Tag Archive for: RM21

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity

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RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity: Managing three separate sites with just four full-time staff would stretch almost any grounds team – but at Leicester Tigers, the introduction of the RM21 Combo robotic marker and mower, supplied by Agrovista Amenity, has transformed efficiency, quality, and day-to-day workflow.

For Head Groundsman Ed Mowe, who oversees the stadium pitch, three pitches and an indoor facility at the training ground, plus the women’s training centre at Oakes Park, the time spent on routine pitch marking alone had become a major pressure point.

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity

RM21 Combo Drives New Levels of Productivity

“We were spending around seven hours a week just marking out,” Ed explained. “That’s one person’s full working day gone. With only four of us across three sites, we needed a smarter way of working.”

A trial of several robotic systems followed, but the RM21 Combo, supplied by Agrovista Amenity with full technical support, training, and backup from XDC, stood out immediately.

While Ed initially sought a robotic line marker, the multifunction capability of the RM21 quickly set it apart.

“It gave a really good mark, and the lines were spot on,” he said. “But the added benefit of the mowing deck and the fact we can add attachments like a dew brush made it a no-brainer. Instead of just being a marker, it’s a multi-tool we get far more out of.”

The team now uses the robot to mark four pitches across the men’s and women’s training facilities and to cut surrounds and soil-based training surfaces when staffing is tight.

This has had a dramatic impact on productivity:

“Three or four hours of robotic marking gives us three or four hours back,” Ed said. “That means we can cut a pitch, strim, fertilise – and carry out other pitch management work. It’s also helped us claw back some lieu time for the team, which we couldn’t before.”

One of the biggest challenges for any grounds team is the initial mark after renovations. With three-point data setup and highly accurate RTK navigation, the RM21 has made that process almost instant.

“The initial mark was always the longest,” Ed said. “Now, every mark is as accurate as the first. Even if there are no lines on the ground, the robot puts them in perfectly. It’s massively simplified things.”

The robot’s precision also extends beyond standard pitch layouts.

“We can programme it for grids, lineout areas, whatever we want. If something isn’t on the system, Agrovista and XDC get it mapped and send it straight over to us.”

For a machine expected to work autonomously across multiple sites, reliability and safety were essential. Ed admits he was initially cautious about the RM21’s weight – especially on damp soil-based pitches – but has been impressed.

“I was a bit sceptical at first, but there have been no wheel marks and the quality of cut is brilliant.”

The RM21’s ability to map complex or irregular areas has been another surprise:

“We’ve even mapped banks on site and it cuts them autonomously now. It saves us struggling to walk them.”

Ed is quick to praise the support from Agrovista Amenity and XDC.

“No issues whatsoever. They’re always at the end of the phone or a message. They’ve gone above and beyond.”

With future attachments already in development, Ed sees the RM21 as a long-term asset.

“We’ve got this machine now; why not use it to its full ability? The versatility is one of its biggest features, and the potential for even more is really appealing.”

As Leicester Tigers continue to push standards across all their facilities, the RM21 Combo has become an integral part of how the team works. For Ed and his staff, it’s not just a machine but a smarter, more reliable way of managing an ever-growing workload – and one that promises even more capability in the seasons ahead.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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

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Kerr’s Grounds Services Goes Robotic with the RM21

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Kerr’s Grounds Services Goes Robotic with the RM21: When it comes to managing multiple sites and tight schedules, efficiency is everything. For Charlie Kerr, owner of Kerrs Ground Services Ltd, investing in cutting-edge robotic technology has revolutionised the way he works – and the RM21 Combo Mower, distributed exclusively by Agrovista Amenity in partnership with XDC, has been at the heart of that transformation.

Charlie’s passion for turf management began over a decade ago.

Kerr’s Grounds Services Goes Robotic with the RM21

Kerr’s Grounds Services Goes Robotic with the RM21

“I started working at a school mainly on cricket and rugby pitches,” he explained. “That’s where I got the bug for being a groundsman. From there I joined a sports turf contracting company, then worked at Dartford FC for a few years before moving on to Chelsea FC.”

After a short stint away from the industry, Charlie found himself missing life on the turf. “I started with small maintenance jobs, but it wasn’t the same. I got back into football when Cray Wanderers FC needed a groundsman, and things just took off from there. Now I look after Cray Wanderers FC, Welling United FC, carry out some work at Sidcup Rugby Club, and a few private sites too.”

Managing several venues meant long hours and challenging logistics – until Charlie discovered the RM21 Combo Mower.

“I was spending four or five hours every Friday marking pitches by hand. In winter, when the days are shorter, it was brutal,” said Charlie. “Then I saw the RM21 on my phone one night and thought, ‘That looks incredible!’ A mower and a line marker in one? I booked a demo straight away – and I was blown away.”

