Message Board - Cricket: Basic equipment to manage sqaure .
6 Sep 2010 by Mark Edward
Looking for some guidance on the specific problem our club has. If you had approx 6k to spend on basic equipment to manage a square what would they be? Our thinking is x 2 2nd hand mowers (Allett Buffalo 27", Allett Shaver?), Sisis combirake, push sarrel roller.) We already have x2 rollers (sit on and hand pulled) and water traveller. Read TS 4 document from ECB and SISIS webpage which have been helpful. Any advicse will be greatfully received. Looking to get x2 people of level 1 course.
6 Sep 2010 by GeoffP Last edited 6 Sep 2010
Would also add aerator, verticle action if possible, & a good scarifer, eg: Graden or Sisis ARR4 or better. A Spreader, cyclone or drop, for seed, top dressing and fert. A drag mat for incorporation of top dressing.
Geoff
6 Sep 2010 by Mark Edward
Thanks Geoff, after the SISIS article may go down the Graden route. Any recommendation on brand of spreader would be helpful. Dragmat from SISIS? Surely they can deliver this without the hassle I have be reading? Any other manufacturers you would recommend?
6 Sep 2010 by jlawrence
I would go for exactly what you listed.
2 x mowers + combirake.
broadcast spreader - even a cheapo one is better than nowt.
I'd aim for a dedicated wicket mower (lloyds palladin) and a Dennis FT system (with verticut, brush and mower cassettes).
You should be able to get the above for 6K 2nd/3rd hand.
For aerator, scarifier etc etc I'd look to use the groundsman association's trailer.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
6 Sep 2010 by Sumomosr
Re Dragmat - from the recent sisis thread you refer to:
by eddyinfreehold
The only Sisis equipment I have is a combirake which is relatively bomb proof although I did have to tighten up several nuts on it when it came, and a 4 foot wide dragmat, supposedly stainless steel but actually not as some but not all of the links rust. Weird.
GOGGA
6 Sep 2010 by Mark Edward
cheers for replies so far. Should we look to budget for other hardware for the next coupole of years? Only small club with 7 new strips and artifical laid for under 11 and 13's. Approx 22 40 over games per season on wickets.
If budget allows looking to get end of season renovation work done by the experts. They can sort out the mess we will no doubt make. 
6 Sep 2010 by A J Last edited 6 Sep 2010
The only experts are ones that get down and do it themselves? Yes by all means, advice to help you get started but you will get far better satisfaction by doing it yourselfs. Courses are the way to go also.
Good luck.
Grow in grace...........
6 Sep 2010 by jlawrence
When it comes to renovations get yourself around to a local club.
Speak with their groundsman and (assuming he knows what he's doing) offer to help him with his renovations in return for him teaching you what you need to do. This is a good way to get to grips with it in that first year.
Then get on the IOG/pitchcare courses. It would be really nice if the winter/renovation IOG course was actually run before you did your renovations but it ain't (or wasn't in my case).
Of course, if you've got the budget and live near enough get Gordon (Bath on here) in to do your renovations - I can vouch he does do a good job. Given the budget I'd have him do all my 24 tracks but at least the 12 main ground match tracks takes a massive load off my shoulders.
As Bluecoat says you do get a large amount of satisfaction by doing it yourself, but you can get an equal amount of satisfaction from getting the right person in to do the job in under 1/4 the time it takes me to DIY.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
6 Sep 2010 by Grassman2011
Your to kind jl. Are you wanting to borrow something?
6 Sep 2010 by Mark Edward
all noted, thanks. Thinking that we will get professionals in for year 1, help them and then over years 2 and 3 they can act as mentors so we pick it up correctly. Just want to make sure we budget for right equipment if we go with this plan.
7 Sep 2010 by Grassman2011
Mark, i would concentrate on quality machines that you are likely to use most days or weeks. 6K will not buy you to much and i would suggest that heavy duty scarifyers and spikers are hired in as and when required. The budget required for keeping square and wicket mowers serviced can be considerable, so always keep a little in the bank.
If funds then allow, i would look for a good used Sisis, yes i know, Sisis, auto roto rake mk 4. Very useful for verti cutting and power brushing.
7 Sep 2010 by jlawrence
No Gordon for once I'm not after borrowing anything - or not that I know of 
Mark, I've been thinking about this a bit.
