For maximum hill-climbing and cutting unit power, the 8700A PrecisionCut™ Fairway Mower has increased horsepower over previous models. A 4-cylinder, 48.3 khp (36 kW) at 2600 rpm, turbocharged diesel engine now provides plenty of power to maintain optimum ground speed and cut with a high level of quality in the toughest conditions. The air-intake system is also designed to pull clean air from the front of the machine behind the operator’s seat, rather than dirty air from the rear of the machine. This improves engine performance and efficiency. *Engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s Web site for additional information.

More control with the TechControl display with a large easy-to-read screen

Passcode-protected TechControl display enables quickly setting or changing mowing speed, turning speed, or transport speed to limit variations in performance by different operators. Quickly adjust the mow or transport speed to make sure mow speed is what is needed for the changing conditions. The setting can be adjusted precisely using a speedometer app on a smartphone or GPS device. Use the TechControl to slow the machine during turns while mowing and protect against turf scuffing and aggressive turning operators. The turn speed control engages when in mow and the cutting units are lifted for turns. Once the turn is made and the cutting units are lowered, the machine speed returns to the set mow speed. The turn speed is a percentage of mow speed. When set to 100 percent, turn speed control is off or allows 100 percent of the mow speed in turns. Turn speed setting of 50 percent allows only 50 percent of the set mow speed to be reached during turns. Here is an example: Mow speed = 6 mph (9.66 km/h) Turn speed set at 50 percent Maximum turning speed will be 3 mph (4.83 km/h) The A-model PrecisionCut™ Mowers, E-Cut™ Hybrid Mowers, and TerrainCut™ Mowers have the latest in advanced diagnostics through the TechControl display. Most all diagnostics are performed while sitting in the operator’s seat. The TechControl has onboard visual diagnostics allowing quick and easy machine diagnostics, maximizing up time. The system allows technician to see inputs and outputs of the electrical system.  Also, the technician can see stored controller codes on the machine to aide in troubleshooting incidents that may have occurred while on the course. The TechControl will also display the notification for maintenance of the hydraulic and engine oils using service timers to notify when it has reached the time to perform the required service. Choose from a list of several languages to use for the TechControl. Operator warning notifications are incorporated into the TechControl and will alert the operator if a problem arises during operation.

Description

Hydraulic over temp

Hydraulic oil filter restriction

Engine oil pressure low

Engine coolant temperature

Reel motor

Battery voltage

The eHydro™ traction pump and wheel motors in the new A-model takes performance, traction, and operation to the next level. The new system was designed to take on the most challenging course conditions. These improvements to the traction system makes the A-models ideal for undulating terrain providing superior performance and traction out on the course. The traction system in the A-models is driven by a servo-controlled hydrostatic pump. The control of the pump is no longer mechanical linkages but instead it is electronic. In total approximately 94 parts have been eliminated from the traction drive system along with 4 adjustments compared to prior models. The design reduced the complexity of the drive system meaning no more linkages to adjust or repair decreased routine maintenance and providing reliable day-in/day-out operation. The operator will like the eHydro, too. The pedal effort has been reduced, thus reducing the foot fatigue during many hours of mowing.

For superior traction with a true hydraulic four-wheel drive (4WD), the GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System is optional equipment for the PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers. This system reduces wheel slip by sending flow from the front wheel to the opposite rear wheel. For example, if the front right wheel starts to slip, hydraulic flow is diverted to the left rear wheel to maintain positive traction. By allowing the flow to cross over to the opposite rear wheel, the system maintains traction not only while climbing straight up hills, but also on side hills, as well. The GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System is always engaged when driving forward with the PrecisionCut and E-Cut Hybrid Fairway Mowers. There are no electronics to engage the 4WD system, simplifying the electrical system and the design of the valve at the rear of the machine. In reverse, a standard switch is provided that disengages 4WD. The switch senses that the reverse pedal has been depressed and shuts off flow to the rear drive wheels. This ensures that the front drive tires are doing the work in reverse rather than the rear tires, minimizing wheel slip and scuffing of turf when backing up an incline.

