A guide to some of the best greens’ and tees’ mowers in 2019

By Alistair May 19, 2019 14:40 Updated

There have been a number of innovations in mowing technology recently. We outline some of the most relevant ones to greenkeepers – from the leaders in the field.

The eTriFlex is a classic example of Toro responding to customer demand by creating a machine which significantly reduces noise.

Reesink Turfcare has introduced two new Toro launches to the UK already in 2019, all reflecting what Toro does best – innovation.

The eTriFlex is a classic example of Toro responding to customer demand by creating a machine which significantly reduces noise. The new hydraulics-free Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360 with lithium-ion battery cuts noise to deliver quiet, leak-free, clean cutting. This allows work to start earlier and may circumvent noise regulations. It will help avoid complaints from area residents and prevent having to delay mowing certain greens early in the morning or during the day. Plus, with greens ready earlier, it could enhance revenue by allowing earlier tee times.

Toro’s new Greensmaster 1021 brings a new level of consistency to pedestrian mowing and takes all that was revolutionary, popular and legacy-making about the 1000 pedestrian mower and adds design improvements

The new Greensmaster 1021 brings a new level of consistency to pedestrian mowing and takes all that was revolutionary, popular and legacy-making about the 1000 pedestrian mower and adds design improvements to make operation smoother, green-to-green cut more consistent and adjustment easier. The 21-inch mower features a new telescoping loop handle which can be easily adjusted to comfortably accommodate operators of all heights and skill levels and handle isolation mounts to give the cutting unit constant contact with the ground throughout the mowing process.

David Cole, managing director at Reesink Turfcare, an official UK distributor for Toro, says: “These machines demonstrate the latest in terms of cutting-edge design and technology and our dedication to bringing our customers the very latest advancements in the industry.”

The new fixed head INFINICUT® mower from Cub Cadet was launched in January. Key attributes such as lightweight design, lithium battery power and quiet operation come as standard

MTD

As the skillset of turf managers continues to excel, MTD understands the importance of providing the appropriate tools to capitalise on all of the other agronomic advances employed within the golf industry.

The new fixed head INFINICUT® mower from Cub Cadet, launched at BTME 2019 in January, is designed to do just that. Following on from the hugely successful FL floating head mower, the INFINICUT® FX incorporates many of the key tried-and-tested features in a simpler, more affordable package.

Available in 22”, 26”, 30” and 34” cutting widths, industry-leading cut quality remains at the heart of the new FX design philosophy. Key attributes such as lightweight design, lithium battery power and quiet operation come as standard, while transport wheel and other bespoke options are available. The cassettes are ‘bottom mounted’, bolted in place, which reduces the risk of the unit oscillating when in use. The FX also offers the ability to parallel the whole machine on the rear traction roller, which keeps the machine cutting well and true.

As with the INFINICUT® FL, the new fixed head machine can utilise the interchangeable ATT TMSystem™ cassettes. In addition to the accuracy and cleanliness of cut achieved with the SMARTCut™ cassette, the operator can easily switch this out for another cassette from the range to aerate, brush, de-thatch, scarify, top-dress, groom, level or mow, all with a single machine.

Commenting at its launch, sales manager Vinny Tarbox said: “Much of the design of the new INFINICUT® FX has been motivated by the requirements of our industry professionals, to provide them with the mechanical maintenance tools and techniques that can assist in the creation of a strong, healthy plant. With the continued non-renewal of plant protection products around Europe, this has never been more important. The new Fixed HeadTM package will help a broader market base to benefit from the numerous advantages of Cub Cadet’s unique cutting-edge mowing technology.”

Deputy head greenkeeper at Mapperley Golf Club, Michael Dickson, with the Dennis Razor

Dennis

According to deputy head greenkeeper and mechanic Michael Dickson, there has been a notable improvement in the quality of the greens at Mapperley Golf Club in Nottingham since purchasing two Dennis Razor mowers.

Michael is part of a four-man greenkeeping team that works tirelessly to keep the course in immaculate condition all year round. He admits that it can, at times, be a challenge with just four in the team and that it is therefore imperative they have the correct maintenance equipment in place.

In particular, cutting by hand in summer at Mapperley is just too tall a task for the four-man team but in winter there is no other option.

