
ROLLER COMPARISON
The roller comparison chart compares the features, specifications and designs of several greens rollers. Including rollers from Tru-Turf, DMI, Smithco and Greens Iron. An explanation is also given regarding each key feature making this effective as both a sales tool and information sheet for consumers.
Explanation to Roller Features
Why the seat is not adjustable?
Adjustable seats alter the weight transfer on the rollers through to the green, if we move the seat forward or back varying P.S.I. is applied to that end of the roller, this creates uneven surface rolling pressure.
Why triple offset rollers fitted in the smoothing head?
Single rollers follow the bumps; they can exacerbate the problem & cause surface rippling, like wise two rollers in a head can create the same problem as a single roller does.
The simple scientific explanation why the Tru-Turf rollers are fitted with the patented three offset rollers in each head and how it works so effective is like this:
When the leading or 1st roller reaches a bump on the green it tends to take the weight off the centre or 2nd roller, this applies more weight on the front or 1st roller which applies more weight on the high spot, when the centre or 2nd roller reaches the bump it tends to take the weight off the front or 1st roller applying more weight to the high spot, then when the rear or 3rd roller reaches the high spot it tends to take the weight off the centre or 2nd roller allowing the rear or 3rd roller to apply more weight to the high spot.
This triple offset roller system is the secret to why the Tru-Turf roller applies the least P.S.I. to the green, but trues the surface to perfection through design not weight, as we know; weight creates compaction which superintendents are constantly addressing. Did you know that water, vibration & weight applied together are our best form of compaction?
Why a split smoothing head?
Green surfaces are becoming more complicated in shape, course designers and architects are causing product designers to constantly re-think the way modern equipment is designed to cope with these situations.
Tru-Turf split the smoothing head, 2 x 24” heads and a 27” drive roller allows us to address the above problem, this is the only style of smoothing head that will roll a green in any direction regardless to severity of the undulations our design applies even down pressure across all rollers including the drive roller. This is achieved by allowing the smoothing heads to pivot independently to the main body, this system also ensures the vulcanised rubber drive roller is in maximum contact with the green distributing even ground pressure and maximum traction.
Importantly, it also eliminates the line creasing that is created by longer rollers, creasing in not desirable for the perfect greens surface.
One objection occasionally to the above spit head is the gap that sometimes appears to be not rolled on certain greens at certain times of the year, this section is strictly aesthetical, testing through the use of a prism glass reveals no raised portion on the greens surface. The drive roller removes the gap whether following or leading the smoothing head & gap. Try rolling a ball across the rolled surface, there will be no bumping of the ball.
Other important points
- If you are demonstrating on greens that have never been rolled before you may notice roller indentation marks, if this is noticeable turn the roller 90 degrees and continue to roll the green you will notice these indentations will disappear, as these greens are rolled more regularly this will not be noticeable and a single rolling will satisfy.
- Wherever possible always keep the vulcanised rubber coated drive roller on the low side, pushing the smoothing heads up the hill. Maximises the drive roller traction.
- Use the foot pedals as you would a mechanical vehicle clutch, easy down, easy up. This reduces roller spin.
- Engage the spikers only when the roller is moving, they do not tear and you can circumnavigate the green with them engaged without damaging the green. Once engaged they can be left engaged until finished spiking.
- We also supply a standard roller the GR11000 model, it comes with the same drive system as the RS48-11 except it does not spike and has a one piece 39” triple roller smoothing head, this unit is the same as other rollers on the market (except for the triple roller smoothing head arrangement & the heavy duty Eaton 11 transmission) Care must be taken when rolling the green, line creasing will prevail as it will with the long one piece rollers that are also fitted in the opposition machines.
FEATURES |
TRU-TURF RS48-11B |
DMI SPEEDROLLER |
SMITHCO |
GREENS IRON |
Roll Width |
48"(2x24") |
38" |
36" |
38" |
# of Smoothing Rollers + Size (width x diameter) |
6, 24"x2½" |
2, 38"x4½" |
2, 36"x10" |
2, 38"x4½" |
Drive Roller |
Rubber coated 1, 27"x6½" |
Rubber coated 1, 38"x6¾" |
Steel 2, 36"x10" |
Rubber coated 1, 38"x6½" |
Weight (lbs) |
506 |
465 |
760 |
690 |
Compaction (psi) |
3.43 |
3.54 |
5.9 |
5.0 |
Brake |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Trailer |
Inbuilt |
Separate |
Inbuilt / Separate |
Separate |
Transmission |
Eaton 11 |
Belt & Pulley |
Hydro Gear |
SNPT / Eaton 7 |
Hydraulic Lines |
Hard |
nil |
Rubber |
nil |
Transmission Oil Capacity |
2 Gallon |
nil |
n/a |
nil |
Ground Spikers |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Engine Type |
5.5HP Honda 2:1 6.0HP Kohler 2:1 |
5.5HP Honda |
8.0HP Honda 8.0HP Kohler |
5.5HP Honda |
Adjustable Seat |
No (important) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Lights |
Optional |
No |
No |
Optional |
Roll Undulations in Any Direction |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Contour Follow |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Climbing Ability |
Good |
Fair |
Fair |
Fair |
Steering |
Joystick (Light) |
Handlebar (Heavy) |
Wheel (10.2:1) |
Handlebar (Heavy) |
Max. Rolling Speed (mph) |
12 |
8 |
5 |
7 |
Time Taken to Roll 18 Greens |
Fast |
Reasonable |
Slow |
Slow & Awkward |
Straight Roll SQ.FT / HOUR @ Max Speed |
253440 100% |
133760 53% |
79200 31% |
117040 46% |
Roller Weight Balance |
Balanced |
n/a |
30%F, 70%R |
n/a |
Seat Height from Ground |
27" |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |