Mowers

IKON XD range increases

Dennis PRO 34R a time saver

Ariens is adding to its IKON XD range of zero-turn mowers with two new models; the IKON XD 42 and IKON 52.

Both feature the new 764cc twin cylinder Ariens engine. This new engine has an enhanced combustion chamber that burns fuel mixture quicker, resulting in greater combustion efficiency. Couple this with its carburettor and the finely tuned fuel spray it produces, it is a very fuel-efficient yet still powerful engine.

The IKON XD 42 Ariens engine is rated at 15.5kW of power @2800RPM while the IKON 52 Ariens engine is rated at 16.6kW of power @3000RPM. Both models with the Ariens engine also have over 50Nm of torque for optimum cutting performance. The engine is also easy to maintain thanks to toolless access to the air filter and well positioned oil drain. It is also long lasting and durable thanks to its design and anti-wear components.

The IKON XD’s innovative zero-turn capability means it can turn in its own footprint. This is achieved through its ability to drive and steer from the back wheels via two independent transmissions. This in turn produces excellent finishes and can reduce mowing time by up to 50 percent compared to a garden tractor. Additionally, its fully fabricated commercial style deck with advanced airflow and range of cutting sizes ensures exceptional cutting performance every time. Furthermore, the high back seat with padded arm rests and large tyres makes it a comfortable ride.

Swansea City FC groundstaff are thankful for their fleet of PRO 34R rotary mowers according to head groundsman, Evan Davies.

Working at the club for nearly a decade, and as head of grounds since April 2021, Evan oversees the maintenance of all three club sites – the Swansea.com Stadium, the first team Fairwood Training Ground and the Swans Academy which is situated at Landore. With a vast number of games and training sessions across all three sites, the grounds staff work around the clock to maintain the pitches.

When the club was in the Premier League, the club demanded excellence from everyone says Evan, saying “I like to think it has brought the best out in me.”

Now prepared for the challenges ahead Evan is keen to stamp his own mark and implement some of his own ideas, and has quickly identified that a change in his fleet of rotary mowers could offer a significant benefit.

“It is essential that the cleaning of pitches is completed as quick as possible,” he explains. “The only way to achieve this was with a rotary mower with a bigger cutting deck which had the ability to increase the speed. I quickly found that it was only the Dennis PRO 34R that would work in this respect. Therefore, one of my first purchases when I started the role was ten Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers.”

Designed to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface the Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“The PRO 34R’s allow us to manage the working day so much better,” continues Evan. “At the training ground, for example, three members of staff can clean three pitches in two hours with the Dennis PRO 34R’s. With our previous rotary mowers that would have been a full 8-hour day carried out by 6 members of staff. This has allowed us to focus more on other tasks such as divoting and repairing the pitches, all things which we wouldn’t have had time to do before.

“The presentation it offers is also first-class. Leading up to a matchday we like to give the pitch a rotary cut on the Friday or the Saturday because it helps to make the pattern stand out. The leaf itself seems a bit happier after

The Dennis PRO34R rotary mowers save time at Swansea City FC being cut with a PRO 34. They are so easy to set with just a little pin drop. With other rotary mowers you just can’t get that precise height of cut.

“For cleaning, you’ve got the brush on it which you can use aggressively or use it lightly on the surface to pick the debris up – it is just a win-win for us. There are not many mowers that give you an outstanding clean, cut and finish.”

Evan is also of the opinion that the Dennis customer service equals the standard of the product.

“The back-up I receive from Jason Briggs at Dennis is quality. He keeps in touch and has been to visit all three sites. He is very comfortable around all the staff, and he provides us with a lot of knowledge on the machines, which is beneficial for the younger members of the team.

Robotics revolutionise turf care

Husqvarna, the pioneer in smart commercial grounds care and robotic mowing, has announced the arrival of the highly anticipated CEORA™, offering a brand-new solution for commercial turf care management in the UK. Expected to revolutionise an industry dominated by conventional fuel-driven machinery that require manual operation, Husqvarna CEORA™ can independently mow an area of up to 75,000m² (the equivalent of up to eight football pitches) day or night, significantly reducing overall costs by approximately 30%, improving the quality of the turf and allowing staff to focus on other tasks. Operating through Husqvarna’s satellite navigation system, EPOS (Exact Positioning Operating System), CEORA™ uses GPS coordinates to map out its work areas and navigates with a precision of 2-3 cm. The satellite-based technology enables CEORA™ to work within virtual boundaries, making it an easy and flexible solution for sports pitches, golf courses – and all other large green areas. Customers are able to map out different zones within the work area and set different cutting schedules and heights. All of this is controlled via their smartphones, meaning maintenance during the cutting season is limited to changing blades and cleaning. Husqvarna has launched two autonomous models into the UK market – Husqvarna CEORA™ 544 EPOS (RRP £14,199.00) and Husqvarna CEORA™ 546 EPOS (RRP £18,199.00), which are used in combination with the Husqvarna Razor 43M Cutting Deck (RRP £7,499.00).

