Meet our first moped mechanic turned turf wrencher: James Wilkinson, equipment manager at Buckinghamshire Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, England. With an engineer dad, engineer uncle, and blacksmith grandfather it’s no wonder James ended up in a mechanical pursuit. Learn how getting his start at an auto dealership impacted James’ shop setup. Find out how engaging the crew in pre-start equipment checks brings value to the course and makes the mechanic’s job more smooth; the benefits of the ‘barber pole;’ and how the impacts of the pandemic on labor are felt globally.
Transcript
Trent Manning:
welcome to the reel turf techs podcast for the technician that wants to get reel follow along. As we talk to industry professionals and address hot topics that we all face along the way we’ll learn tips and tricks. I’m your host, Trent. Manning let’s have some this episode of Reel turf tax on superintendent radio network is presented by Foley Company, a strong supporter of equipment technicians. And golf course maintenance departments everywhere. Foley company offers proven solutions for above and below the turf. For turf professionals everywhere. To learn more about Foley company’s line, real grinders bed knife, grinders. And the air two G two family of products. Or to find a distributor. Visit Foley C o.com. Foley ready for play? welcome to the Reel turf techs podcast, episode 44. Today we’re talking to James Wilkinson. Equipment manager at Buckinghamshire golf club and Buckinghamshire, England. Buckingham shower is an 18 hole private club. James has one assistant working with him in the shop. Let’s hear from James. All right, we’ll get rolling. Welcome James to the real turf techs podcast. How you doing today?
James Wikinson:
I’m good. How are you?
Trent Manning:
I’m doing great. Thank you so much for coming on modern technology. You’re in England, correct.
James Wikinson:
Yeah, we are in I’m in London,
Trent Manning:
And London. Okay. Yep. And what is our time difference here?
James Wikinson:
So 8:00 PM here. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
there’s 3:00 PM here. So five hours
James Wikinson:
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Trent Manning:
Pretty cool. Will tell us how you got into the turf industry.
James Wikinson:
Okay. So a bit of background beforehand. probably around 11, 12 years old, I should imagine. I really started getting into like scooters, but mopeds to stroke, and my buddies, you know, we’d kind of terrorized the neighbors really buying these mopeds cheap and just using them until they break. But then I ended up having ended up my house, being the storage, I suppose, and where we would, you know, try to fix them, not knowing a clue what we’re doing, but we’ll give it a good go. Probably never fixed them and then just buying some more and using my kitchen and my dishwasher to clean the parts. And yeah, so my mom used to hate it. So it kind of, it kind of started then. And then, you know, I left school at 16 and I think I always knew what it was I wanted to do, which was to either work with cars, motorbikes, anything mechanically. Very, I think I, back then I knew that I was pretty mechanically minded. Yeah, so I kind of left school at 16 and I went straight to a Skoda garage at the time where I secured a spot as an apprentice. And, I, wanted to talk about this late, later on, on this, but I got put with a guy who, you know, I’m 16 years old, straight out of school. And I got put with this guy who just kind of, I think just didn’t want me didn’t maybe want an apprentice. So from the word go, I kind of, it didn’t work very well. And then I ended up probably within about two or three weeks kind of going into the body shop because I just felt like, you know maybe I was a bit more wanted in there. obviously the goal at the time, maybe just didn’t, it was a bit older. Maybe just didn’t have the time or the inkling to maybe want to, to train somebody. And then within that year they sold the garage and it got knocked down and became how. I know I’ve probably, I’ve worked for maybe about four months and then I managed to secure a another apprenticeship with such solved who now general motors and actually so solved no longer actually exist. So I managed to do my, an apprenticeship through them, so to five years. So I did all my automotive degree. And then in 2005, my brother-in-law was the F and B manager at Buckingham. were just chatting and, and he’s like, you know they’re looking for an apprentice mechanic. Is that something that would interest you? And I’m like, you know, I have no idea, but more than happy to, just go and speak, speak to the guys there, which is what I did spoke to the head mechanic. And he was just like, look, you know, I know your part of the auto side, he said, but I just think you’ll be a great, a great addition. So I’m like definitely, you know, why not? The money was a little bit better. Let, let’s try something different. And that’s kind of where it kicked off in 2005. And in 2000, January, 2007 he, he decided to leave and my course manager at the time was like, look, you know, We could advertise, we could get something else in, but actually, you know, would you take it on and we will support you in every way we can. And I’m just like, yes, absolutely. I’m not afraid of this. Let’s just, let’s just get in there and let’s just do it. So we know we’re not, when I joined the bucks in 2005 I knew the only way that I was really gonna understand was to just like take operator manual homes with me. So I used to, I used to take operator manuals home with me and I just used to read them. And just, you know, at first it was, you know, it very alien because you look at an operator’s manual and you know, and you’re talking about, you know, set ups and Heights of cuts and quality of carts and, and wherever it may be, whatever machine that it is, that the. But I felt that that was the only way I was really going to learn. I did. I learned from the head mechanic who was great. But the only way I think you really learn is if you, if you take stuff home with you and you study, and I tried to make connections with other golf clubs around, we’ve got some pretty big golf clubs in the UK that hold big events. So they all have, they all have dedicated mechanics. So boot relationships, you know, tying to just fed off each other. And we, we all kind of did the same thing. So it was just great to kind of be appalled the turf industry, I think, Something completely different.