“You don’t get much hillier than Mapperley, says Michael. “It can get incredibly wet in winter and no vehicle can get to some of our greens without either marking the ground or sliding all over the place – and that can be very dangerous.

“Our previous greens’ mowers were getting old, they were always breaking down and the quality of cut was never brilliant so we knew that we wanted to upgrade. Ultimately, what we wanted was a good quality mower to cut the greens in winter.

“We had the Razor on demo and were instantly impressed. The members loved it and they could instantly tell which green it had been demonstrated on. Even when the treasurer came out, he saw the quality of cut and said: ‘Right, we’re having them now’.

“The other mowers we tried just felt very heavy and more difficult to manoeuvre in comparison to the Razor. It was the best option by far.”

Superbly balanced and ideal for golf greens and other fine turf surfaces, the Razor features a 560mm (22 inch), 11 blade cutting cylinder for a perfect finish. An ultra-short wheelbase ensures easy manoeuvrability and excellent performance, even on undulating surfaces. The Dennis Razor encompasses the simple ‘no tools required’ click height adjusters for quick and easy operation, a feature which particularly struck a chord with Michael and his team.

“In my opinion the best features on the Razor are that they are reliable, incredibly well-built and easy to use. They keep the weight off the greens in winter and the cut that it offers in terms of presentation is fantastic. Since we’ve been using the Razor the greens have been a different quality.”

The John Deere 2750 PrecisionCut and E-Cut hybrid triplex mowers, which will be available in the UK next year, will offer more precise control of performance and cut quality than ever before, at lower operating costs

John Deere

Not available until 2020, but one to keep an eye on, is John Deere’s 2750 PrecisionCut and E-Cut hybrid triplex mowers that will offer more precise control of performance and cut quality than ever before, at lower operating costs.

Designed to provide premium cut quality regardless of who operates the machine, the new 2750 greens’ mowers feature an enhanced TechControl system as well as improved access to the grass boxes, together with a lightweight, open platform design.

“Consistent cut quality across all operators, efficient contour following and grass box accessibility are all critical needs for our customers, and understanding these requirements was a key driver behind the development of these new reel mowers,” says John Deere’s European turf sales & marketing manager Carlos Aragones.

“The 2750 triplex mowers have been designed to tackle these challenges and take the stress out of fine turf mowing.”

Using the proven, password-protected TechControl system, fleet managers and technicians can input commands, controlling nearly everything relating to the operator’s performance. This includes frequency of clip, turn speed, clean-up pass speed and how fast the cutting units raise and lower, providing consistent end results on the course whoever is operating the mower.

Featured as an industry exclusive on the hydraulic model for the first time and also available as standard on the hybrid unit, the frequency of clip can be programmed by altering parameters on mowing speed, reel speed and number of blades on the reel. Once programmed, the settings cannot be changed by the operator and automatically adjust with ground speed, ensuring uniformity from machine to machine.

Clean-up pass mode, another John Deere exclusive, is a preset operating mode that the operator can engage to automatically reduce mowing speed on perimeter passes to increase accuracy, with less scalping or missed strips. This setting allows the operator to focus on the task, rather than on manually feathering the speed.

Adjustable turn speed allows the course manager to control how fast the operator is able to turn, which minimises the risk of turf damage. In addition, by selecting Eco Mode, engine speed can be electronically controlled to conserve fuel. In this mode, engine RPM are automatically adjusted based on the load, which can save up to 30 per cent on fuel as well as reduce operating sound levels.

The 2750 greens mowers’ frame design provides a low centre of gravity for excellent stability and traction performance. The lighter weight also reduces tyre tracking and ground compaction, while the open platform makes it easier to access the central grass box. All three grass boxes can be easily removed and installed with one hand, and there is a translucent yellow option for better visibility of grass clippings levels.

John Deere’s new 2750 PrecisionCut and E-Cut hybrid triplex mowers offer a 62 inch (157cm) mowing width at speeds of up to 6mph (9.7kph). The three-axis lift system on the cutting units provides up to 18 degrees of steering and 42 degrees of contour following for an even cut, especially on clean-up passes and undulating terrain. For maximum operator comfort, both the steering column and the steering wheel can be easily adjusted without the need for tools.