Saltex preview: GKB Machines

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GKB Machines, leading provider of innovative machinery for the maintenance of natural and artificial sports surfaces, is returning to SALTEX this November with an even bigger stand to showcase even more equipment! Visitors to stand H051 can expect to see a number of new developments, including the newly re-designed GKB Combinator, which will be on show in the UK for the very first time.

The Combinator has established itself as one of the most reliable fraise mowers available – removing up to 50mm from the surface in a single pass. To further improve the cleanliness of finish, the cross conveyor on the re-designed Combinator has been moved closer to both the rotor and blade tips, to cleanly transfer more of the removed material up and away into an awaiting collector. The elevator will also now be partly covered to protect the material from wind as it makes its way to the trailer.

The drive system on the re-designed model has been enhanced and features a solid direct drive from the gearbox over a PTO-style yolk. Inside, a stainless-steel hood protects against abrasive sands and delivers an improved flow of material. Available in four working widths ranging from 1.2m to 2.4m, there’s a Combinator to suit all sports surfaces including hybrid pitches, where an optional ‘hold down plate’ can be specified to protect hybrid fibres while scarification takes place.

Also on show at SALTEX for the first time will be the Deep Tine Aerator (DTA). As the name suggests, the DTA delivers intensive aeration, with larger models in the range working to depths of up to 400mm (16”). Unique to the GKB DTA is the tine mounting system – the tines fit into a ‘block’ rather than individual mountings. This allows for more tines per head and improves the speed and efficiency of switching between tines, whilst also reducing the wear imposed on parts when changing tines in more traditional ‘tine holder’ set-ups.

Alongside equipment for natural surfaces, the team will be on hand to discuss the range of machinery available for synthetic surface maintenance. Stand H051 will also showcase the GKB Quick-Brush, the Top Clean and the deeper-working, more invasive GKB Quick Clean.

Saltex is taking place from November 3-4 at The NEC Birmingham.