5 Easy Tips to Boost Productivity & Reduce Downtime in Pest Control Spray Equipment

Every once in a while Turfhugger asks an industry expert to contribute a post to the site. Andrew Greess is President of Quality Equipment & Spray, a leading manufacturer of high-quality pest control spray equipment. Be sure to visit his blog www.SprayEquipmentBlog.com or Twitter to learn of more sprayer tips. You can reach Greess at Andrew@qspray.com or at LinkedIn.

A significant number of pest control spray equipment breakdowns are completely avoidable. Do you want to reduce equipment repair expenses, downtime and missed appointments? A few simple concepts can do wonders for your pest control technician productivity.




1. Under Pressure. Pressure is good. Without it, most power and manual pest control sprayers won't work. The problem is too much pressure, which decreases sprayer life.

Here is an interesting observation. When we build a new gas-powered pest spray rig, we install it, test it and send it out at 75-100 PSI. When spray rigs come into our shop for service, they are often set at 150 PSI or higher.

The pressure isn't magically increased by a pressure fairy. Pest control technicians turn up the pressure to finish their jobs faster. Higher pressure shortens the life of pump, hoses, fittings, guns, etc. Chemical spills will be more serious if a component bursts at a higher rather than lower pressure. High pressure can also affect spray droplet size and cause unintended consequences such as spray drift.

Make sure techs are operating pest control power sprayers at recommended pressure. Train technicians to release pressure of all power and manual compressed air sprayers at the end of each stop to extend the life of your equipment and reduce breakdowns and downtime.

2. Filter Your Results. The most common cause of avoidable pest control spray equipment repairs is clogged filters. The most commonly ignored advice to Pest Management Professionals is to clean your filter.

When pest control spray technicians come to our repair facility, it almost doesn't matter what they tell us their equipment problem is. The first thing our mechanics do is to check the filter. A dirty filter causes so many downstream problems it is not feasible to list them all here. Be sure technicians are cleaning filters. Be sure supervisors are spot checking to make sure it is being done.

3. Clean it Out. Debris in tanks of pest control power sprayer or compressed air sprayers wreaks havoc on effective pest control operations. Rinse your system with clean water periodically to remove old chemical buildup, debris, etc. Chemical buildup & debris can clog your filter, starve your pump, damage spray tips, and clog other components as well. When in doubt, rinse it out. Be sure to follow all labels and laws when cleaning out spray tanks.

4. Don't Ignore Problems. Here are a couple of indisputable smart systems truths. Small pest sprayer problems will become big problems. Small problems are fixed quickly and cheaply. Big problems are expensive productivity killers. Water anywhere it is not supposed to be is a problem.

We are constantly amazed by the number of major repairs that could have been quickly, easily and inexpensively resolved had the equipment been brought in sooner. Train your technicians to let you know when they find equipment issues. It will save you lots of time and money.

5. Preventative Maintenance. Pest control spray equipment requires service. Harsh chemicals, long operating hours, temperature extremes, rough treatment all take their toll. Don't wait for your equipment to fail. It will cost more and take longer to fix.

Many breakdowns occur during your busy season when equipment is being used hard. This is also your equipment repair shop's busy season, so repairs could take longer. Schedule preventative maintenance during slow periods to reduce the impact on your schedule.

Spray equipment breakdowns can wreak havoc on your schedule, impact your customers and hurt company profitability. In a challenging economy, these are problems you do not need. With a little extra training and planning much downtime and repair expenses can be avoided.

Organic Golf Architecture

While the term sustainability has different meaning to different people, a sustainable approach to golf course development begins through an “organic approach” to golf architecture.

It was legendary American building architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) who coined the termed “organic architecture”. Wright emphasized harmony between architecture and the natural world through design approaches which are sympathetic and well-integrated with the environment.

Wright’s approach to building architecture easily applies to golf architecture. In fact, almost without exception, those courses consistently recognized as the world’s best were created by architects, like Wright, who also employ an organic approach to golf course design.

