Tractor-Sized Weed Whacker

Tractor-Sized Weed Whacker CROPS Weed Control 26-4-20 One of the show stoppers at the recent Western Farm Progress Show in Regina, Sask., was this new heavy-duty brush and tree cutter that's designed to quick-tach to the loader arms on any tractor or skid steer loader. "It works great for clearing trees and brush from under barbed wire or electric fence lines. It can reach up to 12 in. under the fence," says inventor Allan Rookes. The hydraulic-powered "Bush Whacker" uses 15 1/2-in. long rotating steel blades to clear a 38-in. wide path. An orbital motor belt-drives the blades, which are partially enclosed on back by a shield. There are two models - one for tractors where the blades mount on the right side, and the other for skid loaders where the blades mount on the left side. A steel guard that mounts above the blades is used push trees forward away from the fence as they're cut. "It eliminates the need to remove the fence line and use a bulldozer to get rid of the brush," says Rookes. "It can cut through trees up to 4 in. in diameter. "The flails swing freely on a pivot pin, which allows them to fold back in case they hit a rock or other obstacle. To reduce damage when cutting near quonsets, grain bins, and chain link fences, etc., the steel blades can be replaced with more forgiving plastic ones. And in extremely rocky areas you can replace the blades with chains to reduce the potential for damage to the machine." The tractor model sells for $10,400 (Canadian) and the skid loader model for $8,900. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Valley Fabricating/Iron Works, 284 Main St., St. Lazare, Manitoba, Canada (ph 204 683-2296; fax 204 683-2260; E-mail: adrookes@mts. net).

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