Austrian-Built Tined Weeder Cuts Costs

Austrian-Built Tined Weeder Cuts Costs CROPS Weed Control 33-2-32 Killing weeds with cultivation is catching on with organic and non-organic crop producers alike, thanks in part to the Einbock Tined Weeder. "Organic growers use our tined weeder four to five times in a field during the season. They will cultivate once or twice before planting, again before weeds or crop have emerged, hit it again just before the crop emerges, and then once more after the crop is up," says Jim Tillman. "Conventional farmers also like to use it to incorporate pre-emerge herbicide." He credits the growing popularity of the Austrian-made weeder to its craftsmanship and design. The five bars mounted with offset tines stir literally every inch of the soil surface across the width of the implement. The 50-ft. model requires only 90 hp to pull its 3,300 lbs., while the 10-ft., 350-lb. model requires only a 20 hp tractor. Five different settings and gauge wheels let the operator determine how aggressive tillage should be. A light setting for final cultivation in standing crops covers weeds emerging in the rows, as well as between them, without damaging the deeper rooted crop. "We've found the best weed kill comes at the cotyledon or white root stage. The tines knock them over and cover them lightly with soil," explains Tillman. "A hot, sunny day will fry them." Tines can be ordered in several diameters, lengths and shapes, depending on eventual use. The 19-in. standard tine with a 27/100-in. diameter is also available in a 23-in. special culture design. A slightly larger 31/100-in. diameter tine is available in the 19-in. length in bent (standard) style for use in grasslands or in a straight design for rocky soils. "Intensive grazing customers use the weeder to spread out cow manure and gopher mounds, dethatch grasses, and stir up the soil," explains Tillman. "Often they will make passes in two different directions and then overseed on a third pass." Overseeding with the rig is easy by fitting it with the Pneumaticstar Airseeder. While models are designed to work with up to 40-ft. tined seeders, they can also be attached to other tillage tools. On larger models, the air pressure is provided by a pto-driven fan, while an electric fan services smaller models. "We are seeing a growing interest in underseeding row crops with vetch or red clover, then plowing it under for green manure after the crop has been harvested," says Tillman. The weeders start at $2,500 for a 5-ft. model. All models fold down to less than a 10-ft. transit width, and that includes even those with working widths of 60, 70 and 80 ft. Each machine is built to order with Tillman requiring 50 percent down and the remainder due on delivery. He says orders have a two-month lag time due to transit time from the factory in Austria. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jim Tillman, Einbock Tined Weeder, 701 Tennessee Walk, Statesboro, Ga. 30458 (ph 912 764-4347; cell 843 345-6776; organicweed control@frontiernet.net; www.tined weeder. com).

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