Aeration

Air injection brings success

Compaction related problems are common place on golf courses. Dry patch, black layer and excessive thatch and lack of root depth and density all lead to an inconsistent course surface.

Compaction reduces the air spaces between the soil particles; restricting the passage of air, water, nutrients and root growth through the rootzone. The SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid 1500 machine greatly increases the speed of the aeration process by directly injecting air into the rootzone at a fast-working rate, creating thousands of fissures.

The Javelin Aer-Aid also took part in an independent trial led by Dr Christian Spring, of the STRI. Over a three-month period, extensive trials examined the effect that the machine had on the hardness of the turf, the root depth, water infiltration and disease.

“It became obvious that the Aer-Aid improved maximum root and depth within the soil profile and also had the benefit of increasing the depth of the average rooting mass,” reported Christian.

“The overall result is reduced compaction and a healthier root growth. The reason was likely to be of a result of the increased air space within the soil profile created by the air injection and the fracturing that resulted from that,” he said.

One of the things that was tested during the research was to look at the benefit of air injection on water movement into the surface. It was found that water infiltration was significantly higher with air injection compared to plots that were left untreated.

“From the research work that we carried out, the Aer-Aid proved to be a very effective tool within a greenkeeper’s arsenal at helping to manage the soil profile.”

The 10mm diameter ‘tipped’ tines are spaced at 75mm with depth of penetration infinitely variable to a maximum of 127mm. The air injection tines are designed to use the maximum air available from the compressor and produce clean, fresh air. Surface disturbance is also kept to a minimum.

The STRI trial also reported benefits in reducing disease.

“The use of the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid proved beneficial in helping to reduce the conditions in which Microdochium Patch significantly damages turf within golf greens occurred on the trial plots. Plots that were treated with the Aer-Aid with air injection switched on appeared to have significantly less disease than the untreated control during a significant period of disease pressure during the autumn period,” said Christian.

One club that has seen excellent results using the Javelin Aer-Aid is St Ives Golf Club and their Course Manager, Rob Duff.

“To start with we used the Aer-Aid twice a month. Now, we normally use it monthly from March until the start of November.

“We had a problem with thatch in our greens because of the nature of the grass. It consists of velvet bent, which is naturally thatch grass and in some places we had approximately three inches of thick thatch. Therefore, I decided that an aggressive solution was needed and this is why I started using the SISIS Aer-Aid.” n www.sisis.com

Billy Goat offers range of solutions

Thick, healthy lawns can be achieved with regular watering and maintenance, but without annual aeration, lawns can quickly lose their vibrancy and, eventually, die out completely.

There are a number of elements, including oxygen, water and nutrients, that are vital in keeping lawns healthy, as they work themselves into the soil’s eco-system and promote better growth and overall health. However, once soil becomes compacted, lawns are deprived of these components as the soil becomes too dense, inhibiting them from traveling to the grass root.

Aeration plays a significant role in helping to alleviate soil compaction and can promote and encourage an array of benefits that aid in the growth of luscious, vibrant grass.

The action of piercing soil with small holes can also help to maintain a lawn’s quality throughout changing weather conditions. During warmer periods, water is needed to keep lawns from drying out so decompressed soil will enable moisture to reach the grass root and allow for optimum growth.

It’s important to aerate lawns at least once a year, but different types of grass are more responsive at different times of the year as their peak natural growth periods differ. Grasses from cooler climates, including carex, calamagstis, deschampsia and fesuca, should be aerated during the early autumn or early spring. Grasses from warmer climates include arundo, cortaderia, miscanthus and panicum and should be aerated during the late spring or early summer.

Billy Goat supply a powerful range of products for outdoor property cleanup, such as aerators, sod cutters, brushcutters, blowers, lawn vacuums and debris loaders. Its range of powerful aerators help to maintain and encourage a flourishing lawn, no matter its size.

The Plugr 25 Hydro Drive Series offers the ultimate aerating experience, with its robust design offering the perfect combination of productivity, operator comfort and variable hole density whilst being remarkably low maintenance. With best-in-class controls and in-ground steering it also offers exceptional manoeuvrability and ease in operating.

It has a EZ Drop tine system which allows tines to quickly engage when the lever is depressed and rapidly disengages once the lever has been released, meaning it can pass over any obstacles during aeration ensuring that the process is smooth and uninterrupted.

For large areas, the Towable 60 Series Aerator is the perfect solution for maximising large lawn aerations with an ability to cover up to four acres an hour, saving time whilst effectively penetrating the grass root. Its swivelling tine assemblies also offer an easy operation and high quality aeration patterns that reach up to 4cm in depth. This model can also be mounted onto a standard tow bar or category one, three-point hitch and can run behind any type of tow vehicle, with the ability to run to eight kilometre an hour, offering a powerful and timely solution for aerating larger pitches of lawn. n www.billygoat.co.uk.

