Tag Archive for: Jacobsen

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley

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Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley: Since the construction of Sage Valley Golf Club in 2001, Jacobsen mowers have covered every blade of grass on the 4000-acre site, and in those two decades, they have always impressed.

The private members club located just outside of Augusta, Georgia, sits within thousands of acres of preserved southern pine forest, and at its heart is the 18-hole, 7,344-yard course and three practice holes. Along with every blade of grass on the 4000 plus acre site, these courses are maintained by the Director of Agronomy, Dustin Purdue, and his team.

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley

Jacobsen celebrates 20-years at Sage Valley

With roadsides, fields, common areas and the courses under his control, the importance of having mowers for specific areas can’t be underestimated. For Dustin, it is the Jacobsen machines’ versatility that has played a significant part in their success.

“We maintain 125 acres of turf, so it’s a large area,” Dustin begins. “Most golf courses are in the 80 to 90-acre range, so when we are growing, and in the growing season and full-on mowing, we need every day and every minute just to stay on top of the amount of grass we have to mow.

“We’re maintaining things from a tenth of an inch on the greens all the way to two inches in the rough and then fields per se or just native roadside grasses. So having the ability for one supplier to have all of those pieces of equipment is definitely helpful.

“On our greens, we use the Eclipse 2 walk mowers, 22-inch. We have floating head units that we use on the bent grass greens on the big course, and then we have the fixed head units that we use on our TifEagle Bermudagrass greens on the Par 3 course.

“We also use the fixed head units to mow all of our tees on the big course, and we use the GP400s to mow approaches on both courses. We use SLF530s to mow fairways, and I use the TR330s to cut the rough.

“For quality of cut, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I feel like they hold up very well; they don’t need adjustments that often, the quality of cut, the quality of the steel and the materials used is great. Once they’re set, we’re able to go out and not have to make adjustments that often.”

Over 20-years at Sage Valley, Jacobsen has become part of the team. As the expectations from golfers and the world at large have changed, so has the product offering and speed of customer service. For years Dustin’s Jacobsen team off the course has kept the greenkeeping team on it, and it is that combination that makes everything click into place at Sage Valley.

“For us Superintendents, I’d say at the end of the day, it’s just our plan, but our plan’s no good if we don’t have a team to help us implement it. So I definitely would like to deflect and give my team any praise if possible because, again, I can have the best plan and dream in the world, but if we can’t go out and get it done, then it’s no good.

“I think in this day and age, specifically in the golf industry, but I also believe abroad, customer service is a huge part of the success of larger companies.

“I believe society nowadays just moves at a faster pace, and you kind of need everything right then, and I believe we’ve just come to expect it, so having great service is huge.”

Find your nearest Jacobsen dealer on their new website: https://www.jacobsen.com/?utm_source=Turf%20Business&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Turf%20Business%20E-Newsletter%20April

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Jacobsen double from Fairways GM

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Jacobsen double from Fairways GM: Track Manager, Darren Bissett, says Hamilton Park’s turf will be more than ready for the start of their flat racing season scheduled to begin in May. 

“Course maintenance wise we are on schedule with the first cut of both the track and the lawns due within the next week, assuming conditions prevail,” said Darren.

Jacobsen double from Fairways GM

Jacobsen double from Fairways GM

Darren joined the team at Hamilton Park from Ayr Racecourse exactly 12 months ago, and his first year in the job could hardly have been more unexpected.

In June 2020, a delayed and shortened fixture list got underway with eleven race meetings successfully staged behind closed doors by the time the season concluded at the end of September.

One huge positive for 2020 was that local grounds care dealer, Fairways GM, delivered two new Jacobsen mowers – the HR500 Rotary Mower for the track and the TR320 for Hamilton Park’s extensive fine turf areas.

“The machines were ordered by my predecessor after several very positive recommendations. They’ve worked fantastically and I’m genuinely very impressed at how effective they are. The HR500 has great width at 3.5 metres which allows us to cut the whole track with just five circuits in around 2.5 hours. It makes quick work and leaves a very clean cut.  The room that you get in the cab is exceptional; really spacious, so it’s great for the operator. Also, once you are finished, it’s incredibly easy to maintain.

“In March, we will probably only cut the track once a week until it gets a bit warmer and soil temperatures rise, however come May we’ll have increased that to at least twice a week.  Over the summer months cutting increases to three or four times a week as the fertilisation programme takes effect.

