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Development and Testing of a Versatile Fluid Fertilizer Applicator
Author(s) -
Haby V. A.,
Davis J. V.,
Smith K. L.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1988.00021962008000020028x
Subject(s) - nozzle , tractor , fertilizer , body orifice , compressed air , environmental science , suspension (topology) , marine engineering , mechanical engineering , engineering , mathematics , agronomy , biology , homotopy , pure mathematics
An applicator was needed for evaluation of fluid fertilizers including spray broadcasting and dribble banding clear liquids and suspensions at selected band spacings, rates, and methods of application. The number of treatment combinations and rates required a system that could be quickly purged, washed, and reset for the next treatment. A three‐point hitch, tractor‐mounted applicator was designed and constructed by the authors to dispense fluid fertilizers from pressurized containers. A regulated air supply was provided by a tractor‐powered compressor. Specific fertilizer rates were regulated by tractor speed, air pressure, changing 3‐m‐long booms that differed in orifice plate spacings and sizes, and by changing nozzle sizes on a spray boom. A second application system on the unit consisted of individual quick‐coupling nozzles that injected pressurized fluids into a flow divider. Gravity moved the fluids from the flow divider to back‐swept knives mounted behind the coulters. Additional features of the applicator included systems to sparge suspension fertilizers, solubilize and mix fluids, spray wash, and apply foliar fertilizers and pesticides.