1. Technology For the Application of Crop Protection Materials
Cover Your Acres Winter Conference
January 22 & 23, 2008
Oberlin, KS
Robert E. Wolf
Associate Professor - Extension Specialist Application Technology, Bio & Ag Engineering, Kansas State University
Biological and Agricultural Engineering

2. August 5, 2008
Airport & Expo Grounds
Great Bend, KS

3. www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/ rewolf@ksu.edu
For more information contact:

6. Concern about droplets!

7. Comparison of Micron Sizes for Various Items: (approximate values)
pencil lead (m)
paper clip (m)
staple (m)
toothbrush bristle (m)
sewing thread (m)
human hair (m)
150 9

8. Improving Coverage?
500 microns = 1
125 microns = 64
250 microns = 8

9. Important Droplet Statistics:
VMD
(50%) or
Vd0.5
Operational Area
VD0.1
(10%)
VD0.9
(90%)

10. RS = (Vd.9 – Vd.1)/VMD Relative Span Vd.9 = 400, VMD = 300, Vd.1 = 100

11. Calibration!!!! The next phase!
Ensuring that the spray droplet spectrum is what it is supposed to be to maximize efficacy while minimizing drift!
A new concept for applicators!

14. Droplet Selection/Calibration:

16. Droplet Spectra Classification*

18. Greenleaf Droplet chart:

20. What is the ‘Real’ difference ?
……Medium droplet at 225 microns
……Coarse droplet at 300 microns
How much heavier? Or is it???
300 = 1.33
225
1.33 bigger
1.333 = 1.33 * 1.33 * 1.33 = 2.35
2.35 * 100 = 235% heavier

21. Concern about droplets!

22. Nozzle Technology…… Nozzles designed to reduce drift
Improved drop size control
Emphasis on ‘Spray Quality’
Beginning with the ‘extended range’ flat fan nozzle (all major manufactures have one), continuing with the design of ‘preorifice inserts’ and ‘turbulation chambers’, and now with the ‘venturi’ style nozzle design, nozzle manufacturer's have worked to develop nozzles that are improving the quality of spray emitted.

24. Nozzles Types? flat spray chamber air induced
Beginning with the ‘extended range’ flat fan nozzle (all major manufactures have one), continuing with the design of ‘preorifice inserts’ and ‘turbulation chambers’, and now with the ‘venturi’ style nozzle design, nozzle manufacturer's have worked to develop nozzles that are improving the quality of spray emitted.

25. Extended Range Flat-fan:
Tapered edge pattern
80 and 110 degree fan
Requires overlap - 50 to 60%
15-60 psi range

26. Chamber - Pre-orifice Nozzles:
Turbulence chamber as in the Turbo Flood
Tapered edge, wide angle flat pattern
Designed to work in flat-fan nozzle holder
Uniform spray distribution, 50-60% overlap
Wide pressure range, 15 – 90 psi
Large, drift resistant droplets
Plastic with superior wear characteristics
Pre-orifice
Exit orifice

27. Air-Induction/Venturi Nozzles
Where air is drawn into the nozzle cavity and exits with the fluid.
Several venturi style nozzles are manufactured and used for the application of crop protection products. Please refer to manufacture recommendations for information on how to use the venturi tips correctly. Also be aware that research is ongoing to learn more about the operating parameters for venturi nozzles.

28. Pre-orifice Air Induction Nozzles:
Mixing Chamber
Exit orifice

30. Ultra Lo Drift: Double inlet preorifice Large drift resistant droplets
Low profile

31. Wind Tunnel Drift Results:
Flat-fans
Venturi's
LSD = 12.7

32. Volume Median Diameter (VMD)
% less than 210 Microns 51 35 23 30 14 15 26 19 22 14 13 22 10 17 29 29 15 37 36 45
40 psi psi psi psi
Bob Klein, U of Nebraska

33. Desired Effect from Additives
VMD
(50%)
VD0.9
(90%)
VD0.1
(10%)

34. Actual Effect from Additives
VMD
(50%)
VD0.9
(90%)
VD0.1
(10%)

35. Next Generation Air Induction Nozzles:
More compact
Larger drops
Operates at lower pressures
Percentage of fines do not increase with pressure
Turbo Injection - TTI

36. Next Generation Air Induction Nozzles:
More consistent droplet
All-in-one cap and screen
Wide angle with 20 degree incline
Aim forward or backword
Guardian

