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Periodic inspection of air‐assisted sprayers 1
Author(s) -
KOCH H.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
eppo bulletin
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.327
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1365-2338
pISSN - 0250-8052
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2338.1996.tb01531.x
Subject(s) - sprayer , nozzle , environmental science , agricultural engineering , automotive engineering , computer science , mechanical engineering , engineering
Periodic inspections of air‐assisted sprayers have been carried out i n Germany since 1984. The inspection follows BBA Guideline no. 44 and includes measurement of pump function and single nozzle output. a check o n pressure gauge operation and other visual checks. Similar systems have been implemented or are under consideration in other countries. There is discussion throughout Europe on the inclusion of a vertical patternator into the inspection procedure, to measure and optimize the vertical liquid distribution pattern with respect to an individual application situation. The original idea of the sprayer inspection was to improve the equipment and to save repair time during the spraying season. Environmental aspects were stressed later. The introduction of the mandatory periodic inspection of field sprayers in Germany was justified by the aim of avoiding chemical pollution due to deficient spraying equipment. A 4‐year test programme with air‐assisted sprayers in Germany has now proved that vertical patternators are not appropriate for specific adjustment of sprayer to particular crop situations. It is concluded that this equipment should not be a generally required test stand for periodic sprayer inspections.