Rover 98117 EN - Manual (Page 11)

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Figure 1. Hopper Assembly
Left Hand Side
Baffle
Right
Hand
Side
1
2
3
4
5
6
Handle
Figure 4. Hopper assembly to body
Figure 5. Chipper tube to body assembly
Figure 2. Hopper baffle fitting
Figure 3. Hopper handle to hopper
Figure 6. Mulch bag fitting
Spreader tube Rear wheel supports
Front leg support
Mulch bag frame
Mulch bag
5.1 Mulch
Mulch is a mixture of broken down vegetable and organic
materials which is used in the creation of compost or
used as a covering in a garden bed.
5.2 Compost
Compost is a mixture of organic materials, mulch, loam
soils, or other medium with added organic matter used
to enrich garden beds to promote plant growth.
5.3 Humus
Humus is the organic constituents of soils formed by
the decomposition of vegetable and organic materials.
The Rover Chip ‘N’ Shred TM helps in the production of
Mulch by shredding vegetable and organic materials into
small pieces to make mulch that may be either spread
throughout the garden bed as a thick layer or can be used
to produce a rich compost.
5.4 Mulching the Garden
The spreading of a thick layer of mulch throughout the
garden bed of between 50 and 150mm thick has many
benefits for the garden:
* Protects the root system of the plants.
* Retains moisture in the soils.
* Retards the growth of weeds which can be harmful
to plants.
* Slowly releases nutrients into the soil to enhance
plant growth.
* Eliminates the need to use dangerous chemicals
and fertilizers and therefore leads to be a healthier
environment.
* Eliminates the need to use land fill areas to dispose
of unwanted garden rubbish. Some councils are now
charging for the disposal of garden waste at local land
fill areas.
5.5 Composting
With the mulch produced from the garden and
vegetable waste these can be used to produce a
nutrient rich compost. Compost can be produced in
several ways from the mulch produced:
Compost Heap
A compost heap can be laid out under a tree or in a
corner of the garden. Simply spread out a layer of mulch
approximately 1200mm x 600mm. This can be then be
built up in thin layers of soil and mulch to a height of
600mm. The compost heap should be covered to keep it
from becoming water logged or drying out completely.
To aid in the decomposition of the mulch, the compost
heap should be turned over regularly.
Compost Bin
These either take the form of a drum mounted on a frame,
or a simple drum standing on end with a removable lid.
These types of units are used in a similar manner to
the compost heap where mulch, soil and other organic
materials are loaded into the drum for the production of
compost. The drum mounted on the frame can be easily
rotated to aerate the compost during decomposition of
the organic materials.
5.6 Suitable materials for composting
* Vegetable and fruit waste from the kitchen.
* Dead plants and flowers Plant cuttings and prunes.
* Green branches from small trees Sawdust and
pulverised wood shavings.
* Mulched material from the Rover Chip ‘N’
Shred TM .
* Cow, horse and chicken manure.
5.7 Materials that should NEVER be composted.
* Metal objects.
* Glass and ceramics Plastics.
* Chemicals and Solvents.
* Dog and cat droppings.
* Meat scraps and bones.
Rover Mowers Limited Chip ‘N’ Shred TM COMPOSTING
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