LaserWeeder Hire Runs Laser Units for SA Vegetable Growers

CAPE TOWN: When hand labour is short and repeated hoeing starts to throw soil back onto the bed, weeds in tight vegetable rows get ahead quickly. LaserWeeder Hire, a contract weeding service based in Philippi, offers laser weeding services with tractor-drawn units and trained operators, from a single trial strip to full-season booking windows.

The unit travels behind a tractor and uses camera-guided detection to damage weed growing points, while the guidance system and the operator keep the crop protected. No herbicide is used and the soil surface is left intact.

Timing matters as much as the unit

Laser weeding works best on small weeds in straight rows. Onion and carrot rows are narrow and need tight line discipline, lettuce needs care around the plant centre, and brassicas change quickly once the leaves start to close. Seedling stage and early weed stage usually give the cleanest window, which is why growers are asked for the crop, block size and planting date first.

A field visit then runs in three steps:

An arrival check of access, crop condition, weed stage and row visibility.
Camera calibration and crop line alignment before the first pass.
The pass itself, followed by reporting on the block and a plan for any follow-up pass.

From Philippi, the team works with growers in Ceres, Grabouw, Tzaneen, Bela-Bela, Nelspruit, Howick and Bethlehem, depending on the crop calendar and road access.

Hire units and crop details are at laserweeder.co.za. Laser and workshop equipment for South African businesses is available through am.co.za.