11/21/2013 9:11 AM
When I arrived at the course I am currently working, there was a Procore 660 and a 648. We have a Kubota 4610 with extremely wide balloon tires on it. I've used both to aerate greens, fairways, and tees. I would never go back to using the tractor on greens again.
Reasons:
1) The width of the tractor and tires was greater than the aeration path of the 660 and to remove cores to have a "clean" surface, an employee had to move the plugs into a center row so they didn't smash down on the passes to the side. If we had the windrowing attachment, maybe would be okay, but we don't.
2) I think that one must look at his course construction and design before making the decision to go with a tractor vs. a walker. Since moving to the 648 rather than 3 pt 660, I have actually cut out labor and time because of maneuverability. we have some very tight green surrounds, and the tractor was very damaging to maneuver in order to complete the task. Some steeper roll offs, native landscapes, etc., would cause the operator to have to jockey back and forth to line up the units. This usually was a sacrifice to the collars and intermediate cut surrounding the short cut turf. Looked awful for weeks.
3) Why put the increased hydraulic leak points, grease dripping locations, and fuel consumption on display vs. what I feel is the one of the most efficient machines out there for it's purpose.
Maybe I'm biased towards the 648, but with the multitude of different tine holder blocks and configurations, It has to be one of the most useful tools in a maintenance shed. I now use the 648 for tees, approaches, short (par 3) fairways, greens and spot aerifications of high traffics. during the stressful summer season, it is running around venting greens quite often. My 660 has become obsolete to a degree. With it only being 12" wider, and tying up another machine, I just don't use it. As for aerating fairways and roughs. It was horribly slow, and I've gone the way of the Aerway with that. Not as versatile, but light years faster.
Probably not of any help, but them are my thoughts.