Greenwich Observatory overlooks the jumps
track presented a special challenge, as the ground in this area cannot be penetrated. Pipe systems and pop-up sprinklers were not an option. “We developed a bowser system which is towed behind a GPS-guided tractor with a low level folding applicator bar,” says Lee, “It is also fitted with a water cannon for areas which can’t be driven on, so that they can be irrigated from the side.” Fertiliser had to be planned on a site specific basis too: “Around protected trees we used organic based fertilisers, as synthetic products can affect the symbiosis between the tree roots and beneficial fungi. The acid grasslands were treated with low nitrogen fertiliser to avoid changing the species composition whilst, on less sensitive areas, we could use a golf grade fertiliser at a higher rate.” Mowing the entire site is achieved with
The last fence on the test event course
a Toro Groundsmaster ride-on rotary, with cut height set at 30mm during the establishment phase to encourage the sward to thicken, rising to the required competition cut height of 65mm. As the sward has established, Lee and his team tested the quality of the underfoot conditions to ensure that it would provide the quality riding surface needed. A Clegg hammer measures firmness, while an STRI-developed traction meter - proven at the recent developments in the Hickstead international show jumping arena - assesses the strength of the turf, and a moisture probe measures moisture levels. “The combination of measurements enables us to assess the quality of the surface, and we are aiming to develop this as a benchmark for the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) to use as a standard for future events - until now there has been no set standard,”
comments Lee. “It showed that our approach had worked - the Clegg meter gave firmness readings of 80 Gravities on the cross country course, which is the FEI’s ideal range for this type of event, as opposed to 160G elsewhere in the park.” Throughout the development, the
park remained open to the public, with only certain areas fenced off in the immediate period surrounding the test event, so the contractors were constantly surrounded by bystanders.
“Up to two million people a year use the park, and the areas where we were working could be filled with families picnicking, children playing and dog walkers, so our machinery operators had to be very focused,” says Lee. “We tried to do as much as possible early in the morning, but having good operators was essential - they are all qualified to MSc level, and are well aware of the health
“No signifi cant differences in the cut quality in terms of shredding, rough cut edges or turf die back between the Merlin 320 rotary mower and the control (reel type) mower”
.
Mitchell, A. (2011). Trimax Merlin 320 Mower Trial. NZ Turf Management Journal, 26(2), 20-24.
Unit 11B, Hill Farm Estate, Irthlingborough Road, Little Addington Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 4AS, United Kingdom
PHONE: 01933 652235 EMAIL:
info@trimaxmowers.co.uk 99
www.trimaxmowers.com
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