3-in-1: Needle tine - Pitchcare

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ARTIFICIAL 44 From THIS To THIS The industry needs to provide cost effective maintenance suggestions and solutions, along with proper working practices, machinery and services. Maintaining artificial surfaces by SAM BREEDEN WHAT to do about failed drainage on an artificial tennis court? That was the question that faced me, as facilities manager at my local tennis club, a few seasons ago. First line of approach was to contact the installers. “You need to pressure wash it 2250 psi should do” was the reply. So a suitable pressure washer was purchased and the next 44 hours of daylight were spent washing, sweeping, squeegying and barrowing tons of sludge and contaminated sand from the court. After the new sand, ordered through the installer, failed to arrive for the third time, the quarry was tracked down and sand was bought in for a fraction of the previously quoted price. At this point I realised that the installers guidelines for maintenance of their courts was woefully inadequate. Five years after a lottery grant had resurfaced the courts we were faced with spending half of our sinking fund on renovation. So I started to do some research into the problem. Firstly an effective way of keeping organic debris out of the carpet was sought. After reading about Aerosweep of Australia and their simple cleaning mats and, within weeks of seeing how effective, simple and easy to use they were, I agreed with the manufactures to become the U.K agent. Sweepfast Ltd was formed with the help of my long friend, David Reynolds, presently company secretary. With another four courts to clean an alternative was sought. Quotes were obtained for various renovation schemes and other clubs were contacted and visited. All quotes were outside the club’s budget, and also the quality of some restorations left me feeling I could do a better job; so we undertook the task. Developing a system that combined rotary pressure cleaning and power brushing as we went along, we cleaned the remaining courts. A maintenance schedule was then devised to keep the courts clean and, after two seasons, the courts are still pristine. Now using commercially available machinery, as well as our own prototypes, we are confident that we have a system that will optimise the playability and life of these artificial surfaces, reducing the need for expensive renovations or removing it all together. We see regular maintenance as the key to artificial surface management. Starting with the basics of removing organic debris, before it is trodden down into the pile, and brushing to keep the pile open and the infill mobile. Ideally the manufacturers should, by now, have maintenance schedules in place that work for all their surfaces. Sadly this is not the case, possibly because they feel efficient maintenance schedules could scare prospective purchasers away. An industry standard should be available. Club and facilities managers need to be made aware that these are not low maintenance surfaces. Right from day one after the installation maintenance should be planned ! We visit facililities that have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and yet no regular maintenance is in place on the surfaces! Drag brushing alone is not enough! The owners wonder why the drainage has failed and the area is covered with sludge and is waterlogged. Imagine what a swimming pool would be like if left exposed to the elements! After Club and facilities managers need to be made aware that these are not low maintenance
An industry standard should be available only a few days the water would be filthy - after a few years? Well that’s what you get if you don’t keep your surfaces clean . We now operate machines from various manufacturers, have prototypes of our own, both working and on the drawing board, and have recently started importing custom built smooth surface cleaners from the USA, as we could not find what they needed on the domestic market. The industry needs to provide cost effective maintenance suggestions and solutions, along with proper working practices, machinery and services. To this end we recently exhibited and demonstrated at the Reaseheath Turf Show in Cheshire where Head Groundsman and machinery demonstrator, Richard Murray, has been evaluating Greensweep and Cleansweep machines from Aerosweep on the golf course because they work as effectively on smooth turf surfaces as they do on artificials. Richard enthused so much about them saying “the next big step forward on the golf course after the Dew brush!” The industry leader in artificial turf care, Technical Surfaces, has recently ordered these machines for use by their crews in the maintenance division. We have a moral duty to provide the best advice and services available whilst also being committed to offering the most cost effective service available - even if it is not the most profitable! Manufacturers, installers and maintenance specialists need to work together to find the most cost effective solutions to artificial turf maintenance, I recently asked one UK manufacturer how he recommended we should clean contamination out of a sand/rubber crumb filled 4g carpet. “I have no idea” was his reply, “but someone will think of a way when it is needed”. This was not quite the answer I wanted and certainly didn’t fill me with confidence! Days OFF! ... or what Pitchcare contributors get up to out of office hours EDDIE SEAWARD, (Head Groundsman, The All England Tennis Club) - Like John Richards I have been around in this world for more than a few years. There are approximately 7 weeks in the summer when I would say “what spare time?” as events at work provide me with long and full days. Outside of this I do have a large garden to attend to and, hopefully, relax in in the company of my wife and a glass of wine. Reading and listening to music are also two of my great pleasures. I often, like now, have two books on the go. One being fiction and the other history. I am working my way through a narrative on the American Civil War. There is also the more work related activities such as IOG branch meetings, both committee and instructional. In this section I am lucky to get invited to speak at conferences throughout the world, so preparation also takes time as does the traveling. The great joy of this is meeting new people and old friends. This all leaves time for the best spare time activity - holidays and travel with Chris. www.sweepfast.com Artificial Turf Maintenance Specialist Artificial Turf Maintenance U.K. importers & Manufacturers of the Triple Greensweep U.K. importers of the Cleansweep Artificial Turf Restoration Before Restoration Moss Control also available For friendly advice or a site visit ring 01675 470770 Come and visit us at the IOG Saltex Show Stand H37 16 www.pitchcare.com/re After Restoration 45
Page 1 and 2: WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT TURFCARE TURF
Page 3 and 4: Inside this issue Any damage caused
Page 5 and 6: Wembley appointment announced As we
Page 7 and 8: National Turfgrass Federation Resea
Page 9 and 10: MagKnife cuts it at RASE Silver awa
Page 11 and 12: “There’s a long journey ahead i
Page 13 and 14: ARE YOU GETTING THE MESSAGE? THE Me
Page 15 and 16: The most damage tends to come from
Page 17 and 18: For Tividale Football Club’s volu
Page 19 and 20: The difference in pitch quality in
Page 21 and 22: 20 www.pitchcare.com/re For UK sale
Page 23 and 24: ESSENTIAL MANAGEMENT SKILLS trainin
Page 25 and 26: The perfect choice for every pitch.
Page 27 and 28: Using the Mag Knife blade system on
Page 29 and 30: PSD Agronomy visit Denmark and disc
Page 31 and 32: “There is still much to be debate
Page 33 and 34: Brother Joseph could not wait to dr
Page 35 and 36: “Here’s one for you! When we do
Page 37 and 38: “The seed houses have worked clos
Page 39 and 40: “Treading-in is part of the show
Page 41 and 42: A day with MACHINERY & WORKSHOP DEN
Page 43 and 44: An IRISH connection DESIGNING, manu
Page 45: “Warranties aren’t worth the pa
Page 49 and 50: Oil Storage Regs - have YOU complie
Page 51 and 52: What do you know SQUIRT? PETER POYN
Page 53 and 54: Bono has left the stadium! Carrow R
Page 55 and 56: occasions. The next part of the bui
Page 57 and 58: Can you tell what it is yet? Paint
Page 59 and 60: and prices can vary from around £5
Page 61 and 62: In a large installation there could
Page 63 and 64: OVERSEEDING ROLLERS NEED TO 38 OVER
Page 65 and 66: Head Groundsman Llanelli Rugby Foot
Page 67 and 68: The IOG & Google? THE Google search

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