Atarus Stinger

The most exciting development in thermal weed control - ever!

DJ BATCHEN PTY LTD has been researching and trialling thermal weed control equipment for the past 3 years. About two years ago a new technology was conceived and is now being actively marketed.

The technology is called Water Quenched Combustion and takes the form of a generator which converts combusting fuel and water into a high velocity, high temperature, moist air flow. This technology has significant benefits over conventional flame weeding including:

• creating a deadlier environment due to the added moisture,
  
• the ability to precisely direct the heat onto unwanted vegetation,
  
• the hot moisture laden air sinks into targeted vegetation rather than rising,
• fire risk is eliminated,
• flame damage to other critical environment is eliminated.

Southcorp Wines Ltd., Australia's largest wine manufacturer, exporter and vineyard owner has been using the Batchen Atarus Stinger for the previuos six months, achieving results which can only be described as 'phenominal'.

Some of the reasons which have driven Southcorp and other wineries to the Stinger technology include:

• a belief that testing for unwanted chemical take-up in grapes would be used as a trade barrier to Australia's exports as market share increases,
• increasing scrutiny are being placed on agricultural chemicals for their impact on food, water and the general environment,
• iIncreased pressure on producers to protect their workers and neighbours from chemicals used in production and above all,
• a recognition that certain weeds are becoming resistant to widely used herbicides.

Features of the Atarus Stinger

Features of the Atarus Stinger which have given it a clear competitive advantage in the thermal weed control marketplace include:

• minimised water usage,
  
• the ability to be able to use dam and bore water,
  
• robust enough for the harshest agricultural climate,
• tailored models:
  • an under vine device,
    
  • a row crop device, and
    
  • a small scale broad acre device.