, sourcing a piece of kit that wouldn’t normally be in the Groundcare line-up.”

The new tanker is just part of the club’s investment this year to keep the 111-year-old course in top condition. This has included a new Jacobsen Fairway 250 mower, a Smithco Ultra Lite greens roller and a new Kawasaki 4wd Mule Pro DX UTV to augment the club’s 2007 Kawasaki Mule – still going strong!

If you have a question about Groundcare equipment please contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

T H WHITE Groundcare has a new website – www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk.

The site has been redesigned in the family style of the other new T H WHITE websites making it easier to navigate. It’s easy to find all you need about our new machinery brands, used machinery, hire, service and parts. You can also get in touch with us direct from the site to request a demonstration or make an enquiry. Take a look!

When you are producing more than 1.5 million plants a year and supplying top name garden centres across the UK, you need a thoroughly reliable system for gathering each diverse plant order from the nursery and bringing it to the distribution point for onward transport.

At the Bransford Webbs Plant Company near Worcester a 24-acre site has been developed over many years since the 1940s, of which today over 10 acres is under glass with much of the rest covered by poly-tunnels. Plant orders often comprise hardy nursery stock from opposite ends of the site and in order to gather plants quickly and efficiently Bransford Webbs has been a long term operator of Cushman electric utility vehicles, or UTVs.

Financial Director Richard Colbourne explains: “Years ago we used to have some petrol powered UTVs and we have also used mini tractors from time to time, but even in the relatively large enclosed spaces of our greenhouses vehicle fumes can be very unpleasant for the workforce. So, back in 2005 we made the decision to use electric pick-ups for collecting plants around the nursery and we currently have a fleet of five.

“Earlier this year the oldest vehicle came up for replacement and we were keen to see whether the latest technological developments could give us a vehicle that was even more efficient.”

50 miles on a single charge

Luckily for Richard, T H WHITE’s newly established Golf & Utility business – a sub-division of T H WHITE Groundcare – and its resident expert Simon Bingham were there to advise. “I knew that the 72-volt Cushman Hauler Pro would be a good solution for Bransford Webbs,” says Simon. “The extra power compared to the earlier 48-volt models is ideal for trailer-hauling tasks in the nursery, and with a 50-mile range from one charge it has the capacity to work all day uninterrupted. You would be surprised at the distance it covers!

“As well as being economical to run, the Cushman Hauler Pro also features an enhanced controller unit which provides more finesse in controlling the machine’s powerful acceleration – an important factor when hauling trailers. Other advances include simpler diagnostics and battery state monitoring.”

The verdict from Bransford Webbs? “The Cushman Hauler Pro is the plantsman’s perfect pony!”

T H WHITE Golf & Utility can help you with a vast range of applications where there is a need for efficient, green and low cost haulage. To discuss the possibilities call Simon Bingham on 07813 835212, or email him at sjb@thwhite.co.uk.

Rob Iddeson, Case IH dealer principal for T H WHITE Pro Agri, has assumed an additional new role as head of T H WHITE Groundcare, managing the business’s four Groundcare branches.

The opportunity arose due to the departure of director Tim Lane, who has left the T H WHITE Group for pastures new.

Rob joined T H WHITE last year having been business development manager at Claydon Drills. He started his career as a farm and estates manager and was later appointed a director at Claas retail dealing with that company’s complete range of machinery.

“Groundcare is a core business for T H WHITE,” said Rob, “and taking responsibility for it is both a privilege and a challenge. I am confident that my strong background in machinery will enable me to take the strategic view that will be necessary to build the business. The key to T H WHITE’s success has always been to deliver the right machine to each customer, regardless of the size and scope of their operation, and then support it with exceptional after sales and service. We will continue to serve our broad portfolio of customers, while seeking out and developing new opportunities.”

Rob will continue his role as Case IH dealer principal.

The T H WHITE Group are delighted to formally launch a new sub-division of the business focusing on Golf and Utility vehicles, named T H WHITE Golf and Utility.

T H WHITE Golf and Utility remains part of the larger T H WHITE Groundcare business, while focusing on market leading brands E-Z-GO, Cushman and Kawasaki, and their ranges of golf, utility, personnel and hospitality vehicles.

Sales Specialist, Simon Bingham, who will be heading up the Golf and Utility brand, brings a wealth of experience from the golf and hospitality sector with over 10 years’ experience in the industry and great relationships with golf courses and businesses across the country.

Simon commented: “While I have many years’ experience as part of T H WHITE Groundcare supporting customers with their vehicle requirements, I am excited to be part of this new venture which will enable me to focus on working specifically on specialist vehicles within the golf, hospitality, hotels and resorts, parks and estates, events and commercial sectors, among many others.

“Coupled with our wholly-owned, dedicated and experienced service engineers working across the country, an extensive hire fleet, competitive finance packages and parts and accessories stocked at our 4 groundcare depots, we are confident in our offer as a truly national provider of quality buggies and vehicles at great value and with outstanding support and back-up.”

As part of the launch, T H WHITE Golf and Utility are proud to showcase the full vehicle line-up on a new website, www.thwhitegolfandutility.co.uk, which highlights not only the brands on offer, but the servicing and hire programmes which are available for individual vehicles through to large fleets, on short- and long-term contracts.

Long-standing customer Alec Fernihough, Director of Gaudet Luce Golf Club in Worcestershire, is delighted to offer his full support to the new operation, commenting:

“We have worked with Simon Bingham and T H WHITE for many years. The level of service that Simon and his colleagues have supplied has always been excellent and this is the one reason why, despite many great deals from other suppliers, we are still working so closely with T H WHITE.

“Knowing that Simon will be heading up the new Golf and Utility division at T H WHITE means that our decision over who to go with when we increase our fleet of buggies next year will be a simple one.

Mark Laing, General Manager at Bromsgrove Golf Centre, added further praise:

“When we look at replacing our fleet of buggies there are a number of factors – price, safety, reliability, ease of maintenance and in the case of dealing with T H WHITE, trust. Personal relationships forged over many years with Simon are worth more than price to us. We trust Simon and T H WHITE to deliver for us, and they do, so we simply don’t look elsewhere. With a great product backed up by an awesome team, why would we?”

Available from T H WHITE Golf and Utility and leading the market into the future of vehicles is E-Z-GO with their ELiTE range of buggies, launched in 2017, which feature maintenance-free Samsung Lithium Ion batteries, increased efficiency, low vehicle weight, reduced charging time and an unprecedented 5-year warranty.

Additionally, visitors to the new website can learn more about the Textron Specialized Vehicles buggy GPS system, Textron Fleet Management (TFM). TFM is available with new golf cars or for retro-fitting to an existing vehicle or entire fleet, with full information on the website about the wide range of benefits available to businesses and golfers in using TFM at their club.

