News Archive

28 May 2012
Birds Love Our Gas

We have had birds nesting in our gas cage again this year, only this time it was a family of robins; usually it’s wagtails.

They all fledged last Thursday, but things went a bit wrong when two of them flew into the warehouse. The parents were in and out all day feeding them, and eventually one of the chicks flew out into the yard, but the other one refused to budge. Despite our efforts to shift him, he was still there on Saturday morning until one of the parents finally managed to coax him out into the big, wide world. After his rather rocky start, we hope he has a good life.

No gas was harmed during the residence of these birds.

Propane and Butane gas bottles are available from our Tadley shop.

May 2012
Groundscare Products at Facilities Show

Had a good week at the Facilities Show. Met some old friends and many potential new clients.

Thanks to everyone who dropped in to see us; we’ll be in touch very soon.

May 2012
Turf Teq Edger/Trencher - Finalist for Hire Award

Well, we didn’t win Product of the Year this time, but many thanks to the Judging Panel for including us in the shortlist, and congratulations to Co-ordination Catering Hire for winning the category.

Winner on the night it wasn’t, but the Turf Teq range of landscape maintenance equipment can be a winner for you.

Relatively new to the UK, the machines are already in use with gardeners, landscapers, local authorities, golf courses, facilities management companies and a number of hire companies. We increasingly receive rental requests from the landscaping community and from home owners, and our immediate target is to establish the range with progressive hire companies in areas where we currently do not have a presence.

Designed to speed up and simplify the maintenance of gardens, parks, estates, golf courses and public paths, the range consists of the following attachments:

• Power Edger/Trencher – for grassed areas
• Power Rake – for seedbed and turfing preparation
• Power Broom – for cleaning hard and soft surfaces
• Rough-cut Mower – with unique side-shift feature
• Snowplough

........ all powered by the Honda-engined, walk-behind Turf Teq tractor.

Please contact us for Purchase and Hire information.

April 2012
Turf Teq Edger/Trencher Short Listed for Hire Award

The 'Hire Association of Europe' holds their annual Awards ceremony at the end of April. One of this year's finalists in the 'Product of the Year' category is the unique lawn edging/trenching machine manufactured by Turf Teq®. Relatively new to the UK, this American machine is already in use with Hire companies, landscapers, local authorities, golf courses and facilities management companies.

Designed to speed up and simplify the maintenance of large areas such as parks, estates, golf courses and public paths, it will quickly:

• Edge flower and shrub beds
• Create tree circles
• Edge golf bunkers
• Trim grass/soil encroachment from paths and kerbs
• Dig shallow trenches for drainage, irrigation and lawn edging etc.

The machine is powered by a Honda-engined, walk-behind Turf Teq® tractor which will also drive other Turf Teq® attachments such as the Power Rake, Power Broom, Rough Cut Mower and Snow Plough.

October 2010
Snow Plough Customer

Grounds-care Products are delighted to announce that, Landscaping Contractor SH Goss in Essex are the first to buy the recently launched Snow Plough from the Turf Teq range to add to their fleet of machinery along with the Power Broom they purchased earlier this year.

Responsible for keeping key Blue Chip Client HQ's and Local authorities clear of snow and ice in preparation for winter gritting, some of these sites need to be open 24/7 SH Goss were quick to realise the value of having the Turf Teq machines based at the site.

Don't get caught out this winter!

• Width - 46" (1168mm), Height - 17" (432mm)
• Steel dozer blade
• Pivots 8 deg. to the left and right or works straight ahead
• Oscillates 6 deg. up and down to cope with uneven ground
• Replaceable rubbing strip
• Blade is spring-loaded so it will trip if it hits something solid
• Driven by Turf Teq's 13hp Honda engine walk behind tractor
• Also excellent at shifting snow is the Turf Teq Power Broom

Please contact us for Purchase and Hire information.

October 2010
Power Broom at Scotsturf 3-4 Nov. 2010

Turf Teq's Power Broom will effortlessly shift at least 150mm (6") of fresh snow or slush, right down to the tarmac, in one pass. Given two passes, it's tough polyester bristles will cut through 75mm (3") of hard-packed snow - see photo. When the snow has gone, use it all year round to sweep tarmac, concrete, brick pavers, grass and artificial turf.

