June 5, 2023 - Turf Matters

Ariens’ Arrow Takes Aim at the UK Stand-On Mower Market: The Ariens Arrow range of stand-on zero-turn mowers is now available to buy in the UK for the first time. Primarily designed for commercial users, the Arrow provides a perfect blend of power, performance and manoeuvrability, combining the comfort and speed of a zero-turn mower with compact size and agility.

Ergonomics have been prioritised in every aspect of the mower’s design. The standing driver position, with thighs leaning against the machine, is the most natural working stance and of particular benefit to users with back problems. The standing position enables the legs to absorb vibrations and unevenness efficiently, as well as allowing for easy, quick mounting and dismounting. An ergonomic control panel allows critical adjustments to be made on the move.

Ariens’ Arrow Takes Aim at the UK Stand-On Mower Market

The Arrow’s mowing performance is enhanced by its compact design and very low centre of gravity. At a length of only 160cm, with a cutting width of either 81cm or 91cm, the mower can be driven closely and quickly around bushes and trees. With a full view from above of the entire mowing deck and clear visibility of the machine’s width, the driver can approach and drive around obstacles efficiently, navigating intricate shapes, flowerbeds and hillside terrain safely and easily. Where variable height is needed, the deck can be adjusted quickly to maintain high-quality cutting performance.

The Ariens Arrow’s space-saving dimensions and low weight (approximately 345g) also make a noticeable difference to daily handling. The mower’s narrow width allows good accessibility through small gateways and backyards, making it ideal for mowing small to medium and winding lawns. However, the Arrow also achieves high performance on larger lawns, allowing for the full driving speed of up to 13km/h.

When it comes to durability, the Ariens Arrow has all the features of a professional machine. Commercially designed Hydro-Gear ZT 3100 wheel motors provide maintenance intervals of 400 hours (after the first oil change). Highly stable blade carriers made of forged aluminium are combined with a fully-welded professional mower deck made of 4.5mm thick sheet steel and an extra-large tank for long range. The Arrow is backed by a warranty of five years or 1,000 hours (in line with the Ariens EMEAA warranty conditions).

“We displayed the Arrow series for the first time at Saltex in November 2022 and were overwhelmed by the reception,” says Brad Stiles, Vice President of Sales, EMEAA. “It’s clear that the launch of the Arrow in the UK offers an exciting new option for professional users seeking the ability to mow large areas of grass while manoeuvring around obstacles with ease.”

The ARROW stand-on zero-turn mower is now available to buy in the UK with either a 32” or 36” deck. Visit www.ariens.eu to find out more.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Suståne gets top marks from Farleigh School: More than a decade on from the switch to an organic feeding programme, the grounds team at Farleigh School in Hampshire are receiving more praise than ever before!

Staff, parents and pupils alike have cited how surfaces across the 70-acre site are providing consistent presentation and performance, despite the challenging climatic conditions, which Grounds Manager and Sports Coach Shaun Crowley attributes to the reliable results from 18-1-8+Fe and 5-2-4+Fe from Suståne.

Suståne gets top marks from Farleigh School

“While we weren’t initially pressured to explore the organic route, it was something my predecessor and I were keen on – not just for the environmental benefits but considering the safety element for the children and the flexibility it provided on application rates. We have a packed schedule both during and between term-times so getting feed down without pupils around was challenging” explains Shaun, who has been Sports Coach at Farleigh School since 2011 and took over the role of Grounds Manager three years ago. “Russell Riley from Suståne came in 12 years ago and it became clear that as long as we could catch a bit of favourable weather, we would be able to apply the product more flexibly which has been a great benefit ever since.”

Starting on the cricket squares, before finding uses on the outfields and lawned areas, Shaun and his team of five have found the combination of 18-1-8+Fe and 5-2-4+Fe delivers exactly what they need – namely a kickstart in spring, followed by consistent health, colour and growth without flushes. “We’ll apply the 18-1-8+Fe when the temperatures rise, ideally March or April, to get the cricket surfaces ready for the summer season. We’ll then carry out three to four applications of the 5-2-4+Fe annually which we see as a ‘maintainer’, again on our cricket squares and on our Headmaster’s lawn area.”

Suståne 18-1-8+Fe is a two-part blend combining Suståne organic with urea nitrogen for enhanced and long-lasting colour, ideal for fine turf and sports turf applications, lawns and landscaping. Combining four forms of Nitrogen, including three types of slow-release, 18-1-8+Fe provides economical results over a 12-16 week period. 5-2-4+Fe is the original Suståne formula, providing a mix of nutrients for greater root development, increased soil porosity and stability and even colour and growth. Fully compostable, 5-2-4+Fe has also demonstrated outstanding disease suppression on wide variety of turfgrass diseases, including Red Thread, in trials.

“We know what we need from the Suståne products, we know when and where to apply them, and we know that they work. Russell is also a great person to have on the end of the phone. He pops in to make sure we’re on track and has given us some great advice for improving growth on some of our more problematic heavy-clay areas.” Shaun concludes, “I know it’s a phrase that gets used a lot, but these Suståne fertilisers do exactly what they say on the tin!”