weedingtech FoamStream M1200 User manual

USER MANUAL
ENGLISH (EU) –01/03/2018 –ISSUE 2

M1200 –User manual –English (EU) –01/03/2018 - ISSUE 2

M1200 –User manual –English (EU) –01/03/2018 - ISSUE 2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ____________________ 4
2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ___________ 4
3. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION _____________ 5
4. FOAMSTREAM® ___________________ 11
4.1 HOW FOAMSTREAM® KILLS WEEDS______________________ 11
4.2 INDICATORS ____________________________________________ 11
4.3 CAUTION –POISONOUS WEEDS ____________________________ 12
4.4 THE EFFECT OF THE SYSTEM ON PLANTS _____________________ 12
5. PRE-START CHECKS ________________ 14
6. START PROCEDURE ________________ 15
7. SCREEN AND PLC NAVIGATION _______ 18
8. USING THE M1200 _________________ 19
9. FOAMSTREAM® APPLICATION (KILLING
WEEDS) ____________________________ 21
9.1 HOSE REEL _____________________________________________ 21
9.2 SPEED _________________________________________________ 21
9.3 USE OF THE LANCE_______________________________________ 21
9.4 TREATMENT OF THICK WEEDS______________________________ 22
9.5 TREATMENT _____________________________________________ 22
9.6 CONFIRMATION OF TREATMENT ____________________________ 22
9.7 CORRECT POSTURE_______________________________________ 22
10. SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURE _________ 23
11. BASIC FAULT FINDING ___________ 24
12. SERVICE CHECKS AND INTERVALS _ 29
13. LOADING AND HANDLING ________ 30
14. SCHEMATICS___________________ 31
15. WARRANTY ____________________ 34
16. PRODUCT CERTIFICATION ________ 36

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1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Weedingtech M1200!
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL OPERATORS READ AND
UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING
THE MACHINE
Having read these instructions, the operator will:
•Understand how the M1200 works
•Identify key components in the M1200
•Know how to carry out pre-start and start-up
procedures
•Observe safe operating practices
•Be able to effectively operate the M1200
•Be able to shut down and clean the M1200
•Be able to perform basic maintenance and
troubleshooting tasks
PLEASE KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN A SAFE PLACE
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
2. Important information
The following PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) are
recommended when operating the M1200:
•Eye protection is required when handling
Foamstream® concentrate
•Gloves are required as the lance assembly will get hot
•Safety Footwear suitable for working in the areas
concerned is recommended
•No specific protective clothing is required, although
use of overalls and a HI-Viz vest is suggested as best
practice.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO WEAR
APPROPRIATE PPE
Never operate the machine without checking that there are
adequate supplies of clean diesel, clean water and clean
Foamstream® concentrate in the appropriate tanks.
The M1200 produces VERY HOT water. This can cause
serious burns and injury if used incorrectly.
Never point the lance at people or animals as this machine
operates at high temperature and low pressure.
All personnel operating a M1200 machine must be deemed
competent to do so and must be adequately trained. A copy
of the training record is available on demand.
Always check the M1200 for any damage before use.
Damaged cables, hoses or connections must be reported
immediately, and the machine taken out of use until repairs
have been completed.
Use only genuine Weedingtech spare parts and
Foamstream® consumables. This will ensure the best
performance of your machine and maintain the warranty of
the unit.
The M1200 must never be modified, safety interlocks
bypassed or settings adjusted (unless specified in these
guidance notes) without Weedingtech’s written consent.
Ensure that the M1200 is placed in an area where there is
adequate ventilation when in use.

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Ensure that the consumable liquid (foam concentrate) is not
subject to temperatures below 5 degrees centigrade at any
time.
Ensure that both the M1200 and its water tank are securely
attached to the transport vehicle. It is the responsibility of
the vehicle driver to ensure that any load is secure and that
any payload restrictions are observed you can refer to
section 13 for more information on transport.
NEVER OPERATE THE M1200 WITHOUT FOAMSTREAM®
CONCENTRATE
3. Product description
The M1200 weed control unit consists of:
•Foamstream®
•Water tank (780 litres)
•Hose reel (30 metres)
•Lance
The M1200 houses a diesel-powered boiler, a diesel-
powered generator, a logic controller (PLC), a piston pump,
a 52 litres diesel tank, and a 22 litres Foamstream®
concentrate tank.
When the water reaches 95 degrees centigrade, a valve
opens allowing water to flow from the lance (12 lpm @ 12
bar) and a venturi mixer opens to allow Foamstream®
concentrate to be injected at a ratio of 99.5 parts water to
0.5 parts concentrate. Air is added to the water and
Foamstream® mix as it exits the lance to create the foam.
Figure 1 - M1200 (operator not included)
When the machine is switched on and operational, water is
pumped at 12 litres per minute and passes through the
boiler to be heated up to a minimum of 95 degrees
centigrade.
The M1200 has been designed to require no manual input or
adjustment. The PLC monitors the system pressure,
temperature and flow rate to ensure optimum performance
of the unit.
A pressure relief valve and over-temperature sensor ensure
that internal pressure and temperature will not exceed 35
bar or 120 degrees centigrade in the event of a system fault.
Operation of the M1200 is via the user interface at the front
of the unit (see section 6 for details).

