Robocrop In-Row
Use video image analysis techniques to locate individual plants in order to mechanically remove weeds from the inter row, and importantly within the crop row between the plants
The Garford Robocrop InRow Weeder uses tried and tested Robocrop video image analysis techniques to locate individual plants in order to mechanically remove weeds from the inter row and importantly within the crop row between the plants.
Developed for use on transplanted crops such as lettuce, cabbage, celery etc Robocrop InRow can however be used on most crops that are planted with regular plant and row spacing where the plant foliage is clearly separated from the next plant.
With accuracy achieved of 8 mm distance away from plant stem, not a huge advantage to get any closer as the crop will be out competing the weed pressure closer than 8mm. This then allows for a total weed control through the field.
Forward speeds of up to 6 plant spacings per second are possible. Systems of up to 20 rows and 6mtr working width have been supplied and larger machines are also available.
The Robocrop In Row Weeder is ideally suited to the production of reduced or chemical free salads and vegetables, providing the farmer with weed control which has lower costs than the traditionally more expensive manual labour.
A performance of up to 4 plants per second per row is achievable (6 plants for the eRotor models). A 6m wide system in plant spacing of 50cm would travel 4.47mph and achieve spot workrate of over 10.3 acres hour. The percentage of cultivated against uncultivated area can be better than 98%.
For reliable operation the crop must be the more dominant feature in the image. The crop must present more foliage than the weed material and that foliage should be closer in colour to the centre of the green colour band (540nm) or red colour band (620nm) when working in red mode.
Tractor Requirements:
- 4wd of approximately 80HP for 2m 4 row, 100HP for 3 mt 6 row and 150HP for 6m 12 row
- Category 2 front lift arms
- Closed circuit or load sensing hydraulic system with maximum of 12.5tr/minute per rotor.
- 12V electrical supply negative earth.
- Suitable wheel equipment for crop