#9 Cypress Point Club at Monterey, California. Laid out by legendary golf architect Alister Mackenzie, the design of Cypress Point is extremely sympathetic and well-integrated with the environment.

These particular courses (think Pine Valley, Cypress Point, Royal Melbourne, Sand Hills, and Pacific Dunes at Bandon, Oregon for example) are extremely sympathetic and well-integrated with the environment. They possess a remarkably distinct relationship with nature, setting a fine example for golf course development into the future.

Indeed. The world’s best courses are laid-out to utilize inherent topography, natural drainage patterns, and indigenous plant life in a sincere effort to conserve nature. They celebrate the beauty and harmony of natural forms, flows and systems; and, in turn, present a distinct sense of place lending to their individual greatness.

Through utilization of existing site characteristics, an “organic approach” to golf architecture significantly minimizes required earthwork, area of maintained turf, and associated inputs, along with potential environmental impacts.

Dramatic #17 at Cypress Point Club at Monterey, California.

These days, too, golf architects and course superintendents are becoming increasingly innovative with regard to turf-grass selection. Cognizant of the fact that water is becoming more scarce and environmental legislation more stringent, modern golf course developments are more frequently featuring turf-grass varieties which require comparatively few inputs (most notably water, fertilizer and chemical applications).

In some cases, effluent has become a wonderful source for watering turf. In others, sophisticated drainage and irrigation systems designed to collect and channel water to be recycled and reused are becoming more prevalent, in a sincere attempt to make most efficient use of this increasingly precious resource.

Thankfully, heavy-handed golf course construction and lush, green swards of turf are no longer en vogue. Instead, an “organic approach” to golf architecture and course maintenance is once again mainstream. This is only in part due to modern environmental (and economic) realities, too. An “organic approach” to golf architecture and course maintenance is simply the sensible approach.

In turn, there are a legion of enterprising golf architects and course superintendents working throughout the world today who are consistently making sustainable choices relative to ecological and societal considerations, staunchly determined to meet the needs of today without sacrificing the future.

Where's The Buffer-Zone?

A Conversation with Ken Cousineau

I always jump at the opportunity to discuss the future of golf with someone who has influence, understands the issues and is capable of thinking outside the box, so obviously I was thrilled to sit down with the Executive Director of the Canadian Golf Superintendent Association Ken Cousineau.

I was curious to learn the influence of the CGSA on the Canadian golf industry, and how Ken guides the CGSA to facilitate the societal, regulatory and technological changes related to the environment growing at what seems to be an expediential rate.

Turfhugger.com – What does the general public think of our industry? Do they understand the issues as we do?

Ken Cousineau – I find the general public understands the environment influences the original design of the golf course, it’s easy to see how the architect reveals the lay of the land, but it doesn’t stop there. So much of what happens on the course after is also an environmental influence from pest pressures, airflow, drainage, to wildlife and rainfall. The role of the superintendent is to identify these influences specific to their property and manage them in a way that cooperates with nature.

Turfhugger.com – Because if you compete with nature you will loose?

Ken Cousineau – Exactly. You’ll not only loose with the environment, you’ll loose in the public eye. The public is very concerned about environmental issues, as are we. That’s why when we look at these issues we must look at them in a science-based method. I’m not sure if much of the public understands the way golf courses use resources like water, there are many misconceptions.
A golf course isn’t like a bottled water company that takes the water right out of the environment and redistributes it all over the world. Many courses are designed to direct rainfall in to reservoirs and use the water multiple times. Also, we are seeing a lot of courses redirect storm water runoff from parking lots and neighboring properties. The use of effluent has become quite popular in golf community and resort projects.

Turfhugger.com – There a lot of properties that have no choice but to use water from streams, rivers and aquifers some of which are running low. What is the CGSA doing to ensure these courses are not over using those resources?

