“We have proved that relief grinding works and will advocate it every time”
ERIC WATSON, Head Maintenance Engineer, Carnoustie
and the control we have over our grinding schedule more than justifies the purchase.” The third benefit applies to
repairs or maintenance. When you contract out, the standard of repairs can vary from very good, to the mediocre. Sometimes, if the latter category applies, it is not always the fault of the mechanic. It could be pressure of having too many units to service resulting in the work not always achieving the highest standard. When you purchase any Hunter Grinder full training is given to ensure the operator understands the reasons to grind efficiently as well as how to maximise the performance of the machine. If you purchase an automatic grinder you have an
additional advantage of stand alone grinding. With your own grinder on site you are in charge of your own quality control. “A year on and the fully automatic Jupiter ATI has been outstanding, releasing our mechanic to do other tasks.” said Paul Coleman, Course Superintendent at Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club in Ireland.
What to look for when purchasing a grinder
The manufacturers of fine turf mowing machines spend vast sums of money on research and development of cutting cylinders and all of
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their equipment is supplied with relief angled blades. Will the grinder you are looking at return both cylinders and bottom blades to the original manufacturer’s specification? The grinder you purchase will be expected to perform accurately for at least 12 years and much longer in many cases. Look at the basic construction. Is it prefabricated? Is the main body cast, which will give a much firmer and more accurate base along with a much longer life span? Ask if the machine has been through vibration tests and ask to see the results.
How accurate will the machine grind?
With cutting units having to perform at much lower heights of cut, as low as 2.5mm in some competitions, and cylinder to bottom blade air gaps of 0.025mm, the grinder manufactures needs to be able to guarantee accuracy.
Some modern cutting units have the cylinder and rear roller fixed in the frame at manufacture and it is essential in these situations as well as a general rule to be able to remove the coning of the cylinder which will occur during a seasons mowing. Check that the machine you purchase will be able to remove coning.
Snaith (left) and Les McDonagh -G Course Engineer at Dromoland Castle
What method of grinding should you use?
Spin grinding, relief grinding, single blade grinding, grinding to an edge - one needs to establish what type of grinding. Whatever you choose the truth remains that the only way to return the cylinders and bottom blades to the original manufacturers specification, and to keep them on cut longer than any other method, is to relief grind. This is an indisputable fact and recognised by professional groundsmen and greenkeepers throughout the industry. “We believe relief grinding gives a superior, longer lasting cut” said Euan Grant Old Course Head Greenkeeper at St Andrews Links Trust Courses, where they operate a Jupiter 2000 and Amazon bottom blade grinder. Eric Watson Head Maintenance Engineer at Carnoustie Golf Links is in no doubt which method works. “We have proved that relief grinding works and will advocate it every time. It’s not only in the quality of cut but more importantly the length of time between grinds, three to four times longer cutting with relief ground units, cleaner cut grass, less prone to disease,
Deep in the dungeons -H
Hunter’s Tony Golf
less stress on the transmission and engine, better fuel economy, less metal to metal contact between cylinder and bottom blade and a longer cylinder and bottom blade life.”
Space is a premium in most workshops. There are a variety of grinders on the market. Relief grinders, spin grinders, bottom blade grinders, and various accessories, all of which take up valuable space. Hunters Grinders are the only company to manufacture an all in one relief/spin and bottom blade grinder specifically to maximise use of the workshop area. Health and Safety issues should be considered very carefully when purchasing a grinder. Always request noise and vibration figures for the specific machine you are interested in. Another aspect to be considered, along with health and safety, is dust. If the machine is not fitted with liquid coolant for all operations then dust is inevitable and can be a major health hazard. Liquid cooled machines absorb the grinding dust into the liquid and filter it out through the circulation system. Dry grinding creates distortion of the cylinder and bottom blade due to heat build up and the dust created will
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