ON TRACK WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Following several successful demonstrations in late 2008, the Environment Agency has recently taken delivery of four new IRUS Deltrak radio controlled flail mowers from the T H White Grasscare depot at Reading. These mowers are unique in the market in that they are mounted on, and powered by adjustable width tracks, they are remote controlled and have a pivoting diesel engine to allow them to work at otherwise unsafe angles.

These machines were ordered with the 1.25 metre heavy duty flail head. Obviously with remote controls, any hand or arm vibration issues, as well as other safety issues, are automatically taken care of.

Key points considered by the Agency during its initial assessments were; access to awkward areas unattainable by larger tractors; working on extreme banks in safety; low ground pressure for minimum ground damage; elimination of punctures due to tracks; the ability to insert spikes into the tracks for even greater traction; and ease of movement from site to site. These machines are used from as far north as Yorkshire and as far south as Romney Marsh in Kent. Gareth Oliver the Team Leader for Romney Marsh, commented: “These machines are proving to be a great asset in that we can now access areas previously not possible, or which are dangerous. They are easily moved around and can be used in the wet from the comfort of a truck cab. We are using them for approximately three days a week at pumping stations, reservoir banks and sea defences locally”