Simon Richard Ltd, UK Agent for the Reform & Shibaura tractor and Muthing flail ranges has introduced the MU-FM Hydro flail in collaboration with Ransomes Jacobsen.

Commenting on the new product Simon Richard said “The combination of increased rainfall and the economic downturn has had consequences for the UK ground care sector which requires a new approach. For some considerable time we have been stressing the financial and performance benefits afforded to UK Local Authorities from an increased use of flails. Issues such as a reduction in frequency of cut and having to work on longer wet grass, particularly on slopes, can only be addressed by the use of equipment fit for purpose.

Ransomes Jacobsen, one the largest manufacturers of cylinder mowers have also been working in this area with the development of their Meteor ride on triple mower, which uses a Magna cutting frame and flail rotor, so when they approached us to discuss possible flail development, we were delighted to have the opportunity to work with them.

Their Ransomes HR300 is the ideal tractor unit on which to mount the MU-FM Hydro out front flail, which features high rotor speed and Muthing’s new “C” type self-cleaning blades together with their proven “Shark Fin” shredding bar technology to produce optimum cut quality, be it in rough bramble areas or on fine turf. Available in 140cm and 160cm width options, the MU-FM’s easy to use height adjustment allows perfect contour following and an even cut to produce a fine pleasing visual finish. Cut shredded material is left evenly distributed behind the mower.

Testing has proven the MU-FM Hydro flail to be an “all-rounder” machine, capable of performing just as efficiently on long wet grass as it does on short fine turf or football pitches. The Muthing ground care mulching mower range, developed and tested in Britain, also offers proven performance and agronomic benefits, including pest and disease reduction, plus faster decomposition of cut material.

Simon continued “Our specialist dealer network can advise customers on all aspects of grass cutting, not least dealing with the more difficult sloping areas. In addition to the new MU-FM Hydro, visitors to www.slopemower.co.uk will find a range of solutions including Out Front Mowers, rated for safe working up to 20 degrees with flails, Slope Mowers for up to 30 degrees and Tractors for up to 45 degrees.

This collaboration with Ransomes Jacobsen; who have their HR300 Out front mower rated to 17 degrees with flails, means Local Authorities now have a range of cost effective solutions available to them to help address problems associated with a reduction in frequency of cut. This will enable them to achieve budget savings while also maintaining open spaces to the required standard and importantly, be compliant with operator health and safety requirements.”

Richard Comely, Director of Product Management at Ransomes Jacobsen added “In conjunction with Simon Richard, we have been able to develop an Out front flail mower that’s tough enough to take the knocks associated with everyday professional amenity use. The hydraulically driven flail unit allows substantially improved articulation on uneven ground as we have been able to mount the mower closer to the power unit, which in turn improves manoeuvrability, reduces overall length and the need for excessive counter balance weights. The Muthing MU-FM Hydro is a perfect fit with our HR300 power unit and is an ideal solution for maintaining longer grass, the result of extended cutting cycles introduced by many local authorities.”