Travels with Terry

Globetrotting consulting agronomist Terry Buchen visits many golf courses annually with his digital camera in hand. He shares helpful ideas relating to maintenance equipment from the golf course superintendents he visits – as well as a few ideas of his own – with timely photos and captions that explore the changing world of golf course management.

Space-Saving Efficiencies

Attachments for the Toro Workman, such as the Vicon Fertilizer Spreader, Toro 1800 Topdresser and bed-mounted sprayer, are hung from the ceiling of the maintenance building equipment storage area when not in use to improve space with ease. Two Dayton H3 Electric Chain Hoists, with a 2,000-pound lifting capacity, have a single speed 20-foot hoist lift rated at 16 feet per second using 115-volt power. Grainger sells them for approximately $2,563 each. A third CM Valustar 1 Ton Hoist is also used with a similar cost. The hoists are hung from 4 inch by 12 inch separate wooden beams with “U” shaped bolts holding them in place. Each hoist has a separate male plug-in into a 115-volt junction box. The implements are attached to the hoists using industrial chains with hooks. Ryan Knapp is the superintendent at the Stock Farm Club in Hamilton, Mont.




Storage Bin Covers

Waterproof canvas, manufactured by a local wall tent maker, is used to keep the green’s topdressing and other materials dry on the four soil storage bins at the Stock Farm Club in Hamilton, Mont. They can be rolled up and down in a matter of seconds with a long handle using both hands that moves clockwise or counter-clockwise that raises two bin covers at the same time. They do a great job of keeping the materials dry and clean from debris. A separate 2-inch diameter pipe stretches across each bin, which adds support for the covers when the bins are covered, are easily removed prior to a front-end loader tractor or skid loader being used. The total cost was about $3,500 and they are easily attached using strong metal snaps similarly used on boat covers. Ryan Knapp is the golf course superintendent.

Terry Buchen, CGCS, MG, is president of Golf Agronomy International. He’s a 41-year, life member of the GCSAA. He can be reached at 757-561-7777 or terrybuchen@earthlink.net.

July 2018
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