TORO Irrigation for the High-Flying Falcons

TORO Irrigation for the High-Flying Falcons

By Lucy Ohsten

A controller operates the system, controlling each sprinkler individually. There is complete flexibility to run any of the sprinklers consecutively, in any sequence. This includes the capability to run just the centre units at any time, to water the middle of the pitch where there is greatest wear. Using the new system, the whole pitch can be watered in 32 minutes, with around 9,000 litres being applied over that time. Water is taken from the mains supply. The project includes plans for the system later to be extended to irrigate an adjacent training area the size of two pitches.

Head groundsman at the Zurich Premiership club is Ray Grieve. Behind the decision to install a new system lay a need to get water on the pitch as part of measures to improve the quality of the turf, which was taking a lot of wear because among other things it is also used by Newcastle United FC for its reserve team matches.

Football club managers are notorious for wanting pitches watered just prior to kick-off, to give the surface some 'slip'. This means getting water down fast. So being able to provide this facility for United was another reason why Ray and the club looked to bring in a new irrigation system. Par 4 Irrigation's managing director, Graeme Francis, said: "Ray Grieve is very happy with the system and, like all groundsmen with new irrigation, he wonders how he ever worked without it."

Toro Irrigation products are distributed in the UK by Lely (UK) Limited, Station Road, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 1QH; tel: 01480 226800, fax: 01480 226801.Email: toro.info@lely.co.uk