Tag Archive for: Kubota

Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle

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Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle: A trio of Kubota tractors have proven themselves to be capable workhorses for the entire facilities operation at Warwick Castle.

With 64 acres of vast and varied historical landscape to maintain, Grounds and Gardens Manager Tony Cameron explains how – alongside some more obscure uses – the L2622, L4240 and B2261 are responsible for towing the mowers that cut 95% of the turfed areas, with the assistance of their F3890 out-front mower also from Kubota!

Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle

Kubota tractors the workhorses for Warwick Castle

Built by William the Conqueror during 1068, Warwick Castle has played a crucial role in shaping British history. More than 950-years on, the ancient walls surround an array of lawns and gardens, a ‘Horrible Histories’ maze and a glamping site not to mention a new 60-bed hotel and grounds, opening in July 2024, and providing the platform for year-round events. With so much to maintain, the key for Grounds and Gardens Manager Tony when it comes to machinery, is reliability which he says he’s enjoyed with the Kubota fleet he’s built up over his 12-year tenure.

“We’ve had other tractors and ride-on mowers in the past which always seemed to have one problem or another. Together with having all-important kit out of action, we also found frustrating delays in getting these issues fixed” Tony says. “The first Kubota we purchased was the L4240 six or seven years ago which, to date, remains faithful and versatile – it’s basically bulletproof. Whether we’re towing implements or trailers, this is our go-to for a range of maintenance tasks around the site.”

Since then, Tony has purchased the larger 62hp L2622 equipped with forks, and the smaller B2261 compact tractor from Richard Lucas at Hunts Engineering – the latter delivered in August 2023.  “The L2622 is big and powerful, making light work of towing our large-area mower to cut big spaces quickly. Any deliveries we get, the L2622 is there to unload and move materials around the site. It get’s a lot of use… even coming in to lift the trebuchet recently when the winch failed!”

“The B2261 is another great bit of kit that can get to all the areas the larger tractors can’t, towing smaller mowers and will be loaned to the jousting team to operate the grading equipment used to level the arena.”

Complementing the fleet of tractors and providing the solution for embankment mowing and cutting in wet conditions, is an F3890 from Kubota’s F-Series. With a 60” rotary deck, rear discharge and auto-assist 4wd as standard, it brings Kubota finesse and reliability to even the most demanding of mowing operations. “This is used on all the formal areas where it’s more challenging to manoeuvre a tractor, as well as around the many obstacles within the glamping site. We use this wherever we can, our moat ditch and the riverbank are another couple of examples, and it leaves a fantastic finish whether it’s wet or dry.”

Tony concludes, “With Kubota we know we’re going to get user-friendly and well-built bits of equipment, powered by good engines and that ultimately do a good job. The support we’ve received from Hunts Engineering has also been first-class, with outstanding responsiveness from Richard and the team whenever we’ve had a question or query. It ticks every box for us.”

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Kubota appoints Gary Walsh

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Kubota appoints Gary Walsh: Kubota (UK) has appointed Gary Walsh as agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for Ireland.

Gary has considerable experience working in the sector, both at manufacturer and dealer level. After leaving school, he embarked on a career as a technician following completion of a four-year apprenticeship in Ireland.

Kubota appoints Gary Walsh

Kubota appoints Gary Walsh

He has been with Kubota (UK) for the last eight years, where his previous roles included that of regional sales representative across all Kubota’s business sectors, and latterly spending two years as aftersales dealer manager for Ireland.

“I’m delighted to be able to step-up and take on the role of agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for Ireland,” explains Gary. “This is a great opportunity to work much more closely with my dealers, to support them as they grow their businesses by introducing the Kubota brand to a wider audience.”

Gary is passionate about farming and machinery, and comes from a background that introduced him to machinery at an early age. Two of his uncles ran contracting businesses, and after leaving school, much of his spare time was spent either repairing or operating equipment. It was an experience that cemented his decision to remain involved with the sector.

Speaking about Gary’s appointment as a dealer manager, Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare sales manager Tim Yates said: “Gary’s knowledge provides us with a great opportunity to continue supporting dealers as they continue to build on the growth already achieved in agricultural and groundcare markets across Ireland.”

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Kubota adds FC3-221E to its growing range

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Kubota adds FC3-221E to its growing range: Kubota is broadening its FC mower range by introducing the FC3-221E, a smaller, agile and adaptable centre-collect machine ideal for various applications, including residential gardens, schools, recreational areas, as well as large-scale sports facilities.

The new 2WD FC3-221E boasts superb accessibility, with a seating position that provides operators with full visibility of the mower deck, giving increased control and precision for every operation. In addition to the ergonomic design, the mower comes equipped with a state-of-the-art digital instrument display. This advanced feature provides real-time access to vital operating information, allowing for informed decision-making and optimised performance.

Kubota adds FC3-221E to its growing range

Kubota adds FC3-221E to its growing range

Exceptional ‘cut and collect’ performance

Engineered with precision, the mounting and positioning of the mower deck are meticulously crafted to follow the contours of the ground. The front-mounted deck configuration further adds to the performance, by generating optimal air pressure beneath the housing.

