New Tier 4 Mower Features

Toro’s Tier 4 Final Reelmaster® and Groundsmaster® models for 2013 will incorporate new Yanmar® diesel engines that combine more sophisticated electronic controls, advanced exhaust systems, and after-treatment technology to meet the requirements.

Why Yanmar Diesel Engines: 4 Reasons

The low total cost of ownership of Yanmar’s diesel engines — along with innovative technology and reduced environmental impact — were deciding factors in Toro’s decision to partner with Yanmar. More broadly, Toro continues to partner with companies that have consistent approaches to delivering customer value in the form of high quality products, efficient use of resources, and stellar reputations in the industry for standing behind their respective products.

Here’s a quick look at why Toro ultimately chose Yanmar as the best option for these products for its customers.

1. Quality, reliability and cost-effectiveness.

During the selection process, Toro considered nearly every manufacturer of diesel engines in the 25-75 hp range. Yanmar, consistent with its strong market reputation, offered the best combination of product range, reliability, quality, and cost-effectiveness as a partner. Additionally, Yanmar exhibited a high level of engineering capability and manufacturing technology that provided confidence in their ability to deliver a high quality product on time.

2. Fuel efficiency.

The Yanmar engines used by Toro in the 25 to 74 hp range are direct injection diesel engines. Direct injection technology has traditionally delivered better fuel efficiency than alternative technologies. While field test data is limited, Toro is confident that their new Tier 4 final mowing solutions will deliver improved fuel efficiency for Turf applications.

3. Modern design.

Yanmar TNV Series engines have a modern, state-of-the-art design with a more robust bottom end (crankshaft, connecting rods and bearings) for the long life and high reliability that Toro customers have come to expect.

4. Manufacturing advantages.

Beyond the engine technology, Yanmar offered several key manufacturing efficiencies to help ensure the most reliable, cost-effective product for our customers. From their electrical control system/architecture and exhaust after-treatment mounting options, to their ability to deliver prototypes for testing, they offered the best package to complete the Tier 4 program on schedule.

Cleaner Air & Intelligent Engine Technology Is the Bottom Line

Toro’s new Tier 4 Reelmaster® and Groundsmaster® models will continue to provide the exceptional maneuverability and handling, superior after-cut appearance, and trouble-free performance and reliability that Toro’s customers have come to expect — all while fulfilling Tier 4 requirements and helping to improve the environmental impact wherever Toro products are sold.

For more information on Tier 4 and Toro’s diesel-powered products, visit http://www.toro.com/tier4.

1. Alleviate frost heaves in northern climates.

Frost heaving is caused by the cycle of freezing and thawing on many northern golf courses.

Surface soil can buckle from the pressure as temperatures fluctuate and moisture from below is drawn up to the frozen layer. If this is occurs on your course, it’s a good idea to roll before your first mow to avoid scalping any uneven spots.

2. Smooth swollen thatch in southern climates.

Heavy rain and high humidity can cause thatch to swell, allowing mowers to sink in and scalp the turf. Rolling smooths the thatch to help avoid scalping while also creating a better playing surface.

3. Prepare seedbeds for better growth.

Rolling increases seed-to-soil contact, which leads to better growth.

The Right Roller for the Job

If you’re looking for the perfect machine for these applications, the Toro® GreensPro® 1200 riding greens roller offers several unique advantages:

• The offset smoothing rollers overlap, providing a consistent roll across the entire swath of the machine without leaving a roll line.

• The split design allows both halves of the smoothing rollers to spin independently, so they’re gentle on turf and less likely to scuff.

• The articulating smoothing heads hug and preserve the natural contours of the green, allowing more flexibility in choosing the direction to roll the green.

In addition, the GreensPro 1200 is easy to operate with convenient steering and foot pedal control. One person can convert the unit from operating to transport mode without tools.

For more information about the Toro GreensPro 1200, contact your local Toro distributor or visit toro.com/greenspro.

Toro Makes It Easy

Toro has partnered with your local distributor to develop two systems to help you select which parts to keep in stock. Your distributor can provide a recommended parts stocking list based on the equipment you own. They can also look up the orders you placed last year to use as a guide for this year’s purchases. Both processes are designed to help ensure that you have what you need to keep getting the job done. Toro also provides MVP Kits for many common maintenance jobs such as hose kits, cutting unit overhaul kits, deck kits, and many more. All the required parts are included in a single package to make ordering and completing the job easier.

