Ground Driven Rod Weeder

Ground driven rod weeder TILLAGE EUIPMENT Accessories 12-5-28 A new ground-driven rod weeder from Haukaas Mfg., Mortlach, S ask., offers "near perfect" depth control when used with a cultivator or air seeder, according to company officials. The new rod weeder is built in sections ranging from 6 ft. to 11 ft., 6 in. wide which bolt to the rear frame of your cultivator or air seeder. Each section consists of a frame-work supported by, depending on section length, one or two 20 by 8.00 drive wheels. The wheels drive an enclosed chain that turns the 1 1/4-in. dia. rod. A reverser gear, located inside the chain's sprocket housing, causes the rod to rotate in the opposite direction of the drive wheel. A 3/4-in. bolt on the drive wheel controls rod depth. A ground-driven rod weeder offers several advantages over a "dead", or non-powered, rod. Precise depth control is the biggest benefit, says Greg Haukaas, who along with father Duane designed the unit. "You can preset this rod weeder at a constant working depth independent of your cultivator. Forexample,by setting the rod at a shallow depth, you can uproot shallow-rooted, hard-to-kill weeds resulting in nearly 100% control. A `dead' rod without depth control might slide underneath weeds. A driven rod also penetrates better and works in heavier trash than a non-driven rod. As you lower the cultivator, the drive wheel begins to rotate the rod before it comes into contact with the soil. The constant turning motion actually pulls the ground over the rod for better soil penetration even in standing stubble and heavy trash. It also keeps the rod clean, eliminates soil buildup, and makes the rod easier to pull." In addition, Haukaas says the ground-driven rod weeder works great with air seeders. "It levels and packs seed without disturbing it and keeps it from drying out. In some cases, the rod replaces the need for packers because it packs soil above the seed. And, because of the rod's leveling The ground-driven rod is positioned further behind field cultivator shanks than a non-driven rod, giving dirt and straw time to "settle down" before the rod weeder passes through. "Conventional non-driven rod weeders connect to shanks and are positioned 4 to 5 in. behind them. The rod's resistance affects shank depth and some-times even bends the shanks. This rod is bolted 43 in. behind the frame, or about 12 in. behind the shanks, so dirt and trash won't interfere." The number of rod sections required for each implement depends on its width and folding pattern. A 40-ft. field cultivator, for example, with a 13 ft., 6 in. center section, would require two 7-ft. sections in the middle and two 6 1/2 ft. sections on each side. According to Haukaas, the units allow normal folding and transporting. A built-in trip mechanism allows the rod to jump up and over stationary objects. Sells for $150 to $175 per foot. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, HaukaakMfg. Ltd., Box 8, Mortlach, Sask., Canada SOH 3E0 (ph 306 355-2718).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.