Technical
Laurence Gale MSc investigates the relaunch of a
permanent linemarking system, and discovers that the improvements made are proving successful
PERMANENT solution? P
itch-Line 3G is relaunching the concept of inserting artificial lines into natural turf sports pitches. The Irish company is currently having a resurgence of interest in
their product after modifications to the machine and development of better inline materials.
On its initial launch, the lines had a tendency to discolour and wear away. The straightness of the lines was dictated by several factors, mainly due to ground conditions where, on poor draining sites, the lines would move over time. Vandalism was another issue, with it being possible to pull the lines out fairly easily. However, eight years on, things have changed. Firstly, the process of installing the lines is now much quicker, and it only takes about a day to complete the marking out of a football pitch. Secondly, the lines are made of a
stronger PVC type material, which does not discolour. The installation machine uses laser technology to ensure the lines are put in accurately and straight, and at a greater depth. Pitch-Line 3G are currently operating
The linemarking system being inlaid
The club’s reason for investing in the system was to avoid the problem of the lines being washed out before games
Football pitch in Wales before installation 132 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
three franchises in the UK , one in Scotland, one in Ireland and one in England. Sam Breeden from Sweepfast has taken on the England franchise and has completed a couple of pitches in Wales. I asked Sam why he had invested in this new franchise? He explained that, as a company specialising in artificial pitch maintenance, he wanted to add some additional value to the services he offers. He believes there is some potential for the concept, especially in the current economic climate where local authorities are being asked to reduce costs. Sam was keen for me to see the new machine and the end product, especially now some of these inlaid lines have been
in the ground for four years on some pitches in Ireland.
So, without too much persuading, I found myself on a ferry heading across the Irish Sea to visit two clubs in the Emerald Isle. During the last four years, over thirty pitches have had the system installed, and include football, rugby and gaelic football pitches. A couple of the driving forces for the
renewed interest in this concept are low maintenance budgets and the weather - it does tend to rain a lot in Ireland! When using traditional linemarking paint, it is not unusual for the lines to be washed away just a few days after marking out. In addition, many of the clubs rely on volunteer labour and do not have large budgets.
Our first port of call was Killeavey GAA Club in Newry, where we met up with the system’s inventor, Barry Douglas, and the club’s groundsman, Sean Callan. The club invested in the system two years ago for their heavy, soil based main pitch. The lines had been down for two years and the club have been very pleased with their performance, saving the club precious money and Sean’s valuable time. Next stop was AFC Craigavon where the system has been in use for four years. Again, on a heavy, soil based pitch, the lines looked impressive and stood out well, bright white with no signs of wear. The club’s reason for investing in the system was to avoid the problem of the lines being washed out before games.
How it works
The Pitch-Line 3G procedure utilises UV treated white PVC type material with a high Kilo-Langley (a measure of solar energy) and mechanical strength. This material is pre-shredded into supple and flexible fibres at both edges. Using the triple disk Pitch-Liner machine, the PVC
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