Author:Ricdro

Tough, rugged and built to last

Transform your business by cutting project time and labor cost in half. Our sod equipment is not only built to outlast, but it is manufactured using high-quality parts.

Big Roll Sod Installer

The Sod Installer is the largest of the installers and can install up to 48 in. wide big rolls. The 48” wide, 4 foot 48” diameter, 2000 pound roll capacity along with the exceptional maneuverability, make the RM 2448 an ideal choice for most sod laying applications. A reliable Honda 11.0 HP Industrial/ Commercial engine drives through a field-proven infinitely variable hydrostatic drive to hydraulic motors in front wheels and shifts effortlessly from forward to reverse with a single lever control mounted on the steering handle. The sod roll can be lifted by inserting the adjustable mandrel in the sod roll and mounting it onto the lift arms. The Sod Installer is an outstanding machine for operating on slopes, highly maneuverable and easy to operate.

OVERVIEW

Meet newest generation of the Installer; the A-series. This turf and sod installer features a tighter turning radius, a longer life span for its bearings, a heavy duty frame, and a Kubota diesel engine. It is a operator friendly, four-wheel drive machine that combines efficiency and dependability into a conveniently compact package weighing around 2600 pounds and running at speeds up to 10mph. The concept of this Installer grew out of the need for a lighter weight, quick moving vehicle for the installation of big rolls of sod, one that could handle the terrain but not damage the turf.

There are many time saving options that the Installer provides. Hydraulic clamps allow for the arms to pick up a big roll without the need for a rod, meaning the operator never has to get of the unit to manually change the roll. The light kit option allows for the installer to be used when it is dark, allowing it to run at any time of the day. Flotation tires allow for less pounds per square foot, creating less impact on the soil. The most convenient option is the finger touch controls on the handle. The buttons on the handle control the hydraulic clamps and the tension control. The upgraded handle allows the operator to have all the controls that he needs at his fingertips, without having to remove his hand. Need to load it onto a truck? No problem! The Installer can be picked up with a forklift and lifted onto the truck quick and easy. Trailer? The front wheels rotate inward, allowing the installer to fit on a standard size utility trailer; just lift the arm, rotate the wheel, lower the arm and pin shut and you are ready to start installing.

Helpful Tips for Big Roll Installations

Installation Available

If you want a turn-key solution, can provide professional installation for your Big Roll jobs. Ask your representative for information and pricing.

Site Considerations

Big Rolls work best in open spaces without an excessive amount of curves or trees. Based on the layout of your site, you may want to order one or more pallets of slabs or rolls for finishing angles, curves and small detail areas. Nearby access is needed for a tractor-trailer (65′ long x 8′ wide) and close access is needed for a forklift (9′ wide and 10′ tall).

Equipment Required

Several types of laying equipment can be used to install Big Rolls. They include:

Tractor with a lift capacity of 3,000 lbs. A three point hitch attachment is available at some locations.

Skid Steer or Bobcat. A laying attachment is available upon request at some locations.

Some of our farms also have specialized installation equipment available for rent.

Soil Preparation

As with all sod installations, proper soil preparation is essential. Kill weeds and grasses with a recommended herbicide, remove rocks and debris and add soil amendments as desired. Work the soil with a rake until it is level and smooth. If soil seems loose, rolling may be done to firm the soil prior to installation. The final grade should be one inch below walkways and driveways.

Installation Methods

Using your choice of equipment described above, lay rolls as close as possible to each other while still avoiding overlap. Using a landscape rake, pull rolls together and snug up tightly. Water immediately and keep moist until sod is established.

Big Roll Installation

We pride ourselves on quality sod installation and only use  staff to install our sod. This streamlines the entire process so we can control when the sod is cut and when it will be installed. We specialize in big roll sod installation. Big roll sod provides a smoother, wider surface of turf, less edges and seams, and can handle traffic sooner.

When it comes to installing big rolls, we understand how important it is not to disturb the grade or damage existing turf. That’s why we modified our sod installation equipment to run on full flotation tires, giving us an extremely light footprint. Our staff also pays attention to grade details and corrects imperfection as we install the sod.

Big roll sod is hauled to a fairway with a donkey forklift.People make the difference. All of our sod crew staff are experienced and have been installing sod for years. We understand sod is perishable and needs to be installed in a timely manner, seams need to be tight and patching completed. We run large crews of 8 to 12 people. Equipment failure can bring a job to a grinding halt. That’s why we carry extra forklifts and equipment so if we have a problem, we can complete the job. Our sod installation service includes application of fertilizer, sod installation, rolling and complete clean up. We also install pallets of sod and are fully insured. From start to finish, we work with you.

What are big roll installer?

“Big roll installer” are large rolls of sod that are laid out using a special machine called a big roll installer. While traditional palletized sod comes in small rolls that can be installed by hand, each of these big rolls weighs approximately 1500 lbs and covers 315 square feet.

Benefits of Using Big Rolls

LABOR SAVINGS

Having to sod a large jobsite traditionally takes a large crew. Using our big roll installers, a crew of 3 men can install six to eight tractor trailer loads of sod a day. Try doing that with pallets!

LESS LIFTING

In addition to saving on labor costs, big roll sod will save your crew’s backs as well. No more lifting rolls off of pallets and bending to install them. The machine does the heavy lifting, meaning you can install more sod with less manpower.

PLAYABLE SOONER

Big rolls have fewer seams than traditional sod, meaning athletes are less likely to tear fresh installs. Fields can be played on in as little as two weeks after installation. If you need to use them sooner, we also offer thick cut big roll sod. The added weight means you can use the field almost immediately after installation.

USE OUR MACHINES

We offer free usage of big roll installation equipment to our landscape customers free of charge, as long as it is returned within 48 hours. No need to buy an maintain equipment that you only use a few times a year!

HOW MANY ROLLS COME ON EACH TRUCK?

Load size varies due to moisture content, but we can usually carry between 26 and 28 rolls per tractor trailer. This equates to just under 9000 square feet of sod.

WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF EACH ROLL?

The rolls are 42″ inches wide by 90′ feet long. Each roll is 315 square feet.

HOW ARE THE ROLLS UNLOADED AND MOVED?

The rolls are unloaded by inserting a fork into the hollow plastic tube at the center of the roll. Once delivered, the contractor can use either a big roll installer or a skid-steer with a fork attachment to move the rolls as required.

BIG ROLL BENEFITS