Andre Andrade, Director of International Sales at Textron Specialized Vehicles said:
“T H WHITE has been a longstanding, successful dealership of the TSV brands. We are delighted to be a part of this new venture and look forward to continuing to provide our world-class products, knowledge and back-up support to T H WHITE Golf and Utility.”

While continuing to build on its standing in the golf sector with new and existing customers, T H WHITE Golf and Utility is looking forward to working more closely with businesses in other markets, including hotels, resorts, estates and parks, education providers, event venues and much more.

We welcome any enquiries to learn more about the business, our vehicles and how we can support customers no matter the size, budget or vehicle requirements through the new website or by calling Simon directly on 07813 835212.

A brand new T H WHITE specialist department is being launched this month, focusing on golf and utility vehicles.

The initiative has been born out of the growing demand for golf buggies, hospitality vehicles, personnel transport and UTVs, independent of the main groundcare market. 

T H WHITE is already an official dealer for E-Z-GO, Cushman and Kawasaki vehicles and now our 25 years’ experience in the sector will be brought to bear on delivering the right packages and solutions for every customer.

The new operation will offer the E-Z-GO RXV and TXT ranges in petrol or electric versions plus those with the new ELiTE lithium battery, Cushman Hauler UTVs, Shuttle personnel carriers and Refresher catering and merchandise vehicles.

From Kawaski there will be the famous Mule ATVs.

Aftersales service will be a key part of the venture, working from four branches across the Midlands and the south, as well as on-site repairs and servicing opportunities.

For details visit thwhitegolfandutility.co.uk, or contact Simon Bingham on 07813 835212, sjb@thwhite.co.uk.

Amazone has launched a completely new design of self-propelled mower in its Profihopper range, the Profihopper 1250 SmartLine.

Featuring an updated hydrostatic drive system, it is available in two models: the iDrive with front-wheel drive, or the 4WDi with all-wheel drive capability making it ideal even for the most difficult working conditions.

The compact design provides zero turn for greater manoeuvrability and safety on any terrain and on slopes. With its 1.25m wide, out-front mowing unit, the Profihopper 1250 SmartLine provides an excellent cut in both short and long grass.

Both models are equipped with the SmartCut precision cutting rotor, which has a chevron-shaped blade arrangement for improved cutting and pick-up quality. The robust PowerCompactor auger conveyor system incorporates both a longitudinal and a transverse auger. With a diameter of 150mm, the longitudinal auger has a particularly high conveying capacity which enables the Profihopper to have higher conveying rates, and thus forward speeds, even in long grass.

Grass cuttings are compacted immediately after being picked up by the PowerCompactor system and force-fed into the 730-litre collecting hopper which can hold more than 1,000 litres of uncompressed grass. Less time is thus spent emptying the hopper, increasing productivity. Simple unloading into high-sided transport vehicles is also possible by utilising the Profihopper’s hydraulic high-tip emptying at 2.10 metres.
The Profihopper 1250 SmartLine is ideal for mowing, mulching, scarifying or collecting and can accommodate wide variations in cutting height, weather and vegetation conditions. The mulch flap is inserted for cutting and dropping, ensuring the grass is evenly distributed over the mown area so that important nutrients are returned to the soil. The scarifying blades can be mounted quickly and without tools. Scarifying improves the exchange of light, air, water and nutrients, resulting in a substantial improvement in soil structure.

Even picking up cans, paper and other rubbish is no problem for the Profihopper. The ability to mow, mulch, scarify or collect leaves in one operation saves valuable time.

Find out more about this latest, versatile Profihopper, or book a demo at any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

The fastest and most efficient way to keep hedges in trim is with a tractor-mounted power arm, and the widest choice on the market comes from McConnel. With 12 different series and 42 distinct models plus thousands of build options, unique bespoke machines can be created.

30-Series compact models can be operated with certain utility vehicles as well as small tractors and, with a reach of 3.4m to 4.8m are ideal for the landscape, amenities and ground-care sectors.

Moving up the scale, the range offers a choice of powerful hydraulics and different reaches to suit everything from the straightforward to the most challenging situations. A variety of different heads can be fitted, including multisaws, cutterbars, and rotary heads and, depending on the configuration specified, McConnel power arms are equally at home cutting hedges, mowing verges, clearing vegetation and trimming brush and shrubs.

Topping the range is the 1,000 series – a favourite with professional contractors and local government teams which offers up to 8m reach, and the Versi-Series which enables operators to cut on either side of the tractor at the touch of a button.

Find out about McConnel power arms at any T H WHITE Agriculture or Groundcare branch.

There are many applications for which a full-size tractor would be inappropriate, impractical and, in many instances, unaffordable. These situations call for a compact tractor, a field in which Iseki has specialised for more than 90 years. The introduction of new models has made the Iseki line-up stronger than ever, and with all models available from T H WHITE Groundcare on either agricultural or turf tyres, the possible applications are far-ranging. Small size, high manoeuvrability and low soil compaction makes these tractors ideal for many new niche farming enterprises where high value specialist crops are grown, often on smallholdings. For example, the changing climate in southern England has resulted in burgeoning wine production and Iseki compact tractors are perfect for working in tight spaces between rows of vines. The same holds good for all forms of precision agriculture and fruit growing.

However, compact dimensions don’t mean a reduction in features or operator comfort. Take the new Iseki TG6675 PS – fitted with turf tyres it is particularly suited for work on golf courses and sports facilities and it can be supplied with a ROPS or a factory fitted, fully air-conditioned Category 2 cabin. It features a 65 hp, four-cylinder, Stage IIIB diesel engine, with F12/R12 Power-shuttle transmission. At the rear is a category 1&2 3-point linkage with a capacity of 1,600kg at the ball ends and 1,500kg at 24 inches. Draft control, two auxiliary valves and a front loader joystick are also standard, while the rear PTO is two-speed with a mid PTO also included on the cabin model. An optional front loader is also available.

New additions to Iseki’s premium economy range are the 46hp TLE4490 and 38hp TLE3400. These versatile tractors can be configured for a wide range of tasks where their light weight and minimal ground impact are a distinct advantage.

Other tractors in the range span the complete gamut of sizes, power outputs and transmission options, providing a solution not only for agricultural and groundcare enterprises, but the many fitments and accessories make them eminently suitable for industry, horticulture and equestrian, applications. Even enterprising homeowners with larger grounds will find endless uses for these compact tractors.

If you would like to find out more, arrange a demonstration to try an Iseki compact tractor for yourself, or discuss a tractor kitted out for your precise needs, just contact the specialists at any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

T H WHITE Groundcare has delivered the first E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE electric golf cars in the UK to Hagley Golf club in Worcestershire.

