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.
