Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Mow better greensmower: Jacobsen makes series of improvements to G-Plex III riding greensmower targeting ease of use, maintainability
In golf, the condition of the green matters. Indeed, in many athletic and recreational activities, ground conditions can make a significant difference. Understanding that, Jacobsen, the Charlotte, N.C., turf equipment manufacturer, has developed a full line of mowers dedicated to maintaining proper ground conditions for golf courses and athletic fields, as well as for professional lawn care, municipal and industrial cutting applications.
As part of that ongoing development, the company recently made a series of improvements to its G-Plex III riding greensmower, which is used primarily to maintain the greens on private and municipal golf courses. "These new features strengthen the position of the G-Plex III," said Quinn Derby, Jacobsen product manger. "Understanding the needs of our customers inspired us to add new features that make the G-Plex III easier to use and maintain."
The improvements included adding a new air purge filter in the engine fuel line. The gasoline version of the GPlex III is powered by a 574 cc two-cylinder OHV Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine rated 18 hp, while a diesel variation of the G-Plex III is equipped with a 719 cc, three-cylinder Kubota D722 engine rated 18.8 hp. The addition of the new filter, Jacobsen said, prevents engine hesitation on slopes and sharp turns. That improvement is mated with a new 8 gal. fuel tank that has a wider, taller fuel tank neck and larger cap for easier filling and fewer spills. A Donaldson dry-type air cleaner is also installed on the gasoline engine and a Kubota-supplied radiator is used on the diesel mower.
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Jacobsen has also made changes to the hydraulic valves on the G-Plex III mower to ensure consistent front and rear lift phasing is maintained. According to Jacobsen, this helps prevent scalping the turf when lifting or lowering the reels. A Casappa piston pump powers three Cassapa hydraulic gear-type motors--one at each reel--to supply the double-acting cylinders to raise and lower the reels. The power steering is also powered through this circuit.
A separate Sauer-Danfoss hydraulic pump drives the G-Plex III mower's hydrostatic drive system through Parker dual-direction torque motors on each of the drive wheels. Pneumatic tires are also included in the drivetrain, along with hydrostatic brakes and a 6 in. caliper disc parking brake. A third wheel drive system is also offered as an option through the installation of an additional Parker wheel motor to the hydrostatic assembly. Maximum transport speed for the 98 in. long, 74.5 in. wide, 49.4 in. high mower is 7.5 mph. Wheelbase on the machine is 49.7 in.
The cutting system on the G-Plex III rider continues to use three 5 in. diameter x 22 in. long cutting reels equipped with 11 high-manganese carbon steel blades. Overall cutting width of the reels is 62 in., which can be adjusted to cut to a 0.083 to 0.62 in. heights, depending on turf conditions and type of bedknife installed, said Jacobsen. The blades have a cut frequency of 0.05 in./mph, which is matched to the G-Plex III's mowing speed of 3.8 mph (2 mph reverse).
Other changes on the mower included installing what Jacobsen said are more simplified electrical systems, including a new dash panel and electronic controller. Higher quality switches were also added and a new automatic glow plug timer is designed to provide greater reliability, convenience and less downtime in the diesel version of the mower.
The reel controls also have a new pull handle design and are now located on the swing-out center arm. In addition, the mow pedal placement was rearranged and the operator seat has a farther rear adjustment setting.
"With a comfortable operator station, easy-to-use controls, greater visibility and Jacobsen reels, you get an all-around performer with the power to do the tough jobs and the finesse to leave the perfect cut," said Derby. And he added that, "these improvements translate to the operator never having to think about some of these components ever again."
Jacobsen also offers a multitude of accessories through its dealers to customize the G-Plex III mower to the specific application. Options such as smooth and grooved rollers in steel or aluminum are available, as well as brush assemblies and grass catchers.
As part of that ongoing development, the company recently made a series of improvements to its G-Plex III riding greensmower, which is used primarily to maintain the greens on private and municipal golf courses. "These new features strengthen the position of the G-Plex III," said Quinn Derby, Jacobsen product manger. "Understanding the needs of our customers inspired us to add new features that make the G-Plex III easier to use and maintain."
The improvements included adding a new air purge filter in the engine fuel line. The gasoline version of the GPlex III is powered by a 574 cc two-cylinder OHV Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine rated 18 hp, while a diesel variation of the G-Plex III is equipped with a 719 cc, three-cylinder Kubota D722 engine rated 18.8 hp. The addition of the new filter, Jacobsen said, prevents engine hesitation on slopes and sharp turns. That improvement is mated with a new 8 gal. fuel tank that has a wider, taller fuel tank neck and larger cap for easier filling and fewer spills. A Donaldson dry-type air cleaner is also installed on the gasoline engine and a Kubota-supplied radiator is used on the diesel mower.
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Jacobsen has also made changes to the hydraulic valves on the G-Plex III mower to ensure consistent front and rear lift phasing is maintained. According to Jacobsen, this helps prevent scalping the turf when lifting or lowering the reels. A Casappa piston pump powers three Cassapa hydraulic gear-type motors--one at each reel--to supply the double-acting cylinders to raise and lower the reels. The power steering is also powered through this circuit.
A separate Sauer-Danfoss hydraulic pump drives the G-Plex III mower's hydrostatic drive system through Parker dual-direction torque motors on each of the drive wheels. Pneumatic tires are also included in the drivetrain, along with hydrostatic brakes and a 6 in. caliper disc parking brake. A third wheel drive system is also offered as an option through the installation of an additional Parker wheel motor to the hydrostatic assembly. Maximum transport speed for the 98 in. long, 74.5 in. wide, 49.4 in. high mower is 7.5 mph. Wheelbase on the machine is 49.7 in.
The cutting system on the G-Plex III rider continues to use three 5 in. diameter x 22 in. long cutting reels equipped with 11 high-manganese carbon steel blades. Overall cutting width of the reels is 62 in., which can be adjusted to cut to a 0.083 to 0.62 in. heights, depending on turf conditions and type of bedknife installed, said Jacobsen. The blades have a cut frequency of 0.05 in./mph, which is matched to the G-Plex III's mowing speed of 3.8 mph (2 mph reverse).
Other changes on the mower included installing what Jacobsen said are more simplified electrical systems, including a new dash panel and electronic controller. Higher quality switches were also added and a new automatic glow plug timer is designed to provide greater reliability, convenience and less downtime in the diesel version of the mower.
The reel controls also have a new pull handle design and are now located on the swing-out center arm. In addition, the mow pedal placement was rearranged and the operator seat has a farther rear adjustment setting.
"With a comfortable operator station, easy-to-use controls, greater visibility and Jacobsen reels, you get an all-around performer with the power to do the tough jobs and the finesse to leave the perfect cut," said Derby. And he added that, "these improvements translate to the operator never having to think about some of these components ever again."
Jacobsen also offers a multitude of accessories through its dealers to customize the G-Plex III mower to the specific application. Options such as smooth and grooved rollers in steel or aluminum are available, as well as brush assemblies and grass catchers.
# posted by Medical Information : 4:31 AM
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