The unrivalled battery power of the new Dennis ES-860 cylinder mower is impressing at Trent Bridge, home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.
For many years, turf professionals have been choosing Dennis for their superb cut quality and reliability, and recently the company introduced the next generation of its mowers. The new and exciting E-Series is a range of battery powered mowers that are no compromise alternatives to the range of petrol machines.
The E-Series range was built to offer ultimate performance that helps professionals meet sustainability and environmental initiatives, reduce carbon footprint, emissions, running costs and noise without any range anxiety.
Hugh Beesley, an Assistant Groundsman, and one of two dedicated mowing operatives at Trent Bridge, revealed why he felt the E-Series would be a good fit.
“Approximately 90% of the equipment here is petrol and fuel focused,” he said. “Trent Bridge needs to, and wants to, do better in terms of being green and we saw this as a great first step in the right direction.
“Also, with the petrol issues and the prices of fuel becoming more and more expensive, we thought it made sense. Quite often, multiple journeys to the petrol station would be made on a single day. Therefore, the purchase of battery powered mowers is a long-term commitment to decreasing the fuel costs here.”
In their quest to find the ideal battery powered mower, Head Groundsman Steve Birks arranged for various brands to be demonstrated at Trent Bridge. Hugh claims there was one which stood out to the entire grounds team.
“Steve made the final decision but collectively we all decided on the one we liked best,” he said. “We all felt that the Dennis ES-860 would suit our routine better than the others.”
This 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, slitting and verticutting.
Furthermore, traditional G860 cassettes will also fit the ES-860, meaning that customers will not have to purchase additional cassettes.
A robust LCD keypad screen is an integral feature of the handlebar console providing the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information.
Trent Bridge purchased two Dennis ES-860’s and Hugh revealed that one of the main reasons for choosing them was due to the superior battery power.
“We can comfortably mow the entire cricket outfield twice on just one charge with the Dennis ES-860,” he said. “They have been in use consistently for a couple of months and we haven’t run them down to zero – even at 40%-50% we can still cut the whole outfield. It is great because you know you won’t have to start mowing and then stop to put them on charge. The ES-860’s give us the confidence to just keep on going.”
Hugh also praised the simplicity and the finish of the ES-860 and claims that the players have benefited from the low noise levels.
“Simplicity is key because we have so many other jobs to do,” he said. “We need everything to be as streamlined as possible and we can’t afford to spend time on getting used to complicated equipment. Our previous mowers were very mechanical and heavy. The ES-860’s are much lighter and easier to understand. Someone can become a natural on them in no time at all.
“I love how the mower glides across the outfield and when you get to a corner you know you can just turn so easily, it is the smoothest machine I have ever used. You feel so safe and secure using it. The presentation it provides is perfect every time as well.
“The ES-860’s are so quiet, it is unreal,” Hugh continued. “Last year there were times when players were out early around the pitch, and you could tell the noise of the mowers was frustrating them. We don’t have this problem now - the minimal noise is one of the best features of the ES-860.
“The goal is to turn completely electric here at Trent Bridge and the Dennis ES-860’s have given us the confidence to do so.”
For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com
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