Trent Manning:
Did you have any perfect experience before? Did you play golf or anything else?
James Wikinson:
No general. I didn’t I didn’t, I knew what golf was, but I didn’t really I didn’t really know much about it. So I thought, well, what I would do is I would start like an agricultural engineering degree, which I did, which I did online because you know, most of the learning is done on the tools. Hands-on work is where you really learn by did a three-year on agriculture engineering. And then as soon as I did that, I actually went and did my level two in green keeping because I, I feel it’s really important to, to be the best you can. You need to see it from their side too. So I did my level two and then ended up doing my level three. I ended up doing all my sprained certificates, not because I was out there doing the job. But I just felt like it would make me a better mechanic, a better to, to see it from their eyes and how they do it and how a machine is actually used. And so I went and did all of them which I think definitely definitely help you see things from a green keepers point of view. I did all my, my qualifications through there. And then it wasn’t until maybe stepping back a little bit. It wasn’t into maybe when I was like 18, I suppose, or maybe, maybe a bit younger. Well, I started finding out a lot about my family history because when I grew up, I was, I was kind of brought up with all females. So my dad died when I was two. And, you know, not knowing a huge, huge amount until you grow up in, you are the right age. Then my dad was into metal work, so he was an engineer. I’m cool. Was an engineer. My grandfather was a blacksmith. So I felt like it was very much in my blood. And then I really started looking into what they did and, and then just knowing that what they did and all skin, lots of questions in my family about, you know, how I felt like I got there today. I can really see the why I do what I do is because of definitely rich in my blood.
Trent Manning:
That’s
James Wikinson:
And then yes. 2007, I just kind of hit the ground running, knew I had to do start building this amazing workshop because working for a main dealer, you know, it’s speaking Spanish, you know, you’re bringing customers in, you know and if you’re showing them around, you know, it’s, it’s health and safety, health and safety, health and safety. So no trip, hazards, floor painted. And I wanted to kind of have the same thing in my workshop. I wanted to have a replica really. And then in, I think it was like 2010, I got approached by Toro and was like, you know, we are looking for a parts and service guide to kind of represent the UK. Would you like to come out? And I’m like, absolutely. Cause we’re all Toro. It’s also absolutely. That’s where I met Kevin Henneger and
Trent Manning:
yeah,
James Wikinson:
So we we’ve remained. Friends ever since
Trent Manning:
awesome.
James Wikinson:
yeah, always talking lots of bands are yeah, so that was really good. That was in 2010. So I did a parts and service tour there. And then in 2012, I went back in again, which I paid for myself because like in the UK, the education’s just not there Definitely is on the automotive side, but on this side or on what we do every day, like it’s just not there. And, and I feel like if you want to kiss, keep moving forward and learning more, especially on like on the manufacturer’s side, I felt like, do you know what let’s look into, go into Minneapolis. So send them an email, went to the university, but you know what? It wasn’t really like.
Trent Manning:
the university better than the other training that you attended at Tora?
James Wikinson:
What, so the first time it went out, but, okay. So I think the first time I went out there, it was very much like you’ve been selected to come out here. We want to kind of wine and dine you. We want to show you all of off facilities. So we, you know, we hit the road quite a few days and we drove miles and miles to their distribution, to their, you know, where they would make all the cutting rules and box blades. And there was definitely a lot of learning going on. But it wasn’t like my second time I went, which was the university, which was actually with Cole. I forget his I forget.
Trent Manning:
most of the house or Yeah.
James Wikinson:
And so he was like need the head training manager at the time. And that Rudy got into, into training and learning about what products are coming out. You know, this was back in 2012 and we were talking hybrids, hybrids weren’t out there. And so you, you knew you really got to see behind the scenes and what was going on and, the R and D side of things. And I took so much away from that because, it’s all very well, you know, I think that, whether you buy a new machine where you buy at least equipment, it kind of get dropped, it gets dropped off to you. Would you like us to run freedom machine with you? Yeah. Okay. That’s great. And then you’re pretty much left to your own devices. So, Torah and I, I can only really speak for Torah at the minute. Toro really advanced. And, unless you have any sort of training, which you don’t get in the UK, like you very much have to learn by yourself, or you need to learn for a service manual, or you need to learn through like an operator’s manual. So I thought like going over there, it doesn’t cost. You have to do that. I’ve got cheap flight. The full days worth of university was really, really good value. And you got to meet great people along the way and keep in touch. And then at the bottom J and then in 2013, I got approached by another golf club who were literally 10 minutes down the road from me. It was a small members club and they would just wanted to set up a workshop. They wanted somebody to be able to come in and just, and just go at it. They were looking at setting up a new lease deal. They wanted input, et cetera. So I took the plunge, went over there a golf full school Jared’s cross, and again, just, just made it happen. I built this amazing workshop. We set up a brand new five-year Toro lease deal. It’s transformed the golf course. Got to like put knowledge into the green keepers. And which, you know, in turn makes them feel better. Like, like all this brand new equipment they’ve been shown how to use it. Yeah, so, so that Was like a really good four years there. And then I got approached again by the box. Would I go back? And I think things may have dipped me. Yeah. But would I go back and go again? So I did back in 2017 and kind of built, rebuilt the workshop again, I suppose.
