zzsstt
22-12-2008, 12:22 pm
I'm in the process of redesigning my boomspray for use with an automatic boom section controller (Trimble EZ-Boom), which will control rates and activate/deactivate sections that overlap previously sprayed areas.
It would seem to me that to get the best from such a system, the sections at the outside of the boom should be quite narrow. By this I mean that if the end section is 1m, it can be shut-down when there is a 1.1m overlap, where a 2m section would have to be left on to avoid a skip.
If the above makes sense, then perhaps the sections should be (from the outside):
0.5m, 1m, 1m, then back to "normal" section lengths.
Again, if this makes sense then in order to minimise boom weight it would seem sensible to have the boom plumbed with an end-to-end supply hose and place the section valves along it's length. This avoids having many hoses running along the boom - just a supply and "nozzle section" at any given point. It does add the weight of the valves and control cable, but I'm fairly sure a liquid filled spray hose would weigh far more!
Question:
Can anyone see a reason why section valves should not be located along the boom, and plumbed as described above? Obviously they would need a degree of protection from knocks, spray, washing etc., but that should be easy. I already use an electric fenceline nozzle valve located on the boom, why should section valves be any different?
By the way, the sections have to be independent, i.e. the end section must be able to operate with the inner sections turned off, so I cannot just daisy chain them. I also intend at some point to move to chemical injection/mix on the fly so I do not need a return line or balanced valves.
It would seem to me that to get the best from such a system, the sections at the outside of the boom should be quite narrow. By this I mean that if the end section is 1m, it can be shut-down when there is a 1.1m overlap, where a 2m section would have to be left on to avoid a skip.
If the above makes sense, then perhaps the sections should be (from the outside):
0.5m, 1m, 1m, then back to "normal" section lengths.
Again, if this makes sense then in order to minimise boom weight it would seem sensible to have the boom plumbed with an end-to-end supply hose and place the section valves along it's length. This avoids having many hoses running along the boom - just a supply and "nozzle section" at any given point. It does add the weight of the valves and control cable, but I'm fairly sure a liquid filled spray hose would weigh far more!
Question:
Can anyone see a reason why section valves should not be located along the boom, and plumbed as described above? Obviously they would need a degree of protection from knocks, spray, washing etc., but that should be easy. I already use an electric fenceline nozzle valve located on the boom, why should section valves be any different?
By the way, the sections have to be independent, i.e. the end section must be able to operate with the inner sections turned off, so I cannot just daisy chain them. I also intend at some point to move to chemical injection/mix on the fly so I do not need a return line or balanced valves.