Sprayers are getting cleaner and easier
Closed transfer systems and cyclone nozzles were just a few of the spraying machinery highlights on show at Agritechnica this year. Emily Padfield reports
Spraying can be a messy business. No sooner have you emptied one container and triple-rinsed it, then you’re on to the next. Not to mention cleaning your gloves and protective clothing.
Closed transfer systems that allow operators to connect spray containers to tanks using a locked transfer system have been the norm in Germany for more than a decade. But in the UK, there is no network for returning these specialist containers.
Now, there are several neat ways that adapt regular spray containers so they can be transferred to the induction hopper seamlessly.
Wisdom Systems
Wisdom Systems’ Ezi-Connect allows the safe transfer of chemical directly to the sprayer, with screw caps that can be fitted to all BASF standard containers of 1-litre, 5-litre and 10-litres.
An adapter is fitted to the sprayer to enable containers to be connected straight to the induction hopper and the amount dispensed into the hopper can be measured via a flow meter or directly from the canister.
The Ezi-connect coupler transfers chemical via two probes, which interlock into the container lid.
As the container probes withdraw they automatically seal and replace the plugs back in position for the safe transfer of even part loads.
The large tube is connected to the vacuum tube and the small tube into the rinsing circuit of the sprayer, so the container can be cleaned after emptying.
Smartfill
BASF’s existing Ecomatic closed-transfer system, which connects specific closed transfer containers to sprayers, has been on the market for more than 15 years and is used by more than 5,000 farmers in Germany, says the company.
Now, there’s a new system called SmartFill, which weighs the product and transfers the exact dose to the sprayer.
There’s no need to calibrate the system, just select the product on the terminal and this selects the right density.
The system is used on Amazone’s SmartFill option, explains Simon Brown.
A sealed, contactless filling system now works with an electronic screen to allow operators to enter the spraying information in order to measure out chemical.
Agrotop launches easyFlow
Meanwhile, German firm Agrotop has been working with Bayer to develop a similar standard container-adapter system called EasyFlow.
The EasyFlow system can be modified to fit any sprayer tank or induction hopper, says the company.
A tank adapter is fitted to the sprayer, which involves cutting a hole in the tank or hopper and fitting the small, sealed unit to the top.
Then a canister adapter is screwed on to the regular chemical container and the operator can then connect the two together.
The foil seal, which is found on so many products, is not cut until just before the chemical is transferred. Even then, it’s only 80% cut, so it remains on the canister and gets thoroughly cleaned.
A bow-shaped metal grip allows infinitely variable regulation of the filling speed, so even the tiniest amount of chemical can be got into the tank.
After filling is complete, all contact surfaces can be cleaned within the adapter, regardless of whether the spray canister is partially full or empty.
The canister can also be cleaned completely by redirecting the flow into the container itself.
Cleaning now takes 15 to 25 seconds and there is no need to triple rinse containers. Added to that, there’s no contact with spray for the operator, says the company.
Super lightweight booms
Argentinean manufacturer PLA introduced carbon-fibre spray booms on its range of sprayers two years ago. Despite a 20% price premium, there were quite a few customers who wanted a lighter boom.
Booms up to 36m are available and the company says it will have 40m and 46m working widths soon. The bad news is that the company only sells to Eastern Europe, the US, South America and South Africa.
However, German sprayer specialist Altek has produced the first European-made carbon fibre spray boom. The 8m length of boom shown at Agritechnica weighs just 80kg and the company expects a 40m boom to weigh 400kg. That’s about 1t lighter than a conventional aluminium boom. However, it will be about 30% more expensive.
Mixing in the nozzle a possibility?
Research scientists specialising in developing new technology for use in everything from pharmaceuticals to aeronautical engineering, have developed what they
believe to be an efficient system that can mix spray liquids with water in a spray nozzle.
“The Vortik system allows different liquids to be mixed at the point of spray without altering the desired spray characteristics,” explains associate technology director Simon Smith. “Conventional systems use either high
pressure or high air flow to create a spray.
“This new fluid handling technology combines low pressure air and liquid in a specially-shaped cyclone chamber. The shear between swirling air and liquid creates the desired droplet size for spraying.”
The benefits of the system include the ability to change mix ratios on demand as well as altering spray particle size and delivery rate in real time by altering pressures.
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