News about Weed Control
NEW De-Moss 55 - Everything you need to know
What is the De-Moss 55?
The De-Moss 55 is a simple, light to use, trigger operated, variable flow gas weed burner torch. It has a 55mm outlet and each unit comes complete with a variable flow pressure regulator ensuring there is the correct amount of flame strength. The finger trigger allows the gas flow to be regulated from the smaller flame idle position, to full flame strength for the tough larger weeded area.
Each De-Moss 55 comes with a variable pressure regulator (0.5 bar to 4 bar) connected to a 5m swivel ended pipe and an optional gas bottle trolley. The 2 wheeled gas bottle trolley is specifically designed for the gas burner torch to enable easy transport. By using a swivel ended hose the opportunity for entanglement is reduced. Each unit will be supplied with a gas lighter.
What does it do?
The De-Moss 55 is used for speedy wilting or immolation of weeds, moss and green growth from hard and soft surfaces. For example, it works well on areas such as block paving, tarmac, concrete flowerbeds and overgrown areas that are safe to work on. The weed’s leaves are effectively heated to around 80 centigrade, enough to stop the plant photosynthesizing and feeding nutrients to the roots. Once the plant’s leaves have been ‘cooked’ it will soon wilt and die back. A week later or so, a quick inspection will be necessary to see what areas (if any) have been missed and what new tender plants are emerging, so another quick pass to finish the job.
Why is it different?
The De-Moss 55 a physically light and powerful gas weed burner, capable of working of large gardens with amazing speed. By using Propane gas, the flame temperature will be higher than butane, at around 1000 degrees C allowing the more heat to penetrate the roots ensuring quicker eradication. This De-Moss 55 can be used in wet or damp conditions, sometimes the extra moisture can be used to impart more energy to the leaf matter, ‘cooking’ it quicker. The gas control from both variable pressure regulator and finger trigger ensure you have control. When you do not need full power, let it idle with a pilot flame. The optional gas bottle trolley where the bottle is chained in gives easy mobility to access garden/yard/path areas.
Uses for the DE-Moss 55
- Path edges
- Wall edges
- Flower beds
- Any where that is safe to use heat.
- Overgrown areas
- Moss
- Plant bed sterilisation
- Chemical free weed control
- Hard surface areas
- Gravel paths area
For more information on the De-Moss 55 click here or to read more news about the machine working, please click here.
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Our NEW De-Moss 390 in Action
The world is better when the sun shines, your mood is lifted but when you walk around and see paths and drives covered with moss, weed and overgrown edges, it depresses anyone who cares about kerb appeal.
We often hear “it’s too difficult” .... not with a Kersten DE-MOSS 390.
This machine is new to us and has been proven by many in Europe already. It’s simple, fast and effective. With any new product, we like to get experience of how it works, speed ability and what it can and can’t do. So off we went armed with De-Moss 390, backpack blower and camera to a local church.
When we arrived the task we were greeted with was a moss and weed covered block paving courtyard, it looked pretty bad from our perspective. This is the perfect “playground” for our new machine. Results were rapid and very good, the machine proved to be light, fast and effective. By adjusting the axle position and removing the cover we could easily follow the wall edge.
After a quick run over with the backpack blower, the job was finished and we were very impressed with the results.
For more information on the specifications of the DE-MOSS 390, please click here.
Slip Hazard?
How long does it take to deal with a slip hazard like this in a cemetery?
A Kersten powered sweeper can be angle left and right. The powerful brush sweeps the surface , in this case depositing the debris safely each side of the pathway. When the Kersten sweeper is fitted with a collector the brush sweeps the detritus that the moss is growing in and collects the debris in the collection box. This surface may now dry much more quickly as nothing remains to store moisture reducing the possibility of future moss growth. A periodical sweep will keep this area free from moss and weeds.
10 minutes later.....
Kersten sweepers can be pedestrian operated or tractor mounted. They are available in working widths of 75cm to 3 metres. See our website for details.........
FAQ's about sweeping moss
Question: Does an operative require a special licence to destroy weeds and pests with a sweeping device in the UK?
Answer: We are not aware of any legislation in the UK which prevents any competent person using a mechanical sweeping device to destroy weeds and similar pests.
Question: Is it safe, accurate and effective to carry out weed killing operations with a sweeping device in moderate wind conditions?
