Guidance Systems

Summary of Adja Silver Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.27 MB)

The Adja Silver Marker was a useful aid in reducing overlap or misses with field sprayers. Operators could use the marks produced on the previous round to judge where they should drive for proper alignment.

The Adja was convenient to use. The tank was easy to fill while the manual agitator was effective in mixing the aluminum marking concentrate with diesel fuel. The tractor-mounted control unit was convenient and provided a sufficient range of adjustment. Mark length and spacing could be varied so that the 23 L (5 gal) supply tank had sufficient fluid to mark from 11 to 240 ha (25 to 600 ac). In normal conditions, the supply tank had to be filled every 50 to 100 ha (125 to 250 ac) when using an 18 m (60 ft) sprayer at 8 km/h (5 mph). Operating cost for marking solution varied from 12 to 25 cents/ha (5 to 10 cents/ac).

For best visibility, marks had to be spaced at 30 m (100 ft). Marks were more visible on cloudy days or when spraying away from the sun. Marks were hard to see when facing into the sun and some colour-blind operators had difficulty in seeing marks. Proper mixing of diesel fuel and aluminum concentrate, as well as proper nozzle adjustment, were both important for optimum mark visibility. Marks were more easily seen on young, green crops than on stubble or summerfallow fields. Marks usually lasted several days unless deposited on loose porous soils. Rain quickly washed the marking solution off plant leaves. Crop damage was minimal.

No safety hazards were apparent. However, normal care had to be observed with fire as diesel fuel is a carrying solution. The operator's manual included useful information on installation and operation.

Installation time was about two hours using common tools.

Durability problems encountered during the test included a malfunctioning start-override switch, broken solenoid valve wires and failure of several electronic components.

Summary of Automatic Spot Field Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.29 MB)

The Automatic Spot Field Marker was a useful aid in reducing overlap or misses with field sprayers. Operators could use the marks produced on the previous round to judge where they should drive for proper alignment.

Operating the Spot Marker was inconvenient. Filling the supply tank with diesel fuel and aluminum concentrate, agitating the mixture in the supply tank, and filling the portable air tank in the field were all inconvenient. The tractor mounted control unit was conveniently positioned but was overly sensitive to adjust. Mark length and spacing could be varied so that the 23 L (5 gal) supply tank had sufficient fluid to mark from 4 to 1300 ha (10 to 3200 ac). In normal conditions, the supply tank had to be filled every 50 to 100 ha (125 to 250 ac) when using an 18 m (60 ft) sprayer at 8 km/h (5 mph). In addition, a portable 23 L (5 gal) air tank, charged to 700 kPa (100 psi) provided enough charge to pressurize one supply tank. Operating costs for marking solution varied from 12 to 25 cents/ha (5 to 10 cents/ac).

The Tee-Jet 6502 nozzles supplied with the marker had insufficient flowrate and too wide a spray angle to provide visible marks. TeeJet 4009 nozzles produced acceptable marks. For best visibility, marks had to be spaced at 25 m (80 ft). Marks were more visible on cloudy days or when spraying away from the sun. Marks were hard to see when facing into the sun and some colour-blind operators had difficulty seeing marks. Proper mixing of diesel fuel and aluminum concentrate, as well as proper nozzle adjustment, were both important for optimum mark visibility. Marks were more easily seen on young, green crops than on stubble or summer fallow fields. Marks usually lasted several days unless deposited on loose porous soils. Rain quickly washed the marking solution off plant leaves. Crop damage was minimal.

The filler cap on the supply tank was a safety hazard and could cause serious injury if the air tank was not disconnected and pressure relieved before removing the cap. The situation was made more hazardous since the pressure regulator sometimes stuck, and would not allow the supply tank to fully decompress. Normal care also had to be observed with fire as diesel fuel is used as a carrying solution.

The operator's manual included useful information on installation and operation.

Installation time was about two hours using common tools. Durability problems encountered during the test included a broken solenoid valve wire, a malfunctioning manual override switch and a sticking pressure regulator.

Summary of Marshall Paper Field Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.4 MB)

Quality of Work: Mark visibility was very good as long as mark length and spacing were adjusted to suit field conditions. For best visibility, the paper marks had to be about 40 in (1016 mm) long and spaced about 100 to 150 ft (30 to 46 m).

Mark durability was very good. The paper lasted several days.

Mark placement was good in calm weather and poor in light winds. In 5 mph (8 km/h) winds, the paper drifted about 7 ft (2.1 m) from the sprayer boom end.

A typical area marked by one roll of paper was about 75 ac (30 ha) using a 60 ft (18 m) sprayer with marker spacing of about 100 ft (30 m) and marker length of 40 in (1016 mm). Operating cost for paper was about 7 cents/ac (17 cents/ha).

