Mowing out in the open (part 1)
There is a dizzying array of mowers on the market, and while for some applications –such as golf or conservation areas - the choice is dictated by conditions, for managers of parks and open spaces it is more complex. They may have large areas to cut, still requiring a fine finish, while trees, play equipment and other obstacles demand nimble equipment. So what is the best solution – rotary, cylinder or flail, and tractor mounted or ride-on?
There are three main considerations for park managers and local authorities when faced with purchasing new equipment for large area maintenance, suggests Eibhlin Murphy of Major Grasscare.
“These would include the purchase and maintenance budget, the standard of finish required and what is the area being used for along with the time available for setting up the equipment. The purchase budget is the deciding factor in most cases.”
“At Major we believe that a rotary Rollermower provides a total solution to grounds management with a finish comparable to that of a cylinder mower. The optimum blade tip speed can be achieved at low revs and the material is finely chopped in the mulching chambers before being expelled out the rear of the machine.
Eibhlin points out: “Major is the leading wide area mower suppliers to the UK Polo Clubs who require a perfect finish every time to their playing fields. The Guards Polo Club is running three Major TDR16000 Rollermowers.” Other pros of a rotary Rollermower system, Eibhlin comments, are the reduced set up time and maintenance and repair costs.She adds: “On the Major TDR machines the operator has the flexibility to use just the wings or to raise the wings and just use the 2.43m Rollermower on its own for narrower working areas. We have focused much of our attention on this product, and are in the process of developing a front mounted rotary Rollermower to add to the range. “
Trimax Mowing Systems has had more than 25 years of experience of the design and manufacture of mowers to deal with exactly this scenario whilst at the same time producing mowers which can double up to mow fine turf on a regular basis,” points out the company’s Helen Kinnon. “Trimax rotary mowers leave a cylinder-like finish and a smart striped sward. Professionals faced with large areas are increasingly turning to wide area rotary mowing: the Trimax Pegasus2 offers widths of 4.93 and 6.1m. In addition this is a mower that can continue to work in inclement weather at a good pace wet.”
“The Stealth2 and Procut3 are used on everything from private estate lawns to race courses. All three of these rotary mowers can be set at heights to suit most applications.”
Ruston’s Engineering Co’s managing director Richard Ruston believes that rotary is the choice for high speed mowing on amenity areas. “A dedicated zero turn mower such as the Grasshopper will give high output with good operator comfort for long periods of mowing. Rotary mowers are much less susceptible to cutting unit damage from discarded rubbish on road sides and in public areas, and therefore much cheaper to run. Different blade sets can be supplied for different finishes, as well as mulching kits to avoid the need for grass collection,” he explains.
Toro’s ride-on Groundsmaster rotary and Reelmaster reel mowers have proved popular for fine turf applications, such as parks, amenity turf areas, sports fields and pitches, and municipal golf courses, thanks to the machines’ blade options and quality cutting decks, says key accounts manager Trevor Chard.
“Ride-on mowers offer a better quality of cut as the wheels of a tractor-mounted or trailed mower run over the grass before mowing. This pushes the grass down and means that the affected areas won’t be as well cut. Self-propelled models are faster, more manoeuvrable and the decks are more visible.”
Because the machines are extremely versatile, Trevor says that personal preference is key: “The choice between batwing or all-out-front mowers is often down to what the individual prefers, although all-out-front decks give better visibility from an operator’s perspective,” he says.
