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EDITOR'S BLOG

FROM CURIOSITY TO CORE TOOLS
Rise of robotics for turf professionals
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

There has been a decisive shift with robotic mowing and marking systems clearly gaining traction across professional turf environments.

Robotic lawn mowers have become noticeably more popular in the UK over the last few years due to a combination of lifestyle changes, technology improvements, environmental trends and reduced costs of these devices.

Their popularity is being driven partly by competition between manufacturers. Until a few years ago there were only a handful of robotic devices on the market - with Husqvarna being one of the first majors to bring these devices to customers on a large scale.

Robotic mowers represent one of the most transformative innovations in modern lawn care, combining precision engineering with intelligent automation. The concept first emerged in the mid-1990s when early battery-powered prototypes introduced the idea of self-guided cutting. Since then, rapid advances in GPS, RTK satellite positioning, and AI-driven obstacle detection have evolved these machines into fully autonomous systems capable of managing everything from compact suburban lawns to multi-acre commercial landscapes.

There has been a significant shift in the production of robotic mowers, robotic line-markers and other autonomous machinery in the last five years. We now have vast choice of products to suit needs and budgets.

I manged to get my brother-in-law who is disabled to try one and he finds it a great help. It saves him time aver and prevents worrying about the lawn.

These robots have increased their sophistication with a whole range of on-board technologies to enhance their performance and reliability.

The biggest reason is simply automation. Robotic mowers can be scheduled to cut the lawn automatically and return to their charging station when finished. Once installed, they require little human involvement.

Robots are also being sold on the back of environmental benefits. Traditional petrol lawn mowers produce emissions and noise. Robotic mowers are usually battery powered, which means, no direct emissions while operating, much quieter operation and lower energy consumption.

We are also seeing much improved GPS and AI navigation, obstacle sensors, boundary detection and smarter mowing patterns - along with better cutting and traction modifications to enhance reliability and performance.
These improvements mean they can handle more complex lawns and operate safely around obstacles.

Gary Whitney who runs Smart Lawns specialises in the demonstrating and selling of robotic mowers, having spent most of his working life selling traditional mowers for STIGA and other manufactures. I recently went to see Gary for an article in Service Dealer magazine, to learn about which robotic mowers he advocated and what he thinks of these new advancement in autonomous mowers.

Most of the early robotic mowers were centred on the domestic markets, however we are now seeing. especially during the last five years, manufacturers developing products for the professional end users. Local authorities, estates, football clubs, housing estates and golf courses are all now embracing the use of robotic mowers and devices.

A lot of golf courses are now investing in robotic mowers to cut fairways, roughs and ranges. We also now have robotic golf ball collectors tidying up ranges.

Several professional football clubs use them to mow amenity areas thus reducing the workload of the turf professional to enable them to spend more time to work on the playing surfaces.

As for line making machines, they are becoming popular with many clubs and contractors who are investing in them for their accuracy and time saving capabilities. Both rugby and football pitches can be marked out in fewer than 20 minutes. A recent visit to my local club Newport RFC enabled me to catch up with Neil Furness who uses a Tiny Robot for marking his pitches.

Again, there are now several companies manufacturing robotic line markers giving you a range of products to choose from.

Also the costs of these robotic mowers are becoming competitive. For robotic mowers capable of 10,000–25,000 m², you’re firmly in the commercial / professional segment (sports pitches, estates, campuses). Pricing increases sharply because these machines use RTK GPS, fleet management, and heavy-duty drivetrains.

These robotic mowers depending on the needs of the end user, and type of product required, will dictate which robotic product is best for your needs. Most of the leading manufacturers (the likes of Husqvarna, Kress, Stiga, ECHO Robotics, Bel Robotics and others) will have a plethora of robots costing between £5000-£30,000 depending specification required.

In fact, STIGA are working with the RFU and offering a deal for clubs to have a robotic mower to cut their pitches.

For me personally, I have tried and tested several robotic mowers and without doubt they are a great tool that provide an alternative method of mowing grass. They are becoming much more robust and now offer greater performance and efficiencies.

They have their place in an ever-changing environment and I can see at the domestic and semi-pro level they will be a great acquisition. However, for many of the elite sporting venues it would seem that the current professional human-operated cylinder mowers are still the preferred choice for cutting their sports facilities.

Time will tell, but I am sure that before long we will see many more improvements to the growing army of robotic mowers.

NEWS

FREE SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL LAUNCHED
By trade show

In our first WEB ONLY story, in collaboration with John Moverley OBE, the show has launched a free online tool designed to help organisations evaluate and strengthen their sustainable practices.

YOUNG TURF PROFESSIONALS RECEIVE PIONEER MARKS
As part of the Pioneer Legacy initiative

In our next WEB ONLY story four members of GMA NextGen have been presented with honours as part of the scheme that recognises the contributions of past and present members of the group.

EGO'S BATTERY POWER CAMPAIGN COMES TO AN END
Challenge 2025 publishes new white paper

Manufacturer says their five-year campaign has "fundamentally changed" the conversation on battery power.

After five years of educating domestic and professional users on the benefits of battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO has now concluded its Challenge 2025 campaign with the release of a new whitepaper.

Summarising years of research and awareness activity, the whitepaper also includes research from industry trade body, the European Garden Machinery Federation (EGMF). EGO says the data shows that between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of petrol-powered equipment in use across Europe fell from 36% to 24%. In contrast, electric cordless equipment almost doubled in use, rising from 28% to 48%.

This is mirrored exactly in sales of new equipment, with electric cordless rising from 33% to 58%, and petrol falling from 40% to 26%.