The four E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE golf cars purchased by Hagley Golf Club come with an unprecedented five-year, unlimited-amp-hour warranty, and feature Samsung SDI lithium batteries which require zero maintenance and are over 50 per cent more efficient than key rivals. As well as charging in half the time needed by lead acid batteries, they are half the size and a fraction of the weight, taking a load off the turf. It all adds up to the lowest operating costs the industry has ever seen.

Gareth Snelgrove, head PGA professional at Hagley Golf Club, said: “This is our first golf car purchase since 2008. After trying out the E-Z-GO ELiTE golf cars on demo, I knew we had to have them. The lithium batteries are so efficient, and will save us a lot of money in the long run. The cars are so much lighter as well, which means that we can build paths around the course using less expensive material, because the golf cars won’t put half as much pressure on them. 

“We are delighted to be the first club in the UK to have bought the ELiTE golf cars – we have been using them for a while now and they have exceeded our expectations. They can get around 36 holes in one charge, and charge in a fraction of the time compared to our old lead-acid cars. 

“The greenkeeping team love them as well; it’s the only vehicle that they could get on the course in winter without causing damage to the turf. We have to thank T H WHITE for the excellent service once again; we have a great relationship with the staff and they are always willing to help with extra golf cars at events.”

Hagley Golf Club is a 6,376 yard 18-hole golf course owned by Lord Cobham, the owner of neighbouring Hagley Hall. Lord Cobham purchased the club in 2017 from the Garratt family, who owned it since its inception in 1980. The club is set in 170 acres with picturesque views overlooking the Clent Hills. 

To out more about Hagley Golf Club visit www.hagleygolfclub.co.uk, and for the low-down on E-Z-GO RXV ELiTE golf cars contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

The challenge of keeping grass and undergrowth in trim around graves and memorials is a sensitive one – both in terms of maintaining the plots to the standards that families of the deceased rightly expect, as well as avoiding damage to the memorials and mowing equipment when working in tight spaces.

Coventry City Council manages six cemeteries, ranging from a vast and magnificent 19th century burial ground to more modern plots catering for today’s interments and cremations. Responsibility for keeping everything in trim rests with Estate Manager for the Council’s Bereavement Services, Brian Tranter.

“When I started my job three years ago the mower fleet was showing its age,” said Brian. “They were out-front mowers which are not ideal for manoeuvring in the awkward spaces between the headstones, but budgetary considerations meant that we had to extend their working life as long as possible so we purchased new cutting decks as an interim measure.

“When the opportunity came earlier this year to replace the mowers we took a lot of care in making our choice. In fact we had spent almost two years looking at the market and involving the operators who would use the machines in the selection process. After quite a few demonstrations there was a clear winner – the Ferris zero turn range.

“The mid-mounted cutting deck makes these machines far more manoeuvrable than the out-front design we had been using before and they also feature rear discharge which helps to keep the cut grass off the memorials. The size to power ratio is exactly right for our needs.

COMFORT IN USE

“The real winner as far as our team was concerned is the level of comfort. Ferris makes the only zero-turn mowers with independent suspension. As you can imagine, the ground we work on is subject to quite a bit of settlement, resulting in an undulating, uneven surface, and the suspension makes a huge difference over a long working day. The Ferris machines are also the only ones we saw with seat adjustment too – can you believe it?”

The OilGuard system is fitted to the Ferris IS2100Z, extending oil change intervals to 500 hours.

With the decision made, five Ferris mowers were ordered from T H White – four of the popular IS®600Z compact models and a larger IS®2100Z with a 28hp fuel-injected Vanguard engine. This machine is also fitted with the Vanguard Oil Guard System – a large oil reservoir and dry sump replaces the usual arrangement. That makes servicing easier and also extends oil change intervals to 500 hours.

“A big benefit to us is dealing with T H WHITE and Lee Miles who operates from the Redditch branch,” Brian added. “When we need support I know I can call Lee and he will pull out all the stops to get us what we need. It’s great to have that sort of back up from a local dealer who will always go the extra mile.”

So how have the Ferris machines performed during their first few months in service? “What you need to understand,” Brian explains, “is that our grass is nothing like you might find on a golf course. In the newer cemeteries where graves have been recently turfed the Ferris mowers deliver exactly what you would expect from a quality machine – a fine cut and a tidy finish. But in our London Road Cemetery – which dates back to 1847 and was designed by Joseph Paxton of Chatsworth and Crystal Palace fame –  we have to contend not only with very rough ground but also scrub that grows up among the grass and around the stones. The Ferris machines take all this in their stride – for example the IS®2100Z has a cutting deck with adjustment from 3.8 to 12.7cm, meaning that any kind of cut can be achieved. The manoeuvrability makes it possible to work carefully around historic monuments, resulting in one of the best preserved Victorian cemeteries in the country. We like to think we contribute to the very special atmosphere in this cemetery which attracts visitors from all over the world.”

T H WHITE Groundcare is a Ferris dealer and any of our Groundcare branches will be pleased to provide you with more information on the Ferris range or arrange a demonstration. Ferris mowers are also imported from the USA by T H WHITE Machinery Imports – if you are interested in becoming a Ferris dealer please contact our Stockbridge branch on 01264 811260.

Building on the huge success of the MP Series, Ransomes has introduced the all-new HM600 wide area mulching flail mower, while Jacobsen’s new TR320 workhorse replaces the TR3. Both are in our 2018 demo fleet waiting for you to try.

The HM600 has been built in collaboration with Müthing to deliver a robust, reliable mower with the ability to tackle the toughest jobs. From a clean, fine, rolled finish across sports pitches to routine cuts, the HM600 leaves an even spread of mulched clippings. It also tackles the irregular cuts, bringing the lesser maintained areas back under control. The HM600 can visit one work site with the versatility to do it all, the productivity to do it fast and the flail technology for superior presentation. Its light weight (2009kg) and 2.1-metre transport width make it easy to move from site to site. You can lift and lower individual decks, or run all three at the impressive 3.2m maximum cutting width to suit your needs.

The Jacobsen TR320 is a triplex cylinder mower that has been created with usability in mind. The three-wheel-drive configuration utilises a 24.8hp Kubota diesel engine, while the cutting units can be raised to a vertical position giving it the narrowest transport width in its class.

The TR320 also features a switch-operated lift and lower system for the cutting unit and an easy-to-use transmission pedal with a mechanical interlock for transport and mow speed control, and an analogue display screen.

We would be happy to tell you much more about the HM600 and the TR320, but there’s really no substitute for trying them yourself to see just how efficient they are, no matter how demanding the job. To get in the driving seat just contact your nearest T H WHITE Groundcare branch and we’ll do the rest!