Ken Cousineau – With all environmental issues we aim to develop policies and expose our members to technologies and programs to help them better manage their natural resources. We’ve looked at each area of environmental concern (Water Conservation, Water Quality, Habitat, Pest Control, Air Quality etc…) and have adopted policies to establish what is an appropriate position within these issues. These policies help our members to understand what appropriate conduct or position to take on particular issues is. These positions and policies are forever evolving, taking into consideration new research and regulatory requirements. The policies allow our members to claim a position on a particular issue.

We take the opportunity through the website, or through the magazine to promote new technologies, products or programs with the aim to use our resources more efficiently. I think our superintendents are experiencing a similar situation now as what the whole industry experienced in the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s, with the big golf course boom. The number of courses grew, while the number of golfers grew but not at a rate where it evened off. There are still too many courses for the number of avid golfers and some courses may not succeed.

Similarly on the environmental side we see a number of private and public environmental programs like Audubon, GEO, E-Par and even municipal by-laws and provincial programs too. The market is saturated and superintendents are left asking the question “what do I do, what will work the best for me in the long-term?”. Obviously they have to reach the standards set by regulatory bodies first and then consider the other programs meant to specialize in stewardship. Ultimately a program that is cost effective, will help the superintendent reach all regulatory requirements and is able to deal with environmental issues effectively will be the most helpful. That’s a lot to ask but that’s why we try to expose all of our members to all of the options and let the free market decide.

Turfhugger.com – So why is it that despite all of these positive environmental management strategies, products and technologies, golf courses still have a negative image in the public eye?

Ken Cousineau – I think there are some organizations out there that are legitimately concerned about land use issues but have decided to focus on golf courses without stepping back and taking an un-biased and truthful look at the situation. I think if they really evaluated the golf industry and dropped these pre-conceived ideas of what a golf course is they would find something very different. Every time I fly in to Chicago I notice how much green pace is provided by the golf courses. If you look at Toronto for example, many people talk about how great it is to have High Park in the city, but then turn to golf courses and view them as detrimental to the environment. High Park is a fraction of the size of the amount of green space that golf courses provide.

[Side Note: High Park is 398 Acres with about 135 acres (1/3 of total space) of natural areas. The park is fragmented from wildlife corridors and mostly surrounded by residential, commercial and highways. Toronto golf courses (13 with Toronto Addresses) are generally situated within river corridors and are approximately 200 Acres each, adding up to about 2,600 Acres of green space. The average urban golf course consists of approximately 15-30% of naturalized areas, making at least approximately 390 Acres of naturalized habitat. I’d love to get some concrete numbers, as this is a rough estimate, perhaps this should be a future article of mine.]

Let’s face it, if these golf courses were not constructed when they were, those properties would not be parkland, they’d likely be houses. If you take the park at the corner of the street and try to turn it into what a golf course would do with an out-of-play area by no longer irrigating it, and naturalizing the space with native meadow plants and birdhouses, people would be outraged. Politically it wouldn’t happen. So I think golf courses if anything are even more advanced then what our public space policies currently are.

Outside of the city we see developments popping up around the golf courses that are directing water into sewer pipes then directly into these golf courses. This direct run-off increases the flow and has caused damage to the infrastructure of some of these golf courses. The water is filthy, carrying hydrocarbons from roads and who know what else. Golf courses have taken on the role of filtering these pollutants, while still trying to maintain all of the other roles the course fulfills. I’m not saying that every golf course in Canada is 100% perfect but I’m confident the majority are doing things right and are part of the solution.

Turfhugger.com – So how do we get the public to understand this? What is the CGSA doing to help change the public perception?

Ken Cousineau – We’ve created a package for our members that will help them answer questions related to the environment, and we’re currently working on the 6th edition of the Environmental Management Resource Manual for Canadian Golf Courses, (More info on the manual) that should be ready for this winter. It’s the 6th edition in 8 years because things are really moving that quickly in our industry. The CGSA is committed to maintain these resources and keep them available to our members. We’ve had the National Allied Golf Association adopt our environmental policies and we are working closely with all of NAGA’s members to communicate our efforts so that the industry as whole can be prepared to convey our message to members, the public and the press.

