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Replacing two sets of chain harrows with a new 8 metre wide OPICO grass harrow to remove the hoof prints from the all weather sand track at Dunstall Park Racecourse Wolverhampton has brought some significant benefits.

Not only is the surface better for racing but track maintenance costs have been reduced dramatically by doing the job more quickly - with half the labour and machinery. "We used chain harrows at one stage, but fibres in the sand caused a problem,' says Geoff Adcock, head groundsman at the racecourse. 'When the sand started to dry out all the fibres stuck in the harrows which stopped the flow of sand so we decided to go for a tined implement."

"Overall," says Geoff," it is an excellent performer. The time it has saved us is absolutely phenomenal. Before we had to have two sets of chain harrows going on a race night whereas now we can just go around once and it is wide enough to cover the racing line. That means dispensing with the necessity for one man, a tractor and a set of harrows in just one go."

"From that point of view the 'Turf Comb' grass harrow is winning hands down because you've got the width and you don't need much tractor power to work the machine." "The machine is used every day of the week all the year round," says Geoff. "We've got a resident trainer on the course who trains every day and its also used on a race night."

"The only down side is that the harrow leaves the track slightly slower than the chain harrows because it penetrates the sand. We'd like to reduce the depth but then we'd be left with the hoof prints." In addition during the winter it is necessary to work the track 24 hours a day to stop it freezing.

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