Hi I just wondered if anybody has used a Pro-tech Ground Cover, we have money to get roll ons but I kind of like the look of this,
Smack my pitch up
I like Stewart Canvas products and we have two 90 x 30 foot sheets of theirs which are heavy. Groundsheets are different to roll ons which we are hopefully getting this spring, it's a case of apples and pears. I don't believe any semi permeable sheet is as good as a cover held off the ground to allow wind through. Having used ground sheets for years and roll ons less often, I would always prefer the roll on option but the ideal is both in really bad weather. People tend not to walk over roll ons but some neddy will always walk over a sheet in spikes.
Thanks Eddy, I use roll ons on my main ground, but next year will be the first attempt to cover the nursery ground pitches, which unfortunately have a slight slope on the outfield. I was hoping to use Stewart Canvas as I've used them before when they made me new canvases for the old roll ons, I found them to be both helpfull and honest, I suppose the best thing will a site visit .with the slope on the outfield both types of cover could still fail spectacularly but we have to try as there is no doubt our home team missed out on promotion because of umpires calling off games.
Smack my pitch up
I bought two 60ft x 90 ft Pro tech sheets last year and will (hopefully) be buying four more more this year - two as side sheets and two for covering in the nets. I love them. They are light (two guys can easily handle a 60 x 90 if it's not too windy, and one guy can put one on in low wind conditions) and not to be confused with the older style sheets. Like the Climate Covers, they need relatively gentle handling if they are to last and ours are stored under a canvas type material when not in use for this reason.
I have also found them very durable and if they do get a small tear they tend to retain their strength well - other comparable sheets have a tendancy for tears to creep very quickly. That said, they will not last as long as the old style heavy sheets and on-site repairs are difficult if not impossible - all the temporary patches I've ever come across have been rubbish, irrepective of the company. Lifespan of the sheets is not really known as they haven't been around long enough but I'm confident of getting at least four years out of them before they start to become weak, so they are probably not a long term investment. A set of dome covers will of course last decades.
These sheets are NOT semi-permeable! They claim to be breathable but they are not breathable in the same way as the Climate Cover, which actually allow water vapour to pass through (when the sheet is dry on top). The Pro-tech sheets are 'breathable' in the sense that they are light enough to sit on top of the sward rather than squash it and so allow a certain amount of movement of moisture underneath. To be fair it is not their USP like with the Climate Cover.
They are great sheets though and if used insead of dome covers will work fine as long as you accept that a wicket will not dry out underneath them.
Thanks Mackay I was thinking it might be easier to manage a flat sheet in the event of a sudden downpour, if they only last 4 years hopefully I'll be working somewhere with much more sunshine by then.
Smack my pitch up
Two man job if the rain gets very heavy though and you won't want players with spikes any where near them!
Combination of the two tumblers, flat sheets for a shower and as side sheets, roll ons for prolonged rain.
11 Dec 2011 by Rizla
hello all..
our club bought an 80ft /30ft pro tech cover in march, it has saved two or three games last cricket season
why 80 /30 because 9 times out of ten it`s only me to put cover on , on reflection should have been an 85 long just a little more for the bowlers run up`s, i,am happy with the 30 ft, because we have a slope and i can cover two tracks up the hill !!. the players are quite good in not going any wear the covers with spikes so that helps !!
i use sand bags and pegs to keep it in place,
i don't have a water hog .. so the rain fall has got to go some were, usually off to the ends or down the slope which can be a problem .
the cover developed a leak along it`s centre seam , after talking to Stuart canvas they would have it back to check it out free of charge .
so all in all i,am pleased with the cover.
William
Fat old Sun
Whilst on this topic, does anyone have experience of the variations in heat and light from various colours of sheet, especially on roll ons. I am assuming a green or blue cover is warmer underneath than a white one, but is there any real difference at all?
Eddy, we have green covers and have noticed no difference regards pitch prep, only good difference is they stay cleaner and look smarter!!!!
Neil, thank you. I assume you mean the covers and not the turf underneath stays apparently cleaner. Anyone notice warmer soil or quicker drying under a darker cover?
Back to Top - Go to Next Unread Message
This Message is closed, you may not post a reply at this time
