When herbicides aren’t an option, how do you keep weeds from taking over newly established turf?
For S&R Turf, the answer is the Trimax Vulcan. Managing weed pressure while protecting young, sensitive grass is a critical part of sod production. The Vulcan provides a practical way to control unwanted vegetation while helping protect developing turf from disease and damage.
MANAGING WEED PRESSURE WITHOUT HERBICIDES.
Young turf can be particularly sensitive to herbicide applications, especially during periods of heat stress. This leaves sod producers with fewer options for controlling weeds during establishment.
“We start off with the Vulcan on the grasses that we can’t put the correct herbicides on due to sensitivity of either heat stress or just the sensitivity of a new plant,” Stephen Rabon explains.
Rather than relying on chemical treatments during these sensitive stages, S&R Turf uses the Vulcan to mechanically manage unwanted vegetation.
THE ADVANTAGE OF AN OPEN-BACK DESIGN.
One of the Vulcan’s most valuable features for S&R Turf is its open-back design, which allows cut material to discharge behind the mower rather than being pressed into the turf canopy.
“We’re using the Vulcan to take care of mowing the weeds out. Whereas if we use the roller mower at that point in time, it would press weeds down in the canopy of our turf and cause disease and turf loss.”
Stephen explains the importance of allowing the cut material to dry:
“We want the open back on the Vulcan to discharge that material out the back so it can dry, just like you would hay or any other type of forage before you harvest.”
By the following day, the material has dried enough that another mowing pass removes the visible traces of the weeds. This process helps prevent cut vegetation from becoming trapped beneath the grass, where it could contribute to disease and turf loss.
A RECOMMENDATION BUILT ON EXPERIENCE.
For Stephen, the Vulcan has proven its value by addressing a specific challenge in sod production.
“For its purpose, it’s done us well.”
His recommendation to other sod producers is straightforward:
“Any other farms ask for my opinion, I’d highly recommend Trimax.”
