“Under Blade” Sweeps
Al Hemerson’s new Finish Line Sweeps solve a problem farmers may not even realize they have. Field cultivator and chisel plow sweeps lift and till the soil above them, but they also compact the soil below. The resulting dense soil layer slows root development. Finish Line Sweeps have a knife blade on the bottom that fractures the soil below just as the point and wings fracture the soil above. Hemerson has already seen benefits on his own farm.
“Farmers in our area had rootless corn syndrome last year,” says Hemerson. “A seed corn salesman stopped by wondering why we didn’t have as much as others did. I think it may have been that our corn roots were able to get through the density layer.”
The under blade on the sweeps cuts a path only 2 3/4-in. deep, but that seems to be enough to fracture the compacted layer for the hair-like roots. Hemerson adds that users of Finish Line Sweeps also report less streaking from wheel tracks in bean stubble going into corn. He expects that too is a result of breaking through the compacted layers left by field equipment.
Hemerson got the idea for his sweep design driving by an airport and noticing a jet tail sticking above a chain link fence. Wondering aloud what a jet flying upside down would look like, he soon applied the image to cultivator sweeps. Indeed, an upside down jet plane tail is the best descriptor of the sweep’s under blade.
“The backward sweeping angle fractures the density layer, but it also slides up and over underground obstacles without a problem,” says Hemerson.
While many inventions go through multiple prototypes and alterations, that’s not the case with Finish Line Sweeps. The design being sold is the same one that Hemerson had Brian Brace, a local welder and fabricator, build for him.
Hemerson tested them out on his own Deere 725 soil finisher and saw immediate results with vertical relief patterns in the soil. After filing for a patent, he shared the idea with Wiese Industries. They quickly adapted the concept to their Viper 7-in. and 9-in. bolt on sweeps.
“They make a premium sweep with a heat infused, hardened leading edge for longer wear,” says Hemerson.
Another factor that may affect wear is a side benefit of the design. It has been described as a sweep with a rudder.
“Like a rudder on a boat or a surfboard, the knife beneath the sweep holds it steady as it moves through the field,” says Hemerson. “Less weaving back and forth should also reduce wear.”
While Hemerson is confident of the benefits his sweeps offer, he is looking forward to validation. His Finish Line Sweeps are being tested by Beck’s Hybrids, Hefty Seed and Precision Planting.
Contact Wiese Industries for information on how to access Finish Line Sweeps. They are currently priced in the $20 range at a growing list of local implement dealers.
Check out the Finish Line Sweeps in action at FARMSHOW.com.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Finish Line Sweep, 2115 Delaware Ave., Gilmore City, Iowa 50541 (ph 515 368 0050; snowtoes_hemerson@yahoo.com) or Wiese Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 39, Perry, Iowa 50220 (ph 515 465-9875 or 800 568-4391; www.wieseindustries.com).
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“Under Blade” Sweeps TILLAGE EUIPMENT Accessories Al Hemerson’s new Finish Line Sweeps solve a problem farmers may not even realize they have Field cultivator and chisel plow sweeps lift and till the soil above them but they also compact the soil below The resulting dense soil layer slows root development Finish Line Sweeps have a knife blade on the bottom that fractures the soil below just as the point and wings fracture the soil above Hemerson has already seen benefits on his own farm “Farmers in our area had rootless corn syndrome last year ” says Hemerson “A seed corn salesman stopped by wondering why we didn’t have as much as others did I think it may have been that our corn roots were able to get through the density layer ” The under blade on the sweeps cuts a path only 2 3/4-in deep but that seems to be enough to fracture the compacted layer for the hair-like roots Hemerson adds that users of Finish Line Sweeps also report less streaking from wheel tracks in bean stubble going into corn He expects that too is a result of breaking through the compacted layers left by field equipment Hemerson got the idea for his sweep design driving by an airport and noticing a jet tail sticking above a chain link fence Wondering aloud what a jet flying upside down would look like he soon applied the image to cultivator sweeps Indeed an upside down jet plane tail is the best descriptor of the sweep’s under blade “The backward sweeping angle fractures the density layer but it also slides up and over underground obstacles without a problem ” says Hemerson While many inventions go through multiple prototypes and alterations that’s not the case with Finish Line Sweeps The design being sold is the same one that Hemerson had Brian Brace a local welder and fabricator build for him Hemerson tested them out on his own Deere 725 soil finisher and saw immediate results with vertical relief patterns in the soil After filing for a patent he shared the idea with Wiese Industries They quickly adapted the concept to their Viper 7-in and 9-in bolt on sweeps “They make a premium sweep with a heat infused hardened leading edge for longer wear ” says Hemerson Another factor that may affect wear is a side benefit of the design It has been described as a sweep with a rudder “Like a rudder on a boat or a surfboard the knife beneath the sweep holds it steady as it moves through the field ” says Hemerson “Less weaving back and forth should also reduce wear ” While Hemerson is confident of the benefits his sweeps offer he is looking forward to validation His Finish Line Sweeps are being tested by Beck’s Hybrids Hefty Seed and Precision Planting Contact Wiese Industries for information on how to access Finish Line Sweeps They are currently priced in the $20 range at a growing list of local implement dealers Check out the Finish Line Sweeps in action at FARMSHOW com Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Finish Line Sweep 2115 Delaware Ave Gilmore City Iowa 50541 ph 515 368 0050; snowtoes_hemerson@yahoo com or Wiese Industries Inc P O Box 39 Perry Iowa 50220 ph 515 465-9875 or 800 568-4391; www wieseindustries com
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