Replacing Bedknifes (frequency) Cancel The title field is required!

1. Dru Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   4/18/2013 6:04 AM

   I am curious as to how often guys are having to change their bedknifes on walkmowers with Ultradwarf greens. We veriticutt once a week and topdress lightly once a week. My mechanic cant get one grind out of a set of bedknifes that have been used for two and a half weeks. I water in our topdressing following the app. that being said we only pick up very little sand plus we are using counter rotating brushes, this is on Flex 2100's. We walkmow 5-6 times a week. It would cost us $500 every two weeks to keep a quality cut. I cant possibly believe that this is the norm for other Ultradwarf courses...????

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   4/18/2013 10:04 AM

   We get about 3 weeks out of the Micro-cut bedknives on our Toro 3150 triplexes (part# 93-4262). We topdress when the golf pro doesn't cry about lost revenue. This is on TifDwarf bermuda mowed at .140" daily. Should give you a comparison.
   
   The lower heights of cut require the thinner bedknives. I'd be curious to know if ANYBODY gets a single grind out of these before they are trashed, topdressing or not. The used ones do make great machetes.

   
   
   
   
3. Dinger Greg

   
   4/18/2013 2:04 PM

   Andy Jorgensen said: We get about 3 weeks out of the Micro-cut bedknives on our Toro 3150 triplexes (part# 93-4262). We topdress when the golf pro doesn't cry about lost revenue. This is on TifDwarf bermuda mowed at .140" daily. Should give you a comparison.
   
   The lower heights of cut require the thinner bedknives. I'd be curious to know if ANYBODY gets a single grind out of these before they are trashed, topdressing or not. The used ones do make great machetes.

   
   
   Cool season here, but I get several grinds out of them if we're not playing in the sand. If your picking up sand then not much you can do but replace them as needed. I usually face them on the machine every other mow or so and grind the top every week or two as needed.

   
   
   
   
4. Dru Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   4/19/2013 10:04 AM

   Greg Dinger said:

   Andy Jorgensen said: We get about 3 weeks out of the Micro-cut bedknives on our Toro 3150 triplexes (part# 93-4262). We topdress when the golf pro doesn't cry about lost revenue. This is on TifDwarf bermuda mowed at .140" daily. Should give you a comparison.
   
   The lower heights of cut require the thinner bedknives. I'd be curious to know if ANYBODY gets a single grind out of these before they are trashed, topdressing or not. The used ones do make great machetes.

   
   
   Cool season here, but I get several grinds out of them if we're not playing in the sand. If your picking up sand then not much you can do but replace them as needed. I usually face them on the machine every other mow or so and grind the top every week or two as needed.

   
   
   How well does the tool you use work for facing them while on the machine? My mechanic says he had one years ago and it bounced all around so he deems them as worthless... I have no experience with them.

   
   
   
   
5. Tony Feheregyhazi

   

   7 posts
   
   4/19/2013 10:04 AM

   For us the Bernard Rapid Facer 1000 works great. Air driven so a half decent compressor is critical. I believe we paid about 1000 bucks for one.
   
   Tony Feheregyhazi
   Superintendent
   Bridges Golf Course

   
   
   
   
6. Dinger Greg

   
   4/19/2013 10:04 AM

   Dru Clark said:

   Greg Dinger said:

   Andy Jorgensen said: We get about 3 weeks out of the Micro-cut bedknives on our Toro 3150 triplexes (part# 93-4262). We topdress when the golf pro doesn't cry about lost revenue. This is on TifDwarf bermuda mowed at .140" daily. Should give you a comparison.
   
   The lower heights of cut require the thinner bedknives. I'd be curious to know if ANYBODY gets a single grind out of these before they are trashed, topdressing or not. The used ones do make great machetes.

   
   
   Cool season here, but I get several grinds out of them if we're not playing in the sand. If your picking up sand then not much you can do but replace them as needed. I usually face them on the machine every other mow or so and grind the top every week or two as needed.

   
   
   How well does the tool you use work for facing them while on the machine? My mechanic says he had one years ago and it bounced all around so he deems them as worthless... I have no experience with them.

   
   
   
   I should clarify:
   By "on the machine", I meant on the grinder. I am a huge fan of the Rapidfacer, but not for these little thin things. The bedbar fall out of the cutting in about 30 seconds, so I just chuck them up on the Foley and restore them to as good as new in minutes.

   
   
   
   
7. Hector Velazquez

   

   0 posts
   
   4/21/2013 7:04 AM

   I use micro thin bed knives on Walkers. I MAY get one grind out of them. I use a Simplex bedknife facer.
   Been using that thing for about 12 years now. I absolutely love it. I grind about every other week here.

   
   
   
   
8. Kenneth Meals

   

   2 posts
   
   4/22/2013 4:04 PM

   With verticutting and topdressing once a week if your using micro bedknives your doing good, real good. If you want to get more grinds out of your bedknives use the thickest you can for your height of cut. Personally I use the thinnest I can to reduce daily mowing stress on the greens.

   
   
   
   
9. Dru Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   4/24/2013 3:04 PM

   Thanks all! We were using the Micro bedknife but we are now trying the next thickness up but I dont know exactly what the name of it is... Cut looks great under a prism guage and speed is still there!

   
   
   
   
10. Henry Heinz

    

    0 posts
    
    4/25/2013 4:04 AM

    Why not have your technician go to Golftechs or the IGCEMA, if he's not a member already, both are free and a wealth of knowledge there. He may or may not be familiar with certain facers and techniques but can find answers and help to all your equipment needs in a timely manner. Its a friendly group and a great way to gain education, network, stay connected and improve in the turf equipment industry. Just a thought.
    
    
    Regards,

    
    
    
    
11. Dru Clark

    

    0 posts
    
    4/29/2013 1:04 PM

    Henry Heinz said: Why not have your technician go to Golftechs or the IGCEMA, if he's not a member already, both are free and a wealth of knowledge there. He may or may not be familiar with certain facers and techniques but can find answers and help to all your equipment needs in a timely manner. Its a friendly group and a great way to gain education, network, stay connected and improve in the turf equipment industry. Just a thought.
    
    
    Regards,

    
    
    Believe me when I tell you that I have insisted on getting him further educated and caught up to the times i.e. Internet, but he is old school and all but says Hell No! Puts me in a tough spot as a manager.