Page 10 - OPE Nov 21-Feb 22

MARKETPLACE
ZTR Mowers
JOHN DEERE
ZTR SLASHES
MOWING TIME
A FLAGSHIP MODEL in John Deere’s turf equipment line-
up, the new Z515E ZTR promises a superior cut and excellent operator comfort, year round. The latest addition to John Deere’s ZTrak Series mower range, the high-performing Z515E is powered by a 17.9kW (24hp) V-twin, air-cooled engine and is available with either 122cm or 137cm Accel-Deep decks with an improved height-of-cut adjustment system.
John Deere says it can slash overall mowing time with its forward mowing speed of up to 12.9 km/h. The Z515E is also fitted with a recently upgraded rollover protective structure, and the mower housing has a fully adjustable seat equipped with armrests. A four year or 300 hour bumper-to-bumper warranty applies.
www.deere.co.nz
that takes the grass into a collection bin, and our other premium ride-on, the Bioclip with its mulch system, continues to deliver outstanding results.”
Zero-turns continue to be strong for Husqvarna “across the range”, with “huge” sales growth over the past three to four years.
“When supply is good, they’re going through and selling well. We had some big launches last year and continue to ride off that established product platform.”
The supply chain is however an ongoing pinch point, says Steve Middleton: “As with most suppliers, there’s no great consistency with supply and delivery at the moment but we continue to forecast a long way
out and we’ve done very well to date in meeting market demand. Manufacturing componentry is the latest industry challenge that’s sure to be around for a while yet.”
Great weather + short supply = perfect storm?
Steve Huddleston is equally upbeat about Masport’s prospects with Gravely in the
ZTR category, what with its 2022/23 range set to offer more commercial solutions, starting with the Pro-Turn 600 series.
Offering a significant price break to PT600, Masport will also be re-introducing Gravely’s Pro-Turn 200, which remains a strong seller in the Australian market, he says.
“It will allow the smaller contracting firm or even high-end lifestyle buyer access to a fully professional machine but without the ticket price of the 600 series,” says Steve.
Compared with more “lifestyle” machines, Steve Huddleston emphasises how the step up to Gravely’s Pro-Turn adds another dimension of durable materials, heavy construction, more commercial- focused engines, transmissions, bigger wheels, superior tyres, forged commercial pullies and more robust spindles.
“And the seats are more comfortable
and built to withstand all different sizes of operators. This is vital as, ultimately, greater operator comfort increases productivity. All these benefits are supported by industry-
leading warranties and longer run intervals before servicing is required.”
In terms of commercial electric ZTR ride-ons, Gravely lays claim to being the only company at this time able to offer four replaceable battery systems that can be swapped in and out to continue runtimes.
Steve Huddleston is optimistic about what this means for Masport here: “We have two operating as demonstration machines at the moment and plan to introduce the Pro-Turn 60 in March/April and more new models in May.
“The demonstrators have been out with leading recreational services companies
and we’ve received nothing but positive feedback about them. They are a game- changer for the commercial ZTR industry as councils and government departments start to mandate electric in the maintenance of certain sites.”
But interest remains just potential unless product actually arrives on these shores: “We know the market interest and potential demand are there, and people are itching to
get started [with battery-electric], but the clanger is supply,” Steve admits.
“This also goes for petrol-powered products from the USA and is not only limited to the Gravely brand – there is a worldwide shortage of quality ZTR mowers and US internal demand for anything in the power garden sphere is ‘through the roof ’ to the point that supply outside of the States is very difficult.”
We are hearing that this situation extends to the supply of engines, transmissions, and OEM components.
“All are in short supply, creating further issues around availability,” confirms Steve Huddleston.
“It’s taking us six months to get stock and even then it’s a portion of what we originally ordered.”
And, you guessed it, there doesn’t seem to be a quick fix in sight as 2021 draws to a close, with Steve Huddleston not alone in suggesting “rationing of supply” will continue “throughout 2022 and quite possibly into 2023.” n
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010 NZ OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT NOVEMBER 2021-FEBRUARY 2022
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