ShockWaves provide effective aeration

Having an effective aeration programme for 45 holes means taking advantage of small windows of time, and at Knotty Hill Golf Centre that is done using four Imants ShockWaves from Campey Turf Care Systems.

Two large 275 models are joined by a 220 and 210 which is used for the greens and tees. Having these reliable large machines is a crucial aspect of course maintenance at Knotty Hill with Owner and Proprietor, Ashley Craggs, working on the 600-acre site alongside his dad, Denis, one full-time member of staff and two seasonal workers.

The decision to operate with a small staff and large equipment puts an emphasis on taking advantage of limited time scales, and with the fleet of ShockWaves the course is draining better than ever.

“We close every Monday, and we use that time to aerate nine holes,” explained Ashley.

“I know when those machines go to work, I won’t see them until they come back in at the end of the night. They are bombproof – when those machines go out, they’re moving, and they aren’t stopping. If they leave the yard at 8am they will run all day until 8pm.

“The best feature of the machines is the hydraulic depth control on the rear. Some of our land is clay, and then we’ve got good topsoil and then into sandy gravel – half of our site is sand and gravel. When you’re working on that, it’s harder because you can’t get the depth because it’s hitting rock.

“On some of our fairways one end starts with loamy clay and then goes into lovely topsoil, and by the time you get down the other end of the par-five, it could be pure sand. So, when you’re driving the machine, you can adjust the depth from the seat to go full depth on the clay, but you know you can’t do that at the other end, so you pull the spool leaver and raise it three or four inches, and you’re doing the same neat and tidy job. There’s no stopping and getting spanners out, and that makes a big difference.

“We’ve noticed how well it’s draining and finding the lateral drainage systems that we’ve put in, so we found that the course drains quicker than it ever used to. If we get a downpour of rain on a Saturday night, we can still play golf on the Sunday, and that’s the key factor.”

The Golf Centre has gone from strength to strength since the farmland owned by Ashley’s dad, Denis, was converted into a golf course in 1991, with the popular site hosting 27-holes of football golf and various practice facilities.

Campey Turf Care Systems is one of Europe’s largest independent grounds care machinery dealers, with a reputation for superb aftercare service.

The company acts as a new equipment importer for some of the most respected grounds care machinery manufacturers including Dakota, Imants, Koro, Campey, Vredo, GT Air 2G2 injector, BellonMit, and Omarv.

The company also has a thriving used machinery business and a subsidiary company, Tines Direct, which supplies replacement tines, blades and replacement parts for a wide range of turf care machinery. n www.campeyturfcare.com

Combining aerating and rolling

GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf, provide groundsmen with the solution to ground compaction thanks to their aeration products. Consisting of both the GKB Deep Tine Aerator and GKB Topair, groundsmen can ensure they are ensuring their grounds are left in optimum condition.

With many groundskeepers stuck between wanting their grass to grow but keeping a levelled sports pitch, the GKB Topair offers the perfect solution. Built with groundsmen in mind, the GKB Topair fulfils the desire and ambition of making sports pitch maintenance sustainable.

Thanks to the De Evolvente blades, the GKB Topair minimises the prying effect on the upper layer to ensure it stays plain. Reducing power usage due to minimal friction between the blades and the pitch, this reliable machine features an operating speed of around 10 km/h with a maximum operating depth of 16 cm which can easily be read for the mobile measuring rod.

Engineering with versatility, the robust GKB Topair allows users to level out their sports pitch. Featuring a hydraulically adjustable pressure roller, users can aerate and level the pitch or execute the tasks separately.

Considered one of the major causes of poor sward density, root development and waterlogging, the GKB Deep Tine Aerator works on natural sports pitches to relieve the surface, compaction enabling water to travel through and for stronger roots to develop.

With an adjustable 25-degree heave angle, the GKB DTA’s tine holding system allows you to take control of removing compaction. From varying depths up to 16 inches and featuring a 3-speed heavy-duty gearbox, you can adjust the speed on the tines to create the required hole pattern in the turf. Thanks to the machines unique tine mounting system, quick changeover for different size tines has never been easier.

Like all GKB products, the DTA was built on the understanding that ‘the worker is king’, and this innovative machine requires minimal maintenance as it’s fitted with heavy-duty sealed bearings on the crankshaft, ensuring focus is always on improving the ground and less on maintaining the machine. n www.gkbmachines.com

Versatile Flexblades How to aerate and

The Flexblade Collector was a new concept pioneered by Groundsman Industries over 20 years ago. The principle was simple – no driven parts, just scoop the cores off the green with a series of linked platelets called Flexblades, these independently floating plates follow surface undulations with precision-like multiple shovels for the cleanest possible collection.