The self- propelled, walk-behind machine features a 46" (1168mm) wide, 2-speed, rotary brush and is driven by Turf Teq's 13hp, Honda-engined tractor . A differential lock comes as standard equipment, ensuring that the machine has maximum traction in slippery conditions. The hydrostatic transmission adjusts immediately, pushing the broom along at anything from a crawl to a brisk walking pace; no need to stop and change gear. Easily adjusted for height and ground pressure, the angle of the 18" (457mm) diameter brush can be instantly altered to sweep ahead, to the left or to the right.

Use it for:

• Sweeping untreated moss out of tarmac or brick pavers
• Brushing sand or rubber chips on artificial turf
• Clearing snow off pathways
• Sweeping cans, bottles, cartons and other debris from event sites
• De-thatching and striping grass
• General removal of grit, leaves, twigs and other debris from almost any surface

The Turf Teq multi-use tractor unit can also drive other Turf Teq attachments such as the Snow Plough, Bed Edger, Trencher, Surface Preparation Power Rake and Brush Cutter.

See the whole range at Scotsturf, on Stand No C5, or phone to book a demonstration.

July 2010
New Product Launch

Remember last winter? Offices, schools, business estates and factories closed because of the snow? Be prepared this winter with Turf Teq's NEW Snow Plough attachment.

• Width - 46" (1168mm)
• Height - 17" (432mm) Steel scraping blade
• Pivots 8 deg. to the left and right or works straight ahead
• Oscillates 6 deg. up and down to cope with uneven ground
• Blade is spring-loaded so it will trip if it hits something solid
• Replaceable rubbing strip

Don't get caught out again, orders being taken at launch show, Saltex 2010. See them working at Stand V51/51a.

Also on show will be the award-winning Power Edger/Trencher, Surface Preparation Rake, Power Broom and Brush Cutter. All these quick-change, walk-behind attachments are powered by the same 13hp, hydrostatic Honda tractor.

April 2010
Northern Misery Relief

Just when we thought Spring had finally arrived, winter has returned bringing with it snow, ice and gales, in particular to the northern half of the country.

How to deal with it quickly and efficiently….Sweep all your troubles away with our robust power broom. The photos show you how efficient it is at sweeping either soft, powdery snow or the hard-packed variety.

The Turf Teq Power Broom will sweep just about any surface, including tarmac, concrete, grass and artificial turf. Its tough polyester bristles effortlessly shift up to 6" of fresh snow or slush, right down to the tarmac, in one pass.

The self- propelled, walk-behind machine features a 46" (1168mm) wide, 2-speed, rotary brush and is driven by a 13hp, Honda power unit fitted with a differential lock, thus giving improved traction and allowing easy operation on any surface, including steep inclines.

The hydrostatic transmission adjusts immediately to suit the conditions, pushing the broom along at anything from a crawl to a brisk walking pace. Easily adjusted for height and ground pressure, the angle of the 18" (457mm) diameter brush can be instantly altered to sweep ahead, to the left or to the right.

Use it for tasks as diverse as:

• Sweeping untreated moss out of tarmac or brick paviours
• Brushing sand or rubber chips on artificial turf
• Clearing snow off pathways
• Sweeping cans, bottles, cartons and other debris from event sites
• De-thatching and striping grass · cleaning up cricket squares
• General removal of grit, leaves, twigs and other debris from almost any surface

IN STOCK NOW FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY.

Alternatively, you can hire it from selected outlets up and down the country - please call us for details.

March 2010
HIRE Turfteq machines from as little as £60 a day

The machines can be hired anywhere in the UK, with delivery either from our depot or from your nearest stocking hire outlet.

