The weeding tool is a single 3D printable component magnetically mounts onto FarmBot’s UTM like any other tool. It works by driving the tool vertically into the soil in order to push any small weeds under the soil, and disrupt their young fragile root systems.

Weeding early and often

This tool, and FarmBot in general, is designed for removing weeds early and often such that the weeds are always small, young, and fragile, and therefore easily removed.

What makes this possible is FarmBot’s diligence. FarmBot has 24 hours a day to maintain your garden meticulously. It can be configured to remove weeds every single day that a human would never waste their time with. This prevents weeds from even having a chance at becoming a real problem.

If you configure FarmBot well, you will never even notice weeds in your garden because they will never have a chance to survive beyond germination. Over time, the number of weed seeds in your growing area will approach zero.

Not designed for large, established weeds

Do not expect this tool, or FarmBot in general, to be able to remove large, established weeds. Instead, configure your FarmBot to weed more often so that weeds do not have a chance at becoming large and established.

Design Comparison

With V1.0 hardware we experimented with six different weeding tool designs. They all operate on the same basic principle - push the weeds under the soil and disrupt their root systems. Some of the designs include plastic fins with the intention to grab the soil and lift it up during retraction in order to further disrupt the roots and soil.

The primary problem with most of the designs is that they were too difficult to push through the soil’s surface because the spikes and/or fins provided too much surface area. Even in extremely soft, airy soil, many of these designs did not work as intended - rather they would simply smash the surface of the soil. A secondary problem was that the designs with close together fins became clogged with soil. Third, some of the designs are difficult to print with hobby level FDM 3D printers.

The Four Spike Weeder proved to be the best design because its small surface area allows it to easily push into the soil surface, and the tapered spikes without fins are not conducive to clogging.

Design Pros Cons
Four Spike Weeder Easy to push into the soil surface, not conducive to clogging, easy to print -
Weeder with Many Spikes Easy to print Could not push into the soil surface
Small Weeder with Center Fins - Difficulty pushing into the soil surface, less easy to print
Big Weeder with Center Fins - Could not push into the soil surface, dificult to print
Small Weeder with Fins, no Center - Difficulty pushing into the soil surface, became clogged with soil, less easy to print
Large Weeder with Fins, no Center - Could not push into the soil surface, difficult to print

Four Spike Weeder

Weeder with Many Spikes

Small Weeder with Center Fins

Big Weeder with Center Fins

Small Weeder with Fins, no Center

Large Weeder with Fins, no Center

Assembly Instructions

15 minutes

This is the estimated time it will take to assemble the weeder..

Step 1: Gather the parts and tools

Gather all the weeding tool parts from the table below and lay them out in a logical manner. To complete the assembly, you will also need the following tools:

  • 2mm hex (allen) driver
  • 3mm hex (allen) driver
  • 6mm wrench
  • 8mm wrench
  • Wire strippers
Qty. Component
1 Weeder Base
2 M3 x 16mm Screws
2 M3 Locknuts
3 M5 x 25mm Screws
3 M5 Locknuts
3 15 x 15 x 5mm Ring Magnets
1 18 guage x 5cm Jumper Wire
2 Zipties

Step 2: Install the Magnets

Opposites attract

For the weeder to correctly mount to the UTM, all magnets on the weeder must be attracted to the magnets in the UTM.

To find the correct orientation for a magnet, hold it near the mounting side of the UTM. Flip it around in your hand until you feel it attracting to the UTM’s magnets. This is the correct orientation for mounting to the weeder’s plastic base.

Secure the three ring magnets to the top of the weeder base using three M5 x 25mm screws and M5 locknuts. The screw head should be on the magnet side of the weed suppressor base. Use the 3mm hex driver and 8mm wrench to tighten the components.

Step 3: Install the Electrical Screws

Use the 2mm hex driver and 6mm wrench to attach two M3 x 16mm screws and M3 locknuts into the holes labelled 2 and 3 on the weeder base. The screw heads should be on the same side of the base as the magnets.

Step 4: Add the Jumper Wire

Use wire strippers to remove 1cm of insulation from both ends of the jumper wire.

Attach the jumper wire to the M3 screws using two zipties.

Change Log

  • Designed multiple variants for different soil conditions

Room for Improvement

Nothing to see here!