Tag Archive for: Kubota

Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota

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Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota: At Surbiton Golf Club in Surrey, the majority of the 650 active playing members are competitive golfers, striving to improve their game and thus setting the bar high for course manager Andrew Kerr. Being equipped to maintain and further develop course standards is key, requiring top quality, reliable equipment.

This year Andrew has added a new Kubota B1241 compact and M5-112 utility tractor to the armoury, and they are proving to fit the brief well.

Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota

Progressive Surbiton chooses Kubota

“We’re aiming to be as progressive as the members are and provide facilities so they can continually advance their game,” he explains. “‘The club decided to extend its practice facilities by adding a 100yd short game covered area and a 940sqm putting green with three different types of bunker including a ‘Royal St George’s’ type bunker for members who also like to play on links courses.”

The green is designed in the same way as the rest of the course, on two levels, with run offs, so members can practice and them transfer the skills to their round.

Andrew is working on a five-year plan of improvements on the course, with projects for 2022 including developing a members-only driving range, improved playing surface presentation and ecological enhancements. Rainwater harvesting and new water storage for irrigation are further environment-focused developments.

Much of the construction work, from the putting green extension to irrigation upgrades, is tackled in-house and the 115hp M5-112 is a key tool in the armoury, Andrew explains.

“For example we needed to move 3000 tonnes of material, and with a two tonne trailer this would have meant hundreds of trips. So using my agricultural background I took a different approach, purchasing the Kubota tractor and an eight tonne dump trailer on large wheels with balloon tyres, which sit outside the tractor wheels and minimise damage. We’ve got a high capacity digger, so matching the tractor and trailer to it increases efficiency.”

The course has a high percentage of heavy soils and predominantly push up greens, and a programme of cultural practices has been introduced including aeration and sanding. Greens have responded well to sandbanding, so the focus has now moved to fairways, tees and roughs.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the course with the high footfall and competitive golfers,” he comments.

The original purpose of buying the 24hp Kubota B1241 was to carry a ball collector for the new driving range, explains Andrew. “Many ranges use other solutions for ball collectors, but they can put a lot of strain on a vehicle, whereas the metal chassis of a tractor is built for it.”

The B1241 is fitted with Kubota’s new mid-ROPS option, which gives a lower overall height when folded down in height-restricted situations and importantly, frees up the rear of the tractor to attach the ball cage.

“The frame simply clamps to the back of the tractor and is easy to put on and remove. The mid-ROPS was an attractive feature for this.”

“However, we keep finding new uses for the B1241 – it’s a bit of a dogsbody! The Kubota has a very light footprint, yet it’s four-wheel drive. We like the manual transmission for its versatility, and the hydraulic spools to operate implements.”

He comments that while club has traditionally used a Charterhouse Speed Brush on a larger compact after topdressing, a trial of the Kubota with a Sisis Flexbrush proved that it could be more efficient.

‘We put a light dusting of sand on the greens every two weeks and follow it with three or four passes of the brush. It has made a significant improvement to the levels and playability.”

A home-built harrow is fitted for general grooming of the fairways and roughs and to brush in sand on the fairways.

“We also looking at using the tractor with a flail, and at fitting pallet forks to the three-point linkage.”

Andrew comments that the Kubotas are driven by all the members of the greenkeeping team, with their straightforward dependability proving to be a plus with the busy workload.

“Kubota has a pedigree, so you know what you are getting. We’re confident that they will still be working well in 15 years – the M5 probably has more horsepower than we need, but that adds to its longevity. We’re not just purchasing for now, but for the future.”

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Kubota Launch colouring challenge

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Kubota Launch colouring challenge: Leading mini-excavator manufacturer, Kubota, has launched a colouring challenge in time for the summer holidays. Artists across the country are being asked to colour in one of Kubota’s digger pictures to help celebrate being 25 years at number one market share in the mini excavator market for the UK & R.O.I.

As a reward, entrants who submit their efforts will receive an official Kubota branded colouring book and pencil set, to help them get even more creative over the summer holidays. The activity is running from July 27th until early September, giving plenty of time for Kubota fans and budding artists to get colourful!

Kubota Launch colouring challenge

Kubota Launch colouring challenge

The entry image is free to download via the Kubota website: kubota-eu.com and once completed, challengers are being asked to snap a picture of their masterpiece and send it to kuk_g.marketing@kubota.com alongside their name, age and a delivery address to claim their rewards.

“We’re looking to include everyone in our 25 year celebrations and that is why we have launched the colouring challenge for all the Kubota brand ambassadors out there, young and old, to have some fun over the summer holidays,” says Rob White, Divisional Manager, Construction, Kubota U.K. “Hopefully it can be a family activity or just something to help someone pass the time, who knows, we may even inspire the next Picasso!”

