Equipment for optimum turf maintenance

Smith Power Equipment has represented turf care brand Toro for over 30 years in the Southern Africa region and Turf brand manager for Toro Bruce Chambers explains that, over the years, the turf equipment supplier has carefully nurtured its relationships with greenkeepers and groundspersons.

“Every decision is a measured one where technical advice and input is valued. Due to the long preparation cycles involved in grounds and green preparations there is little room to correct errors and wrong equipment choices can derail the best efforts of the best keepers. Toro’s entire focus is on equipment to maintain perfect turfs and superb grounds,” says Bruce.

Smith Turf GM Mark Chittenden says the team offers professional advice on the right tools for the job and can also call on the expertise of the American manufacturer teams should new challenges arise. He emphasises the extreme care that is required on golf greens, cricket pitches and sports fields, where cutting heights may be between 2 mm and 4 mm and blade speeds can make the difference between clean cuts or unsightly dead ends.

“There is an enormous range of solutions to choose from and we have to work closely with our customers to get to the root of their requirements. Types of grass, seasonal climatic conditions, match requirements, foot and equipment traffic and available resources are usually the place to start – then we get into the real nitty gritty of the work and look at expectations and challenges of the club or facility.”

He notes that after-sales service is essential to help clients identify and remedy equipment problems quickly and efficiently.

“At our head office in Johannesburg that means careful warehousing of the spares and parts needed to keep every machine in the fleet working optimally. Supply chains need to reach every corner of our territory timeously and our dealers need to be stocked, trained and share the same passion as we do in serving our Toro products,” explains Bruce.

The range in Southern Africa includes state-of-the-art greens mowers with precision controls for the finest cuts, fairway, trim and surrounds, as well as mowers for the rough on golf courses. It includes various utility vehicles, sprayers, bunker rakes, aeration and cultivation, as well as debris management equipment. Top dressers and speciality equipment is also available. Although golf courses have the most diverse requirements, combinations of these machines are also used by other sports facilities, residential estates, schools and office parks.

“Toro is among the oldest and most respected brands in the turf industry and it is our pleasure to work with the country’s turf specialists to ensure they have the best tools at their disposal to provide world class grounds, lawns and gardens to be proud of. In many ways, I guess, we are a supporter of every team and every sportsperson that uses these facilities in South Africa – and we could not be prouder to be of service,” concludes Chittenden.