Pictures from an athletic field contractor

[Lastkidpicked]

Today we replaced the controller for an irrigation system. This is for what's known as a "2 wire" system. It has only 2 wires leaving the controller and going out to the valves. Each valve has a programmed decoder. The controller sends a signal down the wire which tells the decoder to open its valve.

Do you think we are close to the days where the systems will be wireless? That seems like it would save a lot of work and maintenance.

There are a lot more people there than I expected. I keep thinking of this as a very unique industry, but it seems like it's really pretty big

Eddie, I wonder if you also notice the work done on athletic fields all the more after discovering this thread?

It's fun to drive by the activity knowing the "behind the scenes" that goes on.

 

[EddieWalker]

For sure. I never really paid attention to sports fields before, but now I wonder more about who takes care of them and what it costs to keep them in top condition.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Do you think we are close to the days where the systems will be wireless? That seems like it would save a lot of work and

There are wireless systems available now, but they are fairly new. And still more expensive to install. There are some issues with them.
One issue is the max distance from the controller to the valve is about 1000 ft and must be a clear "line of sight". A "2 wire" system can have several thousand feet from the controller to the valves.
Another issue is that wireless valves must have a battery to operate. That's another possible point of failure.
I recently bid a job with a wireless system because we would have had to bore under about 150 ft of concrete with wires. I didn't get that job.

 

[Lastkidpicked]

There are wireless systems available now, but they are fairly new. And still more expensive to install. There are some issues with them. . .

Thank you for explaining that. I learn something new on here every day.

 

[rontaki]

There are wireless systems available now, but they are fairly new. And still more expensive to install. There are some issues with them.
One issue is the max distance from the controller to the valve is about 1000 ft and must be a clear "line of sight". A "2 wire" system can have several thousand feet from the controller to the valves.
Another issue is that wireless valves must have a battery to operate. That's another possible point of failure.
I recently bid a job with a wireless system because we would have had to bore under about 150 ft of concrete with wires. I didn't get that job.

Wouldn't the wireless remote valves/controllers also require battery maintenance?

 

[dodge man]

Baseball at the end of January? You live on the equator?

I can without a doubt the little league field I played on never had much done on them. The infield lip was more like a curb, the pitching rubber stuck out of the ground and the batters box got deeper and deeper.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Wouldn't the wireless remote valves/controllers also require battery maintenance?

Another issue is that wireless valves must have a battery to operate. That's another possible point of failure.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Baseball at the end of January? You live on the equator?

Our high school season starts with official games in early February, so practice starts late January. Regular season ends early May and playoffs end mid May before graduation in late May.

 

[sixdogs]

Our high school season starts with official games in early February, so practice starts late January. Regular season ends early May and playoffs end mid May before graduation in late May.

Do you have competitors around who also do the same work?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Do you have competitors around who also do the same work?

A few, but not many. The equipment is highly specialized and expensive.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Today I applied herbicide to this field. Their last home game of the season was a high school semifinal game 4 days ago. This is a field I renovated 2 years ago.
The last game was after 3.5" of rain on the 2 days before the game. They also had games on this field the 2 weeks prior.

This proves that a well-constructed and maintained natural grass field will hold up in heavy use and heavy rainfall conditions.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Sometimes when we add soil to an infield, it will settle a little after a heavy rain. When this happens, we go back and regrade it. That's what I did today. I want my customers to be 100% satisfied on 100% of our work.

 

[Molalla1]

Sometimes when we add soil to an infield, it will settle a little after a heavy rain. When this happens, we go back and regrade it. That's what I did today. I want my customers to be 100% satisfied on 100% of our work. View attachment 4579514

That's why you return to the job after it is complete . . . good practice CTC.

 

[BackRoad]

Mr. Complete, you have got the greatest tools!

That looks like a lazer leveler?

What kind of tolerances are you able to achieve across an infield?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

What kind of tolerances are you able to achieve across an infield?

My goal is to be at about 1/4", but realistically it's probably more like 1/2"

 

[EddieWalker]

You need a video of that thing working!!!!

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I did some spraying today. Can anyone guess what my target pests are? There are 2 and both are very obvious in this picture.

 

[anomad]

I see clover and ant hills.

 

[EddieWalker]

Grubs and army worms?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I see clover and ant hills.

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!