Route planning for scattered vegetable blocks
When a grower has onions in one block, carrots in another and brassicas on a separate farm, the route matters as much as the machine. Multi Field Routing sets the order of visits so the tractor, operator and support vehicle move through the day with less backtracking and fewer gaps between fields.
We map the blocks, access roads, gate points and loading areas, then shape a field run that fits crop stage and weed pressure. That keeps the work practical for farms around Philippi, Ceres, Grabouw, Tzaneen, Bela-Bela, Nelspruit, Howick and Bethlehem, with longer inter-farm movements handled in the same plan.
- Suitable for separate blocks on one farm or across several farms
- Built around crop stage, field access and travel distance
- Useful where row crops need different pass timing
- Supports seasonal bookings and repeat pass planning
What the routing covers over one day
The routing plan is more than a map with dots on it. It includes arrival order, field readiness checks, operator assignment and the sequence for moving a tractor-drawn laser weeding unit from one block to the next. That matters where one field is ready for a pass and another still needs a day or two of growth for the weed targets to show clearly.
We also account for road distance, turning space, washdown points and where a unit can safely wait if the next block is not ready yet. In wetter coastal parts near Cape Town, mud and soft shoulders can change the route choice, while inland farms may need longer road stretches between blocks.
- Field order based on crop readiness and weed stage
- Arrival site checks for gates, turning and parking space
- Operator supplied for each routed visit
- Travel coordination between farms and blocks
Best fit for row crops and timed passes
Multi Field Routing works best where the same day has several crop blocks at different stages. It is common for row crops such as onions, carrots, lettuce and brassicas, especially when weed growth has moved at different rates after rain, irrigation or cold nights. The laser system depends on weeds being visible enough for camera-guided detection and on the crop having enough clearance for safe targeting between plants.
That is why the routing plan links directly to crop timing plans and trial strip runs. A block with a heavier weed flush may need a slower pass and another field on the route may suit a faster run, depending on how the weed pressure presents on the day.
- Good for row spacing that allows guided travel between plants
- Useful where weed stage differs from block to block
- Helps align repeat passes with crop growth
- Supports herbicide-free weed control programmes
Machine fit, access and field movement details
Routing only works if the practical field details are right. The tractor-drawn laser unit needs sensible access, enough turning room and clear movement between blocks. We look at track width, lane condition, slopes, overhead obstructions and whether the field gate can take the drawbar and tractor without tight shunts.
The system itself uses camera-guided weed detection and lasers aimed at the weed growing point, with no soil disturbance in the crop row. Because the unit is drawn by tractor, the routing plan also considers fuel use, road speed between blocks and where the operator can set up the next pass without losing time on avoidable movements.
- Tractor access and drawbar clearance checked in advance
- Turning space considered at each block entrance
- Road transfer included between nearby or distant farms
- Setup points chosen for safe operator movement
Care, season handling and repeat visit planning
Multi Field Routing works best when the season plan is kept current. As crops grow, the timing for each block shifts and the route needs to move with it. We use post pass reporting and grower consultation to note what was treated, what still needs another pass and which field should move earlier in the next run.
Care is mostly about keeping the schedule honest. Gates, roads and field conditions change after rain, wind or irrigation work, so the route gets adjusted instead of forcing a fixed order. That is how season bookings and multi farm programmes stay manageable across a run of visits.
- Repeat pass planning for blocks that need more than one visit
- Season bookings for staggered crop windows
- Post pass reporting for field records
- Route adjustments after weather or access changes
What to confirm before the route is set
To build a workable routing plan, we need the crop mix, block list, field locations and the order in which the farms want the work done. It helps to know the approximate row spacing, the weed stage, whether the crop is newly established or further along, and if any block has soft ground, narrow entrances or shared access with other farm traffic.
For growers across South Africa, especially in the Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, the more exact the field details, the cleaner the route plan becomes. our contact form on our contact page is the place to send the field list, and the team can shape the visit sequence around the blocks that matter most.
- Farm locations and block names
- Crop type, stage and expected weed pressure
- Access notes for gates, roads and turning areas
- Preferred visit order where more than one field is involved
Key facts
| Service type | Multi Field Routing for contract laser weeding visits |
|---|---|
| Machine setup | Tractor-drawn laser weeding unit with trained operator |
| Typical crop fit | Onions, carrots, lettuce and brassicas |
| Routing inputs | Field list, access notes, crop stage, weed stage |
| Operating areas | Philippi, Ceres, Grabouw, Tzaneen, Bela-Bela, Nelspruit, Howick, Bethlehem |
| Work features | Field Assessments, Travel Coordination, Repeat Pass Planning, Post Pass Reporting |
