Last week, Turney’s pro-Groundcare team had the pleasure of delivering two Dennis mowers to Oxford University’s college sports grounds to replace their retiring Ransomes Mastif machines. Both Magdalen College and Oriel College are tasked with maintaining professional football, cricket, rugby, and grass tennis pitches, so they require the best quality tools for the job.
Dennis is part of the Howardson group, an engineering business that prides itself on over 100 years of high-quality British design and manufacturing. The machines are built from start to finish at their facility in Derbyshire and benefit from a heritage of innovation. They are recognised worldwide for being reliable, precise, and one of the most trusted groundscare machinery suppliers on the market today.
Oriel College has opted for an ES-860 battery-powered turf maintenance system with interchangeable cassettes. The iconic Dennis green tubular steel frame is an attractive yet functional design and allows a trailer seat to be attached. The 111Ah/5.76kWh battery is British-made and will cut 3-4 pitches on a single charge to the highest standard; plenty of range for the work cut out for this machine. Recharging only takes 2 hours, costing approximately 80 pence, and will benefit the team with substantial money savings on fuel compared with a petrol or diesel engine. Fitted with a digital screen; speed selection, reverse setting for easy lining up, blade speed according to conditions, distance covered, and battery capacity can all be viewed and adjusted as necessary in one easy-to-use system.
Down the road at Oxford University’s Magdalen College sports ground, Turney’s Anthony Shepherd and Seb Cooke delivered a Premier 36’’ 8-bladed heavy-weight mower, complete with a suspension trailer seat. It is powered by a Honda petrol engine, world-renowned for long-life performance and reliability. These machines are engineered to deliver a perfect surface and are widely used for professional sports fields, benefitting from superb balance and strong modular construction they are an excellent choice for grounds people looking to achieve the envied stripe finish. It delivers an easily adjusted 9mm – 57mm height of cut and a 3-section rear roller for easy manoeurvrability without scuffing and steering brakes as standard for easy turning.
All Dennis mowers come with a 2-year warranty and they are low-maintenance, reliable, and exceptionally well-made machines. Turney group has a very strong relationship with Dennis and the Howardson group and has worked together for many years with numerous satisfied professional customers as a testament. If you would like to trial a Dennis mower this can be arranged and our pro-groundcare sales team, headed up by Anthony Shepherd, would be more than happy to advise you on choosing the best machine for your groundcare requirements. Call 01869 343292 or email groundcaresales@turneygroup.com.
With Autumn firmly upon us, cutting grass in wet conditions is the reality and choosing the right machine for the task is key. The ISEKI SXG range of mowers boasts a superb ability to perform exceptionally well even in wet conditions due to the blowerless straight chute, the largest in its class, from the deck to the collector.
The height of cut is conveniently adjustable via the handy dial next to the driver’s seat while you are on the go, enabling you to cut both finer lawns and longer areas easily. The powerful large-capacity engine is low revving which causes low vibration, and therefore minimal wear and tear, while also maintaining fuel efficiency up to 21.6hp. The engine is easy to access for regular checks on the dipstick, radiator, and water thanks to the wide-opening bonnet.
To dispose of grass cuttings is an equally low hassle task as the hydraulically operated system can lift to a height of 2.08m and, as the machine is perfectly balanced, there is no need for additional weights. The SXG range can also be used as cut-and-drop machines and, alternatively, the grass box can be used to collect other garden waste to effortlessly tip into your compost area.
Comfort is a key consideration in the SXG range and the operator’s platform features a suspension seat, ergonomically placed hydraulic levers, and extra legroom with the option of armrests. Safety features include a retractable lap belt and Roll Over Protection Structure which can be folded down for storage. Full road homologated lighting kits and a separate parking brake system are available to enable the mower to be registered for safe use on roads between job sites.
Turney’s can supply and maintain your Iseki SXG machine this Autumn and our genuine parts and second-to-none aftersales service will ensure your Iseki purchase will be your reliable groundcare companion for many years to come.
On Saturday 3rd August it was Blakesley Show 2024. We had a fantastic stand with New Holland, Manitou, Kuhn, Vaderstad, AW Trailers, Hustler, Iseki & Ransomes equipment on show. The vintage tractor display was a highlight and we had a great turnout of customers new and old stopping by to say hello.
Until next year!