During the racing season we like to cut the day before a fixture, and then again 48 hours afterwards. Height of the cut is set at 6cm for the next month or so and when racing starts, we’ll allow it to grow a bit longer before cutting it to around 9cm. Changing the height of cut on the decks takes around half an hour and it’s a case of moving just ten pins, so it’s very straightforward.”

“Away from the track, our lawns are a great backdrop for weddings and events as well as racedays, and hopefully this summer they will see a lot more visitors. Because it’s been a bit milder these past few weeks the lawns are starting to grow. The TR320 delivers an exceptionally fine, effective cut and it is so good at striping the lawns and leaving a professional finish – everything is really level. We cut the track and the lawns on the same day so there will be times when we are cutting lawns four times a week throughout the summer.

Last year, sadly, we were unable to welcome racegoers and event guests alike and so we’re working hard to ensure the grounds will be at their spectacular best for when we can open our gates to the public once more.

Rob Hogarth, Fairways GM’s Area Sales Manager, said: The HR500 can cut all day long.  Robust and smooth, it has built in consistency delivered via a feature called Automated Assist Drive, so no matter the conditions the finish remains clean and sharp. The big cab that Darren likes gives the operator a superior view of what’s going on out-front; controls are positioned exactly where they are required, so you can also be extremely precise. The TR320 is good in tight spaces and challenging terrain.  It’s a wizard at stripes so is great at keeping locations pristine and interesting, a nice touch for important wedding photography.”

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BIGGA and Jacobsen to host FTMI

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BIGGA and Jacobsen to host FTMI: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association has revealed the 20 ambitious greenkeepers who will participate in the Future Turf Managers Initiative 2021. 

Each year Jacobsen, which celebrates its 100thanniversary in 2021, opens the doors of its headquarters in Ipswich to 20 BIGGA members who have earned a place on the groundbreaking course by demonstrating their commitment to the profession and eagerness to learn.

BIGGA and Jacobsen to host FTMI

BIGGA and Jacobsen to host FTMI

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, BIGGA and Jacobsen have created a new format for FTMI that will give the delegates a hybrid learning experience. The majority of the education and mentoring sessions will commence in April. An in-person event is then scheduled to take place in the autumn, which will enable delegates to meet in person and enjoy a tour of the Jacobsen factory. There will also be a learning session and formal graduation ceremony.

Each year FTMI pushes 20 BIGGA members out of their comfort zones, but in return they receive access to professional development experts and experienced mentors who provide them with a wide range of knowledge and skills that will prove invaluable as their careers progress.

FTMI was hosted first by BIGGA and Jacobsen 2013 and since then has expanded around the world, with similar programmes being introduced in Spain, Portugal, Australia and New Zealand.

Sami Strutt, Head of Learning and Development at BIGGA, said: “FTMI 2020 was one of the last in-person events hosted by BIGGA before the pandemic really hit and all our worlds changed. Since then BIGGA members have come to realise just how important continuing professional development can be for your own mental health and how it helps provide a platform where so many of us can come together as a community, albeit in socially-distanced manners.

“We’re told that the coronavirus pandemic will impact the economy for years to come and as part of that, competition for jobs is going to be fiercer than ever. I’m proud that these 20 successful candidates will be equipped with the best tools available to them to make the step up and achieve their career ambitions.”

BIGGA and Jacobsen to host FTMI

BIGGA and Jacobsen to host FTMI

Will Carr, Jacobsen UK Sales Director said: “We are a proud member of the turf industry and work daily with greenkeepers, grounds people and volunteers who all share a passion for their turf asset. That overarching passion has always been there, but in recent times it has been highlighted.

“The level of dedication from professionals through to volunteers is always outstanding and we have tried to match that in our own way with educational programmes such as the Future Turf Managers Initiative and by sponsoring various industry events and awards that recognize great work and dedication.”

The members of the FTMI Class of 2021 are:

  • Leon Brant, greenkeeper, Wexham Park Golf Centre
  • Christopher Clark, first assistant, Prince’s Golf Club
  • William Curran, assistant, Crowborough Beacon Golf Club
  • Daryn Curtis, assistant, Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club
  • Vincent Demarzo, deputy head greenkeeper, The Belfry
  • Anthony Dineen, deputy head greenkeeper, Thorndon Park Golf Club
  • Paul Fowkes, deputy head greenkeeper, Rothley Park Golf Club
  • John Hockley, deputy head greenkeeper, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
  • Conchobhar Kerr, first assistant, Royal Portrush Golf Club
  • Stephen Lawlor, first assistant, St Andrews Links Trust
  • Stephen Lindsay, deputy golf courses manager, The Gleneagles Hotel
  • Jason Norwood, greenkeeper, Reay Golf Club
  • Simon Parmenter, deputy head greenkeeper, Sunningdale Golf Club
  • Liam Pigden, first assistant, Burnham and Berrow Golf Club
  • Mark Reid, first assistant, Lanark Golf Club
  • Joseph Spadaccini, greenkeeper, Stoneham Golf Club
  • Andrew Weeks, deputy head greenkeeper, The Wisley Golf Club
  • Craig Woodman, greenkeeper, Bramshaw Golf Club
  • Jamie Wright, first assistant, Huntercombe Golf Club

