FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THE MAINTENANCE OF A BOWLING GREEN, CRICKET TABLE OR PITCH AND PUTT THEN THE FOLLOWING WILL BE OF INTEREST.

There is a "Green Machine" appearing on many of the Bowling Green, Cricket Clubs, Pitch and Putts through the UK and Ireland which is making life a lot easier for the staff or helpers who maintain the greens. For years, problems with the compaction have been tackled using "roll-over" type aerators. Talking to many ground staff they all commented on problems with these machines; too slow, pull up the turf causing waves, heavy to work, slow to change over the tines and probably the biggest complaint of is that "roll-over" machines give poor (wide) tine pattern and inconsistent depth.

Groundsman Industries have developed and sold into this sector of the market a machine which helps solve these problems associated with the old roll-over technology are the Models 345MD and 345HD 'medium-duty' and 'heavy-duty' machines. The patented design gives a vertical tine action resulting in a clean regular hole pattern – no lifting or tearing and with four times the density of holes per pass each with a reliable depth.

Maintenance is low; it uses the same powerful sealed bearing crankshaft with a rubberized shock absorption system as on larger models. All GROUNDSMAN machines are designed for professional use! With an overall width of 31" (working width 18") they can fit through the smallest of entrances and then perform a wide range of aeration tasks, hollow-coring, spiking, chisel, needle and micro hollow tining. Cluster tines are available for thatch removal or in preparation for over seeding or as a sorrel roller with accurate adjustable depth.

For an up-to-date description of the latest tines/holders and their recommended use, ask for your free copy of the latest Groundsman Tine and Holder Catalogue (Download PDF). All the Tine Holders are quick change, (5 minutes changes a complete machine).

Sports venues pride themselves on their fine facilities. Pressure over the years has increased on many greens from, greater playing, higher player expectations, and extremes of weather or budget restraints. We at Groundsman would like to help you tackle those problems and retain that fine surface throughout the playing season, with a GROUNDSMAN TURF AERATOR you can. Priced from £2700 plus accessories.

Groundsman Industries manufacture a full range of Turf Aerators and accessories.

For technical and sales information or details of our appointed dealer for your area, please call Billy Warke or Brian Thompson at GROUNDSMAN INDUSTRIES

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR GROUNDSMAN

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1. GROUNDSMAN Turf Aerators are capable of switching tine combinations to perform a wide range of aeration tasks with the minimum of effort to change over. This can be achieved because the elliptical plunge action mechanism is designed to work without turf retainer rails. Any tine combination and spacing can be used unrestricted, without fear of tine and turf rail collision, especially during close pattern needle tining, (even if a tine gets bent). For example, it is possible to switch effortlessly from major hollow coring with Twin or Triple holders to needle tining with Quad or Quint holders using the spigot clamp quick change holder system. It is important that some basic guide lines are followed in order to perform each aeration task without surface damage. Study the operators manual carefully.

2. Generally speaking, the machine should sit level front-to-back as well as right-to-left when in the lowered ‘in work’ position. (Applicable to tractor mounting only).

3. The aeration mechanism drive is efficient and therefore the gearing is high. A lower engine RPM is required. Generally 1700 is comfortable for the operator and will allow the machine to perform a clean job with little surface disruption. If rooting is shallow and prone to disturbance, the RPM can be dropped as low as 1500 and gradually increased as the aeration program takes effect and the root zone improves. (Applicable to tractor mounting only).

4. Forward speed is all important. In most cases, first time operators tend to travel forward too slowly. The mechanism is synchronized to a forward speed which produces a tine plunge every 75mm (3”). To establish the forward speed, which will achieve this, fit the machine with TWIN tine holders and working off the green, through trial and error, establish the correct gear. In the case of hydrostatic drives, the pedal depression. A feel for the correct forward speed will soon become apparent. Once the correct forward speed has been established, it should not be altered. Closer hole patterns can then be achieved by the use of multiple tine holders. Pedestrian models 345 and 460 machines have a fixed forward speed synchronized drive, the model 460SDR is synchronized when the selector lever is set to wide pattern.

5. For maximum penetration in heavily compacted conditions use twin tine holders and avoid thick heavy tines such as a 5/8” solids, 1½” chisels or jumbo hollows. See the GROUNDSMAN tine and holder catalogue for further information.

6. If rooting is shallow then lifting of the turf may occur with the closer patterns. Dense (close) aeration patterns are achieved by using tine holders with more tines fitted ie. quads, quints or clusters. To overcome any turf lift, drop back in density ie: if lifting occurs with quint holders change them to quad, triple or twin depending on the severity of the problem. Once the starting point has been established for given conditions, on-going programmes of aeration will rapidly result in deeper rooting, whereby the denser patterns can then be achieved. This process will be accelerated, if the aeration programme is continued throughout the growing season, especially when fertilizers are being applied. A turf retainer attachment is available but should only be necessary in extreme conditions due to the minimal lift characteristics of the Groundsman elliptical plunge action mechanism.

7. Tips to improve the root zone through aeration.

(a) Intensify the aeration programme on areas which are prone to lifting, dry patch etc., to encourage
deeper rooting.

(b) Choose the correct tine and holder combination. Find your starting point by dropping back the hole pattern density, using fewer tine combination holders and by increasing the forward speed not the engine speed.

(c) Summer aeration is vital (during the growing season). Time your aeration for maximum effect. eg. always needle tine before the application of fertilizers etc.

(d) Generally speaking, tapered tines withdraw from the ground with less pull or suction than parallel tines. Consult the GROUNDSMAN Tine and Holder catalogue for guidance.

(e) For help or advice contact your turf maintenance machinery dealer or GROUNDSMAN INDUSTRIES direct.