Tom Brown’s Cool Days! W
As the first winter frosts bring leaf-fall John Reynolds attends the Pitchcare leaf collection demo day at Rugby School
hen Thomas Hughes wrote his popular novel Tom Brown’s School Days in 1852, he chose Rugby School as the setting for the unhappy and tragic events which unfold soon after our hero Tom arrives as a new fresh faced student. The reign of terror practiced by the notorious, boozing, bullying, womanising and sickeningly sadistic upper-class 5th former Flashman, (chacteristics still much admired and emulated by Pitchcare’s own Laurence Gale ) are thankfully long gone. Today Rugby School is rightly world famous for its academic achievement and sporting prowess. Dr. Arnold, fictitious Headmaster in Tom’s story would, I am sure, have been suitably impressed by the trade turn out at Pitchcare’s September leaf and debris clearing demonstration. With fourteen companies in attendance and fine October weather, an excellent display of efficient leaf and twig clearance was virtually guaranteed. Casually observing the kit on offer during the
day, I noticed several very innovative and technically interesting developments have taken place recently to make the normally excruciatingly boring leaf clearance task, actually a bit of fun! Reco are a company with something to shout about lately with their highly successful value for money Kioti tractor range now well established as a serious contender in the market place. The new Grasshopper range of Zero Turn mowers, are imported by Reco from the USA. They are highly sophisticated and versatile with a host of optional extras available via their Quikconverter Implement System. The machines can be rapidly converted for numerous other duties, including the highly impressive PowerVac collection system demonstrated at Rugby. These mowers are produced in both mid mount and front mount configurations to suit all mowing situations. The front mounted version can be used with no fewer than three different leaf clearing options. First up, is the PowerVac system for collection of grass clippings, leaves and sundry mowing debris, which can then be dumped from the operator’s seat without dismounting. Secondly, the RemoteVac attachment allows the operator to vacuum around shrubs and obstacles with a flexible 12ft (366cm) x 6 inch (15cm) diameter hose. The useful hand held nozzle rotated 360 degrees to prevent twisting of the hose when in use. The third option is a PTO driven Turbine blower, which cleans leaves from paths and paved areas and is capable of producing an impressive 9500cfm of air at up to 150mph. With further options available for fitting de- thatching, edging, aerator, weed sprayer accessories and even a snow thrower implement,
this is a truly remarkable system! Build quality and finish are also excellent and the machines should prove very durable and reliable in operation. Votex Whirlwind - were showing some very
interesting products. I was particularly taken with the little push version 930 model, which weighs in at just 40kg and can be carried in the back of a truck or utility vehicle for instant use around the golf course etc. Powered by a 5.5 hp Honda 4-stroke engine, this is a really neat and manoeuvrable piece of kit. Wessex Machinery - were demonstrating a tough and durable looking 1.2 metre model STC Sweeper Collector. Capable of collecting grass clippings, leaves and cores from turf and hard surfaces. This machine looks good value for money at £4475.00 RRP. It is nicely versatile too with an optional hose attachment available allowing collection of leaves, litter and debris from inaccessible nooks and crannies. I like the idea that the Honda powered heavy duty fan can also be used to empty litterbins in parks and public areas. The hopper is hydraulically operated to tip debris directly into a trailer or skip. Another nice touch is the Option Change Kits, which convert the sweeper into a very effective scarifier or flail mower. Available in 1.2 metre and 1.8 metre versions this is a well engineered and generally bullet proof option for Local Authorities in particular Trilo are always a regular, and welcome, sight at this type of event, with the highly
enthusiastic and knowledgeable Paul Trowman, ever willing to demonstrate and patiently explain technical specifications. The new SG 300 Vacuum Sweeper looks typically well engineered and superbly designed in time honoured Trilo tradition. It certainly made short work of deeply scattered leaves on the open areas of Rugby School leaving the turf clean and undisturbed.
Reco
Votex
Wessex
Trilo
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115