AER-AID FOR OUTFIELD TURF


All sports turf requires regular aeration to achieve the best playing surface.
The demand for more durable, resilient sports surfaces has led to a growth in the popularity of stabilized rootzone mixtures. However, in use they can become hard and compacted. A reduction in hardness can be a major factor in reducing impact-related injuries to players, as well as maintaining the original characteristics of the pitch (see table).


Hardness tests on natural turf, natural turf grown on a fibre-reinforced rootzone, and turf reinforced with artificial grass fibres, have shown significant improvement after treatment with the AER-AID SYSTEM.		  

In stadium environments, the problems of shade and reduced air flow around the pitch often compound compaction related problems. Ultimately “Black Layer” can form – a stagnant, anaerobic layer often close to the surface and characterised by its foul smell and dark colour.  The roots are often already dead or dying before the black colour becomes noticeable.  Improved aeration has been shown to reduce black layer.		  

In dry weather, the AER-AID maximises water utilisation by the root system, rather than just creating chanels to the drainage layer.

The SISIS AER-AID was used on three pitches at a Premiership Football Club.  Using a Clegg Hammer,  hardness readings were taken before and after use of the AER-AID.
Type of Turf Reading 
BeforeTreatment (gravities)		 Reading 
AfterTreatment (gravities)		 NOTES (Each Area Received One Pass)
Set-up run on spare ground 123   99  No longer used for play but endures considerable pedestrian traffic
Fibre-reinforced root zone 119    85   Wing.  Vertidrain  used 3 weeks previously
Clay pitch 96      
134		 63
68      		18 yd. box and wing
Goal mouth
Soil pitch 117 
105 
143     		94
76
68           		Wing 18yd. box
Goal mouth - re-turfed some time ago
Altering the depth setting affects the hardness reduction, which can therefore be controlled as  required. 
A complete football pitch can be aerated with the Aer-Aid in 3 hours.  There was minimal surface disturbance, so it was not necessary to roll after treatment which is another time saving factor.



Menu