Own experience prompts decision
Essex based sportsfield and golf course construction company Grassform Ltd. has taken on the agency for the well known TrakMats ground protection system. Having used the system on a contract site in late 2007 after trying other brands, Grassform were offered the chance to take on sales and hire of TrakMats for London, the south east and the home counties. The company’s experience of using the TrakMats system in its business prompted an easy decision, as they believe the protection and stability offered is superior to other systems on the market. TrakMats are also more grass friendly due to their light colour reflecting sunlight, something that competitive mats don’t do as they tend to be black. This reduces heat absorption and increases time mats can be left in one place before grass is harmed. Grassform are now able to supply the sheets, which come in 2,440mm x 1,130mm (8’x4’) or 2,440mm x 560mm (8’ x 2’) sizes for sale or hire plus offer delivery on its own transport.
Many uses for the system
So what can TrakMats offer over other systems of ground protection mats? Firstly, the double-sided anti-slip pimple surface not only grips the ground below, preventing mat movement but also gives traction to tyres and tracks that run over the top. Secondly, weighing just 33kg, each large 12.7mm thick polyethylene sheet is easily moved from a stack into place, and vice versa. Applications for the system include temporary roadways across grass areas such as golf courses, lawns or caravan parks, where the light reflecting material reduces damage to the surface. TrakMats can also be used for emergency access routes, muddy driveways and on concrete or paving to protect both the surface and tyres. Connection of the mats is by way of three different systems – urethane connectors for long-term connection, metal connectors for heavy and tracked equipment and U pins for slopes and cambers on soft surfaces. With a capacity of up to 60 tonnes, TrakMats also offer the ultimate solution for access needs if heavy plant is required to cross a road or sensitive area.
Mark Dunning, managing director of Grassform Ltd. commented on the TrakMats: “We purchased a competitor’s matting system for a contract but found it to be poor and not what we were looking for to reduce damage and improve access on site. We were offered TrakMats and we were thoroughly impressed, so much so that we are delighted to offer the system as a complimentary service alongside our main business of sportsfield and golf course construction. We feel the system will find many uses not only in these areas for our customers, but also in diverse applications when good quality protection matting is required at a competitive price supplied from a quality company.â€
Hire or buy, the choice is yours
From Grassform’s base in Ingatestone, Essex, the company is well positioned to offer full sales and hire service to the south east, home counties and London. Using its own dedicated HIAB crane equipped lorry, Grassform can offer quick dispatch and collection of the TrakMats system to almost any site in this area. Collection can be arranged from the company’s depot, subject to terms and conditions.
Prices for the TrakMats, which are only offered at present in a light green colour and double-sided anti slip format, are £189 per full size sheet, or £105 per half sheet. Hire costs are £10 per week for the full size sheets and £8 per week for the half size, so very competitive with major hire shops. In terms of purchase cost, when one considers the cost of a full size sheet of plywood is in the region of £25 but does not resist rain, snow, frost and is not anti slip, the investment in the TrakMats system will pay for itself in no time. Discounts for long term hire are available, so please contact Grassform with your requirements for purchase or hire.
Contact Mark Dunning on 01277 355500 or email [email protected].
Full details of the system are available from http://www.grassform.co.uk/GroundProtectionMats
