Lightning Weeder Still Going Strong

Lightning Weeder Still Going Strong Kevin Olson began developing the Lasco Lightning Weeder around 1980, creating a functional electric weeding foundation that continues to shape the product today. The Lightning Weeder used an electric bar to contact and kill any weeds that extended above a crop’s canopy. Electricity traveled down the plant’s stem, rupturing cells and membranes through the roots. The original designs were featured in FARM SHOW (Vol. 1, No. 2, and Vol. 5, No. 2). Over the years, Olson’s commitment led him to overhaul the electronics, replacing traditional controls with a modern touchscreen interface in the tractor cab. This enables farmers to precisely adjust current and voltage settings, tailoring weed control to both field conditions and tractor capabilities. “We can adjust the current to match the tractor’s horsepower,” Olson explains. “We can also adjust voltage, letting farmers operate in heavy dew or light rain, as moisture improves the conductivity, so weeds will kill more easily. It also works extremely well in weeds like Johnson grass, pigeon grass and kochia, where there’s not a lot of contact with the main stem.” The aluminum mainframe and copper tubing bar are fully electrified for effective weed control, delivering over 20,000 volts. For safety, a tether switch is connected to the operator and immediately shuts down the machine if they leave the tractor seat. Additionally, a built-in speed monitor requires the equipment to move at least 1/2 mph before electricity is applied, reducing the risk of accidental contact. A strobe light indicates when the applicator bar is live, and rear coulter sensors ensure proper grounding to protect tires. The generator, transformer and control circuits are powered by the tractor’s PTO and mounted on the rear 3-pt. hitch. Olson has addressed compatibility issues with newer, higher tractors by raising the machine and designing coulters that pivot up to 22 degrees, preventing damage and improving tracking along curved rows. The boom can be manually raised or lowered during operation, and a patented bracket allows lift and tilt on hillsides and in drainage areas. Early Lightning Weeders were limited to a 24-ft applicator bar, but advances now allow up to 44 ft of coverage from a single generator. “When you reach the row end, simply lift the bar, make the turn, and lower it down,” Olson says. “The coulters also have sensors to confirm they’re engaged in the ground and moving forward before the applicator bar becomes electrified again. It’s 100% safe for the operator, but we always stress they need to be responsible and aware of nearby people and animals.” The Lasco Lightning Weeder offers power units for small and large tractors, with applicator bars sized accordingly. The 11-ft mainframe fits roadways, and its wings fold manually to prevent electrical interference with hydraulic systems. “What sets the Lightning Weeder apart from our competition is that we can operate day and night, while they’re limited to daylight with no dew,” Olson says. “We can adjust the voltage to suit the conditions. Also, we adapt the unit to the tractor’s horsepower; our applicator bars don’t require a 3-pt. hitch on the front, and our coulters are in the rear, so they’re not dragging through the canopy or cutting up the rows.” Prices range from $55,000 to $92,000, with dealer-direct sales and hands-on setup by Olson. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Lasco Lightning Weeder, Grand Forks County, N.D. (ph 218-791-6536; lasco@arvig.net; www.lightningweeder.com).

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