SPECIALIST MOWERS
“ It’ s not just about presentation; it’ s also about efficiency,” Ben continues.“ Instead of raking up excess grass, the SXG collects as it cuts. It’ s a game-changer, particularly in the spring when the growth really takes off, and you’ re cutting the off-pitch areas for the first time.”
TG Series: The Workhorse of the Grounds Team While the SXG keeps off-pitch areas immaculate, the TG series takes care of the heavier lifting across all Ipswich Town’ s grounds. They offer the versatility needed for a wide range of tasks, and the ability to quickly switch implements is an indispensable asset.
“ The TGs are the workhorses of the grounds team,” Ben begins.“ They’ re incredibly versatile. We don’ t need a specialist tractor for every job because we can just switch the implement and keep going.
“ We use them for aeration, pitch maintenance, renovations, and seeding. Whether we’ re stripping pitches with a Koro, sand spreading, or seeding, the TG handles it all. The tractor has good space, and the team really appreciates the air conditioning in the summer.”
TH Series: Power and Precision for Heavy Lifting The TH series brings essential lifting and loading capabilities to the Ipswich Town grounds team. Designed for versatility and efficiency, this tractor plays a vital role in handling bulk materials, moving essential equipment, and assisting with pitch renovations. Its powerful front loader allows grounds staff to quickly and efficiently scoop and transport grass, sand, and other materials.
Durability is crucial for Ben and his team, and the TH series is built to withstand the rigours of daily use in a demanding environment. Its compact size makes it ideal for navigating the club’ s grounds without causing unnecessary damage to the pitches. Whether preparing the stadium surface or maintaining the training ground, the TH’ s reliable performance ensures the team can focus on delivering top-tier playing conditions for the players.
Stadium Tractors: A Tailored Approach With Premier League football at Portman Road in the 2024 / 25 season, every match is watched by millions, making pitch perfection a top priority. Working with local Iseki dealer Ernest Doe, Ben wanted to address the weight of the machines and decided to use a cabless tractor on the stadium pitch with galaxy flotation turf tyres to eliminate any wheel marks.
“ We’ ve got two Isekis at the stadium— a TXG for smaller jobs like pulling trailers and a slightly larger 35-horsepower TH for more demanding tasks,” Ben explains.“ The TH is fitted with galaxy turf tyres to minimise the impact on the pitch because we sometimes put a small seeder on the back of it. So, having those tyres allows us to maintain the playing surface with confidence that we won’ t cause any damage.”
GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | May / June 2025 23