Turf Cultivation, Compaction and Thatch - Fundamentals of Tropical Turf Management - page 122

Deep-tine aerification helps to alleviate the problem of subsurface
compaction (Fig. 8.3). Deep-tine machines are available with both hollow
tines and solid tines, and are designed to penetrate to a depth of about
30 cm. The deep hollow tines are very effective at reducing compaction,
but the process is more disruptive to the surface and recovery is slower.
Slicing is a cultivation method in which rotating flat tines or station-
ary blades slice vertically through the turf and soil (Fig. 8.4). Slicing is
usually used on moist soil, penetrates to a depth of 10-15 cm, does not
relieve soil compaction as efficiently as hollow-tine aerification, but
causes much less surface disruption. Slicer blades are about 10 cm long,
not power driven and relatively thin. Some units have wider and longer
blades that can be adjusted to create a torque as they slice into the soil. On
drier soil these blades produce a 'shattering' effect that is more effective
in relieving soil compaction. On some units the blades are mechanically
vibrated and able to shatter the soil to the depth of 20 cm.
Spiking is a cultivation method in which non-power-driven, solid, flat
or pointed blades penetrate the turf and soil surface. The blades are
similar to slicing blades but have smaller, knifelike tines and do not
penetrate more than 3-5 cm into the turf. Spiking can be conducted
often (even weekly) on moist soil.
Fig. 8.3. Deep tine penetrates soil to a depth of 30 cm, effectively reducing
subsurface compaction.