The next show on our schedule this summer will be Bucks Show on 29th August, followed by Moreton in the Marsh show on the 7th September.
Turney Group have signed a new agreement with their long term partner Ransomes Jacobsen to expand their territory to the South and West of their existing area of responsibility.
This significant opportunity further strengthens the long established partnership between the company and Ransomes Jacobsen, and will serve to grow market share of the respective businesses through their experienced sales team and excellent aftersales capabilities.
Turney Group offers a high quality portfolio of groundcare brands, including Iseki, New Holland, Amazone Groundcare, Dennis, Sisis, Stihl and Husqvarna which compliment Ransomes Jacobsen to suit all professional groundcare and fine turf needs.
We sat down with Dealer Principle, Phil Bush, to hear more about the exciting news.
Can you give us a brief overview of the history between Turney Group and Ransomes Jacobsen?
Ransomes and Turney’s have had a relationship for over 60 years, originally as the Ransome brand and then in the early 90s when the Ransomes Jacobsen company came together we then had the relationship with the Ransomes commercial and Jacobsen golf course equipment. Our relationship has been as a main dealer for them within our Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire territory for over 30 years with both brands.
What does our portfolio of Ransomes Jacobsen clients look like now and where are you looking to take that in the next few years?
Currently within the territory, we have two very different market segments; our golf course Jacobsen client base, who are very specialist as far as fine turf is concerned, and then the Ransomes commercial customers, local authority contractor commercial grass cutting.
Our future is to operate across a larger area of the UK, from where we currently operate, catering for those two very specific types of markets; Jacobsen golf and Ransomes commercial. They are very different users, very different operators, and place very different demands on the machines, so we have to have a specialism in both golf and commercial.
What is the most exciting machine from both sectors that you are looking forward to taking to customers in the new territory?
With Ransomes, we have a very good range of commercial rotary and flail machines. The flail units have come on leaps and bounds within the last few years and we are at the forefront with those. Our outfront rotary is an excellent machine, the HR380, but we do have a fully electric outfront rotary coming, which is proving to be an excellent piece of kit as far as power, performance and run time is concerned. In that sector we are excited to see that machine.
On the golf side, with Jacobsen product, we already have the Eclipse 360 which is proving to be a really good fit for all golf courses, as far as the amount of greens they can cut on one charge. It’s also proving to be a very reliable machine and it’s settings can be tailored to exactly what the course manager needs on their greens; with some great features such as programable speed and clip rate, completely fluid free and the swing out centre unit.
Further to that, we are excited about the SLF1 fairway machine coming through this year, which is a fully battery, 5 unit machine which will give us the same performance we are already enjoying in the Eclipse 360. This machine, outside of golf, will also fit into fine turf, whether it be football, rugby, or other applications. If customers have a noise issues, like colleges or office complexes, and they want high quality turf, then the Eclipse 360 and the SLF1 will fit that application.
Do you foresee any challenges with the new expansion in the next year? And how do you plan to overcome those challenges?
Our challenges will be finding the right number and calibre of staff to help us roll out the Turney experience to new customers. We know we can do a good job, we know we can back up the product, we know the needs and demands of the industry, but we need good, reliable people who can get out amongst the customer base and give the level of Turney service that we know is important to the customer.
Any final thoughts?
Its exciting times for us a company. The great thing is that everybody is massively on board with this project, and we are going into this with our eyes open. We know it’s going to be big challenge and we know its going to be hard work, but the whole team is massively up for it. I think it’s going to be an exciting time for us over the next 5-10 years as we move into the new area making new friends and acquaintances along the way.
We had a fantastic time at North Bucks Country show, thank you to the organisers and all who came along. We had on display machinery from New Holland, Manitou, McConnel, Hustler, Can-am and Kuhn.
Moulsford School – New Holland Boomer 55Hp Tractor
We have been working with Moulsford school recently demonstrating and suppling a wide variety of machinery from the Turney Group’s extensive range of ground care maintenance equipment. Moulsford’s thriving independent day and boarding school for boys is also home to a pre-prep school. It’s beautifully situated along the banks of the River Thames with an extensive collection of sports fields and pitches to upkeep.
