Capacities
Wick tubes hold 1.4 litres of mixed solution per foot. Example one 5' wick tube contains 7 litres of solution.
Rates
Suggested solution is 1 part chemical to 2 parts water. Mix solution before putting into tubes.
The chemical is used as a thickening agent and therefore if you put water by itself in the wick weeder it will run out readily (e.g. if you have too much flow on your ropes, using a stronger mixture would be the answer.
Never use straight Roundup, you will only burn the plant, not kill it.
Machine Operation
The fittings that hold the rope into the tube are your flow control. When the tubes are new you must adjust these nuts to control the flow of chemical. When you are wicking, the excess chemical is being removed from the wicks.
Tightening the nuts decreases the flow of solution.
Loosening the nuts increases the flow of solution.
After you have filled the tubes, and the ropes have all become saturated, you should see an occasional drip coming off the ropes. If you see more than an occasional drip the fitting where it is dripping should be tightened.
To ensure maximum weed contact, wicks on the tubes should be facing forward (fill caps to the top).
Travel Speed
In heavily populated weed conditions, it is a good idea to wick in both directions (go in one direction and then turn around and wick it again coming from the other direction).
When you are wicking you should be going approximately 4 miles an hour. In heavy conditions slow down.
Clean Out & Clean Up
Ropes should be kept clean! Use a pressure washer or a hose and a brush.
Winter Storage
Drain the solution from the tubes, and store the mixed chemical where it will not freeze. Wash the exterior, making sure the ropes are clean.
Options
Pressure system – It has an extra 20 liter tank on a pedestal with hose, hose barbs and a bank of valves to control flow. This tank is used to provide extra capacity and flow onto the wicks where weed infestation is heavy.
Trouble Shooting
If you are having trouble getting the ropes wet, you may have to loosen off the pressure fitting cap and pull the grommet out of the base, then twist the cap back on again. This resets the pressure system.