The most attractive feature driving the
mechanical weeder market today is the back-saving
feature. The minimum requirement for this claim is a
long
handle that extends for 30 inches or more. The short
handled hoe, for example, is infamous in agriculture for damaging the
backs of work hands on the farm. Many states now require that a hand
tool for agriculture have a length of at least 48 inches to protect the
health of farm labor. See the Hand Weeder
Science page for more tips on agricultural solutions.
Long Handle Ergonomics - Standup Weeders
Long-handled weeding
tools, also known as standup weeders, are easier on your
back, especially if they are light weight and can be applied
with a minimum of force. Usually, the longer, the better,
keeping weight to a minimum for ultimate ergonomic value. With
the Ergonica Weed Twister, for example, you can
match the tool length with your height and the type
of work you need to do. Most hand cultivators, like hoes for
example, and a number of weed pullers provide long-handle
convenience.
One of the long-handle
weeders has incorporated the dandelion "V" notched prong along
with an appendage to provide a pivot for uprooting the weed. A
larger number cultivators use a hoe-type blade shaped in a
variety of ways, including a circular loop, a heart-shaped
blade, and various types of angles and surfaces. Shuffle hoes
are also popular weeding tools in gardening and organic
farming. Tilling with a cultivator or twister requires the use
of both hands and may cause more stress if the blade or
mechanism requires more work to accomplish the same task.
Likewise, a heavier tilling tool is a trade off of ergonomic
value since the weight of the tool may make the work more
effective but also more stressful, an overkill, in other words (Kill
the weeds, not the workers!). Accessibility for
wheelchair gardeners and seniors with arthritis is an
important consideration. Some valuable tips in this regard can
be viewed on YouTube demonstrated by
Bonnie, who is a quadriplegic with limited hands
ability.
Just TWIST - no need to pound, dig, pull or push with your hands or feet. Unique
Coiled Tines efficiently penetrate the soil - deeper than any hoe.
Easy reach into narrow corners or beneath shrubs. Weeds remain in the
coil for easy removal. With a
very precise coil width of less than 2 inches, and lengths from 36 to 54
inches from handle to tip, this heavy-duty tool is designed to protect cash
crops, precious lawns and flowerbeds with a minimum of collateral damage and
effort. For smaller seedlings, use it like a quick-action circle hoe.
Let your drill do the twisting with the
Turbo Weed Twister!
The Weed Hound stand-up weeder pulls weeds by
their roots quickly and easily! No bending and no chemicals! The Weed Hound
also aerates the soil for a healthy lawn. No divots or damage to your turf.
All of our tools feature: upright designs, comfortable grips, durable steel
construction, rust-proof finishes and a lifetime guarantee.
Kicking out weeds with the new Stick n Kick is so easy its amazing.
Not only do you conquer the weed problem effortlessly, the simple act of
kicking out the weeds creates such a rewarding feeling.
Finally, no more headaches, backaches, or blisters!
You will discover for the first time that ridding your lawn or garden of
weeds using a Stick n Kick can be fun! Even the lawn is flawlessly
protected- no huge holes left behind from claws or hoes. No dangerous
chemicals, no noise, no fuel and built to last for life!
Originally invented and marketed in Germany, the Garden Weasel is still an
amazing garden tool, even after 15 years of "As Seen on TV" advertising here
in the States. Its self-cleaning rotary cutters run crosswise against each
other, meeting about 1-1/2 inches below the ground to break the surface soil
and creating a fine till with their scissor-like action. Use this tool to
break up soil in large areas or wide rows or to scarify soil for seeding. If
you remove a few of the blades, you can work on exceptionally narrow rows or
around plants. By using the short handle (included), you can work in
greenhouses or rock gardens.
"Before you kill a plant, you have to
name it a 'weed' and debase its culture and ancestry."
Musings of Dr. Yucca
FYI (For Your Information-Ignorance?): Hoes are the first line of defense for
weed seedlings with roots that have grown only an inch or two below the
surface of the soil. If the ground is too hard and dry, or if the
roots are too long, the hoe will cut the roots and the weeds will rebound.
PS: The Ergonica WEED TWISTER
also works like a precise Circle Hoe.
Tom: Sometimes I get so tense and
frustrated, I feel like starting a fire in a house or in the brush.
