Life of a reel Cancel The title field is required!

1. John O'Brien

   

   0 posts
   
   6/12/2012 4:06 AM

   Just wondering how many years guys are getting out of a fairway reel.
   i have had Jac LF 3400 fairway units for 6 plus seasons and the cutting appearance has gone down hill badly this season, we have checked them daily from roller parallel to hoc to bearing damage in reel and rollers. We even checked to see if reels are spinning the same speed as well checking for any hydraulic motor issues.
   Had a old turf mechanic in to look and he says the problem is not enough blade left on reel.
   So im wondering if this could indeed be the problem.
   
   Thanks
   John

   
   
   
   
2. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   6/12/2012 10:06 AM

   yes it can be a problem. It seems like we get about 4 years off the life of a reel but we grind them either every winter or every other winter. when the reel is wore down it also changes the angle of the bedknife which can also effect the cut.
   Are you grinding your reels? if not that could also be an issue. the reels get worn down over time and can get rounded to an extent, if this happens they need to be grinded.

   
   
   
   
3. Baker Daniel

   
   6/12/2012 10:06 AM

   Sounds like a valid concern. Angles are not what they were intendent to be when the diameter of the reel gets too small. What is the length of your season and your grass type?
   
   I've seen reels set up perfectly leave an uneven cut on bermudagrass fairways where there is too much stem in the plant. When your doing everything right mechanically, its always good to go back and double check your agronomics.

   
   
   
   
4. Morozowsky Martin

   
   6/12/2012 11:06 AM

   Pie tape the diameter of the reel! That should tell you how much reel is used.
   
   Cheers
   Martin J. Morozowsky
   Seven Oaks Country Club
   Bakersfield, CA

   
   
   
   
5. Michael Kriz

   

   0 posts
   
   6/12/2012 6:06 PM

   Martin Morozowsky said: Pie tape the diameter of the reel! That should tell you how much reel is used.
   
   Cheers
   Martin J. Morozowsky
   Seven Oaks Country Club
   Bakersfield, CA

   
   
   Anything under 4.5" replace

   
   
   
   
6. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   6/13/2012 2:06 PM

   It all depends on the HOC your at, or trying to get to. The lower you go in HOC, the less of the reel you actually get to use. The higher you mow, the more likely you are to get to use the reel all the way down to 4.5 inches. Continuous measurements with a pi-tape throughout the year during grinding will help you figure out when replacement is best for you. For us on greens, we replace when the reel hits the mid 47's on the tape, and mid 46's for for tee and fairway use. This allows us to keep up with a good quality of cut at all times, and allows scheduling of rebuilds to follow golf course maintenance practices.
   
   Regards,