Navigating the endless array of course maintenance products can be a minefield. We’ve asked four of the leading manufacturers to take you through their new machinery for 2018
Nothing is more important in golf course maintenance than having the right machinery – whether that’s mowers or tractors for tees, fairways, greens or rough.
Club managers can often play an important role in the discussion process, whether that’s at the committee stage or in consultation with an owner and greenkeeping team.
So what’s on the market at the moment and how could they help make keeping your course in great condition easier?
We asked four of the leading providers, John Deere, Ransomes Jacobsen, Toro and Kubota to take us through their new products…
John Deere
John Deere’s new 8900A PrecisionCut fairway mower and 9009A TerrainCut rough mower are the latest additions to the company’s award-winning A Model family of fairway, rough, trim and surrounds machines. The 8900A fairway mower – John Deere’s widest PrecisionCut machine – offers a choice of 26 or 30in (66 or 76cm) wide cutting units, both 7in (18cm) in diameter, which provide an overall cutting width of 114 or 130in (2.9m or 3.3m) together with exceptional contour following.
Both units offer an optional verticutter attachment for “increased versatility and convenience”. The 26in (66cm) cutting units are available in five, eight or 10 blade versions, with optional fairway tender conditioners and rear roller power brushes to further enhance cutting performance.
The larger 30in (76cm) cutting units have five or eight blades and allow higher capacity mowing. Rated at a maximum 48.3hp (36kW), the 8900A’s powerful, direct injection four-cylinder diesel engine features LoadMatch transmission settings to provide consistent cut quality and excellent climbing performance.
The 9009A, also John Deere’s widest TerrainCut mower, has five 27in (68.6cm) independent rotary mower decks, providing an overall cutting width of 9ft (2.7m).
Rated at a maximum 55hp, the powerful, direct injection four cylinder diesel engine uses integrated cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and automatic particulate filter cleaning to meet Stage IIIb emission regulations. A deep-shell deck design with rear discharge stands rough grass up for a cleaner cut, while dispersing the grass clippings more evenly over a wider area. Height of cut adjustments can be performed without tools using an innovative notch system, simply by pulling a lever.
Visit JohnDeere.co.uk for further details
Ransomes Jacobsen
The new Jacobsen TR series features two new triplex cylinder mowers that replace the TR-3 and Tri-King machines. Built for ease of servicing and operation, the TR330 premium model has integrated AdaptiShift technology, which allows cutting units to move side-to-side and mow hard to reach areas.
It also boasts adjustable mechanical suspension seating and on-board diagnostics with full colour display screen. The standard model, TR320, has a 1.63m transport width, 1.83m width of cut and a heightened quality of cut on slopes, hills and undulations.
The new AR series, meanwhile, replaces the AR-3 rotary mower. The AR321 is the standard model with AR331 the premium. Both models are 3WD rotary triple mowers featuring a 24.8hp Kubota diesel engine, an ergonomic control arm, electronic parking brake and a brand-new rotary deck design. AdaptiShift is also present in the premium version.
Finally, the super lightweight SLF530 mower features “Jacobsen’s patented double pivot float mechanism, which allows the cutting units to hug the contours of undulating terrain with ease”. The company say the SLF530 is perfect for mowing or verticutting fairways, surrounds, greens and tees.
Available as 3WD or 4WD, it has a 24.8hp Kubota diesel engine along with the FlashAttach cutting unit mounting system. That reduces maintenance time with tool-less removal and installation.
Find out more at ransomesjacobsen.com
Toro
Toro’s Greensmaster 1000’s revolutionary design is still influencing greens cutting 28 years after it was first launched. The latest classic is as popular now as when first launched in 1989 and has four innovative design features that are now widely seen in professional pedestrian greens mowers across the world.
The loop handle design and the ‘Dual Klick’ adjust of the bedknife were industry firsts, as was the front weight bias, which offsets the operator’s natural tendency to place weight on the handle, allowing the cylinder to better follow the ground’s contours for a consistent cutting height.m
A wide Kickstand for stationary stability to change transport wheels was new too, and all together they combined to deliver a superior quality of cut that remains unmatched today. Its smooth drums are gentle on greens and grass baskets distribute clippings evenly for optimal mowing on each pass, whether conditions are wet or dry.
Even at the lowest height of cut setting, the GR1000 provides a consistent finish and, overall, produces the smoothest, most uniform cut in a greens mower.
The Workman GTX, meanwhile, might be light but it offers loads of utility. With more than 300 configurations, the turf and grounds crossover utility vehicle is the industry’s most versatile platform with more power, improved steering and an exclusive suspension and braking system, also making it the most practical and comfortable in its mid-duty class.
Available in petrol or electric versions, the adaptable Workman GTX is the first in the range to offer the option to seat four, working as a personnel carrier as well as materials carrier, and does so “without compromising on power, comfort or control.” It’s a worthy addition to the range and complements the existing line-up of Toro heavy-duty machines.
Learn more by visiting toro.com
Kubota
Kubota UK’s high performance L1361 Compact Utility Tractor provides versatility, productivity and efficiency. The 36.6 HP machine is a flexible choice, featuring a powerful three cylinder Kubota D1803-M-E2 engine, manual or three-range speed hydrostatic transmission and a 38 litre capacity fuel tank for extended periods of use. It also in 4WD and live continuous-running rear PTO is available on the HST model.
By featuring a quick detach front loader, the model allows for easier and quicker use of implements, including the new Kubota LA525 front loader with a curved boom design, for easy completion of the biggest of tasks. The bevel gear front axle has also been designed to deliver an extremely tight turning radius, with full power transfer to the wheels at every steering angle.
This enables greater traction across all terrains for secure high performance. However, productivity and performance aren’t the only key benefits of the machine.
Ergonomics have also played a significant part in the L1361’s refreshed design, with a spacious operator deck and slanted front bonnet for greater field of vision when handling front loader operations to ensure maximum safety.
For clubs looking to purchase a new compact tractor this year, there is the new and improved B Series range. A more standard spec machine, the B1 Series has three models ranging from 16 to 24hp and is an evolution of the long-standing B1 utility tractor range.
Featuring refreshed styling, with a new slanted bonnet offering a clear view of all operations, Kubota say the B1 “significantly enhances safety, control and comfort, while also reflecting the power and dependability the series has long been associated with”.
Visit Kubota.co.uk for more information and to find the nearest dealer.