Nobody Likes Downtime

Having parts on hand is the difference between working time and downtime, so it’s essential to stock up for the busy season and have the parts you need on hand. In addition to parts for routine maintenance, you can also find other parts at your distributor, usually with delivery within 24 hours. And if your distributor doesn’t have it, they can have the part shipped directly to you from Toro’s main warehouse with either 48 or 24-hour delivery.

In fact, Toro is committed to minimizing downtime and getting you the exact parts for your equipment needs, as shown in our Parts Pledge: “To best protect your investment and maintain optimal performance of your turf equipment, count on Toro genuine parts. When it comes to reliability, Toro delivers replacement parts designed to the exact engineering specifications of our equipment. For peace of mind, insist on Toro genuine parts.”

Stretching Your Budget is Easy, Too

Your Toro TLC points can be redeemed for a distributor Parts Credit, so you can invest less while still getting the parts you need and the quality you want. Just visit the Rewards section in your online TLC account to redeem credits. No paperwork or codes are needed — the credit will be applied to your account with your local distributor, so everything will be in place when you’re ready to purchase the parts.

If you aren’t signed up for the Toro TLC Parts Rewards Program, don’t miss out on your chance to earn rewards. Signing up is free and easy. Enroll today at www.toro.com/tlc.

Start Now

The busy mowing season is here, so don’t wait. Minimize downtime and be prepared for routine maintenance needs by stocking up on Toro parts today.

Light Weight = Less Stress on Turf

At just 1,985 lbs in the base configuration, the Reelmaster 3550-D is the lightest fairway unit on the market — significantly lighter than comparably equipped competitive mowers weighing up to 2,600 lbs. The lighter weight provides better flotation, allowing bentgrass fairways and other sensitive turf areas to flourish.

The lightweight design also makes gentle turns, and minimizes compaction and tire tracks. That means less stress on turf, especially in the hot summer months.

Boosts Productivity

It’s tempting to choose a greensmower for a lighter footprint on sensitive, delicate turf. But there’s a trade-off: Although greensmowers weigh less, they’re also generally slower and cut a narrower swath than fairway units can.

The Reelmaster 3550-D fills this gap. With a maximum mowing speed of 7 mph, the 3550-D is up to 40 percent faster than the typical riding greensmower. It also offers an 82-inch width of cut, compared to the typical greensmower’s 59-inch width of cut. The higher speed and wider cutting swath add up to finishing the job faster, which makes a big difference in productivity.

Excellent Ground Following

The Reelmaster 3550-D also has five 18-inch cutting units, compared to the 22-inch cutting units on most fairway mowers. The narrower units make it easier to follow ground contours on the fairway.

These cutting units are a smaller version of Toro’s dual precision adjustment (DPA) cutting units, which are easy to adjust, have fewer required adjustments, and hold their adjustment longer — not to mention providing outstanding quality of cut. Optional 22-inch rear cutting units are available to achieve additional overlap if desired.

Power and Traction

The Reelmaster 3550-D features a 24.8 hp Kubota diesel engine with plenty of power to climb hills, even while running groomers and rear roller brushes. Smooth, turf-friendly tires are standard, as is a series/parallel 3-wheel drive system that provides outstanding traction on wet, uphill grades.

The Reelmaster 3550-D is scheduled to be available in late spring. For more information about the new Reelmaster 3550-D, ask your Toro distributor or visit toro.com.

Project Background

Located in a forested area in the heart of the Monterey Peninsula, Poppy Hills is owned and operated by the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA). Drainage issues, old irrigation equipment and the desire to improve playability prompted the NCGA to consider its options for the 26-year old course. They decided it would be most cost effective to do a comprehensive renovation in conjunction with the irrigation system update, so the course would only be disrupted once.

Renovation Plans

Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Poppy Hills is again working with Bob Jones and the RTJ II team to create a more naturalized, flowing feel in the style of Pine Valley and Pinehurst No. 2. The new design will dramatically reduce the irrigated turf area while adding more playable space with wider fairways and 18 new greens and bunker complexes.

