Pictures from an athletic field contractor

[sixdogs]

We were back on some of the fields we removed the grass from last week. I wish I had gotten a pic when I was done. All we have left to do on this field is install new bases.
View attachment 2479575

What kind of spading tool is that? It doesn't look like a rototiller but I can't see it.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

What kind of spading tool is that? It doesn't look like a rototiller but I can't see it.

It's the ABI Force Z23.

ABI Force | Self-Propelled, Zero-Turn, Multi-Task Vehicle | Get Ground Prep Work Done Faster

The ABI Force is the most versatile ground preparation machine on the market with swappable tools fit for landscaping and sports turf industries.

www.forcebyabi.com

 

[sixdogs]

It's the ABI Force Z23.

ABI Force | Self-Propelled, Zero-Turn, Multi-Task Vehicle | Get Ground Prep Work Done Faster

The ABI Force is the most versatile ground preparation machine on the market with swappable tools fit for landscaping and sports turf industries.

www.forcebyabi.com

What a beautiful piece of equipment. You sure do have all the right tools.

 

[EddieWalker]

We were back on some of the fields we removed the grass from last week. I wish I had gotten a pic when I was done. All we have left to do on this field is install new bases.
View attachment 2479575

Do you use something like this on your own place? Looks like it might be useful for planting a garden.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

More work on an infield today. We added 2 loads of infield mix, then laser graded it.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

More lip removal and we added 2 loads of soil and laser graded the infield at Southern University in Baton Rouge today.

 

[EddieWalker]

What do you do with the material that you remove?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

What do you do with the material that you remove?

We just dump it somewhere off the field. It usually ends up being about 2 or 3 loads or about 6 - 10 yards. And a lot of it is grass, so it will 'deflate' over time as the grass decays.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

More work on another softball infield today. We’ve had record high temps lately which is good for allowing us to get some work done.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

New clay bricks, lips removed, 2 loads of infield mix installed and laser graded and new bases installed.

 

[RayIN]

Yes I am concerned. One of my bigger customers is converting 4 football fields to fake grass. I'm trying to figure out what sort of equipment I can buy to do maintenance on fake grass. Some of the fake grass companies are telling the schools that if any gas or diesel powered equipment goes on the field, the warranty is voided. Which is BS...

I asked one of my equipment vendors to build an electric powered machine so that I can service these new fake grass fields. I have not looked into any electric powered tractors yet. I don't think there is much available yet.

NH now sells 74HP total electric utility tractors. JD is coming out with one in 2026.
IMO the next big leap should be in battery technology, as in stronger, longer lasting, and that's on the horizon.

 

[WM75Guy]

NH now sells 74HP total electric utility tractors. JD is coming out with one in 2026.
IMO the next big leap should be in battery technology, as in stronger, longer lasting, and that's on the horizon.

The NH T4 Electric tractor is a concept tractor that never went into production.

Special Projects | New Holland

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Herbicide application on some football fields today.

 

[doneill127]

Your picture brought back some not so fond memories. I was a new field service rep and being low man on the pole, got selected to do a Christmas outage at the Boise Cascade mill in DeRidder back in 1981. My wife and I had microwaved hamburgers in the 7eleven parking lot for Christmas dinner. Never forget that.

 

[two_bit_score]

Just read through the entire thread. I am a FAN!

 

[EddieWalker]

I thought it was too cold to spray, and that you should only spray when the plants are growing. But since the grass is green there, does that mean it's growing this time of the year?

 

[dodge man]

Is the grass growing? He practically lives south of the equator.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I thought it was too cold to spray, and that you should only spray when the plants are growing. But since the grass is green there, does that mean it's growing this time of the year?

I'm spraying a tank mix of 2 products here. One is glyphosate (Roundup) to kill existing weeds, and the other is prodiamine which is a pre-emerge herbicide to prevent new weeds from germinating.

The glyphosate will work, but a lot slower in cooler temperatures. Temps were in the low 60's when I sprayed this field. About half of the green grass you see is weeds (poa annua) that I'm trying to kill with the glyphosate. The other green is bermuda grass.

The prodiamine will stay on the soil surface and prevent weeds for about 6-8 weeks. The cooler temps will not have much, if any, effect on this herbicide.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Deep aeration on a football field today.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Slow motion video of the aeration.