Playing in the Pasture

Images of the Dubai Classic and the Masters at Augusta raise golfers aesthetic expectations to levels barely attainable. Fast rolling greens, lush fairways, blue ponds and sculpted white sand bunkers cost money, mostly because they are highly resource intensive. But not all golfers are as demanding as the pros, enter Pasture Golf.

This type of golf is attractive to those looking for a low green fee, want to wear Birkenstocks or boots, or those naturalists/purists who believe that modern golf courses bear little resemblance to the links style of their ancestral roots. Many people are starting to share the view with www.pasturegolf.com that "the prolific use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, refrigerated greens (you think we're kidding, don't you?)" are actually hurting the game, and potentially threatening the environment.

The Pasture Golf website outlines the locations and individuality of many courses that meet their strict expectations. I was surprised to find out how many are located near me.

Here's one down in Kansas.


Due to the strong natural character of these courses they have unique house rules, some of these include:

Smedberg Pines Golf Course in Pollock Pines, California - Bear shit counts as a "loose impediment". The house may be considered a "hazard". Don't spend more than 5 minutes looking for any one ball. Beware of cars on #4 and #12. Read yardages on every hole, it's a short course. See nothing, feel nothing and be the ball.

Ernie Holzemer's Four Hole Pasture Golf Course in Amidon, North Dakota - has it's own particular rules:
No Golf Carts Rule - It would cut playing time down to five minutes.

Badger Rule - "If a badger steals your ball, don't mess with the badger."

Gopher Rule - "If a gopher steals your ball, it's legal to retrieve it from the gopher hole."

7-Iron Rule - "Use your 7-iron to kill rattlesnakes."

Alaskan Pasture Golf Courses are no different:

The Raven Rule - Muskeg Meadows Golf Course, Wrangell, Alaska
If a raven steals your ball, you may replace it with no penalty, if you have a witness to the theft.

The Critter Rule - Birch Ridge Golf Course, Soldotna, Alaska
Please allow moose and other wild critters to play through!

The Bear Rule - Bear Valley Golf Course, Kodiak, Alaska
Bears have the right to play through.

Relief from Moose Tracks - Mt. Fairweather Golf Course
Take relief from moose tracks.

Free Drop - North Star Golf Club, Fairbanks, Alaska
If raven or fox steals ball, take free drop at theft location.

Irrigation System Management and Maintenance

I’ve been involved in the golf industry for over 12 years and since starting my own consulting business in 2008, I’ve noticed an unusual trend towards the management and maintenance of golf course irrigation systems. Superintendents are more often investing their resources towards different wetting agents, fertilizers or pesticides as opposed to investing in their irrigation systems and the maintenance and management of them.

An irrigation system is the single most valuable tool that a golf course Superintendent has at his/her disposal. If the turfgrass doesn’t get water, it would be pretty difficult to maintain the standard that golfers demand during the peak golfing months.

To effectively irrigate at the time its needed most, a Superintendent requires a well thought-out scheduling regime derived from on-site weather stations, high sprinkler application uniformity, and precise site adjustments.

Overall, operating an irrigation system with high efficiency will contribute to reaching the following objectives:
• Maintaining uniformity of playing conditions
• Minimizing water and electrical consumption
• Minimizing water loss to run-off and deep percolation
• Reducing the potential for turfgrass disease
• Reducing fertilizer and chemical usage

It’s all easier said than done. Not only is good irrigation system maintenance hard work, but it is also a team effort. The Superintendent must depend upon his/her staff to regularly check sprinkler nozzles, incorrect rotation time, un-level sprinklers, pressure differences, improper arc, clogged and/or sprinklers not rotating.