Kimberley Yeldham, deputy head greenkeeper, Barnham Broom Hotel Golf Club

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Jacobsen mowers integral to Bay Hill

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Jacobsen mowers integral to Bay Hill: Every March, the world’s leading golfers gather in Florida for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and they compete on a course prepared with Jacobsen mowers.

Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge’s Director of Grounds, Chris Flynn, has been at the club since September 2014 and in that time has seen Matt Every, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, and most recently Tyler Hatton triumph.

Jacobsen mowers integral to Bay Hill

Jacobsen mowers integral to Bay Hill

But regardless of who comes out on top, the third-generation superintendent knows that everyone in the field expects perfection, and he gives it to them using Jacobsen.

“Bay Hill has had such a longstanding and successful relationship with Jacobsen, and Mr. Palmer personally had a long relationship with Jacobsen, and any property he was affiliated with carried the Jacobsen name with it.

“The impact of Jacobsen on what we do here year-round and especially for tournament time is beyond critical.

“If Jacobsen makes it, then it’s probably here. 22inch walk mowers, 26inch walk mowers, the triplexes, I’m a fan of the GP400s, fairway mowers, AR3, AR5, AR7s – so yeah, I can’t really think of anything that Jacobsen makes that we don’t have here and use on a daily basis.

“The Arnold Palmer Invitational is certainly one of the most tenured tournaments on the PGA Tour, and expectations are perfection. For us, it’s quite the process to do the build and set-up, it’s about a two and a half month process, and it takes about that same amount of time to break that down

“It requires additional support and equipment support, and the role Jacobsen plays in that is huge. Our mowing schedule ramps up. Mowing in the mornings and then mowing again in the afternoons, and that’s pretty much everything – tees, fairways, approaches, and greens.

“Obviously the equipment we need to rely on but then there’s the service side and having the support that we need with the equipment we have special tournament support. Having boots on the ground to help us and Jacobsen has always done an outstanding job in being there for us.

“The reliability has always been there, the reel technology is second to none, ease of maintenance and diagnosing issues when there are problems to making repairs to the ultimate use of the equipment and the quality of cut, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the assistance of Jacobsen.”

The latest edition of the tournament will be the 43rd played at Bay Hill since 1979, when it began life as the Bay Hill Citrus Classic. One hundred and twenty golfers will have the opportunity to receive the red cardigan sweater given to the winner in memory of Arnold Palmer, with twelve of the world’s top twenty-five ranked golfers among them.

For more information about the machines used at Bay Hill, visit www.jacobsen.com.

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Jacobsen introduces the Eclipse 360 ELiTE

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Jacobsen introduces the Eclipse 360 ELiTE: The new Eclipse 360 ELiTE from Jacobsen has been designed to combine the next generation of ELiTE lithium-ion batteries with a signature cut that has been trusted for a century.

ELiTE batteries have powered E-Z-GO vehicles for over 15 million hours, and that technology has been adopted by the E360 ELiTE to make a mower that can cut 50+ large greens on a single charge.

Jacobsen introduces the Eclipse 360 ELiTE

Jacobsen introduces the Eclipse 360 ELiTE

Noise during operation is reduced to virtual silence, meaning the machine can be used to cut anywhere early in the morning without disruption. The significant reduction in noise pollution is combined with zero air pollution with the all-electric model, while fuel consumption is reduced when cutting with the diesel hybrid.

Jacobsen has a decade’s worth of experience with the Eclipse range, and that has been reflected in the features of this new machine. The Patented Frequency of Clip Control ensures a consistent cut every time by linking the reel speed to the forward speed. By having the reels turning in time with the wheels you’re able to keep a consistent frequency of cut regardless of who is mowing, but still have the option to increase it without reducing the mowing speed. This control is taken further with individual unit control that can adapt the cutting configuration to vary wheel runs and truly eliminate triplex ring.