37. New release in 2007: XR outlet with venturi air aspirator design
More compact than AI style
2-piece with removable pre-orifice
AI XR TeeJet

40. VariTarget: Speed variations from 2-20 MPH
Application rates of 5-40 GPA
Variable area pre orifice
Variable area spray orifice
Optimize spray droplet size
Maintain efficacy and minimize drift
This nozzle has been built for the task. Developed at the U of TN, sold to Delevan (Patent Squabble rumored), AgCo selling it. They are pushing on new sprayers. Most buyers have no idea about it. It has also been marketed in aerial applications and some problems are reported. The varialble orifices (flexible rubber parts) may not hold up to acres and acres of use. Some adjustments have been made to the gaskets but…. I have proposed a study with the KS Corn Board and am in the final screening for a go. There are no research trials showing efficacy and durability of this nozzle. Time will tell but is sorely needed. Priced at $65-85 per nozzle.

42. EPA Requested Changes on the label!
Guidance to Chemical Manufacturers
Better information on the label for applicators on mitigating drift.
Match crop protection products to target.
Adopt droplet standard - ASABE S-572
Buffer Zones or No Spray Zones
Maximize Efficacy - Minimize Drift

43. EPA’s New Emphasis with Spray Drift Reduction
Drift Reduction Technology Program - DRT
Encourage the adoption of technology designed to reduce drift
Through use of a testing approach to generate high quality peer-reviewed data.
Spray nozzles – reduce fines
Sprayer modifiers – shields, hoods
Spray delivery assistance – air-assist
Spray property modifiers – formulations, drift control
Landscape modifications – hedges, shelterbelts

44. The Influence of Precision Agriculture
Precision Agriculture and site-specific farming practices have contributed many technologies to agriculture in recent years. Much of the hardware and software is available to take advantage of using site-specific technology to apply crop protections products. Three phases are identified above. Top photo shows a VRT dry applicator applying soil nutrients to a field based on previous soil testing and a prescription map. The middle photo and second major phase shows a grower using a yield monitor to measure crop yields. The lower photo represents the third phase which will involve variable rate application of pesticides. This phase is in the early stages of development.

45. Enabling Technology GPS (Global Positioning System)
Increased computing power in smaller packages

46. Focus: GPS Guidance Systems

47. Parallel Swathing: Light Bar Follow parallel track, A-B line Straight
Curves
Circles
                          
Swath marking in becoming a widely used practice today. GPS is used to position the spray vehicles in the field. The straight-line A-B tracking line will guide the sprayer back and forth through the field in parallel swaths to match the programmed boom width. Light bars aide the driver in the guidance process. The photo in the lower left illustrates the system being used in the aerial application industry. The red lines are when the sprayer is working and the yellow lines show the turning paths. As this presentation was being developed advancements in using the parallel tracking devices to follow curves and work in circles are being perfected.

48. Auto Steering:

49. Automatic Boom Height Control

50. Basis for Spray Height Control
Reduces operator stress
Protect boom from damage
Maintain proper nozzle height
Reduce drift

51. BoomTrac Pro 5 Ultrasonic Sensors (4 Wing sensors with Frame Sensor)

52. Raven – Precision Solutions

53. Automatic Boom Section Control

54. Swath Manager
Automatically switch off individual boom (spray or spreader) sections based on location
Point end-rows

55. Swath Manager
Automatically switch off individual boom (spray or spreader) sections based on location
Curved field borders
Whole-Boom
Control
Individual Section
Control

56. Auto Swath Control

57. Minimize Skips – Applied Areas Minimize Skips – Exterior Boundary
The upper left image is on the Swath Control page (Softkey E) and shows ‘Minimize Skips’ on an exterior boundary.
Notice how the triangles in green show you which boom sections are on.
On previously applied areas, it will automatically Minimize Skips as shown in the lower right area.
If an area has conflicting rules (i.e. boundary set to Minimize Overlap close to a previously applied area), the rule is to stay off (Minimize Overlap wins).

59. Variable Rate/Mapped Applications
Predeveloped application rates dependent on target variables (weed pressures, species, size)

60. On board weather instrumentation:

61. Disclaimer:
Brand names appearing in this presentation are for identification and illustration purposes only.
No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

62. www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/ Thank You rewolf@ksu.edu
For more information contact:
Thank You