Ease of Operation and Adjustment: Controls were very good. The control box switches were easy to use and responsive. Ease of adding paper was very good. The compact paper rolls were easily and quickly placed inside the paper cassette and through the cradle rubber rollers.

Good operator skill and judgement was required to align the sprayer boom end with the paper mark. This was more difficult with wider sprayers.

Ease of delivering paper through the windguard tube was poor. Static electricity caused the paper to stick to the windguard tube walls, especially in hot and dry weather conditions. As a result, the paper plugged the windguard tube and wrapped around the marker cradle rollers. Spraying water on the paper roll and marker assembly temporarily stopped paper sticking, but was inconvenient and time consuming.

Ease of Installation: The paper marker components were easily installed on a Flexi-coil field sprayer in about three hours by one man. Brackets were built to mount the marker cradles and paper cassettes on the square booms of the sprayer used. The components were light weight but large, and would be difficult to install on some sprayer booms.

Summary of Adja Model FM85-FG Foam Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.41 MB)

Quality of Work: Mark visibility was good as long as mark spacing and length were adjusted to suit forward speed and field conditions. For best visibility, the foam marks had to be about 40 in (1016 mm) long and spaced about 100 to 150 ft (30 to 46 m).

Mark durability was good using the ball foam mark and fair using the strip foam mark. At best, the strips of foam lasted about 1 hour, whereas the balls of foam could last about 6 hours in certain weather conditions.

One tank of foam lasted about 500 ac (202 ha) using a 60 ft (18 m) sprayer with marks spaced about 100 ft (30 m) and mark lengths about 40 in (1016 mm). Operating costs for foam were about 25 cents/ac (62 cents/ha).

Marker component performance was very good in the dust and moisture common to spraying operations.

Ease of Operation and Adjustment: Controls were easy to use and responsive.

Ease of agitating the foam was good. Initially the foam tank had to be laid on its side and rocked back and forth for a couple of minutes. Foam delivery was very good. The pressurized foam tank delivered quality foam consistently to the boom end funnels. Once empty, the foam tank was not reuseable.

Good operator skill and judgement was required to align the sprayer boom end with the foam mark. This was more difficult with wider sprayers.

Ease of cleaning the nozzle tips and solenoid valve assemblies was fair. About 35 oz (1000 ml) of foam fluid escaped from the foam tubes when the nozzle tips were removed for cleaning.

Ease of adjusting the foam mark spacing and length was very good using the narrow boom end funnels and good using the wide funnels. The marks were spaced at desired intervals using the narrow funnels.

Ease of Installation: The Adja foam marker components were small and easy to install on most field sprayers. Installation time was about 2 hours for one man.

Operators Manual: The operator's manual was useful.

Mechanical History: Debris from the solenoid valve assemblies plugged the nozzle tips. Several times the solenoid valve seals deformed causing foam to leak.

Summary of Marshall 5520 Foam Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.38 MB)

Quality of Work: Mark visibility was good. Average foam marker size and spacing were about 5 in (127 mm) and 50 ft (15 m), respectively, making the marks easily visible without searching. The foam marks were less visible in tall crops.

Foam mark durability was good, normally lasting up to one hour. Depending on weather conditions, the foam marks could last less than 15 minutes to as long as 4 hours.

Quality of foam varied depending on weather and water conditions and was rated as good.

One tank of foam lasted about 120 ac (49 ha) using a 60 ft (18 m) sprayer at 5 mph (8 km/h). Operating cost for foam was about 10 cents/ac (25 cents/ha).

Marker component performance was good in the dust and moisture common to spraying operations.

Ease of Operation and Adjustment: Ease of refilling the foam tank with water and foam concentrate was fair. The water and foam concentrate had to be premixed in another container and then poured through a long stemmed funnel to reduce foaming.

The control console switches were easy to use and rated as very good. Although the foam solenoid valves were responsive it took over a half a minute to produce the first quality foam after switching the foam control toggle switch. When spraying up and down the field, over 200 ft (61 m) was unmarked after turning.

Ease of cleaning was fair. The foam tank was portable and easily removed for cleaning. The foam tank and tubes had to be flushed with hot boiling water when the foam fluid jelled.

Good operator skill and judgement was required to align the sprayer boom end with the foam marks. This was more difficult with wider sprayers.

Ease of adjusting foam marks was fair. The foam regulating orifice plate was easily changed to accommodate different spraying operating speeds. Foam mark spacing and size could not be adjusted to suit field and weather conditions.

Ease of Installation: Ease of installation was very good. The Marshall foam marker components were small and easy to install on most field sprayers. Installation time was about 3 hours for one man.

