The Textron division in the UK Ransome Jacobsen in the UK makes industrial lawnmowers based on diesel engines and lead acid batteries that are sometimes primitive hybrids in having a separate lead acid battery pack for the powertrain as shown below. This does not permit pure electric mode. The migration route is likely to be to full hybrid and pure electric in future using lithium-ion batteries in the opinion of IDTechEx. Indeed, for over ten years the company has had one of its smaller models pure electric based on lead acid, this being used for silent mowing of golf courses at night without disturbing local residents.
Eclipse 322 showing powertrain lead acid battery bank for performance improvement on the left and start/ light lead acid battery right.
The hydraulic drives for the cylinder mowing blades are likely to migrate to electric to improve reliability and avoid risk of hot hydraulic fluid leaking to damage a golf green for example but in a price sensitive market the cost is an issue so change is slow.
The company describes itself, "Our mission is to be the premier supplier of high-quality turf equipment, utility vehicles, golf cars and tractors delivering superior performance for our customers while also working to be environmentally conscious. From prestigious championship golf courses to the World Cup, for more than a century, the most important turf in the world has been manicured by our brands.
Ransomes Jacobsen® is recognised for high quality, competitive products and the most comprehensive range of turf care equipment in the business. We sell a wide range of products under the Jacobsen, Ransomes, E-Z-Go, Cushman, Smithco, Turfco, Ryan and Iseki brands.
This is complemented by our commitment to the environment, where we are probably the most fastidious manufacturer in the industry. We are still the only turf equipment manufacturer to be accredited with ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental management."
Sectors served are:
Golf
Municipal
Sports Facilities
Hotels and Leisure Parks
Estate Mgt. & Education
Contractors
Industrial
See the new IDTechEx reports, Industrial and Commercial Electric Vehicles 2017-2027 and Lithium-ion Batteries 2016-2026.