Attention has also been paid to the access and maintenance aspects of the machine. A swing-out centre unit has been added for quick and easy cleaning, maintenance or swapping the unit. No tools are required to swing the unit out with the removal of a lynchpin that is then used to hold the unit in the swung-out position all that is needed.

All of these changes were made following a 360-durability review that has also included the addition of new brushless lift actuators that have ten times the lifespan of the previous option.

Seven, nine, eleven or fifteen blade reels are available for the E360 ELiTE to allow for varied applications of the machine from golf greens and tees to football pitches and ornamental gardens.

For more information or a demonstration of the Eclipse 360 ELiTE, please contact your local Jacobsen dealer

www.jacobsen.com

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Jacobsen production begins in UK

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Jacobsen production begins in UK: Production of the first-ever HR800 has been completed at the Ransomes Jacobsen Centre of Excellence in Ipswich, England.

The completion of the first-ever fully built Jacobsen HR800 mower is a seminal moment for the brand. Production has been moved to the factory in Ipswich, UK so investments in skills and developments in mower production could be focused on a single facility. That skill and expertise has been channeled into the new HR800 high-performance large area rotary mower.

Jacobsen Production Begins in UK

Jacobsen Production Begins in UK

Jacobsen Key Account Manager Andre Andrade, who hails from Augusta, GA has observed the progress of the mower throughout the build and is excited to see the HR800 kick-off Jacobsen production in Ipswich.

“It has been great to start production of the HR800, and to see the first fully assembled machine is exciting,” Andre begins. “Bringing all Jacobsen production to England is an important step for us, and everyone at the factory has been eager to get it underway. The situation with Coronavirus has caused challenges all over the world, but for us, it has solidified our relationship with our colleagues in America who have assisted our Production Team Leader, Matt Pipe, during construction.

“Matt has worked almost singlehandedly, producing this mower, and as a result, we now have someone who is an expert. When it comes to customer support, that will be a huge asset because in Matt we have someone who can offer in-depth advice because he has an insight into that machine that no one else has. Over time that knowledge will be shared with the engineers in the factory and the sales team, so we will all have a strong understanding of the product as we do with the others we produce here.”

The mower Matt has dedicated his time and efforts to is Jacobsen’s most powerful with the widest cut. Productivity is a crucial aspect of every turf maintenance operation, and with the HR800, Jacobsen has created a mower that works where you need it to and when you need it to.

Completing this project has taken over two months, from picking parts from pallets to the finished mower. It has been Matt’s biggest challenge in his eight years at Ransomes Jacobsen and one he has taken great pride in.

He explains: “I’ve been here for eight years, and I was around for the BETA build of the MP, so to be able to do this is quite something for me. I’m really proud of what we produce here at the factory, and I’m proud to be able to say that I was the first to build the HR800 in the UK.

“It has been a unique opportunity to learn everything about this mower because we started with technical drawings and parts on pallets through to the finished product. Doing that means I’ve been able to use what I already know and work with the production engineers on certain areas, and Antans Lukisis on the hydraulic system so I’ve constantly been learning throughout the process. I think that’s what has made it so enjoyable.”

The HR800 features a powerful 74hp Kubota® turbo diesel engine that takes the 192 in. (4.9 m) width of cut wherever you need it, and onboard systems ensure consistent professional mowing in the harshest of conditions.

MARBAIN® Boron Alloy Steel blades deliver the cut quality you’d expect from a Jacobsen unit. Whether you’re cutting golf course roughs, racecourses, or parks and minimal required maintenance gets you cutting quickly and keeps you there until the job is done.

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Jacobsen begins a new era

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Jacobsen begins a new era: Jacobsen has started a new era of end-user focused products with the launch of the AR530 rough mower.

The AR range has been redesigned from the ground up with the focus on re-establishing Jacobsen’s commitment to engineering best in class mowers with their famous quality of cut.

Jacobsen begins a new era

Jacobsen begins a new era

To achieve this, customers and dealers participated in one of the largest ever research programmes commissioned at Jacobsen to establish the everyday challenges greenkeepers and groundsmen face. The results focused on features, quality and durability. These were crucial elements in the design process for Jacobsen Product Manager, Lee Frie.

Lee explained: “We had a machine that did well in the market, and we learnt a lot in seven years, so this was really a ground-up redesign of a good machine that we wanted to make better.

“We wanted to improve the experience of cutting with the AR and the results you get from it, and I think operators are going to find quite a bit different about this machine. We’ve improved the cut quality as well as the after cut appearance with grass clipping dispersal. We’ve also improved the traction system, so it does a fantastic job of climbing and side hill performance.

