Spraying of insecticides, Herbicides, oils and liquid fertilizers for horticultural and agricultural applications

Abstract

Grower experience, with poor disease control of grape vines has suggested that, despite overspraying, actual spray coverage was poor, failing to penetrate the dense outer foliage, so that parts of the tree, particularly the top, were inadequately sprayed. Consequently, there was a requirement to ensure that spraying materials were deposited more efficiently and effectively upon targeted foliage, thereby reducing the volume of liquid carrier and therefore the amount of chemical required for a particular crop. This problem has been overcome by directing two fan-driven spray units (14) upward and into the foliage canopy, so as to displace the leaves in upward and outward directions, in co-operation with at least one further spray unit (16) downwardly directed, so as to spray into and partly through the canopy. The spray units are mounted on an inverted U-frame (21), which in turn is mounted on a mobile chassis or tractor (10) for transport through the crop area. For preference, two upper spray units (16) are employed, with a further option for a fifth spray unit (17), adjacent the apex (22) of the inverted U-frame (21). Multiple frames (21) may also be exploited, by suspension from an overhead boom (12). The operation is enhanced by automatic sensing and control, regulating the distance of the spray units (15, 16, 17) from the canopy, adjusting the spray rate to the canopy volume, the surface area of the leaves and produce, careful adjustment of the positions and directions of the spray units (15, 16, 17), and relating the speed of the spraying equipment to the volume of liquid sprayed. Liquids sprayed include insecticides, herbicides, oils and fertilisers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.