Ransomes Jacobsen introduced the first remote controlled mower to the UK’s landscaping community at the IOG’s SALTEX Show back in 2004. It was called the Spider I, for its ability to mimic the all-round movement of the insect species and was specifically designed for mowing steep banks and slopes. It featured four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering and mows in any direction. The large rotary blade has an 81cm (32”) cutting width and the machine can mow sloping ground with up to a 40° incline. It is remotely controlled, using a radio frequency transmitter with a range of 50 metres.

Safety was a major feature of this unique mower; a totally new concept for maintaining awkward and difficult sloping areas. If the machine exceeds a range of 50 metres or the signal becomes obstructed, a STOP command is generated and it stops immediately. If another machine with the same radio frequency is working in the vicinity, again it stops immediately. There are two emergency stop buttons, one on the transmitter and one on the body of the mower. Also it cannot be started if the mowing blade clutch is engaged; if the hydrostatic gear is not set to neutral or if the transmitter is more than 50 metres from the machine.

As well as inherent safety, there are significant health and safety benefits to the operator. It is no longer necessary to stand with a string trimmer or walk with a mower on steep slopes putting excess pressure on hip, knee and ankle joints which can lead to joint stress in later life. The potential danger of roll over associated with ride-on mowers in marginal areas is now eliminated. Also, the operator is not subjected to any hand/arm vibration, as there is no physical contact with the machine, and there is no exposure to the constant noise levels inherent with a pedestrian or ride-on machine.

Front to back and side to side the Spider I measures 1300mm with a height of just 850mm it is a very compact machine with a low centre of gravity, making it ideal for its dedicated slope mowing applications. It has mowing height of 60-110 mm, which can be electrically adjusted from the operator’s console; a lower height of cut kit available as a customer option.

It can reach 8 km/h in transport mode and mows in low speed up to 3 km/h and in high speed up to 7 km/h. Power is supplied by a two cylinder, four stroke, 17hp, 494cc Kawasaki petrol engine with electronic ignition and electric start. The fuel tank has a capacity of 11 litres.

Early 2007 saw the introduction of the larger Spider II, with improved stability, higher productivity, a finer cut and easier manoeuvrability. Now with four rotary blades, the cutting width increased by more than 50% to 1.23 metres with an improved quality of cut. Being larger, a more powerful engine was required, so it now features a 23hp, 625cc Kawasaki petrol engine developing 17.2 kW at 3600 rpm.

Height of cut ranges increased with two options available: 50mm-100mm or 90mm-140mm providing more mowing options. With a wider cutting width productivity increases up to 7,500 m² per hour. The standard climbing ability remains at 40° but the attachment of an optional synchronised winch increases its slope climbing ability to 55°. The winch is synchronized with ground speed for ease of operation.

Completing the Spider range is the Spider Mini. Introduced in 2011, it is smallest in the range and is targeted at the smaller landscape contractor or high-end consumer.

Compact in size at only 1040 mm x 900 mm with a 56 cm width of cut, the Spider Mini can access smaller and more difficult areas on wooded slopes, riverbanks and other constricted areas. At only 130kg its light weight ensures low fuel consumption and emissions, a turf friendly foot-print and easy transportation.

Power comes from a 6.5hp Briggs and Stratton petrol engine with hydrostatic transmission and it is capable of speeds up to 4 km/h. The single rotary blade has a cutting width of 56 cm (22 inches) with a height of cut ranging from 40mm-90mm.

The industrial quality remote control unit has been simplified to allow the operator to control the drive, steering, engine start and, if required, emergency shutdown. The height of cut and blade engagement is controlled manually on the machine. As with the two larger machines, the use of radio remote control allows the operator to safely control the mower without the need to stand on sloping ground and, of course, there are no hand and arm vibration issues.

Unique chain portals ensure a reliable maintenance-free drive and help to provide a lower centre of gravity for greater stability. It will climb 25 degree slopes and with productivity up to 1500 sq metres per hour on a single litre of fuel, the Spider Mini is the ideal, cost-effective mower for difficult to access areas that require a maintained finish, such as lakes, dams, pastures and sloping lawns.