To
keep on top of the maintenance of a newly-laid 4G astro surface at their
Ralston Training Complex, St Mirren FC have purchased an RTC unit from
Charterhouse Turf Machinery.
For
the facility’s sole Groundsman, Alan Michie, it has improved both the
efficiency and speed of regular surface brushing.
Forming
part of the 3.7 hectare site, the artificial pitch is home to first team and
academy training throughout the week, and matches at the weekend. “Just before
the 4G pitch was open for play in September, I was very pleased to find a new
RTC brush unit from Charterhouse land at my door” explains Alan, who has been
running the training ground for the last two and a half years.
“We
had previously used a tractor and brush combination which wasn’t the most
practical – timely to set up and, being in one of the wettest areas in the
country, often meant I was unable to get out at all.”
“The
Chairman and Head Groundsman at the stadium had been in talks with Ian Lauder
of Charterhouse and decided the versatility and simplicity of the RTC was a
perfect fit to keep on top of the regular maintenance. Ian came in to do some
training with me, but it’s so simple to use, it’s fantastic. If I’m struggling
for time, the guy who looks after our youth department will go out and brush
for me. He finds it therapeutic!”
The
convenience of a self-contained unit means Alan can easily keep up with the
regular maintenance on the high-wear surface, brushing on average five or six
times a week.
The
RTC brushes fold to allow storage and access through gaps as narrow as 90cm,
although when deployed, the unit will cover an impressive 200cm in one-pass. “I
can also use the tow bar on the back to take other tools out with me that I use
for work on the natural grass pitches. It pulls a small trailer no problem.”
Proving
itself to be a real multi-purpose machine, Alan adds, “it does a fantastic job
of levelling off the pitch, spreading the rubber well to prevent compaction.
The ongoing maintenance of the unit is also very simple. For me, it’s crucial
that the maintenance is simple, but effective. For this, the RTC is ideal.”
