A L L Y O U N E E D T O K N O W

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1 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

2 CONTENTS What is Thatch?... 4 Thatch Problems... 5 Why Graden?... 7 Water/Air Movement... 8 Coring versus Graden CSI Numbers Game Blades GS04 Specifications GBS1200 Specifications SW04 Swing Wing Specifications CSI Sand Injection Specifications Four steps to perfect turf/graden Parts Testimonial Contact details Issue

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4 THATCH Thatch is that tightly intermingled layer of dead and living parts (roots, shoots, stems, stolons, leaf tissue, etc) that develops between the green vegetation and soil surface Dr Martin Ferguson Leaf clippings contribute very little to thatch buildup. Roots, rhizomes and stolons are major contributors to thatch as they have a high lignin concentration and resist decomposition. How much is too much? A thatch layer of up to ½ /13mm can be beneficial as it can improve wear tolerance and insulates the soil from extremes in air temperature. When thatch levels accumulate beyond this the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. Some of the many problems that can occur are detailed on the following pages. These problems will be exaggerated when excessive thatch layers are present. The picture on the right shows a very severe thatch problem on a USGA constructed green. You can also see that by failing to fill the hollow core hole to the surface the space has started filling up with thatch. This worst case scenario means there is no root structure left and the vicious thatch cycle continues. Thatch production is inevitable and is without doubt one of the most common problems encountered on golf courses and sports surfaces throughout the world. There are many different factors which contribute to excessive thatch accumulation. Some of these factors include grass species, climate, acidic conditions, poor aeration, high nitrogen nutritional levels and over wetting. 4

5 THATCH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE THATCH Reduction in air exchange Reduced water infiltration Poor seed germination THE SOLUTION Severe dry patch Inability to cope with drought and high temperatures Increased disease and insect problems Soft spongy playing surfaces GRADEN CONTOUR SAND INJECTION Shallow rooting system Quite possibly the most important development in thatch removal... ever! 5

6 SAND INJECTION FROM 1½ CUTS, REMOVES, FILLS, FIRMS IN 1 PASS! 6

7 Thatch is responsible directly or indirectly for the majority of problems experienced by golf courses. With increased popularity of some of the new varieties of Creeping Bent grass and Bermuda grasses and changing legislation throughout Europe on the use of chemicals, many greenkeepers are having to go back to basics and carry out more cultural practices. In order to promote a stronger and healthier plant and try to reduce the risk of disease and poor playing surfaces, the priority must be to reduce the thatch levels. This will increase soil oxygen levels and improve water penetration. This may be essential for the turf but unfortunately it is not seen the same way in the eyes of most golfers. The range of pedestrian and tractor mounted Gradens have been of huge benefit to clubs due to the fact that there is minimal disruption to play whilst hitting large areas of the surface (see table on page 11 for more details). With different blade widths each cutting an exceptionally clean, continuous groove in the turf, this can impact up to 250% more surface area for material removal and aeration compared with conventional coring. Limitations - The Graden has proved very popular worldwide, the only limitation with the machine was that it sometimes proved difficult to get sand worked back into the grooves. This varied with ground conditions, method of clearing and also depth of operation due to the stability of the surface as so much material is removed. This led to a few agronomists and users reverting back to Coring as they felt it was easier to work sand back into to the profile, in practice it is often difficult to get core holes filled up. This has inspired the evolution of the Graden Contour Sand Injector which eliminates these issues giving even better results regardless of depth of operation. WHY GRADEN? The introduction of the new Graden Contour Sand Injector moves the Graden process to a whole new level due to the immediate introduction of sand into the thatch profile, this will instantly help firm the surface, improve healing times, provide an ideal environment for seed and with accurately filling the grooves this ensures the top dressing is situated exactly where it needs be. Disruption to ball roll will be reduced even further which is hugely beneficial for today s golfers looking for year round play. The Graden Contour Sand Injector is specifically for targeting the top 1½ and is sure to prove another valuable management tool in the greenkeepers armoury. Used as part of a programme it complements existing widely practiced operations such as verti cutting, solid tining, venting, water injection and deep tine aeration etc. 7

8 WATER / AIR MOVEMENT Surface drainage is extremely important to every green, including those that drain well internally. Even the best constructed rootzone will gradually drain more slowly. This is due to the production of organic matter by the plant i.e. thatch and the introduction of soil fines into the rootzone. Good drainage is without doubt very influential to the overall performance of the green particularly in adverse weather conditions and in areas where the water quality is less than ideal. If the rootzone becomes saturated it can remain so for long periods of time, this results in anaerobic conditions (without oxygen) which will lead to increased risk of disease and poor playing surface. 8