“We’ve taken a surgical approach to the design with regard to water conservation,” says Jones. “We tried to use pinpoint accuracy to deal with water issues while keeping and enhancing the golf experience and course aesthetics. Toro has been open-minded and has advanced their technology to achieve these goals.”

To further manage water, all of the playable parts of the course will be sand-capped under the turf — adding a layer of 5 to 6 inches of custom-blended local sand over a drainage network of perforated pipe.

Toro^® PrecisionSense™ Technology Identifies Problem Areas

According to Bruce Charlton, president and chief design officer at Robert Trent Jones II LLC, Toro’s PrecisionSense™ site assessment service provided critical information for the new design. This mobile sensing technology collects data on soil moisture, turf vigor, salinity, compaction and elevation on an existing golf course, then generates GIS-accurate maps to aid with irrigation system design and management.

“Toro goes in and creates detailed maps that show where the water is being used effectively — as well as where the dry spots and chronic wet areas are — so you can maximize the effect of the different micro-climates of the site,” Charlton explains. “That has been really helpful. We’re utilizing the maps to solve the problems that exist now, and when the new irrigation system is in, we’ll map it again for fine-tuning.”

Toro Wins the Bid

PrecisionSense mapping also factored into the course’s decision to go with Toro over the competition. Charlton believes it came down to Toro’s like-minded philosophy and leadership in terms of water conservation technology. “PrecisionSense is just one part of that technology,” he adds. “Toro also included a Turf Guard^® wireless soil monitoring system in the proposal so the course can do a good job of accurately managing irrigation demand. The bid was very competitive — and because of everything they brought to the table, it was the obvious choice.”

Poppy Hills plans to replace its current irrigation system with new, state-of-the-art products supplied by Toro distributor Turf Star. In addition to the Turf Guard wireless sensors, components will include Toro’s GDC 2-wire field control modules that help reduce the amount of system wire required and install below ground to maintain course aesthetics. A Toro^® Lynx^® central control system will also help Poppy Hills manage it all and irrigate precisely where and when it’s needed.

Renovation Timing

Contractors are scheduled to begin work March 1 and construction will continue throughout this year, with the new Poppy Hills Golf Course opening in 2014. Look for more details about the Poppy Hills project and the new Toro irrigation system in an upcoming issue of Toro Advantage.

In the meantime, see toro.com/irrigation/golf or ask your local Toro distributor for more information about these Toro^® irrigation products and services. You can also read more about the project on the NCGA’s Poppy Hills Golf Course Renovation Blog.

Easy on Mechanics … and Operators

“It’s really a good mower,” Fiorillo explains. “We’ve had it for a couple seasons now, and we really like the ease of maintenance for the mechanic. It’s very easy to get to the reels and get them off quickly to sharpen them.”

Fiorillo says ease of operation for the operators is another big advantage of the TriFlex 3300. “Transporting it from green to green seems like it’s a lot quicker, so they like that,” he says. “It speeds up the operation. The TriFlex reel is also similar to the ones on our Flex^™ walk mowers, so the cut is a bit better as well.”

Sound Advice

Fiorillo and his crew maintain 63 holes with a fleet of Toro equipment including Reelmaster^® 5200 and 5210 fairway mowers, Greensmaster^® 3100 greensmowers and a Groundsmaster^® 3500-D with Sidewinder^® cutting units. His advice to courses looking for a new mower? “If you’re considering different brands, drive them all to see what kind of cut you get and how they operate,” he recommends. “You want to see them in person before you make a purchase.”

We first heard about Fiorillo’s TriFlex experience through the Toro Leaderboard website. He submitted his comments and ultimately won a $500 VISA gift card in a random drawing from course professionals who have posted feedback on the site.

Give Us Your Feedback

If you’ve had a great experience with Toro equipment, we’d like to hear about it. Visit toro.com/leaderboard to see what other golf course superintendents are saying about Toro equipment and submit your comments today!

