13th January 2009
Ransomes remote controlled Spider Mower for Scottish Borders Council
 The latest version of the remote controlled slope mower, the Ransomes Spider II, has been delivered to Scottish Borders Council by Fairways GM, Ransomes Jacobsen’s dealer for the region. Ransomes Jacobsen is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
Specially designed for mowing steep slopes and banks, this new machine is larger than the original Spider; it has a cutting width of 1.23 metres and is powered by a Kawasaki 680cc, 23hp petrol engine which drives four overlapping mulching blades. With a 16 litre fuel tank it can work for five hours on slopes up to 40°; if the integrated winch is used it can also operate on 55° slopes.
The Spider II was delivered with a bespoke transport trailer and has been teamed with a dedicated Landrover and is being used right across the Borders region.
Fraser Dunlop, Works Manager at the Council’s Parks and Open Spaces department said, “With the introduction of this new machine we are able to raise the general standards of tidiness of the steep banks found in the various open spaces across our region. This new machine is remotely controlled and is a significant step forward for our workforce in terms of health and safety. They are not in contact with the mower and, as such, will not suffer from hand/arm vibration. Using mowers on steep slopes is uncomfortable for the operator, who has to stand at awkward angles putting pressure on hip, knee and back joints. With this machine we completely alleviate any health and safety issues. We are looking at introducing a dedicated two-man team who will work exclusively with the Spider and manage all the difficult areas across the Borders.”
Shaun Mayo, Chargehand Gardener at Hawick, who operates the new mower added,
"This is a very good machine and I’m surprised at the steepness of the slopes it can cope with. For a big mower it’s very stable. The winch is really good and it gives you confidence when working the really steep banks. The Mote in Hawick is a grass covered earthen mound, which is 30 feet high and extremely steep. We have incorporated securing points in a seat at the top of the Mote; we simply clip on the winch line and then mow in safety."
Textron Inc. is a $12.6 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defence and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, Ransomes, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
9th December 2008
DAVID LAMB - NEW Quality Manager at Ransomes Jacobsen
 David Lamb has joined Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based turf maintenance equipment manufacturer, as Quality Manager. Reporting to Malcolm Parkinson, Operations Director, he will be responsible for all quality matters relating to the production, manufacturing and design processes within the organisation. RANSOMES JACOBSEN is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
David joins the Ransomes Jacobsen team from the Seat Division of Johnson Controls, a multi-million US$ American corporation where in his last position he managed a team of European quality engineers responsible for seat supplies to major motor manufacturers.
Commenting on the appointment, Malcolm Parkinson said,
“David has worked in the quality field for over 20 years, mostly within the automotive sector, in positions ranging from Quality Auditor to Quality Manager. We are delighted to welcome him to the business. He comes with a wealth of experience and sound knowledge, which will prove to be a positive asset, going forward.”
David lives in Chelmsford with his partner Alison and two children, Jessica and Jamie. His spare time is devoted to his family with most weekends spent watching his children play football for local teams. Alison is a qualified signer for the deaf and currently works in Writtle Agricultural College. David is a keen armchair sports fan, but has been known to partake in squash and badminton on the odd occasion. However this has become less frequent due to the recovery period required after all the effort.
Textron Inc. is a $12.6 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defence and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, Ransomes, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
4th December 2008
NPTC Assessors visit Ransomes Jacobsen
 Over 40 City & Guilds NPTC assessors recently visited Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based turf maintenance equipment manufacturer, for a one-day seminar looking at the latest developments in mowing technology. They were guests of the company’s independent training division, Cutting Edge Training. RANSOMES JACOBSEN is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
They were welcomed by Jason King, Customer Support and Training Manager, who provided an overview of Ransomes Jacobsen, their position within the Textron group and an outline of the Cutting Edge Training division.