Customer Services Manager, Angela Alexander said the range had proved so popular she has recently added two more Edger's to the hire fleet to cope with demand. She explained:

"Our team has a comprehensive knowledge of all the Turf Teq equipment. We offer comprehensive operation instructions and usage hints for new users, and a refresher for those who have rented previously. These innovative Turf Teq machines not only save time, but are simple and robust to use and achieve outstanding results"

Director Paul Errington founded the company and explained why hiring is so popular:

"Much of the equipment we offer would represent a significant outlay if people had to buy rather than hire, so there can be real savings - especially if the equipment is only needed for a short time or unique job. We offer hire periods as short as a day, with other rates for two days, a weekend, a week or longer. They are tailored to suit the range of customers who use us, and the jobs they undertake."

"We take care of the maintenance and service which can be a very unwelcome task for a tradesman at the end of a tiring week - or maybe doesn't get done at all. By hiring from us, he can be sure it will have been thoroughly inspected in our own workshops, and will be safe and ready to work when he hires it."

For prices and availability, please call our hire desk on 0118 9819619

March 2010
Spring into action with ground preparation

As the ground starts to dry out after the winter period, landscapers and maintenance professionals start to work on grassed areas ready for the year ahead. The Turf Teq Surface Preparation Rake is the ideal machine for quickly preparing a level, fine-textured bed ready for seeding or turfing.

There are three basic operations the power rake performs:

• Rakes stones and small rocks from the soil surface (angles left or right to windrow debris).

• Breaks up and prepare soil within a depth range of 3 to 25mm.

• With its 36 inch wide drum, the Power Rake quickly produces a level, smooth seedbed. Gives a rough-raked finish in a fraction of the time taken using traditional methods.

March 2010
2010 Exhibitions Attendance

A hectic start to the year for the GroundsCare team with three shows in the space of four weeks!

First trip out for Paul and Angela was to exhibit at the BTME show in Harrogate back in January. Despite the recent snow and miserable weather the show proved an inspiring benchmark for the New Year with lots of new and old customers stopping by and as always, considerable interest in the machines on show.

Back for a week and this time the three amigos donned their red attire and headed for the Executive Hire Show in Coventry. A first for us and we were hugely pleased with the reception and interest shown. The Hire Industry proved receptive to the American machinery and we look forward to keeping you posted on the latest hire shops to acquire the fleet.

Giving the two girls a break and after just one day back, Paul headed off overseas to the American Rental Show in Atlanta, USA. He joined Randy and Jim, Turf Teq manufacturers and designers to help out and brainstorm new ideas for this year's developments.

Back for a few weeks rest?? No chance!!

Back out on the road in the mighty GroundsCare truck for a flurry of demonstrations and hires booked up and down the country. You can catch the trio at the next show in the calendar, the Hard Landscaping Show in Coventry on the 24th and 25th March 2010.

December 2009
Irish eyes are smiling………

Hugh Walsh is the face behind the successful Dublin based company, AutoLawn. Hugh met Paul through a mutual contact from Irish shipping company, Curtis & Lee. After coming along to the Kildare Show in August 2008 he secured the dealership for the full Turf Teq range and now is the sole importer of the range for Southern Ireland.

Autolawn have the complete range in stock and Hugh is kept busy (and warm) driving all over the country doing equipment demonstrations.

Having recently sold a Power Broom to Salthill Devon Football Club, Hugh has high hopes to sweep Ireland up and edge a few golf bunkers along the way.

Hugh covers the Republic of Ireland and his contact details can be found on our website alongside other dealers for Northern Ireland and the West of Scotland.

December 2009
Land yourself with an Edger for those winter tasks

Land Engineering, Scotland's largest grounds maintenance provider, has a strong reputation for delivering high quality services to public and private sector clients. A BALI award-winning soft landscape contractor, Land Engineering have one of the largest full-time capabilities within the Scottish landscape sector.

Covering a wide geographical area spanning the Scottish mainland and islands, the company makes good use of their Turf Teq edging machines. As the weather changes and daylight hours reduce, their maintenance programmes become geared to re-instating and re-defining bed and border edges that have become damaged or indistinct during the summer months.

The Power Edger makes light work of the tedious task of edging. Unique in the UK market, it sports a range of blades designed for bed and pathway maintenance. With the emphasis on cost reduction without compromising high maintenance standards, local authorities, maintenance companies and universities are finding it a must-have addition to their fleet.

