Not all synthetic turf field entrances serve the same purpose. Some are used by players, coaches, and officials walking on and off the field. Others need to accommodate tractors, grooming equipment, utility vehicles, and even emergency vehicles.
That difference matters when choosing a synthetic turf infill collection system.
Sportsfield Specialties offers two collection system options designed for these different access needs: the CSITP Pedestrian Synthetic Turf Infill Collection System and the CSITE Equipment Synthetic Turf Infill Collection System.
Both systems help capture infill as it moves off the playing surface. However, they use different grate designs and are built to handle different types of traffic.
So, which one does your facility need? And could your field benefit from having both?
Let’s look at how each system works, where it belongs, and what to consider when planning your field’s access points.
Why Do Synthetic Turf Fields Need Infill Collection Systems?
Synthetic turf infill can move beyond the playing surface during everyday field use. Players carry material out on their cleats, while maintenance equipment can move infill toward field entrances and exits.
Without a way to collect this material, it can spread onto sidewalks, paved areas, and other parts of the athletic facility.
This creates additional cleanup work for maintenance crews. It can also mean losing infill that could otherwise be collected and returned to the field.
Synthetic turf infill collection systems are designed to address this problem at the points where material is most likely to leave the playing surface.
Installed at field access areas, these systems provide a designated collection point to capture migrating infill before it spreads into surrounding areas. The collected material can then be recovered and reused as part of the facility’s regular maintenance routine.
But because people and equipment use different entrances, a single collection system design may not be right for every location.
Pedestrian Infill Collection Systems: Designed for Players and Foot Traffic
Product: CSITP Pedestrian Synthetic Turf Infill Collection System
The CSITP Pedestrian Collection System is designed for entrances and exits used by players, coaches, officials, and other pedestrians.
Its four galvanized steel grates feature black nylon brush assemblies that help remove infill from players’ cleats as they walk across the system. The grates are rated for pedestrian traffic.
This is an important distinction. The brush assemblies are designed to help capture material carried out on footwear, making the pedestrian system a practical choice for areas with regular foot traffic.
Where should a pedestrian collection system be installed?
Consider locations such as:
- Player and team entrances
- Gates connecting the field to sidelines and team areas
- Pedestrian access points near locker rooms
- Walkways connecting the playing surface to other athletic facilities
- Other field entrances used primarily by people on foot
The best location is one that captures infill where people naturally leave the synthetic turf surface.
For example, a school field may have a designated player entrance that athletes use before and after practices and games. Installing a pedestrian collection system at that entrance provides a way to remove and collect infill as players leave the field.
Facilities with multiple pedestrian entrances may also want to consider collection systems at more than one location.
Equipment Infill Collection Systems: Built for Vehicles and Maintenance Equipment
Product: CSITE Equipment Synthetic Turf Infill Collection System
Not every field entrance is used by pedestrians alone. Maintenance crews need access to the playing surface to perform routine grooming, cleaning, and other field maintenance tasks.
Depending on the facility, these entrances may also be used by utility vehicles, tractors, and emergency vehicles.
The CSITE Equipment Collection System is designed for these applications.
Instead of the brush-equipped grates found on the pedestrian version, the equipment system features four heavy-duty galvanized steel grates rated for vehicular traffic.
This allows maintenance equipment and vehicles to pass over the collection system at designated access points. Infill can then be removed from the equipment or surrounding area using air or water, with collected material captured in the system’s trays.
Where should an equipment collection system be installed?
Potential locations include:
- Maintenance and service gates
- Entrances used by synthetic turf grooming equipment
- Access points for tractors and utility vehicles
- Designated emergency vehicle access points
- Other entrances where vehicles need to enter and exit the playing surface
Consider a municipal sports complex where maintenance crews use a service gate to bring grooming equipment onto the field. A pedestrian collection system would not be the appropriate choice for that entrance. The equipment version is designed to accommodate the heavier traffic demands.
When planning these locations, consider the types of vehicles that will use the entrance and the requirements of the overall field design.
Pedestrian vs. Equipment Infill Collection Systems: What’s the Difference?
