Turf Mower for All Conditions.

This English machine got a lot of attention at the most recent AGROMEK show in Denmark.

With the Trident mower, ideal cutting conditions are not necessary. It doesn't matter when or if the grass is wet or dry, long or short, according to E.A. McLaren, sales director for the manufacturer, Spearhead Machinery Limited in Worcestershire, England. Mowing capability, cost effectiveness and safety features caught the attention of many commercial contractors and turf growers at the 2001 AGROMEK equipment show in January.

McLaren said the machine's special shaped flails spinning at 2,200 rpm produce a powerful air blast that lifts the grass, including the wheel markings, so the grass can be cleanly cut across the full working width. The high rotor speed means that the grass is chopped many times before being left as a fine and evenly spread mulch.

The Trident's three mowers give the unit a lot of mowing flexibility, also. The rear mower and two wing mowers can be configured to meet the needs of the area. When obstructions are in the way, either or both wing units can be raised clear and then dropped back into work without disengaging the drive line. If a reduced working width is needed, either or both wing units can be folded for transport and the drive deselected. The rear mower can be removed and used as an individual flail mower on a compact tractor. Front link-age on the tractor allows the Trident to be operated in front, thus eliminating wheel markings altogether.

This machine is fast, with a potential work rate of more than 12 acres per hour. In working widths of 4.3m (14.1'), 5m (16.4') and 6m (19.7'), the Trident can be tractor matched to power units between 65 and 130 hp. McLaren said the mower's special PTO and drawbar configuration enables turns to be made at full lock, with continuous cutting throughout the turn.

Its 140mm (5.6") diameter rear rollers, with more than 400 kg (2.2 lbs) positive ground pressure per roller, can be adjusted to control the exact cutting height. They were designed to prevent scalping, push down stones and give a striped appearance to the finished job.

Speed is just one cost-saving benefit of the Trident. McLaren pointed out the cost-saving benefits of mowing with a single Trident, compared to maintenance with gang mowers and accidental damage to the machines or obstacles. The Trident's flails, which fall to the side or back when they hit an obstruction, never need sharpening and, if necessary, they can be individually replaced at low cost. Trident gearboxes have a "no quibble" two-year guarantee.

Peter Griffiths, operations manager for Teal Turf grass agreed that the Trident's durability offers a cost savings of $4,500 a year because of not having to rebuild their cylinder mowers every winter. However, the principle attraction for Griffiths is the machine's ability to cut faster in a wider range of conditions.

"This has enabled us to increase the frequency of cut, which has improved the quality of harvested turf," Griffiths said.

McLaren told Implement & Tractor about two other types of users with similar claims about the Trident. "One district council has started their third season with this machine, and they are still on their first set of flails. An estate coordinator said the Trident has allowed them to improve their sports pitches by mowing to the desired lengths."

The Trident safely discharges down toward the ground instead of to the side like rotary mowers and upwards like cylinder mowers. The horizontal shaft cutting system of the Trident makes it safer than alternative mowers, McLaren said. For transport, the mower's wide wheelbase and 8-ply turf tires enable the unit to have a safe road speed capability of up to 30 kph (18.6 mph).

The unit folds to 2.4 m (7.9') wide and locks hydraulically. A lock strap is provided for extra locking protection. It is trailed using a simple draw bar, with a bottle screw fine tuning the cutting height. All hydraulic connections are fitted and placed for easy service.

Spearhead is currently looking for a distributor in both the US and Canada.