Apparatus and method for applying liquid such as pesticides to the land

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a liquid such as pesticide to land, comprising: a vehicle (1) for movement over the land; at least one frame part (5) protruding laterally relative to the vehicle; a plurality of spray nozzles (6) arranged along the frame part (5) for spraying the liquid onto the land; and spray directing means arranged only in the vicinity of an outer end of the frame part (5) for directing the liquid from the spray nozzle (6).

Description: In the arable farming sector pesticide is usually applied to land using a tractor with foldable booms on either side on which spray nozzles are arranged. Through being blown about the pesticide does not always settle at the desired location, particularly when a wind-force is present above the land. It is undesirable for pesticide to reach surface water, for instance via a ditch. For better directing of the pesticide applied by the spray nozzles it has already been proposed - see for instance the European patent EP-A-0326045 - to arrange along the booms air bags in which openings are situated on the underside close to the spray nozzles for creating an "air curtain", whereby the liquid is blown about less. These air bags have a considerable size and, in order to obtain sufficient overpressure therein, a relatively large fan is required, which must be energized for instance by,means of a hydraulic motor from a tractive vehicle. Such an installation requires a considerable investment, which is not made by many arable farmers, whereby the above stated environmental problems remain unsolved. It requires much discipline of arable farmers who have not purchased such an installation to only spray pesticide on the land in sufficiently windless weather in order to prevent the liquid being blown about or drifting. It is now also proposed to make compulsory that the crop not be placed too closely along the side of a ditch. The Belgian patent specification 665 706 further describes an apparatus in which pesticide is applied to land in a directed manner. However, a casing of sheet steel provided with a skirt is herein arranged on a frame part, which is impractical in terms of both traction over the land and folding of the frame. The present invention provides an apparatus for applying a liquid such as pesticide to land, comprising: a vehicle for movement over the land; at least one frame part protruding laterally relative to the vehicle; a plurality of spray nozzles arranged along the frame part for spraying the liquid onto the land; and spray directing means arranged only in the vicinity of an outer end of the frame part for directing the liquid from the spray nozzle. Using means which are relatively simple to arrange the apparatus according to the present invention prevents pesticide reaching surface water. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the spray directing means comprise an elongate air bag close to an outer end of the frame, only a fan of relatively low power is required, whereby this fan can for instance be connected to an existing (electrical) power source of the vehicle. In a further preferred embodiment the air bag is situated outward relative to one of the outer hinges of the foldable boom, whereby damage to said air bag is prevented. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, air-supported spray nozzles or so-called air/liquid dispensers, or mixed forms thereof, are arranged only in the vicinity of an outer end of the frame. Air-supported spray nozzles or air/liquid dispensers along the whole length also require a considerable investment which, however, can be reduced by the present invention. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated in the light of the following description with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a first preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention; and figure 2 shows detail II of figure 1. On a tractor 1 (figure 1) which can move in the direction of the arrow A is arranged a boom 5 which is foldable via hinges 2, 3 and 4 and on the underside of which spray nozzles 6 are arranged for spraying pesticides on the land. Boom 5 (and 5') is mounted on a frame 7 on the rear of the tractor, while a supply tank 8 for the liquid is likewise arranged there. In the preferred embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, only on the final segment 10 of frame part 5 is an air bag 11 arranged in which overpressure is created using a fan 12, whereby, as is shown schematically, an air curtain 13 is created to the front of spray nozzles 6, so that the pesticide is prevented from blowing about, particularly at the outer end of frame part 5 which during operations will be situated close to a ditch near an edge of a field. Due to the short length of air bag 11 the fan need only produce for instance a power of for instance 5 kWatt, whereby it is possible to connect it to the electrical system of the tractor and an additional power source can be dispensed with. In the shown preferred embodiment the spray nozzles 6 in segment 10 are likewise connected to an air line 15, whereby directing of spray nozzles 6 can be improved further and undesired dissemination of the liquid via the ditch into surface water is avoided. When the frame 5 (and 5') is folded up by means of hinges 2, 3 and 4, the air bag is not folded double, thus avoiding damage thereto, whereby the useful life thereof is extended. The present invention is not limited to the above described preferred embodiment thereof; the rights applied for are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims: Apparatus for applying a liquid such as pesticide to land, comprising: a vehicle for movement over the land; at least one frame part protruding laterally relative to the vehicle; a plurality of spray nozzles arranged along the frame part for spraying the liquid onto the land; and spray directing means arranged only in the vicinity of an outer end of the frame part for directing the liquid from the spray nozzle. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spray directing means comprise an elongate air bag in the underside of which openings are arranged, in addition to a fan arranged on the frame part at a lateral distance from the vehicle for creating at least some overpressure in the elongate air bag. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame part comprises one or more hinges and the spray directing means are only arranged outwardly of one of the outer hinges. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the spray directing means comprise a plurality of air-supported spray nozzles which are arranged close to the outer end and to which an air line is connected. Apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein two respective frame parts extend on either side of the vehicle and wherein spray directing means are arranged close to each respective outer end of a frame part. Apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 1-3 or 5, wherein the spray directing means comprise a plurality of air/liquid dispensers. Method for applying a liquid such as pesticide to land, wherein an apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims is used. Assembly for use in a apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 1-4 and/or a method as claimed in claims 7, comprising: at least one frame part to be mounted in such a way that it protrudes laterally relative to a vehicle for movement over the land; a plurality of spray nozzles to be arranged along the frame part for spraying the liquid onto the land; and spray directing means to be arranged only in the vicinity of an outer end of the frame part for directing the liquid from the spray nozzle onto the land.

Inventors: BEIJAARD MARTINUS JOHANNES ANT, BEIJAARD, MARTINUS JOHANNES ANTONIUS
Applicants: GREENLAND NIEUW VENNEP BV, GREENLAND NIEUW-VENNEP B.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A01M7
IPC codes: A01M7