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Two greenkeepers share their views on machines they regularly put through their paces. Sally Drury reports
TESTED THIS WEEK
Jacobsen Tri-King
Jacobsen Fairway LF-3800 4WD
THE REVIEW PANEL
Hugh Nurray, head greenkeeper, Cannington Golf Club, Somerset
Lee Carter, assistant head greenkeeper, Cannington Golf Club, Somerset
The weather in late January and early February has been extreme. In many parts of the country there has been heavy rain followed by hard frosts and then snow.
At Cannington in Somerset, the frosts have been particularly penetrating. Organising a mower test has been impossible so in this review we look at two machines that have been well and truly tried and tested by the staff at Cannington Golf Club and also by the greenkeeping students at Bridgwater College.
For three years, a Jacobsen Tri-King and LF-3800 4WD have been used to mow the Cannington courses. We ask the greenkeeping staff what they like, and don't like, about these popular golf-course mowers.
Jacobsen Tri-King
Jacobsen's Tri-King is a ride-on triplex trim mower designed to work where a quality of cut is required, particularly on sloping ground. The three-wheel drive gives traction control, while the power steering provides all the manoeuvrability needed.
However, Murray does have a warning about its negotiation of bumps and pot holes. "You're almost sitting over the back wheel so you have to be careful not to become unseated. When you engage the blades, the rear wheel comes into drive so you get full three-wheel drive when you are cutting. That slows the speed down to a mowing speed."
The Tri-King has a nice turning circle but, because it is rear-wheel steer, you can leave marks in soft conditions if you try to turn too tightly.
"That's not a criticism of the machine; it's down to the operator," Murray adds. "It's nice to have the manoeuvrability but you need to leave yourself room to turn, although the forward/ reverse rocker pedal means it is quick to do a threepoint turn when you haven't the room."
Murray enjoys using the Tri-King but would be happier if the lift and lower was speeded up. "The reaction of the...