Electric powered vehicles are very much in the news lately.

The Irish government is offering grants for newly purchased electric cars. However, the uptake is not as great as one would expect, due to the high initial cost. The amount saved in fuel, using electric cars, is staggering. The farm and groundcare sector is also catered for with electric vehicles. Some of the etractor manufacturers on the market, claim up to 5 hours of work, admittedly light farmwork, before recharging, which takes up to an hour to get fully charged. An example of such a tractor is the Fendt model e100 Varios, which went to work on farms and municipalities in Europe in 2018. The 67-hp. Vario draws off of a 650-volt lithium-ion battery. Plus, the battery can be recharged up to 80% in just 40 minutes.

But do all electric vehicles really save on Carbon (CO2) emissions? Diesel and petrol engines have become a lot more efficient in recent years. The batteries that are installed in electric vehicles are mostly Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries which weigh from 500kg upwards. It is the preferred battery type because it recharges faster, holds a charge longer, and has a longer life.

However, studies have shown that making these batteries could emit 74% more CO2 than from conventional fossil fuel burning cars. It depends on where the batteries are made. Most lithium batteries are produced in places like China, Thailand, Germany and Poland that rely on non-renewable sources like coal for electricity.

With such heavy batteries, an electric car's carbon footprint can grow quite large even beyond the showroom, depending on how it's charged. Driving in France, which relies heavily on nuclear power, will spit out a lot less CO2 than Germany, where 40% of the grid burns on coal.

However, in Norway, where hydro-electric energy powers practically the entire grid, studies showed that electric cars generate nearly 60% less CO2 over their lifetime, compared with even the most efficient fuel-powered vehicles.

Alas, Ireland has a long way to go in reducing its dependency on fossil fuels for electricity production. Around 85% of Ireland’s electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. The lower we can reduce this figure and turn to renewable energy sources the better for lowering the carbon footprint for recharging batteries.

In January and February of this year, the number of electric cars registered in Ireland has almost equaled total sales in 2018. In fact sales of Electric Vehicles (EV) have risen by over 500% in the first two months of 2019. Yet, despite these figures, the number of EVs purchased only represents around 2.4% of registered cars in Ireland.

As well as the increasing number of electric cars being sold in Ireland, the amount of machines such as robotic mowers, chainsaws and motorized hand tools being sold are also steadily on the increase. We have a long way to go, though, before we see the changeover from conventional diesel farm and groundcare tractors to etractors.

If Ireland can reduce its dependency on fossil fuels for generating electricity we will be well on our way to reducing Carbon emissions.

Registration figures issued by the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) covering the period to the end of May indicate that “the recovering new tractor volumes seen in 2018 are continuing well into 2019”.

Gary Ryan - the FTMTA’s chief executive - said: “While April saw a slight drop in registrations in comparison to the same month of last year [with a 1% decrease to 207 units], May surged ahead with a 19% increase on 2018.

“A total of 210 new tractors were registered in May. That brings the figure for the first five months of 2019 to 1,313 units. That’s up 5% on the same period of last year.

“It must also be remembered that last year was the best year [for new tractor registrations] since 2008.”

The three counties with the highest levels of registrations so far this year continue to be Cork, Tipperary and Wexford.

The trend toward higher-horsepower tractors, evident in recent years, has continued.

Gary explained: “While the percentage of all new tractors registered during the first five months having in excess of 100hp fell slightly to 93%, the percentages of tractors registered of over 120hp and 150hp have climbed marginally to 60% and 32% respectively – up from 59% and 31% at the end of April.

“Only 19 tractors have been registered so far this year with 70hp or less, which is just over 1% of the total registrations.”

Tractor Market

Commenting on the broader state of the market, Gary welcomed the figures, saying: “This is strong evidence of the continuing confidence of Irish agricultural professionals in their sector and their preparedness to invest in the mechanisation of their businesses.”

Source: Agriland

Iseki UK & Ireland last week staged a launch of an out-front mower featuring a new Stage V compliant 22.5hp diesel engine.