The task was to demonstrate and identify the best tractor to tackle the wide variety of jobs around the 30-acre site. The ideal choice was a New Holland Boomer 55hp, complete with loader, bucket and pallet forks. The three-range hydrostatic transmission provides the operator with effortless switching between forward and reverse. The model includes an air-conditioned cab for year-round comfort, and a hydrostatic-link pedal with memory function.
The tractor will be used in conjunction with an Amazone Ground Keeper for mowing, scarifying and leaf collection, and a Sisis Quadraplay for spiking, raking, rolling and brushing in one pass. In the winter, the tractor will be put to work hedge cutting and preforming other low season maintenance tasks across the school. We look forward to continuing to support the School’s ground team, with all their servicing requirements, training and advice as required.
We are incredibly proud to confirm that we are now an authorised Huqsqvana dealer. With 30 years of experience and trusted by 3 million home owners around the world; their cutting edge innovations in battery solutions and robotics are the perfect addition to our offering of top quality groundcare brands. The range also includes high performing brush cutters, trimmers, blowers and ride on mowers.
‘Research, innovation and lush, green lawns have made Husqvarna a world leader in robotic mowing.’ Technology is at the forefront of everything they do and they are continually releasing new solutions. In 2023, the Automower® 310E & 410XE NERA was released, introducing virtual boundary installation via EPOS to small and medium sized gardens, as well revolutionary EdgeCut technology, which minimises the need to trim the edges of your lawn, saving time and effort.
Their comprehensive range of chainsaws include everything from small, battery powered pruning saws for exact precision to heavy-duty, petrol-powered 90cc powerhouses. They also pride themselves in safety and the online Chainsaw academy is a fantastic resource for everybody intending to use and improve their knowledge of working with these tools. Much of their equipment features LowVib® technology which means their products are unrivalled in terms of low vibrations, invaluable for the professional and domestic user alike.
A curated selection of the range is available to view in our Weston on the Green showroom and our garden machinery specialists will be able to inform you of more details and order items on your behalf. We will also be providing authentic manufacturer parts and authorised service contracts to ensure you get the most out of your new Husqvarna purchase.
Turney Group at the Official Opening of Stihl’s Contra House
Last week Turney Group’s Dealer Principle, Phil Bush, attended the historic grand opening of Stihl’s new HQ, Contra House. The fantastic innovation used across the site was astounding and the hospitality superb, congratulations Stihl.
May is here and with it comes the start of show and event season. We will exhibiting at Point to Point events, County Shows and Young Farmer Rallies across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire this Spring and Summer and we are raring to go. On our stand, there will be a fantastic display of machines, expert advice and a chance to catch up with the team over a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Here is the list of where you can find us this year:
Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show & Rally – Saturday 18th May
The Grafton Point to point – Sunday 19th May
North Bucks Country Show – Saturday 1st June
Blakesley Show – Saturday 3rd August
Bucks County Show – Thursday 29th August
The Moreton-in-Marsh Show – Saturday 7th September
The lack of air circulation in the soil reduces oxygen, which can be very detrimental to the soil profile and consequently affect negatively the turf health.
The black layer is often a symptom of anaerobic soil conditions, usually appearing in high sand content soil, and just as the name implies, it is a horizontal black stratum formed in rootzone at a depth of 1.3 to 10 cm. It causes a reduction in several elements that are essential to the survival of plants. The colour black is the result of a reduction of iron, and the hydrogen sulphide that occurs on the black layer is responsible for an unpleasant smell that helps on the identification of the problem.
There are several factors that may result in the lack of oxygen and poor infiltration rate in the soil such as compaction, excessive organic content layer, excessive sulphur and high sodium additions or any layering that occurs in the rootzone that impedes water movement. Problems characterized as abiotic are not caused by living organisms, but by other factors such as edaphoclimatic conditions, intensity of traffic, inadequate use of chemicals and improper use of the maintenance machinery.
When the soil becomes anaerobic the solubility and chemistries of the nutrients modifies, certain elements are more available for the plant and others become toxic. The lack of O2 promotes the development of anaerobic microorganisms that produce metabolites that can be unfavourable to the development of the plants, such as sulphide (H2S) and iron sulphide (FeS). The black layer may become most evident during prolonged periods of hot humid weather and usually algae is also observed in conjunction with the layer, aggravating the surface sealing that may occur.
The lack of oxygen in the rootzone causes the reduction of the capacity of absorption of nutrients and water causing severe root decline, weakening the plant and diminishing its resistance to disease, wear, heat and cold tolerance.
