Down the Home Stretch

Published April 7, 2006

With just about 100 pieces of equipment to care for, that's including the small gas powered tools, the Equipment Technicians are almost done with the "winter maintenance" on the fleet. Saving the most laborious tasks for last, the rough mowers are now in the repair bay. Talk about moving parts, these mowers are loaded with them. The more moving parts the more labor intensive and expensive the repairs become. With seven decks and fifteen wheels and after being in service 6 days a week for almost ten years, these mowers require a lot of attention. The check marks in the photo indicate some of the moving parts we will need to replace. Fifteen wheels at $80.00 dollars each...ouch!, and that's just the beginning. We still have to replace the blades, hitch pins, spindle bearings as well as many of the other wearable items on two of these mowers. Of course, we'll search for the best prices but even then it's still expensive.

Sometimes we're at the mercy of the equipment market. At the time of purchase some years ago, these mowers were the only rotary mowers of this type available. Since that time, other manufacturers have stepped up to the plate and are now offering new and improved versions with less moving parts and better performance. I think a couple of these newer mowers will go on my "wish list."

What's the difference between "maintenance" and "repair?" At the Turf Care Center we consider "maintenance" as the replacement or service of a part due to the normal use of the product, much like that of changing the oil or replacing the brake shoes in an automobile. On the other hand, repair is performed when something breaks due to; negligence, an accident, a major malfunction because of age, or unanticipated breakage of some sort. In any case, these expenses are a necessary part of making sure the equipment will serve us in our efforts to maintain the golf course.

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