22 replies to this topic

[Still Waters]

www.dailymail.co.uk said:

It could be the ultimate dream machine for gardeners – an electric gadget that kills weeds in seconds without using harmful pesticides or causing backache from bending over borders.

But this zapper comes with added shock value – the weed exterminator fires a 2,500-volt charge, the same as that used to execute prisoners in electric chairs.

The electricity penetrates the vascular systems of weeds, boiling the water in the plant cells and breaking down the cell walls.

Weeds wilt immediately in a cloud of steam like overcooked vegetables, then dry out and within days disintegrate into the soil.

Read more...

[meryt-tetisheri]

A gardener's 'ultimate' or 'last' dream machine ? Aren't 2500 volts a bit too drastic? A flame thrower actually sounds safer! I admit there are days when I wouldn't mind using a flame thrower, but I doubt that even that would work.

[bison]

There have been regular 'weed-burners', powered by compressed gas in a small tank, for decades, at least. One simply turns on the fuel supply, lights the nozzle and directs it at the weeds. Long handle minimizes bending over. I recall using one of these years ago.

[AliveInDeath7]

Sounds like it would be fun to use. It'll be a weed war.  

[meryt-tetisheri]

bison, on 22 January 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

There have been regular 'weed-burners', powered by compressed gas in a small tank, for decades, at least. One simply turns on the fuel supply, lights the nozzle and directs it at the weeds. Long handle minimizes bending over. I recall using one of these years ago.

"Weed-burners" are for those times when the weeds and I are being civil and polite; a couple of weeks into spring time, active growth of weeds & frustration, the gloves are off on both sides and I start to fantasize about a flame thrower. However, I am not yet at the 2500 volts stage.

[Mistydawn]

I wonder what it does to the soil around the weed?

[WoIverine]

the Tim Allen weed eater.

[randym23]

but what about all those idiots that would use it on other people?
if you need a license to get a tazer shouldn't you need one for this?

[WoIverine]

randym23, on 23 January 2012 - 01:52 PM, said:

but what about all those idiots that would use it on other people?
if you need a license to get a tazer shouldn't you need one for this?

lol, the potential hijinx are limitless

[jaguarsky]

I am guessing it would work equally well on fire ants. Just make sure to wear your rubber wellies.

[bulveye]

Because idiots will totally not use this tool for pranks they can film for youtube.

[and then]

With that voltage it sort of IS a tazer but for plants.  It looks a little like a cattle prod.
The gardener just went Rambo!!!

[trancelikestate]

I wonder if you actually NEED that many volts to get the job done or if that's just abit of overkill

[little_dreamer]

Future leading cause of mysterious gardening accidents.

[Aus Der Box Skeptisch]

Volts are one thing
.. what are the ohms?