Expert Case Study: AS 990 Tahr RC – Mowing Without Turning
When Efficiency Becomes Safety
Steep embankments, long slopes, difficult terrain – here, it’s not just engine power that matters, but how intelligently it is used. The AS 990 Tahr RC stands for exactly this principle: maximum area performance with minimal risk.
Its concept – two-sided mowing without turning – not only saves time but fundamentally changes how professionals think about safe steep slope maintenance.
This expert report is aimed at municipalities, service providers and infrastructure operators who need to maintain long, steep slopes efficiently, gently and safely.
Roman Mühleck, Product Marketing Manager at AS-Motor:
«The Tahr RC is not an ordinary mower. It was developed to solve a real problem – namely the time and risk involved in turning on slopes.»
Mowing in Both Directions – The Technology Behind It
Conventional remote-controlled mowers have to turn after each pass. Especially in extreme slope conditions, this moment is critical – risk of slipping, loss of time and increased wear are the consequences. The AS 990 Tahr RC solves this problem with a symmetrical rotary mower that delivers the same precise cut forwards and backwards.
What sounds technically simple has massive implications for safety, soil protection and area performance in practice.
On long, linear areas, the operator saves up to 30% working time, avoids dangerous turning maneuvers and reduces the strain on man and machine.
Roman Mühleck: «If a slope is 200 meters long, why should you have to keep turning? The Tahr drives, mows – and remains stable.»
Slope Capability That Inspires Confidence
The Tahr RC is designed for slopes up to 50° – a value far exceeding what conventional ride-on mowers can achieve. Key to this are:
- Crawler chassis with Super-Grip chains: ensures grip and traction even on wet ground.
- Low center of gravity: for stability even on soft or uneven ground.
- Low ground pressure (0.13 kg/m²): protects vegetation and prevents soil damage, especially in wet zones or embankments.
«Many underestimate what weight does to wet ground,» says Mühleck. «Our machine deliberately weighs less than comparable crawler mowers – this keeps it controllable and gentle on the ground.»
Productivity That Can Be Measured
With an area performance of up to 4,500 m²/h, the Tahr RC is one of the most efficient RC mowers in its class. It works constantly, evenly and without time losses due to turning maneuvers or downtime.
Especially in large-scale projects such as solar parks, dikes or railway embankments, this efficiency adds up to measurable savings.
For municipalities and service providers, this means: shorter deployment times per area, lower personnel requirements and a significantly faster amortization of the machine.
Roman Mühleck: «In everyday use, this means: One operator with the Tahr RC can handle the same area that previously required two people with two machines – and without safety risks.»
Robust Construction, Simple Maintenance
Like all RC mowers from AS-Motor, the Tahr was also designed so that maintenance does not require specialist knowledge.
The foldable engine cover allows direct access to all service points.
Minimal electronics, robust hydraulics and mechanical components guarantee reliability even under continuous load.
The Tahr RC was developed in Bühlertann based on decades of experience in steep slope mowing – a combination of innovation and tradition.
«We don’t build experiments, but solutions,» Mühleck summarizes. «The Tahr is an example of how much practical knowledge is in every detail.»
Compact Design – Efficient in Transport
Performance alone is not enough in everyday municipal use. What matters is how quickly and easily a machine can get to the deployment site. The AS 990 Tahr RC was therefore deliberately designed to be compact.
Its low height, closed design and balanced weight allow transport in standard transporters or on compact trailers – without special solutions, without additional logistics. This saves time, reduces costs and makes the Tahr RC particularly attractive for municipal yards and service providers with changing deployment sites.
Even in use, the small footprint shows: little space required, low ground pressure and controlled movements even in tight areas such as bridgeheads, underpasses or wind turbines. The operator remains outside the danger zone, the machine works where space is limited and safety is crucial.
In short: The Tahr RC is not only built for the slope, but for the entire deployment process – from arrival to the last pass.
Application Example: Bridgeheads, Underpasses & Infrastructure Maintenance
Bridgeheads, underpasses and transition areas along roads and paths are among the most demanding deployment sites in municipal green maintenance. Tight space conditions, varying inclines, hard edges, concrete structures and often wet ground meet high safety requirements and ongoing traffic here.
The AS 990 Tahr RC was developed precisely for these situations.
Thanks to its compact crawler chassis and the ability to mow forwards and backwards, the Tahr RC can fully maintain linear slopes on bridges, ramps and underpasses without risky turning maneuvers near structures or drop edges. The operator always remains at a safe distance above or to the side of the area.
The advantage of the system is particularly evident at bridgeheads:
- No turning in tight spaces, no slipping at edges
- Consistent tracking along concrete, guardrails and railings
- Low ground pressure protects slopes from washout and erosion damage
- Remote control keeps the operator away from traffic, heights and poorly visible zones
Roman Mühleck puts it succinctly: «Especially at bridgeheads or underpasses, turning is the most dangerous moment. The Tahr RC eliminates precisely this risk factor.»
The Tahr RC also demonstrates its strengths under structures and at hard-to-see transitions. The combination of low height, high slope capability up to 56° and controlled RC steering allows for clean work where conventional machines reach their limits or are not even allowed to be used.
For municipalities and infrastructure operators, this means:
more safety, fewer closures, shorter deployment times and permanently maintained structures.
Conclusion: Efficiency Only Becomes Valuable When It Is Safe
The AS 990 Tahr RC is not a showpiece or a technical experiment, but a precise work tool for professionals who have to calculate daily under real conditions – with time, risk, personnel and soil conditions. Its concept follows a clear logic: Where turning is dangerous, time-consuming or damaging to the soil, it must be eliminated. By mowing on both sides without turning maneuvers, the Tahr RC not only reduces working time but also eliminates one of the most critical moments in steep slope operation. The result is a measurable increase in area performance with simultaneously higher work safety and lower strain on man, machine and ground.
In the AS-Motor RC portfolio, the Tahr RC thus stands for linear efficiency on long steep slopes – on embankments, bridgeheads, underpasses and infrastructure-sensitive areas where soil stability, precision and safety are crucial. In the context of sustainable green and infrastructure maintenance, the concept is also convincing: low ground pressure protects vegetation and root systems, avoids erosion and reduces rework. Fewer interventions, less damage, longer service life – economically and ecologically sensible.
Roman Mühleck sums it up aptly: «Not everyone needs automation. But those who want to work efficiently need solutions that consistently combine safety and productivity.»
The AS 990 Tahr RC is precisely such a solution – for professionals who not only mow but also bear responsibility.
Experience Mowing Without Turning – Live in Action
See for yourself how the AS 990 Tahr RC saves time, reduces risks and redefines efficiency on steep slopes. Whether embankment, slope or infrastructure-sensitive area – experience the difference where it counts: in practice.
Arrange a live demonstration at a specialist dealer near you or discover the entire AS-Motor RC portfolio.
