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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
A L L Y O U N E E D T O K N O W
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What is Thatch? ..................................................... 4
Thatch Problems .................................................... 5
Why Graden? ........................................................ 7
Water/Air Movement ............................................. 8
Coring versus Graden CSI ...................................... 10
Numbers Game ...................................................... 11
Blades .................................................................... 12
GS04 Specifications ............................................... 13
GBS1200 Specifications ......................................... 14
SW04 Swing Wing Specifications ........................... 15
CSI Sand Injection Specifications ............................ 16
Four steps to perfect turf/Graden Parts ................... 18
Testimonial ............................................................. 19
Contact details ....................................................... 20
C O N T E N T S
Issue 2.0 | 2016
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4
T H A T C H
“Thatch is that tightly intermingled layer of
dead and living parts (roots, shoots, stems,
stolons, leaf tissue, etc) that develops between
the green vegetation and soil surface”
Dr Martin Ferguson
Leaf clippings contribute very little to thatch
buildup. Roots, rhizomes and stolons are
major contributors to thatch as they have
a high lignin concentration and resist
decomposition.
How much is too much?
A thatch layer of up to ½”/13mm can be
beneficial as it can improve wear tolerance
and insulates the soil from extremes
in air temperature. When thatch levels
accumulate beyond this the disadvantages
far outweigh the advantages. Some of the
many problems that can occur are detailed
on the following pages. These problems
will be exaggerated when excessive thatch
layers are present.
The picture on the right shows a very severe
thatch problem on a USGA constructed
green. You can also see that by failing to
fill the hollow core hole to the surface the
space has started filling up with thatch. This
worst case scenario means there is no root
structure left and the vicious thatch cycle
continues.
Thatch production is inevitable and is
without doubt one of the most common
problems encountered on golf courses and
sports surfaces throughout the world. There
are many different factors which contribute
to excessive thatch accumulation. Some of
these factors include grass species, climate,
acidic conditions, poor aeration, high
nitrogen nutritional levels and over wetting.
P R O B L E M S C A U S E D B Y E X C E S S I V E T H A T C H
T H A T C H
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Reduction in air exchange
Reduced water infiltration
Poor seed germination
Severe dry patch
Inability to cope with drought and high temperatures
Increased disease and insect problems
Soft spongy playing surfaces
Shallow rooting system
Quite possibly the most important development in thatch removal... ever!
T H E S O L U T I O N
G R A D E N C O N T O U R S A N D I N J E C T I O N
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S A N D I N J E C T I O N F R O M
C U T S , R E M O V E S , F I L L S , F I R M S I N 1 P A S S !
1½”
W H Y G R A D E N ?
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Thatch is responsible directly or indirectly for the majority of problems experienced by golf courses. With increased popularity of some of the new varieties of Creeping Bent grass and Bermuda grasses and changing legislation throughout Europe on the use of chemicals, many greenkeepers are having to go back to basics and carry out more cultural practices. In order to promote a stronger and healthier plant and try to reduce the risk of disease and poor playing surfaces, the priority must be to reduce the thatch levels. This will increase soil oxygen levels and improve water penetration. This may be essential for the turf but unfortunately it is not seen the same way in the eyes of most golfers.
The range of pedestrian and tractor mounted Gradens have been of huge benefit to clubs due to the fact that there is minimal disruption to play whilst hitting large areas of the surface (see table on page 11 for more details). With different
blade widths each cutting an exceptionally clean, continuous groove in the turf, this can impact up to 250% more surface area for material removal and aeration compared with conventional coring.
Limitations - The Graden has proved very popular worldwide, the only limitation with the machine was that it sometimes proved difficult to get sand worked back into the grooves. This varied with ground conditions, method of clearing and also depth of operation due to the stability of the surface as so much material is removed. This led to a few agronomists and users reverting back to Coring as they felt it was easier to work sand back into to the profile, in practice it is often difficult to get core holes filled up. This has inspired the evolution of the Graden Contour Sand Injector which eliminates these issues giving even better results regardless of depth of operation.
