New floating-reel greens mower - Turf Equipment

Diesel Progress North American Edition, July, 2003 by Mike Mercer

Jacobsen has introduced a new floating-reel walking greens mower designed specifically for commercial golf course applications. The new Tournament Cut-22 mower will be sold in turf equipment markets worldwide by Jacobsen.

The Tournament Cut-22 is powered by a single-cylinder Honda GX-120 gasoline engine rated 4 hp at 3600 rpm with 5.4 lb.ft. of torque at 2800 rpm. The air-cooled engine features overhead valves, a displacement of 119 cc, a dual element air filter and a recoil starter. The EC-guaranteed sound power level for this mower is below the 100 dB(A) standard. At the operator's ear, the sound level is measured at 79.0 dB(A).

Engine power is transmitted through a disc-type drive clutch and solid driveshaft into a gearbox. From there, power is transferred via one output to the traction drum. The other output shaft transfers power through a second variable length driveshaft with universal joints at each end into a second gearbox that drives the cutting reel and the optional groomer. The mower reel uses a separate cog-type reel clutch for engage and disengagement.

"This system is very quiet," said Shawn Daly, product manager for the greens mowers. "The gearboxes use steel spur gears and are lubricated via grease fittings instead of an oil bath. Eliminating the oil bath lubrication prevents the possibility of oil leaks that could damage the turf. The flexible driveshaft also contributes to the cutting reel's ability to float."

Mowing speed is 2.9 mph with the engine running at 3600 rpm. The traction reduction ratio is 21.14:1 and the differential uses a full automotive-type unit housed within the traction drum. The rear drive rollers are aluminum alloy castings with an outside diameter and length of 6.93 x 10.5 in.

The mower features a 22 in. cutting width and a floating cutting reel designed to hug the turf and provide a smooth, consistent cut. The cutting reel features a balanced floating design that separates and unloads the weight of the rear traction wheel/power source from the suspended floating cutting reel. The separation enables the suspended reel to move up and down, forward and back, as well as left and right while moving over uneven turf to avoid scalping and deliver an even cut on undulating greens or professional sports fields.

"The new reel technology with the floating head and no pivot points is the real advance in this product," said Daly "The reel's ability to float is what enables this product to provide a superior close cur without scalping the green."

The mower is fitted with nine-bladed, fine-cut reels. Superintendents have a choice of bedknives including the Super Tournament Bedknife designed to de liver a low championship-level cut height without scalping.

The patented Turf Groomer is optional on the Tournament Cut-22 mower and is intended to produce healthier turf by cutting lateral grass runners just below the surface. This system also removes thatch to provide better pathways for water, oxygen and nutrients.

The Tournament Cut-22 also includes a new ergonomic handle that is adjustable to eleven positions without the use of tools. The handle integrated operator presence control with clutch design controls the reel and traction drive system. "This allows a number of different operators to use the mower comfortably," said Daly.

The Tournament Cut-22 weighs in at 206 lb., 215 lb. with the optional groomer kit. It has a length of 50 in., a height of 46.5 in. and a width (without tires) of 35 in.