Weeding machine Colibrì

High-precision weed control

Description

The “COLIBRI” inter row weeding machine is used in fresh cut produce, baby leaf, fresh lettuce, arugula, little spinach, carrots, onions, basil and sown crops.

The COLIBRI weeding machine consists of:

– A hydraulic three-point frame with a square shape, equipped with 02/04 grooved or pneumatic wheels to provide greater stability and avoid stress.

– An independent hydraulic system or hydraulic system connected to the tractor’s hydraulic outlets, with a reliable oil flow.

– A series of hydraulic parallelograms with toothed steel weeding discs, configured according to the specific sowing.

– Travel speeds range from 0.5 km/h on baby leaf crops ( we reached 2 km/h in open field at 5 cm), 0.8 km/h on aromatic herbs, and up to 2.5 km/h on carrots.

The “COLIBRI” weeding machine works directly on the sown row, 2 cm away from the plant, with a minimum interrow spacing of 4.5 cm, without damaging the root system and foliage, preventing weed germination. It is suitable for organic farming.

Due to its active weeding action, achieved through the motorized rotation of the discs, the COLIBRI machine gently crumbles the soil without displacing the plants. The speed and configuration of the discs can be adjusted and customized according to the plant’s growth stage and the type of soil.

The motorized COLIBRI discs perform active weeding at a depth of 2 cm. The height is adjusted using an electro-hydraulic piston controlled by a linear potentiometer to determine the actual working depth.

With COLIBRI, it is possible to simultaneously work on multiple rows starting from a 5 cm spacing, with disc coverage reaching 80% of the cultivated surface and 60% of the entire bed area.

The configuration of the bundles of toothed steel weeding disks, is developed based on the transplant spacing provided by the customer. Some particular features are determined by the inclination of the disc teeth:

Teeth inclined in the opposite direction of the plant or straight: They protect the plant by compressing the soil outward. These are suitable for narrow interrow distances of 4.5 cm or when the plant is in its early growth stages and more delicate.
Inclined sawtooth teeth, arranged in the spaces not occupied by the seedlings, dig the germination and the weeds away. They perform weed uprooting and expand the weeding range.

The discs have a diameter of 320 mm, while the teeth are 40 mm in height and work at an adjustable depth, not exceeding 30 mm, to preserve the plant’s collar. The speed and configuration of the discs can be adjusted according to the plant’s growth stage and the type of soil.

It works on all sown crops with interrow spacing (L1) ranging from 4.5 to 35 cm.

The combination of disc groups is developed based on the transplant spacing provided by the customer.

Suitable for: Carrots, baby leaf vegetables, IV Gamma crops, radishes, parsley, seeded rice, arugula, endive, basil, beets, sown on beds or flat surfaces.

The Colibrì weeding machine also offers the following advantages: it increases production and improves plant yield while reducing management costs.

The plants grow faster, leading to earlier harvest compared to non-weeded crops.
In the case of arugula, after the initial mowing, there is an additional benefit as it acts as an aerator, improving soil aeration.
Moreover, using the Colibrì weeder provides the possibility to eliminate the layer of sand that is usually applied to the cultivation bed, making the overall process more efficient and cost-effective.

Machine configuration:

Technical features

Weeding machine Colibri for Carrots on bed with 3 triple lines from 4.5 cm inter-row spacing.

MOTORIZED PARALLELOGRAMS

A hydraulic motor is applied to each parallelogram, allowing for the adjustment of disc speed relative to the machine’s forward speed. This adjustment is made through a proportional valve, taking into account the type of soil and the desired result.

The correct ratio ensures effective weed removal while preventing soil scattering or displacement of plants within the sown row.

The parallelograms are hydraulically locked during machine movement to ensure stability and control. If the discs encounter an obstruction, the operator is alerted by an audible signal.

Each COLIBRI element consists of a enclosed parallelogram with one set of motorized COLIBRI discs equipped with cleaners. These discs are hydraulically driven by a 50cc orbital motor with a gearbox and feature a front sensor with an angular sensor for self-leveling. The configuration is based on the customer’s specifications.

The height adjustment of the discs is achieved through an electro-hydraulic piston controlled by a linear potentiometer, which determines the actual working depth. Each disc has a diameter of 320 mm with a thickness of 3 mm. The effective working surface of each disc is 240 mm.

