GreenKeeping

02/09/2026

A new range of high-performance Italian turf scarifiers and maintenance equipment is now available in the UK, from Techneat Engineering. The purpose designed and robustly manufactured Manotvani machines are hugely popular and highly respected across Europe.

The heavy-duty Mantovani scarifiers include pedestrian operated and self-propelled machines from 38cm to 60cm, designed for lawns and precision quality sports turf surfaces, along with a trailed 95cm machine with a mounted power source for larger areas, such as parks, gardens and sports fields.

The innovative self-propelled SC60-D, for example, features multiple renovation systems that can be configured for the required degree of scarification intensity on specific surfaces.

Machines are supplied with swing-blades as standard, with the option for a fixed blade cassette - typically for aggressive verticutting - or a combi cassette with swing blade and spring tines for scarifying, de-thatching and moss raking in one. Powered by a reliable 4.1kw (6.5hp) Honda engine, the variable speed drive can operate at up to 4.5 km/hr.

Other models in the pedestrian range include the SC45 and SC38 popular for lawn and smaller sports turf maintenance. Featuring the same scarification options to suit specific surfaces, the machines incorporate independent wheels mounted on swing-arm axles, to remain parallel to the surface and maintain more consistent results.

The largest trailed SC95 scarifier is ideal for turf managers who don’t have access to a tractor with a PTO function, but are now seeking to routinely aerate and renovate surfaces on a wider scale to promote turf health and sward density. Towed behind a tractor mower, for example, a 13hp mounted engine provides high capacity, cost effective scarification.

Commenting on the launch of the Mantovani range at GroundsFest 2026, Techneat amenity specialist, Richard Wheatcroft, highlighted: “Turf surface aeration and renovation has become increasingly important, to help recovery from cover loss during more frequent and intense heat and drought damage.
“Robust and reliable scarifiers are key to rapid and successful seedling establishment in the short windows when conditions are suitable, as well as part of an effective Integrated Turf Management (ITM) programme.

“The quality of the Mantovani engineering and innovative design features for their effective operation in practice, make the machines highly popular. Now they are available in the UK and backed with the renowned full spares and after sales support package from Techneat.”

In addition to the Mantovani scarifiers, the new equipment range also includes a mounted professional leaf and litter vacuum. Designed for rapid collection of material across a large area, the LVS-30 fits direct to the side or tailgate of an ATV or pick-up truck and shoots collected materials direct into the vehicle load bed. Ideal for parkland, car parks, large gardens, industrial areas and estates, it incorporates a powerful 9hp Honda engine, dual-belt direct drive and a lightweight 5m long, 180mm diameter pickup tube mounted on a swivel arm.

To find out more and to try out the Mantovani equipment range, visit the Techneat stand OSA70 at GroundsFest 2026.

01/09/2026

It's the first day of September, and that means here's a guide to integrated pest management for winter turf.

Joshua Thomason provides a straightforward guide to feeding turf through the colder months, using the Winter Prime package and applying Maxtima and Insignia when disease pressure requires fungicide support.

Joshua Thomason MSc, BSc (Hons), technical manager at Agrovista Amenity, provides a straightforward guide to feeding turf through the colder months, using the Winter Prime package within an integra…

01/09/2026

Haddington-based dealer Thomas Sherriff & Co can now supply the full Dennis and SISIS ranges throughout Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian and the Scottish Borders, completing its coverage from North Yorkshire to the Forth Bridge https://greenkeepingeu.com/dennis-and-sisis-coverage-extends-across-east-of-scotland-with-thomas-sherriff-expansion/

31/08/2026

Fife-based dealer The Double A Trading Company has grown from demonstrating a single Groundsman aerator around Scotland's golf and bowling clubs in 1996 to become John Deere's largest independent turf equipment dealer in the UK, employing 56 staff across three outlets

Fife-based dealer Double A has grown from demonstrating a single Groundsman aerator around Scotland’s golf and bowling clubs in 1996 to become John Deere’s largest independent turf equi…

27/08/2026

The Grove in Hertfordshire has extended its 22-year relationship with Toro and Reesink UK through a new decade-long agreement, investing in a complete machinery fleet update, a wall-to-wall irrigation system and a suite of digital turf management technologies

The Grove in Hertfordshire has extended its 22-year relationship with Toro and Reesink UK through a new decade-long agreement, investing in a complete machinery fleet update, a wall-to-wall irrigat…

27/08/2026

Baroness has appointed G&J Peck Ltd to its UK dealer network, giving customers across East Anglia access to the full Baroness mower and maintenance range from the firm's three depots in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

Baroness has appointed G&J Peck Ltd to its UK dealer network, giving customers across East Anglia access to the full Baroness mower and maintenance range from the firm’s three depots in …

27/08/2026

Leading garden machinery distributor Henton & Chattell will return to GroundsFest 2026 in a landmark year for the business, as it celebrates 95 years since it was founded.

The company will unveil one of the biggest collections of new Cobra machinery in the brand's history, with major launches spanning professional sports turf, robotic lawncare and domestic lawnmowers.

