JCB Groundcare tees of at BTME - Hall Q – Stand 30 – 22-24 January 2008
04 February 2008
JCB Groundcare exhibits at BTME in Harrogate for the first time - as a mark of its increasing prominence in golf course and grounds maintenance.
The stand will showcase two preview models – the JCB Groundhog 4x4 utility vehicle and the new JCB FM30 out front mower alongside the proven JCB 335 Compact Tractor.
Building on the success of its compact tractor, utility vehicle and zero turn products the company is looking forward to even greater penetration into the industry in 2008. The introduction of further specialist equipment – scheduled for production early this year - will only serve to strengthen JCB Groundcare’s offering.
JCB GROUNDHOG 4x4
Previewed at BTME, the new 4x4 model will build on the success of JCB Groundcare’s Groundhog 6x4 which has proved extremely popular in a wide range of markets including the maintenance and operation of golf courses.
It boasts many of the same key features such as high payload, versatility and the availability of road legal kits - with the added benefits of even greater travel speeds, ground clearance and off-road performance.
The Groundhog 4x4 will be powered by a 20kW (27hp) diesel engine, delivering impressive torque and a top speed of 50kph (31mph). The result is unrivalled performance and handling whether in arduous ground conditions, on hilly terrain or when road travelling between jobsites.
4x4 CVT transmission with high/low gear range and engine braking give easy driving and control, while all wheel hydraulic disc brakes with split circuit and a twin calliper parking brake provide excellent stopping power and safety.
The Groundhog 4x4 features fully independent suspension at each wheel, with high ground clearance and progressive rate springs to give impressive road holding and a smooth ride in rough terrain, whether laden or unladen.
The new model boasts excellent productivity with a 500kg (1102lb) payload and the same towing capacity. Further safety considerations include a 4 post ROPS Frame as standard. This can be converted to a cab for greater protection from adverse weather conditions.
JCB FM30 OUT FRONT MOWER
JCB Groundcare will also preview its first ever out front mower - the FM30. To be launched later this year alongside its smaller stablemate the FM25, the models will be available with a choice of 8 cutting decks.
Purpose built for specialist grounds maintenance applications, they are rugged, productive and with the variety of cutting tools – extremely versatile. Powered by a low vibration, low noise and low emission engine the new mowers are cost effective, reliable and provide a comfortable working environment for the operator.
Performance is unrivalled with hydrostatic transmission and the availability of a 4WD version with a unique three differential system - to prevent scalping. The models also benefit from good ground clearance enabling them to perform on uneven ground and navigate curbs and ramps.
JCB 335HST COMPACT TRACTOR
At the heart of this successful compact tractor’s impressive performance is its high-torque engine – giving the power to tackle large-scale mowing projects. A 35hp, 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated version - gives greater fuel efficiency, more durability and more torque.
It features clutchless hydrostatic transmission enabling a smoother take-up and forwards and backwards movement without changing gear. It has low, medium and high ranges giving optimum ratio depending on the ground conditions and selectable four-wheel drive for extra traction.
In addition to their impressive mowing performance, the JCB compact tractors can prove real workhorses by adapting to numerous other applications. JCB machines are built to perform in the most demanding conditions. They are robust and have high lift capacities and the strength and build quality to easily power heavy attachments such as backhoe and front loaders.
YELLOW IS THE COLOUR FOR GREENS
JCB Groundcare is fast becoming recognised as a major player on the golf course maintenance sector and these latest models join a portfolio which has proved popular with green-keepers.
The existing specialist range has found success at golf courses the length and breadth of the country. Stretching from Aigas, near Inverness, to Royal Jersey, golf clubs across the UK have recognised the performance benefits of JCB Groundcare’s flagship compact tractor range.
The 335 and 354 Turbo models have been lauded by Greenkeepers for their powerful diesel engines, their small turning circles which enable manoeuvrability in tight applications and the selectable two/four-wheel drive facility which provides excellent traction in the testing ground conditions and inclines often found on golf courses.
Their compatibility with an extensive range of attachments also provides great versatility. When powering attachments for applications such as aeration, the auto headland management feature has proved invaluable. It is an innovative feature which automatically cuts off the driveline to any potentially dangerous rear-mounted attachment when it is raised for turning or in transit. This feature also provides real productivity benefits as the operator does not need to leave his driving position to manually dis-engage the PTO and the driveline to the attachment automatically re-starts when it is lowered.
An example of the popularity of this feature is a 335 HST model working at Alnmouth Golf Course in Northumberland.
Head Greenkeeper Jim Storey said: “We needed a new hydrostatic tractor and after looking at all the leading models on the market we chose the new JCB for its powerful performance and the auto headland management feature. Since its arrival it has performed wonderfully well and proved perfect for our requirements. We are working it hard but it never lets us down.
“We are using the JCB335 HST for a wide range of applications all over the course. These include drainage work with a trencher, pulling trailers and grass cutting on our large practice area. However, it really comes into its own when powering our Vertidrain attachment on the greens. With our old tractor we had to continually stop at the end of each run to manually switch off the PTO, with the auto headland feature, it is so much easier and more productive.”
The latest compact tractor customer is Mike Wilson, Head Greenkeeper at Strathpeffer Spa Golf Course in Scotland. One of the first customers to take delivery of a JCB Groundhog utility vehicle back in 2006, he has been so impressed by its performance and the support and backup that he has recently added a 354 compact tractor to the fleet.
The JCB Groundhog utility vehicle has also found popularity within the golf course management trade for its productivity and reliability. Outperforming competitive models, it has paved the way for the latest 4x4 version which promises even greater traction in difficult ground conditions and on slopes with the added benefit of improved ground clearance.
Having been extremely impressed with the 6x4 model, Peter Easton and Elaine Allan of leading irrigation specialist Peter A Easton Irrigation Ltd have pre-ordered the 4x4 model for the performance and reliability it can bring to their business.
The Scottish-based expert develops and installs irrigation systems at high profile sports facilities such as Premiership football stadia and leading golf courses, along with private gardens and local authority projects.
Indeed the company’s current project is the new irrigation system at Nairn Golf Club – which hosts the Walker Cup and has been awarded a future Curtis Cup tournament. The new Groundhog will be put to work carrying out golf course irrigation service work - transporting people, tools and equipment around the site.
Owner Peter Easton said: “We are not the largest company but we have been successful through priding ourselves on integrity, the quality of our work and attention to detail. As part of this offering we must ensure we operate the best available equipment. The existing JCB Groundhog has been faultless – doing everything we could wish from a robust utility vehicle. We are extremely excited about seeing the 4x4 in action. It looks the part, the specifications are excellent for our needs, and the service and advice from our JCB Groundcare dealer has been first class.”
