Product showcase

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

COMPACT TRACTORS

JOHN DEERE Clean green machines

John Deere has announced a number of updates to the company’s compact tractor range for 2020, which includes 13 models in six series from 25 to 66hp.

The main change is prompted by the latest Stage V emissions regulations in Europe, which are designed to limit ultrafine particulate emissions in all engines above 25hp (19kW).

John Deere’s compact tractors rated at 25hp and below – the 1026R and 2026R, and the new 3025E – already meet the necessary standards. Other 2R and 3R Series models above 25hp get a new Yanmar 1.6-litre, three-cylinder TNV Series diesel engine that features a high torque reserve, providing plenty of power under heavy loads. This uses the latest engine technologies to improve fuel economy, control and accuracy, while also reducing environmental impact and operating costs.

The engine’s new after-treatment

system consists of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), similar to that used successfully on John Deere’s larger agricultural tractors. This operates automatically to produce lower levels of exhaust emissions and reduced noise levels, and meets all current requirements for Stage V emission standards.

At the top of the John Deere compact tractor range, the new 4052M and 4052R receive a larger 2.1-litre, fourcylinder engine with DPF.

In addition to the new engine, the 3R and 4R Series compact tractors will be equipped with a new eThrottle function integrated into the eHydro transmission. This feature is designed make the tractor quieter and more comfortable to use, as well as more fuel efficient. With the simple push of a button, engine speed is linked to the foot pedal position so that engine rpm and tractor speed can both be increased as the pedal is depressed.

The latest 4R Series models can also now be equipped with a StarFire satellite receiver and AutoTrac Universal automatic steering system. This is designed to help operators achieve higher levels of accuracy and input cost savings when working with implements such as amenity turf sprayers, seeders and spreaders.

www.deere.co.uk

KUBOTA User-friendly focus

Reliable and easy to operate, Kubota’s ST range of diesel tractors is designed with grounds care operators in mind. The machine is lightweight and compact yet powerful, helping it to deliver in terms of speed, manoeuverability and efficiency.

It can be used for a wide range of jobs. For mowing, its mid-PTO-drive mid-mounted mowers and shaft drive feature ensure maximum durability with low maintenance. It can also be used for front-loader or implement work, with grass catchers, trailers, decompaction equipment and pallet forks all easily attached.

The high torque, low noise Kubota diesel engine ensures powerful performance and offers a high and stable output. Standard features include power steering and cruise control, as well as the exclusive Kubota bi-speed turning. This feature reduces drag, ensuring smoother, faster, and tighter turns, minimising turf damage.

The machine incorporates a cruise control setting which helps to reduce operator fatigue by ensuring a constant speed for mowing and other tasks. Its engine outputs low levels of noise and vibration, which also helps to minimise operator fatigue, improving safety.

PRICE TURFCARE Versatile Ventrac

Rupert Price, managing director of Price Turfcare, UK importer of the Ventrac compact tractor, says its versatility is its USP.

“I’m biased towards compact tractors as it’s my core business, but our equipment has the advantage of being extremely versatile. As far as technology is concerned, Ventrac products are quite basic and for a good reason. They are simple to operate and that’s one of their attractions. We have slope meters for safety reasons, but apart from that and some quick couplings for the hydraulic-driven accessories, that’s about it.

“With compact tractors comes versatility; they can be fitted with numerous attachments and our Ventracs can swap between implements in less than a minute, due to their innovative mounting system. If you can change that quickly, then it’s more likely that you will!

“The Ventrac 4500 can be used as a mower, with five different mowing decks for various types of turf or as a trencher, aerator, stump grinder, edger, leaf blower, snow blower, snow plough, gritter and more, so it can be used all year round.”

ISEKI The right machine for the job

ISEKI compact tractors are small, light and manoeuvrable, ideal for maintaining sports turf by adding your choice of scarifiers, aerators or other implements to these machines.

The most compact model in the range, the 23hp TXGS24, has hydrostatic transmission, independent rear and mid PTO, auxiliary valve with optional front loader, mid mount decks and collector making it the ideal multi-purpose tractor. The TM and TH range has 15hp to 35hp models available and a three-point linkage lift capacity of up to 1,100kg. These offer a choice of hydrostatic or mechanical transmissions.

Should you be tight on budget but do not want to compromise on horsepower and lift capacity, there is the premium economy TLE range. To complete the portfolio is the high specification TG tractor available with ROPS or an air con cab, 65hp and lift capacity of 1,600kg, hydrostatic, IQ DualClutch or PowerShuttle transmission for ease of use.

www.iseki.co.uk

TYM Little and larger

The TS25 and T503 are two of TYM’s most versatile and popular tractors.

The subcompact TS25 includes a mid-mounted mowing deck and is available with either a manual or hydrostatic transmission, which means it can be tailored to specific turf maintenance needs. It has a rear lift capacity of 600kg and can easily manage a front loader. It can be fitted with a range of accessories including a spool valve kit, mid-mounted mower, front loader and a rear counter balance.

