New Terralift for Terrain Aeration
T
errain Aeration have added a new
Super Scamper Terralift machine
to their fleet for deep penetration
aeration. Originally a German
invention used to aerate around tree
roots with a blast of compressed air, the
Terralift concept has been in service
with Terrain Aeration for over twenty-
five years. During this time, Terrain
Aeration have treated all kinds of turf
surface for waterlogging, compaction and
panning, from sports fields, golf courses
and bowling greens to treating trees
in London parks, green spaces and the
gardens of new house builds. ‘breathing’ underground, which helps to
keep the fractures open longer.
The new Terralift machine, built by Terrain
Aeration, takes the concept to a new
level of treatment for waterlogging. The
machine hammers a hollow probe one
metre into the soil (with the help of a JCB
road breaker gun). The result is an improved healthier root
system, a healthier sward as well as less
disease damage to the turf. There is no
mess, treatment can in fact be carried out
mid season, should a green for example
be too waterlogged to play, but otherwise
pre or end of season is the best time.
Once reaching this depth, a blast of
compressed air is released to fracture
and fissure the soil. On the tail end of
the air blast, dried milled seaweed is
incorporated and this, over a period of
time, expands and contracts with the
moisture content in the soil, similar to
The probe is removed and the process
repeated using two-metre centre
spacings on a staggered grid pattern.
This grid ensures that each probe shot
links with the previous ones. The probe
hole is then backfilled with an aggregate
to provide a long term aeration/
ventilation shaft, allowing air and water
to percolate into the fissures. The top
1" - 2" should have a cap of normal top
dressing to encourage the grass to grow
over the holes.
The slight ‘heave’ will settle down and
you are left with a smooth playing
surface. Prior to Terralift treatment it is
best to have the area spiked or hollow
tined purely to relieve the surface
tension to allow air to gently blow
through the top surface without causing
any disruption.
The Super Scamper Terralift is a compact
design which enables it to fit through
narrow gaps for access to bowling greens
and gardens. The machine is equally
effective in treating open landscape
areas, as seen here in its first outing at
the National Trust’s Stourhead estate.
Terrain Aeration 01449 673783
www.terrainaeration.com
Despite people's ‘fears’ that the Terralift
‘makes the Earth Move’ - it does, but just
enough to show that the ground has been
fractured from one metre depth back up
to the surface.
Landscape & Urban Design
51