Every buyer of a Wiedenmann Terra Spike receives bespoke instruction about how best to set it safely and optimally for local conditions. Almost always the installation training is given by one of the Wiedenmann team themselves, supported by a dealer representative.
This commitment to customer service began nearly 30 years ago, when Wiedenmann UK started trading, and it is still an integral part of the company’s sales package.
Not unsurprisingly, the installation session emphasises all Health & Safety considerations that need to be respected; everything from making the working vicinity safe to learning the right way to couple and uncouple the Terra Spike.
The Wiedenmann team member cuts the PTO shaft to suit the tractor/ machine combination, ensuring it doesn’t split on the longest point or bottom out at the shortest point, and, if required, they set the clutch on the PTO shaft.
Next, comes a comprehensive run through of the correct procedures: the dos and don’ts associated with starting, stopping, appropriate revs, depth and heave settings and, of course, the required maintenance.
Turner Groundscare supplied Worsley with its machine and Wiedenmann UK’s Andy Kerr led the safety briefing.
Tim Johnson, the course manager at Worsley Golf Club in Manchester, took delivery of a Terra Spike GXi8 HD in October. He said: “This kind of H&S training session is hugely appreciated. Everyone is instantly knowledgeable, aware and confident. The machine can go into service from day one with everyone using it properly, and I know we as a team, are doing our bit to maximise the lifespan and longevity.”
Johnson added: “We’ve had our machine nearly six months and its totally smooth, clean and fast. The other day we got three greens done in 40 minutes. As a course manager, it makes life so much easier, planning and delegating tasks because you can deploy the machine for just a short time, but still achieve a lot. We’ve had our fair share of wet weather, so when the conditions are right, we’ve revisited areas of the course that need a little more TLC, and already you can see we’ve got a lot less lying water as we’ve removed some of the compaction.”