This approach guarantees a smoother cut and facilitates the seamless flow of grass cuttings to the collector turbine, which lies at the heart of the machine’s functionality. This patented design element significantly reduces the distance travelled by the cut grass, enabling rapid and efficient grass collection.

Additionally, the FC3-221E features an expansive 600-litre grass collector, meaning operators can cover significant areas before it requires emptying.

Power

The 22hp FC3-221E is powered by the efficient Kubota D902 engine, providing the necessary power and torque to drive the hydrostatic transmission and hydraulic system with ease. Paired with hydraulic power steering, a soft-grip steering wheel and a steering knob, this setup guarantees exceptional manoeuvrability. Enhanced by a deluxe padded suspension seat, adjustable armrests and a high backrest, all tasks can be comfortably managed.

The front mower decks are equipped with two pairs of blades per rotor, offering distinct advantages over mid-mount configurations. By eliminating grass traversal before cutting, the two-wheel drive configuration offers greater manoeuvrability and precision in areas inaccessible to mid-mount setups. Available in 1.12m (44”) and 1.26m (50”) wide deck variants, this new Kubota mower guarantees a finer cut and accelerated mowing. The machine’s versatility is further improved by the option to attach either a flail mower, a snow blade or even a vacuum hose.

The FC3-221E is well-suited for extensive mowing duties yet remains compact and agile for smaller spaces. Its thorough cut-and-collect system makes it suitable for all grass maintenance requirements, providing outstanding results. The FC3-221E is also homologated for driving on public roads, facilitating transfer from one work site to another.

Accessible Maintenance

Maintenance access is a crucial aspect to ensure longevity and reliability and on the FC3-221E it is prioritised. By lifting the high-tip collector and the operator platform, access to the engine compartment becomes easily reachable. All routine maintenance tasks can be conducted safely and efficiently, with ample space to access and service components.

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Kubota appoints Ian Lauder

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Kubota appoints Ian Lauder: Ian Lauder has been appointed as Kubota (UK)’s agricultural and groundcare dealer manager for Scotland and the north of England.

Having gained an apprenticeship as a technician and developed a background in electronics, Ian’s early career took him through the electronics industry before taking on the role of territory manager for a golf and turf care dealership. It was a career path that led him to join a turf machinery manufacturer.

Kubota appoints Ian Lauder

Kubota appoints Ian Lauder

“Working at dealer and manufacturer level has given me a great insight into many aspects of the machinery business,” said Ian. “So, when the chance came to join Kubota, it was an opportunity I had to grab with both hands.”

Ian adds that the Kubota business has so far provided him with many opportunities to apply his existing knowledge, and also to further develop his expertise through the agricultural sector.

“There is growing demand from the industry for Kubota tractors and equipment, and with a desire from the company to be a major player in these markets, it’s a great time to be working for such a premium manufacturer,” he said. “It is a brand that is certainly being noticed.”

Commenting on the appointment, agricultural and ground care sales manager Tim Yates said: “This is a great opportunity to continue building on the growth already achieved in both agricultural and ground care markets across Scotland and the north of England.”

“With recent expansion of our dealer network, and many more new products coming to market including a compact telehandler and battery-powered loaders, we’re in a great position to deliver growth for Kubota and our partners.”

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Gianni Ferrari parts availability via Kubota dealer network

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Gianni Ferrari parts availability via Kubota dealer network: Gianni Ferrari are pleased to announce that replacement parts are now available via the Kubota (U.K) Limited dealer network, with immediate effect.

The move is designed to streamline the supply of parts for existing Gianni Ferrari customers and brings the parts business in-line with the current distribution strategy for Kubota’s groundcare portfolio, following the formation of the Kubota Gianni Ferrari S.R.L. subsidiary in the summer of 2022.

Gianni Ferrari parts availability via Kubota dealer network

Gianni Ferrari parts availability via Kubota dealer network

With a well-established network of approved groundcare dealers throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland (RoI), existing Gianni Ferrari customers can now benefit from improved access to a vast catalogue of replacement parts, with fast delivery and the expertise of Kubota trained technicians. Systems are in place to provide a comprehensive range of spare parts for existing ranges including – but not limited to – the GT, SR, PG and Turbo series of machinery, together with the new FC3 and FC4 out-front centre-collect mower series, introduced under the Kubota banner over the last twelve months.

Commenting on the announcement Tim Yates, Kubota (U.K) Sales Manager, said “This is great news for existing Gianni Ferrari customers, who now have a clear and accessible nationwide route to obtain service support and replacement parts. We would encourage anyone requiring support or further information to get in touch with their local approved Kubota dealer, the details for which can be found on the ‘dealer finder’ section of the Kubota website.”

Kubota’s acquisition of Italian manufacturer Officine BIEFFEBI (BFB) and its subsidiary Gianni Ferrari (GF) in July 2022 has seen the expansion of Kubota’s groundcare portfolio, with the introduction of the FC3 and FC4 out-front centre-collect mower series. Now in the recognisable orange and black Kubota livery, they join an extensive range of machinery solutions from Gianni Ferrari that have found homes within the professional turfcare and amenity arena across the UK and RoI.

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