Magazine: Toro Introduces 14-Blade Reel for Greensmaster® Flex 21 and Flex 18
By Editor in Industry News on 7th Sep 2008 8:00
The Toro Company introduces the newest innovation for the Toro® Greensmaster® Flex 21 and Flex 18 — the industry’s first 14-blade reel. 
With more blades and an optimal reel-speed, the 14-blade reel provides a crisper, more consistent cut. In fact, the new blade reel cuts below .100 of an inch without damaging turf, providing golf course superintendents with a faster and more consistent playing surface.
“Toro is always looking for new and innovative solutions,” said Helmut Ullrich, marketing manager for Toro Greensmaster products. “By adding more blades and keeping reel-speed constant, we found grass blades to be metered into the reel more efficiently and sheared off more cleanly, resulting in fewer stragglers, healthier turf and a superior ball roll,” said Ullrich.
With no need for reel-speed adjustments, the 14-blade reel allows you to slightly raise the cutting height for healthier greens, without compromising ball-speed. A smoother cut results in a faster and truer ball roll so your course will be tournament-ready whenever needed.
“The new 14-blade reel is the perfect answer for superintendents looking to achieve the best cutting-performance, particularly at low heights of cut. Players will feel the difference,” said Ullrich.
After testing the 14-blade reel for a few weeks at The Woodlands Country Club in Texas, Superintendent Russell Birkhimer noticed a significant increase in clipping-yield compared to the Flex 21 using an 11-blade reel at the same bench setting. “The quality of cut below .100 was far better than I expected,” he said.
“The 14-blade reel will provide us with a more constant ball roll day in and day out. At the lower height of cut, the amount of stragglers was minimal, which resulted in faster green speed,” he added.
The 14-blade reel is now available to retrofit existing Greensmaster Flex 18 and Flex 21 units. Beginning in fall of 2008, Toro Greensmaster Flex units can be ordered with either an 11-blade or a 14-blade cutting unit.
About The Toro Company
The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC) is a leading worldwide provider of outdoor beautification products, support services and integrated solutions. With sales of nearly $1.9 billion in 2007, Toro is committed to providing environmentally responsible products of customer-valued quality and innovation. Since 1914, the company has built a tradition of excellence around a number of strong brands that serve a customer base that includes golf course superintendents, groundskeepers, sports field managers, landscape and irrigation contractors, fruit and vegetable growers, and homeowners. Visit the company Web site at
www.thetorocompany.com
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With no need for reel-speed adjustments, the 14-blade reel allows you to slightly raise the cutting height for healthier greens, without compromising ball-speed. A smoother cut results in a faster and truer ball roll so your course will be tournament-ready whenever needed.