When there simply isn’t the labor to perform these tasks, a Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA) should be used to perform effective irrigation audits and a Certified Golf Irrigation Designer (CID) should be used to assist in proper scheduling, design and preventative maintenance processes.

Investing in irrigation system is investing in the long-term success of your golf course operation!

Golf Course Equipment Wash Pads

How has something as simple as a golf course equipment wash pad gotten so complicated?
The days of placing a concrete pad at the barn to wash equipment with irrigation water is over. The water from equipment washing in most cases is considered a pollutant. Especially washing spray equipment without containing the wash water is considered criminal in most states.


We all agree water pollution is bad, some may remember the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire and how it helped spur an avalanche of water pollution control activities resulting in the Clean Water Act, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the creation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency. As a result, large point sources of pollution on the Cuyahoga and throughout the country have received significant attention since that ridiculous fire in 1969. These events are referred to in Randy Newman's 1972 song "Burn On", R.E.M.'s 1986 song "Cuyahoga" and The Simpsons episode "Lemon of Troy”. Great Lakes Brewing Company of Cleveland, Ohio named their Burning River Pale Ale after the event. Bad event; when a river catches on fire. It goes to show that a catastrophe can have a far reaching impact.

So do you suppose that wash water from golf courses might be the next hit song or Simpson’s episode? What if a large fish kill took place in the river a half mile away from the golf course. By coincidence your spray tech just applied a mixture of chlorpyrifos and Mancozeb. That wash water made its way into the river and now the local brew pub has a new microbrew, “Rolling Fairways Country Club Fish Kill Lager”. In the meantime, the local authorities, state DNR and USEPA are taking soil and water samples looking for a finger to point.

Where do your golf course chemicals go, how long do they persist in the soil and water, what liabilities do you and your club have when it concerns water, fish and the environment?
What’s in the water from the golf course wash pad? A. Martin Petrovic, PH.D Cornell University, did research into this very same issue published in the Green Section Record, September – October, 2005, Evolving Equipment Technology and what’s in That Water. Although site specific to New York state and Suffolk County in particular the data from chemicals present in wash water is telling. Most fertilizers and chemicals present in the wash water were below threshold amounts. However, the build-up of these chemicals overtime could have a deleterious effect. It’s interesting to note that detectable amounts of pesticides (chlorpyrifos being one which is highly toxic to fish) where measured in holding tanks even though these chemicals have not been used at the subject golf courses for years. Also of note, Dr. Petrovic recommends that pesticide equipment not be washed in the same manner that other turf equipment is washed unless a recycling or water treatment system is used.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON WASH PADS

It’s just a matter of time before legislation is specifically enacted to regulate wash water from golf course equipment. As it stands now, April, 2011 most golf courses in the US should have some type of permit from local or state authorities to release trace quantities of pesticides if you do not have a water recycling system. Contact your insurance company, the club’s attorney and your local or state authority on your need for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permit.

As you now know the Clean Water Act is just the tip of the iceberg, Rep. James Oberstar, Democrat, Minnesota, sponsored a bill that this spring made it through the house (H.R. 1262) to augment the CWA with an additional $1.3 billion in funds for additions and enforcements. I am sure by the time the bill makes it through the senate it will include other amendments to beef up protection for the waters of the country as well as other “enhancements”.
Build a wash pad, drain to a holding tank or recycling equipment, or get a NPDES permit for discharge into local sanitary sewer. Do not let the wash water drain into a stream, pond, storm sewer, or any body of water! If possible drain equipment wash water to an area that has no chance to flow into a body of water, over an area of vegetation is best. When cleaning spray tanks and equipment clean all related parts in an out of the way turf area on property. The left over spray is legally considered pesticide waste. Waste is what is left over from the intended propose of the original spray mix. The ideal is to recycle all wash and rinsate if possible and I believe it’s just a matter of time before state or federal regulations mandate all golf courses to capture all water use to clean equipment. When capturing wash water it can be diluted to use as make-up water for subsequent spray mixes. Of course don’t empty unused spray formulations anywhere unless diluted and broadcast sprayed in an out of the way turf area.

