The revolutionary Integrated Harrington Seed destructor (iHSD), which uses ‘mechanical impact trauma’ to pulverise weed seeds, is being upgraded in preparation for this year’s grain harvest.
Unveiled to the world last year by inventor and farmer Ray Harrington, the iHSD consists of two hydraulically driven cage mills and is integrated directly into the chaff stream of a combine harvester, pulverising weed seeds and halting the spread of weed growth in crops in a time where herbicide-resistant weed are decimating farms around the world.
Research from the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) has determined that 93-99 percent of weed seeds are destroyed by the iHSD, and it is effective against 25 species of weed.
AHRI director Professor Steve Powles hints that this new method of weed control is better than herbicide, saying: “All of our research shows this is the way to help keep weed numbers down and grow more crop.”
A continuation from the tow-behind Harrington Seed Destructor, 12 iHSD systems were successfully used in Western Australia last season, with upgrades on the way through national distributor, McIntosh Distribution.
McIntosh Distribution iHSD sales representative Darryl Verburg says the iHSD’s enhancements include improving the cooling capacity, adjusting the chute design to allow better feeding to the mills and accessibility to the sieves and setting up the hydraulic system to produce a constant 3000rpm, ultimately allowing material to move freely through the mills.
Other enhancements include different oil cooler particle screening options and a simplified interface on the iHSD display and monitoring system.
The updated iHSD was tested during the January-March harvest in Mount Gambier, South Australia, with much success, and interest is booming says Verburg.
Between 50 and 60 new systems are expected to be installed into headers in WA, Victoria and SA this year, with McIntosh Distribution in the process of appointing dealers in Queensland and New South Wales.
The iHSD will be on display at major agricultural field days across the country this year.