Every year, the weather forecasters seemingly predict the ‘coldest winter yet’. Whether it’s the coldest or not, it pays to be prepared for what the good old British weather will throw at us. As such, Toro recommends to address winter servicing and maintenance early.
Every year, the weather forecasters seemingly predict the ‘coldest winter yet’. Whether it’s the coldest or not, it pays to be prepared for what the good old British weather will throw at us. As such, Toro recommends to address winter servicing and maintenance early.
Terry Redwood, workshop manager at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club, agrees. “It’s good to be organized when it comes to maintenance. We keep a constant eye on things and clean the machines daily, but when it comes to winter maintenance it’s time for a thorough steam clean and full service.
“Grass gets everywhere and if left will cause rust so it is really important to get it all off when there are longer periods between use,” he says. “Some workshops won’t do a full steam clean in the belief that it takes some of the goodness out of the grease points, but we find the positives outweigh the negatives.”
Such a thorough clean gives Redwood, who has been at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club for 30 years, absolute visibility to any potential problems and makes way to the machines’ “functional worthiness”.
“When everything is spotless we can make a thorough inspection on the engine and hydraulics, tires, filters and brakes,” he says. “We look for any oil leaks and assess if there’s anywhere needing a paint touchup to prevent rusting. Doing this year in, year out and keeping on top of general maintenance ensures the machines are in the best possible condition. It can be expensive to make repairs and the age-old saying rings true that prevention is better than cure, especially when you’re trying to make sure maintenance costs stay within budget!”
A full post-clean grease-up for all the joints and moving points puts, says Redwood, the “goodness back in” and an all-over blast of maintenance lubricant “acts like a film and brings the machinery up really nicely”, to help prevent any issues when the machines are being pushed hardest during difficult weather conditions.
Hard ground conditions can also mean replacement parts are more regularly needed. Redwood says, “I keep a stock of Toro parts in the workshop, but not loads – mainly filters, bedknives and bearings, as there’s little need to take up valuable space when Lely is so good with service. Within a day or two, I have what I need. I always use genuine Toro parts. I have in the past used ‘pattern’ parts, but not anymore, it’s just not worth it.”
Keeping surfaces in play and/or adequately maintained throughout winter is tough enough, but good maintenance will ensure your machines are functioning to their full capabilities whatever the weather.
