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Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity: A Kubota M4073 has been praised by Meldrum House Golf Club, providing high capacity and productivity on turf tyres, ensuring a sensitive footprint.

Delivered alongside an L2452 with loader by HRN Tractors in August 2024, the addition of the higher horsepower model has given the team the ability to tackle larger and more specialist tasks in-house, to the benefit of both the golf course and wider estate.

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Kubota M4073 praised for delivering power and productivity

Meldrum House was acquired by Apex Hotels in May 2024. As part of ongoing investment in the site, Golf Course and Grounds Manager Kenny Harper, was tasked with the replacement of the clubs tractor fleet – and he knew exactly where to turn, thanks to his longstanding relationship with local dealers HRN. “A major part of any equipment purchase for us is the back-up support we receive, and we know we have that in HRN” Kenny explains. “With that assured, we then needed to know that the machines themselves were up to task when HRN switched franchises to Kubota. They brought in demonstrator models and it wasn’t long before we decided that was spot on too.”

“Increasingly, we were finding implements were putting too much strain on the tractor, or the tractor itself didn’t have enough power or grip for some of the heavier tasks. The solution was to purchase two Kubota models – an L2452 which is a straight replacement for a similar size compact tractor we were using and the M4, which is a pretty sizeable step-up to give us greater scope and capacity.”

The M4 series from Kubota is a proven all-rounder, with an extremely spacious and comfortable cab and a reliable, efficient 4-cylinder Kubota diesel engine at its core. With 74hp, the M4073 model delivers maximum power and particularly strong rear hydraulics to provide full lifting power to suit all greenkeeping and estate management tasks.

“One feature the team and I particularly like on both tractors is the gear selection and constant speed controller which gives us pinpoint control over engine speed which is important for creeper tasks such as trenching or sandbanding.” He continues, “The pair have been pretty much non-stop since they arrived with winter aeration and renovation works and haven’t missed a beat.”

Another of the winter tasks the M4073 has taken in its stride is woodland management across the 18 parkland holes and hotel estate. Partnered with a new 8-tonne trailer, Kenny and the team now benefit from twice as much space and power than their previous set-up. “We had to hire-in equipment for large tree works and were dependent on what was available when we needed it. The Kubota and trailer now enable us to conduct the task in-house which, in itself, brings many benefits.” He concludes, “We’re yet to really find anything the M4 can’t do!”

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Council delivering with Ventrac

Council delivering with Ventrac: North Lincolnshire Council is committed to delivering best value to its residents and demonstrated this with the recent purchase of two Ventrac 4500 all-terrain compact tractors and multiple attachments. Delivered and installed by local dealer Russells, the package also included two MU rotary mowing decks, one Tough Cut deck and a Tiller attachment.

So impressed with the versatility of the Ventrac, the council’s Green and Open Spaces Manager Carl Beacock, is already looking at adding an Aeravator, Contour mowing deck, Edger and Finishing deck to this ever burgeoning mini-fleet.

Council delivering with Ventrac

Council delivering with Ventrac

Prior to taking up this latest position, experience groundscare professional Carl Beacock spent 7 years as Grounds Maintenance Manager at the Riverside Housing Group and 9 years as Estate Manager for Kingston-upon- Hull Council.

“We were looking to replace our aging Aebi mower,” he said, “but I wanted to ensure that we achieved best value with an alternative machine that was more than a ‘one-trick pony’, albeit the Aebi is a very competent one!

“When researching the market, I spoke to some colleagues in the south of England, who provided effusive feedback on the Ventrac, especially its versatility. This sounded exactly what I was looking for – a machine that not only performs well as a mower, but one that could be used 52 weeks a year with the right attachments.

“We contacted our local dealer Russells, who quickly organised a demonstration and within less than a minute I realised it was the machine for us. It performs on slopes, its stability is excellent and every attachment does what we expect, ticking the box for versatility. We are mandated to maintain all green spaces in the area including parks, sports pitches, cemeteries and roadside verges. Traditionally we have been using ride-on cylinder and rotary mowers, but they are designed for one specific purpose. whereas the Ventrac is much more versatile.

“We can mow our sports pitches down at 25 mm, then change out the deck in a matter of minutes and be cutting down bracken and brambles. We have a policy of introducing more wildflower meadows across the area and for this this purpose we purchased the tiller attachment. This helps us quickly prepare the soil bed in readiness for the specialist seed mixes and we can do it on steep slopes. We can also use it when we are restoring football and rugby pitches.

“I think this demonstrates that we have purchased a couple of multi-capacity machines, that produce a finished cut on fine turf as good as our current cylinder mowers, but can fulfil numerous other functions. We have been blown away by their performance; every member of my team is commenting on how good they are and that doesn’t happen very often! Without a doubt, it’s a great piece of kit and the best investment I’ve made during my career.”

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