Petrol powered Polaris Rangers proved to be the perfect option for a grounds maintenance firm who needed true versatility to tackle the wide range of tasks they tackle across Essex.

Chris Cheek, owner and managing director of Skippers Ground Maintenance, uses a Polaris 1000 and 570 from the Ranger series to carry out a whole host of tasks connected with his business.

The firm offers contract site maintenance, verge mowing and arboriculture services amongst others. He also takes on local authority and school contracts for sports field renovations, line marking, plant watering and bin collections.

It is these jobs where the Polaris comes into its own – and beats the competitors.

Chris says they had used a UTV from a leading competitor previously but when it came to replacing the vehicles, as he does every five to seven years, they were prompted to take a look at what the Polaris could offer.

“We were initially interested in going electric because we do early morning watering and, it was that, which prompted us to look at the Polaris XP Kinetic electric vehicle.

“The electric option was great but we also explored the petrol and diesel Polaris models while we were there. The petrol version ticked all the boxes for us and we opted for that.”

Skippers Ground Maintenance employs 25 members of staff and has contracts with local and district councils, schools and sports facilities.

The firm uses the Polaris Ranger 1000 during the summer months for early morning watering of hanging baskets in town centres.

The left-hand drive configuration is a key safety benefit, allowing operators to work from the kerbside. The vehicle has been modified to include a detachable watering lance, and with a payload capacity of 569 kg, it can comfortably carry a 500-litre water tank—making it ideal for urban watering duties.

In the afternoons, the team uses the vehicle for emptying bins. Its compact size and excellent maneuverability allow it to drive right up alongside bins, significantly reducing the time and effort needed for collections.

The Ranger 570 is dedicated to the initial and over-marking of sports pitches at schools and sports clubs. It has been fitted with a Traqnology GPS auto-steer line marking system, offering exceptional accuracy and efficiency.

With its light footprint and class-leading turf mode, the vehicle is well-suited for marking multiple pitches without causing surface damage. This new system complements Skippers’ existing setup, which includes GPS robots and electric ride-on marking vehicles, and represents a further enhancement to the firm’s line marking capabilities.

Skippers were also drawn to Polaris for its flexibility when it comes to adaptations and alterations, as well as the vehicle’s built-in safety features and road-capable speed.

This makes it ideal for travelling between sites and carrying out a wide range of daily duties. The team also fits the vehicle with a snow plough and spreader during winter months, enabling efficient clearance of snow and ice – further demonstrating its value as a truly year-round workhorse.

Chris worked closely with his local Polaris dealer, RC Boreham in Chelmsford, to specify the extras needed for his operations. He also enlisted the support of a specialist truck builder to carry out further adaptations tailored to the business’s requirements.

Reflecting on the impact the Polaris vehicles have had, Chris says the benefits were immediate – particularly with tasks like watering.

“I started the watering operation around 16 years ago, and back then it was a two-person job,” he explains. “Now, with the Polaris, one person can handle it alone. It’s incredibly nimble, and having this kind of utility vehicle has made life much easier.”

With the machines in daily use across multiple contracts, reliability and efficiency are key.

“We work them hard – day in, day out – which is why I replace our equipment every five years,” Chris adds. “These vehicles are heavily used, but they do the job – and they do it well.”