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Leveling the Field of Play
The Turf Industry Seeks COnstruction Standards and Specifications
Great outdoor sporting events are contested on pristine fields of play. When the Chicago Cubs walk across the Kentucky Blue Grass and Rye of Wrigley Field or the USC Trojans football squad tackles teams on the 79,156 sq ft of turf in the Rose Bowl, it’s only after a crew of professionals has grown, measured and groomed that green space with expert care.
When setting out to build the next great playing field, like-minded professionals strive to create a masterpiece that will be used for generations. Today’s big hindrance, according to the Sports Turf Association, is that construction standards have been a missing link in the creation of the most effective and highly functional sports fields.
Commenting on the problem the sports turf industry has faced, Michael Bladon, former grounds superintendent at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, explained: “Specifications could have saved grounds maintenance personnel and others thousands of dollars in corrective action when poor construction methods were used, partly because pertinent information was not readily available.”
The Sports Turf Association has moved to solve this issue through the creation of construction specifications in The Athletic Field Construction Manual. “The value of this manual to the industry is in the recognition of the need for a comprehensive set of specifications, which, if followed or used, ensure that athletic fields are built correctly the first time,” Bladon said.
Landscape architect Lawrence Stasiuk of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects added his insights: “Competitive athletes demand high-quality and safe playing surfaces. The Athletic Field Construction Manual provides standards for five categories of field construction that will help designers determine the appropriate field design for the intended level of use and competition.”
This classification system is primarily based on the root zone material and the provision of drainage, irrigation and lights. The resulting specifications for each category of field are based on the best available scientific information.
The Sports Turf Association has made the manual available through its Web site at www.sportsturfassociation.com. Bladon encouraged “any municipality, private enterprise, consultants, landscape architects and anyone involved in maintenance budgets to make use of this invaluable tool.”
The Sports Turf Association was conceived in 1987, when at a brainstorming session at the University of Guelph, a broad segment of the turf industry endorsed its need. Of particular concern at that meeting was the need to minimize and avoid injury to participants using athletic fields where they relate to sports turf. Two decades later the Sports Turf Association continues to promote safe, natural sports turf through education and professional development. Visit www.sportsturfassociation.com for more information.
| Atletic Field Classifcation System |
The purpose of the Athletic Field Classification System is to provide a framework for the integration of the design, maintenance and permitting of athletic fields. For this purpose, athletic fields are divided into five categories.
Category 1 Field — This category of field is constructed using the principles of the sand based root zone outlined in the United States Golf Association Greens Section recommendations or as modified by the California Construction Method. The 300 mm-deep root zone is constructed from imported, carefully selected sand. The sand is primarily selected on the basis of principles of soil physics for predictable air and water relationships in the root zone. This category of construction requires the installation of an appropriate irrigation and drainage system and an adequate budget for a high level of maintenance. This category of field is typically intended for users with the highest qualitative requirements for play that would satisfy national or international caliber adult use. The fields are associated with services and amenities (lights, change rooms and stands) intended for functions with significant scheduled spectator attendance. The fields are generally available for play regardless of rainfall and are not subject to compaction.
Category 2 Field — This category of field is constructed from in situ or imported soil having less than 25 percent silt plus clay. For this category of field, the existing soils are removed to a depth of 300 mm and stock-piled or discarded for the purpose of preparing the subgrade and installing the drainage system. The requirements for drainage are the same as a Category 1 field except the gravel layer is eliminated and the spacing between drainage lines is reduced from 5 to 3 m. Due to the low moisture reserve of soils with 75 percent or more sand, an irrigation system is a necessary part of the design. While auxiliary structures such as stands and change rooms may also be associated with this design of the field, they may be more basic than required for a Category 1 field. Play on this category of field may be subject to cancellation due to excessive rainfall.
Category 3 Field — This category of field has a 300-mm deep root zone of in situ or imported soil, which may have up to 40 percent silt and clay. For this category of field, the in situ soil is removed to a depth of 300 mm to permit the installation of the drainage system, which is identical to a Category 2 field. The field may be designed without an irrigation system due to the more favorable moisture relationships of a soil with a higher silt plus clay content. These fields may be constructed with or without lights and with or without basic stands and change rooms.
Category 4 Field — The design of this category of field is for locations where the in situ soil to be used has greater than 40 percent silt plus clay. Otherwise the design is the same as a Category 3 field. Play may be interrupted due to weather conditions for extended periods. The use of slit drains to enhance the surface, as well as internal drainage, is generally necessary. On this category of field, it is difficult to maintain a safe, playable surface under intensive use without high repair costs.
Category 5 Field — This category of field is one constructed with minimum capital. No lights, drainage or irrigation are provided and disturbance of the in situ soil is limited to that required to shape the surface crown and level the seed bed. This category applies to all textures of soils. The field is intended for the regular casual use by residents of a neighborhood. |
Thomas Equipment Re-Emerges with Global Strategy & New Production Pact
 When it comes to Canadian compact construction machinery, Thomas Equipment is a name with tradition in the highly competitive skid steer market. Thomas has been engineering quality equipment since 1943 when the company emerged as a farm machinery manufacturer. Ever since, the company has expanded its machine portfolio over the decades to include skid steers, mini excavators and compact utility loaders.
Earlier this year, Thomas Equipment Inc. re-emerged under a new parent company called Osiris Corp. Osiris is a holding company that also includes businesses like Pneutech (specializing in pneumatic and hydraulic systems and components for automation and motion control) and TcomT (designing wireless devices for the telecommunications industry).
Under Osiris, Thomas Equipment announced that it entered into an agreement in principle for the production of Thomas skid steer loaders in China with Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering and its subsidiary Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics (GJK).
