Washboarding - Jacobsen Fairway 305 Turbo Safety, Operating And Maintenance Instructions

10 TROUBLESHOOTING
10.2 Quality of Cut Troubleshooting
It is recommended that a "test cut" be performed to evaluate the mower's performance before beginning repairs.
An area should be available where "test cuts" can be made. This area should provide known and consistent turf
conditions to allow accurate evaluation of the mower's performance.
Another "test cut" should be performed after the completion of the repairs and/or adjustments to verify the
mower's performance.
Before performing a "test cut" to diagnose cut appearance and mower performance, the following items should
be verified to ensure an accurate "test cut."
1. Mowing (Ground) Speed.
2. Reel Bearing Condition and Pre-Load (End Play) Adjustment.
3. Reel and Bedknife Sharpness.
4. Bedknife Alignment to Reel.
5. Reel-to-Bedknife Contact.
6. Height-of-Cut (HOC).
7. Roller and Roller Bearing Condition.
10.2.1

Washboarding

NOTE: Arrow indicates direction of travel.
Probable Cause
Mowing (ground) speed is too fast.
Grass build-up on roller.
Roller is out of round.
Mowing in the same direction.
Use of a groomer on cleanup pass.
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JACOBSEN FAIRWAY 305 Series CG2
SAFETY AND OPERATION & MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Washboarding is a cyclical pattern of varying cutting
heights, resulting in a wave-like cut appearance. In
most cases, the wave tip-to-tip distance is
approximately 6—8 in. (15—20 cm). Colour variation
(light-to-dark) may also be noticed.This condition is
usually caused by a rocking motion in the cutting
unit(s). This condition is found mostly on mowers with
multiple (suspended) cutting units, but other causes
can produce the same result.Washboarding may also
be caused by variations in the turf.
Remedy
Reduce mowing (ground) speed.
Clean the roller and use scrapers or brushes.
Replace roller.
Change mowing direction regularly.
Groomers should be used only in a straight line.