9 WATER / AIR MOVEMENT Many clubs spend substantial amounts of money improving drainage such as sand or gravel banding, Drill and Fill etc. The top will seal with organic matter or fines and the efficiency of any drainage is massively reduced. The Graden provides an ideal tool for penetrating through the upper surface and connecting to the next level, largely due to the creation of a continuous groove and therefore impacting more of the surface. This will help with water and nutrient penetration and also allows for increased air exchange. The above picture shows a Drill and Fill vertical sand channel that had lost its effectiveness due to the top sealing over. It was grooved using 8mm blades to allow incorporation of compatible sand (Sand Injection wasn t available) to connect it to the surface again. USGA greens section drawing. Not to scale. 9

10 ADVANTAGES Detailed below is a general comparison between the Graden and Coring. This is based on calculations and observations using the Graden Contour Sand Injector fitted with 3mm Graden Blades at 1 (25mm) Spacings and standard Hollow Coring at ½ (13mm) Tines at 2 x 2 (50 x 50mm) Spacings for thatch removal. CORING Ability to operate at depths of 3-4 (75mm-100mm) Cores can be easier to collect V GRADEN CSI Impacts 250% more surface area Far less disruption to ball roll Increased tillering of grasses Ideal groove for overseeding Top dressing is incorporated directly into the thatch profile Can instantly improve surface firmness Improved surface drainage Increased air exchange Operating at similar depths will remove far more biomass and thatch than standard coring Improves surface smoothness GRADEN CSI 25mm spacing 25mm depth CORING 50mm spacing 100mm depth Golfers are more tolerant of grooves 10

11 An article written by USGA agronomists suggested that on mature greens the area impacted each year should be about 15%-20%. This is based on controlling organic matter buildup and intended as a general guide as there are many variable factors. If there is an existing thatch layer these figures will have to be increased to address the problem. The table below shows a comparison between Coring and Gradening for impacting surface area for thatch removal. The Graden blades have been accurately measured and are wider than 1, 2 and 3mm, the figures are based on NUMBERS GAME the actual widths of the blades. We have also measured the inside diameter of the bottom of new hollow tines (plug size is determined by this) which is far less than the specified tine size, the area impacted will increase as tines wear. Results are from largest tines tested and will vary with different manufacturers. Inch mm Tine Size Actual Spacing % Surface Impacted for removal No of treatments to Impact 20% ¼ mrn 1 x1 3.61% 5 5 ¼ mm 1 x2 1.80% 11.1 ¼ mm 2 x2 0.90% / mm 1 x1 8.28% / mm 1 x2 4.14% / mm 2 x2 2.07% 9.7 ½ mm 2 x % 1.4 ½ mm 1 x1 7.19% 2.8 ½ mm 1 x2 3.59% 5.6 ¾ mm 1 x % 0.9 ¾ mm 1 x % 1.8 ¾ mm 2 x2 5.61% 3.6 Blade Spacing % Surface Impacted for removal No of treatments to Impact 20% 1mm 3 /64 9mm 3 / % 1.9 1mm 3 /64 13mm ½ 9.09% 2.2 1mm 3 /64 25mm % 4.0 1mm 3 /64 30mm 1¼ 4.15% 4.8 2mm 5 /64 13mm ½ 15.10% 1.3 2mm 5 /64 25mm % 2.4 2mm 5 /64 30mm 1¼ 7.09% 2.8 3mm 1 /8 13mm ½ 22.10% 0.9 3mm 1 /8 25mm % 1.6 3mm 1 /8 30mm 1¼ 10.38% 1.9 4mm 5 /32 25mm % 1.3 6mm ¼ 25mm %

12 BLADES BLADES SPACERS 1mm ( 3 /64 ) 9mm ( 3 /8 ) 2mm ( 5 /64 ) 13mm (½ ) 3mm ( 1 /8 ) 25mm (1 ) 30mm (1¼ ) There are variable blade and spacer widths as detailed, these can be set up on the standard shaft to any configuration to suit individual needs. If your approach is light but frequent 1mm blades can be spaced close together for concentrating on the top ½ (13mm) for removing material or overseeding with bent. The standard configuration is 1, 2 or 3mm blades at 1 (25mm) spacings but the spacings can be combined to give a greater width if stability is an issue. Equally blades can be combined to create any thing up to a 12mm (½ ) blade for very aggressive dethatching. The machine has the power, strength and blade design to create an exceptionally clean groove to cope with any desired configuration. 12

13 GS04 SPECIFICATIONS Engine (optional key start available) Drive Wheels Cutting Depth Cutting Width Width Length Height Weight Honda 13hp - GX390 Unleaded petrol HYDROSTATIC Forward/Reverse Variable speed Front - 15 x Tube type Rear - 6 (150mm) solid rubber Variable up to 1¾ (45mm) 16 (400mm) 33 (840mm) 59 (1500mm) 41 (1040mm) 360lbs (165kg) Original Graden, ideal for Golf Greens, Tees, Approaches Cricket Squares, Bowling Greens, Tennis Courts, Lawns. Manufacturer s specification may change without prior notice. 13

