Pedestrian coring a pleasure

Over decade ago, Toro introduced the ProCore 648 pedestrian corer. Among its key features was the smooth operation of its 1.27m wide coring unit, this balanced six-crank corer accepting the full range of Toro Titan tines in each of it six tine heads. This element of the latest ProCore 648s has not been changed. What’s more, any accessory offered to fit the existing 648 models will work with the 648s too.

What has changed is the latest ProCore 684s is even easier to use than its predecessor, with much of this relating to the use of the electronically controlled drive. This clever system links the 674cc twin-cylinder petrol engine to the hydrostatic drive to ensure the forward speed is consistent and exactly matches the output of the coring head. An uneven green should have the holes punched into it at the same spacings, regardless of changes in slope.

In operation, another neat development is the ability to up the travel speed when turning the unit between passes without then having to worry that the working speed will be upset. All you have to do is raise the corer out of work and then press one of the pair of pads on the handles to up the speed. When aligned for the next pass, lowering the unit into work will revert to the correct operating speed, this being fixed to ensure consistent accuracy.

Although there is an option in the InfoCentre to switch off various features, one that few will want to tamper with is Delayed Mode. In broad outline, this system allows the front wheel to be used to set when the corer is lowered and raised. In work, this means you can pull up the lower control lever to drop the head when the front wheel is at the edge of the green, the unit only lowering when it reaches that point and vice versa at the other end.

This simple system has two advantages. First it ‘automatically’ raises and lowers the corer at the edge of the green or at a point where you want it to start working. Second, the forward speed of the machine is set at the working speed. This means you do not lower or raise the corer at the wrong speed, which helps to eliminate oval holes and turf tear at the start and finish of a run.

Setting up the PROCORE 648s to work with different types of tines and working depths is simplified. It takes longer to describe the set-up process than to actually do it, but in broad outline the procedures are controlled via the InfoCentre. Taking calibrating the working depth as an example, this is achieved by:

• Manually lowering the two outer tine banks
• Entering the calibration mode on the InfoCentre
• Select Teach Ground Height*
• Select Calibration engaged
• Select Lowering Head. Press OK as soon as the outer tines tips touch the ground
• Select Calibration complete. Job done

In practice, doing the job the first time you may struggle to see when the tines touch the ground, and the job needs to be done on level ground, but once you go through the process a couple of times you will find it simple. Tine wear and adjusting the corer to accommodate it is faff but with this system most will be more inclined to carry it out.

There are other neat little features tucked away in the InfoCentre display. These include inputting the tine type and size fitted plus the selected working depth, so an operator knows exactly what the machine is set up to do. You don’t really need a manual to set the machine up once you know the basics but, if you do, a QR code decal on the machine enables this to be accessed via a tablet or smartphone.

Other details to note are the operator handle ‘floats’ to suit the operator and in storage can be locked up vertically to save some space. The full width control levers enable the unit to be worked with one hand and the steering lock has been increased to allow tighter turns.

Wheel scrub should not be a problem as the electronically controlled drive monitors the speed of the all-wheel drive system to ensure all three wheels speed is coordinated. Throttle settings are done via a rocker switch, with a cruise control setting allowing a faster pace for transport.

With thanks to Dougie Mac Gregor, head greenkeeper, Oxford Golf Club