A Kubota RTV utility vehicle and purpose-designed sprayer is proving to be the perfect combination to keep the course pristine at Rugby Golf Club.
The private members club, founded in 1891, has an unusual layout due to its tight situation between two major roads, with a viaduct running through. The par 68 course has seven par 3s and has enjoyed an increasing membership over the past year as golf soared in popularity.
Head greenkeeper Jimmy Evans was promoted to the role last September and with experience of the RTV at his previous club, was keen to see what Kubota could offer when looking to replace an existing utility vehicle mounted sprayer.
“With such a tight course, we need a compact and adaptable spraying solution, and the light weight is also key – you don’t want to be putting a tractor on the greens all the time. I discussed the options with George Browns and they suggested an integrated sprayer from Team Sprayers, which would also offe s wr the convenience of having the controls in the cab.”
The 24.4hp RTV-X1110 and Team Demount Pro sprayer outfit offers Jimmy the ideal combination of what he describes as ‘one of the best utility vehicles’ and a spraying solution from a specialist in bespoke applications equipment. The 400 litre sprayer tank has been purpose-designed to sit tidily in the RTV’s 600kg capacity load bay, offering a compact outfit with excellent visibility over the booms.
“We’re carrying 450 litres of water with a full tank and due to the independent suspension on the RTV you don’t feel it. The course is very undulating and the Kubota has the power and grip to handle it really well.”
The sprayer is fitted with a 6m manual folding boom and offers control of the three boom sections and of spray pressure via an in-cab control box.
It also features a large induction hopper allowing chemicals to be safely added to the tank and to be premixed for easier, more effective application, while a separate clean water tank means that the booms can be flushed out independently of the main tank.
A triple nozzle holder applies a range of rates depending on the active ingredient in question; generally 450-600 litres/ha on greens and 285 litres/ha on fairways.
“We can cover 1.5ha on a tank load, which gives improved workrates compared to our previous sprayer,” comments Jimmy.
With spraying taking up three to six hours a week, comfort and user-friendliness is as important as output, and he praises the ease of operation offered by the RTV-X1110 with its stepless VHT-X transmission and padded bench seat.
“It’s very smooth in high or low range and the open cab gives excellent all-round visibility and access.”
Jimmy points out that Team Sprayers offers a number of options for its RTV mounted sprayers such as electric or hydraulic fold booms and computerised rate control.
“But it’s also good to be able to specify a simpler, cost-effective set up that is a significant improvement on what we had before and offers an efficient way to apply turf protection products.”
Rugby Golf Club uses a variety of utility vehicles of different vintages and Jimmy comments that his experiences with the RTV put Kubota firmly in the frame when it comes to replace them.
“It’s a really well-built machine that’s easy to work with and we are very pleased with our investment.”
