Choosing productive mowers
Grounds-care professionals always are looking for ways to control their budgets and increase their productivity-without reducing the quality of their...
Cutting machines prevail in this business
When I worked on a golf course in Massachusetts, I looked at winter as a time to clear the woods of dead trees and brush that lined fairways. The course...
Horticulture & Chemicals
Stressing out I recently transplanted a large B&B weeping Japanese maple that was shipped from Oregon to my location in Southern California. It keeps...
Equipment & irrigation
Regulations and the contractor I own a mid-sized landscape-contracting firm in the Midwest and am concerned about the EPA's new emission regulations....
Zero-turn radius mowers continue to gain popularity
With the promise of increasing productivity while maximizing quality of cut, it's easy to see why zero-radius mowers are one of the hottest pieces of...
Sharpen a chain saw
To understand how to sharpen a chain saw, you must have a basic understanding of the entire mechanism. To simply sharpen the chain without adjusting pitch...
Chain saws are 'safety-first' tools
Chain saws are, without a doubt, one of the most helpful tools in your arsenal of grounds-maintenance equipment. However, according to Larry VanDeValk,...
Test irrigation wiring with a multimeter
Ask anyone involved with irrigation-system maintenance and they'll probably agree: Troubleshooting an irrigation system's electrical system is one of...
Protecting your irrigation system from lightning
Any number of golf-course superintendents can attest that disaster strikes in the blink of an eye-or, more specifically, in a flash of lightning. An age-old...
Nutrients affect turfgrass diseases
Turfgrasses need certain nutrients in the right amounts to grow properly and maintain good health. When these nutrients are deficient or present in excess...
Understanding overhead-valve engines
You've all heard about overhead valves when shopping for power equipment, but what do they mean to you? Do you need overhead valves? Do they cost more?...
Keep your pond pristine with aeration
If you have a pond, or if you are considering installing one, proper aeration will alleviate most problems before they begin. Ponds and lakes are beautiful...
Take a look at wireless communication
If you are wondering whether you need to purchase cellular telephones, pagers or two-way radios for your employees, the answer is yes and no. Advancements...
Don't get zapped
Living here in Kansas, we have the opportunity to view spectacular thunderstorms, and we are well into our thunderstorm season. The dark, towering clouds...
Horticulture & Chemicals
Bermudagrass and pH What is the proper pH for a bermudagrass fairway?-TennesseeBermudagrass is not considered finicky when it comes to pH. Any pH close...
Equipment and Irrigation
Valve troubleshooting I recently turned on an irrigation system and some of the valves are not working. I've checked the valve boxes, and they seem normal....
Irrigation-filtration systems
Filtration is a vital component of any irrigation system. Think of it as an insurance policy designed to protect all of the downstream components of your...
Ah, that aroma of fresh-cut turf
The mowing season is in full swing. Mowers are buzzing, clippings are flying and work crews are busy. There isn't a day that passes that you can't smell...
Horticulture & Chemicals
Not turf's best friend What can I do about dog-urine spots in my client's lawn?-MinnesotaThis problem is sometimes called "female-dog-spot disease." The...
Equipment and Irrigation
Spark plug metals Is there an advantage to using high-end spark plugs made out of special metals vs. the standard, less-expensive models?-Texas (via the...
Mower sulkies and standing riders
Less fatigue, faster rate of work completion, labor-saving strategies and improved mowing fleets are important concerns for most grounds-maintenance-company...
Adjust cutting heights of reel mowers
Properly adjusted cutting heights of your reel mowers can mean the difference between a healthy and professional-looking course and an unsightly one....
Comparing rotary-riding mower components
Fast, uniform cutting is the name of the game with rotary commercial riding mowers, whether they are zero-turn-radius units or rear-wheel-steer types....
Diagnosing turfgrass disease
In August and early September 1998, many golf courses in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas experienced a sudden and devastating outbreak of gray leaf spot on...
Help bentgrass beat the heat
Creeping bentgrass prefers the cool, moist European climate from which it originated. How, then, can you maintain creeping bentgrass through the scorching...
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