Universal Groomer Drive Kit

1. Park the machine on a level surface.

2. Engage the parking brake.

3. Shut off the engine.

4. Remove the spark-plug wire from the spark plug; refer to your Operator’s Manual.

1. On the cutting unit, loosen the mounting screws that secure each end of the front roller to the height-of-cut arms (Figure 2).

   

   Figure 2

   1. Plow bolt
   2. Roller
   3. Height-of-cut arm
   4. Adjusting screw
   5. Washer
   6. Flange nut
   7. Roller-mounting screw
   8. Cutting-unit assembly

2. Remove the plow bolts, washers, and locknuts securing the height-of-cut arms to each end of cutting unit (Figure 2). Remove the height-of-cut arms and roller.

   Note: Save the removed hardware to install the new height-of-cut arms.

3. Remove the height-of-cut adjusting screws and roller-mounting screws from the height-of-cut arms (Figure 3).

   Note: Save the roller mounting screws and the roller for later installation.

4. Remove the 2 bolts (5/16 x 2-1/4 inches) from the 2 nuts (held captive by the side plate) securing the counterweight on the side plate of the cutting unit. Remove the counterweight (Figure 3).

   Note: You may discard the cutting unit counterweight and the mounting bolts.

   

   Figure 3

   1. Weight
   2. Bolt
   3. Bearing nut
   4. Cap

5. Restrain the reel to remove the bearing nut; refer to Restraining the Reel for Removing Threaded Inserts.

6. Remove the cap and to expose the bearing nut (Figure 3).

7. Remove the bearing nut from the reel shaft (Figure 3).

   Important: Clean the threads in the end of the reel shaft of any debris or grease before installing the splined insert and groomer box from this kit.

1. Remove the hardware that secures the reel-drive assembly to the side plate (Figure 4).

   

   Figure 4

   1. Socket-head screw
   2. Spacer
   3. Washer
   4. Spring washer
   5. O-ring
   6. Nut

2. Remove the reel-drive assembly, flat washers, spring washers, spacers, and O-rings from the side plate (Figure 4).

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Apply medium-strength, thread-locking compound (such as Blue Loctite® 243) to the internal threads of the drive-box shaft and torque the reel adapter and groomer drive-box shaft to 150 to 163 N∙m (110 to 120 ft-lb).

   

   Figure 5

   1. Groomer drive-box shaft
   2. Reel adapter

   Important: Allow the thread-locking compound to cure for 15 minutes before continuing the procedure.

   Note: When torquing the reel adapter and drive-box shaft, restrain the drive-box shaft with the groomer drive-box socket tool or a 1-3/8 inch wrench and locked in a vice on the wrench flats at the inboard side of the groomer drive box (Figure 6).

   

   Figure 6

   1. Wrench flats for socket tool or wrench (drive-box shaft)
   2. Hex socket (reel adapter)
   3. Groomer drive-box socket tool (Part No. 137-0920)

2. Assemble the shim washer over the threads of the reel adapter (Figure 7).

   

   Figure 7

   1. Apply thread-locking compound here.
   2. Reel adapter into reel shaft
   3. Hex head
   4. Shim washer
   5. Cutting unit

3. Apply medium-strength, thread-locking compound (such as Blue Loctite® 243) to the internal threads of the reel shaft threads.

   Important: Clean the threads in the end of the reel shaft of any debris or grease before installing the splined insert.

4. Attach the groomer drive box to the reel shaft (Figure 7).

5. Restrain the cutting reel to install the insert; refer to Restraining the Reel for Installing Threaded Inserts.

6. While the reel is restrained, torque the hex-head of the drive-box shaft to 135 to 150 N∙m (100 to 110 ft-lb); refer to Figure 7.

   Important: You must torque the hex head of the drive-box shaft to 135 to 150 N∙m (100 to 110 ft-lb).

   Important: You must use a 6-point socket with heavy wall.Do not use an impact wrench for this step.

