ifoam'96 Book of Abstracts 11th IFOAM Scientific Conference 11-15 August 1996, Copenhagen, Denmark

ECOWEB FRONT PAGE SUBJECT INDEX AUTHOR INDEX

Posters

Mechanical Development of Brush Hoes. P3; 3

NORSØK, Mechanical Department N-6690 Aure

Brush hoeing is a fairly new mechanical weed control method in row crops. The main problem with the implementation of the method is the price of the machines available. At the Norwegian Center for Ecological Agriculture we have during the last two years worked with different solution for more appropriate brush hoes. The project is divided into developments of prototypes within two areas:
1) Brush hoes suitable for small scale production of vegetables.
This include electrical powered brush hoes driven by hand or horse. A two wheel tractor rebuild to a 4 wheel tractor where the brushes are driven by flexible shafts. This machine is used at our research farm. Experience with the hand driven brush hoe shows that it is suitable on flat country but it becomes to heavy to draw in more hilly country. 2) Cheaper transmission on tractors mounted brush hoes.
Here the project is dealing with two principle of transmission either by flexible or cardan shafts. The prototype with transmission by flexible shafts seems so far to be the most appropriate solution.
The poster presented is showing pictures and description of the different implement developed in the project.