Two B
Bob’s Worth
Simon Atkins chats to Bob Hill, Head Mechanic at the Forest of Arden about his career and his commitment to training and WD40!
ob Hill is a modest perfectionist who is utilising his experience to help produce top class results at
the Forest of Arden. His experience is a product of good and bad events in his career but, today, both are combined to a positive effect.
Bob had visited the Forest of Arden to
carry out machinery repairs on a number of occasions and had a fondness for the course. It was, therefore, quite a moment when he was invited to a meeting with course manager at the time, Kenny Mackay. Kenny explained to Bob that he had
heard, “you are the top man for Toro.” This was clever thinking on Kenny’s part as he knew Bob’s expertise would reduce repair bills and help eliminate downtime, especially when major tournaments were taking place. Bob accepted Kenny’s job offer in 2000. Bob’s experience has accumulated over
forty-one years in the trade. He began his career in 1969, at Kings Heath Mowers, fixing domestic machines, before moving to become George Bagnall’s mobile mechanic. With a Land Rover and CB radio, call sign Park Sugar, Bob would go out fixing breakdowns on site. After a period working for himself and, looking for financial security, Bob joined Alexander’s Horticultural Ltd in 1986 as spares manager. Alexander’s had recently been appointed Toro main dealers. On his first day, thirty new GM3 mowers were delivered, a machine Bob rates highly to this day. Toro’s later decision to cease their supply agreement with Alexander’s saw Bob move to E.T. Breakwell, in 1998, as stores manager. With the demise of Breakwell’s a couple of years later, Bob’s workshop, stores and management skills were snapped up by the Forest of Arden. Bob is responsible for maintaining the mainly Toro fleet, ensuring the machines produce top class results. Starting at
18
4.00am, he ensures that every machine is ready to go as soon as the greenkeepers arrive. Head Greenkeeper, Rob Rousen, will tell Bob the day before which machines will be required. As each machine returns from its daily duties, the radiator is blown out using an airline, before the entire machine is washed down, removing every trace of grass or dirt. All cutting equipment is sprayed with WD40 to prevent the cutting edges going rusty. The machines are finally parked neatly in size order. Each operator reports any issues to Bob, which are recorded on a white board in the workshop as a reminder. Bob has created a service log for each machine. The log is completed each time the machine has any work carried out, such as an oil change or sharpen. Bob is proud of the fact that “every mower is usable.”
Bob monitors the cutting quality of the machines by making regular tours of the course. To maintain consistency, all machines are set at bench height. For example, the greens are cut at 3.5mm but, when this is checked on the green with a mirror or prism, actual height is between 1.5mm and 2mm depending on sink rate.
Bob has a range of preset height gauges. These give him the confidence
that each machine will go out at the same height. Rob occasionally has specific requirements, for example cutting the fairways down to 10mm to assist with a fertiliser application. Bob’s experience allows him to discuss with Rob potential unsightly outcomes, make suggestions and reach an amicable agreement.
When Bob started at the Forest of
Arden, he inherited a spare parts stock with an estimated value of £30,000. Today, Bob’s spare parts stock is somewhat more modest, but does include two sets of filters and two sets of blades for each and every machine. It is evident that frequent checks and regular maintenance reduce the risk of an unexpected breakdown.
Bob is loyal to original equipment parts. Many of the machines are within warranty periods, so the use of genuine parts eliminates the risk of a rejected claim. Even outside of warranty periods Bob still uses genuine parts. Non genuine alternatives may offer cost savings, but Bob explains that many manufacturers have recognised this and brought the prices of their products in line. He will not sacrifice safety and quality for a few pounds saved. For example, the Toro Sidewinder rotaries have three blades that cost £60
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