A Guide To Evaluating Reel Mower Performance And Using The
Contents
1. affects ball roll distance and accuracy 13 To receive additional information on the TurfEvaluator contact The Toro Company Commercial Marketing Services Department 8111 Lyndale Avenue South Bloomington MN 55420 1196 or locate Toro on the Internet at www toro com Form No 97 931 SL 1997 The Toro Company All Rights Reserved Printed in U S A2. not affect playability if overall cut is good STRAIGHT MISMATCH CAUSE Inaccurate height of cut setting Uneven turf Different attitude on one unit Thicker bedknife on one unit Inconsistent turf density Worn roller bearings EFFECT Location overlap area between cutting units Appearance step in turf with color variations Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy ANGLED MISMATCH CAUSE Inaccurate height of cut Rollers not parallel with cutting edge Inconsistent turf density and texture Worn roller bearings EFFECT Location overlap area between cutting units Appearance step in turf with color variations Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy ANGLED RIDGE CAUSE Inaccurate height of cut at one end Rollers not parallel TS T TN mm Uneven turf i y ha ih Ait quM Worn roller bearings RTT nu n TU li i i i WM ji Mi AU ili JW Vat MA Ut EFFECT Location overlap area between cutting units Appearance ridge in turf with color variations Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy SCALPING CAUSE Cutting below normal maintained height of cut nconsistent turf density and texture mi T emo mproper attitude for height of cut M ij UM i ha jl Val E T i M n Wi T I Vt Maie ap EFFECT i Uu OMIT jl Lo
3. A Guide To Evaluating gt Reel Mower Performance And Using The TurfEvaluator a y I i Mod T zn T ate H PI i y a x T ar i a E 3 E F ite tera L e dom i j t i Lei ee ILI s M an TE i i The SEE TE om T a aju DL x ct Lx TO 4 4 9 dp a HES ji 1 T teat z i i i 1 1 1 J me Lu MR d eee IE EN E 1 i n J 1 INDEX REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTHY TURF 2 UNDERSTANDING REEL MOWERS 2 Cutting Unit Configuration 3 Cutting Unit Set Up And Adjustment 4 Height Of Cut 4 OPTIMIZING REEL MOWER PERFORMANCE 6 Training Operators And Mechanics 6 Maintenance Checks And Adjustments 7 EVALUATING REEL MOWER PERFORMANCE 8 Using The TurfEvaluator 9 Detectable After Cut Imperfections 10 REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTHY TURF It is essential to have a basic understanding of healthy turf and reel mowers before evaluating reel mower performance A visually appealing predictable turf surface requires many different cultural practices These include Irrigation Fertilizing Spraying Aeration Verticutting Seeding Rolling Top Dressing Grooming The execution of these practices in their proper rate and sequence is critical for groomed turf areas Mowing equipment performance is the most significant contributor to an excellent formal turf surface Keep in mind however that mowing equipment cannot camouflage poor e
4. Adjustment If the unit has this capability set for height of cut used Roller Parallelism Check for loose roller bearings Adjust or replace as necessary First parallel the front or rear roller which ever is not used for setting height of cut This paralleling roller is set to match the reel using a surface plate type fixture Height of Cut Set to desired height using an accurate tool This procedure must be done exactly the same on each cutting unit Note As reel cutting unit design and configuration continue to evolve height of cut settings may need modifying to retain visual and playability goals OPTIMIZING REEL MOWER PERFORMANCE TRAINING OPERATORS AND MECHANICS Operators and mechanics play a significant role in determining quality of cut down time and life of mowing equipment Make a commitment to train and familiarize staff with each product Remember that each type of mowing equipment will have specific characteristics behavior patterns and noise qualities Operators should become familiar with the product and listen for any unusual changes Concerns should be reported to the mechanic before significant problems develop MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND ADJUSTMENTS Toro suggests following its reel mower maintenance GREENSMASTER 3 300 and 3000 Maintenance Schedule and adjustment recommendations Minimum Recommended Maintenance Intervals Maintenance Procedure Maintenance Interval amp Ser
5. cation within one cutting unit Appearance color variations Turf appears shaved in certain areas Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy GRAIN CAUSE nconsistent turf density and texture Not alternating mowing directions consistently Not using preparation devices combs brushes etc RON i K EFFECT Location may affect all cutting units Appearance color variations not crisp cut spongy areas Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy TIRE TRACK CAUSE Tire rolling on grass Tire pressure has an effect Inconsistent turf density and texture EFFECT Appearance darker color behind tires Playability ball roll distance and accuracy are not normally affected if overall cut is acceptable CLIP MARK CAUSE Incorrect clip spacing for height of cut Reel speed too slow or fast for ground speed Reel diameter or number of blades not matched to Ail i an we conditions nia p Inconsistent turf density and texture EFFECT Location could be all cutting units Appearance clip marks in turf Playability if severe affects ball roll distance and accuracy BOBBING CAUSE Grass collecting on rollers Out of round rollers Inconsistent turf density and texture Too fast ground speed man iss i i bog PM EFFECT Location could be all cutting units Appearance wavy surface color variations Playability