Trent Manning:
Was that for the same greenskeeper
James Wikinson:
different, so different course manager Sorry. No, no, sorry. I did know it was the same course manager. Yeah. He’s not there no longer sadly able, sort of the same one. And then yeah, like five years on, we’re just building and just getting better and better and,
Trent Manning:
That’s why we love to do getting better every day.
James Wikinson:
absolutely.
Trent Manning:
Yeah, for sure. Walk us through your daily shop routine.
James Wikinson:
So don’t really have a routine. because I might have a plan, but by 6 0 1 that plans change straight away, whether it be weather, whether it be, you know, they’ve just decided to do something different, but we would normally try and work a weekend. And not the kind of that excludes maintenance weeks, I suppose. But the day before we would do sit down and talk about, you know, what they want to do in the morning and I will try and have everything ready for them as machines. So in the mornings, the boys will have pre-start check sheets. So they will pick that one up individually. They will go through, spend five minutes and do all the oils levels, tire pressures, et cetera. And they will have to sign that piece of equipment out. And then that’s their machine. So they go out and they do what they want to do. They come back and like, again, they will have a procedure which would be you fill it up, you wash it down and you then leave outside for it to then have this quality of cart, high of car. And then I would put that back, but they would sign that piece of equipment back in to say that, you know, it’s, it was working fine. It was it biased, like the way we do that by. each operator, having their own piece of equipment and signing out and signing it in that is their responsibility. Because, you know, like, you know, for us, you know, we don’t have a single job. We have multiple, multiple things going at once. And for an operator, you know, if they’re out cutting greens, okay. They, they have their, they go out there with their greens mower, they check their greens, the stones and whatever it might be, they cut their greens and they bring it back. So they really only kind of have one job. So we feel like, we feel like by, by making them sign out, check their machines, one, it’s really going to help us. It’s going to reduce breakdowns. They’re not going to get out there and realize that their tire is flat or, you know, there was an issue with it. They come back and they check it over again. They wash it down, they fill it up and they sign it back in. And I think by doing that, when I first stopped there, that that never used to happen. But I reckon breakdowns must’ve reduced like by 19. By then by them taking just five minutes out in the morning, just to look over their machine, make sure it’s okay. Make sure there’s no leaks underneath which has a massive impact on, on the workshop then, because I don’t need to be worried about, oh, is someone going out there, the flat tire or is there engine oil in it? Or, you know, it’s on car. It’s ready to go. So there’s no downtime in the morning. You haven’t got a queue of people waiting to fill up. So I would just be, oh, would just be there in the mornings, making sure that everybody’s getting out. Okay. If, if, if there are any changes or if any, if there’s anything that the course manager wanted do differently, I would just crack on with that. If not, then I’ll just, I have my own, my own procedure of, of what’s going on that day, whether it be grinding servicing Yeah, so that I wouldn’t say I have a structure as you know, because it just doesn’t, it just doesn’t work that way,
Trent Manning:
Well, yeah, yeah, yeah. And
James Wikinson:
know?
Trent Manning:
about it on here. Plenty of times you can plan as much as you want. And that goes out the door, just like you said at 6 0 1, a up to your check-in check-out could you elaborate a little bit more on that so I can imagine you got a clipboard maybe, and then do their checkoff, they sign it do they turn that in to you
James Wikinson:
No. So, so what we have, right. We’ve got pretty good, really good facilities. And where we park most of our cutting equipment, there’s just like on the wall, there’s just a big board, which will have all the clipboards and each clipboard would have a sign in and a sign out. So, you know, in the morning in the meetings, it’s like, right. You know, for instance, Joe blogs, you’re on your own greens or you’re hanging cut in. So you get your board, which would be number one, which would be starting to that machine. And it would just have your engine oil anything related to a pre-start will be on there. And they would tick to say that they have signed it. They would tick to say that they have checked it and they will sign it out now. If they choose, you know, may maybe not to check it, but they still sign out and there’s an issue further down the line. I think it’s just a way of like, making sure that our asset is just been looked after.
Trent Manning:
Totally agree. It makes a hundred percent.
James Wikinson:
Yeah, And and
Trent Manning:
that’s I’m asking more questions about it.
James Wikinson:
yeah, so, and then even on the sign inside like the boys will come in, will wash down from the washdown. They will then go and. They would then go and sign them back in, say that they’re finished with that Mercer. The day he then gets left to me where we do a policy of car, hi to cough. I will park it away so I can, so, and then it’s in the next morning, for instance, one of the boys jumps on a 4,000 and like it’s empty and I’ll order night and it wasn’t washing out properly. You can go back to that sheet and you can be like, you know, and I think what that does is it, you know, the green keepers, you certainly don’t want to stop or arguments or anything like that, but they will almost pick each other up and be like, Luke, you sign this out. Or, John, you said you signed this out and you filled up and you haven’t like, and, and I think that just because people don’t want to be student at first thing in the morning waiting to fill up or, this and the other. So we found. it. was a really good way of just making sure, the, our machines have been looked after that our machines are good to go in the mornings because in the summer, as we all know, you’ve got at least a couple of hours ahead of the goal. That’d be on the team. Yeah. it, it just worked really well. We are still on a paper and clipboard and we are looking to go over to a computer system. It’s just finding the best way to do that because not everybody can have, you can’t give everybody their own iPad to fill in, fill out. And then if you, if you did it one by one, it would just take a long time to try and get 15 guys out there, all on different machines. So this way it works well. And it’s just a way of, you know, everyone I’d say like everyone who will do the right thing. And I think it’s important. Like if I was to be out on a, on a rough model, I would actually want to be on that rough moment, knowing that I’ve done my checks. I’d hate to think, oh God, I hope there’s enough engine all in it. Or I hope check it. I would actually want to know that the machine I’m on is safe, ready to go. So that’s what we introduced that. And we had a lot of breakdowns before I got there. And now yeah, like easily 90, 95%. That, that that’s all gone now.
