Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives

May 19, 2017/in Machinery, Press Release/by Georgina Scott

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives. True or false – the fine finish from a cylinder mower is down to luck? It’s the time of year when advice on checking bedknives is regularly dispensed, and rightly so with high season fast approaching. However, it’s good to stop for a moment and understand how and why operating, adjustment […]

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

May 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by Scott MacCallum

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back – Two KCOM groundsmen who claimed they were sacked over the state of the pitch have set up a crowdfunding page to take their bosses to an employment tribunal. Darrell Cook and Mark Harrison say they were dismissed a month ago by the Stadium […]

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives

May 19, 2017/in Machinery, Press Release/by Georgina Scott

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

May 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by Scott MacCallum

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives

May 19, 2017/in Machinery, Press Release/by Georgina Scott

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives. True or false – the fine finish from a cylinder mower is down to luck?

It’s the time of year when advice on checking bedknives is regularly dispensed, and rightly so with high season fast approaching. However, it’s good to stop for a moment and understand how and why operating, adjustment and maintenance procedures are so important, especially when it comes to the critical end of the grass cutting process.

Michael Hampton at Reesink Turfcare, the UK distributor of all genuine Toro parts, explains here the important role bedknives play in the fine finish expected from a cylinder mower: “Along with the cylinder and the frame, the bedknife is one of the three main structural members in a cylinder cutting unit. The bedknife is attached to the bedbar and the assembly is mounted to the main frame in a manner that allows for paralleling and adjustment to the cylinder.

“A cylinder mower cuts grass with a scissor-like shearing action as the moving helix shaped blades pass over the stationary bedknife. The cutting action requires the bedknife and cylinder blades to be sharp, matched and in close relationship with each other and the bedknife sharpened to be flat and square so the sharp edge touches the cylinder blades across their entire length.

“If the bedknife is not perfectly flat it is impossible to get the bedknife to touch the entire length of the cylinder. This is an essential part of the construction, making cylinder mowers precision cutting tools. Adjust any part of the construction process with, for example, ‘will-fit’ parts and the fit, form and function are affected leaving a less attractive and less consistent after-cut appearance.

“To understand the cylinder cutting theory fully though, you need to understand the concept of the clip and shear point. A shear point is any single point of contact made between the cylinder blade and bedknife. The clip is the forward distance travelled between successive blade contacts at one shear point. As the cylinder moves forward it pushes the grass in front of it, while the cylinder blade gathers the grass as it moves toward the bedknife. The bedknife then pushes the grass toward the shear point, while the cylinder blade gathers it in front, creating a triangle.”

Michael concludes: “The fine finish expected from a cylinder mower is not down to luck, far from it. Understanding and appreciating that cylinder mowers are precision machines, requiring precision-engineered parts in order to achieve the best possible finish should help make the decision that ‘will-fit’ parts aren’t worth the negative impact on the turf.”

The quote: the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten, rings true here. So our recommendation is: don’t fall foul to the temptation. Toro bedknifes are precision-engineered for a superior quality of cut. Every bedknife Toro manufactures is designed to meet strict Toro engineering specifications to ensure the best quality of cut and after-cut appearance, and to last as long as possible until replacement.

A true flatness of the knife extends their life and maximises the quality of cut. They’re made of high carbon steel for ultimate durability and longevity and retain their edge for longer meaning greenkeepers and groundsmen can mow longer without the need to adjust or replace frequently.

To avoid downtime and ensure a premium after-cut appearance for longer, contact distributor Reesink Turfcare’s Toro parts department on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

May 19, 2017/in Industry News, Press Release/by Scott MacCallum

Darrell Cook and Mark Harrison say they were dismissed a month ago by the Stadium Management Company (SMC) for gross misconduct after claims the pitch, used by Hull City and Hull FC, had been deteriorating.

Darell, 55, says he was also told he was being sacked for working as a kit man for Hull FC while Mark claims he was told another reason for his dismissal was down to ordering too much grass treatment product. The third allegation Mark has made relates to allowing casual workers to turn up and repair divots in return for a match ticket. They were also told not to return.

Both men insist they did nothing to warrant their dismissal and were not given any warnings beforehand. They say they are not looking for compensation, they just want their jobs back.

Speaking to Hull Daily Mail, the two men said: “We don’t want the inevitable attention this may bring but we had no other option if we were to fight for the jobs we love and to clear our names.

“This is not just for us but for our wives, parents and children. We’re proud men who have always taken immense pride in our work.

“We wouldn’t normally be able to afford a legal challenge like this against such formidable opposition. There is no access to legal aid and we didn’t earn big salaries so we hope the people at SMC understand why we had no choice but to take this route.

“We look forward to the day we can hold our heads high again and get back to work providing both Hull City and Hull FC with a playing surface both clubs and their fans can be proud of.”

Darrell added: “This is a job I have done for 27 years and there was no indication anything like this was coming.

“Both myself and Mark have worked for the SMC for 16 years. We have never been in any trouble or had any reprimand so this came out of the blue.”

“The idea of crowdfunding has alleviated that worry a little. We are both well-known and I hope well-liked so we would like to think we’ll get some support.”

The two men say they are only seeking justice at the tribunal and have not issued proceedings.

“We want to clear our names. We actually want to get our jobs back and a tribunal can order that. We were proud to be involved with Hull City and Hull FC – we just want to get back to work and continue that association for many years to come.”

To visit the crowd justice page, please click here

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Understanding The Role Of Bedknives

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT