After a summer spent up to their eyeballs in broken hoses, bent drive trains and a host of other mechanical nightmares, most course maintenance workers are understandably ready to hang up the tool belt and take a muchneeded break once the season winds down.
But as deserved as that rest would be, wintertime (or any slowdown period) also presents an ideal opportunity for the course maintenance team to give all of their equipment and tools a thorough, preventative tuneup. It’s the perfect chance to assess the condition of all machinery and see if anything is close to wearing out. And it’s not just maintenance equipment that can be given the ol’ once-over. Smart superintendents will also use the free time to look at everything—from signposts and benches to yardage markers and bunker rakes—to determine what needs to be fixed or replaced. So roll up those sleeves, put on your overalls, and get down and dirty with our winterization guide. Extending Life Spans
Course in Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia, “Henry” has worked for Golf Course Superintendent Dale Wilder for over 17 years, and never started work late or asked for a day off.He’s easily Wilder’s most reliable “employee”—and he’s also a reverse fine-cut flail mower.
Some might argue that “Henry” is an anomaly, blessed when it rolled off the factory line. But a closer look at the thorough habits of Riverside’s maintenance staff shows that the mower’s longevity is due to much more than luck.
Fairmont is in the Columbia Valley, nestled between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains, two hours west of Calgary. With no less than 10 world class golf resorts within a 50-mile radius, it’s known as “the Palm Springs of Canada.” Unlike its desert-bound cousin to the south, however, the region endures bitterly cold winters, with copious snowfalls and freezing winds.
Wilder knows the importance of properly winterizing his equipment against these climatic challenges.With his mechanic, Kenny Petras, he brings each piece into the shop after the course closes in the fall, and performs a thorough and complete winterization program that, as “Henry’s” durability attests, must be working.
“The engine is obviously the most important thing to focus on,”Wilder says. It is first cleaned using warm water and an engine-cleaning solution. A pressure washer can get those extra-gunky areas clean, but special care must be taken to avoid damaging the electrical systems. An oil change at season’s end is particularly important because used oil can contain broken-down additives that will corrode vital engine components over the winter. Once the old oil is drained and fresh oil added, the engine should be engaged for a short time to coat mechanisms.
“We use a lighter-weight oil in equipment we might need early in the spring,” Wilder adds. Blowers and utility vehicles fall into this category, with all others receiving the heavier-weighted oil they will need once temperatures rise and regular use resumes.
Ready to Go in the Garage Because his vehicles are stored in an unheated garage, Wilder makes sure all gasoline-powered equipment is put away with a full tank of fuel. This prevents condensation from forming in the empty tank and freezing over the winter. Superintendents lucky enough to have a heated storage facility, though, are best served by completely draining the gas tanks. Diesel-fueled equipment should be stored with full tanks of a winter-blend of diesel, regardless of where they are kept. This will prevent harmful condensation in the tanks and allow the equipment to be moved if needed.
Batteries should be stored fully charged. They normally lose from 1% to 2% of their charge a day, but this loss can be exaggerated by cold temperatures. Because the storage facility at Riverside is usually well below freezing during the winter, batteries are removed and stored in a dry, warm area of the shop. According to Wilder, batteries stored in cold areas can experience a dead short that can cause the battery to freeze and require it to be replaced come spring.
“We sharpen all our reels, bedknives and cutting blades during the off-season,” Wilder adds. He also uses this time to check on the health of adjusting knobs and bolts, as well as the physical condition of hoses, belts, wiring and electrical systems. Most mechanics and superintendents keep a watchful eye on these parts during the year, but before putting equipment up for the winter, it becomes even more important to ensure their health. All conduits should be cleaned with warm water and a degreaser, because buildups of oil, gas and even grass clippings will continue to corrode all winter long. Check for tiny cracks or fissures, as these will suffer and can ultimately fail during a cold snap. Any components showing wear should be replaced.Otherwise, you’re sure to start the new season battling broken belts and hydraulic oil leaks.
Once the reels are sharpened and mowers are left to hibernate in storage, their power belts should either be completely removed or have all tension slackened. Serpentine power belts should be removed, cleaned and hung up straight to increase their useful life. Flail mowers, like the aforementioned “Henry,” should be cleared of all built-up grassy debris, as the pesticides and fertilizers contained in this organic buildup can be incredibly corrosive over the course of the winter. Usually, a high-pressure washer is needed to remove all the debris. The task of removing and sharpening the flail’s knives is laborious, but also guarantees an even cut come spring. Rotary blades should be cleaned before being sharpened and oiled once put back in place.