Trent Manning:
that
James Wikinson:
it does. It works well.
Trent Manning:
And I’m sure some places are doing that, but I don’t think that is the norm Maybe it should be.
James Wikinson:
I just think he’s like, it’s really good housekeeping, like, you know, and like, I think I saw something on Twitter recently and I’m not sure who it was, but somebody had put a little label on every machine of how much that machine costs. You know, so whoever is, if someone’s using a flex, for instance, it is in their eyeline and this is cost 12,000 pounds. And that’s a lot of money. Like when, when we have new guys come in and we give them the introduction, we give them the tool and I’m with them. And I’m not, you know, this mower here, for instance, what’s you reckon it cost, oh, I found some quit. Then when you tell, tell him, it’s like 12 times that I will, or you know, that 5,800 over there is a 55,000 pound machine. And you, you know, you probably never own a car that it’s like, wow, wow. Really say that. So I want to educate them. You want to, to, tell them that, you know, the fleet that we have here it’s expensive stuff and it needs to be treated with respect. And we’re the ones who have to fix it. We’re the ones that spend the money on the budget with the ones that, and if you can reduce them things, it’s all good. I think.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. I love it. Do you relief ground?
James Wikinson:
absolutely. Yeah. So I’m a very much a Foley man.
Trent Manning:
Okay.
James Wikinson:
Not, not knocking Bernards at all because they’re very good. But I’m very green when it comes to grinding. Because I think if you look at the principles of grinding you want to get rid of someone at trailing edge. You want, you know, reduce that land. And the only way to do that is to really. I don’t believe in bat clapping, but then I listened to other guys and they swear by it. And that’s fine. Like if I’ve got a cylinder that’s dull, it needs to go on the grinder. So yeah, don’t Baton that don’t own a brush. Don’t own a tub of paced. Love my phone lists love my new phone lists. Got a six, five threes in the six seventies. And then just a joy to work with. Right. I think my old ones were the old Foley six thirties, which still gave you a beautiful groin, but you know, new technology now and in feeds and setting up programs. And I just, it’s taking grinding to next step up. when you got to grind all day on a, on a set of grind, does it definitely do the job, but you then go into a set of growing. You know, this has got this computer and your automatic in feed and just it makes things a lot more enjoyable, I
Trent Manning:
Do you set up a different program for the ed series for a rails?
James Wikinson:
So my Reinders, I probably had maybe like two months, I think, and when I first started using them, I was using them just like my old six thirties. And I felt like I wasn’t getting, I was getting a better grade than my old ones and I just didn’t work out. Why was it my RPM? Was it like, I just couldn’t quite understand. So I actually reached out to chat you know, chat on Twitter.
Trent Manning:
Yeah,
James Wikinson:
yeah. Braun. Yeah. So I reached out to Chad because Chad, you know, I think it’s quite like me, like, keep your machine clean. He’s a Toro man. He’s a folio. So I, I actually, I sent him a message. It was just a look. Can you just tell me what your setup is on some of your equipment? I said, because I’m really finding it difficult here and I learned something really, really good. And he said, you know, if he’d done the pole, the pole, what’s the Bob, I’ve never heard of this before. Like what is the Barb? You have to tell me what this is. So he’s like, right. You know, set up, get, get, get spin, grinding, and then look at, look at your cylinder, spinning through your camera. I’m not right. Okay. And he’s like, and then you really see, like he said, I have mine just off stage. So I’m like, okay, fine. So I get my camera there. I am. I think I set up to about two 70 RPM on a five-inch 14 blade flex, get my phone out, looking through it and I’m like, oh my God, this is amazing. Like, so by that, I like, I came down to two 20, so my, I was just off stationary. And since then, it’s just been amazing. Like, I’m definitely getting a better grind. Yeah. Like I’ve never heard straight away with like the barber poles. I’m like, okay, what’s up straight onto Google, you know, grinding barber called couldn’t find anything. All I kept seeing was a barber’s pole and I’m like, God, I just don’t want this. And then when he explained it went, when fruit with me, he was like, wow, that was amazing. And it really, really helped out my grinding
Trent Manning:
But also I’ve had this conversation before and I’m curious. So here in the states where 60 Hertz and in the UK, aren’t you? 50 Hertz.
James Wikinson:
Yeah, I think so. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
what I was thinking. I was wondering if that would throw off the Mara pole. Because I think it has something to do with the frequency of the power coming in. I might be totally wrong.
James Wikinson:
So are we talking, so we’re talking mains power. We’re talking coming in. Okay. So you guys are one 10 volts. that right? Yeah. We’re two, we’re two 40. Yeah. we’re two 40 volts off the main. So, but I know when most stuff turns up from across the pond, it’s already set up for us.
Trent Manning:
Yeah. Yeah.
James Wikinson:
the it’s, you know, to build and transform would say it’s already building, but yeah, you’re right. Do you know? I don’t know, actually.
