Weed Wrench

The gadget shown below is called a "weed wrench" and it's an American tool for removing saplings. When you pull back on the handle the jaws close, then the tool rotates on the bottom bar and pulls the sapling out.
I have some trees planted by the previous owners that have sprouted huge numbers of thick, woody suckers which I want to remove. I've tried the grubbing mattock, the fork, the 3-foot crowbar - but nothing really works. One of these would be really useful - but I can't get hold of one. :(

Does anyone know of a similar product available anywhere?

 

I've looked everywhere I can think of...even phoned a mate with a G-Centre and another who works for the Forestry C. but no luck this side of the Atlantic :confused: It's a useful looking tool though
I've just dropped the USA suppliers for info...will let you know.

[ 24. March 2007, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Paladin ]

 

Thanks, Paladin - you've had about the same experience as me! I've emailed to ask if they sell in Europe, but no reply so far. They're patented in the States, but maybe not worldwide, so they don't want to give their idea away. Pricey, though. No expensive components, yet the biggest one, just five feet long, is $189 - well over sixty quid - plus another �£25 carriage even in the USA! :(

I'd make one, but heavy gauge tubing's hard to get here, and my little 130A MIG would baulk at it anyway, I reckon!!

 

It would be interesting to get hold of one and have a go at making one up. Your welder would be fine,MIG creates good clean welds and the design looks to keep stress joints at a low leverage position from what I can see.I reckon they have used solid steel bars as well.

 

Agreed - I'd like to have a go - my doubts about the MIG were simply whether it would have the power to heat up a thickish steel section to a high enough temperature, especially the square guide the outer jaw runs backwards and forwards in. That certainly looks like solid bar. I've tried pre-heating thick stuff with a plumber's gas blowtorch, but it often tends to blow the shield gas away from the weld. Maybe make a few scale drawings and then see...!!

 

No reply to my mail, so I gave them another shout... and got a reply this time! Seems they will ship to Europe - but the owner (who used to make and ship them himself) is about to farm the production out to a fabrication company when he can find one as he can't keep up with demand, so there will be a short break in production soon. :(

He says he may decide to find a European agent when he's got the production side sorted. I reckon one or two friends with garden centres may want to stock them - if the price is fair. The current rices seem a bit high, but bulk manufacture may cut them. We'll see! Will keep you posted!!