DON’T FORGET… If you are not necessarily in the market for a new Groundcare machine, we always have an extensive selection of pre-owned equipment, ranging from mowers to tractors, chippers and much else besides. You can view it all at thwhitegroundcare.co.uk.

For a limited period we are pleased to offer three of the most popular Ferris mowers at very special prices PLUS a free service kit with each mower.

Ferris mowers are the only zero-turn mowers with full suspension, allowing each wheel to move independently. This means you have a more comfortable ride, increased productivity, higher mowing speeds and extended mower life.

All these mowers feature iCD rear-discharge cutting decks and are available now from your local T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

Wessex International – the UK maker of professional turf mowers – has responded to requests from users by introducing the new CRX-320 3.2m golf course and sports turf mower.

Featuring a 3.2m wide cut, the CRX-320 promises to be the most nimble and manoeuvrable Wessex mower to date. With a cutting height adjustable from 10 to 100mm and full width rollers, it delivers a ground-hugging precision cut and full width stripe on the turf.

The wide angle PTO makes tight turns easy and best of all only a 35hp tractor is required to operate the CRX-320. Also, only one spool valve is required, making the mower compatible with the simplest tractor.

The Wessex CRX ‘Swing Tip’ blades and simple belt tension make for easy maintenance while 5mm steel plate decks are robust and durable. The machine is covered by a three-year warranty.

Deliveries of the CRX-320 will begin in August, but T H WHITE will be able to offer demonstrations at our Groundcare branches from May, so make sure you book your demo if you want to see just what this remarkable new mower can do.

You can find out more about Wessex International products at www.wessexintl.com.

With the mowing season upon us, T H WHITE’s Groundcare and Machinery Imports Divisions are ready with all the kit to help estate managers tackle the maintenance of lawn, grass or parkland in the most efficient and cost-effective ways.

It’s not just mowers either – we can supply tractors, spreaders, aerators, rollers, hedge cutters, chippers, shredders, ATVs and UTVs, among many other things. It’s a complete groundcare armoury backed up by top quality service and parts to keep you on top of estate management right through the season.

The line-up features some great new products too. One of the most useful recent introductions is the Spider Mini slope mower, a scaled down version of the big remote controlled Spider models with remarkable capabilities for mowing on difficult terrain and slopes up to 30 degrees.

From leading mower manufacturer Ferris comes the new 400S, a robust and economical 48in triple deck ride-on powered by a 23hp Briggs Commercial Series engine and offering side, rear, mulch and mulch/rear combi discharge.

For zero-turn capability and operator comfort the Ferris IS® 600Z 44in rear discharge mower with independent suspension has to be a top choice.

The famous Wright Stander models with easy step-on, step-off design offer the versatility required for challenging terrain or tight and awkward locations.

In terms of compact tractors suitable for estate work it would be hard to beat the new Iseki TLE 3400 premium economy model. With a 38hp engine, 3-range hydrostatic drive, spool valve, PTO, drawbar and ROPS it offers many features usually only found on larger or more expensive tractors.

Also from Iseki come the SXG series of compact ride-on mowers with high levels of manoeuvrability, reliability and integrated grass collection.

If you prefer to use a trailed mower with an existing tractor or ATV we can supply an extensive choice from UK manufacturer Wessex International, or flail mower/toppers from the Logic range.

Of course, there may be times when you only need a machine for a particular task or a limited period, in which case hiring could be an economic option – see www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk for details.

All users have different requirements, but whatever challenges you face we can ensure you are equipped with the right kit for the job. To find out how we can help you or to arrange a demo of any items, just contact any of our Groundcare branches.

The ever-increasing popularity of Iseki compact tractors and rotary mowers in the UK has led to the formation of a new company, Iseki UK & Ireland, specifically to distribute the Iseki range in the British Isles. The new business is headed by ex-President of Jacobsen, David Withers.

The formation of the new company comes at a time when the Iseki range is being expanded with exciting new products. Among these is Iseki’s TLE3400 premium economy tractor. Fitted with a 38hp engine and three speed hydrostatic transmission and a lift capacity of 1,000kg, this compact model is ideal for a wide range of tasks from golf and groundcare applications to precision agricultural work where its light weight and minimal ground impact are a distinct advantage. Indeed, a TLE 3400 was selected by Harper Adams University in 2017 for a trial operated with Precision Decisions which set out to be the first in the world to drill, tend and harvest a crop without operators on the machines and agronomists in the field.

The Iseki TLE 3400 is supplied with agricultural or turf tyres as standard. An optional front loader is available.

Two new high-performance out-front rotary mower-collectors have also been launched – the Iseki SF224 and SF235, offered with 22hp or 32.5hp Iseki diesel engines and either 54in (1370mm) or 60in(1525mm) wide decks respectively. The new mowers are designed to facilitate grass cutting and collection in difficult areas and are equipped with easy-to-use two-pedal hydrostatic transmission and automatic or selectable 4WD. There is also a lockable differential for use when conditions demand it. To ensure efficient engine cooling the radiator is fitted with an automatic reversing fan, thus preventing blockage of the grille.

The new collector,  with a class leading capacity of 950 litres, is turbine driven providing uninterrupted high-performance grass transition into the collector, ensuring excellent collection of long or short grass in wet or dry conditions, adding a degree of  compaction. The internal reciprocating grass-shoot maximises the filling, increasing productivity. The collector can tip the cut grass at any height up to 2,125mm, allowing easy emptying into waste skips, truck beds or bins.

The new 60in (1525mm) deck is shaft driven, so no belts to replace, with timed overlapping swing tip blades to ensure that no grass is left uncut even when undertaking tight turns. The cutting height can be adjusted, without tools, using a single point height adjustment lever. Both sizes of decks may be fitted with a mulching plate should it be required.

Operators are well catered for with a spacious, comfortable  platform, ergonomic controls and excellent visibility. Please contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch for full details.

T H WHITE’s Groundcare Division has welcomed two new recruits in recent weeks, representing an investment from the company in both the growth of the division and continuous improvement in customer service.

MIKE TAYLOR joins the team as Groundcare sales representative, coming from a technical background in parts and service management. “My career so far has been quite varied, with roles in the motor industry as a parts manager and senior service advisor, through to service dispatch manager at a bio-chemical technology company.

“In June 2017 I joined the T H WHITE team as a parts advisor which gave me experience in the groundcare industry, complemented by my knowledge and previous experience in customer service, parts and management. In September I learned that the team was seeking a sales representative and jumped at the chance to use what I had learnt so far to work more closely in the field supporting customers and growing the business. I was offered the job and started on 1 November, covering the Hampshire area working out of the Stockbridge branch.

“One month in and I’m really enjoying my role within the team, and looking forward to a successful 2018 developing lots of positive relationships with customers in my area!”

