Hurlingham club invest in new Antonio Carraro tractor
Hurlingham Club grounds manager Peter Craig has taken delivery of a new Antonio Carraro tractor from Carraro UK.
The Carraro was chosen by Peter for its powerful performance, its ability to tackle heavy duty work and easy operation . . . and because its classic design blends discreetly with ease into this uniquely English club.
Craig has been at Hurlingham, a private members club, for 15 years and is renowned as one of Britain's leading grounds managers.
Following an early stint at Lancashire Cricket Club, he went on to complete his training at Ealing Cricket Club before moving on to manage the grounds at the famous Lensbury Club. This solid background provided the springboard for his move to The Hurlingham Club in 1998.
The Hurlingham Club overlooks the Thames in Fulham and is set in 42 acres (17 hectares) of magnificent grounds. It is recognised throughout the world as one of Britain's greatest private members' sporting clubs and retains its historical significance while at the same time providing modern facilities and services for its members; including tennis, swimming, croquet and of course golf.
Hurlingham was once the headquarters of British polo and the governing body is still called the Hurlingham Polo Association. Polo moved to the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park after the last war.
Peter's responsibilities transcend the usual ground maintenance requirements. He has to ensure the 25 groundstaff under his control carry out their essential daily work in a way that is highly efficient - but unobtrusive. And this applies to the equipment they use to do the job too.
The Antonio Carraro TRX7800 Ergit 100 is the second Carraro purchased by Peter for the club. "I have always been particularly impressed with the quality of work this machine produces," said Peter
"It is a quick and agile tractor capable of a lot of heavy duty work. We often use it with a fork attachment to move pallets of sand and soil around the grounds. It also has low impact on the surface and can be used regularly for aerating with a verti-drain.
"The look is also very pleasing on the eye and lends itself to the gloriously historical and, quintessentially, English setting that we are privileged to work in."
The Carraro features large isodiametric wheels which provide superior traction without disturbing the surface. The oscillating ACTIO™ full chassis ensures stability and constant adherence to the ground allowing demanding tools to be towed and/or pushed - even at the same time.
There is no doubt that the Carraro is a true thoroughbred.