John Deere launches two battery-powered, walk-behind greens mowers

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John Deere has launched two battery-powered, walk-behind greens mowers and announced further hybrid innovations to its existing product range.

The 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut greens mowers are packed with the same quality components and technology that existing John Deere customers have become familiar with, but are powered by a 58-volt, 3.2kwh lithium battery.

The 185 E-Cut has an 18-inch (457mm) cutting width while the larger 225 E-Cut takes a 22-inch (559mm) cut.

With near-silent operation, the walk-behind machines can cut approximately 50,000 square feet of grass on a single charge, making them 30 percent more productive than similar models in their class.

John Deere announced the products in America last year and has been putting them through their paces on courses for the past 12 months.

Greenkeepers in the UK and Ireland will be able to order the machines later this year.

Chris Meacock, John Deere’s division sales manager for golf and turf, said: “Battery-powered innovations in the golf and professional sports turf markets have been moving forward apace for the past few years.

“With the introduction of our first lithium battery-powered machines, we are able to provide a solution for our customers who are looking for a more favourable environmental profile, have on-site energy generation, or who are seeking significant reductions in the risk of leaks and spills.”

John Deere exhibited the mowers at BTME, where it also showcased its industry-exclusive three-wheeled fairway mower with brushless electric reel motors.

This is the first time customers can choose a three-wheeled fairway mower fitted with five, brushless electric reel motors. The same hybrid technology has also been applied to the four-wheeled 7700A E-Cut.

This hybrid solution minimises 90 percent of the risk of hydraulic leaks by eliminating over 150 leak points.

Users can experience fuel savings of up to 30 percent by operating at reduced throttle when mowing compared to PrecisionCut fairway mowers. Noise levels are also reduced by up to 3dB at reduced throttle.

The alternator, controllers, and motors are designed to allow the machine to perform rigorous verticutting applications.

The 6700A E-Cut and 7700A E-Cut will be available to order this year.

“These two models have been two of our most popular products on golf courses for many years, so it’s an exciting step to be able to further develop our hybrid drive to offer greenkeepers reduced risks and more efficiency,” Meacock said.