   Important: Allow the thread-locking compound to cure for 15 minutes before continuing the procedure.

   Note: Do not damage the seal under the outer cover.

7. If you are installing the groomer at the left side of the machine, perform the following steps (Figure 8):

   1. Remove the hex-socket screw that secures the clutch knob to the actuator shaft.

   2. Remove the clutch-knob assembly and flip it over.

   3. Assemble the clutch knob to the actuator shaft with the hex-socket screw.

      

      Figure 8

      Left-side install shown

      1. Clutch-knob assembly
      2. Hex-socket bolt

Parts needed for this procedure:

Perform this procedure only for Universal Groomer assemblies with no Rear Roller Brush Kit installed:

1. Apply medium-strength, cylindrical-bonding retaining compound (such as Green Loctite 609®) around the snap ring groove and the outer diameter surface (Figure 9).

2. Install the cap as shown in Figure 9.

   

   Figure 9

   1. Cap
   2. Apply medium-strength bonding compound

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Assemble the loose parts to the idler assembly as shown in Figure 10.

   Important: Install the bearing shields with the fabric side toward the bearings.

   

   Figure 10

   1. Stub-shaft assembly
   2. Bearing shield
   3. Idler assembly
   4. Flange nut

2. Position the idler assembly on the opposite side of the reel from the groomer drive box.

3. Use the previously removed hardware to install the reel-drive assembly; refer to Removing the Reel-Drive Assembly.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Thread the previously removed height-of-cut adjusting screws into the top of the height-of-cut assemblies (Figure 11).

   

   Figure 11

   1. Height-of-cut adjusting screw
   2. Plow bolt and flange nut
   3. Height-of-cut bracket assembly

2. Install the height-of-cut assemblies to the cutting unit side plates using the previously removed plow bolts, flange nuts, and special washers (Figure 11).

3. On the groomer drive box side, position the adjuster-arm rod of the HOC bracket on the inside of the groomer drive box and secure it with a shoulder bolt and a hardened washer as shown in Figure 12; torque the shoulder bolt to 16 to 22 N∙m (12 to 16 ft-lb).

   

   Figure 12

   1. Shoulder bolt (5/16 x 1 inch)
   2. Adjuster-arm assembly rod
   3. Hardened washer
   4. Groomer drive box

4. Align the adjuster-arm assembly rod near the adjuster collar on the idler assembly and secure it to the collar with an shoulder bolt and hardened washer (Figure 13); torque the shoulder bolt to 16 to 22 N∙m (12 to 16 ft-lb).

   

   Figure 13

   1. Adjuster collar
   2. Shoulder bolt (5/16 x 1 inch)
   3. Adjuster-arm assembly rod
   4. Hardened washer

5. Insert and center the roller shaft between the height-of-cut (HOC) brackets and secure it with 2 mounting screws (Figure 14 or Figure 15).

   You can install the mounting screws in the front (as shown in Figure 14) or rear side (Figure 15) of the HOC brackets. Installing the screws in the front side will allow the groomer to clear the roller; installing them in the rear side will allow the groomer to interlace with the roller.

   

   Figure 14

   Mounting screws installed to front side of HOC brackets

   1. Roller
   2. Mounting screw
   3. Height-of-cut bracket (HOC) assembly
   4. Groomer guard
   

   Figure 15

   Mounting screws installed to rear side of HOC brackets

   1. Groomer guard
   2. Mounting screw
   3. Height-of-cut bracket (HOC) assembly
   4. Roller

6. Attach the groomer guards to both sides of the roller shaft (Figure 14).

7. Torque the groomer guards to 22 to 24 N∙m (16 to 18 ft-lb).

Parts needed for this procedure:

For low height-of-groom setups where additional spring force is required, install additional washers (Part No. 3256-24) to the eye bolt to compress the height-of-groom springs at a low height of groom.