Taking centre stage will be the new Cobra Fortis Rotary 34, developed to complement the already successful Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower range. The new rotary model further strengthens Cobra's growing presence within professional sports turf, offering grounds teams an additional high-performance mowing solution for stadiums, cricket clubs and other premium turf environments.

GroundsFest visitors will also get a first look at a new Cobra out-front mower, the latest generation of Cobra Mowbot robotic lawnmowers, and a number of other new additions to the Cobra range.

The new Mowbot range will include the Mowbot 800RTK X and Mowbot 1500RTK X, both featuring RTK satellite positioning, VSLAM visual navigation and intelligent obstacle detection to deliver accurate, wire-free mowing without the need for a traditional boundary cable. Multi-zone management and app-based control also allow users to easily manage different areas of the lawn.

Visitors will also be given an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Cobra Mowbot Edge, ahead of its planned launch in 2027. Designed to deliver a cleaner finish right up to the lawn edge, the Mowbot Edge features Precision Offset Drive technology, with a motorised lateral cutting adjustment system that moves the cutting disc beyond the wheel line. By allowing the mower to cut to within just 1cm of the lawn edge, the system is designed to deliver an exceptionally clean finish around borders and boundaries, significantly reducing – and in many cases eliminating – the need for follow-up trimming with a grass trimmer.

The Mowbot Edge will also introduce 180° Ultra-Vision Avoidance: Dual-Camera System. Featuring a new Side Camera alongside advanced AI vision, the system enables the mower to identify more than 300 different obstacles and expand its field of vision beyond the direction of travel. This allows it to effectively “see” around corners and respond in real time to pets, children, garden furniture, ornaments and other objects as it moves around the lawn.

Combined, the Mowbot 800RTK X, Mowbot 1500RTK X and preview of the 2027 Mowbot Edge demonstrate Cobra's continued investment in next-generation robotic lawncare and make the 2026 showcase one of the most significant product showcases ever staged by the brand.

A major focus of the stand will also be the continued evolution of the Cobra Fortis range, including the Fortis Stadium 34 professional cylinder mower. Developed specifically for the sports turf market, the professional cylinder mower has been engineered to deliver the precision, consistency and finish demanded by stadiums, golf courses, cricket clubs and bowling greens.

Together, the Fortis Stadium 34 cylinder mower and new Fortis Rotary 34 underline Cobra's growing commitment to the professional sports turf sector, combining robust engineering and exceptional cutting performance with the backing of Henton & Chattell's established dealer support network.

The brand will also showcase its zero-turn and stand-on mowers. The new range includes the ZTR42L and ZTR50L zero-turn mowers alongside the ZTS32L and ZTS36L stand-on models. Designed for large estates, local authorities and landscapers maintaining larger areas, the machines feature heavy-duty cutting decks, premium engines and enhanced manoeuvrability to maximise productivity across demanding sites.

Henton & Chattell will also be showcasing a selection of models from the Billy Goat range. Built for demanding commercial applications, the range includes powerful leaf and litter vacuums, debris loaders, blowers, aerators, overseeders, scarifiers and turf renovation equipment. Designed to help contractors, grounds teams and landscaping professionals work more efficiently, Billy Goat machinery combines high performance, durability and user-friendly operation.

GroundsFest comes during a particularly significant year for Henton & Chattell, as the family business celebrates its 95th anniversary. Over nearly a century, the company has built a long-standing reputation for supplying quality garden machinery and supporting dealers across the UK, with Cobra becoming one of the country's fastest-growing garden machinery brands.

Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Henton & Chattell, said: "GroundsFest has become one of the standout events in the industry, bringing together dealers, contractors and grounds professionals from across the UK, so we're delighted to be returning during such a significant year for our business.

"While celebrating our 95th anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect on our heritage, it's equally important to look ahead. Cobra has evolved dramatically in recent years and we're continuing to invest heavily in new product development across domestic and professional markets. This year's GroundsFest showcase reflects that ambition. From professional sports turf machinery and the latest robotic lawncare technology to new ride-on and lawnmower launches, we're looking forward to showing visitors just how far the Cobra range has developed and where we're taking the brand next."

Representatives from the Henton & Chattell team will be available throughout GroundsFest to discuss the latest product launches, demonstrate the new machinery and talk to dealers, contractors and end users about the continued expansion of the Cobra range.

26/08/2026

Swaffham Golf Club course manager Colin Hutt on managing free-draining chalk profiles with limited irrigation, and why soil sampling and annual programme reviews matter as much as the products themselves

Swaffham Golf Club course manager Colin Hutt on managing free-draining chalk profiles with limited irrigation, and why soil sampling and annual programme reviews matter as much as the products them…

25/08/2026

Mallorca's largest golf resort has added autonomous fairway mowing at Son Muntaner, a closed-loop orange grove and carbon-neutral status at its Sheraton - all steps towards a 12 percent cut in golf emissions by 2028

25/08/2026

Course managers Sean McLean and Paul Smith on tripling their teams, 4am starts, a full-time dealer technician on site and the electric greens mowers that arrived just months before The Open https://greenkeepingeu.com/john-deere-supports-back-to-back-championships-at-birkdale-and-lytham/