First Iseki TLE4490 tractor sold in Europe

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East Grinstead Rugby Football Club (EGRFC) located in West Sussex has taken delivery of the first Iseki TLE4490 tractor sold in Europe. The tractor was delivered by local Iseki dealer, Yeowart Agricultural.

The new tractor will be used to manage and maintain three full-size pitches covering a total of 14 acres. The pitches at EGRFC are home to a total of 17 teams; three senior teams, one veteran team, six intermediate teams (U13-U18), and seven junior teams (U6-U12).

Chairman of EGRFC, Bob Marsh, is responsible for the operational management of the club as a business. He commented on the recent investment.

“The TLE4490 provides us with the capability to manage all of our own land. We are now able to mow, verti-drain and aerate our pitches without the need for dedicated machines for each job. The tractor provides us with the flexibility to hire in other equipment or attachments using our own power source.

“The Iseki TLE4490 is part of the wider TLE series of compact tractors from Iseki. It features a 46hp water-cooled diesel engine and utilises an 8Fx8R mechanical drive transmission system. Three-point linkage with 1200kg lift capacity and one double-acting hydraulic service are equipped as standard, and the option of turf or agricultural tyres is provided,” he said.

“It’s what I like to call ’a proper tractor’. It’s powerful, intuitive and easy-to-use, and most of all, it’s a simple tractor that is effective at doing the job that is required of it. The selectable 4WD and independent rear PTO is particularly useful; it provides us with the manoeuvrability that we need, and the power to complete heavy tasks with ease. We are delighted to be the first recipients in Europe of this fantastic machine, but I have no doubt that rugby clubs around the country will be opting for an Iseki tractor when they try one for themselves.”

East Grinstead Rugby Football Club was founded in 1929 by Brian Desmond, and the current clubhouse located at Saint Hill was built in 1997. Since the 1950s, the club has hosted an annual rugby sevens tournament “Sunshine Sevens” which has raised in the region of £250,000 for several children’s charities.