The introduction of the new Graden Contour Sand Injector moves the Graden process to a whole new level due to the immediate introduction of sand into the thatch profile, this will instantly help firm the surface, improve healing times, provide an ideal environment for seed and with accurately filling the grooves this ensures the top dressing is situated exactly where it needs be. Disruption to ball roll will be reduced even further which is hugely beneficial for today’s golfers looking for year round play.
The Graden Contour Sand Injector is specifically for targeting the top 1½” and is sure to prove another valuable management tool in the greenkeepers armoury. Used as part of a programme it complements existing widely practiced operations such as verti cutting, solid tining, venting, water injection and deep tine aeration etc.
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W A T E R / A I R M O V E M E N TSurface drainage is extremely important
to every green, including those that drain
well internally. Even the best constructed
rootzone will gradually drain more
slowly. This is due to the production of
organic matter by the plant i.e. thatch
and the introduction of soil fines into the
rootzone.
Good drainage is without doubt very
influential to the overall performance of
the green particularly in adverse weather
conditions and in areas where the water
quality is less than ideal.
If the rootzone becomes saturated it can
remain so for long periods of time, this
results in anaerobic conditions (without
oxygen) which will lead to increased risk
of disease and poor playing surface.
W A T E R / A I R M O V E M E N T
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Many clubs spend substantial amounts
of money improving drainage such as
sand or gravel banding, Drill and Fill etc.
The top will seal with organic matter or
fines and the efficiency of any drainage
is massively reduced.
The Graden provides an ideal tool for
penetrating through the upper surface
and connecting to the next level, largely
due to the creation of a continuous
groove and therefore impacting more of
the surface. This will help with water and
nutrient penetration and also allows for
increased air exchange.
The above picture shows a Drill and
Fill vertical sand channel that had lost
its effectiveness due to the top sealing
over. It was grooved using 8mm blades
to allow incorporation of compatible
sand (Sand Injection wasn’t available) to
connect it to the surface again.
USGA greens section drawing. Not to scale.
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A D V A N T A G E SDetailed below is a general comparison between the Graden and Coring. This is based on calculations and observations using
the Graden Contour Sand Injector fitted with 3mm Graden Blades at 1” (25mm) Spacings and standard Hollow Coring at ½”
(13mm) Tines at 2” x 2” (50 x 50mm) Spacings for thatch removal.
Ability to operate at depths of 3”-4” (75mm-100mm)
Cores can be easier to collect
Impacts 250% more surface area
Far less disruption to ball roll
Increased tillering of grasses
Ideal groove for overseeding
Top dressing is incorporated directly into the thatch profile
Can instantly improve surface firmness
Improved surface drainage
Increased air exchange
Operating at similar depths will remove far more biomass
and thatch than standard coring
Improves surface smoothness
Golfers are more tolerant of grooves
C O R I N G G R A D E N C S IV
G R A D E N C S I25mm spacing
25mm depth
C O R I N G50mm spacing
100mm depth
N U M B E R S G A M E
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An article written by USGA agronomists
suggested that on mature greens the
area impacted each year should be about
15%-20%. This is based on controlling
organic matter buildup and intended
as a general guide as there are many
variable factors. If there is an existing
thatch layer these figures will have to be
increased to address the problem.
The table below shows a comparison
between Coring and Gradening for
impacting surface area for thatch
removal. The Graden blades have been
accurately measured and are wider than
1, 2 and 3mm, the figures are based on
the actual widths of the blades. We have
also measured the inside diameter of the
bottom of new hollow tines (plug size is
determined by this) which is far less than
the specified tine size, the area impacted
will increase as tines wear. Results are
from largest tines tested and will vary
with different manufacturers.
