SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/45791
Facility&Operations Repair tools: Hula hoe, a flat square point shovel, a multi tool pocket knife and hand trowel, all kept sharp.-Ron Hostick, CSFM, lead groundsworker, San Diego State University Here is our short list: Diagnostic tools—soil probe, prism, pocket knife, eyes and good sun- glasses. Repair tools—leaf rake, backpack blower, hula hoe/edger/sod cutter, nitrogen.-Jeff Salmond, CSFM, director of athletic field management, University of Oklahoma Repair/diagnostic tools that must be in every M Y FAVORITE DIAGNOS- TIC TOOLS are only two which I have under lock and key: my soil probe and my macro scope. These two tools are essential for my watering and pest management pro- gram.-Kevin Mercer, LICM, superintendent of grounds, St Mary's College of MD A height gauge for reel mowers and strips of paper to check the quality of cut. Using the DPA reels it is much faster and easier to adjust this setting each day before we mow. Also it is helpful to have anyone who grew up or currently lives on a farm because they usually find a way to fix anything even if it is only temporary to keep you working for the day.-Josh McPherson, CSFM, director of sports turf management, University of Mis- souri 1. Ground thermometer 2. Hex plugger 3. Soil profiler 4. Stress glasses 5. Moisture meter-Stephen Crockett, CSFM, director of turf management and athletic operations, City of Union City, TN [The] two most important items in my shop are the equipment service manual and the parts manual. Without those two items Diagnostic: a soil probe, smell and feel are both important when checking the core. • Aerator • Sod cutter • Soil probe • Shovel • Seed • Turf disease book • Money!!! Money is the tough one!-Bret Baird, head turf turf manager's shop Editor's note:We asked a wide range of readers, What is on your short list of repair or diagnostic tools that must be in every turf manager's shop? servicing and repairing equipment is really a shot in the dark. The service manual allows my crew to perform for the correct and com- plete maintenance on the equipment (which reduces equipment down time and increases productivity). Also, the service manual typi- cally has a troubleshooting section, which re- ally helps minimize the time and uncertainty of what is causing a piece of machinery to be down. The parts manual with drawings and part numbers enables me to have an intelligent conversation with the equipment supplier's part department. Having this information also means I can usually order the part on- line, speeding up delivery, and most manu- facturers offer a discount for parts ordered online, which helps my parts budget.-Josh Bertrand, manager of turf operations, Infin- ity Park, Glendale, CO Diagnostic tools: soil profiler, hand lens, pocket knife, measuring tape. Repair tools: spring rake, spreader, shovel, sprinkler head tool, grass seed.-David J. Pinsonneault CSFM, CPRP, DPW operations manager, Lexington, MA manager, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO I think a voltage meter. Being able to check to see if there is power coming through a piece of equipment or not helps to narrow down the list of things that might be causing a problem. But noth- ing replaces a handy maintenance guy that is not afraid to take something apart to figure it out and make the repair.-Andy Gossel, athletic director, Covenant Christian HS, Indianapolis Shovel, multifunction knife, camera, phone, computer, (don't have a smart phone yet!) soil sample bags, soil thermometer, work ethic, plus The Mathematics of Turfgrass Maintenance by Nick Christians and Michael Agnew, AND Sports Fields 38 SportsTurf | November 2011 www.sportsturfonline.com