Wayrobo wasn’t fooling around.
Wayrobo representatives flew over 7,400 miles so the company could attend its first GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. Based in the Philippines, Wayrobo hauled its goods from Southeast Asia in order to display its wares in hopes of entering the U.S. market. Included were its artificial-intelligence-powered ball-picking robot for GCSAA showgoers to see.
“The Wayrobo team excels in system architecture, perception, high-precision positioning and navigation algorithms, drive control, planning control, software and hardware platforms, and structural design, demonstrating our comprehensive independent R&D capabilities,” says Hana Nou, sales manager, Wayrobo. “With a wealth of experience in robotic system technologies, we are well positioned to deliver revolutionary robotic solutions to the golf industry.”
Wayrobo touts its advanced GPS technology and a robot that can collect balls automatically, avoid obstacles and keep the driving range safe with all-wheel-drive capacity. It features a powerful battery with a robot that runs up to six hours on a single charge and a quick charging time of 3.5 hours with 110-volt power.
Expect more coming at Wayrobo. “We are developing mowers and blowers later. Simply by changing different interfaces, our robots can fulfill different roles,” Nou says.
Besides Wayrobo, GCM takes a look at myriad offerings that appeared on the trade show floor. Due to space limitations, look for more of what was featured on the show floor in future issues of GCM in its Product News sections.
Equipment
John Deere introduced two new electric-powered offerings that expand its commitment to sustainability and high-performance equipment — the 2775 E-Cut Electric Triplex Mower and Gator GS Electric with lithium-ion battery option. They represent the latest electrification advancements by John Deere, marking a significant step forward in its dedication to providing smarter, more sustainable solutions for the golf and sports turf industries. The 2775 E-Cut Electric Triplex Mower has entered the market, building upon the proven chassis of the John Deere PrecisionCut and E-Cut Hybrid triplex mowers. This fully electric mower offers a reliable, hydraulic-free solution that eliminates the risk of hydraulic leaks while maintaining the performance and precision that customers expect from John Deere. The 2775 E-Cut Electric Triplex riding greens mower is designed for greens, tees, fairways, approaches and surrounds. Powered by a four-battery, 58-volt, 14.24-kilowatt-hour MAX power pack, this mower delivers electric power to the traction, steering, lift/lower and mow circuits. The 1,200-watt offboard charger recharges the batteries in 12 hours or less, allowing operators to mow more than 22 greens on a charge. The industry-exclusive Whisper Link lift/lower system operates silently, using a flexible link design powered by integrated smart motors. This system offers precise control over lift and lower rates, as well as timing. The electric system eliminates hydraulic leaks, reduces maintenance needs, ensures quiet operation and zero operating emissions and uses no fossil fuels — benefiting the environment and the operator.
Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd., a Textron Inc. company, introduced its new Jacobsen HR3 ELiTE rotary mower. The HR3 ELiTE leverages Jacobsen’s proven electric drivetrain, powered by Samsung SDI lithium battery technology, to deliver Jacobsen’s celebrated quality of cut with zero emissions, less noise and significantly reduced operating costs. The HR3 ELiTE pairs its electrically driven transaxle with electric motors for its cutting system, eliminating emissions and reducing noise. The HR3 ELiTE’s low-noise floor enables operation near golfers and residential areas without causing disturbances, so course operators can get the day’s work done whenever the schedule demands it. The HR3 ELiTE’s low noise level also makes for a safer operating environment for the mower’s user, and high-spec suspension seating and intuitive controls further enhance the operator experience. The mower’s tilt-sensor technology enhances safety when operating on slopes. For cutting along thoroughfares, the HR3 ELiTE is road-safe, with LED lighting and mirrors.
Jacobsen Eclipse 2 ELiTE walking mower combines Jacobsen’s renowned quality of cut with a fully electric, lithium-powered drivetrain that greatly reduces noise and maintenance and eliminates greenhouse emissions. The Eclipse 2 ELiTE is powered by a fully electric drivetrain utilizing Samsung SDI lithium batteries — the same proven technology in use in tens of thousands of Jacobsen mowers, Cushman utility vehicles and E-Z-GO golf cars around the world. This technology enables the Eclipse 2 ELiTE to mow greens, tee boxes and approach areas silently, without disturbing golfers or neighbors on the course. Compared to gas-powered models, the Eclipse 2 ELiTE reduces noise levels for bystanders by up to 60 percent, and its low noise output eliminates the need for operators to use hearing protection. Without a gas engine, the Eclipse 2 ELiTE also reduces hand-arm vibration for operators by 40 percent and removes the risk of harmful fluid leaks, which can cause turf damage. The Eclipse 2 ELiTE features a programmable frequency-of-clip system that ensures precise cuts by dynamically adjusting reel speed based on the mower’s ground speed. The system enables operators to achieve double-cut quality in a single pass, with enhanced control and consistent performance regardless of terrain.
Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced the launch of the Cushman Hauler XL utility vehicle, a new addition to the durable Hauler lineup designed to meet the demand for more hauling capacity with a 68.5-inch-long aluminum flat bed and 1,600-pound payload. The Hauler XL provides the same trusted features as the rest of the Hauler lineup, including a truck-inspired design, functional dash and purpose-built accessories. The Cushman Hauler XL comes in two powerful powertrain options: a fully electric ELiTE series model powered by Samsung SDI lithium-battery technology, or a gas-powered model with a 13.5-hp gas engine. The ELiTE series is a result of years of collaboration between Textron Specialized Vehicles and Samsung SDI to create a powerful, reliable and zero-maintenance battery for golf cars and utility vehicles.
The Toro Co. launched Turf Pro 500/300 and Range Pro 100. These products are designed to optimize golf course maintenance by providing high-quality performance, consistent results and significant labor and cost savings. Turf Pro 500/300 offers cutting-edge technology for effortless mowing. The Turf Pro is a state-of-the-art autonomous robotic mower that can mow up to 18.5 acres with precision and efficiency. Designed with cutting performance at its core, the Turf Pro leverages advanced technology to achieve consistently clean, well-maintained turf with minimal input from operators. Its quiet operation ensures little disruption to golfers, while its repeatable results provide superintendents with reliable performance. The Turf Pro is ideal for freeing up labor to focus on other areas of the course where specialized skills are needed. The mower’s capabilities ensure that every inch of turf is cared for without sacrificing quality. Range Pro 100 is streamlining ball collection on the driving range. The Range Pro is an autonomous golf ball picking robot designed to streamline the labor-intensive task of collecting golf balls from the driving range. Capable of collecting up to 19,500 balls in 24 hours, the Range Pro is a game-changer for golf courses looking to save time and labor while maintaining a clean, tidy range for golfers. Its efficient design minimizes the need for manual labor, enabling course staff to focus on other critical tasks. Both the Turf Pro and Range Pro feature wireless monitoring and control capabilities, allowing superintendents to easily track and adjust their performance via computer or mobile device. “By introducing Turf Pro and Range Pro, Toro is continuing its commitment to providing golf course superintendents and crews with tools that enhance both efficiency and performance,” said Noah Wahl, product manager at Toro. “With Turf Pro, superintendents can focus on the areas of the course that require specialized attention, while Range Pro helps alleviate labor demands on the driving range. Both products deliver top performance while allowing for significant labor and cost savings, without compromising the standard of quality that courses expect.”
Turfco Manufacturing introduced its acclaimed T5000 Riding Applicator. This innovative model is operator-friendly with time-saving features. Golf course superintendents can be much more efficient maintaining fairways, green surrounds, tee boxes, clubhouses, driving ranges and bunkers. It’s easy to use along a fence line, around trees or just tackling spot spraying of weeds around the golf course. “The T5000 is the easiest of the spread/spray riding applicators to operate and is great for handing hills and challenging terrain without tearing turf,” said Scott Kinkead, executive vice president of Turfco. “It really can be used so many places on a course. It can handle the areas that larger sprayers and granular spreaders can’t easily handle while improving productivity over push spreading and mixing up a small tank.” Its unique two-nozzle boomless spray system delivers an industry-leading spray width from 5 to 13 feet, allowing operators to easily maneuver around obstacles without slowing down. With the optional T-Flex15 tank, the T5000 can cover up to 300,000 square feet per fill. Pivoting front axle and unique steering wheel design offer more control on uneven ground and hills, eliminate turf tears and help you effortlessly match up each pass.
