Farm-Built Dual Flame Weeder

2025 - Volume #49, Issue #2, Page #18

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Glen Kadelbach organically farms 360 acres outside Hutchinson, Minn. He makes and sells flame weeders as an organic alternative to herbicides. These weeders enhance productivity, eliminate tough weeds, and improve overall crop yields for profitable growing seasons.
“Flame weeders were patented back in the 1800s,” says Kadelbach. “I bought one in 2012, and it was just okay. I figured there had to be improvements possible with the torches, so I began tinkering until I had a design I liked. My organic neighbors saw and appreciated it too, and that’s how we got into business.”
Kadelbach flame weeders operate as tractor attachments that torch unwanted plants with jets of propane-fueled fire. They flash-boil the moisture in a weed’s cells, causing them to burst. This prevents the plant from photosynthesizing, ensuring it dies down to the root. “My torches are the only dual orifice design on the market,” says Kadelbach. “They won’t flame out like a single orifice model because one flame can reignite the other. I guarantee the unit won’t go out.”
He recommends making three field passes over a growing season for optimal results. The first should occur before the crop emerges. “Once the plants develop about three leaves, you can go over them again,” he says. This should be a broadcast burn over the entire field. The crop will recover, although things might appear bare for five to seven days after the flaming. Then, he suggests waiting until the plants are about 10 to 12 in. tall for the third and final pass. “Angle the weeder’s torches to make a series of crisscross patterns. This avoids the plants’ leaves and stalks but gets the weeds growing underneath.”
Kadelbach flame weeders are designed for easy repairs so that owners can use parts from local hardware stores. The farm remains invested in sustainability, and newly installed solar panels ensure that each flame weeder is manufactured using green energy.
The flame weeder is ideal for medium-scale organic operations. “We think it works well for farms 120 acres and above,” says Kadelbach. “We customize all units and offer sizes from eight rows up to 16. Contact us by phone or through our website to talk design specifics. Then we’ll work to get you a quote.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kadelbach Manufacturing, LLC., 20364 210th St., Hutchinson, Minn. 55350 (ph 888-563-4109; www.kadelbachmfg.com).

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Farm-Built Dual Flame Weeder Glen Kadelbach organically farms 360 acres outside Hutchinson Minn He makes and sells flame weeders as an organic alternative to herbicides These weeders enhance productivity eliminate tough weeds and improve overall crop yields for profitable growing seasons “Flame weeders were patented back in the 1800s ” says Kadelbach “I bought one in 2012 and it was just okay I figured there had to be improvements possible with the torches so I began tinkering until I had a design I liked My organic neighbors saw and appreciated it too and that’s how we got into business ” Kadelbach flame weeders operate as tractor attachments that torch unwanted plants with jets of propane-fueled fire They flash-boil the moisture in a weed’s cells causing them to burst This prevents the plant from photosynthesizing ensuring it dies down to the root “My torches are the only dual orifice design on the market ” says Kadelbach “They won’t flame out like a single orifice model because one flame can reignite the other I guarantee the unit won’t go out ” He recommends making three field passes over a growing season for optimal results The first should occur before the crop emerges “Once the plants develop about three leaves you can go over them again ” he says This should be a broadcast burn over the entire field The crop will recover although things might appear bare for five to seven days after the flaming Then he suggests waiting until the plants are about 10 to 12 in tall for the third and final pass “Angle the weeder’s torches to make a series of crisscross patterns This avoids the plants’ leaves and stalks but gets the weeds growing underneath ” Kadelbach flame weeders are designed for easy repairs so that owners can use parts from local hardware stores The farm remains invested in sustainability and newly installed solar panels ensure that each flame weeder is manufactured using green energy The flame weeder is ideal for medium-scale organic operations “We think it works well for farms 120 acres and above ” says Kadelbach “We customize all units and offer sizes from eight rows up to 16 Contact us by phone or through our website to talk design specifics Then we’ll work to get you a quote ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Kadelbach Manufacturing LLC 20364 210th St Hutchinson Minn 55350 ph 888-563-4109; www kadelbachmfg com

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