The RM21 Combo Mower is a fully autonomous unit that cuts and line marks simultaneously, using advanced GPS technology. Controlled via a tablet or mobile app, it allows users to map, edit, and save pitch layouts, meaning even complex training grids or tournament layouts can be recreated at the touch of a button.

Charlie says the benefits were immediate:

“I’ve left the RM21 cutting at Welling while I’m doing other work at Cray Wanderers – it’s like having an extra employee. It basically allows me to do two days’ work in one.”

Since introducing the RM21, Charlie has noticed huge savings in both time and materials.

“I’m using less paint than before. One tank of concentrate now does all my pitches. The lines are cleaner, brighter, and perfectly straight – and I don’t have to mess around with strings and pegs every week.”

The machine offers two operation modes: high-efficiency for quick turnarounds, and precision mode for detailed line marking, ensuring professional results for every situation.

Battery performance has also impressed him.

“You get around 12 hours of line marking or five hours of mowing on a full charge. I’ve marked and cut multiple sites in one day without even dropping below half a battery.”

Noise and safety were also big considerations for Charlie, especially when working around busy community grounds.

“It’s so quiet you can’t hear it from the other side of the pitch. I’ve used it at seven in the morning, and no one even noticed. Plus, it’s much safer than using big tractors when you’ve got dog walkers and kids around.”

The RM21’s compact size and portability mean Charlie can easily move it between sites.

“It drives straight onto my trailer – simple as that. If I get a last-minute call for a pitch, I can be in and out in an hour. It’s a complete game changer.”

Charlie’s experience has been so positive that he’s already thinking about expanding.

“I’ve started promoting GPS line marking on social media and had new enquiries coming in already. There’s nothing else like it in this area – and with the time I save, I can take on more work without burning out. I call it my ‘Kerminator’ – and it’s living up to the name!”

For Charlie Kerr and Kerr’s Grounds Services, the RM21 Combo Mower isn’t just another piece of kit – it’s a business-changing investment that’s redefining what’s possible for small, independent turf professionals.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/

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

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Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21

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Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21: Bedford School has taken delivery of the revolutionary RM21 Combo Mower, marking a new chapter in sports surface maintenance at the prestigious independent school.

The RM21 Combo Mower – now available in the UK and Ireland through an exclusive partnership between Agrovista Amenity and XDC Autonomous Solutions – is a cutting-edge machine that combines line marking and mowing in a single autonomous unit. Unlike traditional robotic line markers or standalone mowers, the RM21 brings genuine multi-functionality to turf management, saving time and boosting productivity.

Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21

Bedford School Invests in Groundbreaking RM21

“We’re the new proud owner of the RM21,” says the school’s Head Groundsman George Mills. “For us, it’s the line marking capability that was the biggest selling point – but the fact that we’ve also got the mowing function gives us added flexibility, particularly during the wetter months when our pitches can be difficult to access with heavier equipment. We’ve even thought about using it on the lawns in summer to free up the gardeners for other jobs.”

Thanks to its modular design, the RM21 doesn’t just cut and mark. A growing range of interchangeable attachments – including a grass collector, automated dew brush and ball picker – make it a versatile, all-season solution. The school also plans to use the robot to mark running tracks, cricket boundaries, rugby and football pitches, tennis courts, and hockey fields across its sprawling grounds and neighbouring training facilities.

The RM21 is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by XDC Autonomous Solutions, who also provide technical support, training, and service backup. Through a strategic collaboration, Agrovista Amenity has become the exclusive sales distributor – a move that proved pivotal for Bedford School.

“Honestly, what made my mind up was Agrovista becoming part of the fold. Having someone I know and trust – someone I can go to if there’s an issue – gave me the confidence to purchase outright rather than go down a lease route,” George explains. “They know I’m a good customer, and I know Agrovista Amenity will always be there if I need them.”

Agrovista’s national network of over 40 experienced representatives ensures the RM21 is well supported and promoted across the UK, while XDC’s technical expertise guarantees high-quality backup and training for users.

For George, the RM21 represents far more than a piece of kit. It’s another tool in the box from a supplier that’s become a trusted, all-encompassing resource.

“Agrovista have pretty much become a one-stop shop for us. Fertilisers, seed, sprinklers, fittings, hose pipes, robots – anything we need in our industry, they’ve got it. That’s a big advantage. It saves me time, reduces admin, and means I can spend more time doing what I enjoy – being out on the grounds, not stuck behind a desk.”

With sustainability also front of mind, the school is already exploring the wider benefits of battery-powered equipment across its estate. The RM21 fits well into that vision.

“We’re starting to look seriously at battery options across the board,” continues George.

“This robot is another step in that direction. It’s efficient, flexible and ultimately gives us time back to focus on detail and quality.”

As robotic technology continues to reshape the landscape of grounds management, the RM21 Combo Mower – backed by Agrovista Amenity and XDC – looks set to lead the charge.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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

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