With Mike moving into the Sales department of the division, new parts advisor NIEL PORTSMOUTH joined the team in December with a wealth of stock and parts experience.

“Most recently I worked for a local business installing, servicing and repairing industrial roller doors, but prior to that the bulk of my experience comes from 22 years in the armed forces. As a squadron quartermaster my responsibilities ranged from ordering and providing full weapon systems and any parts, following repair procedures to working on active duty both in the UK and abroad. For a period after leaving the Army I worked as a tree surgeon so have a good working knowledge of chainsaws and wood chipping equipment too. “I’m a real team player and believe that nothing is impossible if you have the right mindset. My role as part of the team at T H WHITE involves everything from customer service, ordering stock, sorting, packing, distribution and front of house in our parts store. With my experience in tree surgery, my focus will eventually include managing the parts for our Jensen woodchipper range.

“I’m really looking forward to becoming a fully-fl edged member of the T H WHITE family and getting involved in the varied aspects of my new role.”

Cumberwell Park is Wiltshire’s only 45-hole golf course is and certainly among the largest courses in southern England. What makes it even more unusual is the fact that it has always been owned and operated by the James family, ensuring not only a warm welcome for members, guests and visitors, but also bringing great attention to detail in creating and maintaining a course that is highly rewarding to play.

The newest addition at Cumberwell Park is a spectacular 9-hole Par 3 course which offers some great challenges to golfers in a superb setting, but it has added considerably to the task facing the 20-strong groundcare team led by Matthew James. To ensure that all 45 greens across the five 9-hole courses are maintained to the highest standard the Club has recently purchased a second Wiedenmann aerator from Stuart Fry at T H WHITE.

Matt James explains: “Regular deep spiking and deep aeration are important for healthy grass root growth, allowing the roots to penetrate deeper into the soil and thus make better use of water and nutrients. Around 10 years ago T H WHITE supplied us with a Wiedenmann GXi6 aerator which more than proved its capability and worth. Four years ago we upgraded to a Wiedenmann GXi8 which is 1.8m wide and has 32 tines –compared to the 1.4m width and 24 tines of the GXi6. That’s important for us as it speeds up our work considerably. When we decided a second aerator would be essential to keep the additional greens in prime condition we went back to T H WHITE for another GXi8.“Nine members of our team are regularly using the two aerators and they love them! Tine changing is really quick and easy thanks to Wiedenmann’s exclusive ‘QuickFit’ System, meaning we can instantly fit the best tines for the job which tend to be 8mm tines – occasionally with core tines – on the greens in summer and 12mm solid tines in the winter to provide enhanced drainage and aeration.

“Settings and depth control are all done with easy-to-use levers unlike many other machines where you have to fiddle around with nuts and bolts, and there are just six greasing points to take care of. All this enables us to work efficiently and we have been using the new GXi8 on tees, surrounds and approaches as well as the greens. What more could we ask?!”

Testimony to the quality of groundcare at Cumberwell Park is provided by the fact that it is one of the select clubs chosen for the PGA Europro Tour and it has become a firm favourite among the players. If you are interested in raising the quality of your turf to these exceptional levels, find out what a Wiedenmann TerraSpike aerator can do for you by contacting your nearest T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

Yet again E-Z-GO has revolutionised electric golf cars with its ELiTE™ Series vehicles, powered by Samsung SDI lithium technology.

With high-efficiency, zero-maintenance battery power and an unprecedented five-year, unlimited-amp-hour warranty, ELiTE Series vehicles are over 50 per cent more efficient than key rivals, giving you the lowest operating costs the industry has ever seen. The batteries are half the size and a fraction of the weight of lead acid, taking a big load off your turf. The lithium technology is also a reliable power source that doesn’t fade over time. Whether it’s a new or five-year-old vehicle, ELiTE vehicles will give you and your golfers all the acceleration and hill climbing power they could want.

For the full money-saving story, contact your T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

T H WHITE Groundcare has won the 2017 Textron UK and Ireland Premier Service Dealer of the Year award, as well as a Certificate of Commendation in the Proturf Dealer of the Year Awards.

The awards were made on 11 October when representatives of the T H WHITE Groundcare team attended a UK Dealer Conference staged by Textron Specialized Vehicles at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Colchester.

Textron Specialized Vehicles (TSV) is a global manufacturer with subsidiary brands including Ransomes, Jacobsen, E-Z-GO, Cushman and more in the UK. During the conference attendees were given an update on future products from the TSV group and the opportunity to see the machinery up close, including the new MAR series of mowers, the HM600 and the ELiTE golf car range.

When the Trilby Tour – the only televised amateur golf tournament – arrived at Gaudet Luce Golf Club in Droitwich as part of a series of Regional Championships across the UK, T H WHITE provided additional equipment to supplement the club’s existing Jacobsen machinery.

No less than three Eclipse 322 greens mowers, one GP400 ride-on mower for tees and surrounds, two TR-3 triplex cylinder mowers, two LF570 fairway mowers, a HR600 wide area rotary mower, two Smithco Tournament Ultra greens rollers, a Turfco Torrent blower, a Cushman Hauler Pro-X, and 12 E-Z-GO RXV golf cars were used to maintain the golf course’s championship standard status during the tour.

Course Manager Andrew Laing expressed his appreciation for the support the club received in the lead up to the event: “We have had a relationship with T H WHITE for over 14 years now, and since changing our equipment to Jacobsen back in 2008, we’ve never looked back. The machinery is reliable, and the after-sales support is second to none.”

T H WHITE’s Simon Bingham said: “It has always been important to us to support our customers, both when they ask for it, and also when they don’t! We pride ourselves on our customer service, and Andrew is a brilliant example of the relationship that we strive to achieve with everyone who walks through our door. The course looked fantastic as always, and we look forward to assisting in the same way for future tournaments at the club.”

Spectators at motorsport events understandably spend most of the time with their eyes glued to the track action, but we should spare a thought for the enormous amount of work that goes into keeping the surrounds of a circuit looking their best – such an important aspect of the setting for many of the UK’s best known venues.

Like so many British motorsport circuits, Thruxton – near Andover in Hampshire – started life as a World War II airfield. It was from here that support operations for the D-Day landings were flown, as well as being the departure point for paratroopers who took part in Operation Biting in 1942, during which German radar equipment was seized near the French coast.

The circuit we see today was established in 1968 and follows the line of the airfield’s perimeter road. The infield still hosts a busy airfield and this, plus planning restrictions governing noise, mean that racing can only take place on 12 days each year. Nevertheless, as the UK’s fastest circuit Thruxton is a special place for motorsports enthusiasts and it hosts the British Touring Car Championship in May and the British Superbike Championship in August, among others.

