Magazine - Forward thinking racecourse invests in Jacobsen wide area rotary mower

By Peter Driver in Industry on 29th Sep 2006 9:50

Musselburgh Racecourse, managed by Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee on behalf of the local council, has taken delivery of a Jacobsen HR9016 wide area rotary mower to help maintain their Flat and National Hunt courses. Worth in excess of £60,000, the mower is the result of a preferred supplier agreement with Ransomes Jacobsen's dealer for Scotland, Fairways GM. Ransomes Jacobsen is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

The HR9016 is the ideal machine for a racecourse environment. With a 5 metre cutting width and an 87hp turbocharged diesel engine it has a prodigious output, mowing up to 16.5 acres per hour.

Mark Bemrose is head groundsman and leads a team of three plus a part-time gardener. He joined Musselburgh from Nottingham racecourse less than 6 months ago and one of his first recommendations was to replace the ageing tractor-driven out-front rotary mower with a modern ride-on machine, which would provide a better finish to the racing surface.

"It's an excellent machine," he said, "Just what we need and it's really helped us with other grounds-related activities because it's freed up a lot of time. We can mow an entire course in just 3 hours, when previously it would take all day and some. We have a small team and have to prepare for 26 meeting this year, so the arrival of the HR9016 has been a huge bonus. Its output is superb and the finish excellent. We also have conference facilities here and they are very well utilised. It's a quiet machine and is not intrusive, so it's doesn't disrupt these off-course events.

Anthea Moorhead is Clerk of the Course and is delighted with the new investment. Commenting on the HR9016 she said,

"I've never seen the turf look so good and the finish is first class! Back in 1995 we embarked on a very ambitious investment programme, which cost £5 million and took 10 years to complete. We have constructed the Links Pavilion, a new stand, a new parade ring, improved access and refurbished the old Edwardian grandstand. This latest addition to Mark's fleet is an indication of our continued investment at Musselburgh, which has seen attendances, sponsorship and prize money more than double over the past seven years."

Read more articles in Industry, by Peter Driver or from September 2006.