Has anyone had experience of have ECOSOL Drill but then NOT fILLED.
My main question is how did the pitches play the following season(s).
Not to be rude but I am not looking for the results feedback of the Drill n Fill, the combination of these process in my eyes is nothing but a excellent. I am a cricket pitch contractor and have a few clients who want to have the Drill part done in October after I have completed renovations. Whilst I recommend the Drill n Fill, I at present have to sit on the fence over just Drill.
Mid october has been recommended by ECOSOL
Thanks for all input in advance!
Jason
I know two fellow groundsmen who have drilled and not filled and said they have had excellent results, better pace and bounce the following season, i am having 2 of my squares done.
Drill only or verti drain both excellant.
Out of interest, do you sweep the drill swarf up and dispose as per hollow coring or do you sweep it back in? Are there any problems with levels? Just genuinely interested having watched a hollow coring programme in operation to remove wicket end saddles.
I am told by those that have had it done that sweeping off the swarf and leaving the holes open has good results, if you are going down 9 inches to a foot then you don't know what you may be bringing up.
How well do the holes close up and is there any signs of large vertical cracking during dry conditions/during 10 day match prep?
Never had problems with any holes, regular spiking is still very important, do not run away with the idea that one deep operation is all that is needed.
Sure you will get cracking if you let the pitch get to dry, important thing to remember, cracking alone is not always a problem, its when the plates move the problems begin.
All down to pitch prep.
could you do something similar with hollow tines ?
Please explain further Pacman
Core & not fill as in drill & not fill
No point Pacman, just solid tine. If you intend to hollow core then top dress after wards and be sure to do plenty of solid tining through the winter.
When drilling, i have not seen much soil left around the hole at the surface, suggesting that a lot of smearing on the side wall takes place. Many poo poo this when solid tining. Very interesting that those who have there square drilled reckon it to make such a big difference. I sthis to justify the expense or are there real benefits? My own opinion is this, any spiking, deep or otherwise, drilling etc is all beneficial to the performance of a cricket square. Side wall compaction there may be, but how else are you to get water into the profile? That smearing surely breaks down in a little while and most certainly must once any frost attacks it.
i will back deep spiking against the drill and fill any day. I can spike 3 times for the same price as the drill, and if you are prepared to loam 3 times, that is 3 times as much soil introduction,, 2x2 hole pattern at any thing from 4 inches deep to 9 inches deep, yes 3 times a year, april to nov.. April, May , June pitches all brought back into play for Aug Sept, no problem. But if you want to have to pack and ram every drilled hole to get the reconsolidation go with the drill.
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