To prevent Black Layer, it is important to apply topdressing material with similar physical characteristics to the existing on the rootzone and to use only slow release fertilizers or to fertilize lightly and frequently, but the best way to manage the black layer is preventing anaerobic conditions by improving water drainage and coring. The SubAir system is a good option to prevent the problem as it is designed to improve aeration, providing fresh air direct to plant roots and stimulating microbial activity. Also, it stabilises water delivery to the root system and removes harmful gases such as Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Hydrogen Sulphide.
Diesel might be the current fuel of choice for farm buggies, but there’s a new wave of petrol-powered machines looking to reverse that trend. To find out which colour of fuel is best, we put a few key players to the test.
First up was Can-Am’s Traxter HD8 DPS. It was at ease with almost everything we asked of it and has the sort of versatility you’d expect from a buggy.
The powerful petrol engine has all the day-to-day grunt you would need and delivers it to the ground far more smoothly than the Polaris. Build quality and cab layout were good too, but it lost marks for being a bit skittish on the downhill route with a trailer in tow. Still, it’s the one we would buy.
Price as tested: £12,119
Best for: Performance and comfort
Worst for: Downhill engine braking
Running gear
The HD8 is the mid-ranking buggy in the Can-Am UTV range, but provides more-than-ample power. It carries a Rotax 779cc engine generating 50hp and has the full off-road spec list, including a low-range box and a locking rear differential. For those who want a bit more, Can-Am also offers the 72hp HD10.
The engine is pretty peachy by farm buggy standards, though a slight downside is the in-cab noise at full chat. That said, it’s nowhere near as deafening as the Honda.
The notchy gear selector stalk is clear and well designed – unlike the Polaris – and, once engaged, delivers power to the CVT transmission in typically smeary but brisk fashion.
Likes
Strong build quality
Comfortable and well-laid-out cab
Good load bed height
Excellent petrol engine
Gripes
Engine braking almost non-existent
Lights easily damaged
No diesel options
Noisy acceleration
In our timed hill climb routes, the Can-Am came out top dog on grass, but was pipped to the post by the more powerful Polaris on the tarmac.
In reality, the difference in times is irrelevant and all the drivers preferred the safer-feeling ride of the Traxter to the slightly out-of-control Ranger.
Towing up the hill with a trailer on and two chaps in the front added a barely noticeable three seconds to the unladen time, which isn’t far shy of pickup standards.
Cab
Access to the spacious and well-laid-out cab is good.
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The wide openings allow even the biggest work boots to gain entry without stumbling, though the flappy net guards on our test model were pointless and caused a trip hazard.
We would favour solid doors, or nothing at all.
Sat in the driver’s seat gives a good view to all four corners of the vehicle and there’s enough space to rest a left foot on long journeys, unlike the compact Gator.
By buggy standards it’s surprisingly comfortable and the two passengers also have lots of legroom and a solid bar to hang onto around the bends.
An abundance of useful cubby holes to store farming paraphernalia wins it more brownie points, while a handy removable glovebox could house some go-to tools or medicines that need to stay dry.
The build quality was another feather in the Traxter’s cap. It’s solid, all the switches worked as they should and the flat floor can be pressure washed out without worrying about ruining the electrics.
One of the biggest perks was the two passenger seats that can be flipped up to offer an unobstructed floor-to-ceiling space capable of swallowing an assortment of dogs or multiple buckets of feed.
Going slowly down hills wasn’t part of the Traxter’s A-game. The engine did an average job of slowing the buggy on some steep descents without a load on the back, but it had a tendency to run away before reaching the bottom.
However, with a bale-filled trailer hooked on the tow ball its performance was far worse – particularly when compared with the ice-cool Gator. It simply couldn’t keep the engine speed under control for a sustained spell and could turn out to be quite dangerous if it has to negotiate lots of hills.
Elsewhere, the good-sized load bed offered a handy 840mm load height. With the Honda’s bed sitting a whole 100mm higher, lifting 20-litre chemical cans is relatively easy, but it was still bettered by the John Deere. Handily there are no bars to obscure connecting a trailer, though.
Access to the engine for servicing was as good with the load bed tipped. On the down side, the rear lights are woefully exposed on the Traxter and would only need a slight bump before new clusters are needed.
