UI M NT

ew elements of successful sportsfields are as important as the finishedgrade. No matter how you prep, nomatter your soil conditions, no mat-ter your turf quality, nothing can

overcome the effect of a poorly graded surface.Whether you hire a contractor or handle this

duty in-house, it's vital to get it right. FormerSports Turf Managers Association presidentMike Trigg, CSFM, hires a contractor to gradehis fields at the Waukegan (IL) Park District.

"The main reason is timing and staffing,"Trigg says. "We are specifically staffed for fieldmaintenance operations that run March toNovember. Staffis not trained nor experienced toconduct major field renovations that wouldrequire laser grading.

"I have successfully budgeted contractualservices for field improvements. If feasible, Ihave utilized in-house equipment or labor to

assist the contractor and reduce some of thecost of the renovation. We have worked withsome great contractors over the years who workwith our schedules; but more importantly, arevery efficient and pay attention to details of ourfield renovations."Trigg said.

Chris Calcaterra, CSFM, the sports facilitiesmanager for the City of Peoria, AZ, says he usedto hire out all grading to a contractor, but realizedthe need to bring it in-house to be more efficientand maintain the fields on a more regular basis.

"The ability to save on materials by laser gradingmore frequently and keeping the field standards upto a higher level made it the method of choice,"Calcaterra said. "The payoff has been multiplied bythe labor savings and use survey responses."

How it worksGrading specialists from Laser Leveling, a

company that sells precision grading systems, say

that doing it yourself is not difficult. Their sportsturf grading systems consist of three parts, thegrading system, the laser, and machine control.

According to the company's website, place thelaser at the center of your sports field, whether itis the pitcher's mound, the 50-yard line, or centerfield. Dial in the amount of grade you desire.

Position your grading system's cutting edgein an area that you consider to be close tograde. This is simply a reference point, it doesnot have to be exact.

Lower the cutting edge so that it is barely rest-. ing on the ground. Adjust your blade's sensor untilit reads "On Grade."You are now ready to grade.

You need 5 additional horsepower for everyadded foot of scraper.

Hydraulics work with any tractor but youdo need remote hydraulic hookups. One per-son can grade 50,000 square feet in 8 hours(ballpark figure) .•

Above: Alpine Services, Gaithersburg, MD, uses this machine to laser grade their field construction sites.

32 December 2007 www.greenmediaonline.com

TOOLS & EfiUIPMENT

The "Dumper"The Dumper 201 from Grillo hauls the heavy loads with ease in uneven terrain takingthe stress off of the arms, back, shoulders and legs. It is powered by a 6-hp Briggs &Stratton engine or 5.5-hp Honda GCV engine with 5-speed transmission with reverse.The handles have an extra support bracket and cross brace for strength. The 4.6 cu. ft.bucket lets you haul up to 440 lbs. on flat terrain and up to 330 lbs. on slopes.Grillofor information, fill in 054 on reader service lor or see http://www.oners.hotims.com/13976~054

Pump stationsRain Bird Variable Frequency Drive Pump Stations are available in vertical turbine,submersible turbine, horizontal end-suction, vertical multi-stage, and split-casepump configurations capable of handling up to 10,000 gallons-per-minute. Theseoptions allow turf professionals to keep it simple and purchase every irrigation sys-tem component from one supplier. Available communication between Rain BirdPump Stations and Rain Bird's central control software, SiteControl, maximizeirrigation system control, saving time and money.Rain Birdfor inlormation, fill in 055 on reader service lor or see http://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-055

Fill in 126 on reader service form or visit http://oners.hotims.com/13976-126

www.stma.org SportsTurf 33

TOOLS & EOUIPMENT

AdvantageApplicator redesigned

Aquatrols has improved its Advantage Applicator forbetter performance and longer life for the same low price

as the original model. The new design features a brass control valve forgreater durability, and a new precision spray nozzle designed to put down alarge volume of water with a wide and precise droplet-distribution patternfor quick and even application. As an added value, it can quickly be trans-formed into a syringe nozzle by connecting the precision nozzle and highflow control valve together.AquatrolsFor information, fill in 056 on reader service lor or seehttp://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-056

Steel tampPar Aide Products' Accuform Steel Tampis a durable, easy-to-use maintenancetools. It's great for packing clay aroundhome plate and pitcher's mound, and forother areas of your field. The lA-in. steelbase comes in two sizes (lOx lOin. and 6x 12 in.), plus it features a 48-in. handlewith welded gussets for extra durability.Par Aide Productsfor information, fill in 051 on reader service lor or seehttp://www.oners.hotims.com/13916-057

Fill in 127 on reader service form or visit http://oners.hotims.com/13976-127 Fill in 161 on reader service form or visit http://oners.hotims.com/13976-161

34 December 2007 www.greenmediaonline.com

TOOLS & EOUIPMENT

Hose reel trailerReelcraft's new self-contained hose reel trailer makes hose han-dling and watering easier, quicker and more convenient, andeliminates the need for a dedicated maintenance vehicle. Designedfor grounds maintenance applications requiring up to 1- in. I.D.x 100 ft. of hose, the trailer bed also offers addi-tional space for tool trays and other accessories.The wheel base matches typical workvehicles and the wheels are mount-ed inside the trailer bed to preventsnagging of treesand shrubs.ReelcraftFor information. fill in 059 on reader service lor or seehttp://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-059

