University of Warwick Grounds Team Praises SISIS Veemo MK2 for Delivering High-Quality Surfaces
For more than three decades, Estates Operations Manager Charlie Yeomans has worked behind the scenes to keep one of the UK’s busiest multi-sport campuses performing at the highest level. With year-round fixtures, external events and unpredictable weather placing constant pressure on the university’s natural turf surfaces, reliable equipment has become essential to maintaining standards.
Charlie Yeomans has spent over 38 years at the university and oversees the maintenance of all amenity grass areas, including rugby, cricket and football pitches, alongside artificial playing surfaces and athletics facilities.
“We’re in constant use all the time,” explained Charlie. “As well as student sport, we host the Junior Premier League, touch rugby, schools using the athletics track and a range of external events throughout the summer. The weather plays a massive part in everything we do.”
With a team of seven ground staff managing approximately 15 grass pitches, efficiency and reliability are critical - particularly during the university’s narrow renovation window each spring.
After researching several scarification options, Charlie and his team selected the SISIS Veemo MK2 tractor-mounted scarifier, supplied through Tallis Amos Group and their long-standing relationship with SISIS.
“We looked at quite a few different scarifiers, but the Veemo looked like it would do exactly what we needed,” said Charlie. “We visited sites using the machine, spoke to other grounds professionals and everybody sung its praises.”
Built for Demanding Sports Turf Environments
The SISIS Veemo MK2 is purpose-designed for intensive sports turf maintenance, featuring three independently floating scarifier heads that closely follow ground contours while minimising surface disturbance. Its hydraulic direct-drive system and tungsten-tipped blades enable aggressive thatch removal without damaging the playing surface.
For Warwick’s busy grounds operation, the machine’s productivity has been a major advantage.
“It’s a brilliant bit of kit because you can really get through the work quickly,” Charlie explained. “We can cover several pitches in a day, which is exactly what we need because we only get a limited time to shut pitches down.”
The Veemo plays a key role in Warwick’s end-of-season renovations programme. Following mowing, the grounds team scarifies the pitches in multiple directions to remove thatch build-up before beginning top dressing and overseeding operations.
“The Veemo is very important because it helps remove all the thatch build-up,” Charlie said. “It improves water movement through the profile and makes a huge difference to the pitches over the summer. Without that work, surfaces can become heavily waterlogged.”
Consistent Results with Minimal Surface Disruption
One of the standout features for the Warwick team has been the machine’s ability to deliver clean, precise scarification without tearing the surface apart - an issue they had experienced with previous equipment.
“We’ve had machines in the past that would rip clumps out of the ground,” Charlie noted. “But the Veemo sets really nicely and leaves a clean, tidy finish. You can walk away, look back at the pitch after scarification, and it still looks like a quality playing surface.”
The machine’s fully floating heads have also proven valuable across uneven areas of the university’s sports facilities.
“We’ve got areas that dip and some spots that have sunk over time, but the Veemo follows the contours really well without scalping. We’ve been very happy with that.”
Ease of use has been another significant benefit for the team, particularly during busy renovation periods. “One of the best things about it is how easy it is to set up,” said Charlie. “Some machines need spanners and constant adjustments, but with the Veemo it’s just a simple handle adjustment. It’s brilliant.”
Reliability When Timing Matters Most
For Charlie and the Warwick grounds team, reliability remains one of the machine’s biggest strengths.
“We only have about a three-week window for renovations, so we need equipment we can rely on,” he explained. “The Veemo has always been very reliable for us. It does exactly what we need it to do every time.”
Following the success of the machine during renovation periods, the university is now looking to integrate lighter, more regular scarification passes into its maintenance programme throughout the year.
“We’ve seen a significant improvement in the surfaces after using it,” Charlie added. “Going forward, we want to use it more often with gentle scarification just to keep improving the pitches where we can.”
After nearly four decades working in sports turf maintenance, Charlie has no hesitation recommending the machine to others in the industry.
“I’d thoroughly recommend the Veemo to anybody,” he said. “It’s an excellent bit of kit -we certainly wouldn’t want to be without it.”
About the SISIS Veemo MK2 & Veemo HD
The SISIS Veemo MK2 and Veemo HD are tractor-mounted, triple-head hydraulic scarifiers designed for maximum thatch removal with minimal surface disruption. Featuring independently floating heads, direct hydraulic drive, tungsten-tipped blades and tool-free micro-adjust depth adjustment, the machines provide fast, efficient coverage across sports pitches, golf courses and amenity turf.
Key features include:
- 2000mm working width for rapid ground coverage
- Three fully floating heads for contour-following performance
- Direct hydraulic motor drive for maximum power transfer
- Tool-free micro-adjust depth settings
- Tungsten-tipped blades for durability and precision
- Heavy-duty oil cooling system for reliable operation in all climates
Suitable for football, rugby, cricket, golf and local authority sports surfaces, the Veemo range is engineered to help grounds professionals maintain high-quality playing conditions throughout demanding maintenance schedules.