[Joel_Stewart]

I doubt if Toro or John Deere have hybrid engines for their mowers but I am hearing how many people are switching to bio fuels.  The most promising development I have heard is using grass clippings to produce bio fuels.   It would be great of golf courses used their own grass clippings to produce their own fuel for their mowers and equipment.  Is it a pipedream or could it happen in the next 10 years?

[John Kavanaugh]

I am not aware of that but many police forces have gone to bicycles to save on fuel.  I'd like to see more supers their employees on bicycles touring the course.  Not only would you save fuei it would be quieter to boot.  No more than grass clipping weigh you could use one of those kid carriers to haul scraps and tools.

[Joel_Stewart]

I guess I should have looked at the Toro website,

"For the past five years, Toro has conducted extensive equipment testing using bio-fuel and biodiesel blends. With kit modifications and an understanding of a few additional precautions customers can enjoy a more efficient, cleaner technology through biodiesel fuel blends of up to B20.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source derived from biological sources that are completely biodegradable and non-toxic. Emissions from bio-fuels and biodiesel blends are lower than petroleum-based diesel fuels making them more environmentally friendly. There are various levels of biodiesel fuels including B2, B5, B10, B20 and B100. For example, biodiesel fuels designated as B20 represent a mixture of 80 percent petroleum and 20 percent bio-fuel. "

Seems like they could run this on biofuels, its not like a tractor trailer.

[John Kavanaugh]

I guess I should have looked at the Toro website,

"For the past five years, Toro has conducted extensive equipment testing using bio-fuel and biodiesel blends. With kit modifications and an understanding of a few additional precautions customers can enjoy a more efficient, cleaner technology through biodiesel fuel blends of up to B20.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel source derived from biological sources that are completely biodegradable and non-toxic. Emissions from bio-fuels and biodiesel blends are lower than petroleum-based diesel fuels making them more environmentally friendly. There are various levels of biodiesel fuels including B2, B5, B10, B20 and B100. For example, biodiesel fuels designated as B20 represent a mixture of 80 percent petroleum and 20 percent bio-fuel. "

Seems like they could run this on biofuels, its not like a tractor trailer.

Do any courses in Europe use crazy ass expensive pieces of equipment like shown above.  I could see if the guy running the equipment was earning a living wage but at what golf course workers get paid I just don't see the payback.  Supers are out of control with these toys.

What ever happened to the gang mower pulled by a tractor that has non-motorized rotating blades.  The nine hole course where I am a member that only has a $90,000/year budget including salaries still uses one.

[Joel_Stewart]

John:

I stole that picture off the German distributor for Toro.  I guess they do use this in Europe.

[John Kavanaugh]

John:

I stole that picture off the German distributor for Toro.  I guess they do use this in Europe.

It looks German.  I hereby exclude Germany in all references to Europe when discussing anything golf.  Except exceedingly slow play.  Sorry Grandma Meyer.

[Kyle Harris]

John,

We use both at my course. Operating costs are about the same, and the labor required for the gang mower is much greater.

Those reels do need to be sharpened and set every now and then.

[Joel_Stewart]

I turned on TGC today watching the John Deere Classic and Kelly Tillman was talking about having dinner with the President of John Deere last night.  She said they are way out in front of the bio fuel issue and couldn't believe whats ahead for golf vehicles.  Hopefully Toro and others will follow.

[David_Madison]

How about clubs converting by-products from their kitchens into biodiesel? There already is a market for restaurants to sell the stuff to small companies who are converting the waste oil from their fryers.

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