WaterGator | Remote Controlled Aquatic Harvester
- Availability:
- Optional Sickle Bar Available. ($1,999.00)
Description
Cut, Skim, Collect, and Offload Aquatic Vegetation From Shore
The WaterGator is a remote-controlled aquatic weed harvester built for larger ponds, lakeshores, channels, lake associations, property managers, and commercial harvesting work.
Instead of operating a traditional ride-on harvester from the machine, one person controls the WaterGator remotely while watching the harvesting area through an onboard camera and operator viewing screen.
The front conveyor gathers floating weeds, algae mats, duckweed, weed fragments, and other floating debris. Add the sickle cutter configuration to cut submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation before collecting it into the large storage bunk.
Built for Higher-Volume Lake and Pond Weed Removal
See What the WaterGator Sees
The onboard harvesting camera sends a close-range view of the working area to the operator viewing screen. This gives the operator a better view of weed lines, conveyor loading, shoreline edges, and the direction of travel when the machine is farther from shore.
Remote operation reaches up to 1,000 feet under suitable sightline conditions, allowing the operator to manage aquatic vegetation without riding on the machine.
Variable-speed paddle-wheel steering allows the machine to move and turn while working around weed beds, channels, shoreline areas, and open sections of water.
Cut
With the cutter configuration, WaterGator cuts submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation down to approximately 4 feet.
Skim
The intake conveyor gathers floating weed fragments, algae mats, duckweed, and other floating material from the water surface.
Collect
Harvested material travels into the clear-sided storage bunk where the operator can monitor the load.
Offload
The built-in conveyor system moves collected vegetation from the bunk for shoreline offloading.
Need Help Deciding if WaterGator Fits Your Property?
Talk with the Weeders Digest team about your weed type, water depth, harvesting area, launch access, transport requirements, and attachment needs.
Contact Weeders DigestFeatures
WaterGator Key Features
Remote-Controlled Operation
Operate the machine from shore with a wireless remote and operator viewing screen.
Mounted Harvesting Camera
The onboard camera provides a close-up view of the front harvesting area while the machine works away from the operator.
3-in-1 Function
Designed to cut, skim, and collect aquatic vegetation and floating material in one harvesting platform.
Large Storage Bunk
Holds up to approximately 1,200 pounds of harvested material before offloading.
Clear Bunk Panels
Clear plexiglass sides make it easier to monitor the harvested load during operation.
Dual Lithium Battery System
Dual 24V lithium batteries provide more than eight hours of operating time under suitable conditions.
Four Paddle Wheels
Four paddle wheels, two per side, provide propulsion, torque, and variable-speed steering.
Shallow-Water Launching
The WaterGator floats in approximately four inches of water for easier launching, shoreline offloading, and retrieval.
Marine Construction
Marine-grade aluminum and stainless-steel components are used throughout the machine.
Automatic Offloading
The storage conveyor reverses to transfer harvested material out of the bunk at the shoreline.
Auto-Leveling Cutter Protection
The cutter system includes an auto-leveling feature designed to help prevent the sickle cutter from contacting the lake or pond bottom.
One-Person Operation
Remote control, live camera visibility, harvesting, and offloading are designed around a single operator.
How It Works
How the WaterGator Harvesting System Works
- Launch the WaterGator.
The machine floats in shallow water, allowing launch from suitable shoreline and trailer locations. - Control it from shore.
Drive and steer using the remote control while monitoring the harvesting camera on the viewing screen. - Skim or cut vegetation.
Use the front conveyor for surface material. Configure the machine with the sickle cutter when submerged vegetation needs to be cut. - Collect the material.
The intake conveyor moves vegetation into the onboard storage bunk. - Monitor the load.
Clear bunk panels make it easier to see how much vegetation has accumulated. - Return to shore and offload.
Reverse the storage conveyor to transfer harvested material out of the machine.
Specifications
WaterGator Specifications
| Primary Function | Remote-controlled cutting, skimming, collection, and offloading |
|---|---|
| Storage Bunk Capacity | Up to approximately 1,200 lbs |
| Standard Length | Approximately 13' |
| Length With Cutter Configuration | Approximately 17' |
| Overall Width | Approximately 7' 9" |
| Overall Height | Approximately 4' |
| Machine Weight | Approximately 900 lbs without attachments |
| Harvesting Width | Approximately 42" |
| Maximum Cutting Depth | Approximately 4' with cutter configuration |
| Minimum Operating Depth | Floats in approximately 4" of water |
| Battery System | Dual 24V lithium batteries |
| Runtime | 8+ hours on a single charge under suitable operating conditions |
| Battery Charger | 25-amp charger |
| Approximate Charge Time | 8 hours |
| Remote Range | Up to 1,000+ feet under suitable sightline conditions |
| Propulsion | Four paddle wheels |
| Steering | Variable-speed paddle-wheel steering |
| Camera | Harvester-mounted camera with operator viewing screen |
| Construction | Marine-grade aluminum and stainless-steel components |
| Operator Requirement | Designed for one-person operation |
Included & Attachments
WaterGator Equipment and Attachments
The WaterGator uses a modular setup so the machine can be configured for floating vegetation, submerged weeds, thick mats, shoreline growth, and surface debris.
