12/16/2017 6:12 AM
I am hoping someone has an answer or between all of us we can come up with one!
I am open to any thoughts or suggestions!
Here's the issue,
I have TifEagle greens in South Louisiana (at the end of I-55 outside of New Orleans)
This time of the year I go about 80% dormant (we do not overseed).
Depending on the temperature, wind and humidity I can have two main issues to deal with, first is the dew and the second is very small worm castings on warmer days (not unusual to see temps in the 60's).
Currently we use our greensmower to roll the greens and we whip behind it. we whip because the castings tend to clump up. we just use transport gear to get across the greens without the reels coming on.
I have a small crew and only use two guys on the weekends (but I hope a solution can work for all days)
Our goal.
To clean the greens off in less time without having to stripe the greens with the mower and possibly whip (currently takes 3.5 hours).
I have been trying to think of a different way. what do any of you do if you have a different routine?
I have thought of a drag but funds are low and it would require two guys to make a single pass with say a water hose. A smaller one may work if I can use a cart carry it around.
just whipping is not an option as it would require even more man hours to do all 21 greens.
using the water system is not an option as the greens stay wet enough most of the time.
Using a greens roller requires about 4-5 hours here so that option is out.
Anything you can come up with may help more than just myself (other courses). if you have the time to brainstorm on it or even run it across your assistants, equipment tech's so they may also consider it, I would be very thankful.
Think of it as a fast way of cleaning the green tops with the least amount of wear and tear on equipment or manpower which I figure is about 315hrs per winter at the moment. even reducing it by 1/3 can be helpful.