Rock Picker From Idaho Startup Summers

Rock Picker From Idaho Startup Summers

Rock picking is one of agriculture’s worst chores, a job that takes hours and costs farm equipment thousands of dollars in damage and loss each year.summers rock picker It’s a problem that isn’t easily solved using current tools, but a new machine could help.

The agtech startup Summers has created a device that attaches to a tractor, loader or skid steer and mechanically snags rocks and puts them in the loader bucket.summers rock picker The company put 12 picker units in farmers’ hands this spring to get feedback, and it is aiming for commercial release this fall. The longer term vision is to develop a fully autonomous, independent piece of machinery that works without a driver, said co-founder and chief executive officer Jessica Lindsley.

Summers’ prototype was developed in partnership with the University of Idaho, which provided engineering students to help design the product.summers rock picker It took about a year to perfect it, and the company is now in a fundraising phase to help bring the product to market. The company has raised $700,000 so far to support manufacturing and testing of the unit.

Lindsley says the Rock Picker can reduce damage caused by rocks to a farm’s crop, saving money and increasing productivity.summers rock picker It also saves time as it goes directly to the area where the rocks are, rather than combing a whole field. “Our goal is to get it into the hands of producers, where they can use it to focus on fewer tasks and more quality work,” she said.

Depending on the field size and rock density, farmers can choose between compact or full-size models. The compact ones can handle up to 400 rocks per hour and are ideal for small farms, while the larger models are designed for medium to large farms with heavy rock infestations. The larger models feature planetary hydraulic direct drive and reinforced batts to handle heavier loads, and they are able to navigate rough terrain more easily.

Lindsley said the Rock Picker is easy to use and can be mounted in less than five minutes. It can be used on any field condition, including no-till or conventionally cultivated fields, and it can be steered to avoid ruts, boulders and other obstacles.