Answer: We are not aware of any reasons why sweeping device should not be safe, accurate or effective in moderate wind conditions.
Question: Does sweeping increase the possibility of contaminating ground water with chemicals potentially hazardous to human health?
Answer: There is potential for ground water contamination by sweeping surfaces by powered mechanical means however the risks are greatly reduced compared with the use of herbicides and other methods.
Question: Why does moss grow in certain areas?
Answer: Moss requires a growing medium and a water source to flourish. Moss thrives particularly well in shaded areas.
Question: How can you destroy moss without chemicals?
Answer: You can destroy moss by depriving it of critical life dependencies such as moisture. Moisture is often stored in detritus. This detritus drys out less quickly in shady areas.
More details
Amenity Forum Conference 2019 - Thursday 10th October 2019
As proud members of the Amenity Forum, Kersten (UK) Ltd are pleased to confirm that we will be attending their Annual Conference & Exhibition on 10th October 2019.
The focus of the conference is 21st Century Amenity Management. The event has a selection of subject matter experts speaking from their experience and passing on their wealth of knowledge.
We are also delighted to announce that as experts in our industry, our Managing Director, Chris Faulkner will be speaking at the conference explaining more about mechanical weed control with effective sweeping regimes.
For more information on the event and to book your space click this link.
Should we spray or should we sweep?
With growing social pressure against using chemicals to control weeds and other pests, the grounds maintenance sector has an opportunity to think about best practice and lead by example.
When faced with areas similar to the one below what are the options?
1. Spray it with chemicals to kill the moss
2. Treat it with hot foam or water to kill the moss
3. Leave it
4. Sweep it to remove the detritus the moss is growing in
Which one would you choose?
Look at the option we chose......
Look what it did......
A Kersten powered sweeper with a collector and a side gulley brush sweeps the detritus that the moss is growing in and collects the debris in the collection box. This surface may now dry much more quickly as nothing remains to store moisture reducing the possibility of future moss growth. A periodical sweep will keep this area free from moss and weeds.
Kersten sweepers can be pedestrian operated or tractor mounted. They are available in working widths of 75cm to 3 metres.
See our website for details.........
FAQ's about sweeping moss
Question: Does an operative require a special licence to destroy weeds and pests with a sweeping device in the UK?
Answer: We are not aware of any legislation in the UK which prevents any competent person using a mechanical sweeping device to destroy weeds and similar pests.
Question: Is it safe, accurate and effective to carry out weed killing operations with a sweeping device in moderate wind conditions?
Answer: We are not aware of any reasons why sweeping device should not be safe, accurate or effective in moderate wind conditions.
Question: Does sweeping increase the possibility of contaminating ground water with chemicals potentially hazardous to human health?
Answer: There is potential for ground water contamination by sweeping surfaces by powered mechanical means however the risks are greatly reduced compared with the use of herbicides and other methods.
Question: Why does moss grow in certain areas?
Answer: Moss requires a growing medium and a water source to flourish. Moss thrives particularly well in shaded areas.
Question: How can you destroy moss without chemicals?
Answer: You can destroy moss by depriving it of critical life dependencies such as moisture. Moisture is often stored in detritus. This detritus drys out less quickly in shady areas.
The Amenity Forum statement regarding chemical use in weed, pest and disease management Published 16 May 2019
Kersten (UK) Ltd is a member of the Amenity Forum.
The Amenity Forum is the UK based, industry led voluntary initiative for the promotion of “best practice” principles within the amenity sector when using pesticides – herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, algaecides and other products to control pests and diseases in this diverse sector.
The Amenity Forum published the following Statement May 2019 in light of recent media coverage regarding awards being made in United States Courts against chemical manufacturers.
The Amenity Forum is a UK Initiative which works with Government and industry promoting best practice in maintaining safe and healthy public spaces fit for purpose. The Amenity Forum is independent of any commercial interests in the sector. We were set up for two key reasons – firstly it brings the sector together so we could promote best practice and demonstrate to Government that voluntarily we can continue to drive up professional standards and ensure weed, pest and disease management can be undertaken to produce safe and healthy amenity spaces. Secondly, we are charged by Government to help deliver the UK National Action Plan arising from the Sustainable Use Directive implementation.