As you're only talking 22 games (at the moment), I don't think you need loads of kit.
What I'd get is a Dennis FT cassette system (brush, tngsten tipped verticut & cylinder cassette), and an old certes (as a backup machine) - trust me you don't ever want to be stuck without a wicket mower if something breaks.
You can get a FT system as described above for well under 6K (I know as I've just had one delivered) and should have enough spare to get a sarrel and a certes. That's really all you need to begin with - and is more that some clubs have in total.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
7 Sep 2010 by Mark Edward
thanks everybody. To build in a proper budget for our new club I am thinking we will need to have up to £600 for end of season loam and seed. Up to £300 for machine hire. One question just a rough idea how much should we build in to annually service a Dennis FT, old certes and brand new Poweroll Club roller? Any ball park guestimates would be appreciated.
7 Sep 2010 by jlawrence Last edited 7 Sep 2010
You shouldn't need to send away the roller for servicing - anything that needs you can do in house quite easily.
You can keep on top of the servicing of the mowers as well (it ain't rocket science). So the only thing you need to build in is getting new bottom blades and regrinds done. Every few years I'll send my mowers away for a full service - bearings replaced as necessary etc - other than that we cover the annual service in house. I budget£250 per mower for servicing.
One thing I've not seen you mention is an outfield mower - how are you maintaining the outfield ?
added:
Mark, I did an article a couple of years back covering the basics of my budget. Some prices have changed but as the article only deals with rough figures anyway you might find it useful.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
7 Sep 2010 by A J Last edited 7 Sep 2010
Mark
I normally get a bill around £300 for a dennis FT,Though last winter`s was above £500 as it needed extra parts.
Our poweroll club is two seasons old now, apart from greasing, changing oils ourselves etc, poweroll reconmend a manufacturers service every three years. so ours will be serviced by power roll this winter. Will put aside around £300/500 for that.
Both machines above will serve you well.
Grow in grace...........
7 Sep 2010 by Mark Edward
Jlawrence- thanks for the info and link. Agreement we have with our parish counicl is that we will manage the square and they do our outfield. Writing our requirments on that one now but basically mown Wed/Thu (if conditions need it maybe twice a week (mon/ Fri) with triple to approx 15-20mm. Fert once a year, weed application once a year and slitting and aerate during the winter. Overseeed any areas that require it. Missed anything big?
7 Sep 2010 by jontaylor
Unless your outfield has a fertility issue, save money on the fertiliser. Our outfield hasn't been fed in the 10 years I've been at the club. If you have sandy soil that leaches nutrients, then why would you need to aerate? You'll get to know your field as you use it, but don't assume that you have to throw money at it from day one.
For a 7 track square you'll need about 70 bags of loam, allowing for end repairs and no more than 2 bags of seed. At £5 a bag for loam, that's only about £500 for materials. Fert for the square will eat up the other £100 across the year.
A cheap triple in the shed to give an extra cut to the outfield can be a good investment. Look for a Saxon for under £1k. Council cutting often doesn't start as early in spring as the grass does! Also, if you have a car / 4x4 with a tow bar, look to get some chain harrows for winter maintenance of the outfield (£200).
Alletts may be great wicket mowers, but are they a luxury for a 22 match a year club? Take a close look at cheaper options like the Proteas. You'd get a brand new wicket mower and a verticutter for under £4K. Two engines, two chassis - so less wear than buying a cassette machine and no switch over time.
I think big spikers and a heavy duty scarrifier are not a good investment for your needs right now - as others have said, hire them.
Seriously consider old square mowers in your first few years. My last two have cost £200 (Webb 24) and £120 (Hayter 20) and both came serviced and with freshly sharpened blades. Run them for a couple of years and write them off if they die! The annual cost is peanuts compared to buying more expensive machines and if an inexperienced volunteer wrecks them, what's your loss???
I like the leveling lute for in-season repairs. A drag-mat is good at end of season - but they are very expensive for what they do. I remember others talking on here of their cheap alternatives to a drag mat.
For your needs the Scotts cyclone spreader (£30) is excellent for seed and fert. Mine lasts about 4 years before needing replacement, but it won't spread loam!
The ciderman rolls
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