• Re-instate bed and border edges
• Create new landscaping beds and tree rings
• Edge pathways, pitches and kerbs with the NEW Hard Edge blade
• Redefine pitch, bunker and grass edges using the Groomer blade
• Dig shallow slits and trenches; perfect for spot drainage
• Dig a French drain with no damage to the surrounding grass
• Install path edging, low voltage cables or brick edgings
• Groomer Blade, Opening Blade, Hard Edging Blade and Trenching Blades
• Trench sizes range from ½" to 5" width and up to 7" depth

December 2009
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Snow, leaves, moss, ice, grit and more snow…..How to deal with it quickly and efficiently….Sweep all your troubles away with the robust power broom.

The Turf Teq Power Broom will sweep just about any surface, including tarmac, concrete, grass and artificial turf. Its tough polypropylene J bristles effortlessly shift dust, dirt, grit, moss, leaves, twigs, snow and other debris from any surface.

The self- propelled, walk-behind machine features a 46" (1168mm) wide, 2-speed, rotary brush and is driven by a 13hp, Honda power unit. The hydrostatic transmission adjusts immediately to suit the conditions, pushing the broom along at anything from a crawl to a brisk walking pace. Easily adjusted for height and ground pressure, the angle of the 18" (457mm) diameter brush can be instantly altered to sweep ahead, to the left or to the right.

Use it for tasks as diverse as:

• sweeping untreated moss out of tarmac or brick paviours<
• brushing sand or rubber chips on artificial turf
• clearing snow off pathways
• sweeping cans, bottles, cartons and other debris from event sites
• de-thatching and striping grass
• cleaning up cricket squares and wickets
• general removal of grit, leaves, twigs and other debris from almost any surface

November 2009
IOG ScotsTurf

The long trip to Scotland is now a regular feature in our calendar. It's always nice to see existing and new customers from north of the Border, and interest in the innovative and time-saving TufTeq™ products is as high as ever.

This year was additionally worthwhile because we won the Elwood Plate for best stand in the medium (50 to 99 sq m) category. In 2007, we won the Skirving Shield for best stand in the up to 50 sq m category, all we have to do now is book a 100 sq m stand for next year……..hmm, perhaps not!

Sue Errington with the Elwood Plate, pictured right.

November 2009
Hire The TurfTeq™ Range

Did you know that the full range of TurfTeq™ equipment is available for short term hire and long term lease either from ourselves or from selected hire outlets?

Maybe your capital equipment budget will not stretch to buying the machine you need, or perhaps you would like to use it for a week or two to make sure you really like it. If so, why not hire it?

Hire can offer significant savings, especially if the equipment is only needed for a short time or a one-off job. Hire periods as short as a day are available, and there are also rates for two days, a weekend, a week or longer.

The hire company buys the machine and absorbs the depreciation. They take care of the maintenance and servicing; deliver and collect the machine if requested; replaces or repairs it if necessary and can give you some goods tips on how to get the best out of it. By hiring from a reputable rental company, you can be sure the machine will have been thoroughly inspected and test run prior to the hire, and will be safe and ready to work. It also gives you an opportunity to try before you buy! People often don't appreciate just how much work the machines will do for them. Hiring gives you the opportunity to see how versatile they are, and how easy they are to use. For hire rates and seasonal offers, phone 0118 981 1313.

Please note, all prices quoted exclude delivery, collection and VAT. Please ask for delivery charges.

