Research project NM/A/13 (Research action NM)
CONTEXT
Undesired boom vibrations, as rolling and yawing, create local under- and overdoses of spray liquid, respectively resulting in spots where the desired effect is not obtained and spots where excessive chemical residues remain in crop and soil. Although unwanted spray boom vibrations dramatically affect the spray distribution pattern, procedures to evaluate the mechanical integrity or structural condition of booms are not included yet in current sprayer inspections. Therefore, to keep spray boom vibrations within tolerable margins, boom constructions should be properly designed and well maintained, which can only be guaranteed by inspecting on a regular basis the performance of the suspension and the quality of the hinges and hinge locks, springs and dampers built in the boom structure.
THE PROJECT
Objectives
The improvement and extension of the methodology for testing the mechanical integrity of sprayers in use and new makes, developed in the EC research project AIR3-CT94-1170, such that the methodology:
- becomes applicable in routine tests;
- can be used to define directives concerning tolerable boom movements;
- can easily be integrated in current (mandatory or voluntary) sprayer inspections;
- provides sufficient technology and know how to develop a standardised procedure for the evaluation of the mechanical status of field sprayers.
METHODOLOGY
- Phase 1: derivation of a mathematical model of a self-propelled and trailed sprayer, used for the development of representative field tracks and for the determination of the optimal choice and position of the measurement sensors;
- Phase 2: determination of the optimal choice and location of measurement sensors for measuring boom movements on the machine with the aid of the derived mathematical models and development of a processing methodology for quantifying the measured signals;
- Phase 3: measurement of vibration on the axles of a self propelled and trailed spraying machine during field operation;
- Phase 4: reproduction of the registered axle vibrations through the derived mathematical models and reproduction of the herewith related soil unevenness;
- Phase 5: from the simulated soil unevenness, representative field tracks are derived which are used as excitation source for sprayer tests;
- Phase 6: development of a mathematical model for the simulation of the spray deposition pattern as a function of spray boom vibrations;
- Phase 7: establishment of tolerable variations in the spray deposition pattern and deduction of a pre-norm;
- Phase 8: description of a test procedure and construction of a test system for the evaluation of the mechanical condition of field sprayers. The test procedure includes the following steps: mounting of the measurement sensors on the sprayer, excitation of the machine by crossing the representative tracks and registration of the spray boom movements, linking the measured boom vibrations with the spray deposition program and simulation of the spray pattern, delivery of a quality label regarding the mechanical stability of the tested sprayer.
THE PARTNERS
The project is executed in close co-operation with three partners, the "Labo voor Landbouwwerktuigkunde" of the K.U.Leuven (P1), the "Département Ingéniérie des Biosystèmes" of the "Faculté universitaire des sciences agronomiques Gembloux" (P2), the CLO Gent (P3). The tasks are divided between the partners as follows:
- Phase 1: P1 and P2
- Phase 2: P2
- Phase 2: P1 and P2
- Phase 3: P1
- Phase 5: P1
- Phase 6: P3
- Phase 6: P3
- Phase 7: P1, P2 and P3
EXPECTED PRODUCTS AND RESULTS
Products: mathematical model of a self propelled sprayer and a trailed sprayer; methodology for measuring spray boom vibrations based upon sensor fusion; database with spraying machine vibrations registered during field operations; representative tracks for field sprayers; a mathematical model for the simulation of the spray liquid distribution as a function of spray boom vibrations.
Results: a prenorm describing tolerable variations in the spray distribution pattern as a function of undesired spray boom vibrations; a test procedure and test rig for the evaluation of the mechanical integrity of boom sprayers.
USERS COMMITTEE
- M. Christiaens (Fedagrim vzw)
- L. Beyne (M. BEYNE Landbouwspuiten)
- C. Vanlerberghe (N.V. DELVANO S.A.)
- G. Houins (AFSCA)
- J. Decuypere (LMS International)
PROMOTERS
Herman RAMON
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Departement agrotechniek en -economie
Laboratorium voor Landbouwwerktuigkunde
Kasteelpark Arenberg 30
B-3001 HEVERLEE
Tel: + 32 16 32.14.46
Fax: + 32 16 32.85.90
E-mail: herman.ramon@agr.kuleuven.ac.be
Marie-France DESTAIN
Faculté Universitaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Gembloux
Département Ingéniérie des Biosystèmes
Passage des Déportés 2
B-5030 GEMBLOUX
Tel: +32 81 62.21.64
Fax: +32 81 62.21.67
E-mail: destain.mf@fsagx.ac.be
Jan LANGENAKENS
Centrum voor Landbouwkundig Onderzoek-Gent
Departement mechanisatie, arbeid, gebouwen, dierenwelzijn en milieubeveiliging
Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115
B-9820 MERELBEKE
Tel: +32 9 272.28.23
Fax: +32 9 272.28.01
E-mail: j.langenakens@clo.fgov.be
Test method and criteria for evaluating the mechanical integrity of boom sprayers : final report
Brussels : Federal Science Policy, 2005 (SP1473)
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