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Austin Parks and Rec gets 322 environmentally friendly mowers to handle public golf courses

The Parks and Recreation department in Austin, Texas has recently taken delivery of six Jacobsen Eclipse 322 riding greens mowers for its public golf courses according to Lawn and Landscape News.

Austin, considered one of the country's most environmentally conscious cities is on a mission to be  and enacted a carbon free by 2020, and this acquisition is the city's latest push toward that goal. Demonstrating its role as environmental innovators, the city also recently purchased 200 Smart cars to replace less efficient city vehicles, while Austin Energy has expanded its solar energy programs for residents and others.

Now the Golf division, which includes five pubic courses, has demonstrated its commitment with head golf course superintendent Nick Smitham spearheading the decision to purchase the more environmentally friendly, and more fuel efficient Jacobsen Eclipse 322 hybrid greens mowers.

These Eclipse 322 green mowers are completely free of hydraulic oil, so there is no chance of an accidental spill and subsequent pollution issues. And, because of their smaller engines, which are used to generate the electrical power required to run the reels, lift arms and steering, they are more fuel efficient.

"These mowers exceeded our expectations," Smitham. "Our operators are very excited about them, and golfers rave about the quality of our greens. We really put them through their paces and with only five-person crews at each course, we run hard, even when it's wet. The Eclipse 322 does everything we ask of it; we're no longer at the mercy of hoses and there are other environmental cost savings such as fuel, fluids and reduced maintenance.

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According to Lawn and Landscape the city's Golf division will reap annual savings of more than $23,000 in fuel, labor and oil costs a year, resulting in a fuel reduction of of 4,356 gallons and waste oil reduced by 186 gallons. In total, operating costs for the new Eclipse 322s will be 54 percent lower than the mowers they replaced.

Additional benefits of the Eclipse 322 include enhanced operator comfort, increased efficiency and proprietary functionality features such as programmable speeds for transport and mowing, machine malfunction diagnostics, the ability to lift individual reels, a swing-out centre unit for easy maintenance and frequency of clip (foc) settings.

This latest feature allows the machine to be set to a specific foc value and every green will be cut to that specification, irrespective of operator or changes in speed.

"With a small staff at each course, this is a tremendous advantage for us," Smitham said. "For some tournaments we double cut, but with the Eclipse 322's ability to adjust clip frequency we can accomplish the results we want in a single pass. Plus, we can mow at a slightly higher height of cut, which is healthier for the turf. With our former triplexes, we usually mowed at .150 inch. We can set the Eclipse 322s at .180 inch and get a faster green speed and a more consistent ball roll.

"Our operators take their jobs very seriously and were involved with the demos every step of the way. They have a great deal of pride in these mowers and all agree that the Eclipse 322 is the easiest and most comfortable mower they've ever operated."

The Eclipse 322 hybrids were part of a large package delivered by C&M Golf and Grounds Equipment, Jacobsen's 2009 Dealer of the Year, according to Lawn and Landscape. Commenting on the Eclipse greens mower dealer principal Jeff Mathis said,

"The innovation inherent in the Jacobsen Eclipse is one of the driving forces that has enabled C&M to increase revenues by 49 percent in 2010. We launched a very aggressive demonstration campaign earlier this year with a goal to demonstrate the capabilities and efficiencies of the Eclipse 322 to over 200 golf courses."

The Barton Creek Country Club located in Travis County also holds certifications by Audubon International.

Golf courses have a reputation of course for their beautifully manicured green lawns and pristine landscaping. However, there is a new move afoot to make these beautiful landscapes not only excellent courses, but environmentally friendly as well.

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