November 2009
One Tractor - Four Machines for Autumn Jobs

Autumn and winter are the seasons when you can get really busy with the Edger and the Broom, but the other attachments need not be idle. Here are some jobs you can do with the machines now that the growing season is nearly over:

Use the award-winning Power Edger/Trencher to:

• Tidy up damaged bed edges and borders
• Cut the overhang off golf bunkers
• Cut the overhanging grass/soil from kerbs and path edges
• Straighten the edges of golf buggy paths
• Ring trees
• Dig trenches for bulb or hedge planting
• Sand-slit areas that are known drainage trouble spots

Use the Power Broom for:

• Sweeping leaves and other debris from grassed areas
• Re-distributing filler material (sand or rubber chips) on artificial pitches
• Removing moss from tennis courts, paths, car parks and brick paviours
• Distribute the excess soil from mole hills and worm casts
• Sweep scarification debris off cricket squares prior to re-seeding

Use the Surface Preparation Power Rake to:

• Slit lawns and cricket pitches prior to re-seeding
• Level out hollows and bumps in lawned areas, leaving a fine tilth ready for seed or turf
• Spread and level topsoil
• Repair damage to grassed areas at exhibition and event sites

Use the award-winning Brush Cutter to:

• Clear up rough grass and scrub before winter sets in
• Cut tall grass, weeds, brush and small saplings
• Cut under hedges; the unique side-swing feature will keep your hands clear of the brambles

October 2009
IOG Saltex clean-up

Exhibition clean-up contractors, Sagum Events, used the Turf Teq Surface Preparation Power Rake to help with re-instatement of damaged areas of the Windsor Racecourse showground following the 2009 IOG Saltex show.

Contract manager, Dave Thorne, said "We made good use of the Rake, particularly on small areas where it is more convenient than using a tractor-mounted machine. The rake quickly reduced the soil to a fine, level tilth ready for re-seeding".

Sagum, who are based at East Grinstead in Sussex, specialize in cleaning up and doing minor re-instatement works at exhibition sites throughout the south of England.

Power Rake Details

May 2009
Award for TurfTeq^TM Brush Cutter

The new TurfTeq^TM Brush Cutter has been awarded the prestigious AE 50 Award presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE).

It features an innovative, variable-angle cutting deck that pivots incrementally to the left, up to 300mm (12 ins) beyond the handle bars. This allows the operator to cut under hedges, fences and trees whilst keeping hands and controls clear of the vegetation. On hill sides, the pivot feature adds stability to the machine by increasing overall ground contact.

The walk-behind machine is used for clearing brush, weeds, tall grasses and any overgrown areas that are unsuitable for a finish mower. It is driven by the standard TurfTeq^TM, 13hp Honda-engined tractor which has fully hydrostatic forward and reverse drive which eliminates the need to stop and change gear to increase or decrease speed. The tractor also features a differential lock for maximum productivity whilst operating in a variety of conditions.

The multi use tractor with quick-attach will also operate Turf Teq's Power Edger, Power Broom and Surface Preparation Rake.

Brush Cutter details

For price and availability of the Brush Cutter attachment, please contact Lorna on 0118 981 1313.

December 2008
Hard Edge Blade

How often do you see grass spreading untidily over the top of kerbs or onto pathways? TurfTeq^TM have recently developed a blade suitable for tackling this problem. It fits the standard Edger/Trencher machine, and we should have stock in UK by the middle of December. Meanwhile, we have a prototype, which is available for demonstrations.

This additional capability will considerably enhance the versatility of the Edger/Trencher.

To book a demo, please contact Lorna on 0118 981 1313.

The tasks performed by the Edger/Trencher are as follows:

With Groomer blade

• Grooms edges of existing flower and shrub beds
• Grooms golf course bunker edges.
• Grooms tree rings

With Hard Edge blade

• Cuts grass/soil against kerbs and other hard edges

With Opener blade

• Re-establishes the edge, gulley and soil profile of damaged or neglected bed edges
• Digs the outline of new beds or bunkers
• Digs new tree rings; re-establishes existing ones

With Trenching blades

• Dig drainage channels
• Sand slitting
• Plant whips e.g. for hedging
• Install edgings such as log roll, gravel boards or bricks
• Install rabbit fencing, electronic pet fence, auto-mower guide wires and low voltage cables
• Carry out root pruning and stump grinding

December 2008
Scots Turf 08 Review

We recently attended Scots Turf 2008 with the fleet of equipment.

Was good to see familiar faces from last year and new visitors alike.