In the future CEORA™ will expand with more attachments designed with turf care professionals in mind, with ideas including to help with fertilising, lawn striping or even collecting golf balls from playing areas.

Following the UK roll-out, The Ridge Golf Club in Kent was the first to have CEORA™ arrive on its course, with an installation carried out in partnership with Ernest Doe, an authorised Husqvarna CEORA™ dealer.

Hannah Cooper, professional segment manager, at Husqvarna UK says: “Since announcing CEORA™ last year, we have had an overwhelming response from all corners of the industry who are desperate to get their hands on the new models. We are excited to finally see this revolutionary new product with customers and to have stock available through our approved CEORA™ network of dealers. CEORA™ is set to change the game in turf care, and we are confident it will be a much-appreciated addition to any fleet.”

CEORA™ is available to order now from selected authorised dealerships across the UK. CEORA™ is also available in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Poland.

Durham cricket club applauds Infinicut

Patience has paid off for the maintanance team at Durham County Cricket Club who have waited almost five years for their very own INFINICUT® and UltraGroomer™ set-up. The combination has been on the mind of Head Groundsman Vic Demain since 2017, so when funding became available, these essential items were top of the shopping list. Following delivery in March, the INFINICUT® has been living up to expectations – swiftly tackling the invasion of annual meadow grass on the club’s practice facilities.

In charge of preparing surfaces for T20, County and International Cricket, Vic keeps his eyes and ears close to the ground when it comes to new solutions to the key maintenance tasks. “We had the opportunity to use the INFINICUT® complete with UltraGroomer™ for a couple of weeks back in 2017 and were hugely impressed by it, but unfortunately until this year the funding hasn’t been available,” Vic explains. Over the COVID period, four units were hired by the ECB to help with preparations for those fixtures taking place behind closed doors, with one of these now finding a new home with Vic and his team of five.

“Having been sold on the UltraGroomer™ from all those years ago, we jumped at the chance to purchase one, together with a 22” INFINICUT® FL. It was delivered just as we began to see the grass thicken up and the annual meadow grass coming through which is where this machine comes into its own,” explains Vic. Featuring over 80 tungsten carbide tipped blades, the UltraGroomer™ from the TMSystem™ range improves the plants immediate environment by removing Poa ingress, lateral growth and organic matter to enhance the movement of oxygen, moisture and nutrients.

“While the Poa keeps growing and seed heads are showing we’ve been conducting fortnightly runs with the UltraGroomer™ and it’s done a fantastic job. We will also be looking to use it for thinning out the sward as part of our main pitch preparations.”

The INFINICUT® also becomes Vic’s first battery powered machine, something that will be in use even more frequently when he receives his new SMARTCut™ cutting reel. “We’re excited for the INFINICUT® to become a dual-purpose machine, with it lining up to be used to cut the main square and practice areas,” Vic adds. “Through the summer we are often hosting meetings and weddings and the last thing they want in the background is noisy mowers! Where we would previously be told to turn them off, with the INFINICUT® we’ll be able to cut the grass without disturbing the guests.”

Robotics in the garden

Toro is bringing new innovation to the residential garden care category with the launch of a robotic mower that offers cutting-edge, easy to deploy technology and new features.

“Our commitment to alternative power, smart connected, and autonomous technologies will enable people to create an amazing space for their families and do more of what they love for generations to come,” says Peter Moeller, vice president and general manager, International Division at The Toro Company.

The new robotic mower, available to consumers in selected European markets in the first half of next year, is a culmination of years of research and development. Featuring industry-leading capabilities, such as the industry’s first vision-based localisation system and wire-free navigation, the setup is easy and tailored to each garden without a pricey and failureprone underground boundary wire installation. This proprietary vision system uses multiple cameras to map and localise in the garden enabling the mower to navigate tight spaces and move around structures such as trees and landscaping. It is also capable of crossing surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, to maintain all areas of the property.

Another exciting feature is the dedicated smartphone app which allows users to customise their mowing schedule — whether it’s around work, sleep or travel. The app can also recommend an ideal mowing schedule based on weather forecasts and patterns. In addition, the mower has third-party safety certification, theft-proof features, slope-friendly cutting abilities, and quiet functionality.

To give homeowners a lawn care system that works as effectively as possible, the robotic mower offers unmatched efficiency through its patented Smart ZonesTM pattern mowing system that can be controlled through custom settings in the app. Through this system, the mower will automatically keep the lawn at a consistent, owner-selected height by cutting the smallest amount of grass each day for optimal lawn health.

Addressing the growing demand for easy-to-use autonomous mowers that offer flexibility and can handle complex gardens, the category is expected to grow significantly in the next 10 years in Europe as the technology develops to deliver accuracy and efficiency.

The new autonomous mower, available in red or charcoal gray, will be available for purchase in selected European markets from the first half of next year. Learn more at smartyard.toro.com.