SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees Cricket Club

The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is an ‘essential’ piece of equipment according to Duncan Austin, Head Groundsman at Prees Cricket and Recreation Club in Shropshire.

Prees Cricket and Recreation Club is one of Shropshire’s premier sports and community clubs. Set in beautiful countryside, the Club boasts excellent sports facilities and caters for local sports teams of all ages.

Duncan Austin is the man responsible for keeping the facilities in impeccable condition. He has been working at Prees for six years, but it was in his last position where he first became familiar with the SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5.

“I used to do the ground maintenance at a different cricket club for 18 years and we used a SISIS Rotorake there. I knew how good it was and I felt it was something we could really benefit from having here at Prees.

“We have had problems with a lot of thatch, and last year we paid a contractor to undertake a big thatch removal project. I think this also prompted us to go ahead and purchase the Auto Rotorake MK5, so that we don’t have to rely on outside help. Instead, we can keep on top of it and work towards gradually removing all the thatch.”

The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is a powerful self-propelled heavy duty scarifier designed for the removal and control of thatch on fine turf. It is ideally suited to a range of applications from sports field maintenance to lawns and amenities and features several benefits including:

• Contra-rotating reel with specially designed tipped blades for clean, consistent cut and maximum thatch removal.
• Alternative blades for light scarifying.
• Depth of cut adjustment control is mounted on the handle to enable depth to be set whilst moving forwards.
• User-friendly, operator presence controls designed for maximum operator safety.
• Easy-fit collector box.
• 6.5hp petrol engine with independent drive to wheels and reel.
• Careful weight distribution, slick tyres and full differential ensure ease of turning and minimal surface marking.

Duncan mainly uses it on the cricket pitch but will also use it on the bowls greens from time to time.
“One of the biggest benefits of using the MK5 on a cricket pitch is the contra-rotating reels, because if the scarifier turns the same way as the mower then it pushes and compacts the thatch. This just doesn’t happen with the MK5 and that is thanks to the contra-rotating reels.

“We have the brush reel which is really good for prepping before a match cut. It stands the grasses up and helps to give you a good clean cut straight after. We’ve also got the sarel roller/spiker and I like the fact that you can change the cassettes in next to no time.

“I would say that being able to use the Auto Rotorake MK5 for a wide range of tasks is its best feature. You can use it all year round whether it is for scarifying or brushing or using the spiker to keep the surface open.

“It is just a great machine.”