John Deere has set out its vision for a more connected, guided and electrified future for greenkeepers at BTME 2022, as the company prepares to make more ground-breaking technology available to UK golf courses.
The agricultural machinery company unveiled their aims for a more efficient and sustainable future for course owners and managers, with their JDLink™ technology from the agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and electrified machines.
At the international turf management exhibition, BTME, in Harrogate this week, John Deere outlined how recent product development and acquisitions had provided the foundations for three new principles for golf course care; Connect, Guide, Manage.
Along with unveiling details of the acquisition of cloud-based golf course management software, OnLink, which will soon be launched across Europe - the company also revealed their vision for more guided and semi-autonomous operations on the course.
John Deere’s Sales Manager for Turf and Golf, Chris Meacock, said: “At John Deere, we believe the future of golf course maintenance is about connectivity, sustainability, autonomy and intelligence, while embracing electric.
“Our exciting plans for the next few years involve applying our proven technology innovations to all our golf equipment, so that greenkeepers can better plan for weather conditions, forecast accurate budgets and meticulously manage equipment and labour costs.
“The John Deere OnLink golf course management solution will be key for allowing greenkeepers to save valuable time, increase operational efficiency by identifying the problem areas causing delays in task completion, reduce cost of ownership, and provide increased security and peace of mind. I also envisage greenkeeping teams harnessing its data for future decision making and increasing effective communication.”
Electrification
John Deere is also committing to electrify its golf portfolio.
In February the company presented its 185 / 225 E-Cut™ Electric Walk Greens Mowers in the USA for the first time. Powered by 48V Lithium-Ion Battery, the electric mowers produce zero emissions and low sound levels.
John Deere’s journey to electrification, as well as developing battery drive equipment, will emphasise the addition of smart features to make operation easier and more comfortable, putting the decision making into the hand of head greenkeepers so the performance in the field is the same on every area, at every time, independent from the operator.