Old fashion leach pits and septic-type water treatments may or may not yield sufficient results. Capturing and reusing wash water seems to be the best alternative to an expensive recycling system. Compressed air clipping removal is also an alternative way to keeping equipment clean. Dry clippings can often be composted and used on property as beneficial compose.

On new installations or renovations to a wash pad it is advisable to install test wells to sample water if your Turf Care Center is in a low water table area. The testing will provide baseline statistics and should be proof of your proper care of chemical pesticides. Soil samples can also be sent to labs to discover just what chemical pesticides are in the soil.

If a Bureaucrat wants to make a name for themselves or make your life difficult I believe they have the means. The media loves sensational topics and negligent polluters are great copy. Be proactive and seek out what your local or state government wants your golf course to do pertaining to compliance issues. Be proactive not reactive!

Wash water can contain organic material such as grass clipping and soil as well as soaps, oil residue, fertilizer, and pesticide residue. These materials can degrade water quality and should never be allowed to flow directly into surface water. There are many options for washing sites.

At the very least, wash water should be directed to a location where water can spread out and be filtered, away from any environmentally sensitive areas. This type of system is not appropriate for water used to wash the inside and outside of pesticide equipment. That water must be collected and handled according to pesticide label instructions.

Constructing an impervious wash pad to divert water to a collection system is another option. The collected water could connect to a sanitary sewer for off-site treatment or be treated on-site in a closed loop system and reused. Closed loop systems can be designed to treat pesticide equipment wash water. The type of system appropriate for the course will depend on the volume of water generated, contents of the wash water, and the potential for pollution in the surrounding area.

There are many types of systems varying in complexity. All systems must comply with any federal, state, or local water quality regulations and obtain any necessary authorizations. Always try to minimize the volume of water used when washing equipment. Conserve water by using nozzles that produce high pressure spray at a low volume. Keep an air hose nearby to blow off equipment before washing. Consider using the clippings in compost.

* Do not discharge wash water to surface water directly, or indirectly through ditches and storm drains.
* Construct a roof over the wash pad to prevent clean rainwater from being collected into a filtering system.
* Minimize detergent use and use only biodegradable, phosphate-free detergents.
* Handle water used to clean pesticide equipment in its own system.
* Washing equipment on a pesticide loading pad will contaminate clippings and other debris.
* Research local requirements for wash water treatment.

UgMO and Gary Player

A great short film from the UgMO website:

The first I heard of Ugmo was back in May from this New York Times article, and I'm excited about it's potential.


So what is UgMO?

From their website:
"UgMO™ is the most advanced wireless underground monitoring system available today. Its web application package feeds off data provided by its patent-protected underground sensors and wireless communications system. It displays real time conditions and provides comprehensive intelligence and predictive actions.

Our advanced web application capabilities are complemented by a professional staff of agronomists. They help you establish health- and performance-optimizing operating threshold ranges, evaluate your data and current practices, and refine your existing programs. Together we will help you stay in the UgMO™ Zone. The results, optimal turf conditions and real savings, will generate a strong and lasting return on investment.


UgMO™ is a proven cost saver. In most cases, users have cut their water consumption by at least 20%. These cost savings result from improved water, fertilizer and energy consumption, more efficient use of labor and better plant health. There are other benefits as well. The agronomic benefits include more efficient salinity management, uniform irrigation, deeper rooting, predictive disease control and healthier, more stable conditions. There are environmental benefits as well like water conservation, reduced use of phosphates, nitrates and pesticides, a reduced carbon/water footprint and regulatory compliance."

This article was originally posted in July of 2009 on Turfhugger.com

Here are a few links to UgMO related articles:
Water Conservation is Heating Up - Toro Vs. UgMO
Gary Player Un-Wraps AST's and UgMO
UgMO AST's New Soil Monitoring System