Pictures are worth a thousand words. So is the case in showing the impact that turf colorant applications have on turf grass and conifer trees. Several test strips were made on Kentucky Blue grass in November as it was going dormant as well as blue spruce needles and branches. The Tru Mark SwitchBack Kameelyan Blue Turf Colorant was tested using different dilution ratios, from 1:10, 1:20, and 1:30, 1 part colorant to different parts water. Although not tested, a dilution ratio of 1:40 should ... Read Full Story

What should you cover a confer tree (with needles, evergreen type) that has a brown color where you want to make it look greener.Given the formulation of the DuraStripe Aerosol Paint I would not apply this material to a living tree, especially one that keeps its needles from year after year. I’m afraid the absorption of the material by the needles would be destructive to the tree. The Aerosol Chalk product would be a better temporary solution, however we do not make this formulation in a gree... Read Full Story

The simplicity of the 12-volt diaphragm pump technology (Shurflo) and the Tru Mark athletic field marker design leads customers through ample opportunities to to diagnose a problem through a process of elimination.In a recent series of emails and replacement parts ordered for a Model E-100 walk behind athletic field marker, recently inherited by a youth soccer association volunteer, resulted in the following testimonial."Finally solved our problem with the new spray tips. I am sure the other... Read Full Story

Customers continue to evaluate time versus supply cost savings when selecting products and services for their sports complex operations. Some customers are willing to pay more per applied gallon of field marking to eliminate their paint mixing operations.A majority of field marking marking paints are formulated to support different dilution ratios to achieve the lowest cost per diluted gallon while ensuring sufficient coverage and brightness.Some of the field marking equipment requires some a... Read Full Story

A customer for 5 years remarks about his Model E-100 walk-behind 12-volt diaphragm pump field marker. Rob, from Sisters, Oregon recently stated, "We continue to make good use of the striping machine we have, and know the school district still has theirs as well." As a supplier, manufacturer and distributor, of field marking equipment we continue to request feedback on our equipment and service to improve the customer's field marking operations. Many times we have recognized the need to upgrad... Read Full Story

It is time to clear some excess inventory we've collected over the last nine months, namely the Snapper 33" HiVAC Mower Deck and the Briggs & Stratton 10 Amp charging system (Flywheel and Stator).These parts are not used to complete the assembly of the RS-500 and RS-500F Self-propelled Rider Field Markers. The mower deck is removed with all parts intact and shipped as a complete item at approximately 105 pounds. This unit sells new for over $500.The Briggs and Stratton charging system is ... Read Full Story

Most synthetic turf paints are formulated to stick to the different synthetic turf fibers, e.g., nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene. Also many of these synthetic turf paints are designed to be removed using a special cleaning agent which is formulated for their respective ingredients.If you use a standard natural turf paint on synthetic turf it will start flaking off as soon as it experiences foot traffic because it doesn’t have the binders/adhesives in the formulation.Most bulk synthetic tur... Read Full Story

SportsTurf Managers Association (STMA) has been doing research and documenting the differences and benefits between natural grass versus synthetic turf sports fields. Some recent publications help communities and sports turf manager tell the story to those that will be paying the bills as well as using the surfaces.STMA's Natural Turf Benefits Informational Sheet."It is becoming more common that high schools and parks and recreation departments are replacing their natural grass playing surfac... Read Full Story

Here's a new technology that benefits the sports turf industry and makes for safer field of play. Raptor Nails--Engineered Polymer Composite Nails--are relatively mower and landscaping equipment safe.They are similar in dimension to a 60 penny nail (6 inches in length and 1/4 inch in diameter) at 1/10th the weight and are not susceptible to corrosion and oxidation.Manufactured by Utility Composites Intl, Ltd, these nails are UV resistant, and virtually unaffected by chlorine, acids and solv... Read Full Story

Dr Andrew McNitt discussed the fundamentals of turf grass management for athletic fields as part of the STMA Midwest Regional Conference in Ames, IA, June 24-25, 2009. He related many of his tips to several of the field plots that Dr Dave Minner was conducting at the ISU turf plot area as part of the trade show the previous day.Here are the ideas that were shared with the conference attendees:Keep the mower height constant and mow often. Stress in August (less water and a lower height with sp... Read Full Story