Magazine - Ransomes Mastiff Upgraded

By Peter Driver in Industry on 22nd Dec 2006 8:15

Ransomes Jacobsen, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company, have upgraded their Ransomes Mastiff, the stalwart football pitch and stadium mower with a 91cm (36") cutting width.

The main enhancements are a new Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine and improvements to the Operator Presence Control (OPC). The new power unit is a premium grade Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 9hp OHV engine, which comes with a two-year warranty in commercial use.

Richard Comely, Product Manager, commented, "Customer-driven focus by our engineering team on Mastiff highlighted the need for more than just an engine change. Ride and drive validation sessions proved the new OPC to be much more user friendly than before. The new OPC is not directly linked to the engine, as on the original and an independent throttle now gives the operator the benefit of more precise speed control.

The engine change provided the perfect opportunity for the Ransomes design engineers to review the existing OPC and they have come up with an improved version, which sees the OPC mounted on top of the handle bar instead of below it. This aids manoeuvrability when using the optional trailing seat.
The movement required between the 'engaged' and 'disengaged' position on the OPC has been reduced, requiring a much lighter action from the operator, with or without a seat. Fewer parts make it easier to use and service. Finally, an independent throttle control has been introduced, giving the operator more precise control of the machine's cutting speed. The optional Mastiff steering seat has also been upgraded with a new OPC design which reflects the improvements on the standard machine.

Richard Comely added, "The Vanguard engine is a premium Briggs & Stratton product designed for commercial users. It has performed exceptionally well in pre-launch tests. We can also ensure complete customer support with both Ransomes Jacobsen's and Briggs & Stratton's extensive global service and parts networks. This is particularly important due to our sales penetration in many new emerging markets. I believe we have improved the value of the Ransomes Mastiff and our customers will be delighted with its improved usability."

Over the years, the Mastiff has become the benchmark mower for football and rugby pitch match preparation and was the preferred mower of FIFA, used extensively at the last World Cup in Germany.

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