Toro Sidewinder bolt on snipper holder

The super wanted me to mount a snipper to this machine so that the operator can get the areas around the traps that the machine couldn't get . Being short staffed we have to double up on the work this time of the year . Worked out very well , didn't have to strap it down . Also installed some lights . We're still mowing in the dark for the first 2 holes . Course time change after the long week-end .

Update on Towing

Had it out  twice now . Super really liked the set up . It only took and extra 40 minutes to do both jobs  Verses 2.5 for approaches and 1.5 for aprons . Our aprons are only one pgm pass double cut around the green . The old Greens Kink didn't even know it was there . I'm thinking of attaching a different tow bar of both side of rear wheel supports this winter . So total would be 2.5 and 40 minutes .

GK IV Tow Hitch

Made a hitch from scrap metal pile . Going to mow approaches this fall because where very short staffed when the students go back . I'm going to try to mow the aprons in the same haul . I figure it will save me an hour of drive time if it works out and get 2 jobs done in one go . I like to put lock washers between nuts in some thing like this . Very seldom do they ever back off .

End of season coming near

Our student will be going back to school soon (next 4-5 days )I'll be helping out with some of the mowing till the grass starts to slow down . Next 3 to 4 weeks I'll be just trying to keep up with adjustments and greasing as I can . we will most likely be triplexing greens once the students are done and I'll try to start some winter maintenance on the greens walkers ( PGM's ).

August picks of course

Things are starting to whine down. Course look as good as it's going to for the wet summer. Things are slowly winding down. Students heading back to school. My season gauge ( lilac tree in my yard) is almost ready to bloom.

Toro 1250 transmission mounts

Check this area for cracking or bending on both sides 

Clean off paint to weld home made brackets in . 

Easy to do with the tank off 

If you ever have your tank of your older style (2001) sprayer you might want to beef up your mounts like I did . The tech at the other course had a lot of damage from them letting go a few year ago . I would advise to check these tabs often if you don't beef them up , especially if your course has rough terrain and hills . There is a bulletin out on this problem and there is a kit available for repair if it fails . Failing is not an option the other course had to replace shifting cables and  few more parts that are not  provided in the kit .

CC President cable kit replacement

Cut all the cables with bolt cutters 

leaving enough sheathing to grab a hold of.

Slide the homemade tool to compress the catches

Quick tug and off it comes . Frustration level zero.

With my homemade tool I can get a brake cable kit installed in 20 minutes , The lift defiantly speeds things up . For our fleet rentals we always install them in pairs as a kit . 

Tool is just 1/2" copper pipe with a T soldered to it for a handle .

Tarp Trailer

Laying it out

Lots of welding on this one 

Pinch the top and bottom of tubes to make welding a bit easier . 

Doubled up on tow bar to make it stronger.

Plywood base .

My goal was to make a trailer from stuff laying around the shop and outside . We haul tarps to greens in the fall to help protect them from the elements . The tarps can be heavy and hard to maneuver  . I made this low profile trailer out of fence posts . Very easy for 2 guys to drag a tarp on . They love to use it and find it quicker and easier to get them out there now .

My Gator Wire latch upgrade

Just needed a cut off wheel and a drill . Pictures are self explanatory . The staff love them . I love them because the rotary or fairway units don't find them ( old style wire latch ) anymore + I'm not stopping a few times a day to put them back on cause the staff no matter how many times I show them  can't seem to figure out how to get them back on .

Toro 5410 Lift Arm Kit

When we received our first model (2008) the left front reel arm mounting bolts would loosen off . It got to a point that I lost a bolt and the hole was stripped out . Toro  repaired it under warranty and it would still loosen off . The original mounting system would allow it to pivot causing the bolts to back off . After about 6 months the dealer called and said there was a kit available to correct this issue . Kit was fairly easy to put on and it has not loosened off again . I;m assuming the newer models have all the extra brackets .

Tow behind blower

I don't miss the beasts ( 3810 jac ) They cut well but during those times where the fertilizer kicks in and the grass takes a jump I rigged this guy up to the blower . Worked great , The old girl had no problem hauling it around and made the finish cut look fantastic . We're running new 5410 Toro with brush kits which do an excellent job for us . No more towing but was/is a fantastic idea . A few neighboring golf course  haul them behind their rough units to spread the clipping clumps they leave in the wet grass in the mornings .

Sand pro battery mod .

It's not pretty but very.....very effective . In our colder climate ( spring and fall ) the lawn and garden battery just doesn't have the cranking amps to turn them over resulting in over heated and burnt out starters from staff trying to get them going . We mostly hand rake traps and start this unit up a couple off times a year for projects . One hit of the key and to comes to back life every time .