Landscape & Irrigation

March 2017

Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.

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www.landscapeirrigation.com Landscape and Irrigation March 2017 31 while it's running is a problem indicator. A clutch will continue to run even if no more clutch padding exists, which causes a weaker performance when engaging the auger and accelerating the engine from idle to full speed. If the auger spins at idle or overheats, this might also indicate that the clutch springs need replacing. Also check the bearing in the clutch drum after replacing the flex shaft. Make sure it's loose and turns easily. A clutch drum that does not turn easily will lock up and cause the clutch to slip. 4) Other wear parts ■ Throttle: If the speed and power of the drills seem a little off and the throttle lever doesn't pull smoothly, try adjusting the throttle wire to minimize slack. ■ Torque tube: Before each use, inspect the torque tube for cracks. And always check that the spring-button attachment is securely snapped into place and replace it if it's bent or broken. ■ Replaceable points and blades on the auger: Look at the replaceable points and blades before and after drilling to ensure they're not excessively worn, and replace if necessary. Using worn blades eventually wears down the auger and may cause a tear or damage to the flighting, resulting in a costly repair or the replacement of the entire auger. Failure to replace blades or keep them sharp causes the drill point to taper and become cone shaped, and as a result, it won't drill effectively. ■ Engine maintenance: Depending on the model, mechanical drills differ in the engine that powers them. However a good rule of thumb is to check the engine oil level daily and change every 50 hours or annually. Change air filters every 25 hours or annually. Air filters protect the internal engine parts from dirt. Dirt can cause wear to the intake system and contaminate of the oil, which reduces the engine capability. In dusty conditions, clean and maintain the engine wear parts more often. Refer to the engine manufacturer's instructions for proper procedures and recommended fuel and oil. For safety reasons, never operate drills with damaged or missing parts. If you have a maintenance issue or question, check with the manufacturer for online parts and operators' manual and online service videos or contact them for an in-house technical consultation. Mike Hale is sales manager at Little Beaver Inc., a manufacturer of quality, safe and productive drilling equipment. For more information, call 800-227-7515 or visit www.littlebeaver.com. Using worn blades eventually wears down the auger and may cause a tear or damage to the flighting, resulting in a costly repair or the replacement of the entire auger. STMASourcebook.com STMASourcebook.com The OFFICIAL online directory: STMA Sourcebook is an online directory of manufacturers and distributors of equipment and supplies of professional sports turf maintenance professionals, irrigation contractors, sports turf managers, professional grounds managers, custom chemical applicators, and other green industry professionals. Looking for an industry professional or product? Search the online STMASourcebook!

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