The 2009 Melbourne Cup carnival has come and gone for another year.
This big concentration of close fought racing takes its toll on the lush surface of the Flemington race track. On the Sunday morning, while the punters and club members are at home resting after a heavy final week, Mick McMahon , his son Damien and their team of eager workers arrive with four semi trailers loaded with Kubota L series tractors each fitted with turf renovation equipment.
The task for this team of men and machines is to completely renovate the entire race track in one day!
Mick says with such time limits he cannot afford breakdowns in the tractor fleet when the pressure is on. “Over the years I have found Kubota tractors to be the best suited to my type of work. I require tractors that can work all day undertaking heavy turf renovation work without having to refuel, good efficient cabins where my operators can work in comfort on the hottest of days and tractor with outstanding reliability, to ensure I can get the job done.” said Mick
With a total fleet of 15 Kubota tractors made up of 2 Kubota M series and 13 Kubota L30 and L40 series tractors Mick certainly lives up to his statement.
Kubota L series tractors feature fuel efficient Kubota diesel engines incorporating Kubota’s industry leading three vortex combustion system (E TVCS). These large displacement engines create high power output and power take-off (PTO) torque required for this type of turf work , along with cleaner emissions and less vibrations.
The newer Kubota L40 series tractors have the latest in hydrostatic transmissions - HST Plus – which makes operating a tractor simple while delivering maximum performance.
Kubota’s HST Plus has four innovative functions that create a new dimension of performance and ease of operation.
By simply adjusting a dial, operators can select the required response from the HST operating pedal. Especially handy when working on turf areas, operators can choose between manual and automatic mode of hydraulic dual speed (H-DS). This H-DS allows traditional hi – lo shifting even on the move in each of the 3 transmission ranges to creates a total of 6 operating ranges.
Another new feature of the HST Plus is Load-sensing stall guard that automatically manages power to the wheels to prevent engine stall, even under heavy load.
In addition a new auto throttle advance feature simulates the ease of driving an automatic transmission car by synchronizing tractor speed and engine power with the HST pedal. This feature also helps reduce the L40 series fuel consumption.
Mick continued: “Most of my machinery is three point linkage mounted, so it is important that this area of the tractor stands up. Kubota Tractors offer me that reliability, have excellent lifting and carrying capacity and have the strength to take hours of heavy work”
To make sure all Mick’s operators are comfortable he chooses to use tractors with integrated factory fitted Kubota cabins. These cabins offer operators a spacious layout, high back reclining seats with armrests, superior visibility and other features that help reduce fatigue and maintain productivity. The cabins have excellent head room, plenty of leg room, excellent cooling or heating capacity, and frameless, open glass windows and doors for 360 degree visibility.
The operator platform has a full floating rubber cushion that drastically reduces vibration and makes the L40 tractor one of the quietest tractors in the field.
To ensure the operator can keep a close eye on the L40 tractor’s operating conditions an Intelli Panel digital display provides easy to read indicators and sensor messages.
“The L40 series offer a level of comfort that makes tractor operating a pleasure rather than a chore” says Mick McMahon. “People often ask me why I choose Kubota my standard reply is, because they are a premium product that is reliable, gives value for money and they don’t let me down.”
For further information, or the name of your nearest dealer, please ring freecall 1800-334-653, or log on to www.kubota.com.au.
