Good Thinking

Wunda Weeder lets farm workers lie down on the job

Wunda Weeder lets farm workers lie down on the job
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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The Wunda Weeder
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The Wunda Weeder
Schematic of the Wunda Weeder
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Schematic of the Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
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Gardening can be physically-demanding work. Whether you’re weeding, planting or harvesting, almost every garden-related task seems to involve kneeling down and/or bending forward – definitely not so easy on the knees or the back. For commercial garden workers, however, help could be on the way. Two Australian inventors have come up with a product they call the Wunda Weeder, which allows workers to lie down as they tend to the crops.

The Wunda Weeder was invented by environmental scientist Brendan Corry, and electronics expert Peter Sargent. The device itself is a four-wheeled metal frame, with a stretcher-like bed on the bottom, and a sunshade/rain cover and solar panel assembly on top. For wind protection, or if the sunlight or rain are coming in at an angle, there are side shades that can be lowered.

Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder
Inventor Brendan Corry demonstrating his Wunda Weeder

The user lies face-down on the bed, with their forehead on an adjustable headrest, and their arms free to dangle down and toil in the row of plants below. The bed’s elevation can be adjusted, depending on the crop and the activity. When the user wants to move ahead, they just use a hand lever to activate the solar-powered electric motor, which can also go in reverse. To move the device from one area to another, the user can walk behind it while still operating the motor, via its “walk switch.”

Corry and Sargent estimate that the Wunda Weeder could increase farm productivity threefold, and that its projected price of under AU$9,000 (US$7,920) would be made back in under one year.

Via The New Inventors.

View gallery - 8 images
3 comments
3 comments
Max1
This idea was \"stolen\" from immigrant farm workers all over the US, possibly worldwide. I have seen many of these type of conveyances in the lettuce fields near my home in Phoenix, AZ. The Mexicans cannabalize discarded 10-speed bikes for their thin tires, wheels, pedals and chain drive.They build frames out of whatever square or round tubes found thru dumpster diving, like discarded metal fence posts. Their hammocks are usually discarded chain link fence, upon which a mattress or foam pad is placed. For shade, old bedsheets are draped over the top frame, and hung over the sides. When it rains, discarded sheet plastic or large black garbage bags, sliced open vertically, are used to protect from weather. Motive power is supplied by the worker \"pedaling\" with his hands, in between picking actions. Elderly persons who can no longer perform the grueling, repetiitve bending and reaching work are used to push the supine worker also, as are older children. These homemade conveyances can be made really cheaply, since parts are scavenged from discarded items. Its not a high-tech, solar powered device, but it saves you $7000.00.
Anumakonda Jagadeesh
Promotes laziness.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
Samael Maclaren
Hopefully he doesn't run into a chain link fence when he's not looking on that thing.