“The ergonomics are greatly improved, and it’s much easier for operators to get on and off because you don’t have to climb over the units. All of the controls are at the user’s finger tips, so it’s very easy to operate, and I think they are going to see a vast improvement.”

Nothing has been taken for granted during the redesign, and that includes the quality of cut. The new AR models are available with five or seven floating 58cm articulated contour rotary decks, with the AR530 providing a cutting width of 2.3m and the AR730 – which is due to launch in September 2020 – 3.15m.

The new TrueDeckÔ design uses smaller decks to follow tight undulations and provides the best power per width of cut ratio on the market. This eliminates clumping and produces a better after cut appearance while height of cut adjustments can be made quickly and easily.

To harness the cut quality, the traction system has been enhanced to a best in class standard using SureTrac IIÔ 4WD. This parallel-cross diversion hydraulically powered traction system, with momentary 4WD differential lock, provides superior traction when climbing difficult contours and slide slopes by transferring power from the wheel that slips to the one that grips. Using this system allows the AR to glide over hilly terrain with acute undulations while giving an even cut by utilising the weight transfer system.

The sound level of the machine has been lowered to make it quieter for the operator and to reduce passer-by noise. Vibration has also been looked at in detail. Overall operator exposure to vibration is a health and safety requirement but that aside it is often a subtle thing, and it can make users feel tired during their working day, but with the reduced vibration levels, using the AR minimises operator fatigue.

The seat position and  InCommand II control system have all been adjusted for maximum comfort and productivity while the new step design has been installed to make getting on and off the machine significantly easier.

All of these features have been combined into a Stage V compliant unit that has been assembled with a commitment to high-quality engineering and a promise of outstanding performance and service.

For a demonstration of the new AR530, contact your local Jacobsen dealer or visit https://www.jacobsenbuilt.com/.

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New Jacobsen launches at BTME

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New Jacobsen launches at BTME: Jacobsen is set to launch the brand-new Eclipse 360 ELiTE, Eclipse 2 Lithium and AR730 at BTME 2020.

Exhibition attendees will be able to experience the new machines for the first time in Purple Hall, Stand 422 across the three day exhibition in Harrogate with the Jacobsen team ready to talk greenkeepers through the mowers and their new features.

New Jacobsen launches at BTME

Jacobsen was an early innovator of electric golf mowers, and the ride-on Eclipse 360 ELiTE showcases that unique decade’s worth of experience while delivering the signature Jacobsen quality of cut. That knowledge has also been built into the Eclipse 2 Lithium. A patented true floating head and Classic XPÔ reel combine to produce a lithium powered mower that has already proven itself at the renowned Pebble Beach.

Focusing on the end-user has been an integral part of the 2020 product updates, and the comfort, size and power of the new AR730 make it perfect for mowing hilly terrain with sharp undulations while reducing the chance of scalping.

Ransomes Jacobsen director of international product development, Richard Comely, has been central to the growth of these new products and is excited to unveil them to the industry.

He said: “BTME is always a significant exhibition in the golf industry calendar, and it is the perfect place for us to launch these innovative new models. During product development, we were focused on the end-user and their everyday needs, while also concentrating on the environment they work in. Electrically powered technology is becoming increasingly important for many reasons, and we want to continue providing the industry with electric golf mowers that provide the performance and cut quality needed to produce a world class course.

New Jacobsen launches at BTME

“Harrogate is the ideal setting to welcome greenkeepers onto the stand and show them what we’ve been working on as well as listening to their thoughts on what they would like as an end-user.”

Another example of industry leading battery technology will be on the stand in the shape of the E-Z-GO Freedom RXV Elite with Textron Fleet Management (TFM) installed. This golf car is unmatched when it comes to performance, efficiency, and standard features. Models are available with the option of a 48-volt AC electric drivetrain with patented IntelliBrakeÔ technology or the first of its kind EX1 closed-loop EFI petrol engine which provides unmatched energy efficiencies. Headlights, taillights, brake lights and a modern dash come as standard with the option of rear facing seats and a choice of 13 colours.

The Cushman Hauler 800X Elite, Cushman Truckster with mounted Turfco 1550 Top Dresser and Smithco Ultra Lite Roller will also be on the stand to showcase the full range of Jacobsen turf maintenance equipment.

