Clearing up Greens in double quick time

Turf maintenance and renovation contracts have been transformed for Warwickshire-firm, Avonmore Associates, following the addition of a Turfmech SQRL walk-behind greens sweeper to the company's machinery fleet.

Purchased primarily for clearing-up following scarifying and hollow coring operations, the SQRL has produced time savings of up to 50 per cent accompanied by significant reductions in manpower and effort.

"Before we purchased the SQRL, three or four staff were employed to collect and remove thatch debris and hollow cores from bowling and golf greens using brooms, shovels and wheelbarrows," commented Brian Buttler, founder of Avonmore Associates. "One man can now do the same job in close to half the time, bringing major cost savings and helping us fit more work into a day. The machine has transformed our operations."

Founded almost 20 years ago by Mr Buttler, Avonmore Associates is based near Stratford-upon-Avon and specialises in the maintenance, renovation and construction of quality turf surfaces used for sports, leisure and recreation purposes.

The decision to purchase Turfmech's SQRL was not a difficult one, explained Mr Buttler. "Clearing-up following turf scarifying and hollow coring has always been a very labour intensive job," he said. "In mechanising the complete operation, the SQRL demonstrated that it could dramatically reduce the time and effort involved. It was a no-brainer and we have now ordered a second machine."

Powered by a 13hp Honda engine, the SQRL gathers surface debris using a 600mm (24in) wide, fully-floating combined brush/paddle head which elevates collected material into a 0.35 cu m (12.4 cu ft) hopper. The hopper is hydraulically raised for emptying and has a maximum above-ground clearance of 1.2m (4ft) when tipped.

Available for demonstrations nation-wide, the SQRL is priced at £10,695 + VAT.

Picture :- The Turfmech SQRL greens sweeper has transformed clear-up operations for Warwickshire contract firm, Avonmore Associates.

web: www.turfmech.co.uk