274 Raven Model SCS 400 Automatic Sprayer Control System
275 BEE Model 7603 Sprayer Monitor
276 SED Automatic Sprayer Control System
366 Dickey-John SC1000 Liquid Sprayer Control System
367 Smith-Roles Automatic Sprayer Control System
Summary of Raven Model SCS 400 Automatic Sprayer Control System (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.62 MB)
Overall functional performance of the Raven automatic sprayer control system was good. The monitoring and remote control features of the system were considered very beneficial in providing the operator with the information and controls to manually make required changes from the tractor seat. The automatic rate controlling feature, to automatically control application rate, was deemed to be of considerably less importance due to the narrow range of forward speeds over which the spraying rate could be effectively controlled automatically and due to the large and rapid pressure changes experienced over this narrow range of speeds.
The accuracy of the MVR50 and MVR30 flow meters was good at rates above 10 L/min (2.2 gal/min), using the meter constants supplied by the manufacturer. Reliability and repeatability of both flow meters was good.
The speed sensor was accurate and speed readings did not fluctuate if set up according to specifications.
The original motorized control valve had slow response to changes in forward speed and flow. It took in excess of one minute to completely respond to a change in forward speed. A replacement motorized control valve received at the end of the test, responded to changes in forward speed in less than 20 seconds.
The system took from 6 to 12 hours to install, depending on the sprayer plumbing system. Additional plumbing fittings, hoses and mounting hardware were required, especially on older sprayers not using 25 mm (1 in) plumbing. All wires were conveniently packaged into one cable for neat and convenient hook-up to the tractor. Screw-on and pull-apart connectors made hook-up quick and easy.
The control console was not weathertight and required covering to protect it from the rain if used on tractors without cabs.
The two digital display screens were visible to the operator providing the control console was not in direct sunlight. The control console was available calibrated in either metric (SI) or Imperial units.
The calibration numbers were generally easily obtained and conveniently entered into the control console.
Preparing the system to automatically control a preselected application rate required proper nozzle selection and setting of pressure limits for proper nozzle operation. Although the procedure was somewhat complex, the detailed, step-by-step explanation in the operator's manual was easy to follow. Once proper nozzles had been selected, the control console was easily programmed to automatically control a preselected application rate by simply entering the desired application rate.
No excessive electrical demands were made on a normal 12 V tractor battery and charging system. A good 12 V battery was necessary to maintain proper operating voltage.
The operator's manual provided a complete parts list and information on installation, operation, adjustment, calibration and maintenance.
The few failures encountered during the evaluation included leaking flow meter couplers and failure of the motorized control valve.
Summary of BEE Model 7603 Sprayer Monitor (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.29 MB)
Overall functional performance of the BEE sprayer monitor was good.
The flow transducer, when new, was accurate over the normal range of flow rates used for spraying in the prairies. After 52 hours of field operation, the flow meter indicated from 3 to 8% low.
The speed transducer was accurate over the normal range of spraying speeds used throughout the test.
The system took from 2 to 4 hours to install, depending on the sprayer plumbing system. The flow transducer was light and could be quickly inserted and secured to the main line. The speed transducer was easy to install but usually required additional material for alignment of the magnet and switch assembly. Pull-apart connectors facilitated unhooking of the tractor from the sprayer. The complete wiring harness came attached together which made it easy to fasten to the sprayer and made the sprayer look tidy. Connecting the wiring harness to the flow and speed transducers was convenient and easy since the polarity of the connections did not affect system operation.
The meter was clearly visible to the operator providing the meter display screen was not in direct sunlight. The meter was weathertight and could be operated on tractors without cabs.
The calibration number was generally easily obtained and conveniently entered into the meter.
No excessive electrical demands were made on a normal 12 V tractor battery and charging system.
The operator's manual clearly outlined installation, operation and adjustment of the system.
No mechanical failures occurred during the test.
Summary of SED Automatic Sprayer Control System (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.55 MB)
The SED automatic sprayer control system consisted of three individual components; the SED Model 944 remote control, the Model 943A sprayer monitor and the Model 948 automatic rate controller. These three units could be used individually or combined in a modular fashion as a system.
Functional performance of the SED 944 remote control was very good. The remote control provided the operator with the controls to manually make adjustments from the tractor seat.
