Quieter greens, better games

Diesel-powered commercial mowers are typically as loud as 105 dB. Kress robot mowers are around 60 dB. But don’t jump to conclusions: this doesn’t mean they are simply 40% quieter than diesel mowers.

Decibels (dB) are a logarithmic unit of measurement for sound intensity, which means that each increase of 3 dB represents a two-fold increase in noise pressure.

To put it into perspective, a 105 dB noise is 32,768 times more intense in terms of sound pressure than the 60 dB noise from a Kress robotic mower. While 60 dB is comparable to the sound of a normal conversation, 105 dB is akin to standing next to a busy highway or even louder.

For golf courses that value tranquillity, this difference is monumental. A quieter course means less disturbance for golfers, allowing them to focus on their game and enjoy the serene environment that is essential to the golfing experience.

Physics behind the traction

In automotive sports, it’s well-known that on slippery surfaces like snow or mud, narrower tires provide better traction. Let’s see why, and if the same applies to turf maintenance.

Friction, the force that allows movement, depends on two main factors: the coefficient of friction between the surfaces (in this case, the tire and the ground) and the perpendicular force, which is the weight of the machine. Ton-heavy machines require greater friction to move effectively because they exert more perpendicular force. They also need broad tires not to dig grooves into the turf. That’s fine on solid surfaces, but on slippery surfaces, wide tires tend to float, losing the ability to maintain sufficient contact and generate the required friction.

Lighter machines like Kress robotic mowers require much less friction to move. Their narrow tires focus the weight into a smaller contact area, ensuring they “bite” into the surface, providing reliable traction. This precise balance of weight and traction in Kress mowers ensures that your turf remains pristine, even in challenging conditions.

Don’t press too hard

When heavy machinery is used to mow grass, the weight of the machine compacts the soil, reducing the amount of space between soil particles. Soil compaction makes it more difficult for air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil, which leads to a number of negative effects:

• Reduced root growth and development due to poor soil aeration and drainage

• Increased risk of turf diseases and pest infestations due to stress and reduced vigour

• Poor water infiltration and drainage, which can lead to standing water and surface runoff

• Reduced turf density and coverage, which can impact the playability and aesthetics of the course

• Increased maintenance requirements and costs to address soil compaction and other turf issues

Weighting a fraction of any tractor, a Kress RTKn robotic lawn mowers will substantially improve the quality of the course. They also extend the lifespan of the turf and reduce the need for frequent, expensive, and disruptive renovation.

Our network

RTK, or Real-Time Kinematic, is a cutting-edge geo-positioning technique that improves the precision of satellite data. It works by comparing the data a moving object receives from satellites with the coordinates of a fixed antenna.

Unlike competitor RTK mowers that require on-site correction antennas, Kress RTKn (with the “n” symbolising network power) utilises an exclusive network of antennas, each covering an area of up to 60 km in radius.

The Kress network’s widespread coverage includes your golf course, of course.