Washboarding on Fairways Cancel The title field is required!

1. Cory Brown_2

   

   0 posts
   
   9/13/2013 12:09 PM

   We have been having some difficulties with washboarding on fairways (units bouncing and leaving higher and lower cut areas). We have tightened down downpressure springs on our Toro 5410 mowers and even bought new springs. We generally mow in a half and half (light/dark) pattern, but occasionally mow across or angles to help alleviate this issue. There has been some thought that once it started we just can't get it out, but we aerified and topdressed fairways and after the first couple mowings it's still happening. I also see it a little bit with our Toro triplexes, not quite as bad (no downpressure adjustment?).
   
   Any ideas about how to improve this situation would be appreciated.

   
   
   
   
2. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   9/13/2013 5:09 PM

   Cory,
   Try mowing the fairway/tees slower to get the washboarding out. Many times if your transport speed is faster than the amount of grass the reel can handle despite down pressure this can cause issues. Also I would check my bedknife attitude (reel wear) and make sure everything is within manufacturers recommendations. Roller/reel bearings are also on the list of things to check and bushings in lifts arms.

   
   
   
   
3. Holt Michael

   
   10/21/2013 8:10 PM

   11 blade reels, mowing at .500" at 6 mph? It will not work. Your clip rate is not right. Best quality cut is when your clip rate equals your height of cut. Check the chart under the seat or wherever it is and match the numbers to find your speed, reel and transport, and your HOC. If the combo above is what you have you should see that this combo works at 2 mph and about 12 mph. More blades doesn't necessarily mean a better cut.