The Rotostar is the Oliver Agro inter-plant weeder specifically designed for head-forming vegetable crops: lettuce, radicchio, cabbage, broccoli, chard, squash. Thanks to a patented dual-rotor system, it works not only in the inter-row space but also between plants — between one plant and the next on the same row — the most difficult point to reach mechanically without damaging the crop.
The Dual-Rotor System: How It Works
The Rotostar combines two types of rotors mounted on the same parallelogram:
- Patented Rotoblizz / Rotovert steel rotors — work 1 cm from the plant in the inter-row, breaking the soil crust and uprooting inter-row weeds. Same proven technology as the Rotosark and Rotovert weeders.
- Rotostar flexible-tine rotors — the real innovation: flexible tines gently penetrate between plants, reaching weeds growing between one plant and the next on the same row without damaging leaves and roots.
This synergy covers the entire surface between the rows — inter-row and inter-plant — in a single pass, maximising the effectiveness of mechanical weeding on head-forming crops.
Crops Compatible with the Rotostar
The Rotostar is optimised for transplanted head-forming vegetable crops grown in rows:
- Lettuce and salad (iceberg, romaine, lollo, etc.)
- Radicchio (Treviso, Chioggia, etc.)
- Cabbage (savoy, white, broccoli, cauliflower)
- Chard
- Squash and courgette
- Artichoke
For head-forming crops with advanced automatic guidance (up to 90% of the inter-plant space with AI camera), see also the Optyma 2.0 — the automatic-guidance version with artificial vision.
Why Inter-Plant Space Is the Main Challenge in Head-Forming Crops
In head-forming crops such as lettuce and radicchio, weeds in the inter-plant space are the most difficult problem to solve mechanically. Traditional weeders work well in the inter-row but cannot get close enough to the plant without risk of damage. The Rotostar solves this problem with flexible tines that adapt to the presence of the plant, working safely even a few centimetres from the head.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rotostar
What distinguishes the Rotostar from the Optyma 2.0 for head-forming crops?
Both work in head-forming crops, but with different approaches. The Rotostar uses flexible-tine rotors to reach the inter-plant space mechanically. The Optyma 2.0 uses an AI camera automatic guidance system that recognises the plant collar and guides the machine to 90% of the inter-plant space with absolute precision — the ideal choice for large-scale operations with high-value crops.
Can the Rotostar damage the leaves of head-forming plants?
No, if adjusted correctly. The Rotostar’s flexible tines are designed to deflect on contact with the plant, avoiding mechanical damage. Adjusting the pressure and depth of the rotors is essential to find the optimal balance between weeding effectiveness and crop safety.
Which crops is the Rotostar not suitable for?
The Rotostar is optimised for transplanted head-forming crops. For narrow-row seeded crops (carrot, onion, seeded lettuce) the Colibri is more appropriate. For maize, soya and wide-row vegetables, the Rotosark.
Does the Rotostar also break the surface soil crust?
Yes. The Rotoblizz rotors integrated in the Rotostar also perform a crust-breaking function in the inter-row, improving gas exchange and facilitating water penetration into the soil — an additional benefit beyond simple weed control.
Discover the Rotostar in the Oliver Agro catalogue, or contact us to find the most suitable solution for your head-forming crops.