The Flexblade Collector follows the aerator closely catching a large percentage of the cores before they touch the ground. The remainder are scooped cleanly from the surface dumping them in a pile.

The new range of Groundsman universal collectors use the original proven Flexblade collection system. This implement was for many years only available for use on Groundsman aerators but as the reputation grew, so did the demand for the Flexblade to fit other aerators.

The new range are sporting a sleek black curved and slotted collection canopy and slotted blades. The changes are however, much more than cosmetic. The new shape adds extra strength while reducing the overall weight. The collection blade check chains have been replaced by robust folding check links for consistent accuracy and reliability. Groundsman Flexblade Collectors are also available for three point linkage mounting on compact tractors. The Flexblades follow the contours of the green with equal precision on the 2.3m wide collectors as the 0.6mm and performance is consistent at all speed across the ground. n www.groundsmanindustries.

com

overseed in one pass

Turf compaction and grass damage over the winter months caused by foot or vehicle traffic and other stresses can be an issue and needs to be alleviated to keep the turf healthy. Now with Ventrac’s Aera-vator and integrated Gandy seeder it’s possible to aerate and overseed in one pass.

The Aera-vator is designed to break and loosen the soil beneath the surface without destroying the turf. It creates a hole without bringing a core plug to the surface, leaving the turf ready for use immediately after treatment. The Aeravator works best in drier ground leaving a core hole while fracturing the sub soil.

The National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor purchased a Ventrac 4500 compact tractor and Tough Cut deck late last year and then returned to local dealer RT Machinery to purchase additional attachments including a Turbo Blower, Landscape Rake and Aera-vator with seeder.

“The Aera-vator and overseeder attachment for the Ventrac is an excellent piece of equipment. We have some heavy footfall across the estate especially at our annual events,” said Peter Turski, Horticultural Team Leader at the estate, who revealed that they had over 460,000 visitors a year.

“The main benefit of the Aeravator is that it simplifies the whole operation in one pass significantly reducing the time taken to a fraction of what it used to. No soil plugs are generated, so no collection required, and the over seeding attachment works in synchronicity with the aerating implement by dropping seed directly into the fractured surface of the sward assisting good contact with the soil.” n www.priceturfcare.com

Solution for high speed aeration

Ayear on from its launch, the Verti-Drain 2519 has proven its credentials as the ‘next generation’ of Redexim’s iconic Verti-Drain range. Thanks to its 1.9m working width and ability to accept a range of tine options, the 2519 gives turf managers a highproductivity aerator, with the versatility required for year-round operation.

The 2519 model incorporates the very best of Redexim precision design and engineering. Together with a new drawrod system, it features an easy to adjust heave lever and slip clutch PTO drive – offering a PTO speed of up to 540rpm which allows it to cover up to 8,739sq.m per hour when spaced at 165mm.

As standard, the Verti-Drain 2519 comes with 12mm solid tines but it can accept a range of solid tine options up to 19mm, and hollow tines for coring. This versatility, combined with a variable working depth of up to 250mm, makes it suitable for an array of end-users.

Phill Hughes, Sales & Hire Director at Lister Wilder, said adding the 2519 to their hire fleet was an easy decision.

“Our customers had long been looking for a solution for high-speed aeration, particularly for fairways and sports pitches. The 2519 enables the operator to get the job done in less time, keeping disruption to a minimum and ensuring that play is returned quicker than before,” said Phill.

“It’s proven to be a huge hit with our existing customers as well as bringing new customers to us and has been especially popular during lock-down as clubs prepare to re-open ready for the busy season ahead.” Agronomic Services Ltd introduced the original, authentic Ninja Tines to the UK and have been thrilled with positive feedback from Course Managers.

“We have been delighted with the response. Woolley Park Golf Club were one of the first courses to try the Ninja Tines and they managed to services 90 greens, before having to be replaced,” said Agronomic Services’s David Snowden, pictured.

These genuine Ninja Tines have been widely copied; however, it is the quality and longevity of the steel that sets these original Ninja Tines apart. There is no disruption to play, resulting in happy golfers and great timesaving!

“We are so pleased that customers have found the tines easy to use and are reordering. It’s as simple as tine, blow, roll, play!” said David.

The major difference in the Ninja Tines compared to regular tines, is that they only impact into the thatch layer, therefore the top 20 – 40mm. This method of aeration is being widely used now as an alternative to the more traditional and impactful methods, which disrupt revenue sources and play, particularly in resort golf.

