around the course in stealth
mode, without disturbing play-
ers.
So, what should an equipment
manager include if given the op-
portunity to build one’s own “Ul-
timate Utility Vehicle”? Because
every operation faces different
challenges, what to include and
what not to include will differ
slightly from course to course.
However, the following is a
list of things that I have either
seen on other utility vehicles or
included on my own that might
help you in putting together the
best vehicle for your operation.
The checklist
Toolbox and tools
One of the most irritating things
about making repairs in the
field is running out on the golf
course only to find you don’t
have the wrench you need,
which means an extra trip back
to the shop. So, my first must-
have for any equipment man-
ager’s vehicle is a small toolbox
loaded with your vital tools. I’d
suggest outfitting this with its
own set of tools so you aren’t
borrowing from the main tool-
box every time you head out on
the course.
Height-of-cut gauge and cut-
ting paper
A common reason many of us
get called away from the shop
and onto the course is because
of equipment getting knocked
out of adjustment or maybe
just not cutting properly. So,
I’ve found that having a height-
of-cut gauge and cutting paper
with me is essential. This allows
me to make minor adjustments
on the fly.
Prism gauge
One of equipment managers’
biggest responsibilities is man-
aging quality of cut, so a prism
gauge to inspect quality of cut
as well as effective height of cut
is a great tool to carry along for
spot-checking areas on the golf
course.
Air compressor and tire
patches
This one is a given. Among the
most frequent things equip-
ment managers chase in the
field is flat tires, usually caused
by hitting curbs or running over
sticks and such. So, make sure
your Ultimate Utility Vehicle has
a gas-powered air compressor
as well as tire patches so you
can take care of flats while in
the field rather than having ma-
chines limp back to the shop.
Jump box
Another of the most recurrent
problems equipment managers
deal with in the field is turbine
blowers that are no longer
charging properly and need to
be jumped. If you add this to
your vehicle, make sure you
have a secure place for storage
of the jump box, and make sure
it gets charged. I’ve learned
from personal experience that
you don’t want to be out in the
field when you realize that the
jump box never got plugged in
after its last use.
Winch/tow rope
Unfortunately, another com-
mon reason equipment man-
agers get summoned to the
course is someone getting stuck
in a bunker or a lake. A winch
is great if you’re customizing a
Workman, a John Deere Gator
or similar utility vehicle, because
those give you the ability to set
the brakes and minimize any
damage that can be caused by
spinning wheels or the sudden
motions from jerking machines
out of trouble. But let’s face it:
There will still be those times
where we will need to run in
and fetch the front-end loader
for tasks such as these.
Quiet generator
A generator is a valuable piece
of equipment to have along
with you because it provides
you power on the go. Maybe
you need to plug in a light early
in the morning or use a corded
drill, or maybe the irrigation
tech needs to use it to vacuum
out irrigation boxes.
Welder and torch kit
This may be overkill in many
places, but there are multi-
course facilities and courses
that are spread out with older
equipment at which having a
welder on the vehicle could
come in handy. While a weld-
er would be used most often
on a heavy-duty utility vehicle,
it may prove useful on many
other types. The mini-torch
kits, however, are great tools to
have regardless of the size of
the vehicle you’re working with,
especially for when the sledge-
hammer just doesn’t quite do
the trick.
USB plugs
Ten years ago, no equipment
manager would have even con-
sidered this option. But we are
in new times, so creating the
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