A Drain ® 2519 is delivering outstanding results for the team at Preston North End Football Club , as the team work to complete regular aeration in ever-tighter schedule windows . Currently in use at the club ’ s new first team training complex at Euxton , Head Groundsman Peter Ashworth says the ability to verti-drain two or three pitches in one day enables them to meet other maintenance deadlines whilst bringing multiple benefits to overall surface condition .
AERATION , IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE high speed Redexim Verti-
A Drain ® 2519 is delivering outstanding results for the team at Preston North End Football Club , as the team work to complete regular aeration in ever-tighter schedule windows . Currently in use at the club ’ s new first team training complex at Euxton , Head Groundsman Peter Ashworth says the ability to verti-drain two or three pitches in one day enables them to meet other maintenance deadlines whilst bringing multiple benefits to overall surface condition .
Peter and his team of six look after a total of nine pitches across two training ground sites and the Deepdale Stadium , who now all have the use of the new 2519 alongside their existing Redexim 7316 Verti-Drain ®. “ With one machine to operate across all three facilities , we we ’ re increasingly finding that everybody always needed to use it at the same time !” Peter explains . “ I spoke to Greg
Cain at Cheshire Turf Machinery and asked to see the new Redexim machine and were instantly impressed with how quick it was . You could tell from that demonstration , and subsequent periods where we had the opportunity to use the 2519 , how much of a difference it would make to the speed of our aeration work .”
The 2519 offers a PTO speed of up to 540rpm which allows it to cover almost 9000m2 per hour when spaced at 165mm . Not just offering high-productivity , the Verti-Drain ® 2519 encompasses the very best in Redexim precision engineering to deliver durability and versatility – with a range of tine options capable of delivering effective aeration around the maintenance calendar .
“ The first team will be using two or three of the pitches at the Euxton ground every day , so to keep them fit for play we ’ re mowing them before and after training which leaves little time for anything else . Since we took delivery of the 2519 in January 2023 , we ’ ve been able to factor in aerating a pitch or two amongst our other tasks , which keeps us in control of any compaction and ensures everything stays free draining , particularly during the wetter winter months .”
“ Everything is nice and easy to set up and adjust , and my team are enjoying how smooth and quiet it is to operate .” Peter adds , “ For me personally , the whole process has been really straightforward . Like many manufacturers , there were a few hold-ups caused by COVID , but we had brilliant support throughout from both Cheshire Turf Machinery and Redexim , who went the extra mile to help us with a loan machine to get us through a particularly challenging few weeks weather-wise whilst we waited . Now that our 2519 is here , life looks as though it will be much easier !” www . redexim . com
GroundskeepingJournal . co . uk | July / August 2023 17