News
Jac Shows New Fairway Mowers; Successor to G-Plex
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- Category: Equipment
- Published: Tuesday, 31 May 2011 16:51
- Hits: 38975
Jacobsen showed the mowers replacing the LF 3400/3800 line; as well as the replacement for the G-Plex.
The LF 550 replaces the 3400 and has 7 blade 5 inch reels; the LF 570 replaces the 3800 and comes with 9 or 11 blade 7 inch reels. The engine choices are the same as the previous platform; a V1505 Kubota in a 35.5hp normally aspirated version or the 44hp turbo. The turbo can only be ordered with the 4WD. The 4WD system is now similar to Toro and John Deere; lose traction at one wheel and the power is transferred to the other three. The new electronic hydro gives smoother starts and stops; reducing tearing of the turf. The transport and mow speeds can be programmed; and they’re passcode protected. That means you can get closer to your target Frequency of Clip(FOC), as well as slow down the speed for those “rough” incursions into the rough between fairways; where the reels are happily bouncing, banging and slamming in and on the yokes and swivels.
The control console has full text diagnostics displayed on an LCD screen. I forgot to ask in how many languages…
They have run hard hydraulic tubing everywhere; reducing the length of hose runs. The new automatic wet parking brakes are similar to those on the Eclipse triplex; but applied differently. The Eclipse applies them electrically; the fairway mowers use hydraulics. If your foot is off the traction pedal or the mower is turned off, they’re applied. Well, then, you ask, how do you tow it if the brakes are automatically on? Lift the latch on the floorboard and flip the tow lever; the hydraulic pressure is diverted and the brakes are released.
As the G-Plex motors off into the sunset, the GP400 comes over the horizon to take its place. You can order either a 17.7hp Briggs Vanguard gas or Kubota diesel.
The first thing that catches your eye immediately is the fuel/hydraulic tank. It looks real “wicked” and very small at the same time. We all know GK IV’s. Been around forever. The big, blocky fuel tank on the back holds 8 gal. The tank on the GP400 looks half the size in height; and yet, it not only holds 15 gal. of fuel; but also the 6.8 gal. of hyd. fluid!
A sump on the bottom of the tank looks like it holds at least 16 oz. of fuel; reducing the chance of shutdown on slopes when you’re running low due to fuel sloshing around.
On the tank, right behind the seat is some webbing to store stuff. It’ll hold a tightly rolled up light jacket or raingear. No way a parka.
They rebent the steering arm so now you can see what the right reel is doing. Also nice now is easy access to the battery. The swing out center unit makes cutting adjustments easier.