The ultimate buyer’s guide to topdressing: choosing the right machine for your needs

What is a topdresser, and why is it essential for turf maintenance?

A topdresser is a machine designed to apply a thin, even layer of material – usually a blend of sand, compost and topsoil – across turf surfaces.

It’s a key part of any turfcare programme because it helps:

• Enhance surface smoothness and level minor imperfections
• Improve drainage and introduce more nutrients into the soil structure
• Dilute thatch and organic matter build-up to support turf health
• Promote turf recovery after aerating or overseeding

Without topdressing regularly, even the best-kept turf can start to suffer from compaction, poor drainage and inconsistent playability. The right application, at the right time, keeps surfaces performing at their best.

How topdressing improves soil structure and turf health

The benefits of topdressing go beyond aesthetics. By blending sand and other materials into the upper layer of turf, you’re creating more space between the soil particles and improving the filtration of water, air and nutrients through the rootzone.

This process can also:

• Prevent or mitigate waterlogging
• Reduce compaction in high-traffic areas
• Stimulate root growth by ensuring oxygen can reach deeper levels
• Create a firmer, truer playing surface, which is particularly important for golf greens and sports pitches

When it comes to fine turf, topdressing moderately and regularly is often more effective than occasional, heavy applications. That’s why using the right machine – one that can deliver precise, controllable sand distribution – becomes critical.

When and how to topdress your course or sports ground

Timing is critical when it comes to topdressing. The process is often carried out after turf aeration, so that the topdressing mix can fill the resulting tine holes and easily penetrate the soil profile.

It can also be used to help turf recover from excessive stress or damage – for instance, after a particularly dry or hot summer – or to create smoother surfaces to enhance the playability of golf courses or other sports fields.

A few tips to keep in mind before or after topdressing:

• Topdressing during very wet or very dry conditions can damage turf or cause uneven results.
• Work with the growth cycle when the grass can make the most of the new nutrients. For cool-season turf, early autumn and late spring are often ideal times.
• Mow and remove grass clippings before topdressing, so the sand mix penetrates the soil more easily.
• Use a rubber rake, dragmat or brush to integrate the topdressing mix evenly into the surface, preventing lumps and small piles of material.

Sow new grass seed shortly after topdressing to repair patchy turf on your existing surface, as the sand and compost mix provides the perfect environment for root growth.

Finding the right topdressers for commercial applications

Unlike residential applications, working on large areas such as golf fairways or multi-pitch facilities requires topdressers that can ensure both efficiency and precision, combining large capacity hoppers with adjustable application rates and smooth material flow.

Two machines in the Toro line-up stand out for their ability to deliver it all – covering every topdressing requirement you may have.

Toro ProPass 200

The Toro ProPass 200 is a broadcast-style topdresser designed for precision, versatility and ease of use. Available in both a towed and utility vehicle-mounted version, it ensures even and accurate spread patterns from light dustings to heavy aeration hole-filling applications.

Key benefits:

• Consistent coverage: the twin-spinner design creates a uniform pattern and distribution across the entire spread width, adjustable from 2.74m to 9.1m.
• Precise adjustments: wireless controls make it simple to adjust application rates and spread widths on the go, with a colour-coded system to save preferred settings and ensure the same accuracy every time.
• Flexible configuration options: available in both a utility vehicle-mounted version and a towed version for easy integration into your existing fleet.
• Minimal turf disruption: the four‑wheel walking-beam suspension provides stability and a light footprint, protecting even the most sensitive surfaces.
• Built to last: with a durable, low-maintenance design, the ProPass is built to run smoothly for years of reliable service.

Whether you’re topdressing greens, fairways or sports pitches, the ProPass 200 delivers a professional finish in fewer passes – saving time, labour and costs.

Toro MH 400

The versatile Toro MH 400 material handler can be transformed into a large-capacity topdresser with the configuration that includes the twin spinner accessory. Thanks to its 3.06m3 hopper, durable build and intuitive controls, it’s perfect to streamline topdressing operations even in large areas.

Key benefits:

• High-capacity hopper: ideal for covering large areas in fewer trips, reducing downtime for refills.
• Remote operation: the wireless controller allows you to make quick, real‑time adjustments and save preferred settings for future use.
• Accuracy: repeatable settings and the intuitive operating system deliver a perfect spread every time, ensuring consistent performance and defined edges.
• Durability: built to withstand high-volume use in professional turfcare settings.
• Spread consistency: evenly apply materials through a spread width ranging from 2.74m to 12.2m.

From ultra-light to ultra-heavy topdressing applications, the MH 400 is the ideal solution when it comes to keeping large playing areas in peak condition while staying on schedule.

Smooth application across uneven areas – and much more

Topdressing on uneven or contoured surfaces can be challenging, but machines like the Toro ProPass 200 and MH 400 are designed to handle these conditions without sacrificing accuracy.

Look for features such as:

• Wide flotation tyres to reduce compaction and improve application stability
• Precise spinner calibration to maintain even distribution on slopes
• Easy operator controls for quick adjustments on the move
• Low-maintenance components and durable design to keep downtime to a minimum

By choosing a topdresser that’s easy to manoeuvre and quick to adjust, you’ll ensure consistent results even across the most challenging areas of your site.

The added value of Toro and Reesink

Choosing the right topdresser is about more than just picking a machine – it’s also about having the right guidance and support to keep it performing at its best. That’s why partnering with Toro and Reesink Turfcare gives you an additional advantage.

Toro’s industry-leading engineering delivers the performance, reliability and durability turf professionals demand, while Reesink’s flexible finance packages make it easier to invest in the right equipment without stretching budgets. Our team works closely with customers to match machines to specific site requirements, and with a nationwide dealer network and dedicated service teams, expert help is always close at hand.

To learn more about how we can support you, visit www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800 to speak to one of our experts.