It’s the technology we’ve all been waiting for – autonomous mowing has now arrived and thanks to Toro there are options for the fairways, tees, approaches, semi-roughs and roughs. But is it right for your club?
Toro, who has spent decades researching, fine-tuning and testing these products, says these machines are best suited to clubs who are committed to delivering professional-quality courses while maintaining attention to every detail, but are challenged with staff shortages and rising operational costs. Here we consider the subject.
Anyone involved in recruitment will be aware there’s a crisis. Indeed, the last survey done on the subject by BIGGA found a third of greenkeepers were looking for a job outside of the industry and, when trying to replace lost staff, 80 percent of managers found recruitment a struggle.
While companies, businesses and organisations such as Reesink Turfcare work together to address the shortage, putting together a coordinated effort to attract young and fresh talent, while also promoting training programmes and educational pathways, there is another way to bridge the gap.
Toro has always focused its research and development on solving real-world, real-time problems and this is a classic: how can technology ease operational pressures and intensive workload by automating labour-intensive work?
The answer arrived at BTME when Reesink Turfcare debuted to the world for the first time Toro’s GeoLink Solutions Autonomous Fairway Mower, Turf Pro robotic mowers and Range Pro ball picker.
Toro has been exploring the concept of robotic and autonomous mowers for some time with previous launches in the residential market, but these debuts, which offers options for robotically cutting the fairways, approaches, semi roughs and roughs, is the first time this time-saving support has been available for the turfcare market.
It aids the turf maintenance programme without the need for direct staff involvement, adding to the team an invaluable resource, which otherwise can be stretched. In one fell swoop, these products help to reduce concerns around rising operational costs, take the pressure off potentially smaller greenkeeping teams and still maintain courses and pitches to the expected high standard.
Lee Rowbotham, GeoLink and Digital Specialist at Reesink Turfcare, comments: “There’s a changing mindset about what is needed regarding labour support and how to approach mowing grass. These mowers dramatically increase productivity and get even more consistent results, freeing up time to focus on other areas where more specialised skill is needed. Toro has done the research and listened to the feedback and launches these robotic mowers to provide a solution.”
GeoLink Solutions Autonomous Fairway Mower
Here technology provides a way to dramatically increase productivity and get even more consistent results. An economical hybrid design with both manual and autonomous ‘modes’, the GeoLink Solutions Autonomous Fairway Mower is based on one of the finest examples of innovative Toro technology – the Toro Greensmaster eTriFlex 3360.
It too utilises all electric components for traction, steering, lift and cutting, saying goodbye to hydraulic fluid and minimising leaks. So, this is a mower many customers are already familiar with, the GeoLink Solutions Autonomous Fairway Mower does exactly as its name suggests by simply adding GPS functionality to the proven package.
Sensors work off ultra-precise Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning technology from a GPS based satellite system and mapped out area, setting specific boundaries in which the machine can operate autonomously. When the mower reaches the edge of its predefined work zone, it intelligently keeps within it, providing the highest level of accuracy to within two centimetres. All the operator needs to do is customise the settings according to working perimeters, no-go zones, mowing patterns, cutting height and transport paths.
With this machine on board, members can be sure their pristine course is the combination of greenkeeper expertise combined with the undeniable cutting edge of technology.
Moving on, the next two new launches, the Toro Turf Pro mowers and Range Pro ball picker, mitigate two prominent issues: personnel scarcity and effective time utilisation. They feature wireless monitoring and control capabilities, allowing turf managers to easily track and adjust their performance via computer or mobile device.
Toro Turf Pro 500/300
Particularly suited to being used little and often and with the option of three or five cutting heads or one designed for slopes, the Turf Pro mowers can mow up to 18.5 acres (75,000m²) with precision and efficiency, leveraging advanced technology to consistently clean, well-maintained turf with minimal operator input. All components work seamlessly together, allowing the operator to conveniently manage their mower or fleet of mowers through a single app. A charge time of 90 minutes will give 110 minutes of run-time.
Toro Range Pro 100
The Range Pro is an innovative and efficient solution for driving ranges, designed to collect over 15,000 balls in just 24 hours. The basket can hold up to 350 balls at a time and once full returns to its charging station to release the balls into a system where they are washed. By utilising this technology, driving ranges can significantly reduce labour costs while ensuring visitors’ a clean and organised environment.
Investing in autonomous mowers is proving to be a wise operational and financial decision and not just for the long run. As we’ve come to realise when using electric or hybrid mowers, they require significantly less maintenance than traditional models, eliminating the need for oil changes, spark plug replacements and fuel purchases. The same rules apply to autonomous machines – and they use the same parts too!
So, when considering if autonomous machinery is right for your club, the decision really comes down to: do you want your machinery purchases to safeguard against potential issues with staffing shortages, to free up expertise and guarantee time savings?
If the answer is yes, you need to talk to a Reesink representative on 01480 226800 or visit Reesink Turfcare at reesinkturfcare.co.uk
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