Performance Evaluation of a Boomless Oscillating Field Sprayer at Different Spraying Pressures and Oscillating Rates

Abstract

The efficiency expected from any pesticide depends largely on the type of plant protection machine used in spraying and the operating parameters of the selected machine. Today, sprayers with different spraying wing width are widely used in field spraying. Especially with field sprayers with large working widths, it is difficult to work at high spraying speeds due to the wing width and wing weight. In this study, wingless field sprayer effectiveness was evaluated. Occasionally for spraying instead of sprayers with standard type field spraying booms, the field sprayers with commercial name Electropar, which are operated with high pressure and with oscillating nozzles are used. Since the sprayer has no wings, it can spray at high tractor speeds. optimum working width of this sprayer, pestisit distribution uniformity on a horizontal surface, etc. Its parameters are unknown. In this study, the optimum working width provided by the sprayer at different operating pressures and nozzle oscillation rates, and volumetric fluid distribution throughout the working width and optimum working parameters were determined. The three different working pressures (1, 2 and 3 MPa) and the transverse volumetric fluid distribution of the three jet nozzle units moving in opposite directions relative to each other on a horizontal ground at two oscillations (44 and 60 rpm) were determined by a portable patternator. Operation of the high-pressure cone jet nozzle unit at 1 MPa pressure and 60 rpm oscillating speeds provided a more uniform transverse distribution than other operating parameters. The increase in operating pressure caused an increase in the volume of fluid accumulated in the patternator's grooves at the same working height and sampling distance. The optimum working width, depending on the operating conditions specified by the boomless sprayer, varied between 11.20 and 12.80 m depending on the spray unit oscillating speed and spray pressure.