An invaluable addition to your grounds maintenance fleet would be Turf Teq’s range of self-propelled, walk behind Power Rakes, Power Edger’s and Power Brooms.  Driven by a powerful13hp Honda® engine coupled to hydrostatic transmission, the American manufacturer’s machines will be shown at Saltex, in September, on the stand of UK importers, GroundsCare Products. 
 
The modular design consists of a base power unit to which any of the attachments can be quickly mounted. This enables you to purchase just one power unit  to drive all the accessories, thus reducing overall purchase and maintenance costs. It also allows the attachments  to be easily removed and reinstalled when needed, in order to pass through openings as small as 28 inches(711mm).  The tractor’s patented pivot action allows the attachment to operate straight ahead or to be instantly rotated to the left and right to accommodate differing working requirements.

The rake worked up the ground to break up the hard crust and make it soft and level for play. Prior to that, the Edger had been used to re-define the border between the infield and outfield

Power Rake
The Rake is the perfect tool for re-levelling areas of pitches and playing surfaces that have become damaged and uneven during use. Its 36” (915mm) wide drum, with tungsten carbide teeth, will easily loosen and level compacted areas such as goal mouths, wickets and baselines. It will quickly create a smooth, stone-free surface for re-seeding or turfing, and can also be used to scarify worn out grassed areas ready for over-seeding.

The raking depth can be quickly adjusted within the range 10 to 45mm, and the head can be instantly pivoted left or right for stone raking. Easy to manoeuvre in restricted areas, it makes an excellent all-round landscaping machine.

Sweeping untreated moss from a golf club carpark

Power Broom
The 46” (1168mm) wide, polypropylene brush is equally at home on grass or hard surfaces. It is great for quick removal of debris and snow from artificial pitches, grass and hard surfaces. Use it after concerts and events to clean up visitor and contractor debris; for removing tree debris from fairways without damage to the grass; for brushing untreated moss from hard standing areas such as tennis courts, car parks and terraces; for lawn de-thatching (optional kit needed); for brushing courts and pitches prior to line marking and for standing up and blossoming new artificial turf prior to installing filler material. In common with the Rake, the Broom head can be instantly angled left or right for working debris into windrows.

This bunker’s overhang was removed in a couple of minutes, leaving a crisp, compact edge

Power Edger
The Power Edger is an outstanding machine. It quickly redefines bunker, pitch and grass edges, creates new landscaping beds and tree rings, and will dig shallow slits and trenches; perfect for spot drainage. Trench sizes range from ½” to 5” width and up to 7” depth, enabling you to quickly dig a French drain with no damage to the surrounding grass.  Use the trencher also for installing path edging, low voltage cables, brick edgings or rabbit fencing and for whip planting.  The power and strength of the machine also allows it to be used as a stump grinder.
 
There is good news on the Hand Arm Vibration front also. Recently tested by independent assessors, Conformance Limited, levels are less than 5 m/s for all attachments. These low levels will be welcome news for users who have previously had to cope with far higher vibration emissions.

Aimed at Grounds Maintenance Professionals working in the sports industry, on private estates, in universities and schools, for local authorities or in the landscaping industry, these products enable the operator to complete tasks in a fraction of the time taken using traditional methods. They are available to purchase or to rent.

See them working on Stand DAC 19 at IOG SALTEX (Windsor Racecourse, September 2nd to 4th) or contact UK importers, GroundsCare Products to arrange an on-site demonstration. You can contact them on 0870 321 8900 or via their website www.groundscare-products.co.uk.