Tag Archive for: dressing

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

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Lawn Top Dressing applicator: Would your business or sports club benefit by using a lawn top dresser to quickly and easily spread, top dressing, sand or compost onto fine turfed lawns, bowling greens, croquet lawns and cricket wickets?

Your company could increase profits by offering this service to existing customers or if you wish carry out this type of work on your sports surfaces, then an Eco 250s spreader, available in the UK from Geko Engineering Limited could make the job easier and faster.

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

Lawn Top Dressing applicator

Spreading top dressing is a time consuming but essential routine task which needs to be carried out at least annually to fill in minor hollows in the surface and also improve soil condition and drainage. The traditional method of using a wheelbarrow and shovel to deposit material on the low spots, then level out with a lute can be used but this is extremely hard work and slow going on anything larger than a small area.

Until now few alternatives were available to smaller companies and sporting clubs who understand the benefits of top dressing and wish to add this service in addition to aeration and scarification as part of an annual maintenance program but could not justify the initial expenditure or charge for the labour time and effort required.

The Ecolawn Eco250s top dresser can spread up to approximately 1 tonne per hour evenly and quickly and is within the finances of most companies especially if a financing option or sports grant is used.

Operation of the machine is simple,

  • fill the hopper, drive the machine to the spread zone,
  • adjust the door opening to select how much material to discharge
  • engage the conveyor and drive the machine forwards at a brisk walking pace.
  • Adding the EcoSeeder attachment allows overseeding to take place simultaneously saving even more time, and offers a further revenue stream.

All Ecolawn powered machines utilise the professional grade Honda GX160 engine ensuring easy starting and reliable running. Machine controls are connected by linkages adjustable from the operating position, making adjustments whilst on the move possible. Servicing and maintenance requirements are minimal and easy to carry out by most people with basic knowledge therefore keeping the machine in good condition at minimum cost. Other advantages of these compact machines are their small size and low weight providing access through most gateways and transport between jobs by medium size van or small trailer.

Geko Engineering Limited are the sole UK distributor for the Ecolawn range, why not contact us now and find out more about Ecolawn machines.

Note to Editors:  Geko Engineering Ltd, supply professional landscaping equipment domestically and internationally. Working with manufacturers and distributors to provide specialist equipment/

Our range includes but is not limited to; Top dressing / compost spreaders, Spray equipment, Tree stump grinder attachment suitable for mini excavators, air spade non contact excavation tool, mowers, debris vacuums, leaf loaders, aerators, powered brushes

We offer UK delivery with personal handover on some products to ensure our customers understand operation and maintenance

(contact details for further information).

Geko Engineering Ltd.

Unit 16 Sherdley Road

Lostock Hall

Preston, Lancashire

PR5 5JF

Tel +44 (0)1772 459049

Mob+44 (0)7770 683679

email sales@gekoengineering.co.uk

Web http://www.gekoengineering.co.uk/

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Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?

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Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?: Mansfield Sand has revealed that an increasing number of sports turf mangers are relying on a sand dressing as a solution to earthworm casting.

“After over three decades of greenkeeping and a few years of winter sports turf management, I am fully aware of the frustration caused by worm casts,” said Gary Cunningham, Football & Golf Sales Representative for Mansfield Sand.

Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?

Can sand dressing provide a solution to worm casts?

“Whilst most earthworm activity goes unnoticed and has a role to play in soil management, its activity can have a detrimental impact on managed amenity grass surfaces. Besides being unsightly, it can lead to the deterioration in playing surfaces – allowing weed infestation, less resistance to turf disease and damage to mowing equipment. All of these inevitably also lead to increased management costs.”

Historically, surface casting was controlled by various chemical solutions. However, over recent years these options have been withdrawn from the market due to environmental protection concerns. This has left turf managers looking for alternative solutions to an age-old inconvenience.

There are several great articles and studies which have been published, and in each situation, sand dressing is shown to supress casting worm activity to some extent on managed areas.

Whilst this is not a quick fix and does depend on several factors such as local climate, soil temperature and time of year, what is apparent is that a sustained programme of sand dressing problem areas does reduce casting worm activity. In turn, casts become a sandier loam which can be easily dispersed without any smearing. This will also lessen the material build-up and not cause any issues with mowing equipment.

Mansfield Sand provides two well-known grades of silica sand to the sports market, MM35 and MM40 – which are sourced directly from the company’s Two Oaks quarry in Mansfield.

“Regular topdressing with MM35 or MM40 can help to manage casting worm activity,” continued Gary. “It can certainly help to make it easier once you build up the level of sand in the rootzone.

“Furthermore, using the right grade of high-quality sand is vital to the overall health and performance of a managed sports surface. Therefore, sports facilities that regularly apply sand dressings as part of their management programme, benefit from improved rootzones leading to better drainage and plant health.

“We may never be able to supress casting earthworm activity completely, but more and more turf managers are significantly reducing them by topdressing with sand.”

From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all, and the products have long been relied upon at stadium and training ground facilities; championship golf courses and world class show jumping arenas.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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