Our pitch was renovated on 4/5 May. As usual, we had it vertidrained, overseeded with 8 bags -all we can afford-(dimple seeder), then dressed with 40 tons of 50/50 silica sand and light loam.
It was only when the pitch was dragmatted did the contractor notice that it was covered with thousands of pellets of what we believe to be silica, plus significant quantities of stones, bits of glass and brick. This was not evident when the stuff was being put down, and even when it was all in place, none of the debris was visible. The dragging has worked the dressing into the surface - as it's supposed to do - leaving the "bits" exposed. The silica pieces range from 10 to 20 mm, amd the stones are twice that size.
We want to work together with the contractor; he's a good bloke, and he's been let down by his supplier, who has clearly not crushed or seived the materials properly, if at all.
The seed is just starting to appear, but we have to somehow lift the debris; if whatever method we choose also lifts the new seed, then so be it - we'll have to reseed. The pitch was already fairly well covered, so that won't be the end of the world. I've already tried running our Countax over a trial area, with the blades low and with the mulch deck operating, and although some of the silica is broken up, that's not good enough. Attaching a PTO rotary brush with a collecting bag was little better, and a Honda hover, again with a bag, didn't do the job either.
Our contractor is considering a powerful scarifier, with a collector, sometime next week, when presumably the new grass will be rooted to some extent.
Can any kind soul out there offer any ideas to help us? We know it's the contractor's problem, and he recognises this, but equally, we accept that these things happen, and our main concern is putting things right.
E Coli first of all commiserations for what sounds like a real mess, but more constructively how to resolve the problem.
We have used an Amazone brush/scarifier/collector to great effect in the past when sweeping up debris and found that the surface is left 'clean' of detritus such as organic matter and other debris. As you say it will probably do for the new grass seedlings but then that is something to be sorted between yourself and your contractor.
Whatever happens make sure you have plenty of photos and documentary evidence to back up any claim you need to resolve in the future, it will stand you in good stead. you have a good relationship with your contractor that is evident but you need to protect your back in this one. Good luck!
The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train
14 May 2009 by Charles Johnson
Woking council had to deal with a similar problem when pitches in the borough were dressed with contaminated materials. Try the Serco manager Mark King 07718194029 but you may find them a bit defensive.
The pitches were condemned for a few weeks at the start of the season two years ago, they had to remove the rubbish first - sorry, didn't see how, but I recall the piles of debris left at pitchside as it was being removed. Presumably a field sweeper machine, but I don't see how that will collect 20mm+ stones.
Your Countax machine fitted with the rear brush-collector would be ideal to do the job slowly and carefully.
14 May 2009 by Mal
This is as Dave points out a difficult situation that can sometimes test a good relationship between contractor, supplier and client but would agree that providing that the stone debris rests on the surface then a sweeper collector would do the job for you. If it is embedded into the surface then you may need something a little more agressive such as a scarifier/collector. In extreem cases then fraize mowing would be probably the next step where the top is stripped from the surface. Whichever way that you proced follow daves advice and be prepared to negotiate for the operation of seeding etc. to be completed again. Be careful that you are not badgered into leaving the surface to see if the already seeded surface will recover as, should this not be the case then your recovery time will be seriously set back, eating into the establishment period that you have before the start of your next season
Geography is everywhere
As contractors, we too had an unfortunate experience similar to this a few years ago at a Midlands club we renovated. The top dressing came contaminated with glass and pottery which only revealed itself after it had been spread dry when it subsequently rained. We tried and considered every option, but in the end the surface had to be removed with a Corro machine. Nothing else worked. The cost was met by supplier and insurance. It should not be down to the club to sort this out. Your contractor should sort it out with their supplier and product liability insurance company.
Hi E, Nightmare, could be worse could have been mixed by people who recycle glass.... I kid you not.... its either loading shovels contaminating by being used on different materials every few minutes or drivers pulling up the base, either that or a big hole in the screen deck, or lorries not checked between loads but this only contaminates part of the load, have seen all 4 and when we have come across this a couple of times before, have been called in to help suppliers sort the problem, we have tried several methods and the most efficient we found in dressed swards was to use a Trilo (or similar not pushing Trilo but fact is they work) Vac with Brush attachment. Trilo do hire these out but be ready to fall over at cost you pay a good price for a good bit of kit....... will look out the guy I spoke to but they are easily searched, dinners ready so will be back later
Barry
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
14 May 2009 by volvo
Try your Countax with a sweeper working.Might be good idea to new brushes. Just might work and as you have the 'tractor' must be worth a try. I use Westwood with sweeper to clear risings from bowling greens makes good job.
Good Luck
14 May 2009 by ricam
You will find that the Koro Field Topmaker is the only machine which will solve your problem. Give me a call and I will put you in contasct with a company near you who has a machine Richard Campey 01260224568
Many thanks to everyone who has been good enough to reply to this.
I think that morally, and legally, in case insurance companies get involved, we have to give our contractor the chance to put this right, and he's coming early this week with what he describes as a powerful scarifier and collector.
Others I've spoken to - thanks to the Pitchcare website - suggest that this is unlikely to work, and it may well be that the only solution will be to Koro off the top 2 or 3 cm, hoping that "our" grass will then grow back, and repeat the over-seeding with, say, a dozen bags. The cost of this will exceed that of the original job, but that shouldn't be our problem. The real problem is, of course, time- our first friendly is planned for 14 July!
In the meantime, we're planning to build a new shed with all the builder's rubble which is currently lying on the pitch.
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