The T503 is powered by a four-cylinder Perkins diesel engine and is mechanically robust with a well-thought-out platform. It has an array of optional attachments, and its ability to tow and pull attachments such as aerators further opens up capabilities of this middleweight compact tractor. It offers a range of features and optional extras, including an airconditioned cab, independent auto PTO function, independent 4WD, telescopic lift arms and Dromone trailer hitch.

Both tractors have a powerful diesel engine, hydrostatic power-steering, a tight turning circle and a heavy-duty, fourwheel-drive front axle for greater traction where needed.

SCH Broadcasting right

The TDS125 broadcaster/ spreader has a generous 60kg hopper size, which is ideal for use on footpaths and small car parks where larger apparatus cannot be used effectively.

The large pneumatic wheels allow the unit to be easily pushed over rough ground and icy surfaces. An adjustable feed control makes it very suitable for the spreading of seed, fertiliser and salt. A shower-proof cover is supplied with this product to keep the contents dry in unfavourable working conditions.

A manual pull handle can be supplied as an optional extra for use on narrow paths or for manoeuvring in and out of storage.

www.schsupplies.co.uk

RIGBY TAYLOR Delta force

The Delta range of organomineral fertilisers, unique to Rigby Taylor, consists of four analyses which are suitable for turf surfaces mown at 10mm and above. Each analysis has 20% organic content from chicken litter and lignite. The chicken litter, which is fully composted so pathogen and weed free, contains multiple micro nutrients, boron, copper, magnesium, manganese iron and zinc, which are essential for the uptake of macro nutrients, and all-round plant health.

The addition of lignite gives a more efficient use of nitrogen as more is retained in the upper rootzone compared to pure mineral fertilisers. Lignite is also a source of humic acid, so root development is improved, enhancing surface stability as well as the plants’ ability to access moisture and nutrients. Within the range, the SR15-2-12+0.5Fe contains Methylene Urea. Twenty-six per cent of the total Nitrogen content is slow release, so will deliver nutrient for 8-12 weeks. The compound granule ensures even, accurate application so plant health is maximised and plant stress is minimised.

GERMINAL Organic growth

Germinal’s G7 Bio Builder is a granulated 5-3-8 NPK fertiliser which also contains 8% CaO and 0.5% Mg. It can be used at any time during the growing season but is especially effective when used after fine turf swards have been renovated or aerated.

Its 100% organic composition enhances sandbased soil profiles by providing naturally occurring rhizobacteria with a supply of organic material on which to feed. This stimulates biological activity within the rhizosphere and enhances the cation and nutrient exchange capacity of the rootzone, improving the sward’s ability to put down growth.

For a long-lasting effect, the organic-based phased-release fertiliser GSR Tri-Phase provides sward nutrients for up to five months from one application. GSR Tri-Phase contains three forms of nitrogen to provide three phases of nutrient release.

www.germinal.com

ICL Slow and steady wins

New for 2020, SierraformGT CalMag is a slow-release fertiliser supplying calcium, magnesium and trace elements for turf growth and all-round plant health.

The nitrogen content is mostly slow-release (MU) based to create a sustained release and steady even growth. The new analysis also contains polyhalite to supply potassium, calcium and magnesium when required. The added SeaMax aims to bring benefits from plant rooting and stress tolerance. Ed Carter, UK sales and development manager, says: “Our team has worked hard to create a nitrogen release pattern that will maintain consistently healthy growth through its 8-week release period.” www.icl-sf.co.uk

COMPO EXPERT Fertilisers for all your turf needs

Compo Expert products include the primary plant health elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as trace elements to improve plant vitality. These include silicon, copper, iron and magnesium, which help turf grass tolerate biotic (disease infection) and abiotic (heat and drought) stress.

Fine turf granular fertilisers, such as Floranid, Fertilis and Easy Green Mini, contain additional trace elements to combat soil deficiencies. The Floranid range contains Compo Expert’s unique slow-release nitrogen products – Isodur and Crotodur. The Fertilis Swing and Speed products are compound NPK fertilisers with trace elements, plus the added Bacillus Subtilis E4-CDX for root growth and vitality, while Easy Green Mini is a compound NPK fertiliser with trace elements included.

One of the many Compo Expert liquid fertiliser ranges include Vitanica, which contains Ecklonia Maxima kelp seaweed extracts – available in Vitanica RZ (including rhizosphere bacterium) and Vitanica MC (containing magnesium and copper) for plant strength and colour.

www.compo-expert.com

HEADLAND AMENITY Growing value

In the current climate, turf managers need good value fertiliser products. The first step could be to identify if there are reserves of P and K in the soil – in which case, straight nitrogen products can offer some of the least expensive nutritional inputs, while still providing a controlled-growth response.

In the right circumstances, a liquid application of a slowrelease nitrogen – such as Headland’s Xtend Soluble 46-0-0 – will provide over 18kg N/Ha when applied at just two bags per hectare. The nitrogen is designed to become available slowly, extending its performance depending on soil type. Costs can be almost halved when compared with similar NPK granular products.

Where granular applications are preferred, lower cost often means larger granules/prills, less slow- or controlled-release nutrients and blended formulations. www.headlandamenity.com