I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Prevention is the best cure” more than once before. This is often true when talking about equipment maintenance, and is certainly true when talking about turf equipment.
The pros of carrying out preventive maintenance on turf equipment far outweigh any cons. We rely on our equipment to work optimally when we need it. So, it makes sense to keep it well maintained.
In this article, we will cover the most important reasons for maintaining your turf equipment. Along with some maintenance considerations for popular pieces of turf equipment.
3 Important Reasons Why You Should Carry Out Preventive Maintenance on Turf Equipment
It’ll Save You Time and Money
Let’s get down to the most important reason for properly maintaining your turf equipment first; it’s going to save you time and money in the long run.
It does cost money to maintain equipment, but more likely than not it will save you more money than it costs to carry out the maintenance. Plus, it’s had to put a price on the convenience of having equipment that doesn’t let you down.
With that said, there are two main ways properly maintaining equipment saves money in the long run;
- Properly maintaining equipment greatly reduces the risk of the equipment breaking or failing. Which could result in a large repair bill or cost of replacement equipment.
- Turf equipment operating at its best performs faster and better, saving time (and frustration) going over the same turf multiple times.
Your Greens Will Look Better
A rule of thumb for just about any type of machinery and equipment is that the better maintained that equipment is, the better it will perform.
This is true when talking about turf equipment. There is a huge difference between good and bad equipment, as well as well maintained and old, worn equipment.
The results are going to be very visible. You can’t hide the fact that you’ve used poorly maintained turf equipment when comparing your turf to that of well-maintained equipment.
If your greens roller is in need of a service and your mower is in need of new blades, your turf will look patchy, have an uneven cut, and generally look tatty.
Your Turf Will Be Healthier
Having healthy turf is equally as important as having good looking turf. In fact, there is a direct correlation between health and good looking turf so they go hand-in-hand.
For example, if an aerator is not well maintained it’s not going to penetrate the soil deep enough to allow nutrients to penetrate deep into the roots of the turf.
Likewise, a poorly maintained mower with blunt blades and in need of adjusting will cause uneven cuts, a patchy appearance, and could even spread diseases that will affect your turf.
Maintenance Considerations for Common Turf Equipment
Aerators
Aerators perforate soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the ground. This is generally only performed 2-4 times a year, but they perform a vital role in the overall maintenance of a green.
Sometimes using equipment less often causes a greater need for maintenance. Without regular use, moving parts can seize, it’s harder to spot parts wearing out, and lubrication can dry out.
Schedule maintenance for aerators over the months where you’re not going to be using them. If this means taking it out for a run, then you should do that.
A few minutes checking over an aerator each month will prove invaluable if it means it runs perfectly when the time comes to use it.
You can find out more about aerators and the equipment we currently have for sale here.
Greens Rollers
Greens rollers are one of the key pieces of equipment that give a green those uniform strips, a luscious green top surface, and get them looking their best.
They are invaluable pieces of equipment for golf courses. Using greens rollers is how golf course superintendents get that perfect looking surface, and also how they create a surface that speeds up how golf balls travel.
If you have a ride-on greens roller, it’s important you test it’s in good running order on a periodic basis. You should also check the oil level, filter, and other basic maintenance as outlined in the user manual.
You can find out more about greens rollers and the equipment we currently have for sale here.
Mowers
Mowers are the lawn equipment that is used most often and has the biggest impact on the appearance and quality of the turf.
There are a few moving parts that should be proactively maintained. Mowers with reels require frequent adjustments to keep them cutting at an optimal level.
You also need to check the blades, oil level, belts, and any other moving parts depending on the type of mower you have.
At a minimum, a mower’s blades should be cleared of any grass after use. Especially if the grass was cut damp, leaving damp grass on mower blades will accelerate rust and dulling of the blade.
You can find out more about the riding greens and tea mowers we currently have for sale here.
Consider Setting up a Maintenance Schedule and Keeping Records
If you don’t already have a written equipment maintenance schedule and record, now is the perfect time to implement one.
It’s difficult trying to remember when a piece of equipment was last serviced, and by whom. Having a maintenance log means anyone can pick up maintaining a piece of equipment and know when it was last serviced, by who, and what was done.
Also, by maintaining written records the person carrying out maintenance can flag any potential issues to be looked at. Such as recommending a spare part is ordered or flagging a more serious issue.
You should now have a clear picture of why preventive maintenance on turf equipment is so important. If you want to know more or have any questions, we’d be happy to answer them. You can reach out via our contact details at the bottom of the page.
