Development of Roller Rake Weeder with Special Emphasis on Developing a Novel Mechanism for Intra-Row Weeding

Abstract

Hand weeding, despite its effectiveness, poses significant challenges due to its labor-intensive nature and time-consuming process. In contrast, mechanical weed extraction holds the promise of saving both time and money on labor. Recognizing the limitations of current weeders, efforts have been directed towards innovation. One such solution is the development of the 'Roller Rake Weeder,' featuring a fixed rake and a roller with spikes as soil-engaging components. This proposed alternative aims to address the shortcomings of existing weeders and offer a more efficient and practical solution. Testing of the ‘Roller Rake Weeder’ has revealed promising results, with weeding efficiency ranging from 88.5% to 95.4% and a field capacity between 0.038 and 0.04 ha/h. These figures surpass the performance of manually operated weeders currently in use, signaling the potential for significant improvements in weed control practices.