Mole Ploughing on Sports Pitches, is a blog written in line with the title, not as a proclaimed expert on mole ploughing on sports pitches, as my experience is still growing, but this is what l believe l learnt.
Function & Explanations of what Mole Ploughing does!
The mole plough bullet, creates a continuous channel for water to flow, to a chosen location by the operator.
Mole ploughing connects the top of the profile with the primary drains, where you have them, the ideal is to plough into the top of the gravel above the primary drainage pipe, creating an interface between mole bullet and the drainage system.
Ideally mole ploughing drain should run across drain lines down/up to an open ditch, should be the area of the groundwater flows down to (lowest-bottom of slope) need of a slope for purpose of flow, any low areas water could sit wet.
Moling if successful will bring a volume of water to a point, so the reason why it needs to be into a ditch or low area, the end of the mole drain will sit wetter if it’s not going into /above the primary gravel.
Closely spaced non pipe drain channels, that conducts water to permanent pipe drain (primary drains) or and into an open ditch. You’d need to reverse up to the open ditch and work away from it, as in the below image.
Like a piped drain, but without pipe work.
Aims
Ideally drain running across drain lines down to an open ditch, should be the area of the groundwater flows down to (lowest-bottom of slope/grade) need of a slope for purpose of flow, any low areas water could sit wet.
Run off -ditches
Achievable depth and actual depth possible, l could only gain a depth of around 125mm, possible due to the age and wear on the plough. More technical resources suggest depths range of 400-600mm are possible.
Wheel to wheel or every 2-4 metres space seems to be the preferred spacing range, according to my initial research.
Areas of use
Winter Sports Pitches
Cricket outfields
Golf Fairways
Suitable Soils & State
The top of the rootzone needs to be dry enough to fissuring, a light form of cracking within profile, but also where the bullet of the mole plough travels it needs to be in a malleable soil state. Only possible in heavier soils like clay. Some resources l researched, say the clay content needs to be above 30% to be moldable and hold its shape, to remain open and effective. The use of an expander can be beneficial where fitted, as it doesn’t always seem to come fitted to all mole ploughs.
App to view soil types within your ground-https://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/
Timing-Warnings
Opening up risk, tricky ones as mole ploughing is only really effective on heavy soils, but a good question to ask: do you have annual challenges with the ground cracking and if mole ploughing could exacerbate that issue. Especially if your timing is past Christmas or is too close to a Spring.
Personally, l d mole plough from Sept-November to help minimise the risk, as my ground has a history of cracking during hot spells of summer.
September-October is said to be the ideal so the mole can penetrate the ground, allowing for fissures to form, in the drier upper rootzone, and also enough moisture where the mole plough bullet will form its void.
Beware of underground services and stones/rocks as these can lift or rip up sections of turf
Mole ploughing can create an uneven surface more of a concern on a golf fairway, but l did find wheel to wheel largely counted the unsettled ground.
How Often & Longevity
Like a piped drain, without pipe work, it is said they can stay open between 5-10 years.
Longevity considerations-
· Soil type, heavier, more chance of staying open in soil longer.
· Climate- Excessive rain and compaction could limit longevity.
· Moisture content in moulding, to dry the mole plough bullet impression will crumble inwards.
· Can stay open between 5-10 years
· The shallower depth of mole ploughing, the more likely the longevity will be reduced, compaction created by machine traffic and play could also reduce longevity.
Techniques l Found helpful
Setting up of the machine, so that the bullet is parallel with the ground surface, when working at depth.
Ensure good traction, to avoid to avoid compaction
Wheel to wheel or every 2-4 metres space seems to be the preferred spacing range, according to my initial research.
Deeper the less chance of opening up, along with timing notes
Reverse on exiting bullet, l found a very small backing up created less lift on exiting the plough at the end of a run.
Long grass, when inserting the mole plough can create a build-up of long grass which can widen the leg of the plough line, in an ideal world you start ploughing on shorter grass.
Benefits
Low cost
Extremely effective, if you meet the conditions and set the equipment up right.
Conclusion
Slopes, you need a slope for so the water has a route to take.
You need the correct soil type and timing is crucial
Be aware of the risk of underground services and risk of soil reopening
These where my findings and research, l d do your homework to what is suitable for for site and maybe speak to your local pitch advisor if in any doubt, as it’s a subject l am also learning about.
Brian
