Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield

With over a decade of experience nurturing the hallowed grounds of the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium campus (SGM), Jim Dawson has recently embraced a significant change: the adoption of electric turf maintenance equipment, specifically the Dennis ES-860 cylinder mower, marking a shift away from traditional petrol-powered machinery.

Reflecting on his time at the iconic stadium, Head Groundsman Jim says: "I've been working here for 13 years now. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time and it's a great experience to be part of the national team." Over the years, Jim has witnessed pivotal transformations in pitch maintenance, notably the transition to a hybrid pitch, a decision made a decade ago to combat nematode issues that plagued the turf. “This new pitch was an absolute game-changer,” he adds.

The introduction of the Dennis ES-860 mowers represents a milestone in Murrayfield's sustainability journey. Jim, a long-time advocate of Dennis Mowers, explains the rationale behind the switch: "Petrol costs have gone up, and there are obviously the environmental aspects to consider - we had to weigh up the pros and cons of going down the electric route." After thorough demonstrations and evaluations, the ES-860's robust features, including extended battery life and compatibility with existing G860 mower cassettes, emerged as compelling factors for Jim.
The Dennis ES-860, a 34" battery-powered turf
management system, epitomises versatility and efficiency. Offering a range of 13 interchangeable cassette options for tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, and verticutting, it ensures optimal performance for day-to-day maintenance needs. Powered by a 48V battery, the ES-860 boasts a quick 120-minute recharge time, eliminating concerns of range anxiety during prolonged use.

Jim highlights the integration of the ES-860 into Murrayfield's operations: "The battery life is great – we can get the whole pitch cut on a single charge with no problem at all." Leveraging the versatility of the machine, Jim utilises various cassettes tailored to specific maintenance requirements. "Predominantly we use the cylinders for cutting," he explains. “The brush cassettes come in handy during the winter to remove debris from the pitch to keep it clean and we’ve also got the verticutting cassette."

One of the standout features of the ES-860 is its ultra-quiet operation, a big advantage for Murrayfield's busy matchday preparations. Jim notes, "Because we have a lot of press and media still working and ‘on air’ a couple of hours after the full time whistle, they are always asking for us to turn the petrol mowers off! However, we can now carry on working with the ES-860's, because they are so quiet in operation." This not only enhances efficiency but also creates a more favourable working environment for the groundskeeping team. “I love how quiet the machines are – we can talk over them, and we don’t find ourselves shouting from one end of the pitch to another,” adds Jim.

Moreover, Jim commends Dennis Mowers for their exceptional service and expertise, particularly highlighting Ewen Wilson, Sales Manager for Scotland. "I receive an outstanding service from Dennis Mowers," he states. “Ewen has helped me a lot over the years and his knowledge of the equipment is fantastic.”

As Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium continues its sustainability journey, Jim says there will be more electric equipment on the way, affirming, "Battery-power is the way forward."

With market-leading turf maintenance equipment like the Dennis ES-860, Jim Dawson and his team are certainly ensuring that Scotland's rugby legacy thrives for generations to come.