New formulation of Dylox insecticideBayer Environmental Science announced that Dylox insecticiderecently received federal registration for a new liquid soluble (SL)formulation. Applied at a rate of 4.6 to 6.9 fl. oz. per 1,000 sq. ft.,Dylox 420 SL insecticide works by contact and ingestion. Contactactivity provides quick knockdown, while ingestive activity ensurescomplete pest control. The active ingredient, trichlorfon, inhibits thebreakdown of acetylcholine by acetyl cholinesterase, disrupting theproper functioning of the insect nervous system.Bayer Environmental Sciencem information, fill in 058 on reader service for or see

http://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-058

Verti-BrushThe Verti-Brush quicklyand effectively levels anddistributes applied orexisting infill with powerfulhydraulic brushes.

Verti-Groom Verti-Air Verti-BroollFor brushing and striping ofartificial turf, nothing beatsthe proven Verti-Broom. Thehighly effective triangulararrangement of the brusheswill straighten and groomeach grass blade for anattractive and realistic finish.

Verti-TopThe Verti- Top employs ahighly effective syntheticrotary brush to removedebris and top layer infillfrom the turf, then sifts thedebris out in a uniquevibratory shaker whichredistributes the clean infillback on the field. Redexim+_1M

IRWIN. BARRIERS TO IETTER..,TURFArf-if'j'io.l

Fax: 570-602-3060 www.redexim.com

To brush, loosen anddecompact the hardestinfill, the Verti-Groom isequipped with a variety ofinterchangeable tools.

1-800-597-5664

Fill in 128 on reader service form or visit http://oners.hotims.com/13976-128

The Verti-Air utilizes a rotarybrush and turbine compressedair to lift all material out of theturf, dry and filter the material,sift out the debris and returnthe clean, dry and decompactedinfill back into the turf.

www.stma.org SportsTurf 35

TOOLS & EUUIP E

Doctor Jr., infield groomerNewstripe's all-new Dirt Doctor Junior infield groomer has been designedspecifically to be pulled by 4-wheel drive utility vehicles or compact tractors.Junior shares the same features and durability of the original Dirt Doctorbut weighs in at just less than 600 lbs. This unit replaces three separateimplements in one convenient unit. It can plow, pulverize, drag, compactand finish drag a 4' wide path in one pass.Newstripe

nauon.fill In 060 un leader service fO! or see http://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-060

E-Z -GO unveils new golf carE- Z-GO has introduced its new fleet golf car, the RXV, which is availablein electric and gas models. The existing TXT model, introduced in 1995and the best-selling fleet golf car in company history will remain a keycomponent in E-Z-GO's lineup. Customers will see even quicker fleetturnaround times, lower energy, fuel and maintenance expenses, and easierupkeep, says the company.E-Z-GOrill lflormatlon. fill in 061 on readel service fur or see http://www.oners.hotims.com!13976-061

• AAA Bond Rating

• A-Rated Third Party Insured Warranty

• Outstanding Corporate Financials A DODGE-REGUPOL e COMPANY

Consistent Playability • Superior Durability • Synthetic Grass Systems

888-777-6910 / www.aturf.comFill in 162 on reader service form or visit http://oners.hotims.com/13976-162

36 December 2007

New adjustable liftThe new MoJack adjustable lift for riding mowers isconstructed of solid tubular steel and designed to liftand secure any size of lawn tractor or riding mower,including zero turning radius models, to allow forundercarriage cleaning and maintenance. It easilyraisesand holds up to 400 lbs. securely,making blade sharp-ening, belt replacement and mower debris removalsafer and easier.The MoJack offers triple redundantsafetyjacks and pins; a non-slip, self-braking winch andsturdy jack stands prevent the mower or lawn tractorfrom slipping or becoming unstableMo-Jackfor information, fill in 062 on reader service for or seehttp://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-062

www.greenmediaonline.com

Krylon Products brochureKrylon Products Group offers an expanded full-colorbrochure featuring its extensive line of products for acomplete host of athletic supply and maintenanceneeds, including striping paints and machines, spe-cialty paints, and locker room maintenance supplies.The brochure outlines the key benefits of KrylonIndustrial's highly pigmented striping paints, forapplications from athletic fields to pavement.Featuring a universal tip, Line-Up Striping Paints areoffered in water-and solvent-based formulas and areavailable in a number of colors.Krylonfor information, fill in 063 on reader service lor or seehttp://www.oners.hotims.com/13976-063

.~Dow AgroSciences __

Specialty HerbicideT"'Trademar1< of Dow AgroSciencesll.C

New productfor weed controlDow AgroSciences has registered penoxsulam, a newproprietary molecule that delivers postemergencecontrol ofbroadleaf weeds in turf at low use rates.

Penoxsulam can be used on both cool- andwarm-season turf Dow will market penoxsulamunder the trade name LOCKUP specialty herbi-cide. LockUp will be available as a formulatedproduct alone and in combination with other selec-tive herbicides on fertilizers or straight granules.Dow AgroSciencesfor information, fill in 064 on reader service for or seehttp://www.oners.hotims.com/13976~064

www.stma.org

Fill in 129 on reader service form or visit http://oners.hotims.com/13976-129

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