Plastic Grass Mats Reduce Farmyard Wear And Tear

Plastic Grass Mats Reduce Farmyard Wear And Tear FARM HOME Miscellaneous 32-1-26 If you want to keep tractors and trucks from damaging the grass around your farm, you'll be interested in this new plastic "grass protection" mat that embeds itself in the sod. "It works great for protecting lawns, farm gateways, grass runways, etc., says Mike Hunter, Tenax Corp., Baltimore, Md. The grids are made from a heavy duty, extruded polymer that can withstand up to 8 tons per axle. You simply roll out the mesh over the area to be protected and use 1-in. wide by 8-in. long plastic staples (supplied) to pin the mesh down. For best results the mesh should be installed during the spring when the grass will grow quickly through the grid, forming a root mass around the mesh filaments, says the company. The area will soon resume its natural appearance, providing a stable surface for heavyweight vehicles. If the mesh is laid over bare earth, apply grass seed and fertilizer with a layer of topsoil and sand. The grass will grow in right around the grid. A lighter weight turf reinforcement (TR) mesh product is also available. It can be used for pathways between the house and barn so you can keep the grass growing without muddy spots. It'll support cars and heavy foot traffic. "Both products have been used in Europe for years but are just now entering North America," says Hunter. "Every time we display the mats at farm shows, farmers tell us they've come up with new applications for it. One Kentucky farmer plans to use the mesh on steep ground so he can drive his tractor without spinning the wheels in mud. He plans to seed the area first and then lay the mat down. The grass will come up through the mat. "The GP mesh can also be used inside barns when stacking hay. It allows air to flow under the bales and keep them dry. The mesh can also be used in a temporary parking area and then rolled back up for later use. The TR mesh works great around the entrance to barns where it's typically muddy, in order to get grass to grow." The green-colored mesh is sold in rolls that measure 6.7 ft. wide by 60 ft. long. Mesh size is 5/8 in. square. The GP mat roll sells for $422 plus S&H. The TR mat comes in a 6.7-ft. wide by 100-ft. roll and sells for $242 plus S&H. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tenax Corp., 4800 E. Monument St., Baltimore, Md. 21205 (ph 800 874-7437; info@tenax. com; www.tenaxus.com).

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