Maintaining a top-class playing surface at Easter Road Stadium is no small task but for Steven Thomas, head groundsman at Hibernian FC, having the right machinery makes all the difference.
“We’ve had the Redexim Verti-Rake for a few months now,” Steven explains. “It was about maintaining the highest standard of turf possible. We were looking for an attachment that could rake the surface, keep our hybrid stitch clean and clear out organic matter. Having looked at a few options, we felt the Verti-Rake was the best choice. It’s simple to use, easy to set up, and does exactly what we need.”
The Redexim Verti-Rake is designed for fast and effective thatch removal. Its spring tines work between the grass blades to loosen thatch, while adjustable tine angles allow operators to alter the aggression of the rake.
Overseeding aid
Working depth can be fine-tuned – and besides helping to clean surfaces, the unit can be used to create a seed bed ahead of overseeding.
Steven and assistant Ronan use the rake regularly. “Usually after every game to rake out organic matter and keep the hybrid stitch upright. But it’s also weather dependent – we’ll assess the conditions and decide if it’s needed. What’s been clear so far is that every time we’ve used it, it’s easy to set up, easy to manoeuvre, and leaves the surface clean.”
The machine also benefits playability, he explains. “Earlier in the season, we felt the surface was maybe too dense for ball movement and traction. Once we put the rake through, followed by a rotary cut to tidy debris, you’d almost not know we’d been on the pitch. It leaves minimal disruption and keeps the surface playing really well.
Easy set-up
“The key feature is ease of set-up. It’s literally a case of attaching it to the three-point linkage on the tractor and using the side levers to adjust the depth.”
The Verti-Rake complements other Redexim equipment in the fleet. “It works side by side with our Verti-Drain. One can be raking while the other is aerating – they’re multipurpose and help us get the most from our maintenance programme.”
He also credits Hibernian FC for investing in the tools to allow his team to achieve high standards. “Over the last two years, the club has made a big investment in machinery, which gives us an advantage in producing the pitch we want.
“When I first joined, there were just two of us and limited resources. The progression since then has been massive. People rightly give credit to the groundstaff but the club deserves huge credit too for backing us with the tools we need.”
https://www.redexim.com/uk/