A weed wiper is specialized agricultural equipment designed for the precise, low-volume application of herbicides. Unlike traditional broadcast spraying, which covers an entire area indiscriminately, this tool applies the chemical directly to the target plants. This selective method controls unwanted vegetation with high accuracy, minimizing the risk of treating non-target plants. The weed wiper offers an approach to weed management focusing on efficiency and conservation of chemical resources.
Defining the Tool and Its Function
The fundamental mechanism of a weed wiper relies on physical contact to transfer the herbicide solution to the plant foliage. The system consists of three main components: a reservoir to hold the herbicide mixture, a delivery system, and an absorbent contact material. The herbicide moves from the reservoir to the applicator surface, often via gravity feed or a low-pressure pump system. This ensures the contact surface remains saturated but not overly wet.
The delivery system typically incorporates a throttling valve or an electronic control box to manage the flow of chemical onto the wiping material. This control is important for maintaining an optimal saturation level, preventing excessive dripping that could harm desirable vegetation below the weeds. When the applicator surface brushes against a weed, the herbicide is physically wiped onto the plant’s leaves and stems, initiating the control process. This localized application is significantly more focused than conventional spraying.
Different Equipment Configurations
Weed wipers are available in various physical forms, accommodating different scales of operation, from small-scale spot treatment to large-area agricultural use. Handheld or walk-behind models, sometimes called ‘microwipes,’ are small devices where the applicator material is at the end of a long handle that doubles as the reservoir. These are suited for treating isolated weeds or for use in tight, non-crop areas. For larger applications, boom-mounted systems are attached to tractors or towed behind all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Within these scales, the design of the contact material varies, primarily using wick or roller systems. Capillary or rope wick systems use thick, absorbent nylon ropes or felt material plumbed into a manifold to draw the chemical out. Carpet wiper systems use a continuous strip of absorbent fabric, which provides a more consistent, broader surface for contact. Roller wipers feature a rotating drum covered in an absorbent material, sometimes with an electric drive motor, which helps maintain saturation and achieve better contact on denser weeds.
Situations Requiring Targeted Application
The weed wiper is often the preferred method where a height differential exists between the target weeds and the desirable plants. This height selectivity is the core utility of the tool, enabling the use of non-selective herbicides like glyphosate in a selective manner. For example, a wiper can be set to treat tall weeds such as Johnson grass or volunteer corn growing significantly higher than a sensitive row crop like cotton or soybeans. A height difference of roughly 6 inches (15 centimeters) or more is sufficient for effective targeting.
Another significant advantage is the elimination of herbicide drift, a major concern with traditional broadcast spraying, especially in windy conditions. Because the chemical is applied by direct contact, there is zero risk of airborne particles moving onto neighboring sensitive crops, waterways, or organic farming areas. This zero-drift capability allows for weed control to be conducted right up to the edge of field boundaries or near ecologically sensitive habitats.
Utilizing a weed wiper leads to a substantial reduction in the overall volume of herbicide used, which lowers costs and environmental exposure. Instead of treating every square foot of an area, the chemical is only applied where weeds are present, making it highly economical. This precision is valuable when targeting specific noxious or invasive weeds, like thistles or rushes, in pastures where preserving the underlying grass sward and clover population is important.