FREMANTLE DOCKERS TRUST TORO
13 Oct 2016
A new diverse, automated irrigation system has been installed by Toro in the Freemantle Dockers’ redeveloped training ground, giving the competition level team a winning edge.
A new standard for best practice in the very competitive AFL arena will be set when the $112 million Fremantle Dockers training, administration and recreational centre development opens in Cockburn Central West in Western Australia in early 2017.
Programmed Property Services is managing the construction of the new playing surface and Toro irrigation and equipment products are in use at the new facility.
Football ovals in Australia are different in size. Clubs train on a particular size ground, but games may be played on a different size oval. The new Dockers training oval can replicate up to 13 different AFL grounds across the competition, which should give the Dockers a real competitive edge.
The market-leading Toro® Lynx® central control system was chosen to control the entire irrigation system. The unique flow management capability of the system allows the grounds crew at Fremantle Dockers Stadium to set the run times for each irrigation station individually, and the software then calculates which heads to turn on in a specific part of the system. Lynx® will automatically run as many sprinklers as possible without overloading the system hydraulics. This effectively means more watering can be achieved in a shorter period of time, which gives the Dockers more flexibility and control over the differing watering requirements in each zone.
Other benefits of the Lynx® system are its ease of use, compatibility with mobile phones and tablets, and the support from Toro’s National Support Network (NSN) included with the system.
Six Toro® Turf Guard® wireless soil moisture sensors are installed in key locations underneath the playing surface and will monitor and log soil moisture, temperature, and salinity.
The stadium grounds are irrigated by Toro® TS90 series sprinklers, chosen for their superior uniformity and choice of nozzle options. These sprinklers come with TruJectory™ trajectory adjustment, giving operators the ability to drop or raise nozzle stream height from 7°-30° to assist with wind and negate overspray.
A Toro® Workman® MDX vehicle and Toro® Reelmaster® 5510 mower were supplied through T-Quip Turf Care equipment specialists in Perth. The new equipment is painted in Dockers’ colours and will form part of the maintenance package of the grounds.
With such a diverse and flexible full-scale irrigation system in place, the new Freemantle Dockers development is sure to set a new standard in sports field irrigation.
To view the full range of Toro products visit www.toro.com.au
