The Right Tine
Aeration a) Hollow Coring Tines
(i) The standard hollow tine is generally used for soil exchange, and relieving compaction in the top 7cm to 12cm. If aeration is to be limited to once or twice a year, this is the type of operation which would give the most benefit. As hollow tining is generally followed up by top dressing it is also the most time consuming and labour intensive and may take an area out of play while recovery takes place. Most typically done on fine turf, and generally done at the end of the playing or competition season, to reduce the adverse effects on play. By removing the plug or core and replacing it with a suitable dressing, the compact area between the holes is allowed to expand and air and moisture is more easily absorbed. Hollow tines can be fitted to several aerators from hand forks to independently powered to tractor mounted models. They can be used in both vertical action and drum-type machines.
Used on fine turf, it can either be set shallow, for removing thick plugs of thatch or set deeper for intensive soil exchange, particularly where a new or different rootzone mixture needs to be introduced. On outfield areas, it has the advantage over the standard tine of being less prone to blockage by small stones or coarse soil particles.
The regular use of microcore tines will relieve compaction in the surface of fine turf allowing better water penetration and helping to combat dry patch. Depth is usually set at 25mm - 30mm and turf retainers may need to be fitted to the machine due to the close spacing of the tines. They are commonly used during the summer months, as little or no surface disturbance is caused. This is an ideal operation before seeding, spraying, fertilising or the application of wetting agents.
(i)The original solid tine is commonly used during summer months when the ground is at its hardest and most compact. Penetration is easier than with a hollow tine and less liable to crack the surface than a slit or chisel tine. They are still used on outfield areas, but have recently been replaced on fine turf by pencil and needle tines. They can be used in most types of drum and vertical action aerators as well as in hand forks. (ii) The parallel pencil tine has all the benefits of the solid tine, but is more acceptable on greens because of the smaller surface hole. These tines are not as strong as the tapered tine so care should be taken on outfield turf or where stony ground is prevalent. (iii) Needle tines are the slimmest and finest of the solid tines and should only be used on fine turf. The almost invisible holes mean that tining can be done all through the playing season, with little or no interruption to play, but maintaining a free draining surface and a well aerated root zone. Needle tines are only used in multitine heads and their use is restricted to vertical action aerators.
(v) Deep, solid drainage tines are used for breaking through severely compacted surfaces, usually with a heave action, to allow water to penetrate to the drainage layer. Used on both outfield and fine turf either in a hand fork or in a “vertidrain type of tractor mounted machine for larger areas. This method of aeration should be supplemented by shallower surface aeration as the heave will eventually settle.
Chisel or root pruning tines are a general purpose tine for both aerating the surface and for promoting a thicker sward of grass. Used in all the same types of machines as the hollow and solid tines, they can be used on fine outfield and general amenity turf at most times of the year. Care should be taken if an adequate water supply is unavailable or in times of severe drought, the slits can open up, particularly in clay soils.
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As the tip of the blade travels further through the ground than the pivot point, a large semi-circular slit is opened up beneath the surface, giving a substantial wall area open to both air and water. This helps break up compaction, assists drainage and promotes a healthier, deep rooted grass.
Deep slitting is usually the fastest, cleanest and therefore most cost effective way of regularly aerating an area, and tines are available for both fine turf and outfield use. Machines are available in both walk-behind and tractor mounted models.
Scarifiers/Verticutters/Groomers
a) Thatch Removal Blades The heavy duty thatch removal blades are designed to enter the thatch layer beneath the surface and to lift out sprigs of thatch. The vertically mounted blades can be set to work at around 12mm deep depending on ground conditions. Spacing between the blades is limited to around 18mm - 20mm on fine turf, and around 25-30mm on outfield turf. Pitching blades closer than this to work at the above depth may result in damage to the playing surface. Scarifying more deeply does not necessarily bring out more thatch, but will invariably lead to greater blade wear. More thatch will only be removed by scarifying more frequently and by varying the direction of operation. If two or more passes are to be made at the same time, the direction of operation should be at an angle of around 10o - 15o to the first pass, and not at right angles which may result in cubing of the surface. Thatch Removal Blades are the standard blades supplied with all SISIS scarifiers from the powered Rotorake range to the tractor mounted Veemo, for use on both fine turf and outfields such as sports fields and golf fairways. Special hardened tipped blades are available for most SISIS scarifiers such as the Veemo and Rotorakes, and give improved durability, thus reducing down time for blade replacement. The performance of the machine is also enhanced, as the original blade characteristics are maintained for longer periods before inevitable wear occurs.
b) Verticut Blades This reel is an option for the pedestrian Rotorake range for light summer scarifying and vertical mowing. Essentially this reel is designed for use on fine turf, but could be used with care on good quality amenity turf. The Verticut reel has sharpened triangular blades, spaced at 12mm which should not be entered deeply into the surface. The purpose of this reel is to clean out the sward, to sever horizontal growth and to promote a flat, even surface. Most fine turf grasses respond well to verticutting during the growing season and result in a thicker sward. Broad leaf grasses do not favour verticutting and will therefore be discouraged. c) Thatch Control Blades Another optional reel for the pedestrian Rotorakes, for vertical mowing. The blades on the Thatch Control Reel have offset corners and therefore, very close, 6mm spacing. This reel should only be used on fine turf and the depth limited to the leaf sward. The Thatch Control Reel offers the same benefits as the Verticut reel but with much closer spacing. Combined reels of thatch removal blades and brushes are available for several of the SISIS scarifiers and sweeper/collectors. The advantages are that as well as the blades removing thatch from beneath the surface, the brushes also clear the surface of any debris at the same time.
d) Combined reel This reel comprises thatch removal blades interspersed with brush sections for improved collection. It is particularly effective on amenity turf where the grass is slightly longer. e) Grooming Tines Both Verticut and Thatch Control reels also groom the surface, but powered machinery is not always available and grooming can also be achieved by lightly raking or combing the surface.
(i) The heavy duty spring tine grooming rake, if set lightly, can be used effectively for grooming outfield turf on sports fields and golf fairways. The wires will lift the blades of grass for a better cut and bring loose debris to the surface for collection. They are less likely to clog up than comb-type rakes on outfield turf.
NB: Intermediate and tilth rakes are more suitable for hard porous surfaces where a closer spacing is preferred and clogging is not a problem. Seeding Tines and Blades
No responsibility is accepted by SISIS for the information contained in this article. SISIS machinery is designed, patented and manufactured in UK Copyright SISIS EQUIPMENT (Macclesfield) LTD. SISIS equipment is used at many of the worlds top sporting venues, including St.Andrews, Turnberry, Wimbledon, Ascot, Guards Polo Club, Parc de Prince in Paris, King Fahd Stadium, Saudi Arabia, Pebble Beach in the USA. SISIS TINES , BLADES AND RAKE WIRES ARE MANUFACTURED TO THE HIGHEST SPECIFICATION AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING. FITTING OF NON-SISIS TINES, BLADES, RAKE WIRES OR ATTACHMENTS TO SISIS MACHINERY WILL INVALIDATE YOUR WARRANTY.
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