Individual nozzle control hits the right spot
PRECISION agriculture specialist, Ag Leader, has added to its growing range of integrated application solutions with the release of the RightSpot spraying system.
The latest offering in Ag Leader’s portfolio of precision planting, spreading and spraying technology, RightSpot controls up to 144 nozzles individually for more consistent and accurate coverage over a range of operating speeds.
The system, which will be displayed at the Ag Leader site (AS/36) at the AgSmart Expo this coming Thursday and Friday, can be retrofitted to a wide range of self-propelled and trailed sprayers.
Ag Leader Asia Pacific Sales Manager, Doug Amos, says spraying is one of the most demanding jobs in modern farming systems.
“Spraying is extremely time-sensitive and time-intensive,” he says.
“Producers often spend more time spraying than any other job associated with broadacre or row cropping.
“With increasing input costs and tightening environmental regulations, producers need to be looking at ways of increasing the efficacy, accuracy and productivity of their spraying operations.
“Adding nozzle-by-nozzle control to their existing sprayer can deliver immediate agronomic and financial benefits by minimising under- or over-application and the potential for spray drift.”
RightSpot utilises pulse width modulation technology to maintain a consistent, user-defined boom pressure and application rate, regardless of operating speed.
“A traditional sprayer regulates the application rate by increasing or decreasing boom pressure as the ground speed of the sprayer changes,” Doug says.
“This means any reduction in speed, such as when travelling over rough conditions or around obstacles, will produce a larger droplet size, resulting in reduced coverage and efficacy.
“Conversely, any increase in speed will result in a smaller droplet size increasing the risk of chemical drift onto adjacent crops.
“With RightSpot, flow rate and pressure are controlled independently.
“This means the operator can speed up or slow down without sacrificing the droplet size or coverage.
“RightSpot shuts off each nozzle automatically, allowing the operator to follow the most efficient path of travel rather than tracing around obstacles.
“The automatic turn compensation adjusts the application rate on the inner and outer portions of the boom to ensure a consistent rate is applied right across the boom during turning.”
This ‘next generation’ spraying technology can be retrofitted to any make or size of sprayer.
“20 years ago, farmers could only make changes to the operation of the entire boom,” Doug says.
“10 years ago, they could adjust the operation of each section.
“RightSpot allows them to control each individual nozzle.
“We believe this technology will appeal to large-scale farmers or contractors who are looking to improve the efficiency of their existing spray unit without having to purchase a new sprayer.
“RightSpot is the cost-effective way to upgrade a late-model self-propelled or trailed sprayer into a state-of-the-art precision sprayer that would otherwise cost hundreds of thousands of dollars new.”
RightSpot is controlled using Ag Leader’s universal InCommand 1200 terminal, which also controls the company’s steering/guidance systems, precision planting and spreading solutions and decision support systems.
“Like all Ag Leader products, RightSpot is designed to make the grower’s job easier with a simple, easy-to use, year-round interface that enables them to achieve precise application control while increasing productivity,” Doug says.
About Ag Leader: Ag Leader is a pioneer and innovator in the development of technology that helps farmers to plan, plant, apply and harvest crops more efficiently and profitably. Established in 1992, the company produces a range of integrated and easy-to-use guidance, application control and decision support systems used during planting, spreading, spraying and harvesting operations. Based in Ames, Iowa, USA, Ag Leader is a privately-owned and family-operated business that employs more than 280 people worldwide.
More information: Ag Leader Asia Pacific Sales Manager, Doug Amos, 0428 409 885.