Development and testing of a weed wiper for roadside vegetative control.

630133404Final report.PDFTech Report4-2-22-2140-33Roadside floraWeed controlVegetation controlDelawareDelaware Center for TransportationRitter, William F.Kemble, L. James.University of Delaware. Bioresources Engineering Dept.Delaware. Dept. of TransportationNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionThe objective of the project was to investigate the potential of using the weed wiper applicatoras an alternative method to mowing and broadcast spraying for controlling noxious weds, brush andplant growth along roadways. An existing weed wiper applicator used for tax ditch herbicideapplications was modified by replacing a flat set of applicators which utilized grit abrasive banded toan aluminum channel with radial applicators. The chemicals Roundup, Rodeo, Touchdown andArsenal were used. They were applied in concentrated and dilute form or as mixtures. Applicationsof Rodeo, Roundup and Touchdown at the rate of 0.3 gallons per acre were 50 to 75% effective on 1to 2 year old sweet gum, tulip popular, sumac, cherry and maple with one application. With theaddition of 1 part of applicators concentrate Arsenal added to 40 parts of the other chemicals andapplied at 0.25 gallons per acre, vegetation control was over 75% with one application. Evenvegetation with extensive root systems was controlled and pine, cedar, willow, phragrnites, multiflorarose, black locust, holly and sassafras were also controlled in varying degree with one application.The total capital cost for a complete three tank applicator system not including the tractor isestimated to be in the $10,500 range. The cost for roadside utility right-a-way and roadside ditchwoodline spraying are in the range of $190 to $200 per mile. This cost includes labor, equipmentand chemicals