1. Virtually NO scalping. With Toro’s exclusive Contour™ Plus cutting technology, three independently floating 27-inch decks follow the surfaces of bunkers, greens and tee surrounds, hugging them evenly for a consistent cut. “The use of the 3500-D with the contour rotary decks has dramatically improved the condition of our greens, tees and bunker surrounds.” — Superintendent, Tualatin, OR, via the Toro Leaderboard   2. The ability to shift cutting decks in either direction. Toro’s exclusive Sidewinder® cutting system allows you to shift the decks 12 inches (30.5 cm) left or right of center. That means you can mow delicate transition areas like bunkers or water edges while keeping traction wheels away from the edge. You can also increase the cutting unit overhang for precise trimming. In addition, the Sidewinder design lets you shift the tire path from cut to cut, reducing compaction for less wear and tear and healthier turf.

“The sidewinder action of the cutting heads lets the operators get areas that would normally have to be touched up with an extra piece of equipment or done by hand – saving labor cost in the long run.” — Superintendent, Little Rock, AR, via the Toro Leaderboard   3. The cleanest possible cut. Special air inlet pockets keep the grass standing tall for the cleanest possible cut, while an acceleration baffle speeds clipping circulation and ensures maximum power. The modified discharge opening also disperses clippings evenly. (An optional mulching kit is available.) “The Toro 3500-D does a fantastic job of cutting around greens and tees with a professional look. I don’t think there is a comparable piece in the market that does what the 3500-D accomplishes.” — Superintendent, Fort Wayne, IN, via the Toro Leaderboard   4. Exceptional traction, power and maneuverability. The 3500-D’s patented Series/Parallel™ 3-wheel drive traction system provides excellent traction on hills and banks while minimizing spinout. The 35 hp (26 kW) turbo-charged Kubota® diesel engine also delivers plenty of power to handle demanding conditions, so operators can mow more holes in a day.

On average, the 3500-D covers about 3.5 acres per hour, which adds up to increased productivity. It’s also equipped with power steering, a tilting steering wheel, a deluxe adjustable seat and easy-to-use controls for maximum operator comfort. “I love our Toro 3500 Sidewinder for many reasons. It is quick and nimble enough to thread its way around trees and bunkers, yet it covers a lot of acreage in a day.” — Superintendent, Kitchener, ON, Canada, via the Toro Leaderboard   5. Effortless top-quality striping. Heavy-duty rear rollers on each deck allow operators to stripe as they mow. “The ability to mow most of the steep areas along with the quality of cut and the striped look give these areas a first class feel.” — Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Cicero, IN, via the Toro Leaderboard   Learn more about the Groundsmaster 3500-D on the Groundsmaster® Contour™ Plus microsite or see your local Toro distributor for information.  You can also find more comments from other golf courses on this product and the full Toro line on Toro’s Leaderboard website.

1. Before sharpening the blade, make sure it is straight. Lay the blade on a flat surface to check.

TIP: Do not try to straighten a blade that is bent, and never weld a broken or cracked blade. Always use a new Toro blade to assure continued safety certification of the product.

2. When sharpening the blade, grind the top surface only, trying to maintain the angle of the original cutting edge. Do not grind the bottom surface or a chisel shape will result. The lowest portion on the blade that contacts the grass must be the cutting edge or it will not cut the grass cleanly and excessive horsepower will be required.

TIP: To prevent possible personal injury, wear a face shield or safety glasses while grinding or sharpening a blade.

3. After the blade has been sharpened, check the balance. This is best done using a blade balancer tool. A balanced blade will stay in a horizontal position on the balancer. A blade that is not balanced will settle to the heavy side. If the blade is not balanced, grind some metal off the heavy end of the blade. DO NOT grind the bottom of the cutting edge. This will cause poor quality of cut and require more horsepower.

4. When installing blades, be sure to tighten the blade retaining bolt to the correct torque so it will not loosen during operation. Do not use an air or electric wrench to apply the final torque. To prevent loosening or damaged threads, always use a standard torque wrench to apply the final torque. Check blade retaining bolt torque anytime a blade has hit a solid object.

REMEMBER: If a blade is allowed to wear, a slot will form between the sail and flat part of the blade. Eventually a piece of the sail may break off and be thrown from under the housing, possibly resulting in serious injury to the operator or a bystander.

For more information, see your mower service manual, contact your local Toro distributor or see the technical resources on www.toro.com.

Keeping your cutting units as sharp as possible is key to maintaining a high quality of cut. Sharp blades promote the growth of healthy grass and provide the best after-cut appearance. They also allow your mower to run more efficiently, which helps extend its life and your productivity.

