KECKEX – FAQ

Fuel

Is there an alternative fuel to heating oil or diesel?

We’re currently testing a CO2 neutral fuel from the company CARE. We’re currently testing different types of fuel and will soon have an alternative in our range.

Is the machine battery-powered?

Unlike many of our competitors, we don’t use a petrol or diesel engine to power our machine. Our machine, its water pump, fan and ignition are powered by high quality rechargeable battery packs. This makes us more CO2-friendly, above all self-sufficient, and almost silent in operation.

Are hydraulics or a combustion engine needed to remove weeds?

No! We’re focused on alternative drives and autonomous in operation.

Application

How do I get the best application results?

We recommend the KECKEX method for the initial application. This involves treating the desired area using KECKEX devices, removing the resulting fertiliser from dead plants after 5–10 days and then immediately treating the desired area again using KECKEX devices. Ongoing treatment promises the best results.

How often do I have to carry out an application per year?

The number of applications is very much dependent on external influences and varies depending on the area of application, weather, seed flight, plant species and vegetation. We recommend following the KECKEX method for the initial application, then apply approx. 3–6 times per year. This will reduce the proportion of weeds each year and existing weeds will be steadily weakened. It should be noted, however, that when new seeds encounter nutritious soil, a new plant will grow there (regardless of which weed killer is used).

In what weather conditions should the application be carried out?

Perfect conditions are a dry and warm surface for application, followed by a few dry and sunny days without rain. Changeable weather on the other hand, such as sun during the day and rain in the evening, acts like a growth injection.

Are there plants for which our method doesn’t work?

In principle, the KECKEX method can be applied to any plant. However, the species and genus of the plant is a decisive factor in the application duration. The basic rule here is: the larger and stronger the weed, the more heat and water is needed. Dandelions, for example, are particularly stubborn.

Are there special accessories for the targeted use of individual plants?

Due to our expertise and prototyping capabilities, we’re constantly developing new accessories. Our focus here is on user-friendliness. Feedback from our customers is also a great help to us. This allows us to constantly develop new accessories that customers need based on their practical experience.

In which weather conditions should a treatment not be carried out?

It isn’t advisable to carry out a treatment in pouring rain, because the soil has cooled down and often isn’t able to absorb the hot water. This means that it cannot penetrate to the roots and there isn’t any effect.

How often do I have to descale the machine?

If our recommended machine protection powder is used correctly, separate descaling is not necessary. Ask our sales team for more information.

Do weeds stop growing back using glyphosate?

We’re not concerned about glyphosate and don’t carry out comparative tests with chemical poison. We’re convinced that a substance that is harmful to genetic material and potentially carcinogenic should have no place on shop shelves.

Can the hot water cause burns if it escapes?

Yes, thus we recommend wearing protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles, and to check your connections before each use.

Why does the plant turn pungent green after treatment?

The plant’s colour pigmentation is strongly irritated owing to the protein shock in the plant, which thus leads to a pungent green. This is an indicator of successful application.

How fast can I proceed when treating plants?

There’s no general answer to this question, as the type of plant, the soil conditions and the vegetation can vary greatly. In addition, the amount of water applied by the different types of machine has to be considered. More water means a faster speed. From experience, however, we can say that it gets quicker after every application.

Do I need protective equipment when operating the machine?

We indicate on the machine the required protective equipment and handling using pictograms.

Can foam be added to our machine, and do we recommend this method?

Our machines can easily add any foam, but we don’t see any advantage in doing so. Expensive foam adds no value, looks unnatural and often contains palm oil. Moreover, it attracts insects and passers-by are somewhat frightened by its appearance.

Environment

Is our treatment harmful to bees?

As we only use water, there’s no harmful residue on the plants. During an application, bees and other insects fly away in advance and thus are not harmed.

Can our system be used in nature reserves or public areas?

We work exclusively with water that has no chemical additives and our devices are therefore ideally suited for use in nature reserves and public places.

Do we use chemical additives in the water?

No! We use water and food-safe machine protection for decalcification.

How it works

Why do the plants die?

The mixture of hot water and steam triggers a protein shock in the plant, which means the plant is no longer able to absorb water and subsequently dries up. The KECKEX method damages the plant’s root neck and the plant needs the root neck to be able to sprout. If this root neck is being constantly damaged, the plant can no longer sprout and withers completely.

How long does a weed need to be treated?

The longer the plant and especially its root system are exposed to the hot water and steam mixture, the more the plant is damaged and the success rate is correspondingly higher. Depending on the type of plant and accessories, this is a matter of seconds.

