DENNIS ARE SIMPLY THE BEST
More and more football clubs are finding that their Dennis mowers are indispensable members of their maintenance machinery squad. Indeed, the manufacturer’s Managing Director Ian Howard reports continued high demand both at home and abroad throughout the year. “We are still demonstrating to clubs in mid December, which is most unusual,” he says.
Demand is particularly strong for machines in the innovative G Series. Models are available with operating widths from 26-34in (66-86cm). At the heart of their success is Dennis’ pioneering use of interchangeable cassettes, which enable the one mowing machine to undertake many tasks. A Premier model is also available, with a 30in or 36in (76-91cm) width of cut.
Premier League champions Chelsea use no less than four Dennis machines on their Stamford Bridge pitch, with two 30in (76cm) Premiers and two 34in (86cm) G860s. “We’ve had the G860s for three years and they are very reliable,” says Kevin Fowler, Assistant Head Groundsman at Stamford Bridge. “The machines’ versatility enables different tasks to be done quickly, and besides the cutting cylinder we have the sorrel roller, verti-cutter and soft bristle brush cassettes. The pitch is brushed after every game and then mown, which only takes two hours. We use the Premiers for final pre-match preparations. Being heavy, they leave a good finish and a bold pattern, which is very important for presentation.”
Another Premiership club with two G860s is Charlton Athletic, which uses one at its home ground, The Valley, and the other at its training ground. Paul Geary, Head Groundsman at the training facility, is another fan of the machine’s versatility, and uses additional verti-cutting and brush cassettes. “The interchangeable cassettes give greater scope for essential turf management procedures throughout the year, and we have found this aspect particularly useful through the autumn/winter period where weight of equipment can be a concern. The G860 leaves a good finish and hopefully we can increase the numbers in the near future.
“We get great service from our local dealer, M.A. Brown Groundcare. Mark Brown maintains the equipment to a very high standard and is a great asset for Dennis, who also are very helpful. Dennis lent us additional Premier and G860 mowers when the England team was here a few years ago.”
At the St Mary’s Stadium, home of Championship side Southampton, four G760s are in action, split equally between the main ground and the club’s training facility. A wide variety of cassettes are used at the main ground, including two 6-bladed mowing reels, two scarifiers (with 1mm and 2mm blades respectively) and two each of the verti-cutter and brush cassettes. “I particularly appreciate how Dennis, and local dealer M&S Enterprises, really listen to our requirements,” says Grounds Manager Dave Roberts. “Dennis let us try out cassettes that are under development. We currently have a new tungsten-tipped scarifier on trial from them. They listen to feedback from customers and I know that any comments will go directly to Managing Director Ian Howard for consideration, which is really impressive customer care.”
For Adrian Martin, Head Groundsman at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road stadium, the Dennis G860 is a godsend. He looks after the League One side’s pitch without the luxury of any additional staff, so the machine’s versatility enhances operational efficiency and gives excellent value for money. “I chiefly chose the machine because of its excellent reputation. Everyone else I know who has one is very pleased with it. Ours replaced another machine that was ten years old, and which is now only used as a backup unit.”
As well as the cylinder mower cassette, Adrian has the verti-cutter and brush attachments for the G860. “I use the mower for cutting and rolling the pitch before match days, and for brushing away debris as and when required. Previously clearance work had to be done by hand, which took much longer, and this frees me up for other tasks. I also appreciate the excellent backup and advice we get from Nigel Cornwell of our local dealer Berewood Ltd, and from Dennis Area Representative Robert Jack.”
At Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, Head Groundsman Jonathan Calderwood uses two G860s and two Premier mowers to keep the sward in perfect condition. The G860 weighs only 166kg and its light footprint avoids compacting the ground. It incorporates a steel-geared differential in an oil bath for easy turning without scuffing the grass, and a cast, three-section aluminium ribbed roller ensures positive traction. Jonathan chose a 91cm (36in) diesel-engined version of the Premier. Gearbox drive through automotive clutches increases reliability and simple controls are mounted on the console.
There are many other clubs throughout the length and breadth of the UK who are appreciating the versatility of these Dennis mowers. The manufacturer reports that the G860 is a particular favourite of grounds professionals. At Premiership side Everton, Grounds Manager Bob Lennon has recently added a second machine to his fleet. Richard Bird, Head Groundsman at Luton Town, has two G860s together with verti-cutter and brush cassettes.
Joe Aylett, Head Groundsman at the National Hockey Stadium that hosts the Milton Keynes Dons, has two G860s. One is owned by the club and the other is hired from local Dennis dealer RT Machinery, who has also supplied the club with verti-cut and brush cassettes on sponsorship hire.
The G860 is the mower of choice for Tony Stones, Head Groundsman at Barnsley FC, which has two machines and Dave Mitchell, Carlisle United’s Stadium Manager. It is also essential equipment at Stevenage Borough, and north of the border at East Stirlingshire FC, where Head Groundsman Jimmy Wilson finds the machine’s versatility invaluable.
Groundsmen at football grounds throughout the country are obviously passionate about the benefits of using Dennis mowers. Their precision and versatility maximises quality and efficiency, and as ever greater demands are placed on sports turf, they are enabling the highest performance standards to be maintained.