Reel Mower Cutting Units

Sharpening is part of the required maintenance to keep a reel mower cutting unit working properly. Watch for these telltale signs that it’s time for sharpening:

• The grass is not cut cleanly

• The grass has a dull color or brown tips

• The mower leaves streaks or stragglers

• You notice cutting unit noise

Check the cutting edges of the reel and bedknife to see if they are dull, nicked, bent or running without making light contact against one another. Rounded edges will pinch or tear grass blades instead of shearing them off cleanly. When light contact is not maintained, dull edges will soon result. If there is NO contact (a gap between bedknife and reel blade), it can result in faster wear of the cutting edges and more frequent grinding, as well as long-term damage to the turf.

Rotary Mower Blades

Dull cutting edges and bent blades are the most common causes of poor quality of cut from a rotary mower. A bent blade requires more horsepower to operate, plus it adversely affects quality of cut. When the cutting blade is bent, a very small amount of grass is cut from the grass blade frequently. This causes the top of the grass blade to fray, leaving an unhealthy cut edge that appears as a brown die-back from the top of the grass blade.

Here are some tips to avoid these issues …

• Check the cutting blade daily or before the mower is used or stored, as well as whenever the mower is serviced.

• If the bolt holding the blade is loose, tighten it before using the mower.

• If the blade is bent or shows signs of wear, it must be replaced. (Remember: NEVER try to straighten a blade that is bent, and never weld a broken or cracked blade.)

• Keep the blade cutting edges as sharp as possible.

• Check the blade balance each time the blade is reground.

Use Toro Genuine Parts

When it’s time to replace a bedknife or blade, Toro genuine parts are the best way to protect your investment and maintain optimal performance of your turf equipment. When it comes to reliability, Toro delivers replacement parts designed to the exact specifications of our equipment. That means they have been thoroughly tested and engineered to ensure the best quality of cut on the intended machine. They’re simply the best choice to minimize operating costs and downtime with maximum productivity.

Earn Rewards With Your Toro Bedknife Purchases

Sign up for the Toro Loyalty Counts (TLC) Parts Rewards Program at www.toro.com/tlc and you can earn points for every purchase of tires, tines, bedknives, bearings, MVP kits, belts and filters. Points can be redeemed for a wide range of Toro logo items and merchandise, or for parts credit toward future purchases and industry-sponsored educational events.

For more information, call your local Toro distributor or visit toro.com and download our Bedknife Reference Chart.

“Reduced budgets and exceptional golfing weather have our staff – myself included – going at an unprecedented pace,” he says. “It has become important to be as efficient as possible in all aspects of course maintenance just to survive, let alone thrive. That’s one reason I chose to purchase a Toro Greensmaster TriFlex 3400.”

Dahlin’s crew uses the TriFlex for large approaches and specialty applications, and he says it’s a versatile machine. “The ease of changing units from an approach mower to a vibratory roller to verticutting units — coupled with its power to drive the verticut units deep for proper turf care — make it a very efficient machine to own and operate,” he explains.

His operators have also commented on the TriFlex 3400. “They felt the transport speed was exceptional,” he notes. “Having the units higher off the ground was a plus as well.”

The smiles just keep coming

Dahlin’s crew aren’t the only ones enjoying the outstanding cut, versatility and efficiency of Greensmaster® TriFlex™ greensmowers. Positive feedback continues to roll in.

Todd Biegger, superintendent of Crowfield Golf Club in Goose Creek, SC, says his crew frequently mows tees, collars and approaches with a TriFlex 3300.

Biegger likes the reduced friction on the grass with the new turning yokes on the TriFlex 3300. His operators have also made positive comments about the ability to transport and mow easily with this mower, as well as the easy access to the cutting units.

“I have operated the machine and so has most of my crew,” Biegger says. “The one feature that adds the most value to me is the easy use of the machine. Anyone can operate the machine and mow efficiently with it. It allows us to get things mowed quickly and accurately.”

To read more first-hand stories from superintendents, equipment technicians and other golf industry professionals about the new Greensmaster® TriFlex™ Series, visit toro.com/leaderboard/greensmaster/triflex.

For more product information or to see a virtual demo of the new Greensmaster® TriFlex™ greensmowers in action, visit toro.com/golf/newgreensmasters or ask your local Toro distributor for details.