1. Mechanisms of Weed Spread
and Machinery Hygiene

2. Why control weed spread?
To protect our natural resources from the damaging effects of weeds
Waterways
Rural Lands
Urban Bushland

3. 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

4. Example of Alligator weed in excavated material

5. How do weeds spread? Seed Spread High seed production
Sticks to machinery when damp
Fine dust like seeds
Sticky seeds eg burrs or spines

6. 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

7. Spreading weeds on roadsides Roadside; mown by council
Roadside; mown by council   
Road        
 Giant Parramatta Grass Gate                 
Watch the path of spread by slasher      

8. What a great carrier of seed – The Slasher

9. What a great carrier of seed – The Mower

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

11. 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.

12. Cleaning Machinery

13. 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 lodge
Body underside including sills
- safety chains
- topsides including sills
Buckets - inside and outside
Wheels - inside and outside
Tracks - inside and outside

14. Blowing down slasher

15. Washing down slasher

16. Washing down excavator

17. Washing down backhoe

18. Washing machinery on site

19. Clean Machinery
Before
After
Before
After

20. Another way to clean vehicles Purpose-built Washdown facility

21. Purpose built washdown facilities

22. Purpose built washdown facilities

23. Equipment to minimise weed spread Fan installed on roadside slasher to blow weed seed onto the ground in-situ

24. Equipment to minimise weed spread The plant material stays in-situ where slashed
Flail Mowers

25. Approaching jobs to minimise weeds 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

26. Summary
The spread of weeds via contaminated machinery can be reduced by
sound job planning
practicing machinery hygiene

27. Summary
Remember to clean your machinery before leaving a worksite.

28. Hunter Central Coast Weeds
On behalf of the
Hunter Central Coast Weeds
Thank you