Collar Protection turning Mowers Cancel The title field is required!

1. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   4/9/2012 5:04 PM

   Looking for suggestions on what some of you are using to lay along the greens to turn machines on. Finishing up a grow in of new approaches and greens and noticing that wear from greens and approach mowers may be taking some stressed turf. I was looking into plastic lattice or something similar, on the right track? Thanks in advance.

   
   
   
   
2. Rosenthal Gregg

   
   4/9/2012 6:04 PM

   wow, in my many new course grow-ins this is always a difficult issue and question to come up. I would suggest a couple of ideas. One make very wide easy turns going slow and wide in the turn when mowing the green to ease the push and pull on the newer turf grass. If you do have plenty of help one can utilize cardboard to turn on but it is difficult and time consuming for staff to do this. Wide and easy turns, even going into the taller turf with the mower blades up is better than trying to utilize cardboard. If one is taking his time and going at an easy pace with wide turns the collar can be protected during grow ins easily. it takes patience and desire to get the job done right. Good luck and be patient with the mowers and time it takes to get greens mowed, all will go well then....

   
   
   
   
3. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   4/10/2012 4:04 AM

   We have used the lattice at my previous course. It's very affordable and easy to use. For something longer lasting, Precision sells poly turning boards with handles cut out for easy moving. We give the operator 4 to 6 boards and he just moves them along as he goes. It really did not add much time to the route, but paid largely with turf health. You can also find a plastics shop and buy 4x8 sheets and cut your own, and it's also possible that Home Depot or Lowe's could order it for you. I have also heard of guys using carpet.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
4. Justin VanLanduit

   

   0 posts
   
   4/10/2012 6:04 AM

   Gregg,
   
   Yeah, I've been preaching to my guys to take there time and make larger and softer turns which some are doing but at times I think they tend to forget. Most of the areas where I'm seeing most wear are the tight areas where the corner of the approach and green meet where the greens mowers are turning then you have the approach mower doing its regular passes along with cleanup along the green so by the time the job is done those areas are getting passed over a good 5-7 times. I'm going to continue to preach to them to take those wide turns but going to try putting some type of protection down to turn the machines on and see how that fairs.
   
   Henry,
   
   Seen the precision boards and yes they are a bit more pricey than lattice. I'm gonna send my Assistant to Home Depot this morning to pick up some lattice that we'll try for a bit and see how that fairs.
   
   Thanks for your input guys!