Both systems help capture migrating synthetic turf infill, but their grate designs and intended applications are different.
| Feature | CSITP Pedestrian | CSITE Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Intended traffic | Pedestrians | Vehicles and equipment |
| Grate construction | Galvanized steel | Heavy-duty galvanized steel |
| Brush assemblies | Black nylon brushes | No brush assemblies |
| Traffic rating | Pedestrian | Vehicular |
| Primary application | Player and pedestrian entrances | Maintenance and vehicle entrances |
| Infill collection | Removable vinyl mesh filters | Removable vinyl mesh filters |
| Enclosure | Aluminum | Aluminum |
What do the two systems have in common?
Although they serve different access needs, both systems share several important design features:
- Aluminum collection enclosures
- Open-bottom construction for drainage
- Two removable and replaceable vinyl mesh filters for infill collection
- Removable aluminum filter clamping panels
- Removable aluminum wings for concrete embedment
- Bolted connections that allow adjacent enclosures to be connected in different configurations
These shared features allow facilities to plan collection systems around their field layout and access requirements.
The modular design is especially useful when a project calls for multiple collection units or a combination of pedestrian and equipment access points.
Can a Synthetic Turf Field Use Both Collection Systems?
Absolutely. In fact, facilities with different types of field access may want to consider both.
Think about how people and equipment move around your field.
Players may enter through a gate near the team bench area. Maintenance crews may use a separate service entrance. Emergency vehicles may need access through another designated gate.
Each entrance has a different purpose and may require a different collection system.
Rather than choosing one system for the entire field, evaluate each access point individually.
Here are a few examples:
School and college athletic fields
A school or college may have dedicated entrances for athletes and coaches, along with a separate maintenance gate.
A CSITP Pedestrian Collection System could serve the player entrances, while a CSITE Equipment Collection System could be installed at the maintenance access point.
Municipal sports complexes
Municipal facilities often have multiple fields, shared maintenance equipment, and several entrances. Some gates may see mostly foot traffic, while others accommodate vehicles and grooming equipment.
Using both collection system types can help address the different demands across the facility.
Professional and multi-use athletic facilities
Larger athletic venues may have separate access points for teams, event personnel, maintenance crews, and service vehicles.
Planning for both pedestrian and equipment collection systems can help ensure that infill collection is addressed at the entrances people and equipment use most often.
The important thing is to look at the entire field layout rather than treating every entrance the same way.
Four Things to Consider When Selecting an Infill Collection System
Before choosing a system, take time to review how your facility operates.
1. Identify every field entrance and exit.
Start by mapping the access points around the field. Include player entrances, service gates, maintenance access points, and any other locations where people or equipment leave the playing surface.
2. Determine what type of traffic each entrance receives.
This is the most important consideration.
If an entrance is used by players and pedestrians, the CSITP Pedestrian Collection System may be the right choice.
If vehicles or maintenance equipment need to pass over the collection system, consider the CSITE Equipment Collection System.
3. Consider how the field will be maintained.
Think beyond everyday use. What equipment will your maintenance crew need to bring onto the field? Where will grooming equipment enter and exit? Are there designated emergency vehicle access points?
Planning for these needs early can help avoid overlooking important access areas.
4. Coordinate collection system locations with the field design.
Collection systems need to be considered as part of the overall field layout. Work with your design team and project partners to determine the best locations, configurations, and installation requirements.
Sportsfield Specialties offers product cut sheets, specifications, and CAD drawings for both systems to help support project planning.
Choose the Right Infill Collection System for Every Access Point
Keeping synthetic turf infill on the playing surface takes more than managing the turf itself. It also means considering how people and equipment move on and off the field.
The CSITP Pedestrian Collection System and CSITE Equipment Collection System give facilities two options for capturing migrating infill at different types of access points.
The CSITP uses galvanized steel grates with nylon brush assemblies to help remove infill from players’ cleats. The CSITE uses heavy-duty galvanized steel grates rated for vehicular traffic, making it suitable for designated equipment and vehicle access areas.
And if your facility has both pedestrian and vehicle entrances, you may need both systems.
Planning a new synthetic turf field or looking to improve infill management at an existing facility? Explore Sportsfield Specialties’ Synthetic Turf Infill Collection Systems to learn more about the CSITP and CSITE, review product documentation, and find the right solution for your project.
Contact Sportsfield Specialties to discuss your field’s access requirements.
