Seen for the first time at BTME 2005, the new John Deere 2500E is the golf and turf industry’s first hybrid greens mower, combining conventional diesel power with electric motors to produce a quieter, more environmentally friendly machine.
Advanced technology has eliminated 102 potential hydraulic leak points, without sacrificing overall reliability, power or cut quality. This has been done by removing all hydraulics from the cutting unit drive circuit, where industry figures indicate 90 per cent of leaks occur. Instead, highly efficient electric reel motors replace the reel hydraulic pump, hydraulic motors, backlap valve, oil cooler and all associated flexible hoses, fittings and hard lines.
There are no batteries to charge – the mower uses a traditional three-cylinder John Deere 20hp diesel engine to drive an alternator, which provides consistent power to drive the cutting units via the electric reel motors. The 2500E can be used for greens mowing with groomers and power brushes, tees and approach mowing or verticutting, without the potential for hydraulic leaks to cause damage to greens and other fine turf areas.
This advanced electrical reel system allows the cutting units to be powered independently of the traction speed, unlike hydraulic reel circuits. This means the operator is able to reduce engine rpm without slowing reel rpm or mowing speed, thus reducing sound levels down to 79dBA while maintaining cut quality and productivity. This can also reduce fuel consumption by an average of 10 per cent. In addition, backlapping can still be carried out using variable control of the reel speed and direction.
Like the existing 2500A greens mower, the 2500E is equipped with three 56cm (22in) cylinders, available with either seven- or 11-blade reels and smooth or grooved front rollers. These are offset to the left to help reduce tracking on greens, caused by regular mowing; this is done by changing the direction of travel on alternate days.
During the perimeter cut, the tyres roll across one area of the green one day, and a different area the next, enabling it to recover between cuts. Height of cut can be varied from 3 to 19mm (1/8 to ¾in), and overall cutting width is 1.57m (62in). The Quick Tach cutting units float independently to follow ground contours.
The comfortable operator station features a five-position steering wheel, adjustable seat and the CommandArm operator console, which provides fingertip control of the throttle, reel drive and raising and lowering of the cutting units. Further operator benefits include hydrostatic drive with two pedal foot control, on board diagnostics as standard and easy servicing, with a built in toolbox below the CommandArm on the driver’s right hand side.
All 2500A attachments are compatible with the 2500E; available options include greens tender conditioners, rear roller power brushes and vertical cutting units. Available from Spring 2005, the new John Deere 2500E greens mower will cost from £22,378 (Irish price €32,817), equipped with 11 blade reels and grooved front rollers as standard.
John Deere Limited www.johndeere.co.uk
Hybrid greens mower is an industry first
