Way
back when people started to do hydraulic seeding or hydro
seeding as most of us call it, one of the first
applications for the new hydro seeding industry was the
interstate highways then being built. The areas to be
seeded were steep and prone to water run off and soil
erosion. They had a problem trying to keep the material
in place until the seeds started growing.
Lots of materials have
been tried through the years as a tackifier to help hold
hydro seeding fast to the ground during the early stages
of germination. I won’t spend a lot of time talking
about some of the asphalt emulsion based products and
other materials that have vanished from today’s
environmentally conscious world.
Today’s Takifiers primarily fall into two categories. One
is based on an acrylamide copolymer, often called a “PAM”
tackifier. PAM type tackifers are granular and look
about like sugar or salt. They most often come in a
convenient 3 pound jug. A jug will provide holding power
for about an acre of hydro seeding. The jugs are
particularly convenient because you can put the lid back
on and not worry about spillage or rain. PAM type
tackifers hold best once the mulch mat has dried
completely one time.
The
second major type of product used as a tackifer is a Guar
(organic polysaccharide) based product. Guar products
are more powdery in appearance. The application rate is
often in the 20 to 60 pounds per acre range. They usually
come in bags and are not quite as convenient as the PAM
type tackifiers. Guar based tackifers need less curing
time than PAM tackifers.
There
are other products used as or used in tackifers. This may
include Psyllium or plantago husks, clay compounds and
gelling agents. Virtually all tackifers on the market
today do a good job of holding the material in place.
Tackifiers can do more than just hold hydro seeding in
place. They lubricate a hydro seeding unit and help
increase power and prevent clogs. Because they hold
material in place, using a tackifier will also prevent
fertilizer from washing away and increase the nutrients
available to the new seedling.
Today’s tackifers are environmentally friendly. They are
fully biodegradable and not much of a health hazard. One
of the most serious dangers is that if you spill material
and it becomes wet, it can become very slippery. Trying to
wash it off only makes matters worse. Here is a little
trade secret not too many people know. If this ever
happens to you, just spread some salt on the surface,
sweep up the granules and throw them away.
Tackifiers have many other uses. People who use straw in
their seeding operation will spray a tackifer over the
straw to hold it in place. Tackifiers can be used as dust
control on dirt roads or in construction projects, for
silt control, to prevent storm water run off, for slope
stabilization and more. There are also many unique
applications. We sold a large order of our Turbo Tack to
Dreamworks Studio when they were filming the Robert
Redford picture “The Last Castle” They wanted
helicopters to come in the prison yard without having dust
blow up in front of the camera. Our Turbo Tack
tackifier was the solution to their problem.
