PUBLIC MAINTENANCE
CARE OF PARKS AND
OUTDOOR AREAS
BY DANIEL TOOK, HEAD OF PROFESSIONAL
PRODUCT MARKETING FOR KARCHER UK
Taking care of parks and outdoor
areas is a mammoth task for local
authorities and service providers.
Lawns must be cared for, weeds
managed, paths and parking areas
maintained, all making flexible,
tailored equipment imperative.
Weed killing
Weeds should be deprived of
their breeding ground to prevent
spread. Pollen settles in dust and
dirt, leading to dandelions, thistles,
etc. Regular sweeping is the most
effective prevention method, but
the work should be timed around
the grass growth season. If surfaces
are well-swept, fine dust pollution
is also reduced, but the frequency
required can impact personnel and
machine costs.
If regular sweeping is not possible,
there are other ways to prevents
weeds without chemicals. If weeds
are still small, hot air is appropriate.
Air is heated to 450°C via a gas
burner, and the plants are literally
dried up. Handheld appliances or
attachments for municipal machines
are available, but only to be used
if no fire hazard exists for adjacent
greenery or wooded areas.
Hot water can be used for taller
plants. Heated up to temperatures of
up to 99°C it develops a certain depth
effect down to the root, destroying
the plant. Similarly, steam can be
used, but does not penetrate to the
root, so requires repetition. These
methods are ideal for water-bound
paths, such as gravel, where sweepers
cannot be used.
Well-established weeds with deep
roots, really require the mechanical
performance of a sweeper with
a weed brush. This functions
independently of the composition
of the underlying surface, but brush
arms and the connection between
attachment and vehicle must be
resilient.
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