Mowers & Compact Tractors

Updates from Kubota

Kubota has updated its renowned F series front mowers, with the F391 offering a host of new features to further increase its performance and productivity. It joins the F251 introduced earlier in the year, with this duo of tough, powerful ride-on mowers providing the ideal solution for commercial mowing.

Powered by the latest 38hp Kubota Stage V engine, the F391 is designed to give the ultimate in output, operator comfort and practicality, continuing and enhancing the F series’ position as a good option for professionals working in parks, open spaces and in local authorities.

Meeting the latest emission control standards, the four-cylinder Kubota diesel engine provides power offering a 61 litre fuel tank giving long intervals between fill-ups.

Drive is via a two-range hydrostatic transmission with on-demand four-wheel drive to enhance grip in wet conditions and on sloping land.

The F391 has a lift capacity of 260kg, enabling the choice of 1.51 or 1.82m (60 or 72in) side or rear discharge deck, with optional mulch kit, for outstanding workrates. Mower deck tilt of 90deg makes for easy cleaning and maintenance and is operated via a hydraulic lever with minimal effort. Puncture proof tyres on the deck avoid frustrating downtime in tough conditions.

Deck height is adjustable from 25-129mm simply by slotting a pin at the chosen height on the front caster wheels, for quick adaptation to different tasks and grass surfaces.

With power steering and its out-front deck, the F391 is highly manoeuvrable for mowing around play equipment and street furniture, yet with a travel speed of 19.6kph can cover large areas in the working day.

Operator comfort and convenience has been considered at every stage of the design with a tilting and adjustable steering wheel, ergonomic controls, new bright dashboard for visibility and a folding ROPS, while the large platform offers easy access. A new one-piece bonnet and removable radiator screen make for easy routine maintenance.

The F391 will be available from Kubota dealers at the end of the year.

The G261 RD is an ideal mowing solution for accessing restricted sites.

Rear discharge to G-series

And this month, the Japanese manufacture will release the new version of its G261 ride-on mower.

The G261 RD is available with a 1.2m (48in) rear discharge rotary deck with optional mulching kit and has a travel speed up to 19kph -the fastest in the industry – giving high outputs in a variety of amenity applications.

Powered by a 25hp Kubota Stage V engine, it has a new hydrostatic transmission with cruise control, offering extra traction and grip, plus a differential lock for ease of operation and confident performance on sloping terrain.

An electromagnetic pto clutch makes for improved transmission of power and smooth engagement of the deck; for further ease of use, independent height of cut control gives mowing height selection from 25-102mm.

The rear discharge deck has been adapted from Kubota’s well-regarded BX compact tractor and thus has a very strong and robust design. Versatility is added with the option of a mulching kit – the G261 RD can handle lush, long grass in rear discharge format, or give a really clean finish on shorter grass, mulching the clippings and returning valuable organic matter to the soil.

Delivering high workrates yet capable of accessing restricted sites such as play areas and gardens via a 4ft gate, the G261 RD is an ideal mowing solution for businesses needing a versatile, capable ride-on mower.

Dunblane New replaces the old

Commanding panoramic views across the Southern Highlands in Scotland, Dunblane New Golf Club’s course is located in the centre of the cathedral city of Dunblane.

The 'New' name is because until 1922 golf was played on a small nine-hole course adjoining the River Allan on what is now a public park. History states that play started on the new course in April 1923, after a horse, cart and harness with a roller box and two mowers were bought and Mr J C Ross was appointed as greenkeeper at £3 10s a week.

Almost 100 years on, course manager Wes Saunders has updated his machinery and taken delivery of 11 new machines from local dealer Double A – the club’s first John Deere fleet deal.

The latest fleet comprises two 2750E triplex and three 220E walk-behind hybrid electric greens mowers, two 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mowers, 9009A and 7400A utility TerrainCut rotary mowers, plus a Tru-Turf RB70 greens roller and a Campey Turf Care Air2g2 air injection machine.

These were bought using a tailored John Deere Financial agreement with six-year PowerGard Protection plans for full maintenance and servicing, allowing the club to have a fixed machinery budget with no extra costs.

Wes Saunders, who has 27 years’ experience working on golf courses across the world says of the new purchases, “I first put a proposal to the club two years ago to update the equipment fleet, but the timing wasn’t quite right for the finance so the idea was postponed for a year.

“The board then agreed what we could spend on a monthly basis and we held a competitive tender with the main manufacturers, bringing in various machines for demonstrations and assessment by the greenkeeping team.

“We made the decision based on whether the kit was fit for purpose, our likes and dislikes, serviceability and previous history with the suppliers. We chose John Deere, not just on price – although that was a prime consideration – but also on the key aspects of quality and reliability of the equipment and, most importantly, the strong relationship with the Double A dealership and their parts and service backup. The terms from John Deere Financial were also very flexible, which enabled us to get what we needed to meet the club’s budget.”

Wes and his team use the 2750E hybrid electric triplex mowers to cut the greens for most of the year, and the 220E walk-behinds for special tournaments when we need a little more refinement in the finish, then these are used on the greens throughout the winter.

“The new A Model mower technology is also proving particularly useful – even though we’re still experimenting a little with its capabilities, the use of the programmable TechControl system to achieve the desired results consistently across the course is proving to be a game-changer.

“Overall I am very pleased with the performance of the new machines. We have quickly seen improvements to the course as well as labour savings with the extra control provided by the new mowers’ advanced technology features.”

Dunblane New Golf Club course manager Wes Saunders (right) with John Deere dealer Double A golf key accounts manager John Bateson and the new course maintenance equipment fleet.

SISGrass switches to Dennis E-Series

SISGrass switches to Dennis E-Series.

Hybrid playing surface provider SISGras is committed to reducing their carbon footprint and in doing so have replaced their fleet of petrol cylinder mowers to the allnew battery-powered E-Series by Dennis Mowers.

Aside from their own innovative technology, SISGrass insists on working with only the most reliable and top performing turf maintenance equipment when building a pitch from start to finish. It is for this reason that SISGrass has relied on Dennis Mowers for several years.

“We originally partnered with Dennis back in 2015,” says Phil Blackwell, Director at SISGrass. “We started out with three Dennis G860 cylinder mowers which accompanied our own machines as we travelled around the world delivering and installing our hybrid systems.

“With the G860 we have been able to finish our installations professionally with - what I believe to be - one of the best mowers on the market.”

SISGrass soon increased their fleet of mowers to seven Dennis G860’s, and when the company decided to further embrace sustainable and green principles, there was only going to be one replacement mower according to Phil.

“Over the past few years as SISGrass has developed and progressed, we have strived to reduce the reliability on hydraulics and engines – and the move to electric power is now the next step,” he continues.

“We were aware of the new Dennis E-Series and had many discussions with Toby Clarke whilst they were in development. Last year we were fortunate to have one on trial for a few days and had great success. The mowers are fantastic to use, and the finish and quality of the machine is second to none.

“We quickly decided to replace all seven Dennis G860’s with their battery-powered alternatives – the ES-860’s.”

Users of the Dennis G860 cylinder mower will no doubt see familiarities in the new ES-860.

This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, slitting and verticutting. Furthermore, traditional G860 cassettes will also fit the ES-860, meaning that customers will not have to purchase additional cassettes.

Every mower in the E-Series range features a robust LCD keypad screen which provides the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information. With a powerful 48V battery, it takes just 90 minutes for a full battery recharge and turf professionals will not have to worry about range anxiety as a fully charged ES-860 will comfortably last the distance without having to constantly change batteries.