At Trimax, safety isn’t just a mere checkbox item; it’s deeply embedded in our core values and influences every facet of our operations.

“From the design and development of our machines to the testing and manufacturing processes, safety is always at the forefront of our minds. We believe that by prioritising safety, we can not only protect operators but also enhance their productivity and efficiency.” Caroline Shaw, Global Brand Manager at Trimax.

Here we delve behind the scenes, offering a glimpse into the rigorous safety testing protocols that every Trimax machine undergoes before it hits the market!

Thrown Object Testing

When cutting grass, mowers can come into contact with foreign objects like stones, sticks, and golf balls. When mowers come into contact with them, there is a danger that the struck object may be thrown and cause injury to the operator or any bystanders.

The thrown object test looks at how and where objects are dispersed. During this test, the machine is surrounded by specified targets and will run over sand and stones. To pass the test, no object can be thrown to the side or in the operator area, and only low impacts in the discharge area are acceptable.

Blade Impact Testing

Although Trimax blades are designed and made with durability in mind, in the event of a blade breakage, it must not fall in an unsafe way.

During testing, the mower is surrounded by targets. While the blades are moving, the mower is lowered onto a high-tensile steel bar.

To pass the blade impact test, there must be no loss of any part of the mower, and the targets must not be punctured by blades or any other part of the mower weighing more than 30g.

The purpose of this test is to ensure that if any part of the cutting system fails or comes into contact with anything that could cause damage, there is no hazard to the operator or anyone nearby.

Designing and Testing for Finger and Limb Safety

Due to the nature of a mower, it’s imperative that fingers or limbs cannot get close to the blades, especially while in motion. For this reason, every hazard zone/ opening to moving parts has been carefully considered ensuring maximum safety.

Testing for Foot Access to the Cutting Chamber

Another important test is foot access. During testing, Trimax probes the cutting chamber with a dummy foot to evaluate the level of access around the machine, this ensures maximum protection for both the operator and any bystanders.

Trimax Mowers: Safer By Design

At Trimax, we’re not just meeting safety standards; we’re setting new benchmarks. Our relentless pursuit of safety excellence, coupled with innovative features and exhaustive testing, sets us apart from the competition. For further insights into the safety and testing procedures of Trimax mowers, please contact us at 01933 652235.

From New Zealand to the United Kingdom

Trimax’s journey started in New Zealand’s horticulture industry in the 1980s, founded by Bob Sievwright. What began as a Kiwi enterprise soon transcended boundaries, thanks to Bob’s passion for machinery and engineering expertise. Contrary to popular belief, Trimax’s influence extends beyond New Zealand, with a robust manufacturing foothold in the UK for 25 years.

Originally focused on kiwifruit sector mowers, Trimax’s partnership with rotary mower expert Jim McEwan propelled its influence. This collaboration swiftly captured attention from landscapers and groundsmen globally, establishing dominance in sportsfield and fine turf mowing applications in the UK, Australia, and the US.

UK Expansion and Rapid Growth

By 1998, Trimax established a distribution hub in Northamptonshire, catering to the UK’s demand for high-quality mowers. Subsequent years witnessed a remarkable expansion, from the initial roots in Northampton to a 16,500 sq ft manufacturing facility in 2014. Recent substantial growth in 2023 marked another milestone with the acquisition of an additional building giving a total sq foot of 12,000 sq ft indicating Trimax’s commitment to local UK expansion and innovation.

Enhanced Manufacturing for Premium Quality

In response to the post-COVID landscape, Trimax reevaluated operations, bringing core manufacturing tasks in-house to elevate product quality. This strategic move involved substantial investment in specialised machinery and advanced manufacturing processes. The upgraded Northampton facility now boasts comprehensive capabilities in welding, sandblasting, powder coating, and improved assembly methods.

Commitment to UK Market and Quality Standards

The recent UK factory expansion mirrors Trimax’s customer-focused approach to investment in local growth and innovation. The emphasis on increased capacity, efficiency, and in-house manufacturing aims to directly benefit customers. It’s not just about machines—it’s about elevating local services and product quality, expanding expertise, and ensuring our UK customers have quick access to products.
Not only that, but the facility can now hold in excess of £1.2 million in parts. This means customers throughout the UK get prompt support for their products while enjoying seamless maintenance with maximum uptime.