Ever wanted stripes as straight as they are on the greens? The A-Model PrecisionCut™ Mowers and E-Cut™ Hybrid Mowers do exactly that. Utilizing the same style steering cylinder as on the 2500B PrecisionCut and 2500E E-Cut Hybrid Riding Greens Mowers, the PrecisionCut and E-Cut Hybrid Mowers can mow the straightest lines of any mower in the industry today. Traditional hydraulic cylinders have a rod on only one side of the cylinder. The cylinder on the A-models has one rod that goes through both sides of the cylinder. This equalizes volume and pressure on both sides of the cylinder packing, helping the operator make perfectly straight lines with little effort. This system also equalizes the steering effort, meaning easy turns whether turning to the right or to the left.

When considering a fairway mower’s effects on turf compaction, there is more to it than just weight alone. Weight is only a small factor in determining turf compaction. A key component is the selection of tires used on the machine involves both sizing and tread patterns. The John Deere PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers use large, 26×14-12 front tires for proper front weight distribution, and 20×10-8 tires in the rear to distribute the rear weight. Both tires use a turf tread to maximize turf friendliness. They excel in weight distribution providing low ground pressure onto the turf. This provides less tracking, less marking, and less compaction.

Easier daily maintenance points are designed into the machine to assist operators with complete daily maintenance and to keep the machine running at peak performance, saving valuable time and money. For ease of service, all daily engine checks are easily accessible by raising the hood. These service points include an engine-oil level check, a coolant level check, hydraulic fluid level, and an air-restriction indicator. The A-model PrecisionCut™ Mowers, E-Cut™ Hybrid Mowers, and TerrainCut™ Mowers feature a radiator screen easily removed without tools and tilt-out oil cooler for easy cleaning.

LoadMatch is an electronic setting through the TechControl display that allows managers more control of the machine and how it is operated when out on the course. Most operators will mow as fast as the mow setting will allow, keeping their traction pedal all the way down. However, in some conditions this can lead to poor cut quality. One example is getting behind in mowing due to weather conditions. The grass is long and lush and to properly cut that amount of grass at one time, the operator should slow the traction speed. This allows the cutting units to maintain proper turning speed, process the grass, and properly cut in one pass. Not slowing down causes missed grass and an uneven appearance. This affects the after-cut appearance and also reduces productivity by having to mow a second time to properly cut the lush grass. The LoadMatch feature compensates the traction speed of machine to keep power to the cutting units.  In the long, lush conditions described above with LoadMatch engaged, the operator would still have the traction pedal all the way down, but the machines would sense the load and slow the traction speed to properly cut the mowing pass. Once the load is reduced, the machine will return to the normal mow speed. LoadMatch puts the manager in control of cut quality, instead of the operator.

The 6700A, 7700A, and 8700A PrecisionCut™ Fairway Mowers allow all five cutting units to rotate to a vertical position while on the machine, gaining access to the bedknife for quick in-field service. The Rotate for Service feature is an exclusive feature of the 6700A, 7700A, and 8700A PrecisionCut Fairway Mowers. It is simple and easy to use RFS. Simply use one hand to pull up on the cutting unit yoke to remove weight from the RFS spring; use the other hand to push the spring lever down on the front cutting units. Then use the hydraulic lift system on the machine to pick the cutting units up, and they will move into the vertical position. Lower the cutting units to the ground; the bedknife will be completely accessible without having to remove cutting units from the traction unit or have access to a machine lift.

The 6500A, 6700A, 7500A, 7700A, and 8700A PrecisionCut™ and 7500A E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers all have cutting units that contact up stops for transport. These up stops are rubber and limit cutting units from swinging during transport. The lift system also folds the two wing units inside the tires to limit possibility of damage to the wing units when transporting through and around objects on the course.