The second BALI and NCF sponsored 'Coping with Slopes' event, was held on March 26th at the Severn Trent, Draycote Water facility.

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Reform bank tractor range & Sales Agent for the Shibaura SG280 slope mower said, “Operator safety really matters and recent incidents and high profile litigation due to ground care machinery overturning has put the spotlight firmly back on the grounds maintenance sector to ensure any equipment used is fit for purpose. Visitors to Draycote were keen to hear about the benefits of Reform and Shibaura products when working safely at up to 45 degree angles.

Under Health and Safety regulations and PUWER, (The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), all employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that any equipment provided for the use of an employee is safe to use. The law states that work equipment must be safe when supplied and is used correctly to minimise risk of accidents or injury.

Visitors to our website www.slopemower.co.uk can find a wide range of solutions and multifunctional equipment specifically suited for the maintenance of difficult terrain. Advice to enable the right choices and decisions to be made is also available.” A number of national bodies offer training and advice on correct practice including the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA), Health & Safety Executive, Lantra Awards, National Association of Agricultural Contractors and NFU. Broadly, the product areas identified as relevant to the ground care sector are compact tractors, cylinder & rotary ride-on mowers, flail pedestrian operated mowers, cylinder and rotary pedestrian operated mowers and flail operated ride-on mowers”

Simon concludes “A simple solution to ensure operator safety is to fit a Tiltmaster inclinometer to find out the angle of any slope. If you are unsure then take advice, because choosing the correct machine can save both money and lives and to ignore operator health & safety is not an option”

Reform tractors give optimum performance so operatives can work confidently where it would not be safe on foot with hand held equipment. They produce tractors from 44hp -70 hp in the Metrac G series & 46hp - 82hp in their Metrac H (hydrostatic) series for a wide range of users including amenity, utility, contractor and golf sectors.

Rated for safe working at up to 30 degrees the Shibaura SG280 slope mowers 50-50 weight distribution and 1500mm wheel base deliver the stability and safety of operation required when at work on steep inclines. 0perator comfort, with low noise and vibration levels, fully adjustable horizontal rolling seat and a twenty six litre fuel tank for more efficient working make this machine one of the most cost effective compacts available.

For more information go to www.slopemower.co.uk