Each year we report on behalf of the sector on how we are doing in meeting the targets. Whilst having this role, we receive no direct Government funding and so we levy from organisations in the sector, an annual membership fee to help us undertake our objectives. Every organisation committing to our objectives and becoming members pay exactly the same. We now have some 70 organisations supporting our aims covering all aspects of amenity management. In addition we have a significant number of local authorities in associate membership. We have produced specific guidance notes for local authorities to help answer questions on glyphosate and other matters. In producing guidance for the sector, the Forum would never advocate any practice which is not regarded as safe or of danger to public health. Indeed, we promote integrated management practice making optimum use of both non chemical and authorised chemicals to produce effective weed management in an economic and efficient way.
Chemicals applied professionally and targeted, remain very often the most effective solution in many situations. All chemicals used in weed, pest and disease management have to go through extensive testing and authorisation. Actives for use in the UK, such as glyphosate, are scrutinised by scientific experts and only authorised after extensive testing and full review of all the science and evidence. Any product such as Round Up then must be approved for use in the UK again following extensive analysis. This process is probably the most comprehensive in the world and certainly greater than for many household products. We would urge that all decisions are based on science and evidence. As said at the start, we promote integrated approaches and urge everyone to use professional operators who can fully demonstrate their commitment to assured practice and commit to the aims of the Amenity Forum. Authorised chemicals used correctly and professionally are safe and help create healthy public spaces fit for purpose. What happens in amenity management impacts upon every UK citizen every day’’.
Click this link to view the Amenity Forum website.
Kersten DE-MOSS 90 Sweeper on Tarmac Drive.
This week, we’ve had yet another request from a customer who gave up the unequal struggle to clear his tarmac drive of moss and weeds. Just imagine you have two nice houses, well maintained and valuable, fronted by a drive that markedly detracts their visual appeal and value.
The owners of these properties have over the years been tackling the problem by various means, such as pressure washers, moss killer, hand brooms and subsequently decided that they could not solve this problem themselves. Now was the time to call in the professionals.
This contract required three Kersten machines for speed, but we could have only used one power unit and three attachments. The Kersten DE-MOSS 90 sweeper was used to cover the majority of the driveway. Areas such as under bushes and those affected with thicker weeds were easily tackled by the Kersten Weedo. Once the moss and weeds had been removed the whole area was then swept and collected by the standard 1m sweeper with gulley brush attachment on the Kersten K2100.
Results were impressive. The DE-MOSS 90 sweeper has ensured the whole drive, approximately 300m2, is now looking as good as it should. Time on site was around three hours. This is a reduction from the estimate which normally would have been closer to a day’s work for the same standard of work; a huge improvement in productivity.
The customer who previously despaired of this job, after the hand brooms, chemicals and pressure washer was more than impressed. There was no mess, no splashes, no blocked drains, no surface damage and all the kerb edges were clean and tidy. Cleaning the kerb edge too is so important to presentation, the eye always goes to the edge, something the Kersten gulley brush is designed for. Having the correct tools for the job allows these challenging commitments to be accomplished quickly and profitably.
Kersten machines are “they do what they say on the tin” products, a comment we often hear at demonstrations. “Chemical free weed control” and “kerb appeal” are our goals, which we keep promoting.
All that is needed in the future to keep this drive looking good is just a quick sweep with a collector box.
Click the image below to view the De-Moss 90 in action.
Tractor Mounted Rear PTO Sweepers
Tractor Mounted Rear PTO Sweepers
Proving What We Preach
We're always recommending regular maintenance to reduce moss and weeds building up and causing damage. We
suggest that you should be proactive not reactive.
One of our customers requests a visit from us on an annual basis during the spring, to bring his tennis court back to a nice clean playable surface ready for the season ahead. The court suffers from moss and debris from trees and bushes that are in close proximity to the court giving the moss plenty to feed on.
We used our new De-Moss 90, a Weedo as well as our standard 1m sweeper with collector box on a K2100. The De-Moss 90 worked brilliantly on the moss covered edges, any deeper moss was removed using the Weedo. All the debris was moved into the centre which was then collected by the K2100 sweeper with collector box, then a final sweep to finish off.
The tennis court was left moss and dirt free. By using each machine in an order that best suited this job the whole task was completed in approximately 2 and half hours with 2 personnel.
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Kersten Weedo - Cleaning Artificial cricket wicket nets
Kersten Weedo - Cleaning
Artificial cricket wicket nets
The difference with Kersten gulley brush and collector.
A powered sweeper with a gully brush and collector makes all the difference