A water hog is a machine that removes water from sports grounds. The water hog was invented by Hugh McLaughlin. [1]
Driven by a rider, it has a wide, front roller that absorbs the water, transfers it to a storage tank, and allows it to be discharged in a safe location. Some water hogs can suck off excess water at a rate of 200 gallons per minute and throw it as far as 100 feet away from the machine. It is designed so that it will not damage the turf. [2]
Originally devised for use on cricket pitches, [3] it is now used at a wide range of sporting venues including golf putting greens, [2] football grounds, [4] American football stadiums, [5] and at gaelic football stadiums where it has proved very successful. [6]
Incidents
The water hog at the Taunton cricket ground failed, in May 2006, delaying the start of the Somerset v Hampshire C&G Trophy match, which was subsequently abandoned. [3]
References
- ^ "Joseph O'Malley". Irish Independent. 8 January 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b Reid Hanley (20 August 1987). "Butler Calls In The Water Hogs". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ a b Ivo Tennant (22 May 2006). "Warne complains as Taunton's water hog fails to grunt". The Times. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "Cover-Up". Altrincham F.C. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
- ^ "Here comes the sun, but only briefly". Washington Times. 15 January 1995. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
- ^ Ronan Flanagan (5 August 2008). "Croker stands up to Mother Nature". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
External links
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