Kubota LX 351 a real workhorse for yearround management

Lifting, mowing and manoeuvring within confined areas are proving no problem for an estate in the heart of Lincolnshire following the delivery of a Kubota LX 351 – which the owner describes as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of compact tractors.

Complete with a range of attachments, the LX 351 was installed by Irelands Farm Machinery in Spring 2022 and has gone on to be fundamental to the expanding orchard operation, making light work of the year-round estate management and reducing the reliance on external contractors.

The 400-acre family-run estate comprises arable land, run by a tenant farmer, with 34 acres of woodland a further 6 acres of grassland in the final stages of being converted into a fullyoperational orchard – with close to 1000 apple trees planted come the end of February 2023.

“Our tractor is at the centre of everything we do here, so when it came to looking for a new one, we spent extensive time researching and comparing the options available.

We had used Kubota machinery on hire previously and were impressed with the quality and engineering, but still looked at the specification of comparable brands,” said a spokesperson for the estate.

“Our wish list was for a 35hp tractor, powerful but small enough to navigate around the estate and capable of being equipped with attachments for mowing, towing, hedge cutting and lifting and moving pallets to where they are needed. We also wanted a cab and air-con for comfort and safety as we work all year-round.”

Ticking every box, with a competitive price tag and excellent back-up support from the team at Irelands, the LX 351 complete with mixed service tyres, frontend loader and counterweight, front forks, log grapple, 60” mid-mounted mower deck and 2-tonne Kubota tipping trailer was installed in April last year.

“It’s proven itself to be a real workhorse, from lifting pallets on and off delivery vehicles, assisting with pruning trees, felling and planting jobs throughout the winter and spring and assisting with the apple harvest in September and October.”

The LX 351 has also enabled the team to conduct more operations in-house, saving money otherwise spent on bringing in contractors, to the point where the estate are now considering offering contracting services themselves to those in the surrounding area.

Petrol has had its day. Petrol-matching power without the noise, vibrations or fumes. A range of batterypowered equipment with market leading four-year commercial warranty on all batteries.

Compiled by Summer Rogers

Where do you think a turf manager sits in status in the eyes of the general public?

I think that the turf manager in this country is almost invisible to the public. I know a fair few but only because I am in the industry. The only time that you hear of a turf manager is when things go wrong.

Are you considered an “equal” by those people on a similar level in different departments?

I think that the situation is improving. In recent years they have had more of a voice. I think that the advent of lighting rigs and such technology has improved the communi-cation at all levels and maybe, just maybe we are being listened to.

What needs to happen to assist the turning of the job of turf maintenance into that of a true profession?

I am afraid that there has to be an absolute shortage of groundsmen to make clear what a job we do. If there was no one to do the work it would come to the public’s notice. Similar to that of the fruit gatherers. Who knew what they did until they were not there to do it?

What are the best things about working in turf management?

There are so many things that I really enjoy. The achievement of being the head of a team of people and delivering an event, sometimes against all the odds because of weather or resources or time. To bring youngsters on in their careers, teaching them good from bad, right from wrong. To work with so many people in so many walks of life.

The head groundsman or head of estates is “front of house” and has to have people skills. To pass those onto staff is very rewarding. Then there is the best part, working with nature through every season of the year. To pit your wits against the different problems each season brings. The sense of pride and achievement is delightful.

If you could swap roles with someone in any other area of sports management, what would it be? Not sure that I would swap my career with anyone.

Five years from now…

What do you think will be most noticeable in the job – fewer chemicals, more battery power or more robotics?

The phasing out of chemicals will provide us with the opportunity to learn different ways of coping with natural problems. It is going to be frustrating and at times hard work but we will adapt. The battery power is both good and bad? At present it is very, very expensive with the battery life not as long as we would want it to be. But it has to be good for the environment in the long run. That said, my 34in electric mower is not going to make much of a difference to the world when other countries continue to ignore what is going on?

If there was one task, you’d love to see the back of in five years’ time, what would it be?

I think the job that we all dislike doing, but is one of the most important is that of divoting a pitch after use? Hybrid pitches have reduced the wear and tear but we still spend hours every week divoting. If teams would warm up in a different manner: Think about their repetitive drills and think about the impact they are having on the playing surface? Warm ups cause more damage than the game itself, and that cannot be right?

In a perfect world, what should the various R&D departments be working on, currently, to give you in five years’ time? We need to get rid of artificial pitches. They are no good on any level. They are not all-weather;