24 INNOVATION Walking the walk…
The BTME exhibition in Harrogate in January was a key event for many companies, none more so than Ransomes Jacobsen who introduced leading new products for 2012.
R
ANSOMES Jacobsen unveiled a refreshed version of the popular Jacobsen ECLIPSE walking greens mowers, the ECLIPSE2, at BTME. Building on the reknowned quality-of-cut and control of
the original ECLIPSE, it allows course managers to customise and control mower settings to varying course conditions. Retaining the electric motors for traction and cutting reel drive, they are
available in three cutting widths: 45.7 cm (18”), 55.9 cm (22”) and 66 cm (26”), all with an optional petrol engine or drop-in battery pack. Te 45.7 cm (18”) and 55.9 cm (22”) can be specified with fixed or floating head cutting reels with 11 or 15 blades. Te wider 66 cm (26”) version has a 7-blade fixed cutting reel, giving a total of 18 models to choose from. Te patented true floating head allows the lowest heights of cut without scalping, even on the most undulating greens, and a wide array of frequency of cut (FOC) settings combine to produce a smooth and consistent playing surface. Te ECLIPSE2 features a true automotive differential, which provides superior tracking by driving the traction drum from one point, making it easier to track straight across the green. Other mowers may have two belts or chains, which require adjustment to track straight. Te ECLIPSE2 delivers industry leading productivity with a maximum
mow speed up to 6.1 km/h (3.8) mph while maintaining the tightest frequency of clip. Te mowing speed can be set by the course manager or technician through a PIN-protected menu on the ECLIPSE2’s InCommand control system. Te transport speed has been increased to 8 km/h (5 mph), making it quicker to move between greens and counter- balance springs in the handle ensure that the cutting reel sits ‘true on the turf’ when the operator grasps the handle. Designers say the ECLIPSE2 has the highest productivity of any walking greens mower on the market. On the hybrid version, with a Honda petrol engine powering a 48-volt generator, the engine has now been mounted through 180 degrees giving
a better balance to the machine and also making starting easier, presenting the pull cord directly in front of the operator. Te mounting slots for the generator and battery pack have been extended giving greater flexibility to increase or decrease the weight on the front roller. Tis allows the course manager to determine the aggressiveness of the cutting unit on the fixed head version and helps ease of turning on the floating head model. It is a feature exclusive to ECLIPSE walking greens mowers. Ease of maintenance has been improved with adjusters more accessible
without removing covers and by making covers easier to remove, when needed. Other maintenance features include no clutches to adjust and onboard backlapping. From an operator’s standpoint, the ECLIPSE2 features the lightest
weight handle, a repositioned pull start and a new kickstand. Te LCD screen size has been increased to make it easier to read and the kickstand has been improved to provide easier operation. Tese features will help reduce operator fatigue and result in a better quality-of-cut. • See more at
www.ransomesjacobsen.com
New range of Cushman turf utility
vehicles At the same event, Ransomes Jacobsen presented a new range of turf utility vehicles with the launch of the Cushman Hauler. Cushman is a name synonymous with rugged, versatile utility vehicles;
they introduced the first purpose designed utility vehicle for the golf sector – the Turf-Truckster – in 1969 and this latest range of vehicles continues that heritage. Te Hauler range offers numerous features designed to make daily maintenance on golf courses more efficient. A limited slip differential,
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