Operators Manual: The operator's manual was fair. It was useful but contained no information on foam mark size, spacing, quality and durability.

Mechanical History: The air compressor shut-off switch was inconsistent, which resulted in the motor not starting or stopping at the desired pressure limits.

Summary of Peacock Foam Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.42 MB)

Quality of Work: Mark visibility was good when mark spacing and length were adjusted to suit forward speed and field conditions. At a mark spacing of 150 ft (46 m) and a mark length of 3 ft (1 m) the marks were easily visible without searching. The foam marks were less visible in summerfallow fields.

Foam mark durability was good. In normal spraying conditions the foam lasted about two hours. Depending on weather conditions, the foam marks could last less than an hour to as long as 15 hours.

Foam mark placement was good and quality of foam was very good in normal spraying conditions.

Depending on conditions, one tank of foam lasted about 285 to 800 ac (115 to 324 ha) using a 83 ft (25 m) sprayer at 7 mph (11 km/h). Operating cost for foam was about 9 to 25 cents/ac (22 to 62 cents/ha).

Marker component performance was good in the dust and moisture common to spraying operations.

Ease of Operation and Adjustment: Ease of refilling the foam tank was very good. The foam tank simply had to be replaced.

The control console switches were easy to use and rated as very good.

Ease of cleaning was very good.

Ease of sprayer alignment was good. Good operator skill and judgement was required to align the sprayer boom end with the foam marks. This was more difficult with wider sprayers.

Ease of adjusting foam marks was very good. The marks could be adjusted to precise lengths and regular intervals to suit field conditions. Mark length could be adjusted from 0.5 to 9 ft (0.2 to 2.7 m). Mark spacing could be adjusted from 2 to 462 ft (0.6 to 141 m). This was adequate for trailing type sprayers.

Ease of Installation: Ease of installation was very good. The foam tubes and wiring harness were housed in a vinyl cover making installation easy. Installation time was about 2 hours for one man.

Operator Safety: The foam was flammable and pressurized. Care had to be exercised during maintenance and replacing the foam tank.

Operator's Manual: The operator's manual was fair. It was useful but contained no information on installation and foam durability.

Mechanical History: Foam leaked from the foam discharge assembly throughout the test.

Summary of Smucker Fieldmark Model FMII10 Foam Marker (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.47 MB)

Quality of Work: Mark visibility was good. Marks were closely spaced nearly forming a line down the field. The foam marks were easy to see without searching, The foam marks were less visible in cereal crops over 7 in (180 mm) tall and stubble fields. Foam mark durability was good. The foam lasted 20 minutes in temperatures above 20°C. In cool weather and thick crop canopies, the foam marks lasted over an hour. Foam mark placement was good. Foam discharge hoses were long and could be placed near the crop canopy.

Quality of foam was good, The foam was fluffy after the system was operated for 100 ft (30 m).

One tank of foam solution marked an average of 100 ac (40 ha) using a 90 ft (27 m) sprayer at 7 mph (11 km/h). Operating cost for foam was 10 cents/ac (25 cents/ha).

Marker component performance was good in the dust and moisture common to spraying operations.

Ease of Operation and Adjustment: Ease of refilling the foam tank was good. The tank opening was easy to access from the ground when installed on the sprayer hitch. A pressure relief vent needed to be opened to depressurize the foam tank before opening the lid.

Easy of operating the controls was good. The toggle switch for controlling the foam to the booms was easy to use. The foam regulating valve was difficult to use. Small adjustments to the foam regulating valve resulted in large changes in the amount of foam solution used and mark spacing.

Ease of cleaning was good. Two dust filters and one foam solution strainer needed cleaning.

Ease of sprayer alignment was very good. The marks were spaced closely making it easy to check sprayer alignment frequently.

Ease of adjusting foam marks was fair. Mark spacing varied 0.5 to 60 ft (0.2 to 18 m) and depended on sprayer speed and regulator valve opening. With the regulator valve opened a half a turn, mark spacing averaged 6 ft (1.8 m) at 7 mph (11 km/h). Mark spacing averaged 10 ft (3 m) with the regulator valve opened a quarter turn. Mark size was not adjustable. Mark width was the size of the foam discharge hose inside diameter. Mark length average 4.5 in (115 mm).

Ease of Installation: Ease of installation was good. The foam tank, compressor housing and foam chambers were equipped with mounting stands. Installation time was 3 hours for one person.

Operator Safety: The foam tank was under pressure. Care was needed during foam tank maintenance and refilling.

Operator's Manual:The operator's manual was good. It was useful but didn't contain current information on connecting the air and liquid tubes.

Mechanical History: Dirt lodged inside the foam tank air and liquid couplers making them difficult to open.