Dr. Yucca: You need to
divert your tension into constructive directions, such as burning weeds with
a propane weed flamer. If you don't have enough weeds at home, you can
volunteer to clean up the weeds in the neighborhood sidewalks... Don't do it
at night. Don't do it in hazardous areas. Carry a pack of CO2
with you, just in case! ... And don't say that I told you to start a fire!
Easy on your back, tough on Weeds. This tool enables you to weed without
bending even in tight places! What a tool! It picks, it slices, it grabs!
And it rakes away weeds! Use the curved blade for slicing. Use the teeth for
raking and grabbing, and the point for picking and furrowing. The Weed-Ho's
stainless steel blade with curved neck and the extra long handle allow for
excellent control and maneuverability in established gardens. Weights less
than 2 lbs. and is 60" overall length.
Makes spot weeding a snap. The fastest, easiest way to remove the most
stubborn weeds, right down to the root. Simply insert, twist and pull to
eject weeds or roots from walkways, shrubs, borders, lawns, or garden beds.
No bending, stooping or dirty hands, you never even have to touch 'em.
Durable, lightweight aluminum and aerospace plastic construction.
Trim weeds with ease and sculpt hedges like a pro with this 8-inch cordless
trimmer from Toro. Powered by a durable 12-volt battery, this sleekly
designed Toro enables free-range trimming in the remote corners of the yard
without tripping over extension cord, running out of gas, or having to mix
in oil. The Toro Trimmer is compact for easy maneuvering in tight quarters
and well balanced for less operator fatigue--a big plus when the weeds are
high and spirits are low.
With its simple lever action and durable steel construction, this tried
and true tool is ingeniously designed and made to last forever. For almost
one hundred years, gardeners young and old have used Grampa's Weeder to
extract weeds and their roots easily, with just a step of their foot and a
tilt of the handle. No pulling, bending, or kneeling. Grampa's Weeder is a
smart choice for those wanting to control weeds without the use of
chemicals. Lifetime Guarantee. Length is 46 inches. Solid hardwood handle
and cast iron head. Weight 2.5 lbs.
Crafted by artisans who design plows for Belgian farmers, this weeder has
sharp edges that snap off weeds at their crown and a long handle to
eliminate stooping. Putter gets into tight spots around the base of plants
without disturbing roots. 59" L.
Transform your garden into a weed-free zone. The thin, sharp blade clips
roots just beneath the surface of the soil as it glides, and the slim,
pointed head gets close to existing plants without uprooting them. A leather
sheath snaps onto the carbon steel blade, which resharpens when needed.
Get off your Knees and Weed the European Way! Cuts weeds by working the
blade back and forth below soil level. Ten minutes a week in the garden with
this tool and say goodbye to weeds! Sturdy steel construction has side
guards to indicate where the blade is below ground. Part of the famous WOLF-Garten
Interlocken (Multi-Star) system.
The GYM's double-edge blade pivots, allowing it to move to and fro for efficient
weed root severing. Tall sides permit you to know exactly where the blade is
to protect your valued plants. Simultaneously loosens the soil and severs
weed roots.
Rear pendulum blade keeps tool at a constant depth. Multi-Star
Interlocking Tool System. Ease push-pull action crumbles soil for sowing
grass or planting seeds. Mixes peat and fertilizers into soil.
"If our planet is devoted to the
benefit of only one species, that species is most likely one that preceded
and will no doubt survive the latecomers by millions or billions of years ... such as
weeds or even invisible microbes..."
Contemplation of Dr. Yucca
FYI: Motorized weed trimmers,
weed twisters and weed augers are coming into the marketplace with exciting
new developments. As portable power continues to increase in quality
and reliability, these devices will no doubt increase in convenience and
popularity.
The agricultural industry is also
dependent on large tractor-driven mechanical weeders to protect precious
crops, as well as herbicides that unfortunately may sometimes threaten the
ecological environment. Hand weeding is also undertaken by many
growers, including organic growers, who cannot apply dangerous herbicides to
specific crops. Some of these growers are in need of
hand-held mechanical weeders, like
those on this page, for precise weeding solutions.
Weed Claw & Bulb Drill lets you Point, Press, and Spin your way to a weed
free lawn. The Stainless Steel Weed Claw helps you get rid of your lawn
weeds once and for all. Let your drill do all the hard work. The Weed Claw
is simple and easy to use. It saves time and saves you back. The weed claw
works in all types of soil and is easy to clean and store. The Hexagonal
shaped end improves tool performance. The Bulb Drill digs holes for
bulbs and seedling planting.