For more information or to download the colouring challenge image, visit: kubota-eu.com

* Submitted pictures of the finished colouring image must contain the image only and no entrants.
** All entries sent to kuk_g.marketing@kubota.com automatically agree for their first name, age and colouring image sent to be shared on Kubota U.K’s social media channels.
*** Delivery address information will NOT be shared elsewhere and ONLY used for the purpose of sending the Kubota colouring book and pencils to entrants.
**** Limited stocks of rewards apply and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
***** Limited to 1 colouring book & pencil set per image entered, with a maximum of 4 entries per address.

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Kubota to acquire Officine

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Kubota to acquire Officine: Kubota Corporation intends to merge the lawn-mower business division of Italian manufacturer Officine BIEFFEBI (BFB) and its subsidiary Gianni Ferrari (GF) into a new wholly-owned subsidiary of Kubota Holdings B.V., Kubota’s European subsidiary for its agricultural industrial machinery business.

The creation of this new subsidiary, which will be called Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L., will expand Kubota’s range of Groundcare products, aimed at professionals in sectors such as parks, stadiums and landscaping for individual customers. By integrating these new resources into its sales, production and development processes, Kubota Holdings Europe will speed up the expansion of this business line in Europe.

Kubota to acquire Officine

Kubota to acquire Officine

Officine BIEFFEBI and Gianni Ferrari have an excellent reputation and large market share in Europe as pioneers in centre collect front mowers (CCFM), a segment of medium to large high-end professional mowers for which demand has been growing steadily in recent years. In particular, both companies enjoy great popularity as CCFM pioneers in Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, among other Western European countries.

That is why Kubota has chosen BFB and GF as the best partners to strengthen and complement Kubota’s lawn equipment business in Europe. The two acquired companies and Kubota have their own competitive advantages and product ranges in the different markets. This allows their offerings to complement each other perfectly, making this commercial partnership the optimal choice to take this line of business forward in the future.

Although Kubota’s lawn-mower division in Europe had been showing solid growth in the professional and high-end consumer segment thanks to its products’ superior resistance and operating capacity, the new company, Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L., will have even vaster capabilities to develop and manufacture lawn equipment in Europe, including the highly-demanded CCFM. Kubota’s CCFM segment will thus also receive a major boost and will have the company’s sales and dealer support network at its disposal.

The closing of this transaction is subject to the completion of the condition precedents including the obtainment of the Golden Power clearance. (The Golden Power is the special power of the Italian government to limit or stop foreign direct investments (“FDI”) and corporate transactions involving Italian strategic assets).

About BFB

Corporate name Officine BIEFFEBI S.p.a.
Head office Gonzaga, Lombardia, Italy
Established 1979
Business Develop, manufacture and sale of small and mid-size mower

About GF

Corporate name Gianni Ferrari s.r.l.
Head office Reggiolo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Established 1989
Business Develop, manufacture and sale of small and large-size mower

Reference – About KHE

Corporate name Kubota holdings Europe B.V.
Head office Nieuw-Vennep, the Netherlands
Established 2017
Business Management of farm and industrial machinery business

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Kubota tractor is top gun

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Kubota tractor is top gun: The latest generation of Kubota’s renowned compact tractors is flying high at a leading military base. Set in a stunning location off the coast of North Wales, RAF Valley on Anglesey is home to No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for the UK’s next generation of world-class fighter pilots.

Aircrew are trained at RAF Valley for mountain and maritime operations throughout the world and it is also home to the Mountain Rescue Service, the military’s search and rescue, aircraft post-crash management asset.

Kubota tractor is top gun

Kubota tractor is top gun

A total of 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley, and in addition to the extensive grass areas for operational use, the site has a large sports and leisure complex for the use of staff and the community.

It is one of a number of MOD sites maintained by national contractor idverde, and in October 2021, a new Kubota L2-622 compact tractor was added to the machinery fleet to work at RAF Valley.

“We had an older L series tractor and Lloyds five-unit gang mower,” explains operator Chris Hickey, “But we needed to update the mowing equipment to suit the often wet condition of the grounds, so a Trimax Snake S2 gang roller mower and the latest Kubota L2-622 were purchased.”

Over the winter, the L2 did duty with a front end loader to fill gritters and keep the site operational in icy weather, but since March it has been dedicated to mowing.

“We are cutting five days a week, maintaining all of the airfield and any other short grass such as the sportsfields,” Chris says. “The mower has to be able to cut at a range of heights, including below 25mm for areas where the Instrument Landing System is in operation, to avoid interference from the grass to the radar.”