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Lochemse raise standards with Jacobsen

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Lochemse raise standards with Jacobsen: After greenkeepers and members became frustrated with the quality of cut and condition of the fairways at Lochemse Golf Club, head greenkeeper, Geert Olthuis, switched brands to Jacobsen and has used a Fairway 305 to turn things around.

No stone was left unturned by Geert in his search for a new fairway mower. He trialled five machines from different suppliers before the cut quality, and simplicity of the Jacobsen 305 was picked to elevate the fairways aesthetics and performance.

Lochemse raise standards with Jacobsen

Initially, Geert was sceptical about the mower specification compared to the machine he had been using, but he explains how his opinion was soon changed.

“When we saw the cutting finish, we couldn’t believe it because it was so good. I was unsure of the Fairway 305 when I first saw it because it only had seven blades and no groomers, but it cut better than our mower that had groomers and 11 blades.

“We were looking for a simple machine with a better quality of cut and higher capacity. We had demos of four other mowers but the 2.94m cutting width, cut quality and simplicity of the 305 really impressed us.

“Nicely cut fairways make a course better, but our members, and us as greenkeepers, weren’t happy with the results of our old machine, even when we were mowing three times a week. Now, we as greenkeepers and our members are very happy with our fairways again.”

The success of the 305 stems from its simplicity. It’s a machine that’s built to be reliable and gives operators unsurpassed productivity while providing an unrivalled quality of cut.

This cut quality comes from the five 66cm floating head cutting units that follow all contours and undulations to ensure an even cut on all areas. The floating head system works with the four-wheel-drive – provided as standard – which provides greater traction and causes reduced turf compaction.

Productivity is increased across the machine in several areas, including the cutting units that don’t require any tools to adjust the reel to bedknife. Quick changes from collection to rear discharge can be easily made using the adjustable grass discharge section, and for prolonged use, the radiator pack and hood have been optimised to increase airflow in hot, dusty conditions, preventing downtime due to overheating.

Because of the increased productivity of the 305, operators spend less time cutting the course, but operator comfort remains a priority. An arm-rest mounted joystick is used for all mower lift and lower functions, and a deluxe adjustable high-back suspension seat has been fitted for optimum operator comfort.

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Ransomes Jacobsen at Newcastle United

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Ransomes Jacobsen at Newcastle United: Since 2002 the pitches at Newcastle United’s Darsley Park training ground have been cut with Ransomes and Jacobsen mowers.

Currently, three LF570s and five Mastiffs are used to cut the 13 pitches that are maintained by head groundsman, Mick Curran, and his staff with two of the original Mastiffs from 2002 still in use.

Ransomes Jacobsen at Newcastle United

Through the years Newcastle’s ride-on fleet has graduated through the LF range, and it is the new features and excellent service from Ransomes Jacobsen dealer, Rickerby, that has kept Mick cutting with orange and green for almost three decades.

“I started off with the LF’s in 2002, and they’ve got better as the years have gone on,” Mick said. “On the newer model you can set the reel speed and forward speed, so if I think the lads are cutting too fast, I can peg them back, and that’s a big point. It helps with the consistency of cutting across the site, and the cut we get from the mowers is first-class.

“Reliability, quality of cut and being able to get spare parts easily has kept me using them for 17-years along with the service and back-up we’ve received from Rickerby which has been excellent.

“It’s very important for us if we get a break down in the summer when we’re cutting 24/7 that we can get a part or have it fixed as soon as possible. Nine times out of ten they’ll be out the same day sorting the problem, and that really is important for us.”

While the LF570’s are in action for the summer, once winter rolls around the Mastiffs take over. Like most training grounds, Mick is under pressure to keep the pitches cut and ready for use, and the warmer wet weather in September and October 2019 has highlighted the importance of having reliable pedestrian machines.

“The little club I started at had Mastiffs, so I’ve been brought up on them. It’s in wet conditions like we’ve had over September and October this year that the Mastiff’s really work well for us. The quality of cut is second to none, the finish has always been good, the blade setting and height of cut is dead easy to set, and the maintenance of them is easy as well.

“We need the reliability from the mowers because if you get behind it can be really difficult to catch up. We’ve had horrendous weather in these last two weeks, and the grass is still ticking away where you need to cut it twice a week. So, when you get that sort of weather this time of year, and you can’t cut for two or three days you start falling behind.

“In the winter, we put the LF’s away, they get cleaned down and serviced, and we get the Mastiff’s out. We use them in the winter when the grass isn’t growing as much, and you’re looking to avoid stressing the turf and using the pedestrian machines rather than the ride-ons is perfect for that.”

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