El Scorcho wrote:The Dude wrote:Apparently LU failed to purchase this equipment and the turf didn't get brushed and kept like it was supposed to resulting in flattened blades, which combined with the poor lighting made it look extemely shiny and wet, even in person.
Is that so?
Here's an article I ran across:
Protecting your turf: a primer to properly maintain your synthetic playing field
Coach and Athletic Director, by Kevin Newell
Unlike that famous infomercial that boasts, "Just set it, and forget it," the same cannot be said of a synthetic playing field. Much like the care and upkeep of a traditional grass field, there is maintenance protocol when it comes to artificial grass. Albeit limited.
While specific guidelines vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, the message is clear: "It's all about grooming. That's the bottom line," says Crystal Parsons, marketing coordinator for Sprinturf. "You need to be able to groom the field in order to get the optimum playing performance."
Grooming basically consists of rejuvenating the synthetic fibers of the field and the rubber and/or sand infill that succumb to the constant foot traffic from events that run the gamut from football games to band practice, following by a general sprucing up of the playing surface itself. For schools and facilities making such a large investment in a field, it's a small price to pay to maintain that investment.
"I would be remiss if I didn't start out by saying that the maintenance is extremely minimal," says Jim Dobmeier, president of A-Turf. "Anywhere from one to four times a month would be within the normal range of what we call, grooming the field. It sounds a little ridiculous, but it's not unlike a person combing their hair. It gives the fibers a little bit of fluffiness and it touches some of the upper levels of the infill, without disturbing it."
FieldTurf, the industry leader in synthetic surfacing, suggests a complete grooming of the field should be done every four to six weeks. This is accomplished by a multi-purpose piece of maintenance equipment that sweeps the field of debris, aerates the surface, uses tines for a deep clean, and brushes the surface.
GreensGroomer Worldwide, the industry leader, manufactures one such product. Its Synthetic Sports Turf Groomer works with all fill material currently used, in both wet and dry conditions.
The patented brush design lifts turf fibers leaving them in a plush, upright position and moves fill to low spots or depressions left after play. The company's complementary GreensSlicer Spring Tine Rake combs through the fill material, relieving compaction and assuring a soft, level playing surface.
"The brush is terrific for standing the turf fibers in their upright position, but the spring tine rake has huge benefits for compaction issues," says Tom Moore, national sales manager for GreensGroomer Worldwide. "It literally combs down through that fill level and really fluffs it up, if you will. It has an infinite adjustment for the desired level of aggressiveness. There's a carriage bolt on either end of the tines--there are three rows of 28 tines spaced 7/8 inch apart for thorough coverage. For each row you loosen the bolt on either end and swing it forward or back to whatever position you desire."......
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Since we installed the new turf, have you ever seen it being maintained in such a fashion? I heard the company recommended us doing so.
on you.
- By LU Armchair coach
- By olldflame