Description

Mulching may be conducted to protect soil surfaces from erosion. Mulches may also enhance environmental conditions for germination and seedling establishment by moderating temperatures, reducing evapotranspiration, improving soil fertility, and reducing weed establishment. Mulches may consist of organic and inorganic materials such as lime, bark, wood, municipal waste, crop residues, hay, straw, and plant materials harvested on-site. Consideration of mulch composition and application rates is essential to meet specific objectives.

Application

Equipment modified from machines such as a farm tub grinder or lime spreader can be used to grind hay or straw bales or to produce mulch from other materials. The hopper may be fed with a front-end loader or be self-loading. Ground material is distributed by a blower that may be modified to permit direction of mulch delivery. Material being ground, speed of operation, terrain and other factors determine power requirements. Manure spreaders or similar equipment can also be used to spread prepared mulch. Krimpers are used to hold it in place.

References / Additional Information

Anderson, B. 1980. Mulching machine conversion from a rotary feed grinder. 34th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop. VREW: 24-25.

Anderson, B. 1982. High-rate mulch spreading equipment. 36th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation & Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1982 February 4-5; Denver, CO. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 15-16.

Anderson, B. 1990a. High-rate mulch spreading equipment. 43rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation & Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1989 February 19 & 20; Billings, MT. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Technology & Development Center: 38.

Anderson, B. 1990b. Mulching machine conversion from a rotary feed grinder. 43rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation & Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1989 February 19 & 20; Billings, MT. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Technology & Development Center. 24-25.

Call C. 1979. Reclamation: Innovations and directions at the Rosebud Mine. 33rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop. VREW: 36-39.

Estes, D. 1979. Spreaders and associated equipment for reclaiming surface mines. 33rd Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop. VREW. p. 34-36.

Taylor, C.S.; 1983. Mulch spreading equipment for steep slope revegetation and mine reclamation. In: 37th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation & Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1983 February 13 & 14; Albuquerque, NM. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 9-11. review of equipment for delivering and incorporating mulch: mulch spreaders, power mulcher, hydraulic mulcher-seeder, mechanical mulch incorporators; strengths of each listed

Vogel, W.G. 1983. Problems with establishing woody species on eastern surface-mined lands. Disturbed land reclamation (Eastern subgroup). 37th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation & Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1983 February 13 & 14; Albuquerque, NM. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 25-27.

Vogel, W.G. 1983. Ecological considerations in designing and selecting reclamation equipment. 37th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation & Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1983 February 13 & 14; Albuquerque, NM. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 59-63.

Younger, R. 1980. Disturbed land reclamation (Western “Sub” Group). 34th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1980 February 10-11; San Diego, CA: 16-18. vertical axis rotary tiller, stone bar + tillers + roller, seeding/mulching. Test results when used for anchoring mulch and preparing seedbed on topsoil, contoured mine spoil