Mowing out in the open (part 3)

publication date: Jun 4, 2008

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author/source: David Harris

Self-propelled mowers, on the other hand, can often be more economical in operation when being used as full-time mowing implements, he points out. “It really depends on each operator's individual needs. Lastec, who pioneered the Articulator principle to provide unrivalled quality of cut in undulating areas, now offers a full spectrum of solutions based on this technology, with rotary mowing to offer the most economical solution for large areas.”

An interesting compromise may be a ‘mowing tractor’, which can also be deployed for other tasks if required. Reform manufactures tractors from 40hp-61hp in their Metrac G series, 46hp-68hp in its Metrac H (hydrostatic) series and from 68hp-95hp in the Mounty range.

 This choice of power unit can cover all eventualities for a wide range of users including the amenity, utility, contractor and golf sectors suggests Simon Richard, UK agent for the Reform range.

“Optional implements, Metrac and Mounty’s light footprint and renowned ‘crab-steer’ mode for working on sloping terrain, mean both a multitude of possible uses from one machine and a solution to operator health and safety issues,” he points out.

The Metrac with shell deck offers the ideal combination for the operator to work safely on both larger and banked areas.”

The latest addition to the Reform range is the Metrac G3 model, introduced at Saltex last year. This is a 40hp Kubota diesel powered tractor unit with eight forward and reverse gears. Four-wheel steer is hydrostatic with load sensing facility and is switchable to front, rear or ‘crab-steer’ mode.

 Rotary gang mowers can offer a versatile solution for parks, suggest Paul Trowman of Trilo,which now imports the Progressive range. “The new Progressive TDR15 roller mower follows the rotary principle with a high tip speed for the best finish,” he explains. “But these mowers are also easy to maintain and robust enough for areas which may have debris lying in the grass. Cylinders are vulnerable to foreign objects, needing constant resetting, and flails are time consuming to sharpen by comparison.”

“Gang layouts allow mowers to follow ground contours on amenity areas, but independent wing lift can also be specified to access awkward jobs such as goal mouths, and the mower can turn in its own length if required,” he says. “The roller gives a smart striped finish, and we are finding that the TDR is in demand from local authorities who use it to cut a variety of turf surfaces, including football pitches, while the cut quality is good enough even for golf courses.”

Massey Ferguson comments that the mowing machine of choice for its tractor customers is the mid-mounted rotary deck, many customers preferring the year-round versatility of a tractor-mower to a dedicated ride-on machine. “The mid-deck configuration is available for all MF compact tractors across the 1500 Series range and the 22.5hp sub-compact GC2300 model. In fact, the GC2300 is MF's best-selling compact tractor and is specified almost always with either a 1.22m or 1.37m side-discharge mid cutter deck, with or without collection, or a 1.37m mulching deck,” comments Colin Gregory, Groundcare Sales Manager UK & Ireland.

“Mid, front or rear-mounted, the major philosophy behind the tractor and mower combination is the ability to use the tractor for other jobs when it is not cutting grass. In the case of the mid-mounted cutter deck, this can be achieved without having to remove the deck at all.”Versatility, simplicity and safety are the three main features of the TC tractor mounted mower, suggests Caroni importer Lamberhurst Engineering.
“Available with cutting widths from 1.2 to 2.35m, it can be used for any type of grassy area from fields to golf courses, parks to motorway grass verges, lawns to sports grounds.

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