Functional performance of the 943A sprayer monitor was good. The monitor provided the operator with spraying information including spraying and working rate, ground speed, total area and fluid sprayed. Performance of the monitor was reduced by difficulty in obtaining reliable flow sensor calibration numbers, difficulty in reading numbers greater than 999 on the digital display screen, difficulty in installing the speed sensor and interference between speed sensor targets and detector.
Functional performance of the 948 automatic rate controller was fair. Performance was reduced due to the narrow range of forward speeds over which the spraying rate could be effectively controlled automatically and the large and rapid pressure changes experienced over this narrow range of forward speeds, inadequate operator's manual information for initial nozzle pressure range setting and for initial signal light and horn warning flow rate setting.
Flow sensor accuracy was good at rates between 40 and 240 L/min (8.8 to 53 gal/min). Accuracy deteriorated when used at rates below 40 L/min (8.8 gal/min). Since many spray application rates common to the prairies fall below 40 L/min (8.8 gal/min), the optional flow sensor restrictor should be used. Although the flow restrictor was not submitted for test, it is designed to improve flow sensor accuracy at these lower rates. Some flow sensor repeatability problems were encountered and were felt to be characteristic of paddle wheel type flow sensors.
The speed sensor was accurate. However, speed readings fluctuated at the recommended gap setting of 12 mm (0.5 in) between the metal targets and the detector.
Of the two types of motorized control valves evaluated, the Raymond ball valve had quicker response to changes in forward speed than the Spraying Systems butterfly valve. Often the ball valve "hunted" continuously for the preset pressure and never reached a stable pressure.
The system took from 6 to 11 hours to install, depending on the sprayer plumbing system. Additional plumbing fittings, hoses, and mounting hardware were required, especially on older sprayers not using 25 mm (1 in) plumbing. Pull-apart connectors facilitated unhooking from the tractor. Screw-on polarity connectors made installing the wiring harness on the various components convenient and easy.
The control boxes were not weathertight and required covering to protect them from rain if used on tractors without cabs.
The monitor display screen and the automatic rate controller lights were visible to the operator providing the control boxes were not in direct sunlight. Readout was conveniently possible in both metric (SI) and Imperial units. The counting direction could be conveniently reversed if desired calibration numbers were overshot when entering calibration numbers. The audible alarm was loud enough to be clearly heard above tractor and pump noise.
Determining the calibration number for the flow sensor was difficult and inconvenient. The speed sensor calibration number was easily determined.
Entering the calibration numbers in the sprayer monitor, remembering to press the "Set" button and how many times to press the "Set" button was confusing until some operator experience had been gained.
Preparing the system to automatically control a preselected application rate was somewhat complex and required clarification in the operator's manual. The procedure necessitated proper nozzle selection and setting of pressure limits for proper nozzle operation.
No excessive electrical power demands were made on a normal 12 V tractor battery and charging system. A good 12 V battery was necessary to maintain the operating voltage above 11 volts.
The operator's manuals clearly outlined installation, operation and adjustment of the individual components. Information on the compatibility of the automatic rate controller, remote control and sprayer monitor was inadequate.
The few failures encountered during the evaluation included electrical circuit malfunctioning on two automatic rate controllers, a damaged speed sensor and pipe fitting failure on the Raymond motorized control valve.
Summary of Dickey-John SC1000 Liquid Sprayer Control System (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.58 MB)
Functional Performance: Performance of the Dickey-john SC1000 sprayer control system was very good. Performance was highlighted by the principle the system operated on, the accuracy of the pressure and speed sensors, the fast response of the motorized control valve, ease of operation and obtaining calibration numbers and ability to do stationary system checks.
Control Console: The control console was easy to use when following the instructions in the operator's manual. The control console was available for read-out in either metric (SI) or Imperial units.
Calibration Numbers: The system required ten calibration numbers to be entered into memory. These numbers were easily obtained from charts provided, physical characteristics of the sprayer and measurements such as weight of liquid solution, nozzle flowrate and forward speed calibration. These measurements were critical to the accuracy of the Dickey-John system.
Pressure Sensor: The pressure sensor was accurate, reliable and repeatable. Installing the sensor near a nozzle, in order to indicate true nozzle pressure, was critical to obtain accurate application rates. The sensor inlet was large and difficult to install near nozzles commonly used on the prairies.
Speed Sensor: The speed sensor was accurate and speed readings did not fluctuate. The speed sensor had to be calibrated before spraying. Calibration was easy, and the calibration number could be used in various field conditions.
