Deep Compaction

Heavy irrigation and poor soil quality combined with traffic over wet ground form a deep compacted layer which impedes drainage and root penetration. It usually occurs at depths greater than 150 millimetres. It may be addressed by many aerators but the machine that will provide the greatest disturbance and penetration of air into the soil profile down to 400 millimetres is the commonly used Verti Drain or the Earthquake. It will also cause the minimum disturbance to the surface bringing no soil to the surface.

Surface Compaction

This type of compaction is usually caused by a combination of traffic, moisture and excessive organic matter or continuous top-dressing. Over time an excessive build-up of a mat within the turf occurs. This restricts water and nutrient penetration and induces shallow rooting of the turf to above 100 millimetres. This is best dealt with by the deep scarification or hollow tining and coring.

Verti-Draining

The Verti-Drain procedure is a specialized aerification process that is able to penetrate deeply into the ground while rotating the tine in the soil to help break up soil structure. The fracturing action creates a loose soil, which in turn promotes improved drainage. Verti-Draining early in the season encourages good root development.

The “verti-drain” machine that we use uses tines to penetrate the soil which are either solid or hollow, depending on the soil conditions, time of year and desired effect. A massively influential machine in the pitch and lawn care industry, the “Verti-Drain” is designed to de compact soil on compacted surfaces once or twice per year only. Equally spaced holes of 25mm diameter and up to 300mm deep provide a surface pan shatter, allowing water and air to disperse to the grass roots a lot easier.

Earthquake De-compacter

The challenge for any aerator is how it shatters hard dry ground, and this is where the Earthquake comes in to its own. Unlike deep tine aerators that cannot be used in these conditions due to machinery strength or lack of penetration, the Earthquake will shatter the hardest ground to maximum depth of 38cm and leave the ground immediately de-compacted. The Earthquake is ideally used when the soils are hard and dry for maximum soil shattering with Earthquakes unique aeration blades deeply slicing while simultaneously laterally fracturing, all without damaging the surface. The Earthquake can also be used to assist water run-off in poorly drained grounds or root development on badly worn areas.

• Designed for broad acre application
• 150mm (6 inch) solid tines
• 8 and 12 foot working widths
• Maintenance free
• Ideal for hard ground aeration
• Perfect tool for seedbed preparation