Tine SizeSpacing
% Surface Impacted for
removal
No of treatments to Impact 20%Inch mm Actual
¼” 6.25 5.36mrn 1”x1” 3.61% 5 5¼” 6.25 5.36mm 1”x2” 1.80% 11.1¼” 6.25 5.36mm 2”x2” 0.90% 22.23/8” 9.38 8.12mm 1”x1” 8.28% 2.43/8” 9.38 8.12mm 1”x2” 4.14% 4.83/8” 9.38 8.12mm 2”x2” 2.07% 9.7½” 12.5 10.7mm 2”x2” 14.38% 1.4½” 12.5 10.7mm 1”x1” 7.19% 2.8½” 12.5 10.7mm 1”x2” 3.59% 5.6¾” 15.6 13.37mm 1”x1” 22.45% 0.9¾” 15.6 13.37mm 1”x2” 11.23% 1.8¾” 15.6 13.37mm 2”x2” 5.61% 3.6
Blade Spacing% Surface
Impacted for removal
No of treatments to Impact 20%
1mm 3/64” 9mm 3/8” 12.62% 1.91mm 3/64” 13mm ½” 9.09% 2.21mm 3/64” 25mm 1” 4.94% 4.01mm 3/64” 30mm 1¼” 4.15% 4.82mm 5/64” 13mm ½” 15.10% 1.32mm 5/64” 25mm 1” 8.40% 2.42mm 5/64” 30mm 1¼” 7.09% 2.83mm 1/8” 13mm ½” 22.10% 0.93mm 1/8” 25mm 1” 12.30% 1.63mm 1/8” 30mm 1¼” 10.38% 1.94mm 5/32” 25mm 1” 15.60% 1.36mm ¼” 25mm 1” 22.89% 0.9
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B L A D E S There are variable blade and spacer widths
as detailed, these can be set up on the
standard shaft to any configuration to suit
individual needs. If your approach is light
but frequent 1mm blades can be spaced
close together for concentrating on the
top ½” (13mm) for removing material or
overseeding with bent.
The standard configuration is 1, 2 or 3mm
blades at 1” (25mm) spacings but the
spacings can be combined to give a greater
width if stability is an issue. Equally blades
can be combined to create any thing up
to a 12mm (½”) blade for very aggressive
dethatching. The machine has the power,
strength and blade design to create an
exceptionally clean groove to cope with any
desired configuration.
BLADES SPACERS
1mm (3/64”) 9mm (3/8”)
2mm (5/64”) 13mm (½”)
3mm (1/8”) 25mm (1”)
30mm (1¼”)
G S 0 4 S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
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Engine(optional key start available)
Honda 13hp - GX390Unleaded petrol
DriveHYDROSTATICForward/ReverseVariable speed
WheelsFront - 15 x 6.00-6 Tube typeRear - 6” (150mm) solid rubber
Cutting Depth Variable up to 1¾” (45mm)
Cutting Width 16” (400mm)
Width 33” (840mm)
Length 59” (1500mm)
Height 41” (1040mm)
Weight 360lbs (165kg)
Original Graden, ideal for Golf Greens, Tees, ApproachesCricket Squares, Bowling Greens, Tennis Courts, Lawns.
Manufacturer’s specification may change without prior notice.
Manufacturer’s specification may change without prior notice.
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G B S 1 2 0 0 S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
DriveP.T.O. / Gearbox / V-Belts6 per machine
Tractor 20hp+
Tyres4. 10/3.5-4 Tube Slick Tyres4 per machineHeavy Duty bearing in wheel rims
Cutting Depth Variable up to 1¾” (45mm)
Cutting Width 48” (1200mm)
Width 41” (1050mm)
Length 61” (1540mm)
Height 20” (500mm)
Weight 620|bs (280kg)
1.2m Straight Reeled Tractor Mounted, ideal for flat areas, such as Sports Pitches, Cricket Squares, Tennis Courts, Golf Tees, Relatively Flat Greens, Approaches, etc.
Manufacturer’s specification may change without prior notice.
S W I N G W I N G 1 . 5 & 2 M ( M A X I ) S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
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DriveP.T.O. / Gearbox / V-Belts8 per machine
Tractor 30hp+
Tyres4. 10/3.5-4 Tube Slick Tyres8 per machineHeavy Duty bearing in wheel rims
Cutting Depth Variable up to 1¾” (45mm)
Cutting Width 59” (1500mm) or 79” (2000mm)
Width 79” (2000mm) or 98” (2480mm)
Length 57” (1450mm)
Height 37” (950mm)
Weight 727lbs (330kg) or 794|bs (360kg)
Tractor Mounted with 3 individual floating heads, ideal for all areas of Golf Courses, Greens, Tees, Fairways.
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Manufacturer’s specification may change without prior notice.
