Turf Equipment Technicians Association (TETAC)

Here is a short list of the main equipment that we use to maintain a 36 hole facility:

• 22 Walk Mowers

• 3 Bunker rakes

• 9 Greensaire

• 4 fairway and approach mowers

• 1 Backhoe

• 8 Hover Mowers

• 25 Utility Carts

• 4 Fairway Units

• 3 Rough Units

• 10 Triplex

• 5 Sprayers

• 4 Topdressers

• 3 Intermediate Cut Mowers

• 3 Leaf Vacs

• 5 Fairway Blowers

• 7 Tractors

My #1 priority in my job is to make my Superintendent look good. I want our grounds looking better than any other in the area. This is done by communicating with the workers and checking the mowers frequently for bad rollers, loose spindle bearings, dull blades etc.

We have 5 assistants on property. We meet together with the Superintendent every morning and then with the crew before they go out. In doing this I know what activities are going on during the day. I am always available for the crew when they get started to make sure they understand how a machine operates and there are no problems.

Another part of my job is to help train the operators when they are on an unfamiliar unit. I like to run the mowers at least once a week myself to look for any potential problems that may arise and to keep from going out on the course and trying to repair a downed machine.

All reels are checked for sharpness and adjusted each time they come in so that they are ready to go the next day. There is no excuse for a mower to go out and not be sharpened and adjusted for maximum performance.

Rotary blades are sharpened and balanced twice a week. Sharp blades not only will give you a neat appearance but they use less horsepower when they are in good condition. Are you going through spindle bearings each month? If you are you probably are not balancing the blades. There are many blade balancers available but driving a nail into the wall is better than not doing anything.

We use the internet as much as possible for looking up information. All parts orders are done electronically and a considerable amount of money has been saved by shopping on line. The most important tool in the building is my computer. I use it for a myriad of tasks and I feel that my job is much easier with it. If you are afraid of computers then take a short class on learning how to use one and in a short while you will wonder how you were able to do your job without it.

If you approach you job as a professional then your work will speak for itself. Look around at your facility for areas that can be improved upon and ways of doing your work more efficiently. Make sure the crew is not afraid to approach you with problems that they see and keep an open line of communication with the Superintendent and the Assistants and your job will become much easier. If nothing else it may cut down on the surprises.

Rex Floyd is the Head Equipment Technician at North Ridge Country Club - one of the most premier Country Clubs in Raleigh, NC. He has been with North Ridge for 3 years.