1. Set the desired cutting unit height of cut; refer to your cutting unit Operator’s Manual.

2. Set the desired height of groom; refer to Adjusting the Groomer Height.

3. Ensure that the groomer adjusters are in the engaged (operating) position; refer to Transporting the Machine.

4. Measure the distance between the washers (the current spring length) as shown in Figure 16.

   

   Figure 16

   1. Top washer
   2. Original spring length (distance between top and bottom washers)
   3. Desired spring length with optional washers (19 mm or 3/4 inches)
   4. Bottom washer

5. Subtract the desired spring length (19 mm or 3/4 inches) from the current spring length, and divide this difference by 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) to determine how many washers you need to add to achieve the desired spring length.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Obtain a grooming reel appropriate for your needs and cutting unit; contact your authorized Toro distributor.

2. Line up the grooming reel with the groomer drive box and idler assembly (Figure 17).

   

   Figure 17

   1. Drive-stub shaft
   2. Locknut (4)
   3. Groomer assembly
   4. Shaft clamp (4)
   5. Bolt (4)

3. Secure the groomer to the machine as shown in Figure 17 and snug the bolts.

4. To prevent binding, set the height of cut and height of groom, then loosen the bolts.

   Note: To set the height of cut, refer to your cutting unit Operator’s Manual; refer to Adjusting the Groomer Height for adjusting the height of groom.

5. Torque the bolts to 5 to 7 N∙m (46 to 60 in-lb).

6. Check and adjust the height of cut and height of groom as necessary.

Grooming is performed in the turf canopy above the soil level. Grooming promotes vertical growth of grass plants, reduces grain, and severs stolons, producing a denser turf. Grooming produces a more uniform and tighter playing surface for faster and truer action of the golf ball.

Grooming should not be considered as a replacement for verticutting. Verticutting is generally a more rigorous and periodic treatment that can temporarily damage the playing surface, while grooming is a routine and gentler treatment designed to manicure the turf.

Figure 18

1. Grass runners (stolons)
2. Thatch

Grooming brushes are less intrusive than conventional grooming blades when adjusted to lightly contact the turf canopy. Brushing may be better for the ultra-dwarf cultivars, since these grass types have an upright growth pattern and do not fill in well through horizontal growth. Brushes can injure leaf tissue if they are set to penetrate too deeply into the canopy.

Groomer blades should never penetrate the soil. They are effective in cutting runners and removing thatch.

Because grooming injures leaf tissue, avoid grooming during periods of high stress. Cool season species, such as creeping bent grass and annual bluegrass, should not be groomed during high-temperature (and high-humidity) periods in midsummer.

Many variables affect the performance of grooming, including:

• The time of the year (i.e., the growing season) and the weather pattern

• The general condition of each green

• The frequency of grooming/cutting—both how many cuttings per week and how many passes per cutting

• The height-of-cut setting on the main reel

• The height/depth setting on the grooming reel

• How long the grooming reel has been in use on the green

• The type of grass on the green

• The overall greens management program (i.e., irrigation, fertilizing, spraying, coring, overseeding, etc.)

• Traffic

• Stress periods (i.e., high temperatures, high humidity, unusually high traffic)

These factors can vary from green to green. Inspect the greens frequently and change the grooming practice as needed.

Various grooming shaft assemblies are available. The 13 mm (1/2 inch) spacing allows you to groom slightly deeper to cut stolons without thinning out the turf excessively. By removing spacers and adding blades or by adding spacers and removing blades, you can adjust the spacing between the groomer and blade to 6 mm (1/4 inch) or 19 mm (3/4 inch).

Note: Groom with a 6 mm (1/4 inch) blade spacing for fast-growth periods (spring through early summer) to thin out the top layer of the canopy. Groom with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) blade spacing for slower growth periods (late summer through fall and winter). During high-stress periods, using the grooming reel may cause damage to the turf.

