Verti-Drain proves a sporting all-rounder

Fiona Gebbettin Industry News

008Founded in the 19th century, Glasgow Academicals Club has a packed programme throughout the year, with 10 pitches catering for football, rugby, hockey and cricket as well as athletics.

Three synthetic pitches and tennis courts complete the extensive facilities which make for a busy workload for head groundsman Robert Cheape and his team.
A vital tool in his armoury is a high capacity 2.1m working width Charterhouse Verti-Drain 7521 purchased five years ago.

"This machine has a high output, covering two pitches a day and is also extremely versatile working with a range of tines to different depths and for a variety of uses," explains Robert.

It is used to great effect on the cricket square once the season is coming to an end in August, right through to the following spring in preparation for the new campaign.

"Fitted with half inch pencil tines, the Verti-Drain is used once a month through the winter to boost the health of the cricket table, which becomes compacted by the heavy rolling in season," explains Robert. "As well as aerating the soil, this helps get rainwater down through the surface."

He aims to Verti-Drain all of the pitches once a month, swapping tines for optimum results.

"009The winter pitches, for example are treated with one inch tines, to remove compaction and keep them in good condition throughout the season. We also work to varying depths to avoid the build up of pans. Fortunately, through using plenty of top dressing, we have free draining soils so we can get onto the pitches even in wet weather."

Robert comments that the Verti-Drain is a 'fantastic machine' and that he has already decided that it will be replaced directly with the latest version of the same model when the time comes to swap it in 18 months.

"It is still in excellent condition. We have looked after it well, but it has cost next to nothing in repairs. We get through a lot of tines, but then we do a lot of work!"

He adds that he has also enjoyed excellent service from Charterhouse Turf Machinery, and that representative Richard Heywood drops in regularly to check that the Verti-Drain is running well.

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd., Weydown Industrial Estate,
Weydown Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1DW UK
Tel: +44 (0)1428 661222 - Fax: +44 (0)1428 661218 - www.charterhouseturfmachinery.co.uk

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