Trent Manning:
as a commerce conversation for another day
James Wikinson:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
smarter than me properly,
James Wikinson:
may
Trent Manning:
electrical engineer. So I need to talk to the to that.
James Wikinson:
That Bob Mason, did you know that? Yeah, yeah, yeah,
Trent Manning:
that and
James Wikinson:
yeah,
Trent Manning:
so I don’t remember what year this was, but I remember we used to just do it with the Flores a lot and not actually use a camera, you know, before the iPhone or whatever smartphone you might have with a camera on it. And we did it that way, but same concept,
James Wikinson:
Hmm.
Trent Manning:
with a camera. I don’t Mike Rollins talking about this and he made sure his camera was on a certain setting. And I don’t matter if it was 30 frames, a second at 60 frames, a second or something like that to a really dial that in.
James Wikinson:
Okay. Yeah. Do you know what? I just, I don’t know what, what setting, or I literally just got my portrait and straight onto it. And do you know what blew my mind actually,
Trent Manning:
Yeah,
James Wikinson:
Yeah, never heard of that one. So that was great. So
Trent Manning:
was awesome.
James Wikinson:
Yeah. Just, you know, just reached out to him and, And got some great information.
Trent Manning:
And Chad is full of great information
James Wikinson:
Absolutely.
Trent Manning:
know, and he’s willing to help anybody out. I mean, just such a great person, and we’re lucky to have him in our industry, Ella, something you’ve fabricated lately.
James Wikinson:
Okay, so I’ve been going a few bits and pieces. just build more new grinding. I do. Well, yeah, just rebuilt it for the new grinders course. New grinders are going in, you know, let’s, let’s do the shop. Let’s do the grinding room itself. So built a new corner bench so that it was made outward. But the top of it is made of steel. I’ve done some trailers recently for the 16 hundreds because I find on the 16 hundreds, although yes, you’re tall, precious would be five PSI, which should take a lot of the load. We tend to go through quite a lot of of the hubs snapping. So I just built a support bar. So the whole traction roller has somewhere to sit on now. So when it is out there and it is being trailed is actually being supported, not being supported just on the transport on the transport shops, if you know, 1600. So yeah, did that I don’t know. I think I’ll just do bits and pieces all the time. There’s a few things are re
Trent Manning:
Nothing wrong with that. That’s fine.
James Wikinson:
Absolutely. But my next thing I want to fabricate is what book did on the tine rack holder, which, which is just on wheels. So just being able to put all your time blocks. That’s a great idea.
Trent Manning:
It was actually Dearman
James Wikinson:
oh, we’ll say
Trent Manning:
Griffin.
James Wikinson:
Okay. Okay. Yeah,
Trent Manning:
I’m pretty sure he was the first one I saw it and yeah, I think Bobby copied his design
James Wikinson:
yeah, yeah,
Trent Manning:
all do. Somebody comes up with
James Wikinson:
absolutely.
Trent Manning:
And we’re all going to steal it. And
James Wikinson:
Yeah,
Trent Manning:
thing about the industry the person that comes up with a Deere They don’t care. Just take it, run with it
James Wikinson:
absolutely.
Trent Manning:
set up or shop more efficient, go for it.
James Wikinson:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
And that’s the great thing about this industry is we’re all here to help each other. That’s what I love about it.
James Wikinson:
Absolutely. Yeah, it’s amazing.
Trent Manning:
Tell me what your favorite tool is why.
James Wikinson:
So I’d probably say in 2010, we were looking at a list there’s a few turf lifts out there, which I think most people have where, you know, your four wheels will go on and you adjusted. And I was looking for a lift that would take my biggest, dish machine right down to, to either a Sam pro or a three world or a GM. So I was looking for something that would be able to do everything. So I ended up having a, got a lift company and we put a four post lifting, a four ton But two extra center sections in. So when you drive up, which would take a third wheel and then in the middle where the jacking bean would be, we just built I know at a minium plates, which would take the third wheel and support it. So I’d probably say my ramp because it can be used for any machine to a full ton tractor, to the work trucks, to your car, to a pedestrian mower, to, to anything really. So I had that custom bill that was like 11 years ago now. And it’s still going strong.
Trent Manning:
Awesome. That’s really cool.
James Wikinson:
Yeah,
Trent Manning:
pictures of that on Twitter or
James Wikinson:
yeah, definitely. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Trent Manning:
What do you do to relax?
James Wikinson:
A lot golf. I’ll play golf. Yeah. Play golf. Yeah. So as soon as I got in there, I’m going to be in this industry. So, and ever since I think, you know, I always just get that gold bug and now I just love golf and I play every weekend. And if I’m not probably playing golf, then just been with my family, I think. So year old book. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. So
Trent Manning:
So you got a son that’s three, any other kids.
James Wikinson:
Now one son three, maybe another one soon. Yeah, just enjoy that family life.
Trent Manning:
I understand that completely. I’m a girl, dad. I love my girls they’re
James Wikinson:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
quick on me.
James Wikinson:
I only foods like last year I had him and all of a sudden he’s and so Yeah. absolutely. It does go. I think for me. it’s just spend as much time as you possibly can with them and enjoy them. And.
Trent Manning:
A hundred percent. Cause that’s one thing you can’t make more of is time. So enjoy it while you got it. And
James Wikinson:
absolutely.
