New Smart-Inject system injects directly into the nozzle
By injecting neat or semi-dilute products at the nozzle, the innovative Knight Smart-Inject system provides instant product delivery for precise dosing for spot spraying. A completely separate system, it works on booms equipped with recirculation spraylines without any risk of cross contamination.
At the same time the patent pending system also overcomes the problem of the time lag between the injection point in the sprayline and when it sprays out of the nozzle, explains Brian Knight, who developed the system.
“This time lag is a particular problem for patch and weed spraying,” he says. “The delay can mean the boom has passed the target by the time the chemical reaches the nozzle. Injecting it into the nozzle delivers an instant response. It also means it can be used with boom recirculation systems, which return the unused mixture back to the tank. This is because injecting the chemical into the nozzle means it never contaminates the spraylines,” adds Knight.
This allows spot or patch spraying to be carried out simultaneously with a blanket application, without any risk of contaminating the whole spraying system.
Straightforward system
Smart-Inject is a straightforward system. Neat or semi-dilute products are stored either in the original container or a larger tank, which connects to a closed transfer system. A small pump pressurises micro pipework that runs directly to each sprayer nozzle body between the air-stop or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) solenoid valves and nozzle cap.
Injection activation is controlled by either a prescription map or on-board camera sensors. These instruct an additional PWM solenoid on the nozzