Oil On Turf

oil on turf

We have all seen the nightmare of a burst hydraulic pipe on the mower. It has a habit of occurring in the worst possible place and at the worst possible time. If the machine is at operating temperature, the heat from the oil causes an initial burn to the turf, just the same as pouring on hot water or spilling your cup of tea.

The initial burn is soon followed by the oil spreading over the surface in into the thatch and rootzone - oil by its nature, being very mobile.

When oil is on the turf, people either do nothing, fearing that there is no reasonable response or try all sorts of methods to remove it. Anything to prevent the oil penetrating below the surface is worth a go. I see greenkeepers using water, sand, brooms and washing-up liquid, all in an endeavour to minimise the damage. As we know, water and oil don’t mix, trying to wash off the oil has very little effect and can just spread the problem. Using sand can soak up some of the oil but sand is not a very absorbent material. Using cat litter has a better effect than sand, but how many greenkeepers have some cat litter in the shed. Washing-up liquid can be quite effective as it disperses the oil, the same as cleaning the grease from your plate of chips. However, most washing-up liquids are phytotoxic to turf and cause another burn. Sweeping the oil with a broom just spreads it about.

Once the oil is in the soil the damage is done, trying to establish turf in the same place is going to be a problem. The only viable solution to deal with an oil spill is to act fast. Clean up as much of the spill as possible with absorbent paper (most greenkeepers have some blue roll, old rags or paper towels). Then, as soon as possible, apply liquid carbon to lock up the oil and neutralise it. It is important to do this as soon after the spill as you can to achieve maximum effect. The oil, if hot, will still burn the turf but locking up the oil will prevent contaminated soil and allow the greenkeeper to re-seed or re-turf the area.

oil spill on turf

Super Liquid Carbon Useful Information

I always advise that greenkeepers have some liquid carbon on hand as you never know when you may need it. I would suggest having it hung on the wall in the machine shed, the same as you would a fire extinguisher, the first aid kit and the eye wash station.

By Chris Humphrey MBPR FQA, Technical Manager

For expert help and advice, contact Collier Turf Care on 01328 700600