Do Rope Wicks and Gravity Feed Systems Work?

Rope wick systems, popular in the 1990s, were initially a stopgap solution for farmers looking to manage weeds without damaging their crops or pastures. These systems were mostly made from rope and PVC pipe, but they had significant drawbacks. While they served their purpose at the time, they were prone to breakages, causing chemical spills, and were inefficient in regulating the chemical flow. The lack of flow control also led to ‘dripping damage,’ where excess chemical leaked out and harmed the pasture.

By the mid-1990s, pump-fed Weedwipers became the new standard. Unlike gravity-fed systems, pump systems allow precise control over the chemical flow, minimizing the risk of over-application and ensuring consistent performance.

Today, major sprayer manufacturers, such as Silvan, Rapid Spray, TTI, and Croplands, no longer recommend rope wick wipers. Instead, they endorse more advanced systems like the Redback Weedwiper, a product that represents the evolution of effective weed control.

The Evolution of Weedwipers

Weedwipers have come a long way since the 1990s. The introduction of pump-fed systems in the early 2000s marked a major turning point, making gravity-fed systems obsolete. These pump systems not only provide a reliable chemical flow but also allow you to stop the chemical output when needed—something that gravity-fed systems couldn’t offer.

Innovation in Weedwipers has been a game-changer, with technology playing a critical role in improving both the design and efficiency of these systems. While the basic concept of a Weedwiper may seem simple, creating one that works effectively requires a deep understanding of plumbing, welding, and sprayer mechanics. It’s no surprise that many farmers have struggled to build their own systems.

High-performance Weedwipers, like the Redback Weedwiper, are built on years of research and development, combining the expertise of sprayer specialists, engineers, and the agricultural community. Released in 2015, the Redback Weedwiper became a market leader due to its:

  • Versatility: Effective on both flat and hilly terrain, thanks to a pressurized system and pivoting wings with wheels to follow the land’s contours.
  • Efficiency: Capable of covering ground at 10 km/h with an 80%+ kill rate for weeds.
  • Durability: Designed for long-term use, with a hot-dip galvanized finish that resists corrosion in harsh, chemical-laden environments.
  • Targeting: Ideal for soft and hard stem/woody weeds.
  • Reliability: A dependable, easy-to-use system.

Should You Choose a Bucket Mounted Weedwiper?

While bucket-mounted Weedwipers may seem like a cost-effective option, they are not the best choice for long-term success. The main issue with mounting a Weedwiper on a bucket is that the bucket doesn’t provide adequate protection for the wicks, which are vulnerable to impacts. Additionally, the bucket’s lip can obscure visibility, making it harder to target weeds accurately.

Another problem is that there’s no flexibility in a loader-mounted bucket. Without the ability to “float,” you risk damaging the Weedwiper if it hits the ground too hard. For these reasons, we recommend removing the bucket or forks and mounting your Weedwiper on the front-end loader mounts, where it can be properly supported while still allowing for the convenience of a loader-mounted unit.

Should You Choose a Loader Mounted Weedwiper?

Loader-mounted Weedwipers have gained popularity among farmers and landowners who need a more efficient way to tackle bush regrowth and weed control in challenging environments. These systems are particularly useful for rocky outcrops, virgin land, and areas with stumps or timber, where a traditional trailing Weedwiper may struggle.

The Redback Weedwiper system can be easily adapted to a front-end loader mount, offering the flexibility to cover difficult terrain. This is an especially valuable option for farmers who already own a trailing Redback Weedwiper but need to target weeds in more rugged conditions.

Why Choose the Redback Weedwiper?

The Redback Weedwiper is the clear leader in the market due to its combination of advanced technology, robust design, and versatility. Its pump-feed system ensures consistent and controlled chemical application, while its durable construction withstands the rigors of farm life. The Redback Weedwiper excels in both flat and hilly terrain and can be mounted to a front-end loader for maximum efficiency.

If you’re serious about weed control, a Redback Weedwiper is your best bet for reliable and effective results.

Do rope wicks and gravity feed systems work? 

