Reference Guide

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Formal, low-cut turf is evaluated primarily for its visual appearance and
functional performance, also called “playability.” The turf surface can be
given a quick evaluation using sight and touch.
After mowing, the surface should be firm with a crisp appearance and feel.
This can be sensed by placing an open palm against the surface. A crisp,
brush-type feel will usually indicate minimal stragglers and an efficient cut.
It is normal for the mower to leave after-cut directional light and dark
color paths. These overall color paths are due to the turf being rolled down
in the direction the mower is traveling. A cut path going away from you will
usually be lighter in color than the path coming toward you. Smaller,
individual color variations can be due to differing turf types, density
variations and straight line mower marks.
A spongy area is evident by the momentary impression left by feet on
the surface.
EVALUATING REEL MOWER PERFORMANCE
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Effective Height-of-Cut
This is the actual height the grass has been cut. Making an accurate height
measurement on the turf is difficult due to many variables. A true base is simply
not present.
If the surface is uneven,
spongy or varies in
density, color variations
in the turf may appear
in the form of a streak.
This is due to the
effective height-of-cut
being too low for the
existing turf conditions.
To correct problems,
start or change a cultural
practice, change cutting
unit configuration or
raise the bench set
height-of-cut. The lower your height-of-cut, the more predictable and smooth
the turf surface must be.
Maintaining Height-of-Cut and Performance
To accurately maintain height-of-cut and performance, routinely check the
following components:
•Reel Bearings: Check for play and roughness. Replace if necessary. If
adjustable, adjust to “no” lash while maintaining free rotation of the reel.
•Bedknife to Reel Adjustment: Before performing any set-up procedures, it is
critical that the reel and knife cutting edges are straight and sharp. Lap or grind
as necessary. Adjust as needed to ensure the knife and reel contact their full
length with light contact and free-reel rotation.
•Attitude Adjustment: If the unit has this capability, set for height-of-cut used.
•Roller Parallelism: Check for loose roller bearings. Adjust or replace as
necessary. First parallel the front or rear roller, which ever is not used for
setting height-of-cut. This paralleling roller is set to match the reel using a
surface plate-type fixture.
•Height-of-Cut: Set to desired height using an accurate tool. This procedure
must be done exactly the same on each cutting unit.
Note: As reel cutting unit design and configuration continue to evolve, height-
of-cut settings may need modifying to retain visual and playability goals.
UNDERSTANDING