Operator's Manual

40. Apply Loctite to the threads on the cap plug (Fig. 23).

Thread the cap plug into the groomer housing. Torque

the cap plug to 60–80 ft–lbs.

Figure 23

1. Cap plug

41. Mount cover to groomer housing assembly with (2)

lock nuts (Fig. 24).

Figure 24

1. Belt cover

42. Lubricate the groomer bearings (Fig. 25 & 26). Pump

grease into fittings until grease is purged onto groomer

shaft. Wipe excess grease from seals and shaft.

Note: Operate groomer for 30 seconds after greasing.

Disengage cutting unit and wipe excess grease from seals

and shaft.

Figure 25

Figure 26

Operation

Introduction

Grooming is performed in the turf canopy above the soil

level. Grooming promotes vertical growth of grass plants,

reduces grain and severs stolons producing a denser turf.

Grooming produces a more uniform and tighter playing

surface for faster and truer action of the golf ball.

Verticutting is a more aggressive cultivation technique

designed to remove thatch by cutting through the turf

canopy and into the thatch/mat layer. Grooming should

not be considered a replacement for verticutting.

Verticutting is generally a more rigorous and periodic

treatment that can temporarily damage the playing

surface, while grooming is a routine and gentler treatment

designed to manicure the turf.

Figure 27

1. Grass runners 2. Thatch

Grooming brushes are a more recent development which

are designed to be less intrusive than conventional

grooming blades when adjusted to lightly contact the turf

canopy. Brushing may be more beneficial for the

ultra–dwarf cultivars, since these grass types have more of

a upright growth pattern and do not fill in that well

through horizontal growth. Brushes, however, can injure

leaf tissue if they are set to penetrate too deeply into the

canopy.

Grooming is similar to verticutting in its runner cutting

action. Grooming blades however, should never penetrate

the soil like verticutting or dethatching. Groomer blades