Mechanisms of Weed Spread and Machinery Hygiene

Why control weed spread? To protect our natural resources from the

damaging effects of weeds

Urban Bushland

Rural Lands

Waterways

Why do weeds thrive and persist?

Adapt to range of environments no special requirements for

germination Rapid growth

compete for space, water, nutrients and light

eg Patersons curse

Example of Alligator weed in excavated material

How do weeds spread?

Seed Spread High seed production Sticks to machinery when damp Fine dust like seeds Sticky seeds eg burrs or spines

How do weeds spread?Vegetative Spread

Small pieces of plant material stuck on machinery can establish at next site you visit

eg Alligator Weed & Salvinia

Roadside;mown by council

Giant Parramatta Grass

Gate

Road

Spreading weeds on roadsides

Watch the path of spread by slasher

What a great carrier of seed – The Slasher

What a great carrier of seed – The Mower

What a great carrier of seed and plant material – The Excavator

How to stop the spread Always start with a clean

machine that has been washed down by the operator before they start work. Hard, caked on dirt will be the most difficult to remove if it has been allowed to dry after previous work.

Cleaning Machinery

Machinery cleaning

Slashers, mowers, excavators and backhoes are the major contributors to weed spread

When in dry conditions, blowing down machinery is the best way to clean

Check Linkages - places ideal for seed to lodgeBody - underside including sills - safety chains - topsides including sillsBuckets - inside and outsideWheels - inside and outside Tracks - inside and outside

Blowing down slasher

Washing down slasher

Washing down excavator

Washing down backhoe

Washing machinery on site

Clean Machinery

Before After

Before After

Another way to clean vehicles Purpose-built Washdown facility

Purpose built washdown facilities

Purpose built washdown facilities

Equipment to minimise weed spreadFan installed on roadside slasher to blow

weed seed onto the ground in-situ

Equipment to minimise weed spread The plant material stays in-situ where slashed

Flail Mowers

Approaching jobs to minimiseweeds movement

clean clothing and machinery before entering

establish entry and exit points complete jobs during low risk periods complete operation in low risk areas first avoid unnecessary movement in infested

areas avoid using contaminated machinery in

sensitive areas clean machinery at suitable clean down sites comply with legislation

Summary The spread of weeds via

contaminated machinery can be reduced by sound job planning practicing machinery hygiene

Summary

Remember to clean your machinery before leaving a worksite.

THANK YOU

On behalf of the Hunter Central Coast Weeds