Floats like a ride-on cylinder mower, cuts cleaner than a rotary

Ipswich, Suffolk - May 28, 2012 - Ransomes Jacobsen, the Ipswich-based manufacturer of high quality turf maintenance equipment, has launched the Ransomes Meteor. This is a new ride-on triple-type mower based on the principle of a flail with the cutting footprint of a cylinder mower. The Meteor maintains the robustness and versatility of a rotary mower while providing a more acceptable finish, especially in wet and heavy grass growth.

Using the renowned Ransomes Magna 250 cutting unit frame, the new cutting heads are capable of coping with longer grass than a cylinder and are particularly suited to reduced cutting cycles. Powered by a turbo-charged version of the Ransomes Parkway 3 tractor unit, the Meteor offers industry leading operator comfort with plenty of engine power, all encapsulated to deliver robust cutting machine.

With an unprecedented 2.18 metre (86") mowing width coupled with an impressive quality of cut, the new Meteor mower is specifically targeted at the municipal and landscape contract markets. The traditional triple configuration allows the units to be raised creating a narrow transport width of approximately 1.4m (56"), ideal for manoeuvring through gateways and along paths. Individual cutting unit lift and lower provides the flexibility to navigate around obstacles such a lamp posts, benches and trees.

The compact Meteor heads follow ground contours more precisely than an out-front rotary and are more resistant to debris damage. Due to the cylindrical rotation of the blades, cut grass is evenly dispersed behind the mower resulting in less clean-up on paths and roads. The rear rollers leave a presentable striped finish.

Richard Comely, director of Product Management and Marketing at Ransomes Jacobsen said, "Major changes and constraints in the local authority and landscape contract sectors have forced owners and operators to find more productive and cost-effective methods of maintaining grassed areas. With this in mind, we have developed the Ransomes Meteor to satisfy the needs of the most demanding users."

The Meteor mowers float like a municipal ride-on triplex cylinder mower, following ground undulations and preventing scalping and turf damage. Cutting in long wet grass is not an issue as the clippings are mulched by the powerful flail action preventing the clumping sometimes associated with a rotary deck. The robust flails are designed to take knocks and cut through debris without the worry of damaging blades. For added flexibility the Meteor heads can be removed and replaced with standard Magna 250 or Sport 200 cylinder units.

David Morgan, Ransomes Jacobsen's product manager responsible for the introduction of the Meteor added, "We have designed the Meteor to fit a niche created by the changing demands of local authorities and grounds care contractors. We do not want to over promise on its ability, but Meteor can certainly provide a very acceptable solution to extended cutting regimes, where regular maintenance is performed less frequently and precludes cutting with cylinder mowers. A rotary might well do the job, but when the finish needs to be of a higher standard, the Meteor is the answer. It's ideal for cutting grass from 25mm (1") high up to 200mm (8"), although we have taken grass and brush down at 300mm, but this really depends on the density of the material that's being cut."

The Ransomes Meteor is particularly suited for the following areas:

Community Areas - The Meteor's resistance to debris damage and it's high productivity makes it more cost effective than traditional out-front rotary mowers. In addition, its ability to disperse clippings evenly reduces operator clean-up time. The Meteor is road legal for easy transport.

Parks - Individual control of the cutting heads gives the Meteor manoeuvrability similar to that of a triplex mower. It can cut close to and around obstacles such as trees, benches or playground equipment, and is capable of leaving a clean, even cylinder-style finish.

Verges - The Meteor can chew through debris and semi-brush conditions with ease. The width of cut and ground following are impressive, as is the clean finish in wet conditions. No clumping or heaps of grass pile up and significantly less grass is blown into roads or onto paths.

Central Reservations - Where cylinders are being replaced by rotaries, the Meteor has a real advantage. The Meteor is able to tackle a large range of cutting heights (25mm up to 300mm), without suffering from debris damage. With industry leading operator comfort and optional TST stability system, the Meteor offers major flexibility for municipal mowing.

Municipal Sports Fields - With the ability to cut down to 25mm (1"), the Meteor has been designed to work on areas of regularly maintained turf as well. Again, it leaves a quality finish with stripes, without clumping or leaving heaps of grass. The 2.18m (86") width of cut and Parkway 3 Turbo tractor unit deliver high performance mowing.

David Morgan concluded saying, "The Meteor has been developed to meet the mowing needs in the most demanding environments. If customers need a mower that can take a knock and cut down taller grasses, then we have the answer. If they want a mower that floats like a cylinder and cuts beautifully in heavy, wet conditions, then we have the answer. Mind you, we've been providing innovative mowing solutions for centuries and the Meteor is yet another example of how we listen to our customers and deliver to match and exceed their needs."

For more information about Ransomes Jacobsen, a Textron Inc (NYSE: TXT) company visit: www.ransomesjacobsen.com

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defence, 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, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. For more information visit: www.textron.com.

Contact

Peter Driver
Public Relations and Media Communications Manager, Ransomes Jacobsen,
West Road, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9TT.
Tel: 01473 276386.
Email: peterd@tip.textron.com.

The new Ransomes Meteor mower	The compact head fits the footprint of a Magna cutting unit
The Meteor produces a very acceptable finish	The ability to lift individual cutting units provides excellent manoeuvrability