Speaking to the trade press at a special event on Tuesday (June 18th), the company said they believe that with new features and market positioning, they see this new launch as a potential game changer for the brand to explore further avenues.

Iseki UK & Ireland md David Withers with the new SF224

Managing director, David Withers explained, "With the engine regulations coming into place shortly we wanted to offer the customer a competitively priced out-front mower with the same Iseki quality and reliability alongside a new Stage V compliant 22.5hp diesel engine.

“The new SF224 mower offers the most economical way to cut grass commercially with high productivity plus the added benefit of the new 22.5hp engine enabling customers to save on fuel costs and initial purchasing costs of their machinery."

David continued, “Offering a range of decks to suit the various customer sites and cutting cycles, customers can choose from the Wessex, Iseki and Muthing flail decks, or the new Iseki out-front rotary deck. These options allow the machine to be highly versatile in this competitive market.

The new Iseki 60” out-front rotary deck features three blades. The cutting height can be adjusted from 25mm to 125mm in 12.5mm increments as required. A mulching kit is also available to order.

The company were also keen to stress the storage capabilities which the new machine offers users. Product manager, Richard Tyrrell said, "When developing the product we studied how people use their mowers, quickly realising storage was a key issue when out cutting for long periods of time.

"People were either bringing trailers with them, another vehicle, additional members of staff or tying containers onto the machines in order to carry strimmers, bin bags and other tools. With the SF224 operators can be more effective and productive with their time, taking all the equipment with them in the large storage bed on the back of the mower."

The mowers are equipped with two-pedal hydrostatic transmission and automatic or selectable 4WD. There is also a lockable differential for use when conditions demand. To ensure efficient engine cooling the radiator is fitted with an automatic reversing fan, so preventing the blockage of the grill.

Bernhard and Company have just launched the Bernhard Academy at the company’s factory facilities in Haverhill, Suffolk, England.

The Bernhard Academy is set to become a hub of knowledge for the turf industry and a centre promoting learning and development across the globe. In addition to promoting education to UK and Ireland turf specialists, the Academy will develop a training programme for Bernhard’s distributors from across the US, Asia and Europe to help enhance their knowledge of turf health solutions.

Working in partnership with Mow-Sure Training Ltd, the Academy aims to train customers, technicians and distributors’ sales team to promote turf health, cutting precision and superior playability and eventually to get the most out of Bernhard’s product portfolio.

The accredited training will be delivered in several formats at the purpose-built facility at Haverhill, hands-on training, theory, or via online learning. A wide range of modular and short courses is planned, with the two signature courses being a Turf Technician Course and a Turf Manager’s Course.

A specialist in sports turf technology, Bernhard and Company is committed to providing leading turf care solutions to golf course and pitch care specialists worldwide. From blade sharpening systems to sports surface air movement and moisture control solutions and supplementary lighting solutions, the Bernhard product portfolio is focused on providing its global customer base with championship turf and world-class playability. Bernhard’s turf health solutions are used at top 100 courses and famous sporting venues around the world.

The new fixed head INFINICUT® mower from Cub Cadet, launched at BTME 2019 in January, is designed to provide the appropriate tools to capitalise on all of the other agronomic advances employed within the golf industry. Following on from the hugely successful FL floating head mower, the INFINICUT® FX incorporates many of the key tried-and-tested features in a simpler, more affordable package.

Available in 22”, 26”, 30” and 34” cutting widths, industry-leading cut quality remains at the heart of the new FX design philosophy. Key attributes such as lightweight design, lithium battery power and quiet operation come as standard, while transport wheel and other bespoke options are available. The cassettes are ‘bottom mounted’, bolted in place, which reduces the risk of the unit oscillating when in use. The FX also offers the ability to parallel the whole machine on the rear traction roller, which keeps the machine cutting well and true.

As with the INFINICUT® FL, the new fixed head machine can utilise the interchangeable ATT TMSystem™ cassettes. In addition to the accuracy and cleanliness of cut achieved with the SMARTCut™ cassette, the operator can easily switch this out for another cassette from the range to aerate, brush, de-thatch, scarify, top-dress, groom, level or mow, all with a single machine.

