High efficiency of crop protection can be achieved through the use of technically advanced sprayers equipped with innovative systems for monitoring all parameters of the machine. It is important to use not only high-quality products, but also to choose the right sprayers.
In 2019, KUHN introduced the new AUTOSPRAY differential fertilization system with droplet size adjustment, a large working range and corner compensation for high-precision application.
For precise spraying, two factors must be ensured: the correct spray rate and the right droplet size. The latter is an advantage of the AUTOSPRAY system, which controls the droplet size despite changes in speed and weather conditions.
Each product has its own droplet size to maximize its effectiveness. Optimal conditions for spraying are temperatures up to 25°C, wind speed of 3 m/s for slot sprayers, up to 5 m/s for injector sprayers with humidity of 60%.
«Of course, ideal conditions and practice are different things. That is why the main advantage of the AUTOSPRAY system is the control and regulation of the droplet size during spraying regardless of the conditions,» says Dmitry Dovzhenko, Commercial Manager of KUHN-Ukraine.
Each nozzle in the system has a different droplet size that meets ISO standards.
«If the humidity is insufficient, the fine droplet starts to evaporate: it is light and difficult for it to make its way to the target surface. The evaporation rate of a small droplet can be 3-3.5 seconds. We should also not forget about the aerosol effect: during the day, the temperature reaches above 30°C, the layer above the ground heats up, and if the droplet is very small, it just hangs and the wind blows it away,» adds the commercial manager of KUHN-Ukraine.
Medium and large droplets are optimal in terms of wear, evaporation and coverage. The special nozzles of the AUTOSPRAY system help the product to become smaller and more firmly attached to the leaves when it hits the target surface.
Real-world tests show that the trailed sprayer METRIS 4102 At a speed of 10 km/h, an operating pressure of 3 bar ensures the required droplet size. If the tractor is driven faster, fewer droplets will reach the target surface.
The AUTOSPRAY system is designed to ensure that farmers always get the same droplet size as in the case of 3 bar at 10 km/h. «The system guarantees that the droplet will hit the target surface regardless of weather conditions, and you will not waste money on ineffective products,» says Dovzhenko.
Intelligent nozzle holders decouple the spray pressure from the flow rate in the nozzle. This is achieved by dividing the flow into 20 micro-pulses and changing the start time of each pulse. Precise spraying is ensured by continuous electrical circulation, including the gradual shutdown of nozzles via GPS.
AUTOSPRAY can vary the spray rate according to the task map without changing the droplet size. With one nozzle, the system can achieve the same speed range as with 4 or 5 nozzles with conventional spraying.
A unique feature of AUTOSPRAY is the compensation for cornering. The main advantage of this new feature is the precise application of the product over the entire field area, including corners. With standard sprayers, the application rate around corners differs along the entire length of the boom.
AUTOSPRAY is controlled by the ISOBUS app, which allows you to select the droplet size, the application rate per hectare and the operating mode, and then the system does everything automatically.
