Coming Soon

[lorenzo piedra]

The Stone-A-Green Version 4.0

Platform: Dual Hydro Drive Toro Mid Size Walkbehind with 14hp Kohler Single.

Mowing deck: 52"

Spreader: Early model JRCO with owner fabricated electric shut on/off with motor speed controlled from the dashboard.

Sprayer: 15 gallon with shureflo pump, hand wand, and out-front boom.

Plus a Lesco can caddy with can sprayer.

[Ric]

owner fabricated electric shut on/off

Professor Stone

Am I understanding this correctly??? A electric shut off for the hopper??? or the broadcast wheel motor???

I can really see a need for the Hopper shut off due to the distance from the Operator on a W/B.

BTW it looks like the old Belt drive might be looking for a new home. They may make some start up guy a nice piece of commercial equipment in the short run. Kn owning you I know that they might be older model frames, but have been rebuilt just about every winter with good parts and new engines. I know you have posted many times how you used the 9 splint transmission instead of the 4 splint one.

[lorenzo piedra]

Hopper has electric shut off with dashboard mounted switch.

Spreader motor is controlled by a $3 dashboard mounted dimmer switch from home depot.

[Ric]

Hopper has electric shut off with dashboard mounted switch.

Spreader motor is controlled by a $3 dashboard mounted dimmer switch from home depot.

Professor Stone

Yes I have the dimmer switch and find it extremely useful. I guess what I am learning is JRCO makes a truckter type spreader with Electric shut off.

Since the Ric A Green is made from a front runner Walker ZTR the hopper is with in easy reach by the operator. I can see very easy where a electric shut off on the hopper can be useful.

[lorenzo piedra]

The reason I am attaching spreader/sprayer on the little hydro is so that I can just take one machine to a sports field renovation job.

The machine with a tine rake and pull behind aerator takes up all of the trailer space which leaves me the bed space for fertilizer, pellitized limestone, spreader, sprayer, and some bagged top soil to fill in any small holes.

I am still going to keep the Stone-a-Green version 3.0 44" belt drive (it's going to get a new 10hp recoil/electric start engine) with a 15 gal sprayer and a truckster spreader as a back up.

So with the above two machines plus a 62" hydro 18hp command and a 62" belt with a 18hp magnum with a new 5 speed 9 spline and all new driveline parts I will be on full tilt come March of 2006.

[Ric]

Professor Stone

After the bad Drought of this year I am sure there will be plenty of Renovation to do in the spring. I believe it is too late this year for you and all that might be left is Leaf Season. May you have a Good Leaf season.

Northeastern Members

The Big Problem with Spring Renovations is weed control and that is why it is better to do renovations in the fall. Professor Stone is aware of this and has the knowledge to control weed post emerge as the New seed has taken hold. Of course pointing this weed control factor out to the customer and charging the extra expense is part of the fall out from this drought.

Anyone else who is in the North East drought area might want to contact Professor Stone about doing a essay or seminar on Spring renovations this year.

[lorenzo piedra]

Ric,

Now that it is raining there will be a 10 day window to still get seed to germinate and harden off before the Arctic blast.

I will go with a 50/50 rye/blue so the rye will give some quick cover and then hopefully some of the blue will also germinate and sprout some rhizomes during November and December.

Starter fertilizer just does not have enough N especially this season since the last of any real fertilizations got applied last April. A two pound hit is needed now and again in 30 days.

[Ric]

Ric,

Now that it is raining there will be a 10 day window to still get seed to germinate and harden off before the Arctic blast.

I will go with a 50/50 rye/blue so the rye will give some quick cover and then hopefully some of the blue will also germinate and sprout some rhizomes during November and December.

Starter fertilizer just does not have enough N especially this season since the last of any real fertilizations got applied last April. A two pound hit is needed now and again in 30 days.

Stoney

I had not read the rain thread when I made the above post. I am glad for you and all the LCO in the Northeast for the rain. May you all do well.

I am a warm season Guy and only know what I have had to study in college about Cold season Turfs. I know you want a lot of N now for Root development and early spring green up. Since N development Cell Elongation and most grow is under the ground in the winter months I am sure the 46-0-0 is a great supplement to the starter Fert and will help feed the GrassHoppers.

[timturf]

Ric,

Now that it is raining there will be a 10 day window to still get seed to germinate and harden off before the Arctic blast.

I will go with a 50/50 rye/blue so the rye will give some quick cover and then hopefully some of the blue will also germinate and sprout some rhizomes during November and December.
Starter fertilizer just does not have enough N especially this season since the last of any real fertilizations got applied last April. A two pound hit is needed now and again in 30 days.

Professor stone
My experience in central Ill, any rye /blue mix containing more than 30% rye, will be a rye stand!

[lorenzo piedra]

I would like to report that the The Stone-A-Green Version 4.0 Hydro with a Lesco electric spreader made it's debut today laying down a ton of urea in no time.

I was easily able to keep the speed down to between 3-4 mph and the added ground speed going back and forth to the truck for fertilizer is an added bonus.

And at less that 20% of the cost of a new ZSpray plus it also mows 52" of turf.

Photos will be provided in due time.