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By Val Graham in Industry on 10th Mar 2010 11:00
Wiedenmann UK's latest Terra Spike, the GXi8 HD which was launched in September, has met with full approval from one of its first Scottish owners, Hamilton Golf Club, in South Lanarkshire.
Following the launch, Michael James, Wiedenmann UK's northern sales manager, and Euan Thomson from dealer Fairways GM, brought the new GXi 8 HD to the Hamilton club for a demonstration of its different tine lengths and diameters. It didn't take long for the new machine to impress. Course manager, Bruce Cruickshank, who took up his post midway through 2009, was looking for a deep fast aerator which was both productive and easy to operate for his eight greenkeeping staff. He elected for the GXi 8 HD after seeing its smooth operation.
"We're confident we've bought the best on the market. Our machine has turned out to be absolutely brilliant, indeed everything we had hoped," he enthused.
"We wanted an aerator which was totally tractor-friendly: something easy to lift and vitally spring-loaded to minimise any impact between machine and tractor, explained Bruce Cruickshank. "We also needed an ergonomic machine that the greenkeeping team felt was simple to operate without compromising on quality and efficiency."
"The GXI8 HD really suits our new Iseki TK 5470 tractor as the 1.8m width of Terra Spike is designed to be wider than the tractor wheel span and so there are no issues with tractor tyres backing over newly tined ground."
"Everything about it is straight forward. One easy adjustment for heave and depth and you are away. It's working out perfectly with consistently even tining. We're using it on all areas -greens and fairways. We'd be on the tees too but we're presently installing a new irrigation system.
"Ours is a very, very wet course although playable - and busy- all year round. We'll be aerating all over as many as nine times in the year - perhaps only tining once during the four months that we call summer but monthly at all other times choosing from either ½", ¾" or hollow tines. If we've been over the greens and fairways there is no disturbance to the playing surface and members are unaffected.
When Wiedenmann created the new GXi8 HD, moving parts like springs and heave linkages were re - positioned behind covers at the front of the machine away from the dirt zone. This reduces wear and tear and helps quieten the machine. The centre of gravity is now closer to the tractor making it exceptionally stable. The tines on the GXi are now even closer to the front roller ensuring a uniform job is carried out on undulating greens.
www.wiedenmann.co.uk
Read more articles in Industry, by Val Graham or from March 2010.