With such a key role, reliability of machinery is vital, which is where Kubota excels.

“I was familiar with the tractors having driven the previous L series,” he comments. “But this new L2 seems a lot smoother and more comfortable to drive. Hydrostatic transmission was specified for the speed of operation and to make use of the cruise control on long runs, and the move to a single pedal makes it much more convenient to use.”

He also praises the manoeuvrability of the tractor, which is highly compact for its 62hp output.

“It will virtually turn in its own length, and handles the steeper terrain on the site well with its low transmission range and well-balanced design; plus there’s always plenty of power.”

Standard turf tyres handle the work on a range of surfaces and also provide a light tread in North Wales’s often wet conditions, he points out.

One of the most significant upgrades on the latest L Series tractors is a new, more spacious cab, and this comes in for particular praise from Chris.

“It’s a big improvement, very-user friendly. Small details such as the sun visor, air conditioning and radio make a difference when you are in the tractor all day, and the opening three quarter windows at the rear allow fresh air in. It’s a great tractor to drive and work with.”

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Kubota RTV supports community forest

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Kubota RTV supports community forest: Kubota has formed a partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale, part of England’s Community Forests which together form the country’s largest environmental initiative.

For over 25 years the Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been working with local communities, businesses and partners to plant trees and create new woodland across 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes; transforming a landscape once dominated by brick making, mineral extraction and landfill while growing tree cover from just 3.6% to well over 15%. The 12 new Community Woodlands are an extraordinary local resource bringing significant environmental, economic and social benefits to the area. The newest, Queens Wood near Houghton Conquest, also has the honour of being Bedfordshire’s Jubilee Wood, part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Kubota RTV supports community forest

Kubota RTV supports community forest

A core target for creating the Forest is increasing tree cover to 30%, a tenfold increase,

as a means to transform the social, economic and environmental prospects of the area. The Forest of Marston Vale Trust, working with local communities, businesses and partners, has already increased tree cover to over 15%.

At the heart of the forest is the Millennium Country Park, 225ha of woodland, wetland, lakes and meadows. The Park, a fifteen-time winner of the prestigious Green Flag Award welcomes up to half a million people each year, and offers local people and visitors to the area the opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature

It is cared for by a team of five forest rangers who need to travel around 8km of hardened path, 4km of horse trail and numerous tracks to plant and care for trees and maintain wetlands. Kubota has supplied the team with a new RTV X-1140 utility vehicle to help make their work more efficient, safer and more convenient.

The RTV X-1140 is powered by the renowned Kubota engine delivering 24.8hp, and can carry up to four people in comfort plus their cargo, or quickly switch to a two-seater with even more space for tools and equipment.

Senior ranger Nicola Ceconi comments: “We have to be able to travel on grassland and to work on the wetlands outside the season for ground nesting birds; some of the site can only be accessed by this type of vehicle, on foot or bicycle. It’s often muddy and we certainly need off-road capability, yet many of our paths are narrow and we can encounter cyclists or walkers so the compact size of the RTV is an advantage. We rarely need to use four-wheel drive and the Kubota’s low ground pressure is appreciated for the more sensitive landscapes.”

The full-size cargo bed offers plenty of room for tools and equipment, but the team often need to switch back to four-seater mode for jobs requiring more labour.

“It’s a quick and easy swap – when we had our training on this new machine it was good to see how simple it was to convert,” says ranger Lottie Scoltock. “The bed also has a useful hydraulic tipping function for jobs such as mulching flowerbeds.”

Nicola adds that the RTV is driven by all of the members of the team who appreciate its straightforward KVT automatic transmission and is spacious and comfortable to drive.

“It has an open sided cab which is easy to get in and out of and much cooler in summer. We really enjoy having the RTV and it makes our job so much easier.”

Forest of Marston Vale commercial director Grant Sorrell comments: “The loan of the RTV X-1140 by Kubota makes a huge difference to our work. It’s a small team with a significant task so anything that makes us more efficient is a godsend.”

It’s part of a programme of community support by Kubota, which is based nearby at Thame in Oxfordshire.

“The Forest of Marston Vale was identified by our employees as a deserving community organisation to support, and it’s clear to see the tremendous social and environmental benefits it offers for current and future generations,” comments Kubota Tractor Business Unit marketing manager Rob Edwards.  “It is an excellent fit with Kubota’s ‘For Earth, For Life’ ethos. We are delighted to support the team with the loan of the RTV X-1140 which is perfectly at home in this type of application.”

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