September 2007

Campey Team Scores at the Gunners

Mighty Arsenal FC’s state-of-the-art training complex near St Albans was the venue recently for a demonstration day highlighting the latest turf care equipment from Campey Turf Care Systems.
Delegates comprised a broad spectrum of grounds professionals including representatives from Ipswich Town FC, Wisley Golf Club, White Horse Contractors and Boughton Loams, amongst many others. Also in attendance was Arsenal’s Head Groundsman, Steve Braddock and his staff, as well as key personnel from manufacturers of equipment that Campeys distribute in the UK.

The event focused on the rejuvenation of one of the pitches at the London Colney facility, using high work-rate Campey equipment from the popular Koro range. The company’s Richard Campey and Simon Gumbrill provided a detailed commentary while the machines were put through their paces, aided by Koro’s Ko Rodenberg and Frans van der Pols.

Richard Campey explained how the versatile Koro Field Topmaker could be adjusted to give optimal results. With the blades set low for fraise mowing at 1 or 2mm, it removes thatch without affecting the grass roots, allowing play to recommence almost immediately. However, set at greater depths, it removes compacted soil and shallow rooting grasses for more intensive pitch rejuvenation. On the demonstration day, a 2.5m wide FTM 2500 model was displayed.

Field Topmaker models are now available featuring modular construction, and delegates saw first-hand how quickly various attachments and accessories can be added. These include conveyors for speedy soil removal, a collector box and deflector plates, again allowing the machines to be tailored to specific needs. A modular FTM 1200 1.2m-wide unit was demonstrated at the Arsenal facility. Also shown was a new rotor attachment enabling the user to fraise mow and scarify in one operation.

Delegates were shown the innovative Koro Topdrain, developed for fast, cost-effective drainage improvement. It cuts three trenches simultaneously, measuring 4cm wide, 20cm deep and 50cm apart. The machine then force-fills the channels with sand and the rear wheels firm the trenches.

For the next stage in the rejuvenation operation, the Campey team demonstrated a 2m-wide model from the Vredo overseeders line-up, all of which offer great manoeuvrability and low ground pressure to avoid compaction. The discs on the machines make sharp, V-shaped slits with minimal soil disturbance, and the seed distribution rate is easily adjusted. Finally, a roller presses down the slit to provide ideal conditions for germination.

Delegates also saw a Dakota 440 Turf Tender put through its paces. It allows users to move materials, apply top-dressing, fill bunkers with sand and many other essential tasks. It also places materials precisely, discharging them either via its back and side conveyors, or by using the front-mounted stone/gravel chute. This gives tremendous manpower savings as it does away with manual shovelling.

Powered by a tractor of 40hp or more, the Dakota 440 has two spinner discharge discs that provide spreading widths from 12-40ft (3.66-12.19m) with a variety of materials.
Managing Director Richard Campey was delighted by the success of the demonstration day. “Delegates were able to see first-hand how our specialist machines can offer a fast, effective and economical way of rejuvenating heavily used sports turf, offering a modern, purpose-built solution.”

All of the pitches at Arsenals training ground have been rejuvenated by Campey Turf Care’s equipment. Not only did all attendees see the demonstration of how to achieve perfection, but also ‘the proof in the pudding’ on all the pitches around them! Compliments to Mr Braddock and his team who maintain possibly the best pitches in the industry!