Despite its roots in New Zealand, Trimax’s commitment to the UK market remains steadfast, contributing to local job creation and the national economy. As a registered member of the ‘Made in Britain’ charity, Trimax underscores its dedication to upholding UK manufacturing standards and quality.

Continued Legacy of Craftsmanship

From humble beginnings in New Zealand to becoming a significant contributor to the UK’s mower industry, Trimax persists in maintaining exceptional standards. The legacy of craftsmanship and quality defines every mower rolling out of its Northampton facility, signifying Trimax’s enduring commitment to excellence.

Trimax Unveils Electric Drivetrain Prototype

Trimax Mowing Systems, a global leader in commercial mowing technology, announces the release of its electric-driven prototype. This prototype uses electric motors for power rather than traditional diesel tractor PTO (power take-off) and sets new standards in efficiency and operational flexibility.

Reduced Diesel Consumption for Sustainable Practices

Trimax’s electric drivetrain prototype achieves a notable reduction in diesel consumption when paired with a conventional diesel tractor. This achievement aligns with industry trends towards sustainable practices, offering both an environmental benefit and a reduction in running costs for customers.

Future-Ready Solutions for Regulatory Compliance

With regulatory changes in motion, Trimax’s electric drivetrain prototype is designed to ensure compliance is met with upcoming electrification mandates. This provides customers with solutions that not only meet their current needs, but also position them for success in a changing regulatory landscape.

A PTO-Free Solution for Enhanced Efficiency

Eliminating the need for Power Take-Off (PTO) enhances the operational flexibility of the mower, allowing customers the freedom to select a wider range of towing equipment. Traditionally, trailed commercial mowers could only be towed behind diesel tractors with a PTO.

Lower Noise Levels for Enhanced Operability

Unlike conventional mowers, Trimax’s electric drivetrain operates at reduced noise levels due to the towing machinery running at a lower RPM. This feature expands its applicability, making it suitable for environments where noise levels are a concern such as golf courses and public spaces.

Inviting Industry Feedback

When asked about the electric drivetrain prototype, CEO Michael Sievwright said “At Trimax, we’ve always championed innovation. This electric drivetrain prototype not only embodies our commitment to sustainability but also signals a transformative direction for our business. We’re excited about this journey and invite our partners and stakeholders to work with us through this development.” Trimax values the insights of industry experts and stakeholders. They encourage visits to their dedicated landing page, where feedback on potential applications of this electrification can be provided. They also encourage any potential test partners to contact them through the form to further shape this technology to suit the needs of customers. This collaborative effort aims to redefine the future of mowing and drive progress in the industry.

For more information, see Electric Drivetrain Development.

Investing in machinery is a key consideration for greenkeeping and groundscare professionals. Choosing the model of mower and additional equipment is only one aspect of the decision. You also need to consider the lifetime costs of your new machinery.

Buying machinery is a popular route as it ensures you have full control and ownership of your equipment and is an asset within your business. However, it is vital to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) when making this decision.

Both new and used machinery needs to be assessed with TCO in mind, helping you to budget for the best possible choice for your long-term needs. Let’s explore TCO in more depth and how to calculate the real cost of your new machinery and the potential return on investment it generates.

Productivity

The productivity of your machinery is measured at the rate at which the work is performed. Key variables may include the overall cutting width of the mower, as well as the operating speed. When we talk about operating speed, we mean both the forward speed of the machine, but also if that one machine can do all the work required. For example, would you have to roll the area after it’s been mowed or is there a roller on a mower? Would you need to go around afterwards and blow the cut grass away, or does the mower have a collector?

Speed may also impact the cut quality, depending on the chosen model. The more productive the equipment, the more jobs you can get done, and the more profitable you will be.

Investing in the most up-to-date technological machinery usually delivers higher productivity levels. However, older machines can still deliver high productivity levels and be the correct choice for your work. To find the most suitable machine, we recommend having a demonstration on your grounds.

Fuel

Operational costs are another leading contributor to machinery’s TCO. Older equipment may naturally be less efficient and may use more fuel, so it is important to consider whether an initially lower price is worth the additional cost over time to keep the equipment operational.

If you are looking to purchase an attachment machine, then you should consider the weight. The heavier the attachment, the more power and fuel it will draw from the tractor.

While hybrid and electric technologies are becoming more popular, we are still in the early adoption stage for this machinery. It is also important to consider whether the increased cost is worth the investment.

Maintenance & Servicing

When we talk about maintenance and servicing, we are referring to several things:

What maintenance and/or servicing does the machine require?

