Spot-Spraying Weed Control System Arrives in the UK and Ireland

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Grass swards are the lifeline of livestock keepers in the UK and Ireland. But as with every landscape, the farmers have to constantly contend with numerous weeds that may diminish the grass quality or harm their livestock.

The RumboJet 880

Fortunately, technology has come to their rescue in the form of an efficient spot-spraying weed control system.

The RumboJet 880, recently introduced in the UK and Ireland, is a computer-operated spot-spraying system specifically designed to tackle individual weeds in grass swards. 

How it Works 

The weeder’s computer software is programmed to identify specific weeds that occur in different grassland growth stages. These weeds include dandelions, buttercups, ragwort, docks, and thistles.

Once the software identifies a weed, the six pre-installed cameras take 90 pictures of the plants per second for accuracy. Once confirmed, the weeds are then selectively spot-sprayed with a herbicide.

Herbicide Capacity

It’s fitted with a 600L capacity spray tank with an additional 200L mixing tank that allows the operator to mix an extra herbicidal solution when on the field. 

Mounted on the cab of the tractor via a pickup hitch and with a recommended speed of 10km/hr, the sprayer can fully cover the identified weeds.

The herbicide usage ranges around 5L-50L/ha which means in the UK and Irish conditions would account for about 25L/ha. A combined tank of 800L, therefore, would comfortably cover an area of 32ha of grassland.

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The RumboJet 880 is now available in the UK and Ireland C.W. Agri, a Northern Ireland-based distributor. 

Benefits of the RumboJet 880 Spot-Spraying Weed Control System

Weeds growing in the grassland
Weeds growing in the grassland. Image: whitesagri

Here are the benefits that farmers and contractors in the UK and Ireland are set to enjoy from the spot-spraying weed control system, according to Stephen McKeown from C.W. Agri:

  1. The system ensures accurate spot-spraying of herbicide on weeds only.
  2. It can be used to control clover in newly established grass.
  3. It efficiently covers large areas of grassland.
  4. The weed control system works effectively under all grassland conditions.
  5. It reduces overall weed control costs in grasslands.

C.W. Agri hopes that with the introduction of the weed control system more farmers will commit to better weed control in grasslands.