LPG - is there a future?


Legislation will strengthen position say Hayter


MENTION LPG to anyone involved in groundscare and you will get many different responses. “The modern diesel is a much better alternative than LPG.” “LPG is ok in theory but in practice it doesn’t work.” “I know somebody who ran a fleet of vehicles on LPG and they had nothing but trouble.” If you are lucky somebody will say. “With the need for equipment to be more environmentally friendly, there is a place for LPG but existing LPG powered vehicles are not up to the mark.” So what are the facts about LPG?


The problem with traditional fuels such


as petrol or diesel is that they produce harmful emissions. Diesel engines, commonly used in groundscare because of low running costs, emit high levels of Oxides of Nitrogen and Particulate Matter which are harmful to human health. Emissions of pollutants from vehicles powered by LPG are significantly lower than diesel powered vehicles. Much is promised for the future with vehicles fitted with fuel cells running on hydrogen with no emissions apart from water. That technology is here already but it will be many years before the costs become viable for mass production. Significant improvements have been made in both petrol and diesel engines in the last few years in respect of their efficiency and emissions. That situation will continue but progress will be gradual and emissions have to be cut quickly. In the groundscare industry the case for converting a petrol powered vehicle to run on LPG is straightforward. The cost of duty free LPG, around £0.26 per litre, is reason alone for the conversion. With no perceptible difference in performance between the two fuels, the


savings on fuel soon justify the installation costs. The situation is totally different with diesel. (Incidentally a diesel engine cannot be converted to run on LPG; the ignition system precludes that.) With red diesel available in bulk at around £0.29 per litre the only difference between the two fuels is that of emissions. That is reason enough so why does the diesel still reign supreme? Hayter have strong views on that. Traditionally, existing standard machines have been converted to run on LPG; or a diesel engine has been replaced with an automotive petrol engine which is then converted to run on LPG. Often these products have not performed well and the problems have been put down to LPG itself. Hayter, who see an increasing demand for environmentally friendly LPG powered products, have come at it from a different perspective. Their new LT324G uses a General Motors 1600cc industrial engine which develops 44 hp and is specifically designed for LPG and has an installation approved by General Motors. This machine, outwardly similar to the highly successful LT324, apart from the two LPG tanks either side of the engine, is already beginning to dispel the myths regarding LPG. More powerful, and significantly quieter, it performs as well and, in some cases better, than its diesel equivalent. There is still a great deal of work to be done to convince the commercial user on the merits of LPG. However, Hayter believe the position of all manufacturers will be strengthened by the inevitable continual legislation to reduce harmful emissions which cause so much damage to our environment.


Days OFF! ... or what Pitchcare contributors get up to out of office hours


STEVE ROUSE, Head Groundsman, Warwickshire CCC - I got into cricket more by chance than design. I was 16 years old, just moved to Birmingham from south Wales, and was waiting for my pal who was playing cricket at Warwickshire’s indoor school. The coach said I might as well join in and I had a bowl. He told me to come back on the Monday and I was offered a 2 year contract on the groundstaff as an apprentice cricketer. At 18 I signed as a professional and spent 16 years with the club. My father wasn’t too happy because, at the time, I was at college training to be an RAF pilot. Both my father and uncle were fighter pilots in the war, so flying is in the blood. I love flying, I got my pilot’s license but I haven’t flown for 10 years or so, the cost became too prohibitive. Supporting the Welsh rugby team is a favourite hobby of mine and I


go to watch them as often as possible. I also like a game of golf because it brings you down to earth, but I only play 3 or 4 times a year. We have 3 kids (all moved out thank God), so Gill, my wife, and I go out to Cape Town whenever we can. We’ve got a place there, it’s a fantastic part of the world. Sometimes Gill goes off skiing; I tried it once but it’s not for me, I hate the cold! My eldest daughter, Tash, is getting married next year - 4 days before we have a Test match at Edgbaston. As if I won’t have enough stress! So any spare time coming up will be spent working, so that I can pay for the wedding!


Tri-maximum


LOCAL authorities have the difficult task of grooming parks and many sports grounds to the satisfaction of local residents. With increasing demand on public services this task is not as easy as it may seem with wet weather, rapid spring growth and tough mowing conditions. Luckily for many local authorities throughout the UK they have Trimax to make their job a lot easier. Trimax Mowing Systems produces a range of commercial mowers that have been designed for and tested in the toughest municipal applications. The Stealth mower has been an indispensable machine for many authorities for years. The 3.4m wide Series 2 Stealth now provides increased wing flotation for following ground contours and is tough enough to handle difficult conditions. Yet despite its strength and rugged construction it produces a superb cut finish thanks to LazerBladez, and full width striping, a real benefit where sports grounds are concerned. For wide area mowing the Trimax Pegasus tri-deck rotary mower is unparalleled for productivity and versatility, grooming everything from high profile golf courses to council reserves. Available in 4.93 and 6.10m wide models with an optional full electro-hydraulic lift control system you can be sure that Trimax has the perfect model for all wide area mowing requirements. For maintaining smaller or more confined areas the Trimax FlailDek is ideal. This out-front mowing deck produces an excellent cut in long or short grass and can be easily manoeuvred around trees and over kerbs.


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