Introducing the Hard Edging Blade and showing the Mower Deck for the first time proved popular amongst the industry professionals and we look forward to returning to Scotland over the coming weeks for demonstrations.

October 2008
New Feature - Seasonal Advice

October 2008
Discover the 'Hire' Edge

County Hire has recently added the full range of TurfTeq^TM to their hire fleet.

The response has been very encouraging, with enquiries coming from a wide range of users including Landscapers, Builders, Estate Managers, Colleges, and Golf Courses.

Hire Desk Controller, Richard Jankowski is delighted with the new additions:

"We can thoroughly recommend these products. Our customers have been very keen and are impressed with the ease of use, excellent results and ruggedness of the machines. All the machines have been out during the first month; the Power Rake and Sweeper have been particularly busy."

For hire rates, delivery charges throughout the country and booking information, please contact Richard on 0118 981 9619

July, 2008
TurfTeq^TM wins at Kildare

Following its similar success at IOG Scotsturf 2007, the Turfeq^TM Edger/Trencher won the 2008 Best New Product award at the Kildare Growers' Show (July 24th and 25th). The annual event, held at Punchestown racecourse near Naas, Eire, attracted entries from several of the main horticultural equipment dealers in Ireland.

Accepting the award on behalf of importers, GroundsCare Products, Paul Errington said,

"I am delighted with this award, which underlines the continuing success of this innovative American product. The TurfTeq^TM machine is easily the best in its class, and offers the user considerable time savings compared to traditional equipment".

The TurfTeq^TM range of Power Edger/Trenchers, Power Rakes and Power Sweepers can be seen next at IOG Saltex (Sept 2nd to 4th at Windsor Racecourse, near Heathrow).

June, 2008
Expanding Dealer Network

GroundsCare Products have recently appointed two new dealers for their TurfTeq^TM range of landscape maintenance machinery:

• Northern Ireland & Donegal - D.A. Forgie, Limavady.
• West Scotland - Fraser Robb, Glasgow.

Marketing Executive, Lorna Bradfield says,

"We are delighted to announce their appointment, and look to working with them over the coming months".

January, 2008
TurfTeq^TM at the cutting edge in Harrogate

At Harrogate Week in January, GroundsCare Products introduced the TurfTeq^TM range of landscape machinery to customers and dealers in the north of England.

American company, TurfTeq^TM, manufactures a range of walk-behind Power Rakes, Edgers and Power Brushes aimed at the commercial landscaper, sports industry and the equipment rental market. The machines can all be driven by the same 13 HP Honda® hydrostatic power unit, thus offering economies of purchase for the operator.

Senior Demonstrator, Steve Adkins, said,

"We received many enquiries, and have already booked demonstrations across the UK and Europe. This is a great start to 2008, and I am looking forward to the introduction of a rough-cut mower attachment in the Spring".

Pleased with the success of the TurfTeq^TM range in the UK, Paul Errington, Managing Director of GroundsCare Products, said,

"We were delighted with the interest shown by customers and press alike, particularly in the Edger which has been proved to save hours of laborious hand edging on larger contracts. The build quality and versatility of all the machines has impressed everyone who has seen them, and we are looking forward to a successful 2008".

November, 2007
New bed/bunker edger is a winner!

TurfTeq's Power Edger won the Innovative New Product award for medium size plant and equipment at IOG ScotsTurf this year.

TurfTeq^TM equipment is imported by GroundsCare Products, whose Marketing Supervisor, Lorna Bradfield, said,

"This was the first time TurfTeq's machinery had been on show in Scotland, and the long drive up from Hampshire was well worth it. We were very pleased with the amount of interest shown by potential users, and are currently booking demonstrations across the southern half of the country".

Delighted with the award won by the Power Edger, Paul Errington, Managing Director of GroundsCare Products, said,

"We were unsure what to expect as Scotsturf is a much smaller show than IOG Saltex. In the event, it exceeded our expectations, and we were very pleased with the contacts we have made and the interest shown by potential customers and dealers alike. We shall definitely be back next year".

To cap a very successful two days, GroundsCare Products were awarded the Skirving Shield for Best Stand (up to 50sq m category).