John Deere’s new 220e E-Cut walk-behind greens
mower combines hybrid electric drive with a contour hugging Quick
Adjust (QA) cutting unit, and is designed to provide a top quality
finish on golf greens, tennis courts, bowling greens and other fine
turf areas.
This model joins the existing C Series range and
features a standard 11 blade, 127mm (5in) diameter reel with a cutting
width of 56cm (22in) and simple bedknife-to-reel adjustment. Cutting
height is quickly and easily adjustable across a wider range down to
2mm using the patented Speed Link system (see separate release).
The 220e E-Cut employs the same type of innovative
hybrid drive technology first seen on the John Deere 2500E triplex
greens mower in 2005. Utilising the 2500’s ball-joint yoke design and
an electric drive motor eliminates the need for a mechanical drive
link to the cutting unit. The independent contouring head therefore
hugs the slightest undulations of the green, making it easier to
achieve the perfect cut in any conditions.
These features give the 220e E-Cut mower the
largest range of movement in the industry, with the cutting head
capable of up to 133mm (5¼in) of travel fore and aft and 32mm (1¼in)
side to side. The electric reel makes adjustment of the clip frequency
particularly straightforward, by simply turning a dial to set the
desired clip rate. On-board backlapping is another standard feature
that makes servicing the cutting unit simple and convenient.
The hybrid design also reduces weight on the
cutting head and allows the mower to be run at lower engine revs,
making it even quieter as well as more manoeuvrable. A weight transfer
system linked to the drive roller means that as the standard grassbox
fills, minimal weight is added to cutting head, which produces a more
consistent height of cut across the green.
Controls and operation are the same as on the rest
of the C Series models, with the 4hp air cooled Honda petrol engine
designed to meet the latest emissions and environmental regulations.
The mower is equipped as standard with an operator
presence system, which features a quick release mechanism to disengage
traction. An optional gear-driven greens tender conditioner (GTC)
counter-rotates to stand the grass up before cutting, for an even
better finish. Alternatively, a 60mm (2⅜in) rotary nylon brush
attachment can be specified, which also counter-rotates with the reel.
Additional options include detachable transport
wheels, to make it easier to move the mower around when it’s not in
work; a pull-back clutch that allows the mower to be reversed while
the reels are engaged; and a choice of grooved, smooth or spiral
rollers.
ENDS (September 2009)