Trent Manning:
not promised. What,
James Wikinson:
exactly. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
strangest thing you’ve seen?
James Wikinson:
Well, you know, listening, I’ve listened to pretty much most podcasts now. And I think, you know, definitely, you know, mode has been turned over, but actually in the last, you know, 20 months since the pandemic hit, I think one of the strangest things is finding it really hard to find like I’m finding that really strange. Like we are advertising everywhere. We are. Yeah, just trying to get people in. We are trying to get people interested. We are trying to just recruit and there’s nobody out there. There’s just nobody out there. And actually I’m find that really It’s I just, I just find it like, you know, you would have thought, you know, over here, you know, we went on to this, this furlough scheme. We, everyone stayed at home. People got made People would probably look at, you know, possibly changes of careers and maybe people would move back home. And, but I just always had in my head that when we get back out of this, there’s going to be a lot of unemployed And a lot of people looking for work and maybe a lot of people that are just going to go out and try something new because why not be made redundant. Let’s try new. And it’s almost like the complete opposite. It’s almost like it’s been pretty out there. just, don’t, I’m finding it really strange that we’re advertising, you know, I’ve got an assistant recently, which I’m blessed with because he’s really But if I didn’t have him and I had to kind of recruit, I think I would just struggle so much and trying to find good green key person at a minute. So hard. Really, really hard.
Trent Manning:
It be greens keeping or working in the shop, or just you’re a local fast food restaurant. They can’t find somebody.
James Wikinson:
Yeah. I’m over here. Like the hospitality industry is just been hit really hard. So I know they’re definitely trying to build that side of things up, but sorry, going back to, yeah. Like your question about the string distinct, I’ve seen quite a few things, but as we are currently speak, I think the strangest thing is. You know, going back 10, 15 years ago, you would have a cabinet of CVS. And if somebody left, you put out your CV, she needed to look through them and try and find the best one. You’d give them a call and you know, now it’s just not I don’t, I’d love to know what the next few years is going on, on the
Trent Manning:
Right. It’d be very, very interesting.
James Wikinson:
But I’ve heard a few people on your podcast said exact same thing. So I find that quite strange. Yes.
Trent Manning:
that is strange. And we’re struggling to find staff, not necessarily even good staff, just somebody that will show up, just,
James Wikinson:
Yes.
Trent Manning:
And so it’s hard to find.
James Wikinson:
someone that someone that has a heartbeat, like, please come.
Trent Manning:
Yep.
James Wikinson:
Um,
Trent Manning:
of your pet peeves around the shop.
James Wikinson:
oh, people that don’t wash off properly, that is one
Trent Manning:
Yeah.
James Wikinson:
that you, you, go and you go to and it’s just full of grass. And I just don’t understand, like we have a 30,000 pound down facility, you know, and that’s my biggest buck there people can pour to maybe, and you know, they haven’t bought it back. Yes, that’s annoying. But you can’t put something on car if it’s full of sand or it’s full of grass. And, I just think there’s just no excuse for it.
Trent Manning:
yeah
James Wikinson:
and we probably, all of us guys will be thinking exciting, same thing. And then you, when you, when you pull them up on it or you explain it to them. Oh yeah, yeah. Sorry, sorry. Sorry. Yeah. You know, Mike shorter, harder day
Trent Manning:
Yep. in the next
James Wikinson:
executives. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
it on somebody else, but if they’re checking it in and out, you know who it is.
James Wikinson:
Well, there you go. We end, you know, yeah. We have a good system of work anyway or What the boys are doing every day anyway, in the, in the course manager’s office. But I can always just walk into the shop, a one of the pre-start check sheet and it’s got the initials on. So you know who it is.
Trent Manning:
What would be your dream job or opportunity?
James Wikinson:
I really like to teach, so anyone that’s interested in knowing about. Machinery and whatever. I, I just have so much time that doesn’t really happen very much, you know? Not, not many people walk in and be like, oh, any chance you can teach me how to do that.
Trent Manning:
Yeah.
James Wikinson:
doesn’t really happen. So, but when they do, it’s like, absolutely. Let’s let’s yeah, let’s do that. So I’d really like to, and I really like workshop designs, like a really pride, my workshop has been like, probably like one of the best out there, I would I try and keep it like a workshop. I have this thing of, you know, in the car industry, if you’ve got a garage, which is empty, like it’s not very good because you know, you, don’t very busy and, and you know, you, you call them steal, you know, requiring work to come But I think in our industry, if you’ve got a workshop full of machines, unless they’re being serviced. Or being sharpened. That’s not a good thing either. So I try and keep my workshop as empty as possible. Meaning anything my course manager wants. It’s there. It’s there. It’s ready. It’s set up. Ready to go. So I try and have my workshop always empty unless there is a breakdown where we’re servicing always in for a sharpen. Other than that, like I want a clean lean workshop,
Trent Manning:
there’s a lot better environment to work in, to
James Wikinson:
Definitely. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
organize.
James Wikinson:
sets. you know, I’m not, you know, you’re not looking for people to be like congratulate you, but people will think even if it’s silently, because this place And, and I want people to think max, it feels and I, and I think I’m possibly like a, maybe a second generation mechanic, so I don’t wear overalls. My fingernails are pretty And I just try and be clean and smart and, and just, yeah, I think if, if you’re clean and smart your workshops, good, your machinery is going to be pretty good because it just, everything just works across the line
Trent Manning:
Oh, yeah, no, you can About the operation, how
James Wikinson:
absolutely.