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Filters are fitted to the diesel, water and foam systems to
ensure supplies are kept clean and free from debris. These
needs to be checked daily (see section 5).
Access panels to the right and left-hand side of the M1200
can be opened with a key to allow access to filters, pipes
and hydraulic components. These panels can be easily
removed for maintenance purposes. Access to the
electronics is via a door on the front of the M1200 which can
be opened by a key.
The water tank (780 litres) can be either separate from the
unit or attached to it by bolts on the frame. There are two
hydraulic connections (water supply, water return), one
electrical connection (water sensor) and 13 bolts when the
tank is attached to the unit.
An automatic hose reel is located inside the unit to allow the
30 metres hose to be stowed safely when the M1200 is not
in use. The hose comes off the top of the reel and is
connected to the lance via a connector.
M1200
HEIGHT (mm)
1200
WIDTH (mm)
1206
DEPTH (mm)
1250 or 2120 (with tank)
WEIGHT (kg)
326 EMPTY, 400 FULL
WATER
780 LITRES
FUEL
DIESEL –52 LITRES
FOAMSTREAM
FOAMSTREAM –22 LITRES
GENERATOR OIL
1.2 LITRES SAE 5W40
PUMP OIL
0.3 LITRES SAE 5W40
FLOW RATE
12 LITRES PER MINUTE
OPERATING
PRESSURE
30 BAR ON HEAT UP, 12 BAR
TRIGGER OPEN
OPERATING
TEMPERATURE
95 –110 °C
PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
35 BAR
OVER
TEMPERATURE
CUT-OUT
125 °C
GENERATOR
4.5 kVA –DIESEL POWERED
BOILER
95 kWh –DIESEL POWERED

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Figure 2 –Perspective view of the M1200
Num.
Description
1
Control panel
2
Lance
3
Water tank
4
Exhaust hood
5
Hose reel orifice
6
Forks entry
7
Left cover panel
8
Right cover panel
9
Traffic lights
10
Hot air extraction fan

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Figure 3 - Left inside view of the M1200
Num.
Description
1
Diesel particulates filter (Optional extra)
2
Water pump
3
Diesel generator vent (CAUTION HOT)
4
Diesel generator (CAUTION HOT)
1 2
3
4

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Figure 4 - Right view of the inside of the M1200
um.
Description
1
Lance solenoid valve
2
Pressure gauge
3
Main flow switch
4
Return to tank flow switch
5
Pressure relief valve (PRV)
6
Lance pressure switch
7
Venturi
8
Foam filter
9
Foam tank
10
Diesel tank
11
Boiler diesel filter
12
Water filter

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Figure 5 - Closed control box (left) open (right)
Figure 6 –Detail of the switches on the front panel
Num.
Description
1
Emergency stop
2
Main contact switch
3
Boiler reset button
4
Power light
5
Diesel generator start key
6
PLC screen (touch screen)

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4. FOAMSTREAM®
4.1 How FOAMSTREAM® kills weeds
Foamstream® uses heat to kill weeds. Water is heated to
near boiling point and then mixed with the Foamstream®
concentrate to produce foam before being applied. The foam
blanket ensures that the heat is held on the plant so that the
weeds experience hot, killing temperatures for a few
seconds. Figure 10 below explains and compares the process
to hot water and steam.
4.2 Indicators
The lances can apply large volumes of water and foam and
can be used to kill larger weeds. Foam cover, and hence heat
retention on weeds, is easier to achieve on prostrate plants
that are near the ground. Tall plants should be trodden
down either by foot or by using the lance outlet, to aid foam
cover and heat retention.
Figure 7 - Foamstream during treatment
Immediately after treatment, weeds will go dark green and
limp. This indicates that the machine is operating properly.
The weeds will die; this becomes more obvious within the
next one to seven days (depending on species and weather).
If weeds fail to go limp, temperatures may be too low or
forward speed to high.
Figure 8 - Weed immediately after treatment with Foamstream
Figure 9 - Weed 24 hours after treatment with Foamstream

