Some roller definition and terminology please Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   5/31/2012 8:05 AM

   We had a discussion come up about vibratory rollers among our city courses, I just wanted to make myself clear and understand what is really out on the market as to rollers.
   
   Do they make vibratory rollers for triplexes?
   
   Are the self contained rollers vibratory? Or can they be vibratory or not vibratory?
   
   What differences do you all see, if you have had the experience of using triplex vibratory rollers compared to non-vibratory rollers?
   
   One of our courses that doesn't have a set of rollers at all is looking into getting a set, the other two city courses have roller sets for our triplexes already, what more advantage could I gain by getting a set of vibratory rollers? I just think I have more pressing needs then to update my rollers, but I want to be open or at least be more knowledgeable on the differences between different types of rollers.
   
   Thanks! Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. McCallum David K

   
   5/31/2012 9:05 AM

   Yes they do make vibratory rollers for triplexes. We have and use a set. They in my opinion or not nearly as effective as the true dedicated rollers .........but sometimes you make lemonaide out of lemons right?

   
   
   
   
3. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   5/31/2012 9:05 AM

   I have two sets of vibe rollers that fit on my triplexes. I prefer them to the Salscos because we can get around faster with them, no load time. They work very well.
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   
4. Fleegel Timothy

   
   5/31/2012 12:05 PM

   I've used 2 different brands of vibratory rollers, True surface and ATT turf. Don't waste your time with the ones from ATT.

   
   
   
   
5. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   6/1/2012 10:06 AM

   Mel,
   
   We have had the true surface rollers mounted on our Jac greenskings for at least 8 years. The vibration turns on and off just like reels do. We have never rolled without the vibration on though.
   
   I am not sure what you do with Toro units because some of them the reels turned on when you put them down.
   
   We like them because any staff member who mows greens or tees can roll greeens.

   
   
   
   
6. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/1/2012 12:06 PM

   Thanks for the replies so far.
   
   Now my question is, what advantage is the vibratory roller over just a regular roller?
   
   Thanks, Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
7. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   6/1/2012 1:06 PM

   1) I can roll 19 greens in front of a 7:15 crossover with one machine starting at 6am
   2) No load / unload time.
   3) I can gain as much as a foot of speed in one pass depending on how high the vibe is turned up and how fast the triplex is moving. We usually roll at full speed and get 8" or so.
   3) No spinning on collars
   4) No special training. Anyone who can operate a triplex can roll greens.
   5) The same machine is my verticutter, just swap out the reels and you're off.
   
   
   Regards,
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/1/2012 2:06 PM

   Thanks Steve,
   
   You are compairing a triplex vs. a standard self contained roller, correct?
   
   What about a vibritory vs. non vibritory, say if they were both triplex machines? Are you saying the vibritory action add more greens speed compared to the non vibritory rollers?
   
   Sorry about my spelling, I'm having issues on my work computers again.
   
   Thanks, Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
9. Nicholas Daak

   

   3 posts
   
   6/1/2012 4:06 PM

   Vibratories work great when rolling after topdressing. Helps settle and displace sand. In my experiance, thats about the only difference.

   
   
   
   
10. Hardy Andrew

    
    6/1/2012 5:06 PM

    I had an intern 4 or 5 seasons ago and his Summer Practicum was based on greens rolling. We used a "side saddle" roller, a set of vibe rollers and a set of Toro weighted rollers. His results at the end of the year? No discernible difference between the 3, maybe a couple of inches more on the dreaded Stimpmeter with the vibe rollers. A couple of inches is virtually unnoticed by the average (or above average) player. Too bad he left the business at the end of the summer and didn't produce the formal documentation.
    
    My 2 cents...

    
    
    
    
11. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    6/1/2012 5:06 PM

    Mel: yes, these are triplex mounted. I never turn the vibrators off, not sure you can to be honest, but doing so would defeat the purpose. You will probably get better and more long lasting results with the Salscos , but the difference is not enough to outweigh the hassle in my opinion.
    
    Regards,
    
    Steve