Tag Archive for: Cutting

Maximise workshop efficiency: Relief grind your cutting units

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Maximise workshop efficiency: Relief grind your cutting units: Ian Robson, of ProSport UK Ltd, the UK & Ireland Importer/Distributor for Foley Company, explains why relief grinding maximises the performance of reels by giving a factory finish every time.

Avital question for a workshop manager is how to maximise efficiency and minimise labour and maintenance equipment costs. One area to achieve excellent savings is to look at how you maintain the sharpness of your cutting units.

Maximise workshop efficiency: Relief grind your cutting units

Maximise workshop efficiency: Relief grind your cutting units

Firstly, why is having sharp cylinders (reels) that are the correct shape so important anyway? The answer is obvious – unhealthy turf brings a whole host of other issues which are costly to correct.

Therefore, prevention is a far more economic approach than a cure.

A huge amount of research and development has gone into designing a cutting unit to produce the cleanest cut possible with the least amount of fraying and tissue damage to the plant. The result is that all manufacturers of grass cutting equipment supply new units with relief ground edges.

WHY RELIEF GRIND?

Tests carried out by leading manufacturers have established that relief ground cylinders stay on cut up to 3 times longer than spun ground ones and require less horse power to drive the unit, resulting in greater fuel efficiency and less stress on the hydraulic power systems. In addition, a relief ground cylinder will withstand the abrasive effects of top dressing far better than one spun ground because the relief edge on both the bed-knife and the cylinder allows the top dressing to clear the cutting blades easily, helping to prevent the dulling effect seen on spun only units.

Continual relief grinding also decreases the squeezing and tearing of the grass as the units get dull, and most importantly it allows the cylinder to be returned to a factory specification perfect cylinder as quickly as possible.

The overall cleaner cut achieved by relief grinding gives a better after-cut appearance, increased recovery rate due to the clean cut of the grass and reduces the stress on components because less horsepower is needed to drive the cylinder.

As a reel wears flat and loses shape (becomes coned), more stress and strain is put on the cutting systems.

A 5-gang cutting unit with relief can require up to 4.5 HP (5 x 0.88HP = 4.5HP) to drive the cutting units therefore a 35HP engine has 30.5HP remaining to drive the rest of the traction system. A 5-gang unit which has been spun ground only, can require up to 13Hp (5 x 2.59HP = 13HP) leaving only 22HP to drive the rest of the traction system.

Maximise workshop efficiency: Relief grind your cutting units

Maximise workshop efficiency: Relief grind your cutting units

So, it has been established that relief grinding your cutting units saves you money not only by reducing workshop maintenance time with far fewer grinds but also through a reduction in fuel costs and replacement parts.

It is also important to acknowledge what relief grinding does for a reel. By removing metal from the trailing edge of the blade it forms a relief angle, which reduces the contact area of the cutting edges, resulting in less friction, longer wear life.

Typically, when a new mower is delivered the reels will be a perfect cylindrical shape. Over time the blade naturally loses shape, and the sharp edge it arrives with becomes flat and dull, often meaning the reel is no longer a perfect cylinder from end to end. This is referred to as ‘coning’ and a natural point for grinding to take place. The decision then sits between touch-up and spin grinding, or relief grinding.

If there is sufficient relief still on the reel then a quick touch-up is fine but once more than 50% of the relief has gone my advice would be to relief grind again and remove any coning. Failure to remove the coning will eventually be seen in an uneven cut appearance of your turf.

Foley machines are set-up for both choices, and some models, such as the ACCU-Sharp, ACCU-Pro and ACCU-Master, have automatic grinding pre-sets and adjustment systems to decrease time and labour.

But, the main question mentioned at the beginning comes back; how to get the most out of your workshop resources by choosing the most effective method to sharpen your cutting units. The answer is to trust the manufacturer’s judgement and return the reels as close to the original factory standard as possible, and for that, relief grinding is the best option. The bonus is this method also maximises performance and gives the best cut.

Cutting unit maintenance for a cutting edge

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Cutting unit maintenance for a cutting edge: A Toro cylinder mower is an extreme precision tool and like with any precision tool, to ensure it delivers the best performance and results, looking after it well is essential. To make sure your mower delivers the best cut and ultimate finish, regular cutting unit maintenance and the use of genuine Toro parts go hand in hand.

Reesink’s Peter Biddlecombe, who works as Toro Aftersales Manager for Reesink’s South East branch, says calibration and backlapping are probably the two most important things you can do for your cylinder mower.

Cutting unit maintenance for a cutting edge

Cutting unit maintenance for a cutting edge

“For a cutting unit to perform well for the longest period of time without constantly being resharpened or readjusted, then maintaining the parallelism between the bedknife and the cylinder is key,” he says. “If those two components are sharpened, installed and working together properly, you’ll get Toro’s legendary performance from your cylinders for a long time.

