March Machine Madness

The winter months typically host the trade shows where companies can show off their latest and greatest products. There were plenty at the 2016 STMA Show in San Diego, but all of them were not available at that time.

Now that spring is here those products are being released for turf managers to demo and purchase. Two products seen in San Diego that are going to make a difference in groundskeeper’s productivity include the Jacobsen HR700 rotary mower and the Toro Workman GTX utility vehicle.

Athletic Turf stopped by each of the company’s booths during the trade show to learn more about the specifics of these new products.

Jacobsen HR700

A new release from Jacobsen, and globally launched at the 2016 STMA Show, the HR700 is the first model in the company’s HR line of mowers and features a 14-foot wide cutting width. This extra width allows turf managers to mow up to 12.7 acres an hour.

“We’re really excited for the launch of the HR700,” says Ben Bruce, product manager for Jacobsen. “The 14-foot width allows users to mow 25 percent more turf compared to the traditional 11-foot mower. This makes it perfect for those professionals managing large sports complexes or a lot of open space.”

Other new features include the SureStrength decks that are made from high-performance, structured steel, and the AdaptiCut system that automatically adjusts mow speed to ensure consistent cut performance. Although it wasn’t shown on the unit at the trade show, turf managers have the option to add a cab that was incorporated into the original design.

According to Bruce, the HR700 should be available now. Later this year, Jacobsen will fully launch its HR series by introducing the HR600 11-foot rotary mower and the HR800 16-foot rotary mower.

For additional information on the HR700, click here.

Toro Workman GTX

“We started over from the ground up with the all new Workman GTX,” says Noah Wahl, marketing associate at Toro. “We tried to keep a good mix of features with this vehicle to make it a good value for everyone.”

Specifically, the Workman GTX has several models for turf managers to select the right fit for their specific needs. The options include four- and two-seat configurations, a variety of front- and rear-attachments for garbage cans, hose reels or walk spreaders, and a number of flatbed options to haul even the bulkiest materials. In total there are more than 300 possible configurations to choose from.

“Another thing we focused on was ride comfort,” says Wahl. “We added coil-over shocks that surround the vehicle for a smoother ride and also went to a rack-and-pinion steering system to improve ease of steering.”

It also comes with low maintenance hydraulic brakes that require no cable adjustment and less pedal force for a reliable stop every time, according to Wahl. Turf managers can also choose either the 429cc gasoline or 48-volt A/C electric model.

When we talked to Wahl in January he was hopeful that the new Workman GTX would be available in May. For additional information on the Workman GTX, click here.

Photos: AT staff