New drift reducing spraying technologies at EIMA 2022
There was plenty of new technology for arable farmers on show at the EIMA 2022 exhibition in Bologna, Italy, including new drift reducing spraying technologies. Here, we zoom in on the most striking news.
From 2024, a closed filling system for liquid crop protection products on sprayers will be mandatory in Europe. Pentair developed this system several years back together with BASF. It was especially suitable for quick emptying and rinsing of cans, but accurately dosing small volumes was difficult.
The manufacturer has now developed an additional filling glass. With it, you can accurately measure up to 50 millilitres. List price of the total unit comes to around €4,000.
Syngenta “potato nozzle”
Syngenta developed a new ‘potato nozzle’ together with nozzle manufacturer Hypro. The difference with the existing nozzles is that the new 3D Ninety spray nozzle reduces drift by 90 per cent, according to Syngenta. The nozzle is angled at 55 degrees. Because it is angled forwards and backwards, the effective angle is 110 degrees, just like a conventional nozzle that sprays straight down. So the potato nozzles face forward and backward alternately.
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According to the manufacturers, this allows for better coverage than a conventional Lechler POM nozzle that sprays straight down. The nozzles come in sizes 03 to 08. They are suitable for use with PWM (pulse width modulation) technology.
Lechler 95% drift reducing nozzle
The new XDT 130 nozzle series from Lechler is 95% drift-reducing. A special feature is that the nozzle is suitable for PWM (pulse width modulation) technology. It’s not a venturi nozzle, since venturi nozzle are unsuitable for super-fast opening and closing.
Lechler’s new nozzle sprays 40 degrees forwards and 40 degrees backwards. Because of its high drift correction, the droplets are very coarse. The nozzle is therefore especially suitable for spraying soil herbicides. For insecticides, the droplets are too coarse.
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The nozzle has also been tested in potatoes against phytophthora. Leaf coverage was sufficient for adequate protection, but for potato spraying Lechler still recommends a nozzle that produces less coarse droplets.
The nozzle will be available in sizes 02 to 08 and will cost around €11.
