Turf Maintenance Facility Design and Management: A Guide to Shop Organization, Equipment, and Preventive Maintenance for Golf and Sports Facilities » (New Edition)

John R. Piersol, GCSAA, is Director of the Golf/Landscape/Forestry Division at Lake City Community College in Florida. These programs offer AS degrees in golf course operations, landscape technology, and agribusiness management, and certificate programs in forest operations, irrigation technology, turf equipment technology, horticulture, and pest control operations. Mr. Piersol has presented seminars on golf courses and landscaping throughout the world.

Harry V. Smith has more than twenty-five years of experience in the turf equipment and allied industries as an equipment dealer, distributor's territory manager, turf equipment management professor, and technical trainer. Mr. Smith authored the "From the Shop" column for Landscape Maintenance magazine from 2004 to 2007. Now semi-retired and consulting in the turf equipment maintenance industry, Mr. Smith served as a professor and program coordinator of the Turf Equipment Management Program at Lake City Community College in Florida.

This book is an essential resource covering all aspects of setting up, and efficiently operating, a turf maintenance facility. The authors discuss the role of the turf equipment manager, the most effective shop equipment, management techniques for safe and efficient shop operation, and specialized diagnostics for turf equipment. This information is supported by photos and drawings illustrating shop layouts, workflow and organization charts, and preventative maintenance forms.

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 The Role of the Turf Equipment Manager 5

History 5

The Management Team 8

The Turf Equipment Manager as the Team Psychologist 9

Future Roles 10

Sports Turf Facilities 13

Chapter 2 Maintenance Facility and Shop Design 15

Site Selection 15

Sample Layouts 17

Design, Construction, and Selling Your Design to Management 21

Remodeling Older Facilities 26

Meeting Regulations and Zoning 29

How to Allow for Expansion 30

Functional Interior Space 31

The Zonal Concept 33

Equipment Storage Area 35

Office Space 35

Lounge and Break Rooms 37

Parking 39

Landscaping 41

How the Maintenance Facility Sets the Example 42

Chapter 3 Preventive Maintenance 45

What Is PM? 45

Setting Up a PM System 46

The Effects of No PM 50

Well-Trained Operators as a Resource 52

The Technician's Role in PM 53

Software 54

Trims 54

Sample Documents 57

Chapter 4 Reel Technology 59

Reel Mower Precision vs. Rotary Mower Simplicity 59

Grinding Methods 61

Back Lapping 63

Grinding Equipment 63

Reels 66

Rotaries 68

Adjusting for Height of Cut 68

Tire Pressure 70

Rotary Blades/Wear/Sharpening 70

Chapter 5 Selecting Tools and Equipment for the Shop 75

The Right Equipment for Your Shop 75

Must-Have Tools 76

Special Tools 104

Chapter 6 Problems and Suggestions 107

A Simple Diagnostic Technique 107

Inventory Control and Logistics 109

Ethics 116

Requesting Money for Equipment 117

Effective Communication 118

Preventive Maintenance and Time Management 120

Respect and the Technician 121

Chapter 7 Training Equipment Operators 123

Where to Find Good Operators 123

Training Equipment Operators 126

Chapter 8 Fillingthe Turf Equipment Manager Position 129

Lack of Career Awareness 129

High Schools as a Resource 130

Postsecondary Programs 131

Succession Planning 133

Chapter 9 Safety Regulations and Regulatory Agencies 139

Clean and Organized Is Safer and More Efficient 139

Assistance from Regulatory Agencies and Your Insurance Carrier 142

Handling Fuels and Oils 143

Chemical Handling 145

Recycling and Detoxification 151

Hazardous Materials Record Keeping 152

Accident Prevention 152

Accident Reports and Reporting 153

First Aid and First Responders 154

Chapter 10 Conclusions 159

Appendix 163

About the Authors 173

John R. Piersol 173

Harry V. Smith 174