Check out our new equipment

We've finally broken in all the new toys we got last spring. Most were put to use right away, like our new fairway mower, new rough mower, and large utility vehicle. A new shipment of equipment is exciting for all of us. A vehicle or mower that drives smoothly and is comfortable makes for a happy operator. It's really a big deal when you ask somebody to spend the majority of a day on the same machine. Giving them a brand new mower with a comfy seat, tight steering, ergonomic controls, and a quiet, yet powerful engine will make them more productive.











The new rough mower replaced a pull behind unit that was 12 years old and wearing down quickly. I was really getting tired of the constant repairs, down time, inconsistent cut, and Jorge complaining daily. Now his only complaint is the fan on the canopy is too strong and makes him cold, so he leaves it off.

Our new aerifier replaces two 12 year old units that had their limitations. First off, they were slow, which is why two could be replaced by one. The Toro unit can also be adjusted to go deeper in the soil profile. Just a few weeks ago, we pulled the deepest cores in years, breaking through a layer that formed after too many aerifications at the same shallow depth.

We have a backhoe now, which attaches to our largest tractor. We've used this machine many times in a short period, installing drain lines, digging up bad cart path, and exposing irrigation pipe for multiple repairs. The native soil at Bernardo Heights resembles concrete. Hand digging for main line repairs is a two day affair with a couple of employees. Now it's a two hour job. We save time and no one has a sore back.

Our sweeper has already saved countless hours of labor. Last year, we gathered leaves in piles and then bundled them in burlap tarps to be piled into carts. We didn't have a better option, but now it seems crazy that we were doing that, what a waste of time.

Lastly, we have a new verticutter that replaces a very old unit that had been used and abused for well beyond it's useful life. This one is simple and powerful. That's all we really need and the overseed result on the driving range tee is proof. Can you see the rows of ryegrass? Without a verticutter, it is very difficult to get the seed established into the dense hybrid bermuda that makes up the majority of this tee. Next year, we will use this unit to control thatch in the fairways and push density in our relatively young stand of bermuda.

I can still think of 20 more machines I would love to have. Trade shows are an endless parade of dream equipment, a candy store for any turf geek. I'll keep asking for more, but I'll admit that we are better off now than I've ever been, at any course.