Alnwick Golf Club in Northumberland is known locally as ‘Stony Hills’, so the technology on the Charterhouse Verti-Drain comes in handy as Course Manager Allan Golding explains: “The ability to lower the front roller of the Verti-Drain from the tractor cab means that I can easily lift the tines in rocky areas and then drop them straight back into work without leaving the seat.”
The exceptional versatility of the high speed and heavy duty series makes this 2220 model one of the most useful machines on the golf course, he reckons.
“It is a high capacity, heavy duty unit which in combination with the John Deere tractor weighs in at three tonnes, but it floats so well over the surface that we can use it on greens as well as tees, approaches and fairways,” Allan explains. “The 2.08m working width means that it covers the ground so much more quickly.”
The club, with its scenic 18-hole parkland course changed hands two years ago and the new owner has invested in a new fleet of equipment, with the Verti-Drain 2220 joining the armoury in 2012.
“Due to the bad weather we had already used it four times on the greens by the middle of October,” Allan comments, “We’ll be flat out through the winter on the tees and approaches unless we have a foot of snow!”
Using half inch tines on the greens and working to 225mm (9in) deep, the Verti-Drain keeps the surface open while its fissuring action encourages root growth and boosts turf quality in the growing season.
It is also extremely adaptable, working with three quarter inch tines on the tees and approaches and one inch tines on the fairways at a range of depths, Allan can also easily and quickly adjust the amount of heave depending on the level of decompaction needed.
Tel 01428 661222
www.charterhouseturfmachinery.co.uk