“If your bedknife is too close to the cylinder, not only does it wear the blade and cylinder down faster, but the mower needs more power to propel it along. More power needed means more fuel used, and this is another cost on top of repair and more frequent replacement.

“You don’t want the distance of the cylinder to the bedknife too tight or too slack, there should be light contact, just enough to get a couple of bits of paper in. If it’s too tight, then the component will wear down faster. This means that the hydraulic and engine management system will demand more horsepower because there’s more resistance. Generating more power means you use up more fuel, so your fuel costs go up. The less contact you have, the less energy required from the power unit to drive them.”

Backlapping is another quick and easy method to help maintain the sharpness of the cylinder and bedknife between grindings without having to remove the cylinder and bedbar. Peter says: “Park your machine, turn it on, apply the desired lapping paste to the cylinder and set it to backlapping mode. The machine runs in reverse, the paste acts as a grinder and sharpens the blade.

“It’s always better to take the cylinder off and put it on a proper grinder and parallel the grinder to the cylinder, but backlapping is a quick way of maintaining sharpness between proper grinding. Backlapping only takes about 5-10 minutes. If you need to do it for longer you should really get it on a proper grinder.”

The performance of a cylinder mower depends on proper set–up and adjustment procedures, which means that just as important as having the best machine and parts there are, is to have the person who is caring for the machines understand the intricacies of how the components work together.

Peter confirms: “That’s the reassurance you get from working with a Toro service dealer. While others may be able to fix things for less because they have lower overheads and use non-brand aftermarket parts, we know we have to deliver a higher level of quality and show the value of that – highest level of customer service, the best parts, increased lifespan and access to the Toro knowledge network.

“When doing repairs, spending a little more on premium, genuine parts ensures the best performance. Cheaper aftermarket parts may save a few pounds upfront, but the chances are you’ll be buying another one far sooner than a premium part. And there’s always the chance that part may even damage other parts of the machine.”

If a cylinder mower’s unique characteristics are not understood and responded to, the end result will be a poor quality of cut and expensive downtime and repairs. But when properly maintained and operated, cylinder mowers provide a superior – one could say the ultimate – quality of cut.

To continue the conversation, get in touch via reesinkturfcare.co.uk, by phone on 01480 226800 or by email at info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Etesia finance makes grass cutting child’s play

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Etesia finance makes grass cutting child’s play: Martin Carty, Managing Director at Carty Services, has revealed how a 0% interest finance offer from Etesia UK enabled him to improve operations on a wide range of school playing fields throughout Warwickshire. 

During last year’s uncertainty and inevitable financial pressures, Etesia UK explored the best ways in which it could help their customers. With this in mind, a three years’ interest-free finance offer on the all new Etesia Hydro 80 MKHP5 ride-on mower was introduced to allow customers greater flexibility with their finance.

Etesia finance makes grass cutting child’s play

Etesia finance makes grass cutting child’s play

It was an offer which Martin Carty found too good to ignore.

“We were in the market for a new ride-on mower and the Etesia finance offer would give us the financial flexibility to purchase two mowers rather than one,” said Martin. “This was very appealing because two mowers would certainly help to make us more efficient.”

Based in Warwickshire, Carty Services has a glowing reputation for looking after and maintaining gardens, grounds and school sports fields to an incredibly high standard. The company has been trading for seventeen years and Martin now employees 15 members of staff.

The growth of the company is testament to the quality of work undertaken by the Carty Services team. The reputation of the company is exactly why Martin does not rush into quick decisions when it comes to purchasing new equipment.

“The finance offer obviously helped but it absolutely had to be the best mower for us – we want the finest equipment,” he said. “We looked at lots of different ride-on mowers but quite honestly, the other brands just didn’t tick all the boxes like the Etesia Hydro 80 did. The size of the machine was a big factor in our decision too.”

Measuring less than 1 metre wide, the Etesia Hydro 80 is easily transported in any vehicle whether it be a van or a trailer. Its compact size means that this impressive machine can pass through most gateways and its tight turning circle makes it ideal for small or awkward areas. It mows close to walls and fences and is highly manoeuvrable.

“We purely use the Etesia machines on school playing fields and the great thing about them is the size and how manoeuvrable they are,” he said. “They are extremely easy to get through gates and in and out of playgrounds. They deal with tight corners incredibly well and they fit nicely in the van when transporting them to different sites.

“I like how quiet they are, and we can use them without disturbing the classrooms. The ability to cut and collect in all weathers is also hugely beneficial.”

As Martin says, the Etesia Hydro 80 has been designed to cut and collect both long and short grass, without clogging in any weather. Add to that its compact dimensions, ease of use, hydrostatic drive and powerful 15hp twin-cylinder Kawasaki engine, and you have a highly efficient machine offering the kind of output that would easily replace three walk-behind mowers.

