Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based turf equipment manufacturer, launched the Eclipse 322 ride-on greens mower just over a year ago. They claimed it was a revolutionary departure from previous mowers in that it used a diesel electric hybrid power system and had no hydraulics. Kevin Marks visited a two of the ‘early adopters’ of the new mower to see if it had met their expectations after the first season in the field.

Senior course manager Rob Surgey
at Burhill Golf Club

Robert Surgey is the Senior Course Manager at the 36-hole flagship Burhill Golf Club in Walton-on-Thames and within the Burhill Golf and Leisure Group is responsible for course maintenance evaluations at the seven Pay & Play and three members clubs.

The Burhill Group purchased five Eclipse 322s, which were delivered in July 2010, and commenting on their performance after the first season he said,

“Across the group, the team have been really impressed with these Eclipse mowers. The first thing we’ve noticed is significant savings in fuel. Here at Burhill we’ve reduced fuel consumption to less than half that of our previous machines. We are using just under three litres for the 18 greens on the New course compared to eight with the other mower.

“With red diesel at 50p per litre, that’s £1.50 compared to £4, so we save £2.50 per cut and if you assume we cut 250 days a year, that’s a saving of over £600 in fuel costs alone. Add to this less service parts expense and reduced maintenance time and the cost savings soon accumulate.

“We normally hand cut the greens throughout the winter months, but this year we’ve alternated with the Eclipse and we’ve seen the benefits. Overall, we’ve noticed a massive difference in the quality of cut; it’s been absolutely superb and the greens have never played better.

“With the Eclipse you can alter the frequency of cut; you can input your desired clip rate using the screen and buttons on the control pod. We’ve tweaked ours from the factory setting to 0.16, which means that we are cutting every 0.16 of an inch, or 250 cuts per metre, which really suits our course conditions, and we have seen the benefits. We are getting an almost hand cut finish from a triple.

“Before the machine was delivered my head mechanic, Roger Glazier, was invited to Ipswich for an in-depth training course on maintaining the Eclipse. This worked really well, and as it’s new technology he was able to get up to speed before we got them. Roger is good with the electronic wizardry in the mowers and he’s the one who makes the changes, when required.

“For example, we’ve governed the transport to 8 kmh, which has slowed down some of the younger guys who like to get around more quickly. I’m not sure if they’re too happy, but I am! We’ve also set the mow speed at 4 kmh. Once you dial in that frequency of clip number, you know that every green you mow, every time you go out, will be cut exactly the same.

“We’ve had a few little niggles throughout this first season, and that’s to be expected with something so radically new, but Ransomes Jacobsen and Ernest Doe, our local dealer have been excellent. Any minor issue has been sorted very quickly, very professionally, and with little, or no, down time. At least I’ll never again experience an hydraulic oil leak on the green like I had the previous year.”

Hugh Knowles is the Group Operations Manager at Burhill Golf and Leisure and was instrumental in introducing Burhill’s environment policy, which is designed to enrich the environments of its 10 courses and promote sound, sustainable management through a high degree of environmental awareness. Proof positive of this policy was Burhill Golf Club’s winning the BIGGA Environmental Award for the South of England in 2009.

Commenting on the new greens mowers he said, “When we ordered these Eclipse 322s we were expecting considerable savings in fuel costs plus the added benefit from their reduced environmental footprint, which is an important factor to us. We’ve certainly seen the fuel savings and we’ve also seen more benefits that we originally anticipated. We’re delighted with our investment in this new technology.”

Chris Brook, is the Group Courses Manager at The Club Company, who currently operate 10 clubs in England, all of which have been developed into the hallmark golf and country club format that defines the group. He has overall responsibility for all course related activities across the 10 clubs and is also the Course Manager at Castle Royle Golf and Country Club near Maidenhead.

He was the first course manager in Europe to commit to the new technology that typifies the Eclipse 322. He ordered nine machines back in October 2009, three months before the revolutionary new mower was officially launched into the UK market.

“I was involved in several focus group sessions, both here in the UK and over in the USA, throughout the five year development process,” he said. “I liked the concept from the outset and the fact that there are no hydraulic fluids was an important aspect.

“However, one of the main reasons is the overall cost of ownership. With fuel prices rocketing, anything we can do to mitigate the effect, demands consideration. Ransomes Jacobsen were claiming a 43% saving on fuel alone, so when you add in reduced maintenance costs as well, the figures looked very good indeed. That’s why I ordered the 322s so far in advance; I really think they’re the way forward.

“The most pleasing aspect is that I made the initial commitment so far out and it’s been totally vindicated”

“Now that they’ve completed their first season, we’re in a good position to review their performance. Right around the group, I’ve received very good feedback. I’ve got one particular course manager, who was very sceptical initially, but after using it for over six months, he’s now a committed Eclipse man!

“Yes, there were some small issues, but nothing untoward and we’ve had no down time whatsoever, which I think is amazing from a newly introduced model with so much innovative technology.

“The first time my team got on it they realized it’s a different experience from a nor
mal hydraulically-driven greens mower, but they soon got used to it and haven’t looked back.

“I was looking for fuel economy and we’re getting it. Here at Castle Royle I’m using 3.3 litres to mow 20 greens, instead of around 7 litres from my former Jacobsen greens mowers. That’s better than the 43% Jacobsen were claiming in their launch publicity. My guys like the overall concept of no hydraulics, the swing out centre unit for adjusting height of cut and cleaning the unit and the ease of use.

“What is probably the most pleasing aspect is that I’m happy that I made the initial commitment so far out and that it’s been vindicated.