Commenting at its launch, sales manager Vinny Tarbox said: “Much of the design of the new INFINICUT® FX has been motivated by the requirements of our industry professionals, to provide them with the mechanical maintenance tools and techniques that can assist in the creation of a strong, healthy plant. With the continued non-renewal of plant protection products around Europe, this has never been more important. The new Fixed HeadTM package will help a broader market base to benefit from the numerous advantages of Cub Cadet’s unique cutting-edge mowing technology.”

A new TYM mower with the capabilities of a tractor is set to change the way customers maintain their land and will be on TYM’s stand at The Game Fair in Hatfield in July.

The T194 is generating acclaim in the market because it means customers can have a product that has the features of a ride on mower, with the additional functionality of a tractor.

TYM sales manager Steven Haynes says: “The Game Fair is a perfect fit for the new T194. It appeals to the woodland and forestry, estate management and gardens sectors with its ability to maintain lawns and gardens to an excellent standard, as well as comfortably dealing with the clearing, carrying, transporting and towing jobs you’d associate with a tractor.”

Equipped with a 54-inch mid-mounted deck, mowing height can be adjusted from the seat via the onboard height-of-cut lever, which is easy to use and intuitive to set. Its tractor credentials hinge on the category one three-point linkage and 540 rpm rear PTO which allows for many rear-mounted attachments to be fitted and enabling it to be used for numerous tasks around the garden, orchard, woods and fields.

It can just as easily handle the tasks of summer and autumn, as well as winter sweeping and clear-up, and spring aeration (among many!). This is what gives it its reputation as an all-season machine.

Joining the T194 on stand will be a selection of tractors all suited for rural countryside applications. The TS25, T293, T353 and T433 and T503 will be representing the subcompact and mid-duty ranges from TYM.

Also returning to the show is a selection of SICMA attachments including flail mowers and rotary tillers, which launched at The Game Fair in 2017 to great success, plus 1st Products’ UA40 AERA-Vator which features a unique oscillating tine system that simultaneously prepares the soil surface while aerating up to a depth of 9cm. All will be displayed attached to a TYM tractor to show how versatile these machines can be and what a perfect match they make with these attachments. TYM Tractors, SICMA and 1st Products are all distributed in the UK by Reesink Turfcare.

Steven concludes: “The Game Fair is a key event in our calendar. We have a broad product line which is perfectly suited to customers who visit the show. We have products to meet and exceed their needs and expectations and are delighted to be bringing the T194 which only serves to strengthen our standing in this market.”

Reesink Turfcare has extended its Toro Parts range with Toro Reels+ and EdgeSeries Reels+, and with this introduction comes multiple plus points for machinery maintenance.

With Toro Reels+ and EdgeSeries Reels+, everything you need for replacing your cylinders is included and comes pre-assembled. You get the cylinder plus all the necessary bearings, flock seals and spacers, plus the benefit of having all the parts professionally assembled at the factory.

This means that all the bearings are already pressed on with the required low-drag flock seals and spacers. Therefore there’s no need to install all the parts separately which results in a huge reduction in assembly time.

With the integration of the cylinder and all its components, the guesswork for technicians is removed, ensuring the recommended bearings are utilised which increases the product life of your cutting units. Less time on maintenance, and a longer life span means there’s more time to focus on providing the best turf care possible.

Using Toro Reels+ and EdgeSeries Reels+ reduces installation time by approximately 15-20 minutes per cylinder which brings yet another plus point – less time and labour means your mowers are back in action faster, saving money and resources.

Michael Hampton, parts manager at Reesink Turfcare, says: “Toro Reels+ and EdgeSeries Reels+ guarantee a fit which matches the exact engineering specifications of the mower. And as you might expect, a perfect fit produces a perfect cut.

“Both products will also see customers make real savings. As well as reducing maintenance time, by buying a cylinder that comes with the bearings, seals and spacers needed, customers actually get a discount from the individual part retail price. Added to the high-quality performance of the product, Reels+ and EdgeSeries Reels+ are a real game changer.”