Note: Using the groomer reel improperly or too aggressively (i.e., too deep or too frequent grooming) may unnecessarily stress the turf, causing severe turf damage. Use the groomer cautiously.

Note: Continue changing the direction of cut whenever you use the groomer. This enhances the effects of the grooming.

Note: Operate the groomer in a straight line as much as possible. Use caution when turning while operating the groomer.

Important: Never set the groomer lower that 1/2 the height of the cut—up to 13 mm (0.5 inch); you can make adjustments 0 to 6 mm (0 to 0.25 inch) below the height of cut thereafter.

Important: If you set the groomer higher that the height of cut, inadvertent groomer contact with the basket may occur when using the QUICK-UP position. Never set the groomer higher than the height of cut in the OPERATION position.

1. Park the machine on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and shut off the engine.

2. Set the cutting-unit height of cut; refer to your cutting unit Operator’s Manual.

3. Raise or lower the grooming reel as follows:

   1. Ensure that the the quick-up levers (Figure 19) are in the OPERATION position (i.e., the lever points toward the front of the cutting unit).

   2. At the end of the groomer reel, measure the distance from the lowest tip of the groomer blade to the working surface (Figure 19). Turn the height-adjuster knob (Figure 19) to raise or lower the tip of the groomer blade to the desired height.

   3. Repeat step 2 on the opposite end of the groomer, then check the setting on the first side of the groomer. The measured height at each end of the groomer reel must be identical. If the measured height at each end of the groomer is different, rotate the adjuster knob(s) until they are identical.

      

      Figure 19

      1. Height-adjuster knob
      2. Quick-up lever (shown in the OPERATION position)
      3. Groomer height (HOG)

The groomer has 3 settings: NEUTRAL(N), FORWARD(F), and REVERSE(R). To change the direction of the groomer, turn the knob at the end of the groomer drive box and align the desired position with the adjustment notch.

Figure 20

1. Adjustment notch
2. Knob

Important: Improper or over-aggressive use of the grooming reel (i.e., too deep or too frequent grooming) may cause unnecessary stress on the turf, leading to severe greens damage. Use the groomer cautiously.

To determine the proper height/depth setting, do the following:

1. Set the cutting reel to the height of cut that would normally be used without a grooming reel.

2. Set the groomer reel to the height-of-cut setting above the roller level.

3. Set the grooming brush equal to the height-of-cut setting above the roller.

   Note: Adjust the grooming brush (up or down) in 0.25 mm (0.01 inch) increments to avoid unintended turf damage.

4. Make a pass over the test green, then lower the grooming reel 1/2 the roller level and make another pass over the test green.

   Note: For example, to set a 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) height-of-cut, set the grooming reel at 1.6 mm (1/16 inch) above the roller.

5. Compare the results.

   Note: The first setting (when the groomer setting was adjusted to the height-of-cut setting above the roller level) should have removed significantly less grass and thatch than the second setting.

6. Check the test green 2 or 3 days after the first grooming for general condition or damage. If the groomed areas are turning yellow or brown, and the non-groomed areas are green, the grooming was too aggressive.

   Note: The color of the grass changes when you use the grooming reel. An experienced greens superintendent can judge by the color of the turf (along with close examination) if the current grooming practice is appropriate for the particular green. Because the groom reel stands up more grass and removes thatch, the quality of cut is not the same as without the groomer. This effect is most noticeable the first few times that you use a groomer on a green.

   Note: On multiple passes (i.e., double and triple cutting), the groomer penetrates deeper on each successive pass. Multiple passes are not recommended.

   After testing the performance of the groomer on a test green and you obtain satisfactory results, you can begin grooming on the playing greens. However, each green may respond differently to grooming. In addition, growing conditions constantly change. Inspect the groomed greens frequently and make adjustments to the grooming procedure as often as necessary.

When you wish to mow without the groomer or need to transport the machine, move the quick-up lever to the TRANSPORT position (Figure 21).

