• Stop the machine COMPLETELY just
before the rear wheels reach the threshold.
• Raise the conditioner, turn down the
RPMs on the engine (if so equipped) and
move the machine off the ice far enough
to close the gates.
• Turn off the machine, get down, and shov-
el off the remaining snow and water. Close
the doors and let the skaters on the ice.
• Proceed to the snow dump area, dump
the snow bin, and then place the safety
bars in place with the tank up, allowing it
to dry. Turn the engine down
to idle
speed for a minute before turning off the
engine (if so equipped).
Stopping the machine completely is
the main part of this procedure and the
most important! Trying to drag off the
snow or get it as close to the threshold as
possible is only asking for trouble and
will result in hitting the threshold and
damaging the machine.
Slowing the engine RPM down while
moving the machine off the ice will result
in less jerkiness of the machine and is
much easier on the drive components. If
you have a high threshold (over 1"), you
should really consider building a ramp
system to make it easier on the machine,
coming both on and off the ice.
Look for a STAR – Ice Maintenance &
Equipment Operation (IMEO) or a STAR
– Safe Ice Resurfacer Operator (SIRO)
class in your area this summer to raise the
ability of your operators.
★
may/June 2009 R IN K M A G AZ I N E 43
STARrinks.com
Any contact with the threshold can damage the machine.
RINK
PHOTO
