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Robot Cultivator Weeds Between Rows
Costs for herbicides and hand hoeing of crops might soon be reduced or even eliminated with a new "robotic hoe" cultivator that weeds between plants within the row.
The patent pending hoe uses a sensing device triggered by an electronic eye that causes cultivator shovels to open up to go around each plant, then
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Robot cultivator weeds between rows CULTIVATORS Cultivators (58C) 15-4-28 Costs for herbicides and hand hoeing of crops might soon be reduced or even eliminated with a new "robotic hoe" cultivator that weeds between plants within the row.
The patent pending hoe uses a sensing device triggered by an electronic eye that causes cultivator shovels to open up to go around each plant, then close after passing by. A prototype of the hoe, manufactured by the Friday Tractor Co., Hartford, Mich., was tested last year on 150 acres of bell peppers at Karnemat Farms, Fremont, Mich.
"We've had more than 1,000 inquiries from 46 states and are evaluating use of the robotic hoe in 25 to 30 different crops. We're building models ranging from 1 to 6 rows. It greatly reduces the need for herbicides and hand labor and can save a lot of money," says Phil Friday, president. "The economics are staggering. For example, Karnemat Farms, Fremont, Mich., had been employing 40 to 50 people to hand weed 150 acres at a cost of $145 per acre. A 4-row robotic hoe allowed one person to do the job at one tenth the cost.
Each row unit is equipped with a hydraulic cylinder that's powered by a pto-operated hydraulic pump. The cylinder is hooked to a pair of hinged arms, each supporting a shovel. The electronic eye, mounted on a rod ahead of each shovel, is aimed toward the row and senses weeds that are shorter than the crop. It sends an electronic signal that causes the cylinder to retract, pulling on the hinged arms which push the shovels toward the row. "Ideally the hoe should be used between 10 and 14 days after planting. Cultivating speed is 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 mph. The closer the plants are spaced together, the slower you must travel. It takes about 1/2 second for the shovels to move into the row. The hoe is adjustable for height, speed, sensitivity, and hoe opening duration," says Friday.
Sells for $10,000 to $14,000 depending on number of rows.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Friday Tractor Co., Inc., 69226 CR 687, Hartford, Mich. 49057 (ph 616 621-3318).
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