Staffordshire schools sports pitches to benefit from further investment

Staffordshire schools sports pitches to benefit from further investment

County Grounds Services, the grounds maintenance division of Staffordshire Education Department, has taken delivery of three specialist deep aerators to improve the quality of sports pitches at schools throughout the county.

The new Terra Spike XF machines, purchased from local turf maintenance dealer Burrows GM, will be used to aerate and relieve compaction on all types of sports pitches that fall under remit of the Education Department.

John Knott, Procurement Officer for County Grounds Services said, "This represents a significant investment for the Council and demonstrates their commitment to providing superior sports surfaces for local people. Deep aeration improves drainage and helps relieve compaction of the soil, which in turn helps promote healthy root growth and ultimately improves the playing surface.

"These new Wiedenmann machines are the latest on the market. We saw them at the Reaseheath College Show and had a demonstration shortly afterwards when we were comparing machines from different manufacturers. They are very quick compared to similar equipment and easy to operate. Operational speed is important and we will be able to target all sports surfaces in the region with machines strategically placed in the north, central and south of the county. If we have any spare capacity we will be in a position to contract out to other council departments."

Colin Goldfinch, area sales manager for Burrows GM added, "The XF has been designed with operators in mind; they have simple, easy to operate controls for depth and heave setting and an excellent anti-vibration system that makes it extremely comfortable, reducing significantly any vibration through the tractor to the operator. A further benefit is the ability to lift the machine on the move to avoid obstacles and to start it while out of the ground."

Photo: (l-r) John Knott of County Ground Services and Colin Goldfinch of Wiedenmann dealer Burrows GM at the handover of the new machines.