Trimble launches WeedSeeker 2

Ag tech giant Trimble is launching a successor to its innovative WeedSeeker spot spraying system, the WeedSeeker 2

Ag tech giant Trimble is launching a successor to its innovative WeedSeeker spot spraying system, the WeedSeeker 2.

Set to be displayed at upcoming major agricultural machinery field days around the country, the new WeedSeeker 2 has reportedly received a “complete redesign”.

McIntosh Distribution’s Jonathan Bent says anew universal ISO interface suited to ISO platforms for operating WeedSeeker 2, including rate control, steering, and mapping, which showed where spraying had already been completed, was a big plus.

The new system also offers section control, weed mapping and turn compensation.

According to Bent, testing in North America, Australia, and Argentina has shown strong results with the new technology and demonstrations are now being conducted here in Australia.

“WeedSeeker 2 is showing a lot faster response down to a 2-centimetre weed target at 20 km per hour,” Bent says.

Bent also says the WeedSeeker 2 sensors are 50 per cent lighter and now spaced at 50cm intervals.

“There are effectively 30 per cent fewer sensors, adding up to a significant reduction in overall weight on booms, and they line up with the most common sprayer nozzle spacings, allowing ease of plumbing.’’

“Alternate systems have sensors spaced at every metre along booms, but if there is a significant stubble burden, the sensor light doesn’t get through the stubble easily to detect weeds,” Bent adds.

Like its predecessor, the WeedSeeker 2 uses two light sources, both infrared and near-infrared, which they claim is for the most accurate detection of all weeds linked to the chlorophyll present.

Bent says the dual-frequency light band has proved to be important in dusty conditions and where the background can change.