11 Oct 2004 by Stuart
Machinery
My football club may get a windfall of 10k and want to buy machinery to get our pitch in superb condition, we have people with some skills but are learning. The pitch is 100m by 70m and dead flat, on one side we have shadow from tress but otherwise well sunned. What would be the best machines to invest in please? We are in Plymouth, Devon. Thanks!
11 Oct 2004 by Jim
Machinery choice
What machinery do you currently have?
For maintaining a football pitch a cylinder mower, marker and a spiker/slitter would be the bare minimum required. You could then add a brush, drag mat/harrow, hand tools, fertiliser spreader etc to the kit.
For 10k you will probably get reasonable secondhand machinery.
11 Oct 2004 by Stuart
machinery
Thanks Jim,
we currently have no equipment. Is it fine to use local garden centres or specialist suppliers? Also could you make any recommendations for makes, brands etc, many thanks!
11 Oct 2004 by Jim
Machinery
Depends on how much time someone can devote to the pitch and how good the pitch needs to be.
If there is someone dedicated to doing a good job then get a 36" cylinder mower, a pedestrian spiker/slitter.
If time is short and quality req'd not great then buy a little ride'on rotary mower.
I'd suggest a local machinery specialist, i.e ransomes, toro or contact the staff at pitchcare who may be able to help
11 Oct 2004 by Stuart
machinery
Jim,
great, thanks. We have time, two fellows, retired, there every morning for several hours, do a fantastic job. The pitch has to be up to staging FA Cup games so high standard.
Cheers
Machinary
Invest a small amount of your 10k in going on courses. I highly recommend the IoG/FA/RFU Winter games level 1 (there's a course at Orpington, Kent on 19th October). Here you will meet fellow groundsman and can tax their knowledge. You will also see a selection of equipment. Alternatively, contact local football club groundsman (perhaps the fellow at Home Park?) and see what they have. Possibly there is a nearby IoG branch?
When looking for machinary, do not use garden centres etc. Either use manufacturers direct (e.g. Dennis, Sisis who can be contacted through these pages) or go to a proper horticultural equipment supplier. Take your time, demo all machines on your site. All companies should be happy for you to do this.
Jim mentioned the basic machinary. Some equipment can be flexible; the Dennis G860 34" mower for example can be used as a normal mower, but you can change the cutting cylinder to a brush (for picking up leaves for example) and verticutter. This machine with cylinder cost about £4,000 new. New brush and veryticutter units perhaps £1,500. You can get a seat for this £?.
A very good aerator is made by Groundsman Industries. They have a punch action and can use a range of tines. They are expensive though. The cheapest is £3,000+. Worth a look though. I believe Sisis do something similar called a Dart. A reconditioned Pattison solid tyne spiker (only available secondhand) would cost about £1,000. A Fleet Kombi spray marker £400. Pedistrian spinning disc fertilzer spreader say £250. 6' drag brush £100. Knapsack sprayer (for spraying weeds around changing rooms etc., plus boom if you are going to spray your pitch instead of using contractors - you will need a certificate to do this) £200. Can you irrigate? Then perhaps hose, sprinklers etc (depending on your water pressure).
Machines also have running and servicing costs. Allow about 10% of the price of the machines per year for servicing.
It must be exciting for you!
14 Oct 2004 by Stuart
Thanks
Nice one Hipper, many thanks! Good advice indeed.
17 Oct 2004 by Bmm23
Machinery
Another operation is vert-draining with a hired in machine from a contractor. If you can afford it do it in april and end of august. It is a fantastic machine which spikes the ground, opens it up and greatly improves natural drainage
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