6. ects effective height of cut Overall weight of the unit Grass clipping build up on rollers affects effective height of cut Roller Scrapers Retards grass clipping build up on rollers Preparation Devices Allassist to stand the grass and retard the Combs build up of grain thatch and sponginess in Brushes rotating amp fixed groomed turf Groomers Verticutters Mowing Speed Clip spacing Cut cleanliness Power requirements Stability of cutting unit Iri Ee 5 z z a CUTTING UNIT SET UP AND ADJUSTMENT Reel mower performance depends on proper set up and adjustment procedures An error of 010 of an inch in height end to end or from one cutting unit to another is visible as a mismatch see Page 11 on many golf course greens Although there are design variations in cutting units most require the same basic procedures A surface plate accurate height of cut tools and proper instruction are essential for setting up a cutting unit HEIGHT OF CUT Prior to setting up a cutting unit the term height of cut and how it relates to performance must be understood Bench Set Height of Cut In the maintenance shop a setting is done measuring height of cut from a hard level surface to the cutting edge This height is normally chosen through experience It factors in turf conditions seasonal changes and playability requirements Keep in mind that two similar cutting unit
7. n adjoining cut paths should indicate the same results DETECTABLE AFTER CUT IMPERFECTIONS The following illustrations exaggerate after cut imperfections that the TurfEvaluator can detect Potential cause and effects are listed STRAGGLER FEW They will have a minimal effect on appearance and accuracy Turf is normally acceptable for non tournament mowing conditions STRAGGLER MANY CAUSE Incorrect bedknife to reel adjustment Dull cutting edges Not in clip window Not using preparation devices Inconsistent turf texture and density Wrong type of roller used EFFECT Location within one cutting unit Appearance color variations with non crisp fecl contributes to thatch build up and spongy turf Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy STREAK CAUSE Rifled or uneven wear on bedknife Damaged area on bedknife from hitting an object s Loose bedknife screws Bent reel blade EFFECT Location within one cutting unit Appearance ridge of darker color Playability affects ball roll distance and accuracy OVERLAP MARK CAUSE Grass is double cut and rolled in this area Roller design can have an effect i i j ii m M meme EFFECT m n Wi Mt RON yo s a Location overlap area between units Nr M NU Wn VAR e Appearance color variations in overlap area Playability normally does
8. ression left by feet on the surface USING THE TurfEvaluator Many turf discrepancies are subtle and require closer examination In these instances the TurfEvaluator grass viewing tool is helpful It can assist turf managers in determining causes for poor reel mower performance and comparing the effective height of cut of one mowed surface to another The TurfEvaluator provides two horizontal viewpoints at the turf s maintained height Begin by placing the tool on the turf with slight down force on both sides While kneeling look into the mirror in a manner that places your line of sight flat across the mowed surface into the grid lines This close up view highlights effective height of cut crispness of cut or imperfections such as VIEWPOINT ONE Close up grid line view mismatch stragglers and other machine marks Note You would normally center the TurfEvaluator over streak and mismatch type discrepancies Invert the tool and slightly move your line of sight up the mirror surface and see a large expanded view of the turf This view reveals stragglers and crispness of cut VIEWPOINT TWO Large expanded view Variations in the mowed surface are normally most visible immediately after mowing Using the grid lines as a reference place the TurfEvaluator in two locations across the cut path This should indicate that the cut edges are at the same height at both locations Placing the tool i
