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1. Homme David R

   
   9/1/2011 4:09 PM

   We run 3500D's for rough mowing. The rollers take a beating. We continually go through bearings, particularly on the small front rollers. It's becoming very expensive.
   
   My mechanic has looked into the new plastic rollers that don't have bearings, just a sleeve and bolt. Would like to know if anyone out there has made this switch and if you like it or don't. Thanks.
   
   Dave Homme
   Falls Resort

   
   
   
   
2. Paul Carter

   

   0 posts
   
   9/1/2011 7:09 PM

   Dave,
   
   We replaced the standard metal rollers on our 3500 and 4700 this year with some plastic rollers from R and R Products and have had zero issues out of them. We were replacing the Toro brand rollers a couple of times per season but have not had to touch these all year. I would suggest these rollers.
   
   Paul L. Carter, CGCS
   The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay

   
   
   
   
3. Chris Wiedenmeyer

   

   0 posts
   
   9/2/2011 6:09 AM

   Same results here on the front rollers for a 4700. Switched to the sleeved plastic about 3 years ago. Just watch the wear on the sleeves and will easily last a full season.

   
   
   
   
4. Bourne Ryan

   
   9/2/2011 3:09 PM

   We have them on Rear rollers on our 3500's and 4500's, easy last us 2 seasons and throw em away when they are shot. Have tried the fronts on our 3500's, a bit more wear if you have continuos paths, but overall not bad, plus alot quieter when going along or over paths.

   
   
   
   
5. Christopher Strong

   

   0 posts
   
   9/7/2011 3:09 PM

   I buy quite a bit from R&R,but plastic rollers are no longer one of those items,at least not for anything heavy,hits the ground more then softly or is used on anything other then greens or tees. They may not be expensive,but I can't see spending even a few hundred dollars on 3 rollers I'm going to toss in the garbage after one season,if I'm lucky.
   With a little research,a measuring tape,and a trip to a local dealer,I'm usually able to come up with an appropriate roller with water pump bearings for most any app in the smaller diameter roller range. Water pump bearings last for years,even on heavy reels used on less then smooth areas.
   
   Bob Quaif
   EquipTech
   Country Club of Troy
   Troy,N.Y.

   
   
   
   
6. Homme David R

   
   9/7/2011 5:09 PM

   Bob, the large front rollers I am talking about are about 4" diameter and 6" long. Have you built your own of that dimension? They also weigh in at close to 10lbs.
   
   I'd be curious to know more, if you really are able to fabricate your own.
   
   Dave Homme
   Falls Resort

   
   
   
   
7. Christopher Strong

   

   0 posts
   
   9/7/2011 5:09 PM

   Sorry,didn't mean to mislead and have you think I made my own. No,what I meant was Jake,Toro,R&R and others market rollers advertised for a particular make/model of machine,but with some research,like browsing someones parts department yourself or giving measurements over the phone,you may be able to come with something meant for make A that will fit make/model B.
   I have a fairly large Toro dealer/distributor only minutes from me that stocks many rollers for various Toro machines. I've wandered thru their stock with measurements and a tape to find an app that will work for me. You only need a roller with a shaft long enough to fit the brackets and the right diameter. If the roller length is a little short or long,who cares as long as fits in between.
   As I stated before,water pump bearing type rollers are the best. We have a number of Toro machines with them as stock rollers,some of them 12/15 years old that have never been replaced. Granted they are on Toro 500 walkers,3100 type triplexes and the like,lighter weight mowers. I also have them on the front and rear of our GK reels(3 machines) that we use on tees. Our walk greens mowers are used 5 to 6 days a week, and the triplexes a little less then that. Rollers are the last thing I worry about.
   
   Bob Quaif
   EquipTech
   Country Club of Troy
   Troy N.Y.

   
   
   
   
8. Dinger Greg

   
   9/8/2011 7:09 AM

   You might check Golfco. Martin makes a steel and a urethane replacement for these I believe. The beauty of his rollers is how easily the bearings replace. All of his rollers take the same bearing too. He uses a primo bearing and specs a real good grease for them.
   
   If you are physically beating the outside of the rollers, I would look at the urethanes, they can take quite a bit of punishment, where the steel just dent.
   
   As far as plastic over sleeve, I have never experienced them, but it just seems like built in obsolescence to me.

   
   
   
   
9. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   9/8/2011 12:09 PM

   Call Sean Feeny. He is here in Downingtown, PA. He builds custom rollers, and can work with the 45/4700 rollers and rebuild them. He has done custom rollers for us, making some solids for our flex 21 that are 26lbs. I'm sure he can do what you need.
   
   Sean Feeny
   Feeny Bros Machine
   
   Phone 610 476-9444
   
   Tell him Skip sent you from the Cricket Club