C S I S A N D I N J E C T I O N S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
EngineHonda 23hp - v-twinUnleaded petrolKey start
DriveHYDROSTATICForward/ReverseVariable speed
Wheels Front - 16 x 6.00-6 Tube tyreRear - 9 x 3.5-4 Tube tyre
Cutting Depth Variable up to 1½” (40mm)
Cutting Width 21” (525mm)
Width 37” (950mm)
Length 50” (1250mm)
Height 48” (1220mm)
Weight 640lbs (290kg)
Sandbox Capacity 165Ibs (75kg)
The CSI has a floating head, which follows undulating areas such as golf greens, tees and approaches, but with the ability to inject sand and seed.
C S I S A N D I N J E C T I O N
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Surface before (above) and after debris collection (right) showing minimal disturbance, leaving the green ready for immediate play.
G R A D E N P A R T S
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F O U R S T E P S T O P E R F E C T T U R F To keep your machine in original working
order it is imperative to only fit original
manufacturers’ parts, including blades. Our
parts department stocks 1000’s of parts that
are just a phone call away. As the owner of
a Redexim Charterhouse supplied machine, you’ll appreciate
the quality of the build, but even the best break down now and
again. When this happens you’ll want to get the machine up
and running as quickly as possible, and be sure the replacement
part will do as good a job as the original. Then there’s those
wearing parts, like blades, that need to match the specification
of those that were delivered with the machine. Our genuine
spare and replacement parts are manufactured to the highest
specifications, which are well in advance of any imitations.
The high productivity of our machines, with little downtime, is
assured with genuine parts.
Rated as ‘Best in County’ and 16th in England, West Sussex
is a popular inland golf course located on the Northern
edge of the South Downs. With a reputation like that to
uphold, Course Manager Ian Streeter enlisted the help of a
Graden for the course’s scarification requirements - and has
benefitted two-fold from his efforts!
Five years ago Ian decided to invest in a
Graden Swing Wing and a Contour Sand
Injector (CSI). “I’ve been familiar with the
Graden machinery for a number of years
as we used to contract R&K Kensett in to
work their magic with the CSI machine,”
explained Ian. “After trying other methods
of thatch removal we just weren’t getting
the results we desired on our greens,
and couldn’t believe the results we were
achieving with the CSI.”
Now supported by Charterhouse Turf
Machinery, Ian has continued the Graden
work on the greens once or twice a year
as well as moving onto the tees and
approaches. “Due to the level of thatch
on our greens, we started scarifying with
the CSI at a depth of 25mm but this has
gradually come up to 15mm as the thatch
level has decreased. I would estimate that
overall the thatch content has reduced
by 70% and continues to reduce with
every pass.”
The CSI is a scarifier/aerator with the
ability to scarify to any depth between
1mm-40mm, whilst simultaneously
backfilling the grooves with either sand or
a combination of sand and seed. Its ability
to do both jobs in one pass reduces play
downtime without causing any detrimental
effect to the firmness of the ground. Ian
has received positive feedback from the
club and players alike on how the greens
have quickened up, firmed up and general
play has improved.
Not only has Ian achieved better quality
greens, now that the thatch level has
reduced significantly he has been able to
undertake a species exchange. Before
the Graden work, the greens at West
Sussex were approximately 80% Poa.
Now able to overseed with bent grasses,
they are roughly 70% bent offering a more
sustainable surface in terms of required
water and chemical input.
“The Graden machinery has been one
of the best purchases I’ve made. It has
completely turned around our greens and I
now would never use anything else.”
Ian Streeter pictured with his CSI
T E S T I M O N I A L
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Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Redexim BV, Holland www.redexim.com
T U R F M A C H I N E R Y
CharterhouseRedexim World Headquarters Redexim BV, Kwekerijweg 8,
3709 JA, Zeist, The Netherlands
Phone: (31) 30 6 933 227Fax: (31) 30 6 933 228
E-mail: [email protected]
Charterhouse Turf Machinery Ltd9 Weydown Road Ind Est, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1DW
Phone: +44 (0)1428 661222Fax: +44 (0)1428 661218
J @ctmTURFI Charterhouse Turf Machinery
