Grounds Maintenance Specialists Ltd add Wiedenmann Terra Clean 160 for new school season

Val Grahamin Machinery & Mechanics

Wiedenmann Terra Clean 160 GMS
One of NE England's leading grounds maintenance contractors, Grounds Maintenance Specialists Ltd has taken delivery of a Wiedenmann Terra Clean 160.

The Northumberland based company which covers North and South Tyneside, Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland, has a sizeable portfolio of education establishments on its books, with a growing emphasis on artificial maintenance.

Julian Acton, GMS Director, said: "We have almost 200 school clients, all of whom expect a first rate service. Increasingly customers are aware that lifting litter is only part of what needs to be done and they appreciate that with 20 years' experience we are in a good position to advise."

"Some of the more elite surfaces have around a million filaments per square metre and under the terms of their carpet warranty have to be carefully maintained on a regular basis. Pitch owners are recognising now that if a synthetic pitch is 'cared for' then it more likely to achieve its allotted life span."

"Many stand-alone sites aren't always in a position to maintain their own pitches. In some instances they have nowhere to store machinery or can only afford limited kit. As a contractor we have different machines for specific tasks and are used to devising bespoke programmes where we pick litter, redistribute the infill and deep clean the pitch. At this time of year, leaves and other wind fall get in between fibres and if not removed, their build up can lead to problems with drainage or encourage moss and algal."

The Terra Clean 160 is the fifth Wiedenmann machine in the GMS fleet and will serves as a sweeper, cleaner and collector. It has a cyclone filter system which draws and removes dust cleverly inspired by the engineering solutions pioneered by trucks operating in sandy deserts.

"We wanted this particular machine because it combines both a sieved separation system with a dust cyclone extraction system to filter and remove miniscule deposits. The exceptional deep cleaning capability targets powdered rubber crumb. These tiny, fine particles can cause havoc to a pitch because they seal the playing surface and compact the yarn. Once this happens ball roll and play-abilty is compromised so regular deep cleaning is vital," said Julian Acton.

See Wiedenmann UK at Saltex, Stand A080 at the NEC Birmingham from Nov 2-3, 2016

Want the latest news, ideas and exclusive offers direct to your inbox?
Then sign up to our weekly newsletter today.