Turfco CR-20 launched its new patent-pending CR-20 Fairway Topdresser and Material Handler. Turfco’s three-year project results in a new standard when it comes to productivity and precision for golf course and sports turf topdressing, material handling and construction projects. Scott Kinkead, executive vice president of Turfco, says, “We listened to superintendents to make the most productive and effective unit. They wanted more control over where to place material without having to move the machine and to better distribute it. On the topdressing side, they wanted to be more productive without wasting material. Ultimately everything we focused on was to make their staff more productive and to make sure they can get the job done right.” CR-20’s key benefits include large area topdressing; a unique spinner design that gives superintendents a uniform and precise topdressing application; and a patent-pending digital smart controller that allows superintendents to calculate and save their topdressing applications — different widths at the same rate or increased rates for certain areas — all with the touch of a button. Store and switch between eight different rate and width settings on the fly.
Husqvarna Automower 535 AWD EPOS is ideal for professionals needing a robotic solution for hilly areas on medium-sized commercial turf, including golf courses, sports fields or facilities. It offers exceptional slope performance, handling slopes up to 70% (35 degrees) with all-wheel-drive mowing. Additional features include warning lights, FOTA (firmware over-the-air) updates and a five-blade cutting disc, making it a versatile and efficient choice for areas up to 0.9 acres.
FireFly Automatix announced updates to the autonomy software of its all-electric Autonomous Mowing Platform mowers. Latest update introduces cutting-edge features designed to improve efficiency, precision and user experience for turf maintenance professionals. New features include Smart Start, which allows operators to drop off the AMP mower anywhere within the fairway. The mower autonomously finds its path starting point and begins mowing, significantly reducing manual driving time and streamlining operations.
The ECHO DHS-3006 handheld pruning saw is powered by ECHO’s 56V Battery System, delivering exceptional performance for pruning and small limbing tasks. It boasts a 6-inch 80TXL cutting system, designed for precise and efficient cutting, ensuring clean and accurate results with every use. Top features include a powerful brushless motor providing gas-like power; MAXOUT technology delivering maximum power; 6-inch bar; and 80TXL cutting system providing efficient cutting.
Accessories
Towa Tools four-channel Power Distribution Manager: Simply plug into any standard 120V/20A outlet and let the PDM manage the rest. Charge any standard charger off a single circuit without any breaker. Reduce costs by eliminating infrastructure upgrade needs. The PDM provides standalone power outlet management and current monitoring.
The John Deere Gator GS Electric with lithium-ion battery now offers a new lithium-ion battery option, providing a high-performance, low-maintenance solution for customers who require an electrified vehicle. This upgraded battery delivers longer runtime and reduced weight and delivers reliable performance at any charge level, making it ideal for tackling any task on the course. Unlike traditional lead-acid batteries, the lithium-ion option significantly reduces maintenance needs, lowers operating costs and ensures more uptime, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a reliable, hassle-free electric vehicle.
The United States Golf Association launched the USGA Moisture Meter. The easy-to-use tool provides golf course superintendents precise and consistent data regarding soil moisture, salinity and temperature. The data instantly uploads into the USGA’s DEACON technology platform, creating a digital record that can be used to more efficiently manage water usage, plant health and golf course playability. The soil moisture sensors in the new tool are supplied by METER Group, the world’s leading provider of agricultural soil-plant atmospheric data, allowing for dependable readings and low maintenance. As on-course water-saving decisions become more paramount, the USGA Moisture Meter will give superintendents the data they need to determine how they can irrigate more effectively. “The USGA Green Section is fully committed to providing superintendents with the best science, best practices and best tools to meet the expectations of golfers, golf course leadership and course owners,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “We are constantly asked by courses to compare their approach with how we set up our competitions. Now, with the DEACON app, GS3 smart ball and our new USGA Moisture Meter, we are providing superintendents with the same tools and capabilities that we utilize at each of our 15 national championships.” Key benefits include providing accurate and real-time soil moisture data, precise and consistent soil moisture, salinity and temperature readings; and increased efficiency, as the tool streamlines the data collection process, allowing superintendents and their teams to focus on other critical tasks.
Irrigation
Toro’s all-new Lynx Drive is a reimagined approach to a proven platform with an innovative, newly energized design tailored specifically to the needs of golf course superintendents. The new Lynx Drive is an entirely renewed system designed for mobile, on-the-go use. It puts seamless full control of irrigation in a superintendent’s hands — literally. With Lynx Drive, superintendents can make decisions and respond in real time as issues arise on the course. Whether it’s addressing a change in conditions, reacting to weather shifts or dealing with unexpected emergencies, having the ability to act immediately ensures the highest levels of productivity and efficiency. Using Lynx Drive ensures golf course superintendents and their entire crew are informed about what is happening at all times.