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If weeds go brown immediately after treatment, this could
indicate that forward speed is too slow and excessive heat
is being applied.
Figure 10 - Foamstream's triple action
Steam / Hot Water
Kills the leaves
Kills weeds
No effects on seeds
Sterilises seeds
Very weak effect on roots
Damages the root
In general, annual weeds are easier to kill than biennial or
perennial ones. Weed species that originate from desert or
semi-arid regions are more heat tolerant and will need a
slightly prolonged treatment period compared to other
species.
Biennial or perennial weeds usually have parts protected
against heat (especially regenerative parts under the soil,
the Rhizome). Foamstream is a contact application, it will
kill foliage but many perennial and biennial plants will
regenerate. The number of repeat treatments required to
completely kill weeds depends on the species and their size.
4.3 Caution –poisonous weeds
Some poisonous weeds, such as common ragweed (Senecio
jacobaea) may still be attractive to animals after treatment
with Foamstream. When treating any area where animals
are likely to graze after treatment with Foamstream, check
for the presence of such potentially toxic weeds and remove
them or keep out of reach of animals that are at risk.
4.4 The effect of the system on plants
The M1200 has been designed to operate in an urban
environment and control weed growth on both hard surfaces
and cultivated land. These weeds may be in, at, or around
kerbs and channels, footpath edges, driveways, boundaries,
obstacles etc.
Within these environments there are various plant species
that need to be controlled. These species may vary in type
and growth patterns depending on the specific geographic
location.
The system, through its unique operation, delivers a plant
kill based on thermal activity penetrating and breaking down
the cell structure of the plant.
With varying plants in the target area it is important for the
operator have some knowledge of the weed types, sizes and

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ages that they are treating, as this impacts on the speed of
operation to deliver an effective kill.
For maximum efficacy, it is important that all weeds in the
target area are in contact with the hot foam. Either flatten
tall weeds i.e. by treading or use of the lance or ensure that
the stems are ‘ring barked’ (completely surrounded by a
blanket of foam). The density of the plants and foliage is a
very important aspect for the operator to be aware of, as
this also impacts on the speed of operation. It should be
noted:
•As the height and/or density of the target plants
increases, the speed of operation will be slower.
•In a situation where regular treatment of the area is
part of a maintenance programme the weeds will
generally be easier to treat as regrowth should be
reduced.
•Regular treatment also allows increased speed of
operation, as the volume of target plants to kill will be
minimised on each maintenance cycle.

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5. Pre-start checks
THESE CHECKS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE EACH
START OF THE M1200. ANY FAULTS MUST BE RECTIFIED
BEFORE THE M1200 IS SWITCHED ON.
✓The M1200 water tank is securely attached to the
transport vehicle
✓The M1200 is in good condition and panels are
closed
✓There are no signs of leaks from any pipe or
connection
✓Pipe routes are clear of sharp edges and hot
surfaces
✓Air intakes are clear of debris
✓Generator and boiler exhaust are secure and clear of
debris and obstruction
✓Water tank is full of clean water
✓Water filter is clean and free from debris
✓Water feed valve is connected and in the ‘on’(inline)
position
✓The water return pipe and water level sensor is
connected
✓Air has been bled from water system (see section 7)
✓Fuel tank is full of clean diesel fuel (derv or gasoil)
✓Boiler fuel filter is clean and free from debris
✓Foamstream® concentrate tank is full of
Foamstream® concentrate
✓Foamstream® filter is clean and free from debris
✓The consumable has not been subject to
temperatures below 5°C and frozen or separated
✓Vent screw on Foamstream® tank filler cap is open
✓Generator engine oil level is correct
✓Pump oil level is correct
✓The lance, hose reel and hose are securely
connected and free from damage
✓Lance wear pads are not excessively worn

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6. Start procedure
✓Complete pre-start checks (see section 5)
✓Start the generator by turning the key in a clockwise
direction to position ‘B’, release to position ‘A’ when the
engine starts (see Figure 11)
✓Turn the isolator switch to position ‘B’ (see Figure 11), the
PLC screen should illuminate (see Figure 12)
Figure 11 - Details of the switches of the front panel
✓The reset indicator (red light) lights up and ‘FAULT’ will
appear on the top right hand corner of the PLC screen
✓Press the ‘RESET’ button (red button on the front panel,
see Figure 5), the ‘FAULT’ indicator goes out and you
should see the screen represented in Figure 12
✓Wait a few seconds before requesting air bleed: buttons
‘1’ or ‘2’ in Figure 12
If you have disconnected the water tank or are starting
for the first time of the day, please use “Air bleed full”
If you just took a break or want to perform an additional
air bleed, please select “Air bleed partial”
When bleeding the machine, the trigger must be
pushed to allow water to flow out of the lance. Failure to
do so will cause the machine to display a fault message.
✓Once button ‘1’ or ‘2’ is pressed the bleed screen
represented in Figure 13 will appear.
✓Wait until the purge is completed. A new screen will
appear, represented in Figure 14.
✓Press ‘START’, the button turns green and the screen
represented on Figure 15 will appear.
✓The amber ‘HEATER’ light will illuminate and the red
‘FAULT’ button should go out. This indicates that the
boiler has switched on and is heating the water
✓The green ‘READY’ light will illuminate when the M1200
has reached operating temperature and the system is
ready for use (3 –5 minutes).
AFTER A COLD NIGHT (BELOW 0 DEGREES CELSIUS),
LET THE GENERATOR RUN FOR 15 MINUTES TO WARM
UP THE MACHINE BEFORE STARTING THE PUMP OR
BLEEDING THE UNIT