AUTOMATIC DEPTH CONTROL SYSTEM

The depth control system is specifically designed for the Colibrì model and includes the following features:

Manual depth adjustment for each single element, with 3 mm increments.
Automatic maintenance of the desired working depth.
Manual or automatic adjustment of the disc rotation speed, with synchronization of disc RPM to tractor forward speed (Colibrì only).
Automatic regulation of the response time from the sensor to the Colibrì discs.
Dedicated function for horizontal alignment of all elements.
Factory-preset zero settings.
Option to set a dedicated dead band before the sensor triggers height correction.
Screen displaying real-time machine data.
Screen for ordinary maintenance notifications.
Screen for viewing and editing machine parameters (accessible only by specialized technicians).
Remote assistance ready (upon request).
Alarms in case of incorrect machine usage.
Alarm and machine lock in case of excessive oil overheating.
Alarm and machine stop in case of disc blockage due to stones or crop residues, detected by a pressure switch on each Colibrì element.
Alarm for clogged delivery filter.
Inductive sensor for detecting whether the machine is lifted from or resting on the ground, to activate or deactivate the self-levelling system when automation is enabled.

Colibrì for Carrots on Raised Beds with 3 Twin Rows (7 cm spacing)

Colibrì for Carrots on Raised Beds with 4 Twin Rows (7 cm spacing)

Colibrì for Carrots on 2 Ridges at 75 cm Inter-Row Spacing, with Twin Rows at 7 cm

Colibrì for Carrots on 3 Ridges at 75 cm Inter-Row Spacing, with Twin Rows at 7 cm per Ridge

Colibrì for Carrots on 4 Ridges at 75 cm Inter-Row Spacing, with Twin Rows at 7 cm per Ridge

Row Spacings for Baby Leaf Cultivation 50- 70 -85 o 90 mm

Colibrì for Baby Leaf Crops on Raised Beds — from 5 to 9 cm Inter-Row Spacing

Colibrì on raised beds for baby leaf, cut-and-come-again salad mixes, parsley, and lamb’s lettuce, starting from 7 cm, 8.5 cm, and 9 cm row spacing.

Colibrì on raised beds for baby leaf, cut-and-come-again salad mixes, parsley, and lamb’s lettuce, starting from 8.5 cm and 9 cm row spacing.

TILLETT & HAGUE AUTOMATIC ALIGNMENT AND PLANT RECOGNITION SYSTEM

Our Tillett & Hague optical guidance system analyses data from digital cameras to identify features of interest, for example, rows, individual plants, or weeds. The area considered is as large as necessary to maximize the data used for steering.

The system analyses a green/red ratio to identify the crop and weeds from the background containing soil, stones, and other materials, enabling crops of different colors to be worked.

The display shows a shot of part of the plants sufficient for analysis. Guide lines or traces are shown on the touch-screen display, showing the quality of the correspondence, that is, the exact settings of both the camera and software. When weeds are detected, a graph showing the perimeter is overlaid on the image.

The position of the traces serves to align the elements of the weeding machine with the rows identified. Last but not least, using Colibri, the movement of the weeding discs is synchronized as individual plants pass under the equipment.

NEW AUTOMATIC DEPTH CONTROL SYSTEM

Thanks to a dedicated sensor located in front of each parallelogram, which reads the soil conditions, we can set and monitor the working depth from a dedicated monitor.

The automatic depth control system is specific to the Optyma and Colibrì models and offers the following features:

Manual depth positioning for each individual element with a step size of 3mm.
Automatic maintenance of the desired depth.
Manual adjustment of disc speed and synchronization of disc rotations per minute with the tractor’s speed (applicable only to Colibrì).
Automatic adjustment of the reaction time from the sensor to the discs of the Colibrì or the knives of the Optyma (especially useful at low speeds of 0.5-1km/h).
Dedicated function for aligning all elements horizontally.

Using a dedicated display, we can set and monitor the desired working depth.

Each machine is equipped with a console that houses all the hydraulic controls, which can be transferred to the tractor cabin. This ensures that there is no need to stop the machine, even in case of sensor or camera malfunctions.