Flame Weeder Builder Now Has “The Perfect Machine”

Flame Weeder Builder Now Has “The Perfect Machine” SWATHERS Western Minnesota organic farmer John Sather went looking for the perfect flame weeder and finally decided to build one himself Then he built another and another Each time he sold the “new improved” version to a fellow organic farmer and then he built one better “We’ve built seven different flame weeders for ourselves over the years ” says Sather “We think we have finally settled on the perfect machine ” He is satisfied enough that he and his employees build two or three every winter for sale The response without doing any advertising encouraged him to start Freyr Manufacturing and turn the sideline into a business It appears that what he wanted in a flame weeder is shared by others “I know too many guys who have burned up tractors with a mounted flame weeder ” says Sather “I decided to make mine super safe by getting the heat a long way from the tractor ” He went with a pull-type unit which is also easy to hook up and unhook Hitching up includes attaching three hydraulic hoses and hanging the control pad in the cab He also wanted plenty of storage for propane Most of the ones he builds carry two 500-gal tanks He says it keeps operators and their suppliers happy “I can cover about 80 acres with a 1 000-gal tank at about 15 gal per acre depending on the weed pressure ” says Sather “Most farmers don’t own a tender truck and the co-ops would rather make fewer trips ” While propane prices are on the rise Sather doesn’t expect it to affect demand for flamers For organic farmers it is a no-brainer He used to harrow corn then rototill and then cultivate two or three times Now he flames his weeds two or three times and enjoys clean fields He notes that it does its best work on broadleaves but also knocks back grasses and sets back thistles “You see a 30 to 40-bushel increase in corn yield on most organic fields ” says Sather “At $10 per bushel the flame weeder pays for itself fast ” Prices vary from 16 to 30-row widths He did build a 22-in 36-row machine but it is the exception “It was a monster ” recalls Sather “Most of my orders are for 30-row machines ” As he went into harvest this fall Sather suggested a 30-in 16-row machine would run about $90 000 That could change he notes as production costs fluctuate Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Freyr Manufacturing ph 320-212-9951; jasather@gmail com; www facebook com/Freyr-Manufacturing-llc-102211138011436

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