The task of maintaining Thruxton’s grass areas is the responsibility of operations manager Pat Blakeney.

“The trackside areas are important for presenting the circuit at its best as well as providing safe run-off areas for competitors who may get into difficulties,” he says.

“Those are the areas that are most in public view, but we also look after the parking fields as well as the large grass areas in the centre of the circuit and around the airfield. In total it’s about 250 acres.”

Despite the size of the challenge, the limit on the number of racing days has always meant that Pat has had to work with a relatively small budget – the backbone of his kit is one tractor and a tractor mounted mower. After the tractor had been replaced earlier this year Pat’s thoughts turned to the mower: “We had been using a Cutlass Topper which was coming up to 15 years old. It had given good service but it needed to be replaced and we were looking for something that would enable us to cover the ground quickly and also give a good finish.”

Research suggested that a Wessex Proline roller mower – which happens to be made in Andover – could be the answer. After T H WHITE had given a demonstration Pat’s mind was made up and at the beginning of July he took delivery of a Wessex RMX- 300 rigid deck roller mower. He was immediately impressed: “This is the largest rigid deck mower in the range; with a 3m cutting width it helps the team to cover the acreage while the front and rear rollers give an outstanding striped effect – it’s great!

“It was also very nice to deal with T H WHITE again as I started my career by serving an agricultural engineering apprenticeship with them back in 1980. It’s strange how things so often go full circle.”

Wessex Proline roller mowers are available in widths from 1.8m to 8m to cover almost any application. To arrange a demonstration just contact any T H WHITE Groundcare branch.

We are fortunate to have so many wonderful golf courses in the areas served by T H WHITE Groundcare, but maybe Marlborough Golf Club has an unfair advantage.

The ancient market town of Marlborough sits in the valley of the River Kennet amid the sweeping North Wessex Downs – a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Up the hill from the popular town with its bustling shops and restaurants lies Marlborough Common where, in 1888, the Golf Club was established with a 9-hole course. In 1971 an agreement was reached with the local authority to use more land on Marlborough Common and the course was extended to 18 holes on a 117-acre site, today beautifully maintained by head greenkeeper Robin Greaves and his team.

Like many clubs these days, Marlborough has recognised the benefits of obtaining its groundcare equipment through a lease hire package which allows costs to be controlled as well as bringing the certainty of a five-year equipment replacement cycle.

“With more than 100 acres to look after and just five of us on the team, it’s fair to say that the kit is intensively used and comes in for quite a bit of rough treatment,” says Robin. “That makes it very important to have a dealer you can rely on. Whenever we have needed support the T H WHITE team has been on the case straight away, keeping us in business no matter what the challenges. That’s how it has been right from the start.”

When the old lease came to an end the Club decided that for the sake of good management all options should be examined. General manager Les Trute explains: “We called in suppliers of all the major groundcare machinery brands and Robin and I had extensive demonstrations. Mike Harris from T H WHITE Groundcare brought Jacobsen’s latest machines. We could see that the quality and cut from the Jacobsen machines was comparable to anything in the business, PLUS they had a five year guarantee – something that nobody else offered.”

The deal was done and Marlborough Golf Club took seven new Jacobsen machines on a five year lease hire, including greens and tees mowers, rough and fairway mowers and a sprayer/utility vehicle.

“We are impressed with the new machines, which have proved to be reliable and more than a match for our demanding needs,” adds Robin, “and the smaller engine sizes on the larger machines have made them remarkably economic without loss of power. But the aspect that really tipped our decision was the service we get from T H WHITE Groundcare. It’s a local company that really cares about looking after customers and keeping us running even under pressure. You can’t really put a value on that – it’s priceless!”

If you are a groundcare professional and would like to know more about T H WHITE’s services, please contact any of our Groundcare branches listed on page 2.

In the picture: Marlborough Golf Club general manager Les Trute (in the blue shirt), head greenkeeper Robin Greaves (brown jacket) and groundsmen Stephen and Dave Patrick with the club’s new Jacobsen machines.

“Our objective is to be recognised as the golf club of choice in the Thames Valley area,” says Martin Hucklesby, general manager of Goring & Streatley Golf Club. After just two years in the job he has already made significant progress towards that aim at the 122 year-old club which has just reequipped its greenkeeping team with an impressive new machinery line-up, spearheaded by the latest Jacobsen mowers.

Founded in 1895, the club rapidly established a loyal following and was enlarged with land purchases, undergoing a remodelling in 1922 under the guidance of revered designer Harry Colt. Today’s 18-hole course measures 6,355 yards and is glorified by its location in an area of outstanding natural beauty with magnificent views of the Ridgeway and the Thames winding its way from Oxford to Reading.

Course manager Matt Aplin, the man responsible for ensuring that the course always looks its best and offers maximum ‘playability’, explains why the decision was made to go for a major reequipping: “Like many leisure activities golf has been under pressure since the financial crisis of 2008. People are now much more careful about how they spend their disposable income and in a competitive market you have to aim to be the best in order to attract new players. One way we can do that is by offering an outstanding course”.

“We work hard to achieve that and as a result our equipment is used intensively by the greenkeeping team. Last season we began to find that we were spending a lot on maintenance – our machines were getting older and we had to question the economics of keeping them going versus re-equipping.

“We decided to look at the options for acquiring new machinery and invited four suppliers to tender. Our relationship with T H WHITE goes back over 25 years so we naturally included them in the process and I’m so glad we did! Their golf specialist Matt Textor worked extremely hard to put together the right lease/hire package for a complete range of equipment including the Jacobsen mowers”.

“Matt arranged a series of demonstrations and I have to say that the Jacobsen machines were as good or better than all others in every respect. In fact, in my opinion the Eclipse greens mower without doubt gives the best quality of cut on the market – bar none.”

After going through the club’s needs in detail and discussing the project with Matt Aplin and Martin Hucklesby, Matt proposed the following line-up, of which the club took delivery in early April:

• 3 x Jacobsen Greens King 522A hand mowers
• 2 x Jacobsen Mower Caddy trailer
• 3 x Jacobsen Eclipse 322 for Greens and Tee’s
• 1 x Jacobsen LF570 Fairway mower
• 1 x Jacobsen AR522 Contour mower
• 1 x Jacobsen Truckster XD
• 1 x Team Sprayer
• 1 x Turfco 1550 WideSpin Top Dresser
• 1 x Turfco Torrent Blower
• 1 x Smithco Tournament Ultra Greens Roller
• 3 x Cushman Hauler Pro 72 volt utility Vehicles
• 1 x Set of Jacobsen 15 blade bi-directional units
• 1 x GreenTek Dyna Corer
• 1 x GreenTek Thatch-Away Verticutter Unit
• 1 x Wessex 3 Ton tipping trailer

Just one 4 year-old AR522 mower and one strimmer which were still in good condition were retained from the old fleet.

