Technical
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When making a decision about which type of roller to go for, look at the design and calculate the rolling factor before making that purchase decision
GreenTek roller units on greens triple
the roller can be used to replace daily mowing, reducing plant stress whilst retaining a consistent playing surface.
Making a comparison
There is more than one way to roll your surface, but what effects can they have, and how can we compare them? The weight and surface area data will show the ground pressure or PSI of the roller, but this is only one aspect of its rolling action. Another way to compare different rollers is to calculate ‘roll factor’. This is done by simply dividing the weight of the roller by the size and number of rollers it uses.
For example, a Smithco Tournament Ultra roller weighs 528kgs and has two 20cm diameter x 91cm long rollers. Therefore using the formula above we have the following:
Roll factor (RF) = 528 / (2 x (20 x 91)) = 528 / 3640 = 0.14
Stimp meter
Self-propelled rollers are quite different, and will require training and ‘seat time’ for the operator to get the best out of them
” 134 I PC JUNE/JULY 2015
Now we’ll look at Greens mower roller accessory, such as the TR66 Roll ‘n’ Spike from Australian manufacturer Tru-Turf. Their units, which replace the cutting units on various tri- plex mowers, have three rollers 6cm diameter x 56cm long, weighing 58kgs and a central slicing blade. The blade assists with oxygen and moisture replenishment and also helps break surface hardness, assisting the roller in truing the surface.
Roll factor (RF) = 58 / (3 x (6x56)) = 58 / 1008 = 0.06
So, the above offers a clear comparison between the rolling effect of a self-propelled turf roller and a triplex mower accessory.
Both the above will produce a smoother, faster playing surface compared to a single mown pass, but other studies have shown that the self-propelled machines have a greater rolling effect, which lasts longer. Perhaps the above calculation proves why this would be the case.
So, when making a decision about which type of roller to go for, look at the design and calculate the rolling factor before making that purchase decision. With the rolling factors calculated, you can then review your soil type and construction and decide on the right option for your course.
Rolling negatives
There is always a concern over adding compaction to a greens surface. So much time and effort goes into aeration and relieving compaction that it can seem surprising that anyone would then want to go out and roll the surface. It should be understood that what we are talking about here are lightweight rollers, which are designed to flatten out surface imperfections and produce a smooth, true playing surface.
One of the brand names for a turf roller is ‘Turf Iron’, which is a great way of describing the smoothing effect rolling has on the surface, while not suggesting significant compaction.
It should also be noted that ground conditions do, of course, play a big part in the effect that rolling can have on the surface; rolling on wet or saturated ground will clearly result in compaction so, as with all tools and equipment, a sensible approach to operation is essential, if the desired results are to be achieved.
Time is also a key element; any additional activity takes time to complete and has to be fitted into a busy work schedule. An experienced operator will roll greens in about the same time as it takes a greens triple to mow them, so it’s not a bad return, given the surface improvements gained by operating a rolling programme.
Operation
Accessory rollers, fitted to a greens triple, have to be the easiest rollers to use. There is no additional training or operating skills required to successfully use them.
Self-propelled rollers are quite different, and will require training and ‘seat time’ for the operator to get the best out of them. To start with, the operator sits facing forward, while the machine moves sideways, making steering and manoeuvring very different.
Some models have a conventional steering wheel, while others use a tiller bar to control steering. Traction can also be an issue, particularly on wet, undulating green surrounds. Single drive rollers need to have a rubber coating to gain traction, and will only climb in a single direction (rubber coated roller
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