In the 1990’s some experienced farmers made the rope wick’s and PVC pipe wipers work – and for their time, rope wicks were considered somewhat effective due to people being in desperation to get on top of their weeds without harming their pasture of crop and due to the fact that there was nothing else available until around 1995.   Rope and PVC pipe system were prone to breakages (and therefore large chemical spills) and were also very inefficient and frustrating to use, with not being able to regulate the flow of chemical on the go, which is why they are not made by any leading brands anymore. 

Pump feed systems are now considered a essential requirement of a Weedwiper, not just to push out enough chemical when required, but also too be able stop the flow. Stopping the flow on a wiper is critical otherwise chemical will continue to leach out of the wick system and cause dead brown spots though out your pasture comply known as ‘dripping damage’.

Sprayer companies like Silvan have now stopped supplying rope wick wipers – and other leading sprayer manufacturers like Rapid Spray , TTI , Croplands now recommend the Redback Weedwipers to their customers. 

Weedwipers have evolved tremendously – what to look out for in a Weedwiper. 

When choosing the right Weedwiper for your land, it’s essential to understand the evolution of Weedwiper technology and how different mounting options affect performance and efficiency. Here, we compare rope wicks, bucket-mounted systems, and loader-mounted Weedwipers to help you make an informed decision.

However there is much more to it than simply being a pump fed system!

Innovation has played a huge part in weed control, this couldn’t be more true when it comes down to Weedwipers.

A very simple concept on first impression,  but the more you look into them the more you see they are quite a science. Hundreds and hundreds of innovative, practical  farmers have tried to make their own, only to come to it that they are extremely difficult to get them right!  You need a degree + 30 years experience in plumbing, welding and fixing sprayers as well as sell half of the farm (not quite), but it is expensive to build a one-off Weedwiper. 

High performance Weedwipers are a science.  Built on a deep knowledge pool of experienced sprayer specialists, paired with a talented team of farm machinery engineers and years of R&D…  We had, what we now know as the Redback Weedwiper, readily available in 2015. 

Exploiting a gap in the market for something that was able to be;

  • Used successfully on hills and on the flat, thanks to a pressurized system and wheels on the end of pivoting wings to follow the contours.
  • Feed chemical to where it was required/ the driest part of the wick system
  • Efficient = able to cover the ground at 10km/hr and kill weeds at 80% + kill rate
  • Easy to use and reliable.
  • Used to target both soft and hard stem/ woody weeds.
  • Used for many years – it is a corrosive environment.  Paint or powder coat doesn’t last long with exposure to concentrated chemical – therefore hot dip galvanized is a must.

These are some of the factors why the Redback Weedwiper system is the market leader today. Backed up by generations of farm machinery expertise and a farming background. 

Should you go for a Bucket mounted Weedwiper?

No – Mounting your Weedwiper on a bucket is unfortunately not setting yourself up for success.  

A good Weedwiper system will protect the wicks with a frame (to bear the brunt of the impact) and therefore too much weight and leverage for the lip of a bucket – also  the bucket minimizes the visibility of the weed wiping.

With a front end loader mounting, you must protect the wicks and there is no give or float in a loader, therefore easy to hit it into the ground and break the wiper.  So if going this way, do yourself a favor and get a robust Weedwiper design.

We recommend taking off your bucket or forks and mounting your Weedwiper on your front end loader mounts so you still have the convenience of a loader mounted unit. 

Should you go for a Loader mounted Weedwiper?

Front end loader mounted Weedwipers are becoming increasingly common with farmers and land owners requesting a more efficient method of getting on top of bush regrowth.

Front end loader mounted bracket system is also well received by those who already own the trailing Redback Weedwiper especially when they want to target weeds in rocky outcrops, virgin country or ex-forestry land where there may be timber or stumps in the ground.

As seen below – the Redback trailing Weedwiper range can be adapted with Redback Agriculture retro fit 3 point linkage or front end loader mount systems. 

It is important we get you set up correctly, so enquire to speak with a Weedwiper specialist on this Weedwiper page.