The latest new way to chop volunteer corn and other tall-growing weeds out of soybeans and other crops is the Weed Topper, a 3-pt. mounted "mower" equipped with five hydraulic-powered rotary blades.

"You don't have the dangers and expense of chemicals, and you don't miss anything, as with sprays," says Vincent Kramper, Dakota City, Neb., manufacturer. "The mower's kill is as effective as that of chemicals, in most cases, since most weeds can't produce seed if topped at the proper time."

The Topper fits all tractors with 3-pt. hitch. Row spacing makes no difference to the machine's 180-in. swath that covers four 40-in. rows, or six 30-in. rows. A small hydraulic motor powers the five 36-in. blades with the help of a short chain and V-belts. Two slip clutches prevent damage to anything solid hit by the blades. All models initially produced are rear-mounted. A front-mount is in the works for the future. Kramper adds that there should be almost no maintenance on the uncomplicated machine. "Blades come off easily. They have needed very little sharpening in two years of field testing," he explains.

Besides use in soybeans and milo, Kramper says the machine also works well in cotton and pasture crops with tall weed infestations.