Weeding machine Optyma 2.0

Inter-plant and inter-row high precision

Description

Optyma 2.0 is our inter-row and inter-plant weeding and hoeing automatic machine with spacing starting from 17 cm between rows. This cutting-edge device boasts a remarkable user-friendly interface, incorporating a sophisticated plant recognition system utilizing fiber optic sensors. With the aid of Optyma, we achieve meticulous inter-row and inter-plant weeding operations, eliminating the need for repetitive passes over the same section.

SARCHIATRICE OPTYMA

• Practical and reliable;

• Flexible, with multiple configurations;

• Anti-weed agent;

• It increases aeration of the plant root system;

• Crust breaker

• Average working speed 1.2 to 1.5 km/h;

• Minimum row spacing 17 cm, minimum interplant distance 15 cm.

• Active weeding to a depth of 2/3 cm.

It is designed to work specifically on head and leafy vegetables such as: lettuce, radicchio, broccoli, cauliflower, hemp, chard, transplanted onion on any transplanted or sown crop on beds or flat.

Requirements: soil preparation using a bed former or stone burier accompanied by a smooth roller for compacting and leveling the soil, including during the transplanting/seeding process.

It is designed to primarily operate during the early vegetative stage to prevent weed infestation. The machine’s design allows for intervention as early as 10 days after crop transplantation, ensuring thorough cleaning, even in the inter-row space.

Machine configuration:

Technical features

The OPTYMA 2.0 inter-row weeding machine consists of a hydraulic shifting frame to which weeding elements are attached at a minimum inter-row spacing of 17 cm x 15 inter-plant

OPTYMA ELEMENT

Each component of Optyma 2.0 consists of a linear vertical upright operated by a hydraulic cylinder and controlled by a linear potentiometer with a travel range of +/- 150 mm. It also features a longitudinal beam with multiple slots to accommodate various attachments.

At the front of the element, there is a wheel probe with an angular sensor for self-leveling, while at the rear, there is an hydraulic mechanism for opening and closing the knives in the inter-row space

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

The proportional hydraulic system of Optyma 2.0 enables smooth and consistent weeding during operation. The angular sensor and linear potentiometer installed on the component ensure a constant working depth with variations of +/- 3 mm relative to the ground profile. This precision is crucial to avoid unnecessary strain on both the opening movements and traction.

All of these functions are managed by a dedicated PLC control unit designed for mobile machines. It features a dedicated 7″ button and touch-screen display, which is integrated with the guidance system.

AUTOMATIC DEPTH CONTROL SYSTEM

The depth control system is specific to the Optyma model and includes the following features:

Manual depth adjustment for each individual element with 3 mm increments.
Automatic maintenance of the desired working depth.
Automatic adjustment of the response time from the knife sensor in the Optyma (recommended for low working speeds: 0.5–1 km/h).
Dedicated function for horizontal alignment of all elements.
Factory-preset zero settings.
Option to set a custom dead band before the sensor triggers the height correction impulse.
Display screen for machine operating values.
Screen showing routine maintenance notifications.
Screen for viewing and editing machine parameters (accessible only to qualified technicians).
Remote assistance capability (upon request).
Alarms in case of improper machine use.
Alarm and machine shutdown in case of excessive oil overheating.
Alarm and machine shutdown if a stone or crop residue causes jamming in the discs, detected by a pressure switch and inductive sensor on each Optyma element.
Alarm for clogged delivery filter.
Inductive sensor to detect whether the machine is lifted or resting on the ground, to enable or disable the auto-leveling system when automation is active.

OPTYMA ELEMENT WITH AI

Each element is equipped with a Power Box featuring integrated LEDs and an advanced optical system capable of analyzing the soil through a sequence of images.

Thanks to this technology, the machine recognizes the crop in real time and distinguishes it from weeds. Once the exact position of the plants is identified, the system sends a command to the control unit to precisely open or close the inter-row blades.

The 2 knives work just below the soil crust, perpendicular to the tractor’s forward axis and are electrically controlled by the T&H plant recognition system that controls the opening and closing mechanism.

The speed and force of opening and closing can be managed as desired and with respect to soil texture by the flow regulator placed on each element having the possibility to find the right compromise of speed and working while maintaining cleanliness on the plants.

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 Optyma, the aperture of the tiller element is synchronized as individual plants pass under the equipment.