Before maintenance
First maintenance in two weeks. Rubber-ball baseball players had held a practice shortly after a period of rain, and shoe marks were apparent all over the ground.

 Leveling of surface irregularities

To begin with, a steel frame is dragged over the ground to smooth out major irregularities. As the large, heavy frame is dragged over the ground, bumps are removed and depressions are filled in. The frame is repeatedly dragged over the ground in different directions.

 Surface finishing

A rough steel mat is then dragged over the ground. This eliminates irregularities and ruts that cannot be corrected using the steel frame. This surface finishing process evens out soil particles on the ground surface providing a beautiful finish.

Completion

The ground has been returned to an excellent condition.

Fukakita Ryokuchi Park Ball Game Plaza Ground Maintenance

Maintenance of the multi-purpose ball game plaza of the Osaka municipal Fukakita Ryokuchi Park

Daily management + focused management A + focused management B + focused management C

Before maintenance

Maintenance before a ground golf competition. Irregularities need to be eliminated as much as possible within one day.

Partial raking
Irregularities in frequently used parts of the ground are removed using raking. The ground is raked to a depth of 2 to 5 cm using a special rake fitted with iron spikes. Soil is obtained from higher bumps, is spread over the raked area, and then mixed with the existing soil. Water is then sprinkled over the raked area using a watering can in order to dampen the soil a little. There is a trick to getting the right level of moisture.

 Leveling of irregularities

A rough steel mat is then dragged over the surface of the ground. In this photograph, a brush is being used in combination with the mat. This process results in beautifully uniform surface particles.

Roller compaction

The ground is compacted using a roller specially made for ground maintenance. Since the ground is so spacious, it takes a lot of time to level the surface, so this process needs to be done with as much speed as possible. Compaction has to be repeated so many times that the driver ends up with a sore bum.

Surface finishing

Brushing of the ground surface is performed in order to prevent balls from hitting stones and heading in irregular directions.

Completion

All the ground maintenance work has been completed for the next day's ground golf competition.

Before maintenance

Sprinkling of bittern, which is conducted three times a year. This time, calcium chloride is used instead of bittern.

 Partial raking
Irregularities in frequently used parts of the ground are removed using raking. The ground is raked to a depth of 2 to 5 cm using a special rake fitted with iron spikes. Soil is obtained from higher bumps, is spread over the raked area, and then mixed with the existing soil. Water is then sprinkled over the raked area using a watering can in order to dampen the soil a little. There is a trick to getting the right level of moisture

Leveling of irregularities

A rough steel mat is then dragged over the surface of the ground. In this photograph, a brush is being used in combination with the mat. This process results in beautifully uniform surface particles.

 Roller compaction

The ground is compacted using a roller specially made for ground maintenance. Since the ground is so spacious, it takes a lot of time to level the surface, so this process needs to be done with as much speed as possible. Compaction has to be repeated so many times that the driver ends up with a sore bum.

Surface finishing

A brush is being used to finish the ground surface.

Sprinkling of bittern
 After sprinkling, the ground becomes white as shown in the photograph. The sprinkled bittern permeates into the soil over night.

The ground looks white all over after sprinkling as shown in this photograph. The bittern permeates into the soil over night.

Before maintenance

This is annual focused management work, which is supposed to take three days. Hopefully there will be no rain.

Overall raking

We use a special machine called a vibro-aerator, which is dragged using a large tractor. The vibro-aerator, which is fitted with iron spikes, is rotated in order to break up the hardened ground soil.

Roller compaction

The soil is then lightly compacted.

Leveling of irregularities
A steel frame is dragged over the ground to smooth out major irregularities. As the large, heavy frame is dragged over the ground, bumps are removed and depressions are filled in.

Leveling of irregularities

A rough steel mat is then dragged over the surface of the ground.

Roller compaction

The ground is compacted many times.

Leveling of irregularities

Even though the ground has been compacted, a steel mat is used to rake the surface once again. Repeated compaction, steel mat raking, and compaction results in a superior ground surface with no irregularities.

Roller compaction and leveling of irregularities

While dragging the steel frame, the operator is immediately aware of surface irregularities when he passes over them. Since the roller is not equipped with suspension, the operator immediately and directly feels surface irregularities and can therefore gain a grasp of the progress of finishing.

Surface finishing

The final step is finishing using a steel mat.

Completion

Thanks to a spell of fine days, the maintenance work was successfully completed. This time, a hard base layer and a relatively loose surface was produced.

Sprinkling of bittern

A special machine called a cyclone is used to evenly sprinkle bittern. After sprinkling, the ground becomes white as shown in the photograph. The sprinkled bittern permeates into the soil over night.

Completion

The ground looks white all over after sprinkling as shown in this photograph. The bittern permeates into the soil over night.