Reference Guide

13
EVALUATING
BOBBING
CAUSE
• Grass collecting on rollers
• Out of round rollers
• Inconsistent turf density and texture
• Too fast ground speed
EFFECT
• Location - could be all cutting units
• Appearance - wavy surface; color variations
• Playability - affects ball roll distance and accuracy
CLIP MARK
CAUSE
• Incorrect clip spacing for height-of-cut
• Reel speed too slow or fast for ground speed
• Reel diameter or number of blades not matched to
conditions
• Inconsistent turf density and texture
EFFECT
• Location - could be all cutting units
• Appearance - clip marks in turf
• Playability - if severe, affects ball roll distance and
accuracy
TIRE TRACK
CAUSE
• Tire rolling on grass
• Tire pressure has an effect
• Inconsistent turf density and texture
EFFECT
• Appearance - darker color behind tires
• Playability - ball roll distance and accuracy are not
normally affected if overall cut is acceptable
For over 60 years, The Toro Company has been a leader in
researching and developing reel mowers for low-cut, groomed
turf areas. Consequently, we know that the demands on such
turf are ever increasing. Users expect maximum function
(playability) and aesthetic appeal.
This booklet offers general guidelines for evaluating reel mower
performance so that turf managers can better meet their desired
goals.
This booklet first reviews the basics of healthy turf and reel
mowers. The latter part of this booklet is a users’ guide for the
TurfEvaluator
™
grass viewing tool. For more than three decades,
Toro engineers have used this type of device to evaluate reel
mower performance. The TurfEvaluator
™
enables turf managers
to compare effective heights of cut and reveal turf
imperfections.
More than ever, turf managers must thoroughly understand reel
mowers and their unique requirements. This booklet can be a
helpful resource in doing so.