Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/132471
lawn maintenance quicker. And some applications actually require speed over quality, says Mike Simmon, marketing coordinator, Grasshopper. "These situations are more 'rough cut' areas – spaces that do not require a high degree of manicuring – such as open fields and highway roadsides," Simmon says. However, the vast majority of applications demands a balance of speed and cut quality to achieve the best results in the shortest amount of ity cut at higher speeds. If an operator goes too fast, they may have to double-cut it, which really slows down productivity." After finishing a property, you should look at the after-cut appearance to determine if you mowed at the right speed, says Jamie Palmer, product manager, John Deere Commercial Mowing. "If you're mowing too quickly, most mowers will just push the grass over, making the immediate after-cut appearance acceptable," Palmer says. time. High-profile, high-visibility areas demand a better cut quality, such as banks and other professional service locations, high-end residential and municipal locations, Simmon says. So, it's important to find the right speed for the turf conditions you're mowing, says Chris Hannan, marketing manager, Toro. "When the grass is wet, tall or thick, it will require the operator to slow down to get that nice after-cut appearance," he says. "It becomes more difficult to maintain a qual- "But 30 to 60 minutes later, 'stringers' will appear, and customers will not be satisfied." That's why it's important to mow with a deck that emphasizes airflow management under the deck, Palmer explains. High-lift blades combined with excellent airflow management ensures grass blades stand up to be cut at the correct height — delivering that after-cut appearance customers are looking for. Also, remember ground speed capability does " goes they " If an operator whichtoo fast,slows may have to double-cut it, really down productivity. Toro's Turbo Force cutting decks, which are constructed of 7-gauge or 7/10-gauge steel, include an adjustable baffle, bull-nose front bumper and an underskirt that minimizes blowout. 4 2 To ta l L a n d s cap eCare.c om TLC0613_LawnMaint.indd 42 j u n e 2 013 5/23/13 6:24 PM