Independent trials confirm that Wiedenmann’s Core Recycler can save 40% of top dressing inputs. Results released by the Sports Turf Research Institute also state that turf treated with the Core Recycler had significantly lower disease incidence and that the recycling of cores helps maintain a significantly higher active bacterial and fungal population.
Wiedenmann UK said: “This is great news. The machine was developed in tandem with golf course managers and contractors specifically to help reduce costs and time spent after hollow coring. This proves that recycling indigenous root zone is the obvious natural choice and also points to huge savings in labour and time taken.”
The Core Recycler is a revolutionary machine which collects and recycles hollow cores. Fresh cores are lifted via a rotating brush and processed through a series of four adjustable steel mesh sieves which move in sequence. The sieves can be set to accommodate different core lengths and diameters. As the hollow cores are propelled along the sieves, the soil and sand content is separated from the fibrous material. The soil and sand mix falls back to the ground while the less desirable fibrous material is collected in a hopper. After separation the indigenous ‘good’ material can be returned to the surface.
Two test areas of a sand soil based green [80:20] were created at the STRI’s Bingley HQ in West Yorkshire. Hollow tining took place on both plots and afterwards one area had the cores lifted manually with medium grade sand brushed in to make good the surface levels, while the other plot had the Core Recycler lift cores and return indigenous sand soil mix to the surface before also being topped up with sand.
STRI’s Research Manager Dr Christian Spring, who over saw the trials during a 24 month period, said: “The main effects of the Wiedenmann Core Recycler compared to conventionally collecting and removing cores were that it maintained soli organic matter to the same level but use of the Core Recycler reduced top dressing inputs by on average 40%. Disease incidence was significantly lower on Core Recycled plots and recycling of cores helped to maintain a significantly higher active bacterial and fungal populations.
“The benefits of using the Wiedenmann Core Recycler are clear and when used as part of a sensible maintenance programme, would provide a very useful tool in a greenkeeper or groundsman’s armoury.
Another finding from the STRI research was that, when coupled with appropriate nutrient inputs, the core recycled area had a greener colouration. The main reasons given for this were the release of nutrients from the recycled material, in addition to elevated microbial community facilitating nutrient release and uptake.
Wiedenmann UK said: “Investing in a core recycler makes good financial sense. Saving 40% on top dressing purchases is just one part of it though; if you deploy the core recycler you tie up considerably fewer staff for a far shorter period. Interruptions to play are also reduced as time taken from lifting cores to returning the surface to play is dramatically shorter. Lastly, factor the benefits of greener less stressed turf and it seems the ultimate win:win machine.”
