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| UNDERBUSTER deals to compacted soils |
By Richard Rennie
Productivity twenty times greater than any other deep probe aeration machine has given Tony Brazier high hopes for his new soil aeration business, Underbuster Limited.
Underbuster Limited is based in Herefordshire U.K. and serves The Midlands, The West Midlands, Wales & West Country.
Tony’s business is only 12 months old but he is already getting strong interest from the region’s many cider apple and cherry growers in his Gwazae aeration machine.
Manufactured in New Zealand and distributed in the UK by R & K Kensett , the Gwazae Ground Probe Aerator represents a leap in technology and productivity for sub soil aeration and de-compaction.
Heavy soils dealt with by Gwazae
The heavy Herefordshire clay soils prove a challenge to move water through in the long winter months for growers. This causes anaerobic conditions and increases the risk of fungal infections, particularly to sensitive cherry crops.
The Gwazae GPA 101 machine delivers a blast shock of air via a long, hollow probe inserted with minimal intrusion from above. The air delivery can be varied in intensity and the shock waves it generates crack sub soil pans and break up compacted profiles.
Subsoil de-compaction by Key hole delivery
Tony likens the Gwazae to key hole surgery, with minimal surface intrusion delivering maximum results at the desired depths.
He says in long time orchard areas trafficking over many years has created hard subsoil pans formed by wheelings. The Gwazae breaks those pans up and delivers better aeration through the profile with no root damage
Even though he has only had the Gwazae for 12 months, Tony says he is getting some positive feedback from those customers who took on this strange looking machine from Down Under.
“There are still a lot of fence sitters, but we are getting more growers wanting to try it after hearing how it can help with drainage, improve their soils, improve their tree health thus helping to reduce the risk of many fungal diseases.”
A sensible solution for sensitive crops
The Gwazae’s appeal also lies in probe action that minimises the risk of cutting the sensitive roots of trees. The machine’s small footprint means Tony can manoeuvre the single probe machine easily between tree’s without damaging the branches above or roots below.
The same trees also suffer badly from compaction. With tractors and fruit bins passing over the same area year in year out the soil becomes consolidated and drainage impaired.
“A lot of growers have known they have a problem, but not really sure what to do about it. We can deal to the problem at a rate of around an acre an hour.”
Tony bought the Gwazae in partnership with Lower Hope Farm, partially because the owners recognised the problem with compacted cherry tree roots, and the Gwazae was a solution.
“This year the farm won the supreme award for its cherries, and we are sure the work with the Gwazae helped.”
Options open up for aeration
Tony has already branched out into amenity and sport’s field work with his machine, and has had some good results with golf courses and football fields.
Last winter Birmingham City Football ground had been facing almost unplayable conditions with a pitch that would not drain.
“The pan beneath was extremely solid. We came through with the Gwazae and it broke it up, and the field ended up being absolutely fantastic.”
His clients have enjoyed similar success with a golfing green that was stubbornly refusing to drain.
“It is the best green on the course now and he is budgeting on having us back twice a year.”
Using a compact tractor to tow the Gwazae means Tony minimises any soil compaction himself, while the tight profile of the tractor and Gwazae easily fit into tight orchard areas.
The Kubota diesel driving the Gwazae delivers a solid reliable power source for the machine’s compressor, ensuring maximum blast power when required regularly.
For more information on Underbuster's services contact Tony or Alf on:
Mobile: (United Kingdom) (0)7837 083053
Office: (United Kingdom) (0)1885 400260
Website: http://www.underbuster.co.uk
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Orchard Decompaction - UNDERBUSTER Cracked
the Ground |
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| Orchard Decompaction |
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| At Blackwell Park Golf |
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