Ticking the boxes for build quality and ease of use is a Progressive TDR-22/6 tri-deck for the team at Newmarket Racecourse. Not only that, the new delivery by Vanmac in June 2024 complements a pair of Progressive TDR-15’s and – at 50% wider – has contributed to significant savings in both labour and fuel-usage according to Estates Manager Alan Hatherley.

An iconic stop on the equine circuit, Newmarket Racecourse comprises of two courses – The July Course and Rowley Mile – which, between them, play host to 37 race meets between April and the end of October. Alan has been working on the site for 20 years, and for the last 12 of those, has been using solutions from Progressive for mowing the 28-hectares of racing surface.  

“We’ve always been really impressed with the build quality and the aftersales service we get with Progressive, but with managing challenges with the weather and ever-tightening mowing windows, the time was right to add something wider” explains Alan, who heads-up a team of nine grounds staff. “We went straight to Vanmac and spoke with Jeremy Vincent about the TDR-22/6 tri-deck.”  

The TDR-22/6 tri-deck roller finishing mower from Progressive combines productivity with performance – its 22 foot (6.7m) combined width, and front and rear rollers, and unique 6 blade rotors per deck deliver a precise and balanced cut, outstanding presentation and unbeatable contour following ability. “This, like our previous mowers, is well-built, not over-engineered and easy to maintain which, in practical terms, gives us a mower that’s user-friendly to operate and generally means fewer things to go wrong!”  

Alan continues, “As soon as the TDR-22/6 tri-deck arrived at the end of June we were out with it straight away, to make the most of the time saving element. Where it used to take us nine hours to mow all areas of the two tracks, we can now complete the job in six. That doesn’t just reduce labour and give us a better chance to mow ahead of forecasted rainfall, it presents a significant reduction in fuel usage which is a big step towards reducing our environmental footprint.”  

“We don’t cut when it’s wet but will mow as and when required throughout the year so, a mild winter for example, will see us continuing to mow in December. With the TDR-22/6 tri-deck, we know we can confidently get the job done quickly and effectively, no matter the ground conditions.”