Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based commercial mower and turf maintenance equipment manufacturer, launched a new bi-directional turf groomer and brush system for selected Jacobsen greens mowers, at the BTME Show during Harrogate Week in January.
The new groomer and brush system allows the course manager to select the aggressiveness of his greens maintenance regime depending on the prevailing soil conditions with the option of using either a groomer or a brush rotating in both a forward or reverse direction.
The reverse action of the groomer or brush is naturally more aggressive, while the forward direction, i.e. with same rotation as the cutting cylinder, has a more gentle action.
To switch between groomer and brush takes less than five minutes allowing course managers to adapt quickly to changing conditions and there’s a selection of brushes with a herring bone pattern and different levels of stiffness to accommodate a variety of turf grasses.
Traditionally, Jacobsen’s turf groomer has been designed with a patented interlocking system with the front roller, allowing for a shorter roller base and providing a class leading ability to follow ground contours on undulating greens. Incorporated into the new design is the option to increase the roller base by the addition of a smooth roller, ideal for conditions when the turf is under stress.
For the groomer, a new blade design has been introduced using the same profile as the existing groomer, but double sided. This enables the groomer to switch between forward and reverse rotation without changing the blades.
Changing the rotation of the groomer or brush is a simple operation; there are two different drive belts and these can be changed out in less than five minutes using just a ½” deep well socket.
The new groomer/brush system is available for the following Jacobsen mowers: Eclipse 2 floating head walking greens mower, GP400 riding greens mower and Eclipse 322 riding greens mower.
Commenting on the new integrated system, Lee Kristensen, Ransomes Jacobsen’s Product Manager said, “Going down this route we have one accessory that can accommodate two turf management operations – grooming and brushing. We have retained our class leading groomer attachment, but added the option of a powered brush as well. With quick and easy change out from groomer to brush and forward or reverse, we have provided course managers with multiple options for their greens management regimes.”
Grooming and brushing the turf prior to mowing has several benefits; it reduces the grain of the turf area by standing the grass blades up (brush) or cutting horizontal runners (groomer) and promoting vertical growth. It can also remove thatch which promotes healthier greens and opens up the soil canopy to allow gas exchange and top dressings to reach the soil more efficiently. These practices can help create smoother and truer putting surfaces and better ball roll, with the possibility of maintaining ball speed, while raising the height of cut. This is an important factor, as raising the height of cut causes less stress on the grass leaf.
Ransomes Jacobsen www.ransomesjacobsen.com