Last week I attended SALTEX at the NEC, and as always I enjoyed meeting up with colleagues and turf professionals who work across our industry. 

I began the day having a breakfast with David Hart of Kubota who was excited about the launch of their first battery powered zero-turn mowers, the Ze Electric Zero-Turn range. He told me the Ze-421 and Ze-481 are specifically aimed at environmentally concuss customers such as municipalities, professional contractors and residential owners that want to maintain large lawn areas with reduced maintenance, simplified operation and higher levels of operator comfort.

Kubota’s new electric mower 

The engineering development of the Ze range began back in 2017. The key requirements in the development were for a machine that could operate for a full working day, providing driver comfort and cutting quality. 

The “heart” of the Ze is a 48V / 10kW battery which is located at the rear of the machine, pretty much where an engine would sit. This battery has the capacity for over 15 000m² of mowing operation. The Ze has a unique feature in that the battery pack can be quickly and easily removed and another fully charged battery fitted. A second battery and fitting trolley is available which will allow the operator to work continuously during the busy grass cutting season.

Recharging of the battery can be done from the charge connector on the Ze or independently away from the machine. A charger which is compatible with both European and UK domestic plugs is provided, and a full battery recharge takes approximately 5 hours. 

EGO's stand 

For me, the theme of the show new technologies, particularly battery powered products. Most exhibitors were now showing a wide range of products of this type. EGO for example, had a stand dedicated to professional products showing off its new range of Pro X machines that will be available to end users. And again, robotic mowers were also prominent at the show. 

Big Mow robotic mower being demonstrated 

For me, it was also pleasing to have time to talk to several turf professionals and catch up with what they were doing. These included the likes of Karl McDermott from Lord’s,  who is currently having a complete rebuild of the Nursery End of the ground with Fine Turf undertaking the work, with new drainage and irrigation being installed. I also caught up with Lee Metcalf and Dan Lewis, staff from Manchester City FC who spoke highly of the recent appointment of John Ledwidge who took over from Roy Rigby.

L-R: Dave Goodjohn and Karl McDermott 

I also spent time talking to Ted Mitchell, facilities manager for the RFU, about the work of the RFU pitch advisors and how things were progressing for clubs seeking assistance to improve and maintain their pitches. Clubs can now download the Pitch Power App and register their interest, starting the process of gaining help and support to improve both clubhouse and pitch improvements due to the lottery money now being made available by the sport’s governing bodies. Working with the GMA, all four major sports, rugby union, rugby league, football and cricket are all benefiting from this new national funding scheme.  

(Seated right) Ted Mitchell, RFU facilities manager

In fact, during one of the show’s many educational seminars, I was able to hear Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, give a presentation on the work they have been doing to develop the National Management Framework that will help every grassroots sports club and sports facility to achieve the best possible quality playing surface for its users. He also spoke about the work the GMA are doing to improve education, pay and working conditions and raise the profile of both professional and volunteer grounds practitioners.

Geoff Webb 

He said that the findings from some GMA surveys provided some startling information on the challenges the industry faces in the coming years in the realms of recruitment, pay and conditions and the welfare of those working in this diverse industry. 

As for numbers attending the show? I felt that the halls felt reasonably busy with people visiting the array of exhibitor stands, however there was a distinct feeling that many of the stands were smaller and compacted into a smaller area of the show. It will be interesting to hear the official attendance figures of the show.