ROBOTIC MOWING
MAKING TURF MATTER
www.turfmatters.co.uk
Meet the super smart agria 9600 T
his season Wiedenmann UK dealers launched the new look agria 9600 remote controlled banks mower for steep slopes up to 55°. Engineering and software enhancements to the rotary mulching mower have made it smarter and more effective. Wiedenmann UK’s lead demonstrator, Andy Kerr, carries out installation and training across the country, and knows the upgraded machine well. “The original 9600 was pretty special but by introducing smart technology, it’s been future proofed,” he said. “You can’t help but notice even more Health & Safety benefits. For contractors,
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local authorities and Course Managers this is exactly what they want. Staff risk is minimised because the operator can take a safe position up to 100 metres away. “The 2021 version has a heavier duty design – thicker steel on the undercarriage makes it sturdier and while caterpillar tracks come as standard, optional tracks with cleats can now be purchased for challenging conditions and all weathers. “The electric motors and generator are more powerful and brushless. Stronger and greased seal bearings have been introduced while the V-belt now tensions automatically. The brushless generator requires zero maintenance so instantly it is more reliable. Brushless drive motors also mean there is no need for 1000 hours replacement. The net result is a more precise fluent feel. “Extra smart technology has been introduced inside the control box where the electronics are protected from dust, vibration and moisture. Sensor technology intervenes in critical circumstances by alerting the operator to hidden or harmful objects such as stones and shuts down immediately. A tilt sensor will
also shut down the machine if the control pad is dropped, or the operator stumbles, or if no motion is felt for three seconds. “For me the introduction of an optional telematics pack with GPS takes it to a great new level. Amazingly it self-diagnoses issues before they happen. How cool is that? When you take the machine back to its parking bay you keep the ignition on for 15 minutes to download historic data. The agria 9600 cuts and mulches in two directions and is effortless on a variety of applications, including fine turf, while offering an even faster way to adjust cutting height to between 50 -185 mm. Innovative ‘electric hybrid drive’ allows the agria 9600 to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than other hydraulic concepts. Safety Extra Low Voltage (48V) electricity is generated as the petrol engine drives the mower blades and generator. Accordingly, the maintenance-free motors convert the current into powering the tracks. A replacement fuel cannister system makes refuelling safe and easy, even on difficult terrain. Two standard 10 litre cannisters can be easily removed and reconnected. www.agria.de/en-gb/ @AgriaUK
