Tag Archive for: Weed

Green light for green weed control

/in , /by

Green light for green weed control: Greentown Environmental Ltd and Weedingtech’s Foamstream have been chosen by Dublin City Council for the provision of herbicide weed control across the Dublin City area.

It is the first contract of its kind in Ireland, with the council making the bold decision to move away from herbicide-based weed control and seek greener alternatives. Greentown has been carrying out weed control for Dublin City Council since 2010, initially as a subcontractor before securing the principal contractor role in 2014.  Greentown is a weed control company, not a chemical company, and in 2017 they started exploring glyphosate alternatives.

Green light for green weed control

Green light for green weed control

In 2018 they trialled several chemical-free methods and Foamstream was the clear winner.  With a strong belief in this product, Managing Director John-Ross Armstrong decided to heavily invest in the equipment required to carry out this service to its full potential. “We are responsible weed control providers and we wanted to source a viable alternative, so we have this as an option to offer our clients.” He says. “We are conscious that there has been a shift towards greener methods, and we wanted to ensure we have a solution and that we are the market leader.”

Foamstream is an innovative approach to weed control and has the desired benefit of being completely herbicide free.  Its patented low-pressure process combines heat with biodegradable foam, making it safe for use around people, animals, and delicate environments.  The foam is created through a mixture of plant oils, wheat proteins, and sugars. It is supplied by Furlong Equipment, the exclusive importer and distributor of the solution to help organisations in Ireland make outdoor areas greener, cleaner and safer. They customise the machines for county councils and public works and, for Greentown, modified the skid unit to load on the truck, and added an extendable boom.

A representative of Dublin City Council was asked why the council made this decision.

“Action 9 of The Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2015-2020 states the Council should: ‘Prepare and implement a pesticide reduction strategy within Dublin City Council.  The use of herbicides and pesticides by Dublin City Council will be examined, minimizing, and where possible, eliminating their use. This will require a clear and well-thought-out series of actions, which does not entail an overnight switch to a new regime, but rather a structured step-by-step approach. However, as part of the Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2015-2020, Dublin City Council will develop a transparent strategy for minimizing pesticide use, which will be an exemplar for other organizations and authorities within the City’. As part of this minimisation programme, Dublin City Council sought tenders for alternatives methods for the control of weeds other than the use of glyphosate in line with Dublin City Council Biodiversity Plan.”

The method behind Foamstream is the longer a plant is kept in the kill zone (temperatures above 57˚C) the better.  By providing a layer of foam to the water, its acts as an insulator and holds the heat from the water in the kill zone for long enough to penetrate the leaf’s waxy outer layer, and travel down the stem and into the roots. This severely damages the plant, either killing it or causing it to die back.  The main benefits to using this kind of treatment are used in all weathers, on any surface, all-year-round. It delivers instantly visible results and is herbicide free.

“Foamstream is a great alternative to traditional methods. It has immediate effects on roadside verge weeds and uses organic means to do so.” Says Dineka Maguire, Greentown’s Dublin Divisional Manager. The weeds overtime then decompose naturally leaving streets weed-free.  The public have responded positively to this service and are delighted to see an alternative to herbicide-based methods. Members of the public are at first curious as to how the machine works, however, once we engage with them, they are delighted we are Foamstreaming their streets.”

More information can be obtained by calling Weedingtech on +44(0)2039090050
info@weedingtech.com

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Emission free weed control

/in , , /by

Emission free weed control: The 100% electric AllTrec Tool Carrier from Campey Turf Care Systems has made weed control CO2-emissions free.

Weed control is an essential task in almost every groundsman, greenkeeper, contractor and landscapers schedule, and the AllTrec with Air E-Variator or Weed Brush has made it quicker, easier and emissions-free.

Emission free weed control

Emission free weed control

The E-Variator is one of four attachments currently available for the AllTrec Carrier and it has been specifically designed for weed management on large paved and semi-paved surfaces. It works both preventively and repressively, saving up to 70% of its own energy through re-use – better known as the patented advanced air recycling system.