After all that,Wilder and Petras spend a lot of time with the grease gun, hitting all the lubrication points. “It’s time consuming and tedious, but absolutely necessary,” says Wilder. On-the-Course Inventories
Before the temperature drops and snow moves in, superintendents shouldn’t just focus on equipment. As the season winds down and the grass thankfully slows its growth, they’re also given a chance to begin preparing for the following year.
At Riverside GC, Wilder’s winterization program calls for more than applications of herbicides and fungicides. The wide-open expanses of the course attract a large number of wintering elk from the nearby mountains, so Wilder must fence off his greens with six-foot metal fences. He can’t protect his entire course from the foraging beasts, but knows the importance of keeping the massive creatures off the delicate greens.
Wilder suggests that progressive course managers should also tour their course and conduct a comprehensive, honest assessment of its infrastructure. Look at bridges, retaining walls, and cart paths for weaknesses. The elements are merciless against these flaws, especially in winter. Frost, snow and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc and turn minor faults into major safety issues. A visual scan for loose or rotting boards, as well as a physical check for missing or loose bolts, weak supports and worn hardware will help avoid expensive—and headache-inducing—surprises in the springtime.
Many superintendents are good at keeping a vigilant watch on larger infrastructure, but overlook smaller-scale pieces like benches and signposts. A season of aggressive t
rimmer use around these objects can often make it appear as if a beaver has run amok, leaving their bases damaged and weak. This problem goes beyond aesthetics. The freeze/thaw cycle can render them unstable and downright dangerous come spring. Repair or replacement needs should be noted during the season-end assessment.
The same methodical approach can be applied to miscellaneous equipment like yardage markers, bunker rakes, and water coolers. Instead of simply collecting and storing these items over the winter, have your staff inspect each piece.To save money on bunker rakes, disassemble damaged units and pair up undamaged heads with undamaged handles. For the rest of the accessories, you should cull the broken or worn pieces and do an inventory, to determine how many of each you need to replenish your supply for the following season. This proactive approach will not only let you enter the next season prepared, but also avoid the hassle of scrambling for replacements when suppliers and manufacturers are overwhelmed with orders from your more unprepared colleagues. It also helps you prioritize and use your equipment budget more efficiently.
In a perfect world, superintendents would have a warm, dry spot to store all these accessories. But the reality is that most clubs don’t. This doesn’t mean one should pile everything in to whatever storage sheds they have and hope for the best. Simple steps can go far in protecting stored equipment. Clean everything with warm water and soap, to remove dirt that will stain the equipment and can corrode metal screws or bindings. Then make sure everything is completely dry, especially water coolers. Even the smallest amount of water will obliterate anything plastic once it starts contracting and expanding with temperature fluctuations.
Also, avoid storing anything directly on the ground. Wrap rakes, water coolers or any other plastic accessories in an old tarp or blanket, and pile them on an old pallet in the middle of the room. A simple label printed off a computer and placed inside a plastic sheath will be especially handy once the time comes to re-equip the course.
“Winter” Below the Snow Line
For those lucky enough to face a winter of “freezing” temperatures in the 60s, it becomes more tricky to juggle maintainance tasks while equipment is still needed on the course. “The demands of maintaining the course during the winter months mean it’s business as usual,” says George Sienta, Assistant Superintendent at Continental Golf Club in Wildwood, Fla. “We don’t have the luxury of months of downtime to take a real close look at our equipment like they do up north.”
Instead, Continental’s equipment is given a systematic assessment, using a rotating schedule. “The machinery is constantly being assessed by our mechanic, with oil changes, reel sharpening and the rest of the ongoing maintenance— but we’ll pull in the fairway and rough units every year and give them a thorough examination,” Sienta says. The maintenance staff also takes advantage of the downtime offered when greensmowers—the backbones of any maintenance department—are brought in to be retrofitted with brushes after the greens are overseeded.
On the course, winter calls for fundamental changes in maintenance procedures. Like many warm-season clubs, Continental overseeds with ryegrass. To encourage germination and robust growth, a verticutting regimen is used to thin the bermudagrass and allow the ryegrass to flourish.
