Focus on environment, ergonomics, efficiency and financial feasibility

'The market is increasingly determined by laws and regulations,' believes Gerd-Jan Driessen, sales manager of the Ferris brand in Europe for Briggs & Stratton Netherlands. 'The question is whether the green professional can meet all these requirements and still achieve sufficient margin.'

Ferris supplies a range of twelve zeroturn mowers, for light to heavy professional use. Driessen represents the brand in 19 countries, seeking long-term relationships based on mutual trust. He sees the market changing in recent years. "In the past, the market was determined by the end user, in recent years by laws and regulations. There are increasingly strict requirements for machines in terms of emissions, ergonomics and working conditions. These are the themes we focus on at Ferris as well. Not only to comply with future legislation, but also because we consider them important."

Procurement policy in the Netherlands is based on European regulations. Driessen notes that the number of requirements and demands keeps increasing, while their fulfillment is no longer always physically or financially feasible. "An example: ask the average contractor or fleet owner exactly what a machine costs, per hour or per employee. This question is rarely answered correctly because there are many variables. Such as depreciation, maintenance periods, energy consumption and personnel costs. Most important is how much production it can achieve in a given time, because this determines the final price. And then with a lawn mower, for example, there are other variables, such as cutting speed and cutting width."

Driessen therefore senses that companies are still searching when it comes to replacing machines: where do we go from here? For example, the government is pushing for electrification, but the development of battery technology is moving very fast. This makes it unclear what an electric model will still be worth in five years. Driessen: "There are more means to the same end. Who says that electrification is the solution to achieve zero emissions? Besides, an electric model is at least twice as expensive to buy and who is going to pay for that? In most cases, the one who works with it, the contractor. We are increasingly seeing companies not participating in a tender because the margins are already too slim. Of course we will have an electric version in our package, because the market demands it. But in addition, we are also exploring other possibilities."

When it comes purely to reducing CO2 emissions, HVO100 diesel can also offer a solution, Driessen believes. This alternative diesel based on frying fat would provide a CO2 reduction of 90%. "This is a sustainable alternative. Commercial transport in Finland and Lapland has been using this for years. The advantage is that the fuel is of constant quality, even in extreme cold. In addition, existing engines do not need to be modified and wear out less quickly. The only disadvantage is that the liter price is somewhat higher than that of regular diesel."

Therefore, the sales manager does not understand why pure electrification is being driven from Europe. Especially given the current problems with the electricity grid. "We don't deny that ultimately we have to reduce harmful emissions to zero, only that there have to be more choices for those who have to pay for it. At the end of the day, it's all about: what did you earn? If there is too much uncertainty, people are forced to quit. And if nothing is earned, there is no investment either." 

Another important aspect for the garden and park sector, is ergonomics. Ferris combined 64 patents in the Suspension suspension system. This spares the operator and adjusts the machine for sprung mowing. This ensures an even cutting pattern, even with bumps and potholes. Ferris mowers are all zeroturn mowers, but there are different types: from riding mowers, walk-behind models and standons to a remote controlled mower. Driessen: "Ease of use and ergonomics are paramount in all models. This reduces not only the physical strain on the user, but also the psychological. If you get tired, you lose focus and start making mistakes. If you make mistakes with such a large machine, it leads to damage. And: being able to work comfortably for longer increases productivity." 

Ferris' zero-turn mowers are in the higher price segment, but pay for themselves in efficiency, according to Driessen. "On average, any additional cost is recouped in three to five hundred working hours. A professional user runs about eight hundred hours per season. That season, by the way, is also getting longer and longer due to climate change." 

New from Ferris is the remote-controlled mower FRC7. This is extremely suitable for public green space management, for example for mowing along wadis, embankments and dikes. "With an ordinary mower, according to European safety requirements, you are allowed to mow up to slopes of 15 degrees, with special mowers up to a maximum of 30 degrees. Most slopes in the Netherlands already slope about 35 degrees, so a tractor with mowing arm was often chosen. An alternative to this is a remote-controlled mower. Our FRC7 can mow both forwards and backwards. This prevents damage due to turning and erosion of the surface. This is certainly desirable for dikes, for example."

Safety is paramount here. The operator stands at a safe distance from the mower. It is therefore well suited for use in dangerous places, such as ponds, precipices or highway exits. The mowers are also ideal for areas with high grass. For example, in places where less mowing is done, to give the area back to nature and improve biodiversity. The hybrid machine has both a combustion engine and a generator: transport to the workplace is electric, mowing with support from the engine. Driessen: "This system has many advantages. Due to the constant drive of the electric motors, the mower reacts without (hydraulic) delays and therefore the chance of losing a track is small. Also, the blades are electrically driven and an expensive and in tall grass wear-sensitive PTO clutch can be omitted."