A review of three new Toro products

By Alistair March 20, 2019 07:54

A mower that significantly reduces noise, a fixed-head greens’ mower that brings a new consistency to pedestrian mowing and the most precise irrigation control system yet – three new launches from Toro to make your golf course as good as it can be, writes Jenny Yu.

Toro’s Greensmaster eTriFlex responds to customer demand for quieter cutting

Reesink Turfcare has introduced three new Toro launches to the UK already in 2019. Two on the machinery side and one on the irrigation, with all reflecting what Toro does best – innovation.

David Cole, managing director at Reesink, 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 eTriFlex

Toro’s new hydraulics-free Greensmaster eTriFlex with lithium-ion battery cuts noise for quiet, leak-free, clean cutting.

The eTriFlex is a classic example of Toro responding to customer demand by creating a machine which significantly reduces noise. The big benefits to this are that it 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.

Alongside the lithium-ion battery is a proven Kawasaki twin cylinder 14hp air-cooled engine with a reduced speed of 2400rpm, shrouded in venting. It’s this design that ensures perceived bystander noise is significantly reduced.

Jeff Anguige, national sales manager, at Reesink, says: “The eTriFlex is a mower you could talk about all day. It’s quiet, and with no hydraulics, it delivers clean and leak-free cutting. It ticks the green credentials’ box with its all-electric components and brings an estimated 22 percent saving in fuel, in comparison to say the Greensmaster 3320, thanks to its efficient power supply.”

As you’d expect from Toro, cutting capabilities are only ever improved upon, and the Greensmaster eTriFlex is no exception. The company is calling it the most advanced riding greens’ mower ever – bringing a new standard in mowing greens. Plus, the cut is consistent from the first to the last green as it’s no longer dependent on changing oil temperatures.

Jeff concludes: “With the familiar feel of its series counterparts such as the Greensmaster 3320, we have no doubt the eTriFlex will create a great deal of interest with UK greenkeepers and course managers keen to lower noise pollution and up their green credentials.”

Toro’s Greensmaster 1021 brings new consistency to pedestrian mowing

The Greensmaster 1021

Bringing a new level of consistency to pedestrian mowing is Toro’s new Greensmaster 1021 with patent-pending features to improve the operator’s experience without affecting the quality of cut.

Part of a new series of fixed-head pedestrian greens’ mowers, the 21-inch mower benefits from a number of features designed to take performance cutting to the next level, according to the company. The handle and suspension have all received the Toro touch and together mean operation is simpler, cut is more consistent and adjustment is even easier.

Jeff Anguige says: “The innovation in the new series of pedestrian greens’ mowers takes what was loved and appreciated in the enduring success of the Greensmaster 1000 mower and makes it even better. This is Toro innovation at its best – taking something you think can’t be any better and doing just that.”

The most significant design development comes from the new telescoping loop handle which can be easily adjusted to comfortably accommodate operators of all heights and skill levels, while handle isolation mounts give the cutting unit constant contact with the ground throughout the mowing process.

Jeff continues: “Even the slightest variability in the height of cut due to handle pressure or different operator movements can affect the consistency of cut. These design improvements eliminate that, while the constant contact with the ground and the inclusion of the new EdgeSeries cylinders guarantees a crisp, close and precise cut.”

New operator controls in conjunction with a shorter distance between the roller and the drum also means handling is more precise in turns and on undulating ground.

Maintenance is now even quicker – now it only takes minutes to replace an entire cutting unit or engine assembly. It’s not just that though, the modular design allows for easy repair and replacement of key components and each unit’s ability to backlap directly using the transport wheels means the entire maintenance process is streamlined.

Toro’s new Lynx Smart Module and Smart Hub setup is an adaptation on the already successful GDC control system

The Lynx Smart Module two-wire system

Toro’s Lynx Smart Module and Smart Hub irrigation setup, which provides the flexibility of a satellite controller with the cost savings of a two-wire system, is now available in the UK.

Based on decades of engineering experience from Toro to deliver high speed diagnostics using rapid two-way communications, the Lynx Smart Module two-wire system is an adaptation on the already successful GDC control system. It’s a backwards and forwards compatible add-on tool which provides backup and operation should connection to the central control be interrupted so irrigation continues.

But that’s not all. It comes with attachments to expand the capabilities of the Lynx central control system to another level. The Module makes irrigation smart – add it to a GDC system, for example, for extra precision and speed.

Meanwhile, the pedestal or wall-mounted Smart Hub enables the system to be segmented into manageable areas by strategically placing up to nine Smart Hubs over the site for simplified maintenance.

This allows for in-field manual operation or troubleshooting and creates a convenient point of connection for the soil, flow and status sensors.

Robert Jackson, irrigation field sales manager for Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare, explains more: “These products certainly demonstrate that just when you thought Toro’s Lynx central control system couldn’t get any better, Toro does what it does best and innovates.

“The Hub controls up to 1,000 sprinklers. It comes with 20 percent lower installation costs and is ten times faster than other two-wire systems in reducing diagnostic test times.

“Plus, it’s available in either hard wire format or digitally for communication between the Lynx controller and Smart Hub to offer the possibility of further reductions in cabling costs.”

Robert continues: “All of these features are coupled with the option to integrate with pump systems and weather stations to allow instant and ‘real time’ adjustments to irrigation programmes in the event of pump issues or weather events that require application changes.”

The Lynx Smart Module can be updated with a single click meaning course managers will always have the very latest innovation and benefits as soon as they’re released, and the handy bar code app puts faster installation and replacement in the palm of your hand quite literally.

This means course managers can reduce downtime, optimise efficiency and, Robert confirms, make significant savings: “Management, maintenance, installation and operation are all easy with the Smart System thanks to increased control. Because you can control sprinkler run times to within plus or minus a second you get exactly the right amount of water precisely where it’s needed. Just imagine running 1,000 sprinklers at 80lpm for just 30 seconds less – that could save about 40 cubic metres a day and considerably reduce power consumption costs in relation to pumping systems!”

The fact that it’s equally as well suited for sites under construction or those which have yet to update means everyone can benefit from the Lynx two-wire system and its attachments.