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™ Grey Box™ Westringia fruticose ‘WES04’ PBR

For anyone involved in planning, establishing and managing landscapes, the end result is to ensure resilience and survival of all vegetation in order to deliver a thriving landscape for all to enjoy. In most cases, the aim of a landscape is to provide the end user with an aest-hetically pleasing place that meets their expectations. Increasingly, the economic, environmental or social benefits generated from these landscapes are also being considered. However, in all cases the benefits of landscapes are greatly influenced by their longevity.

landscape, have you ever wondered what it thinks? This question may be left field, but it is a valuable concept that should be front and centre when it comes to planning, establishing and managing trees in landscapes. Imagine if trees could talk – what would they say? Would a tree in an urban environment be happy in their location or would they draw to your attention the hostile environment in which they battle against on a day-to-day basis?

More often than not, there is little attention given to the needs of trees when integrating them into landscapes.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine 21.1cc

Output 0.65kW

Cutting length500mm (A2)/ 620mm (B2)/ 780mm(C2)

Dry weight4.3kg (A2)/ 4.7kg (B2)/5.2kg (C2)

Fuel capacity 300ml

Bad Boy Maverick Zero-Turn Mower

Bad Boy’s Maveric zero-turn is a commercial-grade mower that is built to last.

Bad Boy have been producing zero-turns in the United States for

15 years and have proved successful,

growing and expanding their product lines over the years with the pledge to “Keep building a better mower for a better price”.

Bad Boy mowers have been on the market in Australia for a while now; although this is the first time I have had the pleasure of operating one.

The Maverick is the latest in the Bad Boy range and at first glance it is easy to see it is a tough and simply laid out machine, which is exactly what is needed in a commercial environment. Available in 48”, 54” or 60” decks with the choice of a Kohler (25hp) or Kawasaki (24hp) engine, the Maverick has a wide choice of options.

I tested the 54” with the Kohler 25hp engine, which is fitted with the ‘Cyclonic’ Air filter system that consists of a large

filter with pre-filter. The air is circulated around the inside of the filter housing to remove any larger debris before entering the filters resulting in cleaner air and longer engine life. The fabricated 4.76mm deck is reinforced around the front and side edges adding to the machine’s tough qualities.

A rubber discharge chute is forgiving on any obstacles it comes into contact with if the operator misjudges. The chute hinges up and stays in position for transport and also makes loading in tight situations easier because often it’s a case of holding the chute up while trying to drive up a trailer ramp with one hand. The plastic spindle covers have a decent opening on the ends to dispel and minimise debris build-up from around the pulleys; they do need tools for removal though.

I like the hydraulic deck lift and easy height adjustment. A simple push of the switch on the control panel raises or lowers the deck and an easy-to-see height gauge attached to the frame on the right of the foot pan lets the operator select the desired height by simply letting go of the switch. The only downside to

this system (and I’m being picky) is the speed of travel. It is fairly slow moving so lifting the deck at the last second to avoid an obstacle is slower than a foot override deck-lift system. The Maverick controls are smooth and responsive making it easy to operate around obstacles and it produced a neat, even cut.

Fitted to this machine is Bad Boy’s patented EZ-Ride System, which consists of an independent front-end arm support and twin rubber compression bushes on either side at the rear of the machine. This simple system requires no maintenance; it dampens the pounding experienced on rough terrain, therefore providing a much smoother experience for the operator. Adding to

operator comfort is a rubber mat on the foot pan, armrests on the seat and adjustable control handles. However, the armrest does slightly obstruct part of the control panel.

Access for maintenance is excellent around the cutting deck, under the seat and around the engine. There are minimal nooks and crannies for debris to accumulate, which makes it simple to blow down/clean off the machine at the end of the day.

The Bad Boy Maverick is a well-priced machine for all its features; it performs well and it is made to last with good old-fashioned American engineering. Bad Boy also offers a two-year commercial warranty on the Maverick.

> Test drive WORDS: ANDREW TULLOCH | IMAGES: JAMIE GRAY

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Kohler V-Twin 747cc

Output 25hp

Cutting width 54 inches

Fuel capacity 24.6 litres