Tag Archive for: Sandfiller

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines

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It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines: Careful management of organic matter levels is critical to optimising both the health and play characteristics of golf greens.

When it comes to managing these thatch layers, there is no universal tool or technique that will suit every course, however methods and machines are now at our disposal that are far less disruptive and can incorporate additional operations such as simultaneous sand injection which helps to bring surfaces back into play even quicker. One such machine is the Sandfiller from GKB.

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines

It’s ‘Sandfiller Season’ says GKB Machines

The GKB Sandfiller scarifies the surface down to depths of up to 40mm, removing organic matter and creating channels which are simultaneously filled with sand or a combination of sand and seed – maximising efficiency and improving drainage and ground firmness in one pass. The unit features a 400L hopper to collect the removed material, leaving a clean and tidy finish and allowing the surface to be back in play almost instantly.

One venue who employed the services of a contractor last September to conduct the Sandfiller operation is Wenvoe Castle Golf Club. Head Greenkeeper Lucy Sellick explains, “The wetter winters, combined with a smaller than normal greenkeeping team, meant we were looking for a fast and effective solution to removing organic matter and firming up the greens. The contractor began on a Thursday morning, and by Friday lunchtime all 19 greens were back in play – with organic matter removed, backfilled with 22 tons of kiln-dried sand and just one team member brushing in the remaining surface sand. Any concerns we had about how the Sandfiller would handle our Mackenzie style slopes and undulations were also unfounded.”

“Now in February, our organic matter readings have reduced, and the greens are definitely firmer. Despite all the rainfall, we’ve managed to get a triple on the greens which just wouldn’t have been possible before.” She concludes, “We had the Sandfiller in during spring renovations back in 2023 to carry out scarification work only, and have it booked in again this September where it’ll play an important role in our pre-winter renovations and organic matter management once again.”

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GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens

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GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens: Contractors Marc Kerr Limited have praised the GKB Sandfiller for the benefits it brings to surfaces and operator alike.

Combining thatch removal and sand injection in one single pass, Owner Marc Kerr delivered fast, firm and free-draining greens to almost 30 golf courses during 2021, with the Sandfiller getting the job done in a time and cost-effective manner for both contractor and the club.

GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens

GKB Sandfiller delivers fast, firm greens

Marc has been using the Sandfiller for the last five years, conducting work at golf courses and bowling clubs nationwide. “Some methods of organic matter management can be really labour intensive and run the risk of taking the surfaces out of play, which is not ideal given the year-round demand from the members” he explains. Prior to the Sandfiller, Marc was using another machine which required multiple people to operate and left excess spoil and sand on the green which then had to be manually collected when the job was complete. “The speed and efficiency of being able to conduct both operations, single-handedly and leaving a clean and tidy finish was the main reason for the switch.”

The GKB Sandfiller scarifies the surface down to depths of up to 40mm, removing organic matter and creating channels which are simultaneously filled with sand or a combination of sand and seed. The unit also features a 400L hopper to collect the removed material, bringing the surface back into play almost instantly.

“We’re lucky to work with clubs of all levels, with some elite venues calling us in annually or bi-annually to pass over the greens with the Sandfiller. The interesting thing is the different schools of thought around the timing of the operation. Some like it done in the spring, to give them recovery from winter wear and damage and set up strong surfaces for the start of the season. Others like it throughout July and August, where we can mix seed in with the sand to optimise germination. The final group will request a visit in the late autumn, where the lateral aeration and slit slits will allow for better drainage and help the course to sustain winter play.”

He continues, “No matter the timing, the Sandfiller brings multiple benefits to a green, including improved percolation rates and better root growth. This machine has made the job much more time and cost effective and gives the greens teams quick recovery which is absolutely critical.”

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The Worker Is King: GKB Sandfiller

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The Worker Is King: GKB Sandfiller: GKB Machines, the company behind sustainable, reliable and robust maintenance machinery for natural, synthetic and hybrid turf are offering the possibility to remove organic matter and sand-fill in just one simple and efficient operation, thanks to the GKB Sandfiller.

Understanding the primary target and aspiration of greenkeepers is to achieve perfection from tee to green, the GKB Sandfiller helps fulfil this aspiration. Combining scarifying and sand-filling in one hassle free operation, this impressive machine takes a 6-person job and allows this working method to be executed by one person. Scarifying and sand-filling in this way means the surface always remains stable and improves the drainage system.

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandfiller

The Worker Is King: GKB Sandfiller

From the foundations of the reliable and much-praised GKB Combinator, the GKB Sandfiller encompasses its robust and effectiveness to provide the ultimate renovation tool. The GKB Sandfiller features a slitting rotor which is provided with carbide scarifying blades, these blades and a unique paddle attachment create wind to lift the removed material off the surface. Offering different thicknesses of 2, 3 and 4mm blades depending on the amount of organic matter that is needing to be removed and sand to be injected. The 1.2 metre working width of the machine allows jobs to be carried out quickly and efficiently with sand being injected every 4cms’ by the sand coulters.

The scarifying blades allow the removal of organic matter up to a depth of 4cm and the sideways-tipping hopper enables the immediate removal of the scarified material. Consequently, there’s no need to remove excess material from the surface. Once the hopper has been emptied, simply refill the separate sand hopper with drainage sand.

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617 to enquire about the GKB Sandfiller to help give you the best playing surfaces possible.

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Sandfiller fufills aspirations for Marc Kerr

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Sandfiller fufills aspirations for Marc Kerr: Established in 2007, Marc Kerr Limited are a sport surface specialist. Working from golf greens to bowling greens and finishes, including pre and end of season renovations, the GKB Sandfiller was the perfect partner for their company needs.

Creating perfection from the Green until the Tee, the GKB Sandfiller combines scarifying, removal and sand-filling in just one simple operation. Using his machine for Golf Greens, Bowling Greens and sometimes Golf Tees, Marc Kerr, Director at Marc Kerr LTD said “I used to run two sand injection gardens and still do but switching to the Sandfiller has made a similar process more efficient and safer.

Sandfiller fufills aspirations for Marc Kerr

Sandfiller fufills aspirations for Marc Kerr

A great benefit to this machine is that unlike other working methods which require 6 or more people, the working method of the GKB Sandfiller can be executed by just one person. Marc adds “The GKB Sandfiller has also added to huge reductions in manpower, less weather dependents and better working depths.”

In order to lift the removed material, the machine features a slitting rotor with carbide scarifying blades as well as an attachment to the blades which creates wind. With blade thicknesses available ranging from 2-4mm and the centres fixed at 40mm, the GKB Sandfiller encompasses versatility.

The featured scarifying blades will remove the thatch until it reaches a 4cm depth. Following this, the scarified and removed material is immediately distributed to a sideways-tipping container.

With over 20 years of experience and industry specialists, it was perfect duo to combine Marc Kerr with the GKB Sandfiller. Praising GKB Machines for their fantastic customer service. Marc adds “GKB’s equipment is strong and trusted within the industry and as a contractor you don’t worry about breakdowns which you might do with other manufacturers equipment.

GKB Machines are always looking ahead of the game and striving to create products to keep at the forefront of innovation. Marc continues, “the product range is always moving forward with great ideas.”

For more on GKB Machines and their reliable and robust range of machinery for natural, hybrid and synthetic turf, please visit www.gkbmachines.com or contact Tom Shinkins on 07495 883617.

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