Ransomes Jacobsen has launched the Ransomes Meteor, a new ride-on triple-type mower based on the principle of a flail with the cutting footprint of a cylinder mower. The Meteor maintains the robustness and versatility of a rotary mower while providing a more acceptable finish, especially in wet and heavy grass growth. The mower has been specifically designed for local authority use in areas such as: parks; verges; central reservations; municipal sports fields; and community areas.
Using the Ransomes Magna 250 cutting unit frame, the new cutting heads are capable of coping with longer grass than a cylinder and are particularly suited to reduced cutting cycles. Powered by a turbo-charged version of the Ransomes Parkway 3 tractor unit, the Meteor offers operator comfort with plenty of engine power, all encapsulated to deliver robust cutting machine.
With a 2.18 metre (86”) mowing width coupled with an high quality of cut, the traditional triple configuration allows the units to be raised creating a narrow transport width of approximately 1.4m (56”), ideal for manoeuvring through gateways and along paths. Individual cutting unit lift and lower provides the flexibility to navigate around obstacles such a lamp posts, benches and trees.
The compact Meteor heads follow ground contours more precisely than an out-front rotary and are more resistant to debris damage. Due to the cylindrical rotation of the blades, cut grass is evenly dispersed behind the mower resulting in less clean-up on paths and roads. The rear rollers leave a presentable striped finish.
Richard Comely, director of Product Management and Marketing at Ransomes Jacobsen said: “Major changes and constraints in the local authority and landscape contract sectors have forced owners and operators to find more productive and cost-effective methods of maintaining grassed areas. With this in mind, we have developed the Ransomes Meteor to satisfy the needs of the most demanding users.”
The Meteor mowers float in the same way as a municipal ride-on triplex cylinder mower, following ground undulations and preventing scalping and turf damage. Cutting in long wet grass is not an issue as the clippings are mulched by the powerful flail action preventing the clumping sometimes associated with a rotary deck. The robust flails are designed to take knocks and cut through debris without the worry of damaging blades. For added flexibility the Meteor heads can be removed and replaced with standard Magna 250 or Sport 200 cylinder units.
