Ventrac: The most versatile of compact tractors

Rupert Price is the Managing Director of Price Turfcare, the UK importers of the Ventrac compact tractor, which in his opinion is the most versatile machine for grounds management applications.

“As you would expect I’m biased towards the use of compact tractors as it’s my core business, but our equipment has the major advantage of being extremely versatile. Ventrac’s range of attachments are designed to fit perfectly with the tractor unit, easily and with minimal downtime.

“As far as technology is concerned, Ventrac products are quite basic and for a good reason. They are very simple to operate, user-friendly and that’s one of their attractions. We do have slope meters for safety reasons, but apart from that and some quick couplings for the hydraulicdriven accessories, that’s about it.

“With compact tractors comes versatility; they can be fitted with numerous attachments and our Ventracs can swap between implements in less than a minute, due to their unique mounting system. If you can change that quickly, then it’s more likely that you will! If it takes an age to mount implements, there’s a danger that your tractor and chosen implement becomes a ‘one-trick pony’ because it’s too bothersome and time-consuming to swap out one attachment for another.

“We have more than 30 different attachments, so the new Ventrac 4520 is undoubtedly one of the most versatile compact tractors on the market today. It can be used as a mower, with seven different mowing decks for various types of turf or as a trencher, aerator, stump grinder, edger, leaf blower, snow blower, snow plough, gritter and more, so there is no reason why it cannot be used all year round.” n www.priceturfcare.com its

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Compiled by Summer Rogers

Where do you think a turf manager sits in status in the eyes of the general public?

It has improved over recent years. I still don’t think it is where it should be regarding the work hours and the skill you need for this job. Social media has helped a lot, and people like Karl Standley and John Ledwidge have helped to promote the industry. Unfortunately, I don’t think the guys at grass roots level get the recognition they deserve.

Are you considered an “equal” by those people on a similar level in different departments?

100%. I can’t speak for any other club, and I do know people who don’t feel an equal. However, at Dartford I am on an even playing field with everyone. I am constantly in contact with the Operations Manager and different members of staff and the manager is behind me.

What needs to happen to assist the turning of the job of turf maintenance into that of a true profession?

Education. It is all about educating people that don’t understand our job. Many people think we just cut the pitch and mark the lines and even people in the football world, see it this way. I get the fact that they don’t see what we do daily, because no one really sees the groundsman except for on a match day – so no one sees the work that goes on behind the scenes. Education is the key to developing our industry.

What are the best things about working in turf management?

Being outdoors. I love it, even in the winter. Secondly, I get to be in involved in the game I love. Being near the players, being able to watch the game - the football industry has a different feel to it. It is different to an office job or working on a building site. It feels like we are part of a family.

If you could swap roles with someone in any other area of sports management, what would it be?

I’ll take the England manager’s job please! In terms of sports turf management, and not that I am anywhere near his level or his expertise, but because I am a Tottenham Hotspur FC fan I wouldn’t mind swapping with Darren Baldwin (Head of Playing Surfaces & Estates for Tottenham Hotspur FC). I have a lot of respect for what he’s achieved in his career and for what he has built at the club.

Five years from now…

What do you think will be most noticeable in the job – fewer chemicals, more battery power or more robotics?

The battery-powered products and the robotics are things that need to be looked at but it needs to be made available to grass roots level as well as the top clubs in terms of finances. I know the industry needs to, and is, heading in this direction but people will continue to stick with petrol machinery if they are priced out of battery technology. For me personally, it has got to be more reliable too. From what I understand, even though it is improving every year, the battery life isn’t quite there yet.

If there was one task, you’d love to see the back of in five years’ time, what would it be?

Divotting. If someone could come up with an invention, maybe a robot, to divot the pitch, I would use my salary to buy it. I hate itespecially when I’m by myself. It is the world’s worst job! If someone invents one, they will quickly become a millionaire because every grounds manager would buy one.

In a perfect world, what should the various R&D departments be working on, currently, to give you in five years’ time?

A divotting machine! To be honest I think the machinery is already there and it is just a case of evolving the machinery we have got. The industry needs to improve from an eco-friendly point of view so I’m sure we will see developments there.

In terms of working conditions, what would you like to see for yourself and your team?

Mental health in the grounds industry needs some support – there needs to be a link, or a place you can go to get help. It is very easy to get too caught up in work, and you can end up doing too much, and then all you think about is the pitch. You will only make yourself ill and worry too much.

Leaving your current workplace aside, if you had a choice if five years’ time, where would you love to be turning up to work, and in whose job?

Since I have left the professional game (Jay used to work for Crystal Palace FC), I have loved being at this level of football. I’ve got my kids around me, and it is perfect. Ten years ago, I would have said head groundsman at Tottenham Hotspur FC, but now I’m not sure if I would want that burden. I have so many benefits working where I am. I have had offers but I’m just not interested.