Basic research into different parameters influencing the quality of vertical distribution by crop sprayers
In practice, optimum adjustment of sprayers requires knowledge of the interaction between a whole series of different parameters influencing application success. In the basic research reported here, the technical parameters pressure, distance to target surface, nozzle-to-nozzle distance, nozzle design and blower-boosted application versus application without air blower are tested for their influence on vertical distribution. Used for this purpose was a multifactorial measurement program with a vertical distribution test stand. This set-up allowed all five parameters to be varied. The distributions thus achieved were subsequently assessed through coefficients of variation. In conclusion, the extent to which variations of a single parameter influenced the distribution was analysed. The results show that all observed parameters influence vertical distribution, although the extent of influence differs. The high standard deviation at times observed in the results suggests that the applied parameters also influenced one another. However, these influences are not quantified in this study. The result of the qualitative analysis is that type of spray nozzle has the greatest influence while other important influences on spray distribution are distance to target surface and nozzle-to-nozzle spacing. Lesser influence comes from spray application pressure and blower-boosted application: the latter probably due to the type of blower fan (tangential blower) used in the investigation.