Fairway mowers are typically larger and have higher cutting widths than greens and tees mowers, but they still have to provide a consistent, high-quality cut that results in a smooth playing surface for golfers.
Read More (About Fairway Mowers)Fairway mowers are crucial machines for turf maintenance operations because they provide a consistent cut that results in a smooth playing surface for golfers. In fact, a precise cut is so important that fairway mowers often use the same reel cutting system found in greens and tees mowers, the machines that maintain the turf where cut quality is more important than anywhere else on the course. However, because they have to cover much more ground, fairway mowers are typically among the largest and widest machines in a groundskeeper’s equipment fleet.
Fairway mowers are often wider than greens and tees mowers, allowing the operator to cut more grass on a single pass to maximise efficiency. They may incorporate as many as five or seven cutting reels, also referred to as “gang reels,” with options to adjust cut height on the fly. Many machines in this category feature flexible cutting units that ensure a consistent cut whether an area is largely uniform and flat or has frequent slopes and contours. Some even have features and technologies specifically designed for working through tough conditions, including rainy weather that can make grass difficult to cut accurately.
John Deere is not only a popular manufacturer of farm and construction equipment, but also of mowers purpose-built for keeping golf courses properly maintained, including its PrecisionCut and E-Cut Hybrid fairway mowers with cutting widths of up to 330 centimetres. One example is the John Deere 8000, which is powered by either a 42.1-horsepower (31.4-kilowatt) Stage V or 37.1-hp (27.7-kW) Stage III A engine and has a maximum cutting width of 203 cm. It also has a mowing speed of up to 12.8 km/h.
Other standout features include reduced sound levels, brushless electric reel motors, wheel motors and an eHydro hydrostatic pump that improve hill climbing, and a dual-rod hydraulic steering cylinder designed to cut fairways just as accurately as greens.
Toro is another popular manufacturer in this market, and its Reelmaster fairway mowers have cutting widths of between 189 and 307 cm. One example is the Reelmaster 3100, which offers a max cutting width of either 189 or 216 cm, depending on the configuration, and is powered by a 21.5-hp (16-kW) Kubota diesel engine. It also has a mowing speed of up to 10 km/h.
All current Reelmaster fairway mowers feature EdgeSeries reels that Toro says have a 30% to 50% longer life than previous models. They hold their edge better, which in turn helps prevent damage to healthy grass, all while ensuring that fewer clippings end up on the green.
You will find a large selection of new and used fairway mowers for sale on NeedTurfEquipment.co.uk from such popular brands as Jacobsen, John Deere, and Toro.