Marshalling his troops - Pitchcare

Two
Bob’s
Worth
Simon Atkins chats to
Bob Hill, Head Mechanic
at the Forest of Arden
about his career and his
commitment to training
and WD40!
Bob Hill is a modest perfectionist
who is utilising his experience to
help produce top class results at
the Forest of Arden. His experience is a
product of good and bad events in his
career but, today, both are combined to a
positive effect.
Bob had visited the Forest of Arden to
carry out machinery repairs on a number
of occasions and had a fondness for the
course. It was, therefore, quite a moment
when he was invited to a meeting with
course manager at the time, Kenny
Mackay.
Kenny explained to Bob that he had
heard, “you are the top man for Toro.”
This was clever thinking on Kenny’s part
as he knew Bob’s expertise would reduce
repair bills and help eliminate downtime,
especially when major tournaments were
taking place. Bob accepted Kenny’s job
offer in 2000.
Bob’s experience has accumulated over
forty-one years in the trade. He began
his career in 1969, at Kings Heath
Mowers, fixing domestic machines,
before moving to become George
Bagnall’s mobile mechanic. With a Land
Rover and CB radio, call sign Park Sugar,
Bob would go out fixing breakdowns on
site.
After a period working for himself
and, looking for financial security, Bob
joined Alexander’s Horticultural Ltd in
1986 as spares manager. Alexander’s had
recently been appointed Toro main
dealers. On his first day, thirty new GM3
mowers were delivered, a machine Bob
rates highly to this day. Toro’s later
decision to cease their supply agreement
with Alexander’s saw Bob move to E.T.
Breakwell, in 1998, as stores manager.
With the demise of Breakwell’s a couple
of years later, Bob’s workshop, stores and
management skills were snapped up by
the Forest of Arden.
Bob is responsible for maintaining the
mainly Toro fleet, ensuring the machines
produce top class results. Starting at
18
4.00am, he ensures that every machine is
ready to go as soon as the greenkeepers
arrive. Head Greenkeeper, Rob Rousen,
will tell Bob the day before which
machines will be required.
As each machine returns from its daily
duties, the radiator is blown out using an
airline, before the entire machine is
washed down, removing every trace of
grass or dirt. All cutting equipment is
sprayed with WD40 to prevent the
cutting edges going rusty. The machines
are finally parked neatly in size order.
Each operator reports any issues to
Bob, which are recorded on a white
board in the workshop as a reminder.
Bob has created a service log for each
machine. The log is completed each time
the machine has any work carried out,
such as an oil change or sharpen. Bob is
proud of the fact that “every mower is
usable.”
Bob monitors the cutting quality of the
machines by making regular tours of the
course. To maintain consistency, all
machines are set at bench height. For
example, the greens are cut at 3.5mm
but, when this is checked on the green
with a mirror or prism, actual height is
between 1.5mm and 2mm depending on
sink rate.
Bob has a range of preset height
gauges. These give him the confidence
that each machine will go out at the
same height. Rob occasionally has
specific requirements, for example
cutting the fairways down to 10mm to
assist with a fertiliser application. Bob’s
experience allows him to discuss with
Rob potential unsightly outcomes, make
suggestions and reach an amicable
agreement.
When Bob started at the Forest of
Arden, he inherited a spare parts stock
with an estimated value of £30,000.
Today, Bob’s spare parts stock is
somewhat more modest, but does include
two sets of filters and two sets of blades
for each and every machine. It is evident
that frequent checks and regular
maintenance reduce the risk of an
unexpected breakdown.
Bob is loyal to original equipment
parts. Many of the machines are within
warranty periods, so the use of genuine
parts eliminates the risk of a rejected
claim. Even outside of warranty periods
Bob still uses genuine parts. Non
genuine alternatives may offer cost
savings, but Bob explains that many
manufacturers have recognised this and
brought the prices of their products in
line. He will not sacrifice safety and
quality for a few pounds saved.
For example, the Toro Sidewinder
rotaries have three blades that cost £60