Chaplin, Sask., farmer Ron Gleim developed the X-Steam-inator, a pull-type steam machine that douses weeds with a maximum stream of 150 degrees Celsius (C) steam under 50 pounds per sq. inch (psi) of pressure.
According to the company, the machine can also be used for potato dessication.
“We originally thought we needed about 150 C, but after some trials, we found we could do just as good a job with 130 C using a little more saturation. We tried pressures up to 50 psi and got really good results with that, but then we also had good results all the way down to 20 psi. Desiccation requires higher pressures. We’ve desiccated potatoes and that worked very well,” Gleim said, cited by The Western Producer.
The developer mentioned that he could perform desiccation plus between-row and in-row steam application in the potato crop. He says he’s taking this approach simply because table-ready high-value foods are under the most pressure to eliminate chemicals, and this sector has the cash flow to invest in emerging technology.
Even though the machinery shows promise, Gleim has concerns about potential damage to beneficial microbes, insects, and worms and has delved into a number of studies from Europe that address those issues.
“Even the guys that burn down four inches into the soil to get control for four months find that the bugs and microbes are back to their normal level within six weeks. Everything we do, such as fertilizer, for instance, does some damage to soil-bound forms of life. I think our equipment does less harm,” the farmer declared.
When the X-Steam-inator is ready to come to market, Gleim expects prices to be in the range of USD300,000 to USD350,000. The company says it already has a distribution network.