“This is a win/win for the club,” said Martin. “We now have a new and exceptional equipment fleet which is costing us less than before. Even better is the fact that we know exactly what the cost will be every year which makes budgeting easier. On top of that we know that in five years we can renew the entire fleet again under the terms of the deal.”

“We are the only club in our area to drive standards by making this level of investment and we are thrilled to partner with T H WHITE and Jacobsen on such a benefi cial agreement which is great value for money. As well as acquiring the equipment, we also have a superb backup service from T H WHITE and our local representative Matt Textor.”

For information about T H WHITE Groundcare and what it could do for you, visit www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk or call 0118 976 0088.

In another industry first, Ferris IS®2100Z and IS®3200Z zero-turn commercial mowers are the first models to be fitted with the Vanguard Oil Guard™ system. This revolutionary technology results in extended maintenance intervals, faster oil changes and prolonged engine life.

The system continuously exchanges oil between the engine and an external oil reservoir. It’s a revolutionary design for a commercial mower that protects the engine oil from thermal breakdown, which makes it possible to extend oil change intervals and produces a cooler running engine. Furthermore, because operators have direct access to the oil filter (positioned immediately beneath the filler cap) and drain tube, changing the oil is quicker, easier and mess-free. The result is a more productive and cost efficient mower.

The basis of the system is a ‘dry sump’ engine. This holds a minimum amount of oil in the sump and a larger quantity in the separate oil reservoir, thus protecting the oil from thermal breakdown. Thermal breakdown occurs when engine heat triggers a chemical reaction in the engine oil, which causes the oil viscosity to change. Correct viscosity is crucial in ensuring the oil flows smoothly while properly coating metal engine components to prevent metal-on-metal contact.

The external oil reservoir is made from aluminium which disperses the heat and helps to extend oil maintenance intervals to a recommended 500 hours instead of the typical 100 hours. The reservoir is made from 3.2mm thick aluminium which has a very good corrosion resistance and is extremely robust.

A pump at the base of the engine circulates oil from the engine to the reservoir where it passes through the filter and then flows from the base of the tank back to the engine by gravity.

Oil changes are faster and easier than ever, as the engine oil can be changed without tools. The oil is drained via a valve at the rear of the machine. The oil reservoir cap is removed by a quarter turn, revealing the oil filter which is also removed with a quarter turn. The widemouth tank opening easily takes five litre oil bottles for no mess and no need for a funnel.

The Vanguard™ Oil Guard™ system will be exclusively available on Ferris® mowers and is a factory-integrated technology, not an aftermarket add-on.

This issue of WHITE’S WORLD celebrates a number of notable anniversaries, one of which is a major milestone in the grounds care industry. 2017 sees Ransomes Jacobsen celebrating the 185th anniversary of mower production at Ipswich.

Edwin Budding’s historic lawnmower design was patented in 1830, and JR & A Ransome was the first company to obtain a licence to manufacture this remarkable invention. The first Ransomes-manufactured machine for domestic use was produced in 1832 – the same year that T H WHITE started trading – and by the late 1980s T H WHITE’s level of business in mowing and grounds care equipment was such that it justified setting up the Groundcare Division.

Although Ransomes Jacobsen no longer produces domestic lawnmowers, it is today one of the leading commercial mower manufacturers supplying equipment to golf courses, local authorities, landscape contractors, sports clubs and major sports stadia worldwide.

Alan Prickett, Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen commented, “This is a hugely significant milestone in the history of our company; fromthis small beginning, we are now one of the leading grounds care machinery manufacturers in the world. Ransomes mowers have been supplied to monarchies and nobilities across Europe and Asia, and the Ransomes name has become a by-word for quality British engineering. Through the years, the company has had its ups and downs, but today it is a vibrant company with a modern manufacturing plant providing employment and career opportunities to the people of Ipswich.

“If you look at the groundcare manufacturing industry today, you’ll find a huge number of people who either began their careers in Ipswich or have worked for the company, and this has been the case for decades. On a personal basis, I am delighted to be heading a dynamic management team at this significant moment in the company’s history and thank everyone, past and present, for their contribution.”

T H WHITE is equally proud of its long-term relationship with Ransomes Jacobsen, for whom it is one of the UK’s key dealers. Details of the latest Ransomes Jacobsen machines, as well as T H WHITE’s legendary after sales, parts and service, can be found at www.thwhitegroundcare.co.uk

In only its second year as a Wessex ProLine dealer, T H WHITE Groundcare has won the Wessex ProLine Dealer Excellence award 2016.

The award reflects T H WHITE’s highly proactive approach in arranging many demonstrations that have resulted in strong sales. Presenting the award, Wessex Sales Director Steve James cited T H WHITE Groundcare as a truly professional dealer with high standards of customer service and aftercare.

Receiving the award at the new Wessex headquarters in Andover, T H WHITE Groundcare director Tim Lane said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this reward from Wessex in recognition of our efforts.

“Wessex is very focused on the professional machinery user with the ProLine range and this aligns very well with our overall strategy. With their local facility in Andover the support has been excellent and we look forward to strengthening our relationship well into the future.”

Although we can’t forecast the weather for 2017, we can forecast the arrival of two new lorries for our Groundcare division’s deliveries and collections. Operating from Knockdown and Reading these will strengthen our fleet, enabling us to get hire equipment to and from our customers faster.

We have also been enlarging our stock of mowers of all sizes to suit any job and these are augmented by scarifying and aerating equipment for private and commercial use. Additionally, we now supply a variety of chippers from ‘fit-through-the-garden-gate’ size to ‘chipthe-entire-forest’, so there will be one that’s perfect for your job. Spider and Robocut mowers – specialist, remote-control goalmost- anywhere machines have been added to our hire fleet too, as well as Wiedenmann aerators, core harvesters, and Profithoppers.

You can view the full selection of our hire equipment together with a price list on the website, thwhitegroundcare.co.uk/index.php/hire. If you wish to make an enquiry or just book in advance to avoid disappointment then please call Nick Short on 07887 982334 or 01454 238772, email: groundcarehire@thwhite.co.uk .

Supporting community rugby is a central plank of the Rugby Football Foundation’s (RFF) policy. The RFF was set up by the RFU as a charity in 2003 and today runs the Groundmatch grant scheme which aims to provide easy-toaccess grant funding for capital projects.

Old Salteians RFC was originally set up in 1933 for old boys of Saltley School in Birmingham, but today is open to all. Last year the club applied to the RFF for funding to purchase grounds maintenance equipment for its 12-acre site and was delighted to be awarded £5,000 towards the cost.