Trent Manning:
it is.
James Wikinson:
And date. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
do you know
James Wikinson:
Yeah.
Trent Manning:
that you wish you’d known on day one?
James Wikinson:
I think maybe when I first, when I first came into it, maybe in, when I worked for stoplight, I think maybe, you know, you think to yourself that you should know at all, and you shouldn’t know because everything comes with experience and learning by your mistakes and every single day, whether you’ve been doing it for 10, 20, 30 years, every single day is a learning day and you will come across something that you think couple of them you’ll come across that before. Or do you know what I’ve done is a hundred times. I didn’t actually realize if I didn’t like that. You know? So I think, if I have a breakdown on the golf course, The first thing I think about is what are they cutting? What machine are they on and how, how would they have been using that piece of equipment? Or then we’ll talk to them and I’d say to them, right. You know, how did this happen? What were you doing? Did it just suddenly shut off? So I’m, I’m gathering all this information before I even go out.
James Wikinson:
Just so I think when you’re there, you just, you’ve just got this picture of what it could be before you’ve even got that. And I think when I, when I first joined, you know, people are, might get stressed on whether or not you can fix or not, or people are relying when you, this machine needs to go out. And now, if anything happens, I just take a step back just like, think about what was it doing at the time, or how was that person operating it or what the height of cut was, you know, are they trying to cut grasses to it might be now I just take a step back and just evaluate a situation. I think when I first came into it, I may not have done. I may have just dive in today. Yes. All right. I’ll get this sorted that more, you know, where, and now on the complete opposite. I think now he’s just working a lot, smarter rather than harder, I think,
Trent Manning:
Yeah.
James Wikinson:
just
James Wikinson:
gathering as much information from that operator as possible unless he was being a clown and doesn’t want to admit that he was messing around, the more information I can get from. Green keeper. And what happened at that point of time? Like you’re halfway there?
Trent Manning:
Yeah, no, I agree. A hundred percent And not just gathering the information, but I really liked what you said about stepping back and just think about everything that was happening at that time. And because.
James Wikinson:
on at that moment when that happened, the blades are spilling or the, you know, you’re a full revs you a gun, just gathering all that information and you can, you can whittle it down quite quickly through your experience.
Trent Manning:
Right. No, I agree. What kind of tips or tricks do you want to share with us? I get stuff
James Wikinson:
not really,
Trent Manning:
and it doesn’t
James Wikinson:
but the barber pole,
Trent Manning:
Yes. The Barbara Paul.
James Wikinson:
which is not mine at all. So, but that was, that was really good tips and tricks. Maybe what we just spoke about and that was, you know, just if there was a breakdown or if, if there was an issue, she just, and that may not be a treat, I’d say it’s definitely a tip is too. It’s just, don’t, get overwhelmed. We all know that machine might need to go out. There might be first thing in the morning and one of your routes has gone down. So the other voice is going to have to hang tight, your tea or approach or green, whatever it might be. Just, just step back and, and I think that would be my tip, I think yeah, don’t get too stressed and, and
Trent Manning:
I think that’s a great tip because it’s easy to get overwhelmed, to jump in head first, before you’ve even thought about what it was. And then you start chasing electrical problem this way or that way. And it ends up with a hydraulic problem. And so, yeah.
James Wikinson:
even there, you know? And normally as, as I think we all know, like normally the simple things that go wrong with them.
Trent Manning:
Oh yeah, for sure.
James Wikinson:
you know, whoever it be, you know, whatever it might be. I always fight. Catastrophic or in my shopping in the way we were nothing catastrophic really happens. It’s just the simple things. Like for instance, one of the boys today is on a roller, keeps cutting out intermittent, you know they’ll all think there’s nothing wrong with the engine, blah, blah, blah. It’s like, bring it back. Let’s have a look straightaway, right? There’s three safety switches on that. It’s got it’s intermittent it keeps going to Kyle and it was just a parking brake switch. All I do all, I, you know, like motion dusty. I stick a split pin in it. Bypass us switch. If it works, there you go. I just find most issues are, they’re pretty simple. They’re nothing, you know, most manufacturers are pretty good, but Toro, you look after their equipment, they will look after themselves. I’ve, I’ve never really experienced anything too major. So yeah, like I say, just back just take a bit of time and think about what was going on at the time. And, and I think you come, you can come to the problem quite quickly and talk to your sort of guy that was using it and just gather that information from him.
Trent Manning:
and if there’s any operators that are listening, when we questioned you about equipment, we’re not interrogating you. We’re not talking down to you. We’re just trying to gather more information.
James Wikinson:
Absolutely.
Trent Manning:
I know personally I’ve had operators. Give me the, why are you interrogating me? I’m just trying to get to the bottom of the issue.
James Wikinson:
Absolutely. We’ve got to get you back out, cutting and reduce any downtime. Yeah, like you’re saying, and maybe if you’re out there doing the job and get them involved, Like I’m all for the more you can more you can feel them with knowledge, like knowledge is power and the more you can fool them with knowledge, the more that can without them even knowing it, that they will help you along the way. And maybe just looking after that bad bit of equipment, or if they come across that problem again, then they may be know not to do it because of what happened last time, than
Trent Manning:
exactly.