Drawing on five years of campaign insights, field data, and market research, the whitepaper also explores results from emissions, noise and vibration testing from independent testing specialists, and evaluates whether EGO’s vision to establish battery power as the principal power source for outdoor power equipment, was reached.

Vince Brauns, group product director, for EGO, said, “Our latest whitepaper shows clearly that our Challenge 2025 vision for battery power had a clear and significant impact on the industry. When we began the campaign, battery power was seen as a compromise. Users who had used petrol for decades; could not believe that this new technology could give them the power, performance or runtime that they were accustomed to, and all without the strong fumes, loud noise or high vibrations. With misconceptions at their highest, we decided that it was time to show users the impact that using petrol tools was having on themselves and the environment around them.”

Challenge 2025 was launched in 2020 with one goal in mind: to educate and empower change in domestic and professional outdoor power equipment users to make battery the principal power source and leave petrol in the past. The hope was that by educating users about the advantages of using battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO could dispel misconceptions, reduce emissions and noise pollution, and increase user comfort and safety.

Vince Brauns continued, “The campaign has enabled us to advocate for battery power in both the UK and European markets and has ultimately helped to reposition battery-powered tools from a niche alternative to a staple choice. While there is still a minority who will choose petrol-power over battery-power, due to the data-backed information we have shared over the past five years, the conversation has fundamentally changed.”

The whitepaper, The Final Report: Battery-power, now charging ahead, is available to download here.

RT MACHINERY APPOINTED
For chipper brand

Manufacturer says the move marks the beginning of a major UK-wide dealer network expansion.

TP Woodchippers have announced the appointment of RT Machinery as an authorised full-line dealer in a move that they describe as marking the beginning of a major UK-wide dealer network expansion.

They say the signing of RT Machinery for London and the Home Counties is the first in a series of strategic dealer appointments as the woodchipper manufacturer accelerates their coverage across the UK.

Extending their portfolio in arboriculture, the dealership will be providing sales, servicing, parts support and product advice across their territory.

“TP are very excited about this new partnership with RT Machinery,” said Phil Edmondson, UK sales manager for TP Woodchippers. “Their excellent reputation for aftersales support along with a dedicated and experienced sales team made them an ideal prospect when looking for new TP dealers."

Richard Taylor, managing director of RT Machinery added, “We're excited to work alongside a company that shares our sustainability goals and journey in producing chippers that are eco-friendly, economical on fuel and simple to maintain."

REDEXIM RAISE RUSSELLS' RESPONSIBILITIES
Expanded territory

As well as larger area, dealer says taking on the wider range gives them some unique products they have not had before.

Redexim and Russells Groundcare have announced a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership, with Russells now taking on responsibility for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in addition to their existing Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire territory.

Andy O’Neil, regional manager at Redexix said of Russells, “In the four years since they’ve become a Redexim partner, we’ve never had any issues. They’re professional and they’re well known and well thought of by their customers. There was nobody else we wanted to go to for covering the area.”

For Russells Groundcare, the expansion presents a major opportunity to strengthen their offering to professional turf customers across the region. Sales manager Mark Willerton says the chance to take on a larger territory aligned perfectly with their own ambitions.

“The opportunity came to expand our area - having the franchise for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire already, this opportunity arose and we grabbed it with both hands,” Mark says. “Taking on the wider Redexim range gives us some unique products we’ve not had before, and it’s an exciting opportunity.”

Both companies agree that the extended partnership isn’t just about product reach - it’s about strengthening support for end users.

“We really pride ourselves on our aftersales service,” Mark continued. “You sell the first machine, but you earn the chance to sell the second one based on your aftersales support. That’s something we’re absolutely focused on.”

DEALERS COMMIT TO STRENGTHENING LINK
With Forces leavers

More dealers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant in support of service leavers who can resettle into roles within the agriculture and turf industries.

More John Deere dealers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant in support of service leavers who can resettle into roles within the agriculture and turf industries.

Dealers and John Deere staff at the signing event

At a ceremony held at the National Transition Event at Silverstone Circuit, Hunt Forest Group and Ripon Farm Services added their names to the covenant, which had already been adopted by Ben Burgess and Tallis Amos Group, as well as John Deere itself.

Signatories pledge to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

The move complements John Deere’s Military Hiring Programme, which offers service leavers new career opportunities to work on machinery used by farmers and turf professionals.

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” said Allan Cochran, John Deere branch training manager.

Ripon Farm Services
“We are incredibly proud to support people transitioning from military service into new careers with us,” said Phil Gregg, director of Ripon Farm Services. “Service leaders bring exceptional skills, dedication, and technical expertise that align perfectly with the needs of our industry, and our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our belief that they deserve clear, meaningful pathways into civilian employment."

Hunt Forest Group
“It was a privilege to represent Hunt Forest Group on the John Deere UK stand at the recent military hiring event at Silverstone,” said Nick Hill, group service manager at Hunt Forest Group. “We were especially encouraged by the strong interest in technician roles from individuals bringing exceptional experience and technical discipline from their military careers.”

Tallis Amos Group
“After signing the Armed Forces Covenant more than a year ago, Tallis Amos Group continues to reap the benefits of offering resettlement pathways to service leavers who are often ready-made for our business,” said Guy Bunting, recruitment coordinator at Tallis Amos Group. “We are proud to offer opportunities to service leavers that include training and development further aiding their transition into civilian life.”

Ben Burgess
“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our core values as a business,” says Ben Turner, managing director at Ben Burgess. “We’re proud to support those who serve and have served, and we’re fortunate to have veterans already working across Ben Burgess whose skills and experience make a real difference every day.”

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