Do you need an adjustment?

Aeration season is full of planning and preparation. When it comes to your equipment, you may check the operation, order tines, etc, but have you ever read your operators manual for adjustments?

Toro Procore 648

The Toro Procore 648 is a great machine, the efficiency of this machine is incredible. Within the operators manual (page 43) is a procedure for Resetting the Ground Following System.  This adjustment is often overlooked on this machine, and does need to be adjusted from time to time.

The ground following system uses the depth handle adjustment, and the position of the turf guards to determine the depth of the coring head.  If this is not properly adjusted you may not be getting the proper depth.

How to make the adjustment-

Insert a 5/16 bolt through the hole in the turf guard holding bracket and the hole in the frame.  This holds the turf guard in the proper position.

Hole in frame for bolt

Turf Guard frame with bolt in place

Move the depth adjustment handle to the "H" position.

Depth adjustment handle 

Connect a multi-meter (set on Ohms) to the outboard ball switch. (I like to set it to beep when there is no resistance)

Connect to switch closest to rod

Loosen the jam nuts on the top and bottom joints of the adjustment rod.

Adjust the rod until the ball switch circuit closes. (zero resistance) Tighten the jam nuts and remove the 5/16 bolt.  The Ground Following System has been reset.

Jam nuts are LH & RH threads to make adjustment easier

Setting the depth manually- 


If you would like, you can set the depth of the Procore manually.  You do this by flipping the Ground Following System switch to the off position.  (This is the switch with the bolt through it)

Ground Following Switch has a bolt to keep in position

You will then set the depth with these spacers.  When you press the switch to activate the coring head it will drop to the stops on the frame.  The spacers determine the depth, just like the height of cut on many of our rotary mowers.  *When you switch back, make sure all the spacers are back on top or, maximum depth will not be achieved.

Manual depth spacers

If you are ever in the process of aerating and you do not appear to be getting consistent depth with the holes.  First adjust the Ground Following System.  If that does not address the issue, flip the switch and try it in manual.