James Wikinson:
thing and the same problem. So I just think these guys full of knowledge because it’s Rudy enjoyable when it’s good knowledge. Like most inspiring green keepers, I would imagine are looking to one day, be a course manager. And I don’t think it’s until you be a course manager that if you haven’t got a mechanic and you’re on your own. And, know, nowadays your dealers I’m finding are not what they used to be because they’re struggling with staff and they can’t get to you next day. Like they used to be able to Monday, the Taylor was, should be able to get you on Friday. no good.
Trent Manning:
Yeah.
James Wikinson:
a course manager, like should like as a green keeper and I’m wanting to aspire to a course manager, fill your head full of knowledge, whether it’s just being able to set up cutting unit or being able to plug a tire or just get them basics behind you, because I’m, I’m not a cost manager, but if I was a course manager, I would want a good mechanic
Trent Manning:
for sure. Yeah.
James Wikinson:
without, without, because you got enough on your shoulders to be worrying about.
Trent Manning:
And I think the course managers that have had the opportunity to have a good mechanic, they really know the value of a good mechanic. And most of those people that I’ve met, don’t take it for granted that they have a good mechanic.
James Wikinson:
Yeah, definitely. think they know that until they’re in that position. I think a lot of green keepers, I don’t know whether it’s the same over there, but I just think they think that you’re maybe on approachable. Maybe you’re the grumpy one. Maybe I don’t need to any other, like, if you come into my workshop, I have not grumpy all. Like, I am willing to help, you know, if you come in, they’re like, shit, what’s going on? Do you need any help? Like I am the, I try and be that complete opposite one because I want people to think that I’m grumpy, but also I’m not grumpy. And I don’t want you to feel like that. You can’t. I don’t want you to break something or if something was to go wrong and for you to feel like I can’t go in there and tell him that, because he’s going to shout at me. That’s the last thing I want. Like, you to come in and be like, look, I had a bit of a moment I’ve gone and done this. Oh, it’s fine. Like, long as you weren’t doing on purpose, there’s no issue. I’d much rather you just come and tell me and let’s get the problem sorted. try and work out a way of all of it not happening again. And that’s wherever, if you need more training or I don’t know, whatever it might be. I just, I don’t want to people think that I’m not approachable
Trent Manning:
Right.
James Wikinson:
because I think if, if, if your staff aren’t telling you things, wow, that’s, that’s just gonna cause you a lot of headaches on it.
Trent Manning:
Sure. Tell the listeners how they can get ahold of you.
James Wikinson:
So I’m on Twitter. I’m Jay Wilkinson underscore under school. I think of have an Instagram account, a work qualm probably don’t use it like I should do, but I’m on there Yeah, and I’m on LinkedIn. So I like dude, you know what? I’ve talked to many guys on there actually reach out, out to LinkedIn and, and Twitter. Um,
Trent Manning:
Yeah. I would encourage anybody listening, just reach out to people. And most of the time you’ll find this a pleasant conversation and they’re willing to help you in whatever you’re looking for. especially if you see something on Twitter or LinkedIn, a great idea, and you want more information. All these people are more than willing to give you more information.
James Wikinson:
absolutely. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
And in the end end up making a friend
James Wikinson:
without a
Trent Manning:
like you and Kevin. mean, how great is that?
James Wikinson:
it’s amazing. It’s like, we don’t actually talk much about work.
Trent Manning:
Okay.
James Wikinson:
more, or my friend personal hours, you miss his hours, the kids, what you’ve been up to, you know,
Trent Manning:
Yeah, We all, we’re all going to keep paddling, hop in the boat. We’re going to keep paddling Well, thank you so much, James, for coming on. It’s been a pleasure talking
James Wikinson:
it has. Yeah.
Trent Manning:
it’s probably time for you to turn in can get up in the morning. All right. Thank you. We’ll talk to you soon. I hope you enjoyed hearing from James. Here’s one stand up. Yeah. I thoroughly enjoyed the chat we had. I think it’s really important to communicate with our crew. We have to get rid of the stereotype of the grumpy mechanic. And I know that’s easier said than done. I’ll speak from experience. It’s hard sometimes when we’re good and bad news. On a daily, sometimes hourly minute basis. So it is hard fight, but we got to fight that stereotype. We’ve gotta be more open with our crew. And I really think it’ll go a long way. And if we can have a better relationship with our crew members. Maybe we can get them to take care of the equipment. A little bit better. I think it’s so cool. The James went to the Toro school on his own dime. From the UK. That’s unbelievable. And it shows the value. Of. Good education. The other interesting thing. That I found out. Is James. Matt, Kevin Henneger. At the Toro school that year. And they’ve been friends ever since. And communicate quite a bit through WhatsApp. And James also a member of her WhatsApp group. And it’s been great having him in there. And I did the latest math and the WhatsApp group. We got 802 years of experience. At a 42 people. That filled out the survey. There’s this crazy to think about. The amount of experience in that group. And don’t forget this year. We’re focusing on mentoring. This is an important. Job that we all have. And if you’re at a shop. And you’re the only technician there. You can mentor somebody on the Creek. Until next time. So you buy. thank you so much for listening to the real turf techs podcast. I hope you learned something today. Don’t forget to subscribe. If you have any topics you’d like to discuss, or you’d like to be a guest, find us on Twitter at real turf techs.