water hog

{{for|the rodent|Capybara}}

A water hog is a machine that removes water from sports grounds. The water hog was invented by Hugh McLaughlin.{{cite news |url= http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/migration/hugh-mclaughlin-125435.html |title= Joseph O'Malley |work= Irish Independent |date= 8 January 2006 |accessdate =10 April 2010}}

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.{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24660409.html?dids=24660409:24660409&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+20%2C+1987&author=Reid+Hanley&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=BUTLER+CALLS+IN+THE+WATER+HOGS&pqatl=google |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121026084850/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24660409.html?dids=24660409:24660409&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+20,+1987&author=Reid+Hanley&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=BUTLER+CALLS+IN+THE+WATER+HOGS&pqatl=google |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 26, 2012 |title= Butler Calls In The Water Hogs |author= Reid Hanley |work= Chicago Tribune |date= 20 August 1987 |accessdate =10 April 2010}}

Originally devised for use on cricket pitches, it is now used at a wide range of sporting venues including golf putting greens, football grounds,{{cite news |url= http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/alt0405zzi.htm |title= Cover-Up |publisher= Altrincham F.C. |date= 24 June 2005 |accessdate =10 April 2010}} American football stadiums,{{cite news |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0F11FB9362852&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= Here comes the sun, but only briefly |publisher= Washington Times |date= 15 January 1995 |accessdate =11 April 2010}} and at gaelic football stadiums where it has proved very successful.{{cite news |url= http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/croker-stands-up-to-mother-nature-1456250.html |title= Croker stands up to Mother Nature |author= Ronan Flanagan |work= Irish Independent |date= 5 August 2008 |accessdate =10 April 2010}}