LIFE TRŠCA: Testing the Truxor amphibious Vehicle

As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we received an amphibious vehicle called Truxor for testing. This versatile machine can move both on water and land. It is one of the most adaptable tools for wetland management, as its design and wide range of attachments allow for a variety of operations.

Truxor is particularly suitable for work in hard-to-reach areas where the use of conventional heavy machinery is challenging. At Lake Cerknica, where hydrological conditions change daily and unpredictable rainfall complicates planning, its flexibility is crucial. Movement across flooded areas leaves no traces on the ground, meaning it does not damage the grass turf – a feature that is essential for preserving ecologically sensitive habitats such as the intermittent Lake Cerknica.

Main features of Truxor:

• Versatility: It enables mowing above and below the water surface, mulching, and removal of dead biomass. With additional attachments, it can also perform tasks such as pumping, excavation, and cleaning.
• Accessibility: Its compact and lightweight design allows it to operate on soft soils and in narrow water channels where heavy machinery cannot reach. Its maneuverability is vital for maintaining lake windows and fens.
• Habitat preservation: Using Truxor helps maintain ecosystems with minimal environmental impact, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity, reducing the spread of invasive species, and supporting natural balance.

Field testing

We tested this amphibious vehicle in our very special piece of the world, where we used it to create a new water window. This provides birds with safe shelter from predators and disturbances and offers suitable nesting habitat for our target species – the Ferruginous Duck and the Red-necked Grebe – as well as for other reedbed birds. With the vehicle, we carried out mowing both on land and in water and collected dead biomass left after mowing or resulting from the natural breakage of reeds.

Before use, the machine was thoroughly cleaned with a hot high-pressure washer, disinfected, and dried, following expert recommendations. This significantly reduced the risk of transferring invasive species and pathogens from other water bodies.

During the test, we learned from an experienced operator and work planner and found that Truxor is extremely useful for Lake Cerknica. Its movement across dry, wet, or flooded terrain leaves no marks, further confirming its suitability for sensitive natural environments.

In addition to contributing to the objectives of the LIFE TRŠCA project, we also recognized its broader potential uses – from fisheries management to civil protection support and other services important to the local community.