New MF Grounds Care Dealer gets down to business

Bristol-based family firm, H Curtis and Sons, has marked its appointment as a Massey Ferguson grounds care dealer by securing within days its first professional compact tractor sale at one of the area's best-known and longest-established golf clubs.

Supplied to Long Ashton Golf Club, the 46hp MF 1547 tractor specified by course manager James Braithwaite is equipped with quick-attach front loader, air-conditioned 'Q' cab and DynaQPS transmission, the latter incorporating power shuttle and power shift functions within a 12 x 12 creep speed gearbox.

"We wanted a modern, reliable, light-treading tractor capable of operating comfortably a 1.6m deep-tine aerator on tees, greens and surrounds throughout the year," explained James. "Although turf aeration is the tractor's primary role, it will be used extensively also for trailer work and front-end loading."

When discussing tractor specification with H Curtis and Sons' grounds care sales representative, Nigel Howe, James recalls being impressed with the abilities of the optional DynaQPS transmission which he felt would enhance the tractor's capabilities for year-round course maintenance.

"Feedback from the greens staff since the tractor arrived has shown that specifying MF's DynaQPS transmission was the right decision," he said. "The power shuttle function allows on-the-move shifting from forward to reverse, making it great for loader work. A similar driver aid is power shift, enabling push button changes to be made under load between all four speeds in each of the gearbox's three ranges, including the creep speeds, without touching the clutch. This feature is proving a winner both for turf aeration and for trailer hauling."

Based at Stanton Wick Farm, Pensford, approximately nine miles south of Bristol city centre, newly-appointed dealer, H Curtis and Sons, has established a successful enterprise over the past 30 years within the farm machinery and haulage industries. "Our intention is to build a similarly successful business for Massey Ferguson's grounds care products among professional and high-end residential customers throughout North Somerset, Bath, Bristol and South Gloucestershire," commented dealer principal, Andrew Curtis.

"The product line-up is well proven and wide ranging, encompassing sub-compact, compact and mid-range tractors from 19.5 to 92hp, together with matching attachments and accessories. Backed by our comprehensive pre- and after-sales support, we believe that the Massey Ferguson grounds care range is more than a match for the competition and we look forward to demonstrating its capabilities throughout the region."

H Curtis and Sons can be contacted via its website: www.hcurtis.co.uk