Photo: Adrian Martin, Head Groundsman at Leyton Orient FC with his Dennis G860 mower Dave Roberts, Grounds Manager at Southampton FC with one of his Dennis G760 mowers
Demand is particularly strong for machines in the innovative G Series. Models are available with operating widths from 26-34in (66-86cm). At the heart of their success is Dennis’ pioneering use of interchangeable cassettes, which enable the one mowing machine to undertake many tasks. A Premier model is also available, with a 30in or 36in (76-91cm) width of cut.
Premier League champions Chelsea use no less than four Dennis machines on their Stamford Bridge pitch, with two 30in (76cm) Premiers and two 34in (86cm) G860s. “We’ve had the G860s for three years and they are very reliable,” says Kevin Fowler, Assistant Head Groundsman at Stamford Bridge. “The machines’ versatility enables different tasks to be done quickly, and besides the cutting cylinder we have the sorrel roller, verti-cutter and soft bristle brush cassettes. The pitch is brushed after every game and then mown, which only takes two hours. We use the Premiers for final pre-match preparations. Being heavy, they leave a good finish and a bold pattern, which is very important for presentation.”
Another Premiership club with two G860s is Charlton Athletic, which uses one at its home ground, The Valley, and the other at its training ground. Paul Geary, Head Groundsman at the training facility, is another fan of the machine’s versatility, and uses additional verti-cutting and brush cassettes. “The interchangeable cassettes give greater scope for essential turf management procedures throughout the year, and we have found this aspect particularly useful through the autumn/winter period where weight of equipment can be a concern. The G860 leaves a good finish and hopefully we can increase the numbers in the near future.
“We get great service from our local dealer, M.A. Brown Groundcare. Mark Brown maintains the equipment to a very high standard and is a great asset for Dennis, who also are very helpful. Dennis lent us additional Premier and G860 mowers when the England team was here a few years ago.”
At the St Mary’s Stadium, home of Championship side Southampton, four G760s are in action, split equally between the main ground and the club’s training facility. A wide variety of cassettes are used at the main ground, including two 6-bladed mowing reels, two scarifiers (with 1mm and 2mm blades respectively) and two each of the verti-cutter and brush cassettes. “I particularly appreciate how Dennis, and local dealer M&S Enterprises, really listen to our requirements,” says Grounds Manager Dave Roberts. “Dennis let us try out cassettes that are under development. We currently have a new tungsten-tipped scarifier on trial from them. They listen to feedback from customers and I know that any comments will go directly to Managing Director Ian Howard for consideration, which is really impressive customer care.”
For Adrian Martin, Head Groundsman at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road stadium, the Dennis G860 is a godsend. He looks after the League One side’s pitch without the luxury of any additional staff, so the machine’s versatility enhances operational efficiency and gives excellent value for money. “I chiefly chose the machine because of its excellent reputation. Everyone else I know who has one is very pleased with it. Ours replaced another machine that was ten years old, and which is now only used as a backup unit.”
As well as the cylinder mower cassette, Adrian has the verti-cutter and brush attachments for the G860. “I use the mower for cutting and rolling the pitch before match days, and for brushing away debris as and when required. Previously clearance work had to be done by hand, which took much longer, and this frees me up for other tasks. I also appreciate the excellent backup and advice we get from Nigel Cornwell of our local dealer Berewood Ltd, and from Dennis Area Representative Robert Jack.”
At Villa Park, home of Aston Villa, Head Groundsman Jonathan Calderwood uses two G860s and two Premier mowers to keep the sward in perfect condition. The G860 weighs only 166kg and its light footprint avoids compacting the ground. It incorporates a steel-geared differential in an oil bath for easy turning without scuffing the grass, and a cast, three-section aluminium ribbed roller ensures positive traction. Jonathan chose a 91cm (36in) diesel-engined version of the Premier. Gearbox drive through automotive clutches increases reliability and simple controls are mounted on the console.
There are many other clubs throughout the length and breadth of the UK who are appreciating the versatility of these Dennis mowers. The manufacturer reports that the G860 is a particular favourite of grounds professionals. At Premiership side Everton, Grounds Manager Bob Lennon has recently added a second machine to his fleet. Richard Bird, Head Groundsman at Luton Town, has two G860s together with verti-cutter and brush cassettes.
Joe Aylett, Head Groundsman at the National Hockey Stadium that hosts the Milton Keynes Dons, has two G860s. One is owned by the club and the other is hired from local Dennis dealer RT Machinery, who has also supplied the club with verti-cut and brush cassettes on sponsorship hire.
The G860 is the mower of choice for Tony Stones, Head Groundsman at Barnsley FC, which has two machines and Dave Mitchell, Carlisle United’s Stadium Manager. It is also essential equipment at Stevenage Borough, and north of the border at East Stirlingshire FC, where Head Groundsman Jimmy Wilson finds the machine’s versatility invaluable.
Groundsmen at football grounds throughout the country are obviously passionate about the benefits of using Dennis mowers. Their precision and versatility maximises quality and efficiency, and as ever greater demands are placed on sports turf, they are enabling the highest performance standards to be maintained.
Photo: Adrian Martin, Head Groundsman at Leyton Orient FC with his Dennis G860 mower Dave Roberts, Grounds Manager at Southampton FC with one of his Dennis G760 mowers