Topdressing
Topdressing is the application of various materials (typically sands, soils or loams) onto the playing surface and the working in of the material.
It is carried out for many reasons, however; we will be looking at topdressing in terms of smoothing and levelling the surface.
📌The choice of material used for the dressing:
- Should be based on your pitch soil type or type of pitch construction (if applicable)
- Can contain a high percentage of sand to assist with drainage or firming up of the surface
- You should always seek professional advice before buying material to ensure it is appropriate for your pitch and circumstances
🗝️ Practical Tips:
- Typically, the aim is to apply approximately 6-14kgs/ m2 /year (This equates to between 60-100tonnnes) for a full size pitch eg (100x64m)
- The amount will depend on the surface evenness, or any other reasons you may be top dressing such as thatch levels, surface drainage or soil type
- Cost may also be a factor as purchase, delivery and application of topdressing in large quantities is expensive
- Whether or not the topdressing is applied over several dressings or as one dressing at the end of the playing season may depend on the equipment available to you or the length of break in play
- It is important that the dressing is brushed or drag matted into the surface to avoid any grass being smothered, and that it is applied evenly, or surface levels may be lost
Remember…
✅ Carry out a risk assessment and ensure that you have the necessary personal protective equipment.
✅ Carry out the daily checks on the machine, this will differ from machine to machine but usually will include things like checking the fluid levels, tyres if needed, fuel levels and guards are fitted. As each machine is different you should consult the manufactures handbook for guidance.
✅ Checks should also be made to the implement, the top dresser. There is a wide variety of this type of equipment and each will vary.
✅ Ensure that the implement is correctly fitted to the tractor and if a PTO drive is being used then it is important that the PTO guards are in place. Failure to do this may risk serious injury or death.
✅ The top dresser will need to be calibrated, this will differ for speed, swath width, application rate and the material being applied. Calibration should be carried out using the manufacturer’s instructions.
✅Once the top-dressing unit is filled, transport to the site.
✅ Use guides to ensure accuracy and even application, these could be ranging rods, running poles, cones or other markers
✅ Operate the equipment at the required speed to ensure even coverage and make sure the implement is disengaged at the end of each run.
✅ It is unlikely that you will cover the entire pitch with one load. It is helpful to not run out of dressing in the middle of a pass so check regularly how much material you have in the hoper and if you don’t think you will have enough material to finish the pass, refill first.
✅ Once the whole surface is treated as required, take the equipment back to the garage/ maintenance facility and wash clean down as needed and prepare the equipment for the next use.
✅ The topdressing should be thoroughly brushed or drag matted in several directions after application when dry, this ensures existing grass plants are not smothered and that surface levels are maintained.
