Closed transfer closing in fast

Closed transfer systems (CTS) are designed to protect operators and the environment from contamination when filling sprayers with plant protection products.

Instead of pouring into an induction hopper, the completely sealed CTS system extracts the product, measures any part pack, transfers it to the tank, and rinses the container – all without having to remove the cap.

As well as reducing the risk of contamination, CTS is likely to play a significant role in providing access to some important chemistry as and when it comes up for re-registration.

CropLife Europe, which represents the crop protection sector, supports these developments and says Europe is on track to make CTS available to all European farmers by 2030. Indeed, The Netherlands is set to make it compulsory on liquid formulations in 2025, with other countries close behind.

Setting the standard

More than ten of the industry-leading chemical manufacturers have already committed to using the easyconnect cap and coupler system. This provides the standardisation required for universal adoption by users and the specifications to which manufacturers can design new closed systems.

The easyconnect closure is ‘open technology’, which is available to any company in the sector. Resealable and leak-proof, the cap has a dust cover, body and connecting plug. It does not require an adapter, foil seal, or need to be removed from the container. After removing the dust cover, the cap is inserted directly into the coupler on the CTS unit and is locked into position – mechanically or automatically on some systems.

It’s important to remember not all CTS systems are the same. While the easyconnect container closures are standard, CTS manufacturers take different approaches to how the container empties, dispenses part packs and rinses. Experience shows some systems are considerably easier to use and more effective than others.

Well-proven system

Designed for use with the easyconnect caps and up to 15 litre capacity containers, the Cleanload Nexus from Pentair has been extensively tested in the UK and Europe. It is JKI approved and will be on sale in 2024.

It is entirely mechanically operated using just just two manual controls. After using a lever to lock the cap in place, it can then be rotated to control the emptying rate, which is between 0.5 and 1 litres/sec, depending on liquid viscosity. It empties 10 litres of viscous test liquid in 12sec and takes about 20secs to rinse.

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Faster than pouring

UK users praise this system, saying it is as fast or faster than normal pouring and rinsing methods. Indeed, most of the operators in trials chose to put easyconnect caps on containers in their spare time, because the system speeds up filling – and eliminates the risk of contamination to them or the environment.

This will not be necessary as more containers come fitted with the cap as standard.

One drawback, noted by users, is the difficulty in measuring out part containers. Initially Pentair supplied a calibrated suction hose, which was not easy to use, particularly when filling larger volumes. It is also unlikely to consistently achieve the ISO +/- 2.5% or better dosing accuracy.

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Measuring cylinder

A new measuring device, designed and supplied by Wisdom Systems, is now available. This has received positive feedback from operators of existing Nexus CTS equipment who have been using and testing it on their farms.

Sitting between the Cleanload Nexus and the sprayer, it dispenses up to 1 litre in 25ml increments, to an accuracy of +/-1%. While it requires quite a few actions to complete the measuring and filling routine, users are happy with its simplicity and performance and, in their skilled hands, they make it look easy.

CTS for IBCs

Interest in CTS has been accompanied by a fairly rapid rise in the use of larger IBC containers on farms. While quite commonly used across Europe and other countries, the UK has only recently latched onto the technology.

This has mainly been driven by Frontier Agriculture’s introduction of Crown MH in IBCs, which is easier and faster to load compared with bagged or bottled products.

Users report these systems can increase output by one to two loads/day. As well as faster and easier filling, direct loading via a CTS from IBCs cuts the risk of point source pollution and operator exposure.

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Frontier has been supplying Roundup Energy, Stabilan and a range of nutrients in CTS-enabled IBCs.

Product is loaded from the IBC using a Wisdom Systems’ Fastran 850 closed transfer system. The standard unit has a digital flowmeter, accurate to -/+ 0.5%, while a ‘batch loading’ option, like an auto-fill, shuts off the flow at a pre-set volume. This fits straight onto the dry break coupling on the IBC, with its pipework plumbed directly into the sprayer’s induction venturi.

Straightforward rinsing system for the Fastran system withdraws water from a bucket, through the CTS, and back into the tank.

Measures by weight

Fully automated measuring or full container emptying is controlled by blister keys on the new Lechler Coupler (LeC), which made its debut at the Agritechnica show. It is designed for use with easyconnnect caps and with containers from 1 litre to 20-litre.It uses three load cells to measure part loads by weight, not volume. This, along with vibration compensation, says Lechler, is more accurate (+/- 2.5%) and is not influenced by the liquid’s viscosity. While it needs calibration for each product, Lechler explains the specific weight is on the product label and expects it to also be shown more prominently and included on a bar code.

The system, which requires a 12V electric supply, runs automatically. After placing a container on the coupler, it locks it into position, and then a probe enters the container and extracts the full contents or the desired measured amount keyed into the pad.

Containers are rinsed by water injected via the same probe, which is equipped with two, angled rinse nozzles. These also rotate and move up and down to thoroughly rinse the container’s internal surfaces.

Digital system

Also new and on show at Agritechnica for the first time, is the Tefen AccuRite system, designed and built by Tefen, a specialist in manufacturing water driven proportional dosing pumps.

Fully electronically controlled, the system works with easyconnnect caps and with containers from 1 litre to 20-litres. It runs automatically and dispenses either the entire contents or partial loads in 10ml increments to an accuracy of +/- 2.5%.F

After turning on the system, the screen says place tank and pressing downwards will automatically lock it in position. From here it offers the choice of full or part drain? After selecting either the volume required or full drain, pressing set starts the operation.

Containers are flushed with clean water with two nozzles – one on either side of the probe, which moves up and down. It then closes and rinses the inner cap. Pressing set unlocks the container, which is then removed.

At the recent Agritechnica show, Kverneland showed how it envisages the Tefen system can be integrated alongside a conventional induction hopper.