Travels with Terry

Adapted Accelerator Linkage

This 2013 John Deere Gator TX 4x2 utility vehicle’s accelerator pedal linkage can be bent upwards that allows it to operate at a faster speed. This was obviously a safety concern and operating the engine at higher RPM’s could potentially cause damage to the engine. The accelerator linkage was removed and a ¼-inch diameter steel rod was welded from the top of the linkage to the bottom and then painted with glossy black enamel. This prevents anyone from bending the linkage whatsoever. The materials cost about $2 per vehicle and it took about 30 minutes total labor time. Bill Brousseau is the director of golf course maintenance; Steve Judd, superintendent, of the Golf Village; Blair Kirby, superintendent, of the East Course; and John Lombardi is the equipment manager at The Club at Admirals Cove in Jupiter, Fla., a 45-hole venue.
 

Moisture Meter Stand

This Field Scout TDR-100 (about $735) hand-held moisture meter “stand” was built in-house and saved the club about $300 versus buying one welded together as one unit. The “stand” was built so the staff did not have to bend-over to take the moisture readings. The handle (and neck) was made using ½-inch square tubing and it was extended 2 inches on one side to account for the electrical plug coming out of the display unit. The display unit is mounted to the 2 inch x 1⁄8 inch metal flat stock with 2-inch wide industrial Velcro and the cord is attached with 4-inch black zip-ties on the neck. The probe unit slips into 1¼ inch x 1⁄8 inch thick flat metal stock block that is held in place with one ¼ inch x 1¾ inch bolt with locking nut. The metal pieces were all welded in place and then painted with Rust-Oleum black hammered paint. It took about two hours to design and built the first “stand” and another two hours to paint/drying time. The materials cost about $20 for each one. Matt Wilson, superintendent, designed and built the first one and Steve Bell, mechanic, from the Hillcrest CC in Bartlesville, Okla., will build the rest. “Aluminum tubing and flat stock could also be used with bigger tubing so it would not increase the weight and it would not have to be painted is another option,” Wilson added. “The display and probe units can be easily removed from the ‘stand’ as-needed.”