Which Remote Control Mower to buy and Why
This blog aims to provide users with the right questions and answers and an initial understanding into what options are available for your particular requirements.
The Groundcare industry is an exciting place to be and the quality and reliability of commercial remote control mowers to the market has certainly evolved during the last 5 years to provide operators and contractors alike with the confidence to tackle the majority of tasks.
Why have they been developed?
On the whole, they have been designed and developed to reduce and in some circumstances remove health and safety issues. This is in regards to working on slopes, near water courses, in environments were operators can be at risk, including from thorny foliage, animals, reptiles and insects. The operator is able to work the machine at a distance which can be safer and more convenient for them. Another advantage is that complications regarding Hand and Arm Vibrations and hearing are again much less of issue.
Categorisation
Remote Control mowers can be categorised into two main forms. Wheeled or tracked, there are pros and cons for both and to give you a general understanding these include:
|
|
Tracked Machine |
Wheeled Machine |
|
Very Steep Slopes <40 degrees |
Very Good |
Limited |
|
Boggy areas |
Very Good |
Good (if 4wd is available) |
|
Cutting dense material fast |
Very Good |
Good – may have ‘nibble’ more |
|
Turning disruption |
Damages surface when turning |
No surface damage |
|
Down time with punctures |
No punctures |
Can happen from time to time. |
|
Cost |
Relatively more expensive |
Relatively cheaper up to 40% |
|
Reliability |
Good |
Good |
|
Training |
Needed |
Needed. |
There
There are other options to consider as its not just what surface, slope or material you are mowing.
Once the operator knows the environment and topography the machine will be in, the next move is to identify the material they are cutting. Grass, brush, saplings, small stumps >2”, fallen limbs, meadow grass (to be collected or not).
Some tracked machines on the market can have changeable heads rather than just a mid-mower rotary with swing tip blades. These are more expensive but incredibly versatile and so can be used for many applications. Example, flail for brush and saplings, rotary deck for grass, forestry head (Koppl) for dense and sometimes unknown material, reciprocating cutter bar for wild flower meadows. Other heads such as snow plough, gritters, sprayers and stump grinders can also be attached. There are options such as side shift and axis shift to help balance out the machine depending upon the weight of the head for example. Cruise controls, quick attach mechanisms are also some of the add-ons you can upgrade to.
There is one other variation worthy of note. The ability to use the machine without the remote control feature. This has some very good positive points and includes the operator being able to site the machine either via normal drive (ride-on or walk-behind or remote control. Some machines built now including the Koppl Taurus and AS Motor AS Sherpa 940RC remote control mowers are capable of dealing with around 50-70% of the tough conditions safely for the machine to be directly operated without the use of remote control. The means that the operator can effectively work faster as overlaps would be reduced as it removes some of the guess work from a distance. Some can reduce operator fatigue as they get to sit on the mower for the flatter areas and can travel to and from sites. Micro adjustments can easily be made for when using other heads such as stone buriers as the operator is right there with the machine. The Operator can get a ‘feel’ for the machine before using it in remote control. It enable them to familiarise themselves with it and there will be more comfortable and confident when the machine is further away from them working.
In conclusion
There is a remote controlled mower for nearly all applications.
Questions are
- What is the topography, ie) how steep, how wet through out the year?
- What are you mowing? Grass, brush, saplings unknown vegetation and how dense/tall is it?
- Is it an amenity where surface finish is important or is it just clearance work?
- Do you need or would like the machine to do other tasks? Such as snow plough, cutter bar etc?
- What budget is available for such a purpose?
Read more on the PSD Blog: Have you considered a Two Wheel Tractor?
> View Remote Control Mowers on the PSD website
Talk to your local dealer |
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