The unique variable airflow function (ADS) enables the machine to work in corners and around obstacles in just one pass, with operators able to fully control the attachment using the digital control screen. LPG tanks used for the E-Variator Weed Burner can be mounted to the back of the AllTrec, with a connection available for the automatic tank heater to prevent them from freezing. The closed burner system with heat recovery has gas reduction of no less than 60% and an automatic temperature regulation of 380°C.

Weeds can also be removed using the 70cm Weed Brush, which is electrically powered with three brush speeds and controlled using the onboard joystick. It can be hydraulically adjusted to any angle and used for a full day without any worry of batteries running out. All batteries come with a three-year warranty and have a lifetime of + – 2500 charge discharge cycles. The 48VDC battery uses LifePO4 technology with a capacity of 20kwh or an optional 30kwh, with onboard charging taking 4-8 hours.

The power produced from the battery means the AllTrec can also be operated using the mower or hedge cutter attachments. The hedge cutting attachment has a 75cm working width with electric motors directly powering the blades which have speeds from 2000-3000rpm. The deck is controlled using a joystick and is easy to manoeuvre for a comfortable and effective days work. The mowing deck comes in optional cutting widths of 130cm or 180cm with a variable height of cut from 30-110mm, making it perfect for use on regularly maintained grass or overgrown vegetation. When cutting with the four-blade 180cm deck, the battery will typically last for 6-8 hours and 7-9 hours using the three-blade 130cm deck.

A large-action radius and highly efficient attachments combined with low operation and maintenance costs make the AllTrec perfect for use in urban environments, sports complexes, holiday resorts and parks by contractors, local authorities and landscapers.

For more information on making your weed control operation 100% electric and emissions free, contact Campey at info@campeyturfcare.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Bayer’s new weed control solution at SALTEX

/in , , /by

Bayer’s new weed control solution at SALTEX: The recent addition of Roundup® to Bayer’s amenity portfolio complements their new residual herbicide Valdor® Flex and provides contractors with the complete package when it comes to weed control.

Lewis Blois, Bayer national account manager, says the team will be on hand at SALTEX to talk about the recent changes to their product portfolio and provide advice around successful weed control.

Bayer's new weed control solution at SALTEX

“We can now offer the whole solution when it comes to broad spectrum weed control and our full treatment programme works on a wide range of surfaces from open soil to gravel, fence lines and railway ballast,” he adds.

“We’re always working hard to bring new innovative formulations and sustainable solutions to the amenity sector, and recent changes will help contractors to continue to successfully manage weeds at a time when many products are being lost from the market,” explains Lewis.

Our new product portfolio for the amenity sector includes Valdor® Flex, Roundup® and Ecoplugs, offering a wide range of solutions to the sector.

“Valdor Flex is a residual herbicide offering four months weed control. It can be applied as a pre-emergent herbicide or in post-emergent situations with Roundup®, which provides the initial knock down, while Valdor® Flex offers residual control, preventing subsequent weeds emerging.

“Ecoplugs, which can be inserted into tree stumps to avoid re-growth all year round, also join the Bayer portfolio,” he says.

“At Bayer, we’re continually investing in research and development to ensure we can provide our customers with a wide range of innovative solutions when it comes to weed control and recent updates to the product portfolio will provide many benefits to amenity contractors,” concludes Lewis.

For further information visit the Turf Solutions Team on stand G030 at SALTEX, alternatively visit www.environmentalscience.bayer.co.uk, call 00800 1214 9451, or email turfsolutions@bayer.com.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Environmentally Safe Weed Control By Hatz

/in , /by

Environmentally Safe Weed Control By Hatz: The control of unwanted weeds and vegetation is a perennial issue for municipalities, landscapers and green space contractors.

However, since 2011 a UK company, Weedingtech Ltd, has been developing a range of machines that not only tackles this issue, but carries it out without the use of harmful herbicides. Named the Foamstream Municipal Series, the machines use a patented low-pressure process which combines hot water and a biodegradable foam. The foam is made from natural plant oils and sugars making it safe for use around people, animals and delicate environments.