Standard Equipment
- Wireless Remote Control Controls propulsion, steering, harvesting, and machine functions from shore.
- Operator Viewing Screen Displays the live image from the harvester-mounted camera.
- Battery Charger Current specifications list a 25-amp charger with an approximately 8-hour charge time.
Available Harvesting Configurations
Sickle Cutter
Used for submerged and emergent aquatic weeds. The cutter configuration reaches approximately 4 feet below the water surface.
Side Sickles
Designed for dense floating weed mats, shoreline vegetation, channels, and areas where additional side cutting helps manage thick growth.
Skimmer Booms
Expand the surface-skimming area for floating weeds, algae mats, duckweed, weed fragments, and floating debris.
Net Extensions
Help increase containment of harvested material within the storage area and reduce material loss during collection.
What It Harvests
What Types of Aquatic Vegetation Does WaterGator Handle?
WaterGator is designed for both surface collection and submerged aquatic weed harvesting. The attachment configuration determines how the machine handles each type of material.
Floating Weed Fragments
The intake conveyor collects loose vegetation floating on the water surface.
Duckweed
Surface-skimming configurations help collect floating duckweed and similar small floating vegetation.
Floating Algae Mats
Skimming equipment collects floating algae mats and other surface material.
Milfoil
The cutter configuration is designed to cut and collect dense submerged aquatic vegetation such as milfoil.
Eel Grass
Submerged weed growth can be cut and transferred into the storage bunk.
Lily Pads
The cutter and conveyor system can manage emergent vegetation including lily pads.
Pencil Reeds
Cutter configurations help manage emergent shoreline vegetation such as pencil reeds.
Floating Debris
The conveyor can also collect suitable floating organic debris while skimming.
WaterGator vs WaterBug
WaterGator vs WaterBug Aquatic Harvester
Both machines provide remote-controlled aquatic vegetation harvesting. WaterGator is the larger-capacity platform for bigger properties and heavier harvesting work, while WaterBug is the more compact option.
| Specification | WaterGator | WaterBug |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | Approx. 1,200 lbs | Approx. 600 lbs |
| Machine Weight | Approx. 900 lbs without attachments | Approx. 375 lbs |
| Harvesting Width | Approx. 42" | Approx. 34.5" |
| Maximum Cutting Depth | Approx. 4' | Approx. 28" |
| Runtime | 8+ hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Remote Sightline Range | Up to 1,000+ ft | Up to 1,000 ft |
| Best Fit | Larger ponds, lake shores, channels, lake associations, property managers, and higher-volume harvesting | Smaller ponds, lakefront properties, golf courses, and lighter-duty harvesting needs |
Transport & Shipping
WaterGator Transport, Launching, and Storage
WaterGator is a full-size harvesting machine. Plan transport, launch access, storage, towing capacity, and shoreline offloading before delivery.
Machine Width
WaterGator is approximately 7' 9" wide in its standard machine configuration.
Machine Length
Approximately 13' standard and up to approximately 17' depending on attachment configuration.
Machine Weight
The current product page lists approximately 900 lbs without attachments.
Shallow Launching
The machine floats in approximately four inches of water, reducing the depth required at a suitable launch location.
Storage
Plan a secure storage location with enough room for the machine, remote equipment, charger, attachments, and transport trailer. Clean heavy vegetation and debris from the machine before extended storage and recharge the batteries according to the supplied battery instructions.
Maintenance
WaterGator Maintenance
Routine inspection helps keep the conveyor, propulsion system, camera, batteries, cutter components, and remote-control equipment ready for the next harvesting session.
After Harvesting
- Remove aquatic vegetation wrapped around moving components.
- Clean heavy plant buildup from the intake and storage conveyors.
- Inspect paddle wheels for weeds, rope, fishing line, and other debris.
- Rinse accumulated mud, plant material, and residue when needed.
- Inspect cutter components after operating in dense or unknown vegetation.
Battery and Electrical System
- Check battery charge before operation.
- Recharge the lithium battery system after use according to the supplied instructions.
- Inspect charging cables and electrical connections periodically.
- Keep the charger and remote equipment protected during storage.
Camera and Remote
- Confirm the harvesting camera produces a clear image before launching.
- Check the operator viewing screen before moving away from shore.
- Inspect the antenna and remote-control equipment for damage.
Hull and Propulsion
- Inspect floats and structural components before operation.
- Check paddle wheels and drive components for damage or obstruction.
- Inspect fasteners, brackets, conveyors, and attachment mounting points periodically.
