Modified Ryan Renovaire Slicer

A 50-pound block was added to each weight tray by using Sakrete High Strength Concrete Mix placed into a wooden form along with ½ inch by 24 inch threaded rods to lift the weights on and off as required. This added weight was ideal for slicing the Bermudagrass fairways and roughs. One end of the threaded rod was longer and it was placed through a hole in the bottom of the weight tray along with a lock washer and nut that held each concrete block in place. Because of the added weight, the original hitch broke in two. Both ends were removed and a steel plate was placed on each end of the new, beefed-up 2-inch square tubing, with four holes, one on each corner, to bolt them together. At the other end that attached to the tractor, a pineal hook was placed inside the square tubing and bolted in place. Both slicers were modified for a total cost of $500 and it took five hours total to modify them. Jim Vajen is the director of golf course and community landscaping at The Golf Club at Fiddler’s Creek in Naples, Fla.

Chevy Dump Trailer

This 2000 Chevy 1 Ton Dump Truck had about 40,000 miles on it when it was involved in an accident and the transmission also gave out. It was not worth repairing. The engine was used in another truck and it was turned into a dump trailer. It is towed with a John Deere 5320 Tractor or with any ¾ ton or larger truck. The frame was cut in front of where the cab used to be and a hitch was welded in place. The electric/hydraulic dump mechanism has its own 12 volt battery for a standalone operation that can also be recharged from the tractor. The outside dual wheels were removed so the trailer fits easily on the cart paths. It is used to haul pallets of sod, seed, fertilizer, topsoil, sand and waste vegetation. A small amount of scrap metal and welding wire was in inventory and about four hours of labor was all that was needed. The Desert Mountain Club team in Scottsdale, Ariz., is Shawn Emerson, director of agronomy; Alex Ward, Apache Course superintendent; and Bob Voita, mechanic III. The club has six golf courses.