Rising cost of chemicals and a strong move towards organic farming methods has paved the way for a more innovative approach to control weeds and make growing conditions more difficult for them to grow and impact on crop production using tractor implements.
Chemical methods have dominated in recent years but growing environmental awareness and tough regulations are shifting the focus toward mechanical means. In South Africa the path is being led by the Dutch-made Perfect line of weed control implements, which include mowers and mulchers specifically designed for these tasks. Servicing a massive fleet of Kubota tractors in South Africa, the local distributor, Smith Power Equipment, is perfectly situated to introduce these means to local farmers and is seeing significant demand for these versatile tools that help farmers manage weeds in an efficient and sustainable way.
Jan Schoeman, national implement sales specialist for Smith Power Equipment, says effective weed management is critical for most agricultural operations, especially orchards, vineyards, nuts and even solar farms.
“Perfect Implements has a long history in South Africa and its product line consists of a variety of mowers and mulchers that serve different needs in controlling weeds and managing farm waste. These machines are crucial for farmers looking to avoid herbicides, especially in organic farming practices. One of the standout features of these implements is their ability to control weeds mechanically while also contributing to soil health.
Perfect’s mulchers play a dual role in weed management and soil conditioning. In orchards, for example, after tree pruning, the pruned branches can be mulched to create a natural barrier that prevents weeds from receiving sunlight. “Mulching is an important part of weed control. When you prune trees the branches are thrown into rows and mulched. The mulch either stays in between the rows or can be spread to improve the soil structure,” says Jan.
He explains that the mulchers also eliminate the labour-intensive process of manually carrying away pruned branches and making mulch off the field and placing it manually. The Perfect approach can save both time and money, as the entire process is completed quickly by a single tractor, reducing the need for additional equipment like chippers.
“One of the key aspects of Perfect mulchers is their efficient design. Their heavy-duty hammers are used to chip and smash materials to size. Each weighs around 2.2 kg and operates with centrifugal force to maintain momentum during operation. This reduces the power demand on the tractor, making the machines more fuel-efficient.
“The heavier hammers keep the momentum going, so you don’t need a lot of horsepower to mulch effectively. In addition, they are built with durable materials for tough farming conditions and are easy-to-maintain with rugged, well-designed components. For example, the hammers are mounted on bushes instead of traditional pins, which means they can be replaced easily without the need for expensive rebalancing of the rotor.
“Apart from the effective strategy of mulching, Perfect also has specialised mowers with a unique design and side wheel that allows it to navigate around trees. The RF mower is designed to mow under trees and around obstacles like solar panels and the side wheel helps guide the machine around the tree. This makes it especially ideal for weed control in orchards and vineyards where ground clearance is critical before harvest. This mower can also be used in solar farms, where panels are mounted close to the ground and require careful mowing to prevent weeds from obstructing the panels. With its ability to mow in tight spaces, the Perfect RF mower provides a practical solution for farmers who need precise weed control without disturbing valuable crops or equipment.
“Yesterday, I did a demo on a farm that operates completely organically, so they can’t use chemicals. The mulchers and RF mowers are perfect for this kind of setup because they control weeds without the need for herbicides. We witnessed that by physically cutting down weeds and mulching plant matter, these machines are a great solution to maintain soil health and reduce the likelihood of weed regrowth. This is particularly important in environments where weed seeds can propagate from cuttings, as the mulchers pulverize plant material to a point where it can no longer grow.”
The Perfect Mulcher range includes the BK, KK and LF ranges with mulching widths between 900mm and 2450mm. The Perfect series RF mowers are available in 2200mm to 3400mm cutting widths.