The application of preemergent herbicides before it’s too late is another hallmark of Continental’s winterization program. Nighttime temperatures in the mid-50s are perfect for germinating poa annua, so Seinta says his crew makes sure to “lay down an application on our greens, rough and collars just as the temperature starts to fall.” (Many superintendents make the mistake of waiting until the temperature drops too far to apply these chemicals; waiting until too late in the fall can leave frustrated superintendents battling outbreaks of this pesky invasive weed all winter long.)
Planning Saves Budgets
With machinery costs rising and budgets shrinking, it is more important than ever for superintendents to squeeze every possible second of life from their equipment. Proper, preventative winterization programs may require an increase in labor, but their benefits are without question. Just look at old “Henry,” the Riverside flail mower. He may have lost his bright orange sheen and now needs a bit longer to warm up in the morning, but he still dutifully keeps the rough neat and uniform after all these years.
If superintendents want the rest of their course equipment to last as long, they are best served to go into winter with a comprehensive plan that accounts for the ravages of the season. “Henry” may get the winter off—but enterprising superintendents don’t. C&RB
Prepping for the Winter Freeze
Their ancestors may have salted meats and preserved fruits to prepare for winter, but modern day superintendents have a whole different set of tasks to consider when winterizing their courses. Use our checklist together with your own program to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Before closing
• Apply preemergent herbicides and fungicides as required
• Supply adequate fertilizer to allow grass to survive dormancy
• Winterize irrigation system (Mid-November) – use a high-powered compressor to remove all traces of moisture – remove controller boxes if possible, insulate boxes if not
• Slowly raise height of cut to winter levels on greens (late-September/early November)
• Final cut of rough and collars
• Clean & prepare storage area, including any insulating that can be done
After closing
• Remove: – flags – cups – bunker rakes – ball washers – towels – water coolers – bunker rakes – tee markers – yardage markers – garbage cans
• Disconnect water on course restrooms
• Visually inspect: – Benches – Signposts – Bridges – Retaining walls – Trees – Fences – Railings – Steps – Bunker walls – Pond edges
• Topdress then cover/fence off greens & other sensitive areas of the course
During winter
• Periodic checks of snow cover to ensure no ice layer exists
• Provide breathing holes for temporary relief of ice cover problem
• Dig channels in snow to assist run off in draining off greens
• Remove ice cover if it persists for over 40 days (You may want to consider artificial cover to protect exposed green from wind/cold damage.)
In spring
• Use top dressing sand or darkening agents like charcoal dust to accelerate ice melting
• Aerate as soon as possible
• Apply preemergent herbicides if ground is thawed and unsaturated – Conditions are getting ideal for poa annua & crabgrass germination
• Jolt grass out of dormancy with fertilizer applications
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Summing It Up
• Vigilant adherence to maintenance regimens can prolong equipment life and lessen unexpecte
d repairs and replacements.
• Time spent to properly store equipment and golf course accessories can significantly reduce the time needed to get a course up and running again the following season—not to mention prevent cold weather-related damage.
• Don’t focus on equipment to the extent that things like signposts and benches are neglected.
• Even if you don’t experience a cold winter, set aside time to conduct intensive equipment cleaning and restoration, in addition to more routine maintenance efforts.
Machine Winterization Checklist
• Clean with warm water and engine cleaning solution
• Change oil and filter and run engine for 5-10 minutes to coat components with oil
• Store gas-powered vehicles with full tanks of gas (if storage is unheated) or empty if heated (to compensate for expansion)
• Store diesel equipment with full tank of gas enriched with winter fuel additives
• Refresh coolant with 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water
• Inspect water pump, all belts, hoses and radiator
• Clean or replace air filter
• Trickle-charge batteries to full charge (12.6 V) & measure specific gravity (1.265)
• If equipment is stored in cold storage, remove battery and coat connectors with grease
• Inflate tires to proper working pressure and clean
• Clean reels and sharpen – Reel drive belts should be removed if stored in cold, slackened if stored in heated area – Spray bedknife screws with rust inhibitor – Clean and oil all adjusting knobs – Clean and lightly oil rollers
• Lubricate all grease fittings
• Store with no pressure on hydraulic units in a dry, clean place
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