Wick herbicide application

[zuiko]

Anybody use one of these?

http://www.tifton.uga.edu/eng/Publications/Rope/Aavim how to make a rope wick.pdf

I have found plans to build them online from pretty cheap materials (basically a PVC pipe, fittings, and lots of rope) but before I build one I am wondering how well they really work. Can you just keep the tube in the same position (wicks on the bottom) all the time or will they drip? Do you need an air vent? I have found conflicting information on that.

Any idea on coverage or how strong the mix has to be versus spray application? With how expensive chemicals are I'm hoping one of these might help me save money and better control nasty weeds like thistle in pastures.

 

[foggy1111]

I have never owned one....but I have read good things about 'em, ever since I can remember. Recently I have a need....so was just reading up on wick bars again to use on my ATV.

There seems to be a better plan (more recent) than the one you show for building your own. The most recent ones have some overlap on the ropes and may work better. (Also, most recently some have a "carpeted" surface rather than the rope wick.....but the jury may still be out on that method.)

As I understand it, many people have bought kits made by Greeenleaf.....whom seems to be a favorite supplier of this material. I saw 5 foot assembled wick bars (using greenleaf materials) for about $110 on the Agri Supply website. It semjs you can join the 5 footers together to make any size you want...and there is some benefit to the smaller sizes (?). I thought this was a good deal. Hope that helps.

OH....and from what I have read....yes the ropes stay at the bottom and they dont drip....IF you use the proper nylon rope and assemble per the recommended design (s). Also, I have read that the mix is from 25% to 50% Round Up......depending on whom is writing the info. Seemed to me that a 33 % mix is pretty good....but do some research on this.

 

[rundogs]

I had a 10 foot one mounted on the front of a Farmall H to kill johnsongrass and shattercane in soybeans. It didnt drip or need a vent. In thick weeds you would have to swipe the weeds in 2 different directions to get a good kill.

 

[zuiko]

I have seen the 5' kits for sale but I'm thinking I could build my own a lot cheaper given the materials required (especially since I want at least 20 feet of boom which would cost close to $500 for the kit route). I got plenty of time till next spring to build it.

The only thing I am having a problem with is finding the right kind of rope. All the plans I have read online seem to play up a particular brand of rope made by a company that doesn't even seem to have a website (and I have never seen their products distributed anywhere, either).

I'm thinking there are plenty of kinds of locally available rope that will work just fine... it is just a matter of finding the right stuff. This is what I've found for a description of the rope everybody seems to like: "1/2" diamond braid polyester covering over an acrylic core." Polyester rope is everywhere, the acrylic core I have no idea about. Unfortunately wicking ability is not a feature rope makers advertise. Sometimes they don't even tell you what the rope is made out of. So I'm still trying to figure that part out.