The Claydon TerraBlade inter-row hoe is a low-cost, mechanical method of controlling weeds in combinable, band-sown crops. It provides an additional weapon in the agricultural industry’s weed control armoury at a time when the efficacy of some herbicides is decreasing while the cost of such control is increasing.
Band sowing at 30cm leaves a 14-15cm wide unseeded strip between the rows that can be mechanically hoed. The TerraBlade eliminates weeds from that area reliably, safely and without using chemicals. This clears up any weeds that were missed by agricultural chemicals, or where such products can’t be used, greatly reducing the return of weed seeds and the overall weed burden.
By keeping the unseeded rows clear of weeds during the early stages of crop growth, competition for nutrients, light, air and water is reduced and the young plants can grow away strong and healthy.
The TerraBlade has the potential to improve crop yields, drastically lower the potential for carry-over of weed seeds and reduce the risk of more resistant types developing.
The unit will give years of reliable service, has very low operating costs and offers great flexibility. It’s designed for use on any tractor with a Cat II front linkage and travels at speeds of approximately 6km/hr and up to 30mm deep.
It is manually steered, and can be used whenever soil conditions allow, covering up to 40ha a day with a 6m unit. On farms that drill early, crops may be sufficiently well developed in the autumn to start TerraBlade-ing then, and in the spring the operation can continue whenever soil conditions allow, up to the stage where the crop might be compromised by further passes.
The TerraBlade has been designed for use in all types of strip seeded crops.
For more information visit: www.claydondrills.com.