Understanding the machines’ maintenance requirements is important as this will affect the TCO. How many grease points does the machine have? How frequently do they need to be greased? How accessible are the grease points?

You may be surprised at the results when you go through all this information. It’s not uncommon to see machines requiring 200+ hours a year of greasing. That’s almost a month in the workshop, unable to be used. And that’s just for greasing, not all the other servicing a machine requires.

How accessible and affordable are spare parts?

Parts and the accessibility of parts should be a key deciding factor when purchasing new machinery. Consider:

• How frequently will crucial parts and components need to be replaced?
• How long does each part take to replace?
• How accessible are the parts?

These are all great questions to ask sellers. Consider, if your machine breaks down, can you get next-day delivery to get you back up and running? Every minute of downtime costs money so understanding the maintenance and parts costs for your new equipment is a vital part of its TCO.

What support and backup is available?

Is there technical support available for your new equipment? It’s worth exploring whether there are useful self-help portals or 24/7 support from specialists in the make and model of your machinery.

To make an informed purchase, you must ask questions about the support available for your new machinery. Ask as many questions as you need to feel confident in your purchase, as making a good purchase decision relies upon having all relevant information.

Purchase Price

The initial cost price is the final key component of any machine’s total cost of ownership. The purchase price you pay is often the main figure considered before investing in new machinery. However, as the above shows, many other factors influence the true and total cost of ownership. Budgeting accordingly is vital to ensure you purchase the right machinery for your needs.

Buying older or second-hand machinery may be appealing because of the lower purchase price. However, this equipment often does not offer additional benefits such as warranties, service plans and reliable parts availability. When considering any machinery, you must thoroughly consider the ongoing maintenance and running costs.

Using Total Cost of Ownership to Inform Your Next Purchase

Taking a more holistic and long-term approach to the total cost of ownership will help ensure you choose the right option for your needs. The same principles apply if you are looking to purchase brand-new equipment or considering second-hand.

It is easy to be swayed by an attractive purchase price but do not forget to look into the specifications of the machinery, consider its efficiency and the costs that may build up over time in fuel, maintenance and running costs.

The total cost of ownership gives you a truer and more reflective picture of the lifetime cost of your machinery, so measuring and comparing different models of different ages and conditions is a vital part of making your final purchase decision.

With over 2,500 golf courses in the UK serving over 5.3 million golfers, competition has never been so high. With this comes the need to maintain grounds to the highest standard possible and in the most efficient manner.

As a Greenkeeper, there needs to be a constant focus on balancing the work and the costs involved in maintaining grounds while ensuring maximum sustainability. But above all else, every tee box, fairway, rough, and green must retain the same consistent appearance and playability.

While the frequency with which a course is mowed is important, decisions around mowing apparatus and techniques must be carefully made. If a course isn’t maintained to a high aesthetic standard, golfers may choose to take up membership in another nearby club.

Ride-on mowers have long been a popular choice for maintaining large grass areas such as golf courses; however, advancements in trailed mowers mean a big switch in the way golf clubs are maintaining their turf. Here are some of the advantages of trailed mowers and how they are revolutionising the golf industry.

Sustainably Use Existing Machinery

The more machinery a club owns, the more it costs to upkeep the course. In addition to the cost of buying the apparatus, there are the running and maintenance costs associated with keeping up with daily use.

Along with a fleet of ride-on mowers, most golf courses will own a tractor used for various other purposes, which may sit unused much of the time. Regardless of how often tractors are used, they require a schedule of maintenance. Using these tractors makes economic sense since they cost the club money, even when not in use.

Using a trailed mower attached to a tractor improves the sustainability of the club and potentially save a considerable amount of money. When not in use, the mower can be detached, and the tractor can serve alternative purposes.

Adaptability

Ride-on mowers are dedicated pieces of machinery that serve one task. Often, a golf course may require numerous ride-on mowers to cut the grass in specific areas like the green, rough, and fairway. Thanks to the versatility, easy height adjustment and contour following abilities, trailed mowers can help maintain all these areas without damaging or scalping the turf.
In addition, trailed mowers excel in wet conditions so cutting dewy morning grass doesn’t result in a clumpy mess. There’s no need for double-cutting or blowing. Being able to cut in these conditions reduces the disruption for players.