Environmentally Safe Weed Control By Hatz

Within the Foamstream Municipal range, is their highest performance product, the Foamstream M1200.

The Foamstream M1200 is self-contained and powered by a Hatz 1B30 diesel engine in EU and US/Canada EPA specifications.

Commenting on the decision to select the Hatz engine, Robert Cutting, Weedingtech, After Sales Manager said, “We purchased the Hatz engines based on its’ good reputation and their customer service. During the implementation process the Hatz personnel performed in the most professional and helpful manner of company I have ever dealt with.”

“The customer service provided by Hatz GB has been exceptional. Very fast to respond and any issues we have had have been sorted out quickly.. They are a really great team. We intend to keep on purchasing these Hatz engines for all of our production machines,” added Robert.

The Hatz 1B30 is a single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke internal combustion diesel engine with a horizontal shaft. The engine has a direct injection fuel system and comes equipped with a recoil starter or electric starter motor. The reliability and compactness of the 1B30 makes it a popular engine, particularly with manufacturers of small plant and machinery.

The Foamstream M1200 is the larger of the two machines in the Municipal Series. It has been designed for contractors who are looking for a high performance machine that will cover large areas of open space quickly. Aside from municipalities and green space contractors, the M1200 is also used by a large number of customers in the utility, tourism, education and organic sectors.

Weedingtech was set up in 2011. From the outset their primary objective has been to provide organisations with a sustainable solution for the safe management of outside spaces, whilst also protecting the public and the wider environment. It now supplies many clients across four continents around the world with the technology including councils in the UK such as Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewes, Glastonbury and Vale of Glamorgan.      The Foamstream Municipal Series was designed to provide an alternative solution to using traditional herbicides such as glyphosate.

Hatz diesel engines have been around since 1910. From their manufacturing base situated at Ruhstorf, Germany, Hatz produce a range of modern diesel engines from 3 to 55 kW. Their UK subsidiary, Hatz GB Limited, has its facilities centrally located in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Fact, Fiction & Weed Management

/in , /by

Fact, Fiction & Weed Management: We live in a world of instant communication and 24 hour news. The impact of social media means any story can be transmitted instantly through just one press of a button. It is exciting and fantastic technology. Yet it presents dangers. It has created the phenomenon of fake news enabling one individual to release a fact or facts without any real verification and, in an instant, what subsequently turns out to be fiction, becomes fact.

Speaking recently, Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, linked such danger in the context of weed management. Best practice is founded on an integrated approach to weed management in amenity, ensuring correct cultural and design practices, making use of mechanical and biological control where appropriate and using approved and authorised chemicals. In keeping our amenity areas safe, clean and healthy – whether that’s on our streets, railways, sports surfaces, or parks – chemical control often provides the most economic and effective approach. The herbicides that are used go through extensive approval processes and are constantly monitored. Indeed the authorisation is far tougher and rigorous than for many other everyday products.

Fact, Fiction & Weed Management

In wide scale operations, not using approved chemicals for weed management comes with significant cost. Research undertaken by Oxford Economics last year showed that a ban on weed killers would add at least £228 million to the UK’s council tax bill each year. The additional requirements for funding the alternatives would require an increase in the average household council tax bill of £7.80.

Recently there has been a particular media ‘discussion’, if that is the word, about herbicides and their safety. This is welcomed provided it is based upon proper science and evidence – fact not fiction. Stories featuring headlines such as “killer pesticides” within such discussion do nobody any good. They can cause unnecessary fear and are generally accompanied by information far removed from verification. No professional amenity operator would advocate using any product that could danger nor would it be allowed.

The Amenity Forum welcomes news that in the period 25th to 28th June, the organisation Sense about Science in collaboration with the House of Commons Library, the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, are to hold the first ever evidence week in the UK parliament. It is set to bring together people from all walks of life with MPs, peers and parliamentary research services to talk about why evidence matters.

Managing weeds in amenity situations is a vital task – it impacts on every UK citizen every day providing safe and healthy environments. It really keeps Britain moving. As we move forward in this continually changing world, the need for decisions to be based upon proper evidence and science has never been so important – real news not fake.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.