SPORTS PITCHES hybrid stitch upright. But it’ s also weather dependent – we’ ll assess the conditions and decide if it’ s needed. What’ s been clear so far is that every time we’ ve used it, it’ s easy to set up, easy to manoeuvre, and leaves the surface clean.”
He adds that the machine also has benefits for playability.“ Earlier in the season, we felt the surface was maybe too dense for ball movement and traction. Once we put the rake through, followed by a rotary cut to tidy debris, you’ d almost not know we’ d been on the pitch. It leaves minimal disruption and keeps the surface playing really well.”
Ease of operation is a standout feature for Steven.“ For me, the key feature is how easy it is to set up. It’ s literally just a case of attaching it to the three-point linkage on the tractor and using the side levers to adjust the depth. It’ s quick, simple, and effective.”
Steven also believes it is an exciting time for the Redexim brand right now.“ I think they’ re making a bit of a wave just now with new machinery. There’ s a lot of innovation coming through, and we’ ve had good support from Allen Whellans at Redexim too – he has always been on hand and supportive.”
The Verti-Rake now sits alongside other Redexim equipment in Steven’ s fleet, and he sees clear benefits in how they complement each other.“ As well as the Verti-Rake, we have aVerti- Drain, and they can work side by side. One can be raking while the other is aerating – they’ re very much multipurpose and help us get the most from our maintenance programme.”
He also credits Hibernian FC for investing in the tools to allow his team to achieve high standards.“ Over the last two years, the club has made a big investment in machinery, which gives us an advantage in producing the pitch we want. When I first joined, there were just two of us and limited resources. The progression since then has been massive. People rightly give credit to the groundstaff, but the club deserves huge credit too for backing us with the tools we need.”
With the Redexim Verti-Rake now firmly embedded in their maintenance regime, Steven and his team are well-equipped to keep Easter Road’ s playing surface clean, healthy, and ready for action.
For more information, visit www. redexim. com / uk /
GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | January / February 2026 59