Ipswich, England: Production of the first-ever Jacobsen HR800 mower has been completed at the Ransomes Jacobsen Centre of Excellence.

The completion of the first-ever fully built HR800 large area rotary mower is a seminal moment for the brand. Production has been moved to the factory in Ipswich so investments in skills and developments in mower production could be focused on a single facility.

Andre Andrade, Jacobsen’s Key Account Manager, has observed the progress of the mower throughout the build and is excited to see the HR800 kick-off Jacobsen production in Ipswich.

He said: “It has been great to start production of the HR800. To see the first fully assembled machine is exciting. Bringing all Jacobsen production to England is an important step for us, and everyone at the factory has been eager to get it under way.

“The situation with Coronavirus has caused challenges all over the world, but for us, it has solidified our relationship with our colleagues in America who have assisted our production team leader, Matt Pipe, during construction.

“Matt has worked almost single-handedly producing this mower. As a result, we now have someone who is an expert. When it comes to customer support, that will be a huge asset because in Matt we have someone who can offer in-depth advice because he has an insight into that machine that no one else has.

“Over time, that knowledge will be shared with the engineers in the factory and the sales team, so we will all have a strong understanding of the product as we do with the others we produce here.”

Completing the project has taken over two months, from picking parts from pallets to the finished mower. It has been Pipe’s biggest challenge in his eight years at Ransomes Jacobsen and one he has taken great pride in.

Pipe said: “I’ve been here for eight years, and I was around for the BETA build of the MP, so to be able to do this is quite something for me. I’m really proud of what we produce here at the factory, and I’m proud to be able to say that I was the first to build the HR800 in the United Kingdom.

“It has been a unique opportunity to learn everything about this mower because we started with technical drawings and parts on pallets through to the finished product. Doing that means I’ve been able to use what I already know and work with the production engineers on certain areas, and Antans Lukisis on the hydraulic system so I’ve constantly been learning throughout the process. I think that’s what has made it so enjoyable.”

The HR800 features a powerful 74hp Kubota turbo diesel engine, with MARBAIN Boron Alloy Steel blades that offer a 4.9-metre width of cut.

Jacobsen is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.