Lucky me!!
My committee agreed last week that I can look to purchase a new wicket mower- so I have been busy talking to manufacturers getting prices. All have been very helpful and not sold to hard yet and clearly all keen to demo once I can get on the square.
As a relative newcomer to being the clubs groundsman I would really welcome views and thoughts on the following machines and if you were in my position which machine would be top of your list.
Look forward to getting some real advice/guidance- oh and if I should consider another machine please tell me. My list is:
Dennis- FT510
* 20" cut - with cassette blades
* 10 blade cutting and honda 5.5 engine
LLOYDS PALADIN
* 21" cut
* 11 blade cut
Allett Mowers - C20
* 20" cut
* Honda 5,5 engine
* 10 blade cut
* cassette system
Thanks
12 Mar 2010 by pacman75cricket
maybe usefulto tell guys what other equipment you have as 2 of the mowers are cassette systems.
I have a 25 yr old 28" Zenith ?? and I think its a Allett 20" but it seems to have been built from various pieces. Also a Verti cutter + 2 tonne roller.
Hope this helps.
The cassette systems are clearly of interest as I can add pieces later when we have some more dosh. ie brush and scariffier etc save some manual work
12 Mar 2010 by Mike
I use an FT510 on our wickets - I can't speak highly enough of it... real top notch bit of kit. We also have the tungsten tipped verticutting reel that is also very good. One word of warning however is that if you were to consider purchasing the scarifying cassette for your wickets, I would save the money and put it towards a dedicated scarifier - the Dennis scarifier cassette really isn't man enough for end of season renovations.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Mike
THanks on the scarifying point.
John Deere 220 C Series with verticut reel. Top mower & durable.
13 Mar 2010 by Sumomosr Last edited 13 Mar 2010
Paladin is most probably the best wicket mower in the world, period.
And I second the JD 220C.
Either machine with transport wheels and with or without the groomers.
You say you are new to the position and I wonder if you can seek some training on the maintenance & set-up of mowers.
Specifically it's imperative you understand the importance of keeping your blades clean, sharp and set to cut correctly.
GOGGA
THanks chaps will look into John Deere also
Yiu are indeed a lucky man to find a chairman who believes you have to have decent kit if you want a decent pitch. See the message about verti drain costs if you want the views of an altenative chairman.
I answer to your question beast as a contractor i have used loads of wicket mowers. Some that belong to clubs plus my own eqipment.
The easiest to use with out doubt is the Dennis because you can alter the height of cut in seconds .No spanners required which is great when you realise you have left your tools in the other pick up. I agree forget the scarifyer reel it is lightweight and only ok for bowling green light maintenance.
Best of luck
14 Mar 2010 by jlawrence Last edited 14 Mar 2010
First thing to decide is what are you wanting this machine to do ?
Are you wanting primarily a wicket mower or a jack of all trades.
Now, normally, a jack of all trades means that it's the master of none. I'm not convinced that this is the case with the Dennis. It is a decent mower and with the addition of the brush makes a very capable wicket producer. IMHO, the tungsten verticut reel for the Dennis is second to none - I've not yet used a verticutter that is a patch on it.
For a dedicated wicket mower the Paladin is the best.
Given the money, I'd have a Paladin as my main wicket mower and a Dennis as my square mower/verticutter/wicket backup.
If you've only the money for one of the machines then get the Dennis as it's more versatile and will do you more than an adequate job.
ADDED:
You are right to get all the machines in for a demo. You might well find that one just doesn't suit you. You need to be comfortable using the mower and the only way to know that is by trying them.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
thanks Lawrence- like the thinking maybe go for a dedicated wicket mower this year and possibly a mulit function mower like the dennis for the square with a brush and verti cutter next.
I should have said in principal the committe have agreed I can look at a 24- 28" mower beginning of next season ( subject to securing some grant funding/sponsorship)- which again I think is more support and investment in my work.
cheers
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