Club Chairman Peter Holmes and Secretary Colin Gardner took advice from Keith Kent, the RFU head groundsman, who immediately recommended Iseki’s new TLE3400 premium economy tractor as being ideal for a club with limited funds.

“With the help of the grant, we went to T H WHITE and purchased the Iseki tractor and a Wessex RMX 180 roller mower to go with it,” said Peter.

“We really were impressed with T H WHITE’s service. You hear about some smaller clubs who get disregarded unless they’re placing a large order, but Lee Miles from T H WHITE has been extremely professional and helpful throughout the whole process. T H WHITE also carried out a BAGMA installation process which ensured that all of our operators were fully trained and competent to use the machinery, which was most reassuring.”

The Iseki TLE3400 is part of the TLE series of compact tractors and features a 38hp engine, a three-speed hydrostatic transmission system and a lift capacity of 1000kg, making it a powerful and versatile piece of equipment ideal for sports fields, schools and other grounds maintenance applications.

The Wessex RMX180 has all the features and benefits of the larger models in the range into a compact body which is less than 2m overall width.

As well as acting as club secretary, Colin Gardner also operates the tractor. Commenting on the kit, Colin said: “We are over the moon with our new purchases. The tractor is extremely easy to use; our groundsman and part-time groundsman were able to pick up the controls very quickly. It’s a versatile tractor; in the future, we’ll look at buying more attachments for it, but it’s great to know that it has the capacity for us to be able to use it for a multitude of groundcare practices.

“I can’t find any faults with it; I almost wish the grass would grow quicker so I can use it more often!”

If you think the Iseki TLE 3400 or Wessex compact mowers
could be right for you, contact any of our Groundcare branches
or call Lee Miles direct on 07855 251693.

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It’s easy to forget that institutions such as universities often have extensive groundcare responsibilities. When University of Bristol head gardener James Fiddock needed to replace some life-expired compact tractors, he turned to T H WHITE.

“The university was looking for some tough, versatile and reliable machines that could cope with a wider range of tasks than the old tractors,” said T H WHITE Groundcare representative Stuart Fry. “We have dealt with the University of Bristol for many years and we were very pleased to advise on the new equipment.”

Stuart recommended the ultra-reliable Kawasaki Mule 610 with selectable two or four-wheel-drive, continuously variable transmission and a powerful 4-stroke air-cooled engine. The university took delivery of three Kawasaki 610s in July, just in time for the busiest work of the summer season. Since then they have proved their versatility as pick-ups, transporters and haulage vehicles on varying terrain of the university’s different sites.

T H WHITE once again sponsored the supply of utility vehicles for the Royal Berkshire County Show on 17-18 September this year, as well as electric golf buggies to transport the show officials around the site. On our huge 25m x 30m stand we exhibited Ifor Williams trailers, the new Kawasaki Mule Pro DX and DXT, Greenmech Chippers, Iseki cut and collect and compact tractors, Amazone Horse Hopper and the Ferris and Wright ride on and pedestrian mower range – all attracting much interest.

When Kim Blake, Course Manager at Fulford Heath Golf Club on the southern fringe of Birmingham, was faced with renewing his mowing equipment, he had the courage to take a radical step backwards.

“For about the last 30 years increasingly sophisticated self-propelled mowers have been the machinery of choice at many golf courses,” he says. “But when we needed new machinery I had to think long and hard about the best way to use our money. I knew we couldn’t do without a tractor as we need one to pull a trailed PTO-driven semi-rough mower that we purchased two years ago. We also needed a tractor with an additional 10hp.

“The tractor we had was a 22 year old Iseki which had done incredibly well – it had almost 10,000 hours on it so it was definitely time for a new one, but could I justify buying a self-propelled mower as well?”

In Kim’s mind the answer was clear: buy a new tractor which, among many other tasks, could pull a trailed gang mower rather than having a dedicated self-propelled mower. But that went directly against modern practice.

To help his decision, Kim contacted local rep Lee Miles of T H WHITE’s Redditch branch to arrange a demonstration of a new Iseki tractor and a Jacobsen MH5 trailed mower.

“The tractor we chose was a fully-specified Iseki TG6490 IQ, It’s in a different world from our old tractor with a fitted cab, the latest hydraulic technology and ergonomic controls with superb driver comfort. The Jacobsen MH5 is a tractor-mounted 5-gang large area reel mower. The fully-floating cutting units have 8-bladed cylinders which achieve excellent ground contour-following with a 135in. width-of-cut.

“To be honest, I couldn’t believe the quality of cut,” Kim added. “Of course there’s a disadvantage in having the wheels in front of the mower, but the tractor was fitted with Galaxy balloon tyres and hardly impacts the turf.”

Kim went for it and ordered the Iseki/Jacobsen combination, a decision which three months on he has no cause to regret:

“Many people I know in the business thought I was crazy going back to this old style of mowing and I know it’s not a choice that would work for everyone, but for Fulford Heath it has proved to be the perfect solution. It has reduced the number of engines on site that have to be maintained and I reckon it will save the Club around £20,000 over five years in depreciation and running costs.

“Since we have had the mower we have practised various techniques and I believe the finish is now on a par with a self-propelled mower… in fact, when we had a visit from our agronomist he said the finish couldn’t be faulted and the club members have given us many compliments too. Well, you can’t ask for more than that!”

Back in the year 2000 the city of Coventry passed its entire stock of social housing – 17,500 homes in all – to the Whitefriars Housing Association, one of a number of associations operating in the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire which are now part of the W M Housing Group.

As well as upkeep of the housing stock, an essential part of maintaining an attractive and well-managed environment is care of the grass areas, open spaces and verges –1.2 million square metres of them in Coventry’s case. Until recently this task was in the hands of contractors, but now Whitefriars has started its own subsidiary, GreenWorks, to maintain the green areas.

Ken Lindsay, supervisor at GreenWorks, has two assistants and 25 operatives to ensure that the rolling progamme of work is completed to a high standard. “When we took over from the contractors we had nothing,” Ken explains, “so the first job was to acquire the right equipment. We knew from past experience that Ferris and Wright produce tough, reliable machines so we asked a number of local suppliers to tender. After meeting the teams we placed the order with T H WHITE’s Redditch branch and I’m so glad we did… The support and back-up they have given us – particularly our rep Lee Miles – as we got the new operation up and running, has been outstanding.”

GreenWorks has taken delivery of a Ferris FW35 flail mower, a large Ferris IS5100 rotary mower and five smaller IS2600 rotary mowers, together with five Wright Standers for confined and more difficult areas. Added to that were five Ifor Williams trailers for transporting the mowers to site.

“From a standing start, T H WHITE has helped us maintain an environment we are all proud of,” Ken added.

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