14 GBS1200 SPECIFICATIONS Drive Tractor Tyres Cutting Depth Cutting Width Width Length Height Weight P.T.O. / Gearbox / V-Belts 6 per machine 20hp /3.5-4 Tube Slick Tyres 4 per machine Heavy Duty bearing in wheel rims Variable up to 1¾ (45mm) 48 (1200mm) 41 (1050mm) 61 (1540mm) 20 (500mm) 620 bs (280kg) 1.2m Straight Reeled Tractor Mounted, ideal for flat areas, such as Sports Pitches, Cricket Squares, Tennis Courts, Golf Tees, Relatively Flat Greens, Approaches, etc. Manufacturer s specification may change without prior notice. 14

15 SWING WING 1.5 & 2M (MAXI) SPECIFICATIONS Drive Tractor Tyres Cutting Depth Cutting Width Width Length Height Weight P.T.O. / Gearbox / V-Belts 8 per machine 30hp /3.5-4 Tube Slick Tyres 8 per machine Heavy Duty bearing in wheel rims Variable up to 1¾ (45mm) 59 (1500mm) or 79 (2000mm) 79 (2000mm) or 98 (2480mm) 57 (1450mm) 37 (950mm) 727lbs (330kg) or 794 bs (360kg) Tractor Mounted with 3 individual floating heads, ideal for all areas of Golf Courses, Greens, Tees, Fairways. Manufacturer s specification may change without prior notice. 15

16 CSI SAND INJECTION SPECIFICATIONS Engine Drive Wheels Cutting Depth Cutting Width Width Length Height Weight Sandbox Capacity Honda 23hp - v-twin Unleaded petrol Key start HYDROSTATIC Forward/Reverse Variable speed Front - 16 x Tube tyre Rear - 9 x Tube tyre Variable up to 1½ (40mm) 21 (525mm) 37 (950mm) 50 (1250mm) 48 (1220mm) 640lbs (290kg) 165Ibs (75kg) The CSI has a floating head, which follows undulating areas such as golf greens, tees and approaches, but with the ability to inject sand and seed. Manufacturer s specification may change without prior notice. 16

17 CSI SAND INJECTION Surface before (above) and after debris collection (right) showing minimal disturbance, leaving the green ready for immediate play. 17

18 FOUR STEPS TO PERFECT TURF GRADEN PARTS To keep your machine in original working order it is imperative to only fit original manufacturers parts, including blades. Our parts department stocks 1000 s of parts that are just a phone call away. As the owner of a Redexim Charterhouse supplied machine, you ll appreciate the quality of the build, but even the best break down now and again. When this happens you ll want to get the machine up and running as quickly as possible, and be sure the replacement part will do as good a job as the original. Then there s those wearing parts, like blades, that need to match the specification of those that were delivered with the machine. Our genuine spare and replacement parts are manufactured to the highest specifications, which are well in advance of any imitations. The high productivity of our machines, with little downtime, is assured with genuine parts. 18

19 TESTIMONIAL Rated as Best in County and 16 th in England, West Sussex is a popular inland golf course located on the Northern edge of the South Downs. With a reputation like that to uphold, Course Manager Ian Streeter enlisted the help of a Graden for the course s scarification requirements - and has benefitted two-fold from his efforts! Five years ago Ian decided to invest in a Graden Swing Wing and a Contour Sand Injector (CSI). I ve been familiar with the Graden machinery for a number of years as we used to contract R&K Kensett in to work their magic with the CSI machine, explained Ian. After trying other methods of thatch removal we just weren t getting the results we desired on our greens, and couldn t believe the results we were achieving with the CSI. Now supported by Charterhouse Turf Machinery, Ian has continued the Graden work on the greens once or twice a year as well as moving onto the tees and approaches. Due to the level of thatch on our greens, we started scarifying with the CSI at a depth of 25mm but this has gradually come up to 15mm as the thatch level has decreased. I would estimate that overall the thatch content has reduced by 70% and continues to reduce with every pass. The CSI is a scarifier/aerator with the ability to scarify to any depth between 1mm-40mm, whilst simultaneously backfilling the grooves with either sand or a combination of sand and seed. Its ability to do both jobs in one pass reduces play downtime without causing any detrimental effect to the firmness of the ground. Ian has received positive feedback from the club and players alike on how the greens have quickened up, firmed up and general play has improved. Ian Streeter pictured with his CSI Not only has Ian achieved better quality greens, now that the thatch level has reduced significantly he has been able to undertake a species exchange. Before the Graden work, the greens at West Sussex were approximately 80% Poa. Now able to overseed with bent grasses, they are roughly 70% bent offering a more sustainable surface in terms of required water and chemical input. The Graden machinery has been one of the best purchases I ve made. It has completely turned around our greens and I now would never use anything else. 19

20 Redexim World Headquarters Redexim BV, Kwekerijweg 8, 3709 JA, Zeist, The Netherlands Phone: (31) Fax: (31) verti-drain@redexim.com Charterhouse TURF MACHINERY Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd 9 Weydown Road Ind Est, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1DW Phone: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) sales@charterhouse-tm.co.uk I Charterhouse Turf Machinery Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Redexim BV, Holland