Peta Long Reach Garden Tools are specially designed for gardeners
who have to sit on a chair or stool while gardening. It is strongly
recommended that an interchangeable plug-in arm support is used with these
tools which not only allows the strength of the forearm to be used but also
acts as a counter balance. All metal parts are stainless steel and the grip
is soft PVC vinyl. Long Reach Cultivator measures 32 in. long, weighs 18 oz.
Long Reach Trowel measures 34 in. long, weighs 20 oz. Long Reach Hoe
measures 31 in. long, weighs 20 oz. Long Reach Fork measures 32 in. long,
weighs 18.5 oz. The cultivator is shown in the picture with the added arm
support cuff.
Maria: Should I use ergonomic
tools, like those with special grips, if I don't have arthritis or carpal
tunnel syndrome?
Dr.
Yucca: Good question! These tools make the work of weeding and digging more
pleasurable because they are easier on your muscles and tendons. They
will help prevent the carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS, as we call it.
Are you in conflict with pleasure?
Maria: Well, maybe, sometimes, I
like a little pain. But, are the twisting tools, like the weed
twisters, also ergonomic?
Dr. Yucca: As indicated by
Experts in this field: "Repetitive motion injuries such as CTS result from
performing a task or motion repeatedly without giving the body time to rest,
recuperate and repair from the activity. These injuries may also be
increased by awkward positions or postures, vibration, and using hands to
pound or push on things." The twisting tools are by design less stressful than
many other tools, but you shouldn't repeatedly use these or any tools
without rest when your muscles feel strained or fatigued.
Maria: Well, I guess I can learn to
live with a little less pain...
Ideal for close weeding around plants or in raised beds. 12" handle and a
4.5" blade. Handle is riveted to shank. Limited lifetime warranty. Lifetime
spring steel blade never needs sharpening.
Features big step for foot security, Comfortable
oval-shaped handle provides room for two hands, Unique teardrop shaped shaft
is comfortable and easy to grip, Longer handle improves posture and reduces
back fatigue
4 tines for maximum digging and tilling coverage.
Transforms your garden into a weed-free zone.
Thin, sharp blade clips roots just beneath the surface of the soil. Slim,
pointed head gets close to existing plants without uprooting them.
Included leather sheath snaps onto the carbon steel blade. Measures 17" L, 4
3/4"-wide blade
Durable steel edger with ergonomic handle
uses natural walking motion to cut a clean edge. Stainless steel blade with
blade window for accurate positioning locks into upright position for easy
storage. Great for sidewalks and curbs.
Tom: I've seen a
Master Weed Twister use
other tools for weeding, instead of just the Weed Twister. Does she
lose her standing as a Master Weed Twister when she uses different weeders?
Dr. Yucca: The Master Weed Twister
knows which tool is best for each weed and situation, depending on such
factors as the soil condition, length of roots, type of roots, and proximity
to other plants that need to be protected, for example. She will
cunningly use the hoe in open areas when the weeds have shallow roots and
there are no other plants to protect nearby. She will wisely pull out
the precise Weed Twister to use like a circle hoe in narrow places between
favored plants or to twist out a weed with larger roots.
Tom: How can one know the length of
roots when you can't see below the surface of the soil?
Dr. Yucca: It takes study and
experience, my dear friend. In time, you will learn to see the roots beneath the soil and
the Ergonica Weed Twister will become like a natural extension of your own
hand. There are some Masters who can pull out a weed single handedly
by twisting with their weaker hand in one deft move - even while sitting
down and nursing a baby! There are others who have incorporated weed
twisting into aerobic exercises as part of a
Speed Gardening routine. You will get there in time.
Enjoy the path, for you are in good company.
If you have a field to clear, then the Seymour weed scythe may be just
what you're looking for. This high-quality 24-inch scythe is handmade from
the best Austrian steel. The rugged, heat-treated tang stays sharp longer.
This tool offers an environmentally friendly way to clear weeds and grass by
hand.
Weed Control Products and Tools,
Long Handled Garden Weeders, Weed Pullers, Weed Poppers and Weed
Twisters
