Steam weeder DÄMPFMOBIL

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After the ragwort scandal in 2009, one of the well-known large-scale suppliers of salad had an idea to introduce a clean and high-efficient weed control with hot steam at various plantations. The MSD Company was awarded the contract for development a new machine which could fully automatically treat soil beds on truck fields. The result was the ‘Dämpfmobil’ device, which has successfully been in use since 2010. Various further-developments were necessary to let the device be approved by the trade association and to get the certificate that the machine can be used on open surfaces outdoors without permanent supervision. Similarly to STERILTER, the steam penetrates into the well-loosened soil via hoods. The central control system automatically regulates all processes except turning the machine around at the end of the bed. The ‘Dämpfmobil’ lifts up, moves and lowers the hoods automatically, starts and stops itself without the need of control or actuation by an operator. If troubles occur, the system sends an error message to the operator’s mobile phone, if desired. The desired steaming depth can be simply pre-set for the determined steaming time on the touch screen. So the labour costs are almost negligible in this surface steaming method. The operating cost of this fully automatic machine is about 2,500-3,000 per hectare for weed control at 5-6 cm steaming depth. It is the first time when the weed control with hot steam is possible at such a favourable price!