Winter wait

A winter rebuild gets equipment ready for the next season and gives mechanics the chance to do routine maintenance across the board. Greg Walker, technical training manager for Jacobsen, talks about how to be ready for the winter.

Q: Why is the winter rebuild so important for golf course technicians?

A: It’s the best time to do a complete reset on your equipment so you’re ready to roll first thing in the spring. It’s a great time for regular maintenance and to fix things that were noted but not repaired during the mowing season. Plus it’s a great time to stock up on parts, which are typically at their lowest prices of the year.

Q: How does the winter rebuild apply to courses that are open-year round?

A: Winter rebuild is almost a misnomer. It’s really about regular and preventative maintenance for your fleet. Courses that are open year-round don’t have the luxury of downtime, so they have to schedule their rebuilding time carefully throughout the year.

Q: Do most courses perform a winter rebuild or stick to an annual plan?

A: I would say most do not. They don’t realize that mechanics that stick to a plan really reap the benefits. If a mower is properly maintained, it can provide top-notch performance for many years and have minimal in-season issues. 

This tire was used for extended hours in an overfilled state. Notice how the treads on the side show little wear and the middle is completely bald.

Q: What are some of the major items that are addressed during a winter rebuild?

A: Some of the major things to be inspected, repaired or replaced are bearings/seals on reels and rollers, bedknives, hydraulic hoses, basic fluids, filters and controls. Reel inspection and grinding is very important and should be a top priority. It’s also a great time to test things like hydraulic fluid, engine oil, fuel system and the engine. For a full checklist of rebuild items, check out our video walkthrough.

The hydraulic line has worn all the way through. This could lead to leaks and/or hydraulic pressure problems. Only a experienced technician should repair this as unwanted contamination can enter the system if proper steps are not followed.

Q: You talk about repair & replace.  How do technicians know when it’s time to replace a part rather than try to fix it?

A: It’s called cost of ownership and there are three main things to consider: the age of the equipment, the price of the part and the depreciation of the machine. Technicians should do cost analysis and decide what makes more sense for the machine. Some things, like moveable hydraulic hoses, need to be replaced every two years, regardless of how they look.

Q: Is there anything else to consider beyond maintaining machine performance and protecting your investments?

A: Yes, safety is a big issue as well. The winter rebuild is the ideal time to test safety switches by getting them back to factory settings. Every service manual has test instructions included. It’s just one more thing to give you peace of mind in the spring.