The Flemington Racecourse is owned and managed by the Victoria Racing Club and it is a turf racecourse of international standing.
It is currently being prepared for the Spring Carnival and Cup Week that includes the running of the Melbourne Cup on the traditional first Tuesday in November when over 100,000 patrons will attend.
Silvan Australia has recently built and delivered to Flemington a special trailed turf sprayer that will help keep the course proper and working gallops in top condition year-round.
The sprayer is based around a 2,000-litre capacity Polytuff tank that is designed for a long life under outdoor exposure.
The sprayer will be used to spray insecticides and chemical treatments in solution for weed control amongst the turf track surfaces.
The Silvan sprayer is fitted with twin 7.5 metre hydraulically controlled spray booms so that when fully extended for use a 15-metre coverage of the track surface is obtained.
Silvan’s product specialist for spraying and machinery Raph Hymus says that the sprayer utilises the towing tractor‘s power take off to drive a Comet BP 125 diaphragm pump that has an output at 540 rpm of 120 litres per minute at 20 bar.
The pump assembly is matched by a Silvan Bravo controller that effectively regulates the spray pressure, directs the flow of the spray liquid from the pump to the nozzles located on the boom and will bypass any excess spray liquid back to the tank.
The complete unit is carried on a highly durable hot dipped galvanized steel chassis.
Silvan’s Raph Hymus says the Turf Sprayer was purpose built to specifically suit the needs of turf management at Flemington as well as recognising the physical conditions under which it will be used.
For more information on the Silvan sprayers for agriculture, horticulture and turf management use contact Silvan Australia on 1300 SILVAN (1300 745 826) or email [email protected] for technical assistance.
Photo Caption
Taking delivery of the new Silvan Turf Sprayer at Flemington racecourse were left and right Victoria Racing Club employees Jake Myles and Tim Drysdale with Silvan’s product specialist Raph Hymus in the centre.