THE BATTLE WON, THE GAME MUST GO ON.

EVERY DAY PARK SUPERINTENDENTS GO TO WAR. THEY BATTLE TURF CONDITIONS, WEATHER, PESTS, AND A HOST OF OTHER OBSTACLES MOTHER NATURE CAN THROW AT THEM. But the bottom line is that the game must go on - the fields must be mowed; infields groomed; common areas mowed; and sidewalks and flower beds trimmed, edged, and blown. Superintendents can win the grounds maintenance battles by making sure they have the right arsenal of equipment to get the job done efficiently.

Perhaps the most important pieces of equipment in the arsenal are the mowers. There are a number of different mowers on the market. The number and types of fields you maintain as well as the level of aesthetics you plan to achieve will help you determine the best type of mower for you. One of the most popular, though, is a rotary mower. In general, these mowers can cover areas quickly and deliver a good cut in a variety of settings. Rotary mowers are often used for multiplesport fields, football and soccer fields, the outfields of baseball and softball diamonds, and the turf "common areas" outside stadiums or other large facilities. Rotary mowers offer a wide range of cutting heights, allowing a sports turf manager to manicure turf at different heights for various sports -- ideal for a multisport facility.

When looking for rotary mowers, remember they come in a variety of forms including zero-turn mowers, front mowers, and wide-area mowers. Compact utility tractors with mower attachments are another option. You'll have to know you're battle plan to make sure you have the right rotary mower for the job.

Small commercial walk-behind mowers provide a well-groomed look. These mowers and the larger intermediate hydrostatic or gear-drive models are excellent for mowing around entrance ways, clubhouse or administration building lawns, flower beds, parking lots, and lakes. The advantage of the smaller mower is that it provides more maneuverability and a more finished look than can a larger mower. Additionally, larger mowers can scalp around areas where grounds are very uneven. Walk-behind mowers can also be used to shape the grass as desired. For instance, the smaller commercial mowers can be used to create patterns like striping where light reflects differently on the grass blades. Larger walk-behinds also offer added maneuverability but cover more area.

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Front mowers offer better maneuverability and visibility than a basic tractor. Because their decks are up front, they leave a smaller area of uncut grass in a turn. In addition, four-wheel drive can be added for tougher mowing conditions. Front mowers are also typically good trimmers and require less walk-behind trimming; therefore your productivity is increased. Front-mount decks also rotate, making service easier. They also handle other attachments, such as brooms and snow blowers for added versatility and year-round use.

The desire for increased productivity -- the ability to mow more acres with fewer people -- is driving the demand for wide-area mowers. A wide-area mower with approximately 11 feet of cutting width can cut more grass in less time than two top-of-the-line front mowers. Typically, these machines are equipped with four-wheel drive that allows them to operate on hillsides and steep terrain. Approximately 65 percent of the wide-area mowers are purchased for governmental agencies that handle park mowing and other wide-area mowing applications. The other 35 percent go to golf courses for rough area mowing. These machines are generally available in a rear-wheel steer type of configuration, either with a wide, out-front deck or a three-deck wing configuration. Three deck configurations offer added versatility by allowing the operator to mow with one, two, or all three decks.

ENHANCED MANEUVERABILITY

Independent hydraulic wheel motor technology has revolutionized the mowing industry and dramatically increased productivity. The technology allows drive wheels to counter-rotate, creating a zero-turn radius. Zero-turn-radius mowers -- available in mid- or front-mount configurations -- are ideal for applications that require a higher degree of maneuverability and lots of trimming. These mowers' short overall length provides enhanced maneuverability for tight areas.

They also have a low center of gravity, which offers increased traction and stability on hillsides. If you decide to add a zero-turn mower to your arsenal, make sure to take deck size into consideration, as it will affect your productivity and trimming capabilities. The average cut on ZTR mowers is 48 to 62 inches.

Compact tractors provide a versatile platform for most mowing needs as well as lots of other activities. CUTs are small, highly maneuverable machines whose middle name is truly "utility." These machines can handle just about any job depending on the attachments you have. Mowing attachments -- mid-mount and tow-behind -- are among the most popular. Other attachments include sweepers, tillers, rakes, backhoes, buckets, augers, and the list goes on.

Rotary mowers aren't the only mowers needed to get the job done. A reel mower is often used to "complete" the look - especially on sports fields. Reel mowers are ideal for close trimming (low cutting height) needed on warm-season fields and for a highly manicured look on cool-season fields. Reel mowers are also used to create "patterns" on a field. Ride-on reel mowers can create the patterns seen on alternating yard lines on a football field or broad patterns in baseball outfields. Walk-behind reel mowers are preferred to etch intricate patterns found in baseball infields. Reel mowers offer a more limited cutting range than do rotary mowers, but provide a superior cut at lower cutting heights.

TOTAL FIELD GROOMING 

While mowing athletic fields and park common areas is a large part of the battle, it won't win the war. Rakes -- just like mowers -- contribute to field grooming. Field rakes are highly efficient tools for grooming the "skinned" area in a short time. An operator who has a field rake equipped with a sports field package of attachments can do pregame, midgame or postgame grooming in the same time a crew takes to do the job with standard hand tools, increasing productivity with less effect on the bottom line.

The utility vehicle is another tool that has numerous duties on the "battleground." This versatile machine with its many attachments provides the sports turf manager with endless application possibilities. Utility vehicles carry crew members and materials to the field for post-game repair. They haul baseballs, bats, footballs and trainer's supplies.

As the number of attachments continues to increase, so does the versatility of these machines. Spreaders, blades, scarifiers, and ballfield finisher attachments are among the many implements for the utility vehicle that make field repair and maintenance a breeze. Line marking attachments allow operators to ride and line quickly Racks for carrying hand tools, string trimmers, and other equipment leave space in the cargo box for other materials. New attachments can even turn utility vehicles into emergency response units, expanding the use from the grounds crew to the coaching and training staff.

But don't forget about your other secret weapons -- dethatchers, aerators, top dressers, spreaders, sprayers and injection systems for insect and weed control, and blowers, string trimmers, and edgers for detailing a facility's common areas. String trimmers, blowers, and edgers are excellent for going to battle with weeds and grass around trees, sidewalks, fences ornamental rocks and other obstacles. They can transform areas from being rough around the edges to looking well groomed in a matter of minutes. These tools not only help the area look better, but also are timesavers so operators can move on to the next battle.

FIELD USE AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS

Depending on the level of maintenance, the number of fields maintained and the amount of play each field must sustain, renting and leasing are options for this type of equipment. The greater the amount of field use, the greater the need for intensive maintenance schedules and the more cost-effective owning the equipment becomes.

If you know what you're up against, you can be prepared to handle the everyday battles. Having the right equipment in your arsenal will get you headed in the right direction.

Gregg Breningmeyer is the marketing manager, commercial mowing for the John Deere Worldwide Commercial & Consumer Equipment Division. He has been active in the outdoor power equipment industry for more than 20 years and is a current board member of the Professional Lawn Care Association of America. He received his MBA from Duke University. Check out his article "The Battle Won, The Game Must Go On," on page 58.