9. s of the same or different manufacturers can be bench set the same but may cut at different effective heights due to a configuration difference i e weight rollers attitude etc Effective Height of Cut This is the actual height the grass has been cut Making an accurate height measurement on the turf is difficult due to many variables A true base is simply not present If the surface is uneven spongy or varies in density color variations in the turf may appear in the form ofa streak This is due to the effective height of cut being too low for the existing turf conditions To correct problems start or change a cultural practice change cutting unit configuration or raise the bench set height of cut The lower your height of cut the more predictable and smooth the turf surface must be Iri Ee z a Maintaining Height of Cut and Performance To accurately maintain height of cut and performance routinely check the following components Reel Bearings Check for play and roughness Replace if necessary If adjustable adjust to no lash while maintaining free rotation of the reel Bedknife to Reel Adjustment Before performing any set up procedures it is critical that the reel and knife cutting edges are straight and sharp Lap or grind as necessary Adjust as needed to ensure the knife and reel contact their full length with light contact and free reel rotation Attitude
10. tting edges cannot be corrected immediately by adjustment or overtightening Don t wait until the quality of cut has deteriorated to check the adjustment NOTE If the cutting CUTTING UNIT DULLING CURVE edges on the reel Pe Far blades and bedknife i coop are not straight and sharp the results may not be acceptable This is true even if POOR QUALITY all other set up procedures are correct On an of Za Fa 20 o ELAPSED TIME INTERVAL RECOMMENDED ADJUSTING SEQUENCE EVALUATING REEL MOWER PERFORMANCE Formal low cut turf is evaluated primarily for its visual appearance and functional performance also called playability The turf surface can be given a quick evaluation using sight and touch After mowing the surface should be firm with a crisp appearance and feel This can be sensed by placing an open palm against the surface A crisp brush type feel will usually indicate minimal stragglers and an efficient cut It is normal for the mower to leave after cut directional light and dark color paths These overall color paths are due to the turf being rolled down in the direction the mower is traveling A cut path going away from you will usually be lighter in color than the path coming toward you Smaller individual color variations can be due to differing turf types density variations and straight line mower marks A spongy area is evident by the momentary imp
11. vice Daily Checks a Check Battery Fluid Level Every Every Every ec Check Battery Cable Connections 29 1o0hrs 400hrs It is important that a visual Service Air Filter Pre Cleaner Lubricate Grease Fittings A Level check of the machine be Change Engine Oil Semio Service Air Filter Paper Element made each day This can Service Spark Plug Torque Wheel Lug Nuts B Level identify oil leaks low oil Check Reel Bearing Preload Adjustment Service Decarbon Combustion Chamber levels loose or bent Adjust Value and Torque Head Bolts Love Check Engine RPM idle and full throttle components and abnormal break in at 5 hours Initial break in at 50 hours noises Replace Moving Hoses Annual Recommendations Replace Safety Switches Items listed are recommended every 2000 z Fuel Tank Drain Flush hours or 2 years whichever occurs first Adjusting Bedknife Replace Fuel Filter Hydraulic Tank Drain Flush to Reel Replace Hydraulic Filter See Operator s and Service Manual for specifications and procedures Properly adjusting the bedknife to the reel is one of the most effective preventive maintenance practices for reel mowers The amount of contact and how frequently it is checked are major factors in performance A light contact adjustment if maintained will help keep cutting edges sharp on the reel and bedknife This requires that the adjustment be checked frequently at a predetermined time interval Dulled cu
12. xecution or lack of proper cultural practices UNDERSTANDING REEL MOWERS When properly maintained and operated reel mowers provide superior cut quality These mowers are typically dedicated to cutting formal turf areas such as golf course greens tees and fairways A reel mower consists of a rotating reel cylinder equipped with blades and a stationary bedknife The reel blades guide grass leaves toward the bedknife where they are cut by a shearing type action It cannot be overstated that reel type mowers are precision tools It is essential that they be adjusted and operated with this in mind CUTTING UNIT CONFIGURATION The component that most affects reel mower after cut appearance is the individual cutting unit Its configuration is critical to the reel mower s efficiency and performance As shown below each component of the cutting unit is designed to perform a specific function Component Performance Influence Reel Diameter Grass throw pattern and throw distance Height of cut range Number of Blades Cutting efficiency Throw pattern Length of grass blades Clip spacing Overall weight of the unit Height of cut range Speed Throw distance Cutting efficiency Clip spacing Bedknife Attitude Cutting efficiency change for different heights of cut and turf types Bedknife Type Usable life Durability Height of cut potential Roller Type Penetration into the turf aff
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