Recently, the editors of Conservation Tillage Guide asked the manufacturers to share their latest innovations designed to improve the precision and efficiency of pull-type sprayers.

Below is a roundup of the information that was submitted by the manufacturers.

Top Air Wireless Controller

A new wireless controller from Kalida, Ohio-based Top Air allows the sprayer operator to control several functions from the cab, or up to 100 feet around the sprayer.

The controller hooks to power source cable for charging and operates up to 30 hours on a full charge. The receiver mounts under sprayer’s platform and accepts signals form the controller, and the necessary cables run directly into the receiver from the sprayer.

The wireless controller allows operators to control several functions, including rinse, filter purge and pump in/outlet, steerable hitch controls, foam marker controls, fencerow nozzles and 10-boom section control.

The controller is standard equipment on 2012 Top Air Premier T-Tank models.

Indicate No.210 on inquiry card or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com/rs

Greenleaf Technologies TADF Nozzle

The TurboDrop Asymmetric Dual Fan Nozzle (TADF) is designed to improve coverage on vertical and angular targets with contact chemicals.

With single flat fan nozzles, the force from the travel speed of the sprayer deflects the downward-oriented droplets forward in the driving direction, which means coverage on the backside of the plant can be minimized.

The 50-degree rearward spray of the TADF is designed to overcome this effect and improve back-side coverage. The 10-degree forward spray will provide a combination of penetration and front-side coverage.

It’s also possible to alternate every other nozzle on the boom so the target is sprayed four times in one pass.

The smaller droplets directed downward are shielded by larger droplets provided by the outer 50-degree patterns, resulting in a multi-dimensional pattern with drift control.

In most sizes, the droplet spectrum is medium-coarse below 80 psi and medium-fine above 80 psi. The TADF nozzle can be operated at 30 psi to 70 psi for glyphosate and other systemic herbicides.

“With the TADF, farmers don’t have to sacrifice coverage for drift control,” says Mike Krouse of Unverferth Mfg. “Rather than having three different nozzles, the farmer can do multiple applications with one nozzle.”

Indicate No.211 on inquiry card or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com/rs

Hypro-SHURflo Express End Cap

Hypro-SHURflo Express nozzle-body end caps solve a critical problem for today’s applicator — shutoff lag. This lag can be 5 or 10 seconds or more. A delay of just 5 seconds on a sprayer moving at a moderate speed through the field can cause overspray of more than 70 feet beyond the intended stop point.

Studies show up to 90% of the delay was caused by air trapped in the boom pipes and hose. The Express End Cap gives air a channel to bleed out through the spray tip. When air is present, it’s forced toward the end of the pipe to the nozzle-body end cap and is immediately expelled.

An additional benefit is the elimination of pipe beyond the last nozzle body — an area where air can accumulate, escalating shutoff time.

By eliminating the additional volume beyond the last nozzle body, boom hygiene is improved. And eliminating the area where chemical particulates build up helps to prevent plugging of spray tips.

The Express End Cap also holds the end-nozzle body in parallel alignment with the other nozzle bodies on the spray boom. A removable plug is available to provide additional access if more thorough cleanout is needed due to agrochemicals settling out overnight or times of inactivity where booms were not properly flushed before storage.

This product was awarded a 2012 AE50 Innovation Award by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Indicate No.212 on inquiry card or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com/rs

Hypro-SHURflo Scorpio Solenoid Valve

The Scorpio spray valve is a 12VDC electronically-actuated solenoid valve mounted directly on each spray-boom nozzle body of spray equipment to provide precise on-off spray control.

This control allows precision spraying around field boundaries, waterways and other environmentally sensitive areas, with a level of benefit seen in precision-seeding applications, the company says.

A built-in electronic package in the Scorpio enables a two-wire control for easy integration to current controller systems. The internal control circuit also manages power consumption to low levels.

By utilizing a magnetic latching design, the Scorpio solenoid valve uses power only when energizing the valve to open, power consumption falls to a minimum value for monitoring signal. Managing power consumption enables the control system to function without additional equipment enhancements when adapted to trailed sprayers.

This product was awarded a 2012 AE50 Innovation Award by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Indicate No.213 on inquiry card or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com/rs

TeeJet ISOBUS Rate Control System

The TeeJet ISOBUS rate-control system allows farmers to take advantage of the existing virtual terminal (VT) in their tractor, if equipped, and utilize this common display as their rate-control interface.

By eliminating the need for another display, clutter is reduced in the cab. Additionally, the ISOBUS control system uses the same sensors that are used by non-ISOBUS controls. For vehicles not equipped with a VT (such as the Deere 2600 terminal), TeeJet offers the Matrix 570VT to provide a complete ISOBUS control solution.

The TeeJet ISOBUS control system can be adapted to a wide range of pull-type sprayers. Control systems are also available for NH3 toolbars and dry spreaders.

“ISOBUS control systems let farmers leverage the investment already made in a virtual terminal and operate using an intuitive user interface,” says Tim Stuenkel, TeeJet’s global marketing communications manager.

Indicate No.214 on inquiry card or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com/rs

Richway Rate Controllers

Richway Industries rate controllers provide a constant application rate per acre, regardless of how many nozzles are shut off and has speed compensation.

The operator can manually vary the rate on the go when reaching a field area that needs more or less of a pesticide.

The rate controllers were originally designed as companion equipment for Richway’s Nozzle Stop planter-fertilizer valves.

But since their introduction 2 years ago, a number of farmers started using them on pull-type sprayers where a large expenditure on variable-rate controllers isn’t justified, says Rich Borglum of Richway Industries.

“We have one sprayer manufacturer customer who is beginning to offer them as an option on their sprayers,” he says.

Indicate No.215 on inquiry card or visit www.no-tillfarmer.com/rs

Bestway V-Ride
Boom Suspension

The Bestway V-Ride Variable-Ride Boom Suspension is designed for the Bestway Field-Pro IV sprayer line.

V-Ride lets the operator tailor the spray-boom ride to their specific field conditions — a softer setting for challenging no-till conditions, or a firmer ride for smoother fields.

V-Ride isolates trailer movement from the boom, resulting in performance enhancements that include increased field speeds of 2 mph to 5 mph.

The V-Ride feature is adjusted by turning a knob on the suspension-control valve located on the sprayer.