... the rubber is gentle when in contact with the delicate roots
COMPACTION and poor drainage are major problems for any well used natural turf surface, whether it’s a sports surface or a prized lawn. Over the years, many different solutions have been developed to combat these problems, some of which require expensive equipment and most only offer short term solution. In the early 1970’s, with these
problems in mind, Ray Lodge, author of a number of books and articles on the subject of All Weather Equestrian Surfaces, began researching into innovative and inexpensive alternative solutions. His initial research focused on problems facing the Equestrian industry where hard, compacted ground causes many serious injuries. It was quickly realised that the same problems that befell horses were also problems in most other field activities using natural turf surfaces. After many trials and studies rubber
fibre granules made from recycled tyres were found to be a highly effective and simple method of achieving the desired effect. Subsequent studies by Manchester University and the STRI confirmed the results. Welcome to the safe world of rubber crumb. Rubber Crumb Turf Reinforcement can be used in any grassed areas where there has been, or there is an expectation of, heavy wear for example:
• Lawns • Golf Courses • Sports Fields
• Local Community grassed areas e.g. parks and gardens
• Pathways and bridleways
• Horse event areas - Racecourses, Gallops, Show Jumping & Dressage
It may also be utilised where damage has already taken place and repairs are needed.
Application of the rubber crumb will generate a robust and resilient turf that could not come from selected seed and soil mixtures alone. This resilience springs from the nature of rubber itself which, unlike normal soil crumb, does not break-down when compressed, but resumes its original form thus keeping the soil structure ‘open’. However, unlike grit, which will also help to keep the structure of soil open, the rubber is gentle when in contact with the delicate roots of young grass and assists in the regeneration of new turf.
Rubber crumb has many benefits:
• Turfed area under treatment is immediately available for normal usage and routine maintenance procedures (mowing etc)
• Quickly becomes a part of the soil and the turf forming a flexible turf/rubber ‘mat’
• Assists moisture conservation • Inhibits soil compaction
• Aids recovery from depression and wear from feet, wheels etc.
• Protects root crowns
• The rubber absorbs and retains heat within the rootzone encouraging root growth
Rubber crumb quickly becomes enmeshed with the grass and with the grass roots, and is incorporated into the soil or other growing medium such as sand, peat etc. This bonding of the fibre with the underlying soil and root structure creates an extremely robust, resilient and wear resistant base, which
to the new surface at Druids Lodge Polo Club by contractors M J Abbott
Rubber Crumb being rotavated in
protects the grass and allows regeneration.
Additional applications over subsequent seasons will further increase the resilience and level of protection provided. The use of the larger sized Rubber Fibre Chip has the additional benefit of having larger air spaces between the pieces. This promotes a healthier root zone, retaining moisture in dry weather and assisting drainage in wet weather. Recycled rubber crumb itself is
‘Hydrophobic’ meaning it will not absorb water; in fact it will repel water, something that is obviously a great benefit in a tyre. However the presence of the crumb in the ground actually creates an environment that will hold moisture just below the surface. Experience shows that the use of rubber crumb reduces the amount of watering required by over 20%. In addition to this, rubber crumb encourages much deeper root growth enabling the plant to withstand drier conditions. Dr Tim Lodge of Agrostis, one of the UK’s leading turf agronomists said “Recycled rubber crumb incorporated into turf rootzone materials or applied as a top dressing is one of the most exciting developments of recent years in the industry. Not only does this conform to the general need to be environmentally sustainable, but the physical properties it can impart have the potential to solve many of the big turf management issues.”
Rubber Crumb at use at The Royal Enclosure at Windsor Racecourse
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