Weed cutter for eco-friendly control of weeds in cereal crops

Kurzfassung

A small company in South East Sweden has together with a research institute developed a weed cutter for eco-friendly control of weeds in cereal crops. The main advantage of using the machinery is that environmentally unfriendly spraying of chemicals will not be needed, but it is also a cost effective solution. The targeted partners are organisations interested in technical and/or commercial collaborations (with technical assistance).

Details

Weeds are a huge problem in cropping systems where spraying is not permitted or suitable. Thistles are threatening to destroy large areas of organic cereal cropping.

This innovative weed cutter uses a completely new and patented method that exploits physical differences between crop and weed, such as stem thickness and branching pattern.

As the vehicle moves forward, the weed cutter combs through the crop and cuts or crushes the coarser weeds, while the thinner crop plants pass undamaged through the fixed blades, which have no lateral movement. The weeds are cut or damaged because they are too thick to slip through the rear opening in the fixed scissor-like construction on every blade.

The weed cutter does not operate in the same way as an ordinary mowing machine. The machinery works using a completely new patented method with fixed, immobile blades.

Patent applications have been filed for the innovation in 32 countries so far.

The machinery is also protected regarding its design, and is CE certified.

The weed cutter has been used successfully on most weeds and has a scientifically proven effect against troublesome weeds such as thistle and pale persicaria in cereal crops.

The weed cutter has been developed in collaboration with:

- The Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering - JTI

- The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences - SLU

High amounts of weeds mean:

- high weed control costs
- lower crop yields due to competition from weeds
- high harvesting costs due to difficulties in using a combine harvester
- high storage costs due to increased drying and grading requirements
- a need for weed-controlling crop rotation

The weed cutter is eco-friendly and it is therefore the perfect choice where other weed control methods are not permitted or suitable, e.g. in organic crops, spray-free zones or grazing ley farming.

Technical specifications:

- Working width: 600 cm, transport 340 cm
- Height: 100 cm, transport 280 cm
- Length: 130 cm
- Weight: 650 kg
- Number of blades: 150
- Brush drive: Hydraulic motor
- Mounting: Three-point linkage

Scientifically documented effect.

A 3-year research project funded by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Ekoforsk has produced evidence on the effectiveness of the weed cutter.

Innovative Aspects:
The weed cutter eliminates problems due to high amounts of weeds (see details in Description above).

The weed cutter is both an environmentally friendly and a cost effective solution.

Additional advantages:

- High work rate - can be used at speeds of around 10 km/h
- Low draught requirements – light, wheeled and non-invasive
- Low investment cost
- Not dependent on weather
- Simple technology – inexpensive spare parts
- decreases the need for energy-demanding weed control tillage that otherwise can cause nutrient losses to air and water