First cut of season Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   4/14/2013 11:04 AM

   I am in NJ. Went out Saturday to mow approaches for the first time this season. Most approaches are a combination of rye bent and poa. We are mowing with John Deere 2500E with grooved John Deere front rollers and 11 blade reels. Usually we maintain our height at .550". The approaches look like they weren't even cut. I know the grass in some areas is long. The height is correct and the blades are cutting paper. Any ideas? Maybe the grass is too long and just laying over? Would some N and some primo help this?

   
   
   
   
2. Tony Feheregyhazi

   

   7 posts
   
   4/14/2013 12:04 PM

   At that height you may want to try a 7 blade reel. The 11 blade is more for greens unless you can play with ur ground speed and clip of thr reel.

   
   
   
   
3. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   4/14/2013 1:04 PM

   Bedkinfe attitude, you may be too flat or running with a upwards angle that would just push the leaf blade over. What number is you front roller bracket on? I would guess at that HOC you want to be around 8 to 9 degrees of attitude. I have used the 11 blade 2500e on approaches but at 400 down to 200 with a bedknife attitude of about 6 degrees with good results.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
4. James Schmid

   

   1 posts
   
   4/14/2013 1:04 PM

   Henry Heinz said: Bedkinfe attitude, you may be too flat or running with a upwards angle that would just push the leaf blade over. What number is you front roller bracket on? I would guess at that HOC you want to be around 8 to 9 degrees of attitude. I have used the 11 blade 2500e on approaches but at 400 down to 200 with a bedknife attitude of about 6 degrees with good results.
   
   Regards,

   
   check to see if your reels are turning the right direction. Maybe they are turning backwards

   
   
   
   
5. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   4/14/2013 3:04 PM

   Going to a 7 blade is not an option due to money but thanks. I will check out the attitude and bracket when I get in tomorrow and get back to you. Reel turning the wrong direction? Is that possible? My thought would be that could happen with a hydraulic motor but not an electric. Please tell me how that could happen.

   
   
   
   
6. Jeffrey Gaylor

   

   0 posts
   
   4/14/2013 7:04 PM

   Still in backlap mode..

   
   
   
   
7. Jeremy Hreben

   

   0 posts
   
   4/15/2013 3:04 PM

   Well we adjusted the atitude of the bedknife and we lowered the height of cut. Only 2 things left would be the degree of the bedknife face and that the grass is actually too long. Probably a good brushing then mow should do the trick. we will try that next and keep you posted. Thanks for the help guys.

   
   
   
   
8. Timothy Walker

   

   0 posts
   
   4/15/2013 5:04 PM

   Sounds like the grass is too long - i would imagine the grass must be quite long if this is your first cut of the season. Try cutting it 2-3 even 4 different directions until it is cut down or raise the height and lower after a couple of cuts. How long was the grass when you went to mow?

   
   
   
   
9. Curt Brisco

   

   3 posts
   
   4/15/2013 5:04 PM

   Are the mowers new? We have found that sometimes the bolt that determines how much the yoke are goes down is out of adjustment. Our new 2500's were adjusted so that the yoke arm would go all the way down and rest on the reel. We adjusted the bolt out and it solved the problem and the mower performed much better. Good luck.
   
   Curt Brisco
   Fox Prairie G.C.
   Noblesville,IN

   
   
   
   
10. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    4/17/2013 6:04 PM

    Timothy Walker, CGCS said: Sounds like the grass is too long - i would imagine the grass must be quite long if this is your first cut of the season. Try cutting it 2-3 even 4 different directions until it is cut down or raise the height and lower after a couple of cuts. How long was the grass when you went to mow?

    
    Pretty long. small crew too many projects. We adjusted the angle of the bedknife and lowered the height a bit and that help. We will get it. couple mowings and it should be fine.
    
    By the way, congrats on the new job.

    
    
    
    
11. Timothy Walker

    

    0 posts
    
    4/17/2013 8:04 PM

    Thanks Jeremy - good luck and glad to see you're back working for evesham. I used to live in hunters run apartments when I first graduated (just east on 70 from you).