One of the many benefits to the thorough breakdown and cleaning of the equipment during the winter is that small problems can be detected and corrected prior to becoming big problems. This week, Omar noticed that one fairway mower had an inconspicuously-cracked bracket that holds together engine components. Since we have three of the same mowers, the brackets on the other two mowers were also checked, and sure enough, they were all broken in the same spot. Rather than these cracks leading to more costly repairs, they will be easily fixed. By remedying such minor issues, these very expensive pieces of equipment stay operational much longer than they might otherwise.
This week, Dave and Chris began sharpening the fairway mower reels and bedknives, which are the two components that create the scissors-like action that is necessary to mow turf at the low heights-of-cut that can be found on the course's greens, tees, and fairways. Over the course of the next few weeks, many cutting units will pass through the sharpening grinders, and they will be reassembled and made ready to go for the coming golf season.
(Note: I had intended on including a few shop pictures here, but the blog editor isn't allowing this at the moment; darn technology.)
On a personal note, I have nearly finished repainting ~140 tee blocks that needed attention this year. Next up will be the tee signs (Pin in Front, etc) and other signs that are used to mark the course.
Of course, the other major topic of the week (for us, at least) is the snow that is melting due to warm temperatures and rain. Although it's forecasted to be above freezing until sometime tomorrow morning, it looks as if the vast majority of the golf course will remain snow covered. And, because there is basically no frost in the ground right now, most of what has melted has soaked into the ground. Considering the alternative (ice formation), this is very good news for our ever-fragile Poa annua plants. Frigid temperatures are set to return next week and that's just fine for us and for the turf.
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