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Zürn and Garford presented camera-controlled electric weed control and a new double knife mower at the Eco Field Days. Let's take a closer look at these products.
The goal of preserving insects and soil life unites the new products from the two agricultural machinery manufacturers Zürn Harvesting and Garford Machinery. On the occasion of the Eco Field Days, both companies showcased their innovations.
Garford: Combating weeds with high-frequency alternating current
British hoe manufacturer Garford Machinery presented a new solution for electric weed control. The company combined its camera-controlled shifting technology with the patented electrodes from the British manufacturer Rootwave.
With modern AI-controlled camera systems, the ground electrodes are meant to be precisely controlled along the rows. The green-on-green recognition should be able to safely identify crops even under high weed pressure based on plant shape and leaf profile. According to Garford, the camera-guided systems allow for a more targeted use of the electrodes, reducing energy consumption compared to other electric devices.
Killing weeds, preserving soil life
The electrodes themselves work with high-frequency alternating current (18 kHz). When in contact with plant leaves, the ground electrodes heat the plant cells and are expected to reach the roots. The process is designed to be safe for the user with no risk of electric shock, even with the electrodes heating up significantly.
Despite the high-frequency current, soil life remains unharmed, as shown by experiments in England. Application speeds of 3 to 4 km/h are possible.
The new system is set to launch in the 2025 season with a 3m front attachment, suitable for crops like sugar beets and vegetables. The electrical energy comes from a 60 kW generator at the rear attachment, and the device operates without conductive fluids.
The electrodes from Rootwave kill weeds in the row using high-frequency alternating current. (Image source: Fry)
Zürn: Lightweight and insect-friendly mowing
Zürn Harvesting aims to provide clean feed with low power consumption with its new double knife mower, the Bio Crop 275F-Pro. According to the manufacturer, the system is particularly friendly to insects.
The system is designed to contribute to better grass regrowth with a clean scissor cut without leaf fraying. It is suitable for both feed harvesting and landscape maintenance.
Also suitable for small tractors
The mower has a 2.75m working width, weighs around 460 kg, and requires 7.5 hp, making it suitable for smaller tractors. With its pulled parallelogram suspension, the knife bar can easily avoid obstacles and is suitable for uneven terrain. The suspension also includes hydraulic lifting.
The knife bar is a double knife mowing system Bidux from ESM, with adjustable knife speed. Currently only available in front suspension, the company plans to offer rear and butterfly variants in the future.
Rolf Zürn from Zürn Harvesting presented the new double knife mower Bio Crop 275F-Pro at the Eco Field Days in Canitz. (Image source: Fry)