In one of the strangest part-exchange transactions of the past decade, a Ransomes Overgreen triple mower (circa 1945) has been used to help fund the purchase of a Jacobsen Eclipse 322 riding greens mower, which represents the very latest in greens mowing technology available today.
This unique deal was negotiated by David Common, sales representative at Rickerby Ltd, Ransomes Jacobsen’s dealer for the northeast of Englandwith Tyneside Golf Club situated just outside Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Ransomes Overgreen was introduced in 1937 and was the first motorised greens triple to be introduced in theUK. It was manufactured until 1958 and this particular machine was purchased by the club in 1946. It was last used some 20 years ago when it was fitted with brushes to remove dew from the greens.
Dave Simpson has been Head Greenkeeper at Tyneside Golf Club for the past 15 years and heads a team of five full-time staff.
Commenting on this extraordinary deal he said, “Some of my team who have been here longer than me can actually remember using the Overgreen, but it has been consigned to the back of the shed for many years now. When I mentioned it to David Common, he contacted Ransomes Jacobsen and they were immediately interested in acquiring the mower. They plan to restore it and display it in the foyer of their headquarters in Ipswich.
“With the purchase of the Eclipse 322 we now have the most modern and up-to-date technology here at Tyneside. The fuel economy is fantastic; we were using 6 litres of fuel to cut our greens, now we only use 3, so we’re getting a 50% fuel saving.
“Every member of my team uses the Eclipse and they particularly like the positive steering which enables them to keep straight lines on the greens and being able to engage just a single cutting unit to create the look of a hand mown finish to the perimeter cut. From my perspective, I’m delighted that the possibility of an oil spill had completely gone.”
Club Manager Alastair Greenfield added, “From a financial perspective the Eclipse costs more than a standard greens mower, but with fuel savings and reduced overall maintenance costs, we will easily recoup the difference over the course of the lifecycle of the machine.”
Tyneside Golf Club is situated in Ryton village, a short drive from Newcastle City centre and is one of the oldest clubs in the North east having been formed in 1879. It is regarded as one of the finest parkland courses in the region.
Ransomes Jacobsen: www.ransomesjacobsen.com
Tyneside Golf Club www.tynesidegolfclub.co.uk