“Thomas is proud to align with a world-class manufacturer of excavators and other heavy equipment for construction, agricultural and other industries and sees this as a major step in assuring that Thomas skid steer loaders will continue to represent the best in engineering and performance,” explained Petter Etholm, president and CEO of both Thomas and Osiris. “Thomas also signed a letter of intent for GJK to distribute Thomas skid steer loaders in its markets, most notably China.”
Thomas Equipment, celebrating its 65th year in business, will supervise all phases of production and quality control, added COO Ilan Danieli. “Thomas skid steers, produced by GJK, are expected to begin shipping early next year, with shipments increasing throughout the year, augmenting production in Canada, which will phase down during next year,” he said.
Thomas Equipment’s marketing, sales, quality control and related staff in Centerville, New Brunswick, Canada, will spearhead all Thomas activities and oversee production.
“At Thomas Equipment we strive to produce the best quality skid steer loaders in the industry,” said Gilbert Bedard, vice president of Global Sales. “Thomas’ new manufacturing alignment further enhances our capability to offer customers the best in quality of product and service in the business.”
Who Is Singapore Technology Engineering & Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics?
 Interestingly enough, Singapore Technology Engineering (STE) is a $4 billion (US) global company in land systems, aerospace, marine and electronics. It’s as much a global defense manufacturer (designing munitions and automatic weapons) as it is an engineering group (designing equipment and truck bodies), with more than 100 subsidiaries in 29 cities in 17 countries. Its U.S. headquarters is the subsidiary Vision Technologies Systems Inc., based near Washington, D.C., which does a lot of business with the U.S. Department of Defense.
STE’s Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics Co. Ltd. (GJK) is a major Chinese excavator manufacturer in business for more than 20 years and recently acquired by STE in 2005. With that production clout capability well in place, Thomas hopes to position itself to grow internationally and to grow in the expanding China market. GJK’s main business includes the design, manufacture and distribution of wheeled and tracked hydraulic excavators, as well as customized specialty machinery and vehicles for customers like Thomas Equipment. GJK will represent Thomas skid steer loaders in China, which is a major opportunity to generate sales and profits, as most professionals see China as the major growing economy over the next few years.
 Deere Ranked No. 1 in Category for Fortune Most Admired
What’s in a name? For Deere & Co., it’s not only a tradition of making first-class farm and construction machinery, it’s about being a symbol of American ingenuity, hard work and quality products.
Recently, Deere & Co. was ranked as the most admired company in the Industrial and Farm Equipment category by Fortune magazine in its annual ranking of the Most Admired companies. This is Deere’s highest ranking in the past six years.
For its annual listing of the most admired companies, Fortune magazine, working with Hay Group, asked executives, directors and analysts to rate the 10 largest companies in their industries using eight criteria. Fortune calls the 63 industry lists “the definitive report card on corporate reputations.”
The attributes include quality of management, quality of products and services, innovation, long-term investment value, financial soundness, people management (ability to attract, develop and keep talented people), social responsibility and use of corporate assets. Companies ranking behind Deere in the Industrial and Farm Equipment category include (in order from 2 to 6) Caterpillar, Illinois Tool Works, ITT Corp., Cummins and Trane.
John Deere is a world leader for providing advanced products and services for agriculture and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has sought to share its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe.
Yanmar Announces Grand Opening of New Tractor Assembly Facility
 Marking another milestone in Yanmar’s North American market commitment, a new state-of-the-art production facility has been opened in Yanmar’s Adairsville, Georgia manufacturing complex. The new plant will be dedicated to the production of tractors related to Yanmar’s joint venture with Cub Cadet.
This new 240,000-sq ft production facility will be where the actual merging of the Yanmar diesel engines and the Yanmar built Cub Cadet tractors takes place. The model Sc2400 will utilize a 24-hp engine, the Ex2900 a 28.7-hp engine, and the Ex3200 receives the 32-hp unit.
Yanmar’s ongoing U.S. expansion process has progressed rapidly in part because of the growing opportunities in the tractor business, and the willingness of local Bartow County officials to increase the Freeport exemption on Yanmar’s behalf. “We’re proud of the positive impact we’re having here in our own community. This expansion will provide up to 200 new jobs for our friends and neighbors in the area surrounding Adairsville,” Yanmar America’s newly appointed COO & president Thomas Calhoun stated.
This facility also houses North American home offices for Yanmar America Construction equipment, Agricultural equipment, Marine engine assembly, and the Replacement Parts Group.
“This is an exciting time for all of us in the Yanmar family,” Calhoun said. “Our expansion is the culmination of the commitment and dedication by countless individuals within the company. Seeing this expanded facility come to life right before our eyes makes all those efforts even more satisfying. It will also inspire us to keep challenging ourselves as we press forward in our market with continued enthusiasm.”
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Sound Off
Answer These Questions, Get It Printed and Win a Free Pair of CE Gloves and an Outerwears Pre-Filter |
| Foreign labor is ever-increasing in the construction and landscape industry. What are your opinions and insights on migrant workers and immigration reform in the United States? Do you rely on migrant labor? Are you against it? What tips can you offer to companies who need to navigate the complexness of legal foreign labor? And what do you think the government should do to rectify immigration reform? |
We here at Compact Equipment are always trying to get our readers more involved with the magazine. We’re interested in communicating your opinions and interests, so we can make a better publication. In hopes of creating a direct dialogue with our readership, we’ll be asking a question each month in our Letters to the Editor department. If you send a response to the question above and it gets printed, we will send you a pair of Compact Equipment leather work gloves and a nice equipment pre-filter (courtesy of the fi ne folks at Outerwears) — along with an autographed copy of the magazine with your letter (signed
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