Etesia finance makes grass cutting child’s play

Etesia finance makes grass cutting child’s play

The Hydro 80 has also been robustly built and requires minimal maintenance. Operators have access to the engine and all working parts, and the hydrostatic transmission system is maintenance free. The specially coated 60 mm tubular chassis is also designed for strength and long-life.

“They are speedy, powerful and perform very well,” continued Martin. “I would say that they can cover up to nearly 5,000 square metres per hour – which is perfect when time isn’t on your side. We can be cutting the playing fields in the morning and an hour later the children can be out of playing on them.

“The Hydro 80’s are exceptionally good value for money and nothing at all has gone wrong with them. I’ve been so impressed that I’ve already decided that I’ll be purchasing from Etesia UK again when the time comes.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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Precision Pruning From Cutting Specialists

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Precision Pruning From Cutting Specialists: There is no one size fits all for perfect pruning. However, Wilkinson Sword, with more than 100 years of cutting expertise, knows just how to deliver what gardeners need, which is why it has launched a new Precision Pruner Twin Pack to provide gardeners with the exact product they need to get the job done. With maximum precision.

The new twin set consists of two pruners in one set. The first pair has a bypass blade and the other a straight edge, each to serve its own specific purpose. With a 6mm cutting diameter these Precision Pruners are ideal for those with more delicate hands, with Wilkinson Sword placing intricacy at the forefront of gardener’s needs to ensure precise pruning.

Precision Pruning From Cutting Specialists

The bypass blade is the perfect partner when pruning flowers, as well as for general pruning when a delicate touch is needed. Alternatively, for more intricate work and particularly dead heading in dense flowering shrubs where a firmer cut is required, without damaging other plants, then the straight blade pair are more suitable. These are easy to use in dense growth where the head can be snipped without disturbing other flowers.

Both pruners are lightweight with a cast aluminium construction and soft touch non-slip grip handles for maximum comfort. They also boast high quality blades that operate via a smooth spring action which opens and closes the pruners to minimise strain on hands, allowing you to garden for longer! They also have a central safety catch for safe transport and storage.

There really is something for every gardener within the Wilkinson Sword range of garden tools, and each one carries the reassuring Wilkinson Sword 10 year guarantee.

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Cutting Edge Visit For Trade Press

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Cutting Edge Visit For Trade Press: A number of the UK trade press recently visited the factory of Dennis and SISIS in Derby for an insight into the future vision and continual investment of the companies along with a behind the scenes look at the new Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower.

Managing Director Ian Howard and Sales & Marketing Manager Roger Moore extended a warm welcome before giving an insight into current and future markets and products, before discussing the recent results of the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) trials which included a CGI animation of what happens under the surface while using the tractor mounted aerator over a 30-day period.

Cutting Edge Visit For Trade Press

Following extensive trials conducted by the STRI, it has been concluded that the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid would be an essential tool within any integrated turf management programme.

Over a four-month period, extensive STRI trials led by Dr Christian Spring were carried out at the world’s leading sports turf consultancy’s headquarters in Bingley, West Yorkshire. The research saw three trial plots set-up in which one area examined the effects of the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid with air injection, one with the Aer-Aid without air injection, while the other plot was left un-treated. In particular, Christian and his team of researchers were looking at how and if the Javelin Aer-Aid had an effect on the hardness of the turf, root depth, water infiltration and disease.

Attendees were then given a first-glimpse of the Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower before it goes into full production in early 2018. The PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface and is ideal for sports pitches.

The professional rotary mower has been designed and developed with feedback from groundsmen over the past 18 months ahead of the official launch.

Ian Howard then gave an insightful presentation of the company’s sales over the past seven years, which has increased five-fold over that period, before discussing the future vision of the group of companies and products which may appear in the distinctive ‘Dennis Green’ and ‘SISIS Orange’ colours over the coming years.

The group were then given a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the All British Precision factory where components for Dennis and SISIS machines are manufactured. This includes the recent investment of over £400,000 in new fully automated manufacturing machines. This was followed by a tour of the Dennis and SISIS production and assembly lines which now includes a new in-house paint plant – yet more proof of the continual investment into the British manufacturer while ensuring that quality control is of the highest standard.

Factory tour over and it was back into the office for lunch followed by a question and answer session and thanks from both Ian Howard and Roger Moore.

“The event was hailed a great success by all,” commented Ian Howard. “It is always nice to open our doors and give the trade press an insight into exactly what goes into bringing a new product to market – from market research, design, production and extensive field tests with groundsmen and greenkeepers. It also gives them the chance to see our hard-working members of the team which shows the dedication and proudness which you do not always get a chance to see.”

The company is proud to be flying the flag for the UK turf care industry.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com

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