Andela Innovation developed a mounted electro weeder. It controls weeds electrically in between row crops, such as onions. The machine works particularly well in combination with the company’s autonomous self-propelled robot weeder, which controls weeds within the row in between the individual plants.
Electricity on the machine is operated by a powerpack, generated by the tractor PTO. High voltage electricity is transferred to the soil through a mass-disc device. Here, contact is made with the weed plant after which, through the closed electricity circuit, the weed plant is fully electrocuted and killed.
Next to the powerpack (generator), the machine consists of various frames to which the elements are connected which kill the weeds. The growing crop is protected by means of non-conductive plastic plates.
Frames with elements are available for different crops and different working widths, ranging from 1.50 m to 6.75 m.
Working speed of the electro weeder varies between 2 and 6 kilometers per hour. This depends on working width, weed density, type of weed, soil type, soil structure and humidity. The machine works most optimally on drying up soil. Required power depends on the above factors and varies between 80 to 180 hp.
The weeder is equipped with a sideshift function, enabling precise positioning between the rows. This can be operated via the control box, as well as automatically by a camera system on the frame.
On request also systems such as from Lemken, Tillet & Hague and Einböck and other can be built on the machine.