Motorized Control Valve: The motorized control valve responded quickly to changes in speed. This allowed for constant application rates in hilly fields. In addition, the motorized control valve adjusted the flow to the booms in less than two seconds from its closed position. This allowed spraying immediately after cornering or turning.
Installation: The Dickey-john system took about 6 hours to install. Installation was easy and convenient. Most components were equipped with support brackets. All wires were conveniently packaged and labelled for convenient hook-up to the tractor. Screw-on connectors made hook-up quick and easy.
Application Rate Accuracy: The application rate was accurate since both the pressure and speed sensors were accurate. Special functions such as the speed sensor check, fine tune and conversion factor allowed the operator to make the system as accurate as desired. The system check functions required extra work that were time consuming, however, they were easily performed.
Automatic Control: The automatic control feature allowed the application rate to be held constant when operating in hilly conditions and be obtained quickly after turning, shut-off or cornering. Larger changes in forward speed resulted in large and rapid changes in pressure.
Power Requirements: No excessive electrical demands were made on a normal 12V tractor battery and charging system.
Operators Manual: The operator's manual provided complete information on installation, operation, adjustment, calibration and maintenance.
Mechanical Problems: No failures were encountered during the evaluation.
Summary of Smith-Roles Automatic Sprayer Control System (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.45 MB)
Functional Performance: The Smith-Roles automatic sprayer control system consisted of two individual consoles, the Smith-Roles model SP-3A sprayer monitor and the model SPC-1 sprayer controller. The two systems could be used individually or combined in a modular fashion as a system.
The performance of the Smith-Roles model SP-3A and SPC-1 were good. Some monitor and controller features of the system were considered very beneficial in providing the operator with the information and controls to manually make required changes from the tractor seat. The automatic rate controlling feature, to automatically control application rate, was deemed to be of less importance due to the narrow range of forward speeds over which the spraying rate could be effectively controlled automatically and due to the large and rapid pressure changes experienced over this narrow range of speeds.
Flow Meter: The flow meter was accurate above 2.9 gal/min (13 L/min), using the flow meter calibration number supplied by the manufacturer. The flow meter was reliable and repeatable.
Speed Sensor: When properly calibrated, the speed sensor was accurate above 1.2 mph (2 km/h) when using two magnets and above 2.5 mph (4 km/h) when using one magnet. The monitor application rate indication depended on the speed sensor calibration number. Therefore, it was very important to obtain the speed sensor calibration number in field conditions similar to those encountered during spraying, with sprayer tires properly inflated and with the sprayer tank half fulI of water.
Motorized Control Valve: In the automatic mode, the motorized control valve responded slowly to changes in forward speed and flow. It took about a minute to completely respond to a change in forward speed. As a result, the automatic rate control feature usefulness was reduced in hilly fields and after turning or cornering. In the manual mode, it was easy to obtain the desired pressure, however, it took up to a minute to do so.
Installation: The Smith-Roles system took 5 hours to install. Sprayer plumbing modifications were usually required to properly install the flow meter and solenoid valves. All wires were conveniently packaged into one cable for neat and convenient hook-up to the tractor and sprayer. Pull-apart connectors made unhitching the tractor from the sprayer quick and easy. The pressure gauge hose was too short to allow pressure to be measured at the nozzles.
Control Console: The 4-digit LED display screen was easy to see providing the console was not in direct sunlight. Readout was conveniently possible in both SI (metric) and Imperial units by positioning a switch. All controls were conveniently positioned and easy to use. The calibrating, operating and cumulative functions were conveniently distinguished in the monitor for easy understanding and use of the system. Four calibration numbers had to be entered in the console memory. The calibration numbers were easily obtained. Entering the calibration numbers was easy and convenient.
Automatic Control: Both Smith-Roles model SP-3A and SPC-1 had to be used to automatically control a pre-selected application rate. Preparing the system to automatically control a preselected application rate required proper nozzle selection and setting of pressure limits for proper nozzle operation. Although the procedure was somewhat complex, the detailed, step-by-step explanation in the operator's manual was easy to follow. Once the proper nozzles had been selected, the control console was easily programmed to automatically control a preselected application rate by simply entering the desired application rate.
Power Requirements: A good 12V battery was necessary to maintain proper operating voltage. No excessive electrical demands were made on a normal 12V tractor battery and charging system.
Operator's Manual: The operator's manual provided complete information on installation, operation, adjustment and calibration.
Mechanical Failures: No failures were encountered during the evaluation. |