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Figure 12 - Start-up screen of the PLC
Num.
Description
1
Press this button to purge the M1200 for 30
seconds.
2
Press this button to purge the M1200 for 10
seconds.
3
Indication message.
4
Air bleed status indicator.
5
Menu access
Figure 13 - Bleed screen of the PLC
Figure 14 - Start screen of the PLC
Num.
Description
1
Start button
2
Boiler water input temperature
3
Boiler water output temperature
4
Indication message
5
Menu access
12
3
4
5
1
2 3
4
5

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Figure 15 - Running screen of the PLC

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7. Screen and PLC navigation
When the M1200 is ready to start, the screen below will
appear (same as Figure 14)
To access the menu, click on the “Menu” button on the top
right hand side of the screen. The screen in will appear.
Figure 16 - Menu screen
Num.
Description
1
Return to main page
2
Go to summary screen
3
Purge
4
Language selection
5
Fault summary panel
6
Maintenance mode
Users have no need to access pages ‘5’ and ‘6’. Page ‘6’ is
restricted by a password. The screens are summarized in
the table below (in the same order as is Figure 16)
1
2 3
4
5
1 2 3
4 5 6

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8. Using the M1200
The generator manufacturer does not recommend to use the
generator below 6 degrees Celsius and above 40 degrees
Celsius of ambient temperatures.
The M1200 control panel gives important feedback on the
status of the M1200:
Status
Red
Orange
Green
Ready
Fixed
Fixed
Stand-by
Fixed
Flashing
Boiler active
Fixed
Boiler fault
Fixed
Water tank too hot
Flashing
Level sensor low
Flashing
Boiler overtemp.
Fixed
Flashing
WHITE ‘POWER’ LIGHT
When the generator is on, this light should be illuminated. If
the generator does not start, then the generator plug should
be checked. If the generator breaker position is correct and
the generator does not start the M1200 should be checked
by a competent service engineer.
AMBER ‘HEATER’ LIGHT
If the amber light is illuminated the water is below 96
degrees centigrade and is being heated. If the amber light
does not illuminate, and the red fault light stays on, there
may be a system fault (see below)
GREEN ‘READY’ LIGHT
When this light is illuminated the M1200 is ready for use. If
the green light is not illuminated the water may need
heating (amber light will be on) or there is a system fault
(red fault light will be on, see below).
FLASHING ORANGE LIGHT
If the amber light is flashing the water in the water tank is
too hot. If water in the water tank exceeds 45°C the boiler
will shut down. The water tank will need to be drained and
refilled with cold water, or the level topped up with cold
water.
RED ‘RESET’ LIGHT
The red reset light should switch off when the reset button
is pressed during start up. If the light stays on there is an
electrical fault which needs rectification. The M1200 should
be switched off until the fault has been corrected.
FLASHING RED ‘RESET’ LIGHT
A flashing red reset light indicates a boiler fault. The M1200
must be switched off and checked by a competent service
engineer.
RED ‘FAULT’ LIGHT
The red fault light will illuminate at start up until the green
button is pressed and the amber light illuminates. If the red
light stays on, and the amber light fails to illuminate, the
system may need to be bled to remove air (see section 7).

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If the red light fails to switch off after bleeding there is a
system fault. The M1200 should be switched off until the
fault has been corrected by a competent service engineer.
RED ‘FAULT’ AND FLASHING AMBER LIGHT
An illuminated red fault light and flashing amber light
indicates the boiler is too hot. The M1200 should be switched
off and checked by a competent service engineer.
GREEN AND AMBER WITH FLASHING RED ‘FAULT’ LIGHT
A flashing red fault light with illuminated green and amber
lights indicates one of the fluid levels is low (water,
Foamstream® or diesel). The levels should be checked and
filled up accordingly.
THE M1200 SHOULD BE SWITCHED OFF AND CHECKED
BY A COMPETENT SERVICE ENGINEER IF IT DOES NOT
OPERATE AS EXPECTED, OR THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE IN
A DIFFERENT WAY THAN EXPLAINED.