A prestigious college with a history of producing elite sporting athletes has marked its 100th anniversary with a significant investment in its groundscare.
Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire has completely renewed its machinery to maintain a huge area of sports pitches.
A GPS precision sprayer has been added to the fleet, and combustion engines have given way to electric wherever possible in line with the college’s sustainability ambitions.
Out of the total 1,200 acres on the site, the team is responsible for 150 acres which includes 14 winter pitches ranging from full size rugby and football to touch rugby and seven-aside football pitches.
The grounds team upgraded its fleet of John Deere kit this year to better service the sports fields and to contribute to the college’s overall aim to reduce carbon emissions.
“The school was passionate about cutting carbon emissions even before the current issues with power prices,” says Alistair Cotton, Grounds and Gardens Manager. “Opting for electric TE Gators was just one element of that.”
So far, the team have been pleased with the performance.
“They last a day and we’ve had no issues with battery life,” he says. “Compared to the combustion Gators we had before, they are not as fast, but they do the job just as well.
“We’ve been with John Deere for 15 years,” Alistair says, “they’re always very competitive on price and the reliability of the machines is as good as any.”
Lord Wandsworth College is one of the only independent schools in the country to operate a John Deere Progator GPS sprayer.
“Not only does it improve the spraying, but it also makes everything else better too – the process is better because of it,” he explains.
The 7700 fairway mowers are used to cut the cricket outfield in the summer and the winter pitches throughout the winter. The 9009A cuts in-between the pitches and the athletics area in the summer.
The deal also included two 4066R tractors, an 8900A triple mower and the Gators have trailers on the back to transport mowers and markers around.
The team has also taken delivery of a 3046R compact tractor alongside the five electric TE Gators.
“The team has been really pleased with the new kit – with John Deere, it doesn’t matter what machine you’re in, it’s all the same excellent quality and ease of operation.” Alistair says.