AS 1040 YAK 4WD – designed for tough professional use

Harald Josef Ernstberger – an authority on the entire AS-Motor product range – tested the professional ride-on mower AS 1040 YAK 4WD under tough practical conditions. His assessment of this major innovation was clear: "The new mower from AS is a true professional machine. You can work at high speeds even under extreme conditions and save a lot of time. The cutting results are absolutely clean and impressive."

"My employees and I are familiar with the entire AS-Motor product range, from handheld to ride-on and flail mowers," says the trained landscape architect. He adds: "We have tried other brands, but if you use mowers as intensively as we do, there is no alternative to AS-Motor. Our machines run an average of between 300 and 600 operating hours per year." Based in Ebermannstadt in the area known as Franconian Switzerland, Joe's Forstservice has a wide range of work areas. On the one hand, the medium-sized company is involved in classic landscape maintenance, while forestry often requires them to fell trees using rope climbing techniques.

No fear of extreme conditions

In summer, the maintenance of green areas is top priority, with a speciality in solar fields. "We are responsible for almost 400 hectares of green areas. We usually mow twice a year for a total of nearly 800 hectares annually. And the conditions are not easy. We often mow to the edge of shrubbery where the vegetation is up to a metre high and mixed with small bushes and lots of weeds. It is hard work to get through there," explains the 39-year-old. "To thoroughly test the new mower, we used it mainly under these difficult conditions. And I must say that the ride-on flail mower is superior to other mowers. It takes it to a new level," says Ernstberger, convinced after his intensive endurance test. "If you drive the rotary mower into these areas, you have to reduce the speed and even then you notice that the engine reaches its limits. But these conditions do not affect the new flail mower. I drive it at full speed and still achieve absolutely clean cutting results."

The AS 1040 YAK 4WD's uniform cutting results are delivered by a newly developed 100 cm wide flail mower unit and a 23 hp Vanguard engine that transfers its power directly to the flail rotor via a belt drive. In addition, the mower unit is asymmetric. "With the flail mower, you do not need to overlap – you can mow absolutely evenly and it will be perfectly clean. The working speed is unbeatable. I would say that the flail mower's working speed is at least 25% higher than that of a classic ride-on mower."

Ernstberger mentions other advantages: "The Y-shape of the flails significantly reduces the impact of stones. With a rotary mower, a stone can be thrown out up to 20 metres; with the new flail mower, a stone only rolls a few metres away from the mower. This is a significant advantage for us when maintaining solar systems." In addition, the mobility of the flails makes them much less susceptible to wear and the mower unit much more robust. "With a rotary mower, I sharpen the blades every 40 to 50 operating hours. I have now tested the flail mower for 40 hours and the cutting capacity has not decreased in any way, nor has the cutting pattern deteriorated. I estimate that the blades should be turned after about 150 hours." Suitable service openings and openings provide easy access to all maintenance points; flails and drive belts are quickly replaced. "For all AS machines, you can change belts, blades and flails yourself without any problems. This means that I do not have to take the mower to a specialist workshop, nor do I have to disassemble the machine."

Uniformly positioned

In addition to his work on solar fields, Harald Josef Ernstberger, or Joe as his friends call him, also uses the AS 1040 YAK 4WD for classic green maintenance on industrial and commercial areas. While on solar fields the primary goal is to eliminate shade, appearance plays a major role on industrial and commercial areas. "The cutting pattern is outstanding. The professional ride-on mower mulches the grass very finely and achieves completely uniform results," he says enthusiastically.

In summer, Joe's Forstservice team is often on the road for days or weeks at a time, mowing solar fields and other green areas all over Germany. Thus, comfort is also an advantage. "The new seats offer optimal suspension and you can adjust them for each individual operator. They are very comfortable," adds Harald Ernstberger with a smile: "You can imagine that you are sitting in a Golf or an SUV. The new professional ride-on mower is the SUV of mowers."

"Its low centre of gravity also qualifies the new ride-on mower for use on extreme slopes. The engine is absolutely high-torque and high-traction and shows no weaknesses, even when the terrain becomes more difficult. Four-wheel drive and limited slip differential work in wet conditions and help you get out of everything," is Harald Ernstberger's clear answer regarding the mower's suitability for slopes and difficult terrain. "In summary, the new ride-on flail mower from AS-Motor succeeds in all aspects of tough professional use."