FAQs
WaterGator FAQs
What exactly does the WaterGator do?
WaterGator is a remote-controlled aquatic weed harvester designed to cut, skim, collect, transport, and offload aquatic vegetation and suitable floating material from lakes, ponds, channels, and shoreline areas.
What are the key physical specifications?
The WaterGator has approximately a 42-inch harvesting width, a 1,200-pound storage-bunk capacity, an overall width of about 7 feet 9 inches, and a standard length of approximately 13 feet. Current product information lists the machine at approximately 900 pounds without attachments.
How is the WaterGator powered?
It uses dual 24V lithium batteries. Current specifications list more than eight hours of operating time on a charge under suitable conditions.
How long does the battery take to charge?
Current specifications list a 25-amp charger with an approximate eight-hour charge time.
What is the remote-control range?
The current WaterGator specification is up to 1,000+ feet under suitable sightline conditions.
Does the WaterGator have a camera?
Yes. A harvesting camera is mounted on the machine and sends a live image to the operator viewing screen. This helps the operator see the work area when the machine is farther from shore.
How much vegetation can the WaterGator carry?
The onboard storage bunk is rated for up to approximately 1,200 pounds of harvested material.
How deep does the WaterGator cut?
With the cutter configuration, current product specifications list a maximum cutting depth of approximately 4 feet.
How shallow can the WaterGator operate?
The machine floats in approximately four inches of water, which helps with launching, shoreline operation, offloading, and retrieval.
What types of water bodies is it designed for?
WaterGator is designed for ponds, lake shores, channels, and other small-to-medium and medium-size harvesting areas where higher collection capacity is useful.
Does WaterGator cut or pull aquatic weeds?
The cutter configuration cuts vegetation. The conveyor then collects and transfers the cut or floating material into the storage bunk. WaterGator is not a root-pulling harvester.
Can it collect algae and duckweed?
Yes. The surface-skimming conveyor and available skimming configurations are designed to collect floating algae mats, duckweed, weed fragments, and other suitable floating material.
How does WaterGator differ from a manual rake or weed cutter?
Manual tools require the operator to physically throw, pull, rake, or cut vegetation. WaterGator moves through the water under remote control and transfers harvested material into an onboard storage bunk for offloading.
What does the auto-leveling cutter system do?
The auto-leveling feature is designed to prevent the sickle cutter from dropping into the lake or pond bottom, helping protect the cutting system.
Can one person operate the WaterGator?
Yes. WaterGator is designed around one-person remote operation, including steering, harvesting, camera monitoring, and shoreline offloading.
Is WaterGator better suited to homeowners or commercial users?
It serves both, but its size and 1,200-pound collection capacity make it especially relevant for larger lakefront properties, lake associations, property managers, municipalities, and commercial harvesting operations.
What should I consider before buying?
Review your weed type, water depth, submerged obstructions, harvesting area, shoreline offloading location, launch access, towing capacity, storage space, attachment requirements, and transport route.
What maintenance does the WaterGator require?
Check battery status, charge the batteries, inspect the hull and floats, remove vegetation from conveyors and paddle wheels, inspect cutter components, and confirm the camera, remote, and viewing screen function before operation.
How does harvesting help beyond cutting weeds?
The WaterGator collects harvested vegetation and moves it out of the water instead of leaving the cut material floating in the lake or pond. This helps clear swimming areas, channels, shorelines, and navigation paths while making the removed biomass available for disposal on shore.
Does the WaterGator include a warranty?
Current Weeders Digest WaterGator information lists a one-year warranty. Contact Weeders Digest for complete current warranty terms and coverage.
Videos
WaterGator Videos
Harvesting Curly-Leaf Pond Weeds With the WaterGator | Gen 2
WaterGator | Remote Controlled Aquatic Weed Harvester
Videos
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Harvesting Curly-Leaf Pond Weeds with the WaterGator Remote-Controlled Aquatic Harvester | Gen 2
The WaterGator is one of the best pondweed and lakeweed harves...
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WaterGator | Remote Controlled Aquatic Weed Harvester Cutter, Skimmer, Collector
LEARN MORE & GET PRCING AT https://lakeweedharvester.com?utm_s...
Key Features
- Fully robotic and touchless system
- Remote controlled – 1,000ft + range
- Mounted camera & operator viewing screen
- 3-in-1 cutter, skimmer, and collector
- Generous cutting and skimming width of 42 inches
- Bunk storage capacity of 1,200 lbs
- Easy and efficient harvest offloading
- 8-plus hours of run time on a single charge
- Floats in as little as 4 inches of water for easy launch, offloading, and trailering
- Clear plexiglass storage bunk providing an easy view of the harvested load
- Includes set of two net extensions
- Includes battery charger
- Marine grade aluminum & stainless-steel components
- Optional sickle cutter attachment with a cutting range reaching 3-1/2 feet deep
- One person operation
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