Choosing the Right Sprayer

Choosing the right sprayer depends on the agricultural crop, the surface to be treated, the type of distribution system and the storage capacity required. Here are the main points we’ll cover in this guide:

• Sprayers according to agricultural crop
• Different spraying technologies
• 2.0 spraying techniques

The types of crops you want to treat will influence your choice.

•  If you wish to treat tree crops, you will need a sprayer that can pass between the rows. In this case, the orchard sprayer is the most appropriate. This type of machinery is usually mounted either on a tractor or an ATV depending on the maneuverability required (tractors are best for big farms with large rows and ATV for smaller rows, i.e. less than 4m).  

NB: The back-pack sprayer can also be used in this case, but is generally only used for small farms.

• If you wish to treat a crop farm, you will need a machine able to spray a large area with the same doses. The most appropriate machine in this case is the boom sprayer. They are equipped with up to 18 nozzles and have flow rate and pressure maximums according to the pump type. Commonly used boom lengths are 12ft (3.5m), 20ft (6m) and 30ft (9m).

Boom-sprayer-HUSTLER

Backpack-sprayer-MANTIS-ULV

orchad-sprayer – UNIA

One of the most important goals in the application of agricultural pesticides is to get uniform distribution of the chemicals throughout the crop foliage. Underdosing may not give the desired coverage and control needed. Overdosing on the other hand increases the potential for groundwater contamination.

It is important to choose the right technology for your intended use: 

• Hydraulic sprayers have a pumping system that transports the spray material through hoses from the storage tank to the nozzles. It is then sprayed on plant foliage as droplets in the 200-400 micron diameter range.
  
• Low-volume (LV) sprayers develop a mist (0.05-100 microns). To do so they inject the material to be sprayed into a high-speed air stream developed by a fan, blower or compressor. In most cases, a small pump is used to inject a concentrate pesticide solution into the air stream. The speed of the air stream can be as high as 200 mph. To get sufficient coverage, the air within the foliage canopy must be replaced with air that contains the pesticide. As the droplet size is much smaller, good coverage can be achieved with less chemicals.

Hydraulic-sprayer-TOSELLI

Low-Volume-Sprayer-NOBILI

Today, the world is facing, more than ever before, the devastating effects of climate change. The agricultural sector has to minimize its impact on the environment.

This is why drone spraying and targeted spraying are increasingly being used.

• Agricultural drone sprayers are far less heavy than a tractor or even an ATV and therefore consume significantly less energy than the other machines. They also make applying phytosanitary treatments with precision to crops possible, regardless of the type of terrain. They’re simple and practical. They also prevent using dangerous maneuvers when spraying on a sloping plot. Getting started with the most common models is quick thanks in particular to fixed speed and stabilized altitude.

• Targeted spraying technology can provide a significant reduction in herbicide use in growing crops and fallow ground, and allows for night and day application. By detecting weeds in growing crops as well as on fallow ground, day or night, this technology will execute precise targeted spraying down to the individual plant level. In addition to the environmental benefits, targeted spraying will help enhance farmer profitability by only spraying the herbicide where needed, thus using less product.

Drone-sprayer

Targeted-spraying