As the result of the preferred supplier agreement between Ransomes Jacobsen and the Rugby Football Union at Twickenham, head groundsman Keith Kent and his team have taken delivery of more equipment from the company’s product offering.

Delivered recently by local dealer, Ernest Doe and Sons, the equipment includes three Iseki tractors and a Cushman 1600 XD-R utility vehicle.

Keith Kent’s fleet includes three new Iseki tractors and Ransomes Matador walk-behind mowers.

The largest machine delivered is the Iseki TJA 8100 tractor, which has at its heart a SISU manufactured three-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine with excellent torque characteristics and high fuel efficiency. This compact common rail diesel engine has emissions that are Stage 3B compliant without the need for a DPF (diesel particulate filter) or Ad-Blue, thus reducing maintenance costs.

The air-conditioned cab, with ergonomic controls, clear instrumentation and a Grammer suspension seat, provides the operator with excellent visibility and a spacious and comfortable environment in which to work.

Keith Kent said: “I particularly like the Iseki tractor range and the TJA 8100 is a great workhorse. Its large loader has the capacity to lift 1.6 tonnes and will be an excellent asset around the stadium. We also have an Iseki TH4335 HST with Lewis Loader.

“Again, this is a superb tractor; it has a 33 hp engine, independent PTO and throttle control together with an ISO mounted operator’s platform making it highly manoeuvrable and comfortable for an environment such as ours. 

Also included in the delivery is a Cushman 1600XD-R utility vehicle for general duties around the confines of the stadium. The premier UTV in the Cushman range, road homologation comes as standard and its powerful 22 hp, 1,007cc three-cylinder OHV diesel engine offers plenty of grunt to handle tough grounds care tasks on any terrain. 

Andy Muir, one of the senior grounds staff said: “We chose the Cushman because it is road homologated and that is very useful as we sometimes hire the Cardinal Vaughan School playing field and other local sports clubs for additional parking on match days. Having a road registered utility vehicle is a great option and with its impressive load carrying capacity we can get jobs done quickly.”

The Cushman 1600XD-R’s performance is enhanced by an automatic CVT with low and high gear ratios, a user-selectable locking rear differential which can be engaged in both two and four-wheel drive operation. It also has independent suspension on all four wheels and exceptional hauling and towing capacity. 

Keith and his team have a considerable fleet from the Ransomes Jacobsen stable including four Ransomes Matador walk-behind mowers for match preparation, a Jacobsen Eclipse 322 diesel-electric hybrid triplex with height of cut extension kit, an E-Z-GO ambulance vehicle for the removal of injured players and a Ransomes HR300 out-front rotary mower for maintaining the grass car parks at Cardinal Vaughan School.

www.ransomesjacobsen.com