Do the roots also die?

The aim of any treatment is to reach the root system and damage it using the mixture of hot water and steam. Depending a great deal on the type of plant, this can be achieved after just one application (moss), whereas with other weeds (e.g.: dandelion), treatment is necessary multiple times.

Why do weeds grow back?

Even the Chernobyl nuclear disaster didn’t succeed in destroying weeds forever. When a plant seed encounters nutrient-rich soil, the plant will grow – we and no one else can stop this process. However, the KECKEX method can be used to counteract this very well and, above all, without the use of chemicals.

How do I put my machine into service?

There are several instruction videos on our YouTube channel in this regard: https://www.youtube.com/c/KECKEXGmbH

Why the 50/50 water/steam mixture?

A hot water / steam mixture of up to 130 °C ensures that the weeds on the treated surface are combated in the same way as the root system. As our accessories are completely sealed, the steam is enclosed, creating an atmosphere above 100 °C. This prevents the water from cooling down between leaving the nozzle and hitting the ground.

How hot is the water heated and what is the temperature when the lance exits?

The temperature in the boiler gets up to 130 °C and, depending on the accessories, a mixture of water and steam exits with a temperature between 95–110 °C.

What is the difference between pure hot water applications and our hot water steam method?

The steam acts on the surface and prepares the atmosphere so that the hot water also hits the ground hot and uncooled. In hot water-only applications, more water must be used because the water often hits the ground unprotected from a distance and thus immediately loses a few degrees, which diminishes its effect.

Is our machine certified to disinfect and inactivate corona viruses?

Our steam system and specially developed accessories have achieved an excellent result in a W.H.U. Austria water test, which tests according to the specifications of the Robert Koch Institute. We achieved an A0 value > 600 and can thus render class AB virucides (corona, bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) harmless.

What other types of weed control are available on the market and are they effective?

a. Flaming:
Apart from the great fire hazard that you expose yourself to, flaming has a growth-promoting effect, as in the case of a forest fire. Aborigines in Australia, for instance, have been setting fires since time immemorial to make areas more fertile.
b. Hot air:
Hot air is similarly dangerous to flaming and its effect is questionable. In addition, large quantities of propane gas are used. The effect is said to be better when a surface is wet – so you can start working with steam right away.
c. Infrared:
Handling is extremely simple and inexpensive. However, the effect here is also questionable, and it could also cause problems for people with pacemakers in the vicinity.
d. Foam:
Expensive foam adds no value, looks unnatural and often contains palm oil. Moreover, it attracts insects and passers-by are startled by the look. If the surface isn’t horizontal, the foam flows away uncontrollably
e. Steam:
A pure application with steam ensures speedy and environmentally friendly weed destruction. However, this is only superficial and thus they grow back very quickly

Range of application

What else can I do with keckex devices besides killing weeds?

Our devices are very versatile and real all-rounders in the field of cleaning (chewing gum removal, disinfection, virus, fungus and spore control), high-pressure cleaning and watering – and hand-operated and mechanical accessories are also available.

Do I need a suitable vehicle or will a trailer or flatbed truck also do?

Our machines and designs are characterised by the fact that they are flexible and supplier-neutral. This means that we can construct individual superstructures or adapt them to any trailer, platform truck or municipal vehicle. We already have several designs for the most popular brands on offer.

Are the devices loud? Or can I use them in the morning?

Due to its electric drive, the drive is almost noiseless. A low hum can be heard from the burner and a hiss from the hot steam. Therefore our machines can be used at any time and geographically independent.

Service

What should I do if my machine is defective?

First-class service is a top priority for us. You can either contact your dealer or us directly via our customer portal or our current media contacts. We promise the quickest and easiest possible problem solving.

How do I get suitable spare parts?

On the one hand, we include a spare parts case in our offer and video instructions for installation. On the other, we will be happy to advise you personally or you can find information yourself in the customer portal on our homepage.

Where does the development and manufacture of KECKEX Gmbh devices and accessories take place?

The prototype construction takes place from the idea to the RRP at our company headquarters in Vorarlberg, with orders to nearby companies. All components used come from European companies.

Do I have a warranty/guarantee on my purchased machine?

The legal warranty, except for wear parts, can be extended annually if service plans are carried out and adhered to.

Do I have to carry out an annual service?

We recommend carrying out an annual service in order to extend the warranty on the one hand and to have a functional machine in use on the other.

How should I store my machine in winter?

Frost-free, or winterproof it using antifreeze.

Is it possible to test a machine?

Demonstrations and test machines can be arranged and reserved in consultation with our sales staff.