The guests were then split into four groups and 45 minute tutorials were given to provide insights into the technological advances of the latest Ransomes Jacobsen equipment. These included the Ransomes Spider, a unique remote controlled dedicated slope mower; the Ransomes HR 3300T, the latest out-front rotary mower designed and manufactured at Ipswich; and the Jacobsen Eclipse 122, a petrol/electric hybrid pedestrian greens mower. These tutorials were interspersed with lunch and a tour of the factory to see the manufacturing processes that produce the Ipswich-built equipment.
After a light-hearted quiz and refreshments the proceedings ended with the City & Guilds NPTC delegation reviewing their standard setting procedures, before departing for all parts of the UK.
Dorothy Connolly, Training Officer for City & Guilds NPTC said,
“The manner in which Jason King and his team prepared for this seminar was absolutely superb. They made it relevant, pertinent and thorough with each of the presenters, many of them City & Guilds NPTC assessors themselves, imparting their knowledge with a combination of authority and humour.
“The programme clearly enhanced our knowledge of current developments and practices within the industry, and will lead to more professional assessments over a wider range of equipment. The most memorable feature was probably the Spider remote controlled mower with each assessor taking the controls and guiding it over a route on the golf course adjacent to the training centre. City & Guilds NPTC has yet to receive an invoice for the cones that were savaged during this operation!”
Textron Inc. is a $12.6 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defence and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, Ransomes, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
11th November 2008
Ransomes Jacobsen Package for Dunfermline Athletic Football Club
 Fairways GM, the Scottish dealer for Ransomes Jacobsen turf equipment, has delivered a package of machinery to Scottish League Division One football club, Dunfermline Athletic, whose Director of Football is the larger-than-life character Jim Leishman. RANSOMES JACOBSEN is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
Jim is a former player, coach and manager at the club and is renowned for taking Livingston into the Scottish Premier League and also into Europe. In his Director of Football role at Dunfermline he is very hands on and was the initiator of the deal to purchase the new equipment, which is being used by the grounds staff to maintain the pitch at their East End Park stadium and at their training ground.
Speaking at the delivery of the package of equipment he said,
“I’ve been dealing with Fairways GM since they were appointed as Ransomes Jacobsen dealers, back in 2004. They are a very professional organisation and have access to a great range of products.
“We have purchased a package which includes a Tri-King triple mower, an Iseki tractor and two Ransomes machines, a Mastiff for mowing the stadium pitch and a Commander, which has five cutting cylinders and is very productive, for the training ground.
“Our aim is to return to the Scottish Premier League this season, so it’s important that we have everything right across all areas of the club. This new equipment, which will ensure that we have excellent playing surfaces, is part of plan for a return to the top flight.”
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defence and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Ransomes, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
5th November 2008
Ransomes Parkway triple mower for Scone Palace - home to the
Earl of Mansfield
 Peter Timoney, Head Gardener at Scone Palace, the ancestral seat of the Earls of Mansfield and the former crowning place for the Kings of Scotland, has taken delivery of a Ransomes Parkway triple mower from Fairways GM, Ransomes Jacobsen‘s dealer for Scotland. RANSOMES JACOBSEN is a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
The powerful, four-wheel drive mower is being used to improve the presentation of the main entrance and extensive landscaped grounds that surround the palace, which was built between 1801 and 1812.
“We were really in need of a new machine to improve the presentation of the main approach to the house; this is the first impression that visitors get when coming here and we want it to be pristine,” said Peter, who has been at Scone Palace for 23 years and heads a team of three permanent staff and one seasonal gardener.
“We visited Fairways’ premises in Kinross and were highly impressed with the organisation and support services. The machine had everything we wanted and we’ve not been disappointed. When the weather permits we cut twice a week and the results are superb.”
Historical note
Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone in 1306 and the last coronation was of Charles II, when he accepted the Scottish crown in 1651. The place of coronation was called Caislean Credi, 'Hill of Credulity', which survives as the present Moot Hill.
The present owner, the 8th Earl of Mansfield, William David Murray, succeeded his father in 1971. Lord Mansfield is also Lord Scone, 11th Lord Balvaird and Hereditary Keeper of Bruce’s Castle of Lochmaben.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defence and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Ransomes, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
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