Total Cost of Ownership

Golf clubs that have switched to trailed mowers have enjoyed a lower total cost of ownership. Buying the mower is cost-effective, as a trailed mower and tractor is a fraction of the price of a dedicated machine. Additionally, you can use the tractor for multiple purposes.

Once in operation, it requires very little hp to run and minimal moving parts, there’s not much that can go wrong!

Unlike machines with engines, trailed mowers retain their value and typically sell well second-hand.

Improved Efficiency

The average UK golf course is 111 acres. To maintain the health of the grass, mowing needs to take place regularly, trailed mowers speed up this constant and time-consuming process.

With large cutting widths, a trailed mower requires fewer passes and could dramatically reduce the time needed to maintain the entire course. This, in turn, reduces the labour costs associated with the task, improving the profitability of the course.

In addition, covering the entire course with fewer passes reduces fuel use, creating a more eco-friendly cut.

Safety & Comfort

Ride-on mowers place workers almost directly above the grass being cut without protection.
On a golf course, there is one common hazard— golf balls. Whether the golf ball is travelling at speed from elsewhere on the course, or thrown up in the process of mowing, if it hits the worker on the mower, it could cause serious injury.

A trailed mower and tractor improve worker safety. Most tractors have enclosed cabs that protect the operator from any projectiles on the course.

In addition, Greenkeepers must work continuously throughout the year to maintain high standards on the course. Battling the elements on a ride-on can be uncomfortable. Trailed mowers attached to tractors with enclosed cabs provide a positive experience that makes the task enjoyable, improving team morale and productivity.

It’s a No Brainer!

Trailed mowers offer Greenkeepers a cost-effective, low-maintenance and versatile alternative that improves the appearance and health of the grass while ensuring operator safety. By utilising trailed mowers, golf clubs can maintain the high aesthetic standards which members demand in a very efficient and eco manner.

Earthworms are vital for maintaining healthy soil. By continuously moving soil, worms loosen and aerate it, aiding water infiltration. And, when earthworms feed on nutrients in the soil, the waste products they leave provide valuable fertilisation.

But despite the benefits, earthworms create big problems for greenkeepers.

As they expel waste, earthworms leave small worm casts on the soil’s surface. These tiny mounds affect ball movement on golf courses and look unsightly. During milder months, worms are more active near the surface, and these soil casts can mount up, creating more work for greenkeepers.

Up until 2019, greenkeepers had a simple way to tackle worm casts. However, since Carbendazim was banned due to the potentially toxic effects it has on the human reproductive system, no clear chemical solution has emerged to replace it.

How Worm Casts Affect Cylinder Mowers

Worm casts are not just an inconvenience. As a greenkeeper, worm casts cause several other issues, particularly when using cylinder mowers.

Due to their wet, sticky nature, worm casts clog mower rollers, eventually causing them to become uneven affecting the height of cut.

Additionally, worm casts cause an abrasive grinding paste to form between the bottom blade and cylinder. This blunts the cylinders so that regular and costly sharpening is required. If the sharpening is not completed the blunt cylinders affect the overall cut quality and presentation of the course. For many Greenkeepers, this means their cylinder mowers spend more time in the workshop than out on the course.

While strategies like delaying the cut until the middle of the day to reduce stickiness, brushing the turf prior to cutting, or using an older mower when cast levels are high can help, these are not practical solutions as they add time and expense to the ongoing task of turf maintenance.

Using a Trailed Rotary Mower

Until a solution is developed to control worm casts on turf, one time-saving way of tackling them is to use a rotary mower. Trailed rotary mowers do not encounter the same problems as cylinder mowers, as they have been engineered to perform in a wider range of conditions with unwavering reliability.

Most trailed rotary mowers have 5” diameter smooth rollers which are nearly three times larger than a cylinder mower, providing strength when it’s needed most. These rollers are fitted with scraper wires (either a thin metal wire hugging the roller or a solid steel bar running across the length of the roller) which provide constant pressure across the roller, for keeping it free of debris and worm casts.

Another advantage of a trailed rotary mower is their high spindle speeds and airflow, this helps keep the blades clean of worm casts, improving the cut quality and reducing maintenance costs. The other consideration is cleaning. This process is made much easier with a trailed machine as the decks can be folded vertically giving clear access and removing the need to crawl under or bend over the machine.

If you want to see how a trailed rotary mower will perform on your worm casts, give Trimax a call on 01933 652235 or visit their website https://trimaxmowers.co.uk/book-a-demo/.