Using the strategies of ninja covert agents, legendary for their stealth and invisibility, Course Managers can use the Ninja Tines and golfers would never know

Tine like a Ninja

Terrain Aeration tackles London garden square

The award-winning Earl’s Court Square Garden was originally laid out as part of the Edwardes Estate in the 1870s, and construction of the properties of Earl’s Court Square began. It was well-managed with professional gardeners until the Second World War, when the original cast-iron railings were removed and five emergency water tanks filled the southern half of the garden.

Post-war it became much neglected and remained more like a building site until the mid-70s when the present layout was designed.

A children’s playground was added in 1980 and the mature London plane trees were pruned and maintained. The Earl’s Court Square Garden is one of the 37 Garden Squares in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The garden is much used by residents and hosts neighbourhood social events which ultimately led to the ground becoming severely compacted and dried out in summer, while in winter it became heavily waterlogged. Aeration was done regularly, and the grass re-seeded, but the problems remained.

“We learned of the work done by Terrain Aeration in Hyde Park after Winter Wonderland,” “and we thought the principles would apply here. They were scheduled to come to us in 2020, but a period of heavy rain and then Covid-19 intervened. The garden was a godsend for the community during lockdown, but the pooling was still a major problem,” said Katrina Quinton, Chair of the garden management sub-committee,

“As soon as they were able, Terrain Aeration treated the area using their Terralift Tracker, which is designed for access in tight spaces. It works in the same way as the full-size Terralift machines used in Hyde Park. The Tracker hammers a hollow probe one metre into the soil, releasing a blast of compressed air to fracture the compaction and create interlinked fissures,” explained Katrina.

They simultaneously injected dried seaweed into the fissures, and this expands and contracts with the moisture content in the ground. The probe is inserted in equal spacing on a grid pattern, to ensure the underground fracturing overlaps.

The resulting holes were top-filled with Lytag, lightweight aggregate, to provide a long-term aeration and ventilation shaft which will encourage air and water into the root zone. The result is a healthier soil structure; the compaction is relieved and a stronger root growth is promoted. The areas in the garden around the trees, which are greedy for water, were also treated to a depth of 18 inches. n www.terrainaeration.co.uk

Ingenius, indispensible

Occasionally an ingeniously simple machine comes along which becomes instantly indispensable. Welcome the Maredo STrac 700, a pedestrian power unit which supports four different groundcare operations – scarifying, aeration, seeding and fraise mowing with more to come.

The ‘access-all-areas’ STrac 700 is light, fast and versatile. Suddenly, even on difficult undulations, there is scope to provide uniformity of care and presentation across a whole site. It can be used on all turf surfaces from bowling greens to full size pitches and for challenging areas like the collars of a golf course, or, where a tractor is too heavy.

Brought to you via your local Wiedenmann UK dealer, the STrac 700 has easy controls on the guiding handle and a set of interchangeable heads. A very short turning radius means the rear wheels can adopt a variety of operating positions, while the tools connect effortlessly, cassette style.

Maredo offers four tool types each purchased separately with working widths of 65 cm: • The ST200 Flex-Verticutter scarifies to 25 mm using carbide tipped blades

with tool free adjustment. The blades counter rotate against the direction of travel so material is lifted tidily out the way rather than dragged into the slits. • To relieve compaction down to 60 mm in stressed turf, the ST210 Vibe-Spike Aerator allows for expert following of undulations or making curves as required. Unlike conventional spike aerators, the spike tools vibrate to crack the soil, punching holes to let air and nutrients through. • The ST170 FlexFrase-Mower targets problem areas by stripping off the top layer of turf to a maximum depth of 20 mm, leaving a perfectly flat and smooth surface ready to overseed. It is also ideal for removing bumps and undulations on goal mouths, tee boxes and gardens. • Finally, the ST418 VibeDisc-Seeder head uses unique technology to plant the seed right where it should be and protect it against all kinds of outside influences. This is a slit seeder which can dose seed from 0 to -15 mm at as low as 2 g/m2 to 15 g/m2 .

The seed box contains up to 6 kg of seed with disc seeder slit spacings at 42 mm.

Coming soon is a new dimple seeder head which will create a pattern of dimples where the seeds will be placed.

Rob Hogarth, former Course Manager of Remedy Oak, the England top 100 club in Dorset, and now Regional Sales Manager of Fairways GM, has demonstrated the STrac units extensively since they arrived in the UK.

“The STrac 700 is revolutionary. When I think back on worrying about transitions and worn collars, I would have traded my left arm for the scarifier and seeder cartridges. The YouTube videos of the STrac in action don’t do it justice,” said Rob. n www.maredobv.com