Note: This moves the groomer reel into a raised position.

Figure 21

1. TRANSPORT position
2. OPERATION position

Service Interval:

• After the first 100 hours

• Every 500 hours/yearly (whichever comes first)

1. Clean the external surfaces of the groomer housing.

   Important: Ensure that there is no dirt or clippings on the outside of the groomer housing; if debris gets inside of the groomer it can damage the gearbox.

2. Remove the drain plug on the bottom of the housing (Figure 22).

   

   Figure 22

   1. Air-vent plug
   2. Fill plug
   3. Drain plug

3. Remove the fill plug on the side of the housing and loosen the air vent plug on the top so air can pass through (Figure 22).

4. Align a suitable container beneath the oil drain port to catch drained oil.

5. Tip the cutting unit (as shown in Figure 23) until the drain port is at the bottom to ensure complete drainage.

6. Slowly rock the cutting unit back and forth to ensure that the oil has completely drained from the housing. When the oil is completely drained, place the cutting unit on a level surface as shown in Figure 24.

   

   Figure 23

   1. Remove the drain plug from the drain port.
   2. Remove the fill plug from the fill port.
   3. Loosen the air vent plug.

7. Install the drain plug (Figure 22).

8. Use a syringe (Part No. 137-0872) to fill the drive box with 50 cc of 80-90W oil (Figure 24).

   

   Figure 24

   1. Syringe with 50 cc of 80-90W oil
   2. Fill port

9. Install the fill plug and tighten the air-vent plug.

10. Torque all plugs to 3 to 5 N∙m (27 to 44 in-lb).

Note: Retain all removed parts for later installation unless otherwise stated.

Important: If you have any issues removing the groomer drive box, refer to your traction unit Service Manual or contact your authorized Toro distributor.

1. Remove the cap from the groomer.

2. Remove the clamp bolts connecting the groomer to the drive box; refer to Figure 17 in Installing the Groomer.

3. Remove the shoulder bolt and hardened washer connecting the groomer drive box to the adjuster arms (Figure 25).

   

   Figure 25

   1. Shoulder bolt
   2. Hardened washer
   3. Groomer drive hex-head
   4. Reinforcement screw

4. Restrain the reel for removal; refer to Restraining the Reel for Removing Threaded Inserts.

5. Install the reinforcement screw (Part No. 1-803022—sold separately) to the internal threads of the groomer drive hex head and torque to 13.5 N⋅m (120 in-lb) as shown in Figure 25.

6. Remove the groomer drive box from the cutting reel by turning the groomer drive hex-head (Figure 25).

   Important: If the groomer drive box is installed on the right side of a cutting unit, turn the groomer drive hex-head counter-clockwise (right-hand thread) to remove the drive-box shaft from cutting unit.

   Important: If the groomer drive box is installed on the left side of a cutting unit, turn the groomer drive hex-head clockwise (left-hand thread) to remove drive-box shaft from cutting unit

   Important: You must use a 6-point socket with heavy wall.

Clean off the grooming reel after using it by spraying it with water. Do not direct the water stream directly at the groomer bearing seals. Do not permit the grooming reel to stand in water so that the components rust.

Figure 26

1. Grooming blade
2. Sharp edges
3. Dull (rounded) edges

Inspect the grooming-reel blades frequently for damage and wear. Straighten bent blades with a pliers. Replace worn blades, and torque the locknuts to 42 to 49 N∙m (31 to 36 ft-lb). When inspecting the blades, check to see that nuts on the right and left blade-shaft ends are tight.

Note: If you are using spring steel blades, when 1 side of the blades become worn, remove the grooming reel, rotate it 180°, and install it so that the unworn side is facing the direction of rotation.

Note: Because the groomer may introduce more debris (e.g., dirt and sand) into the cutting unit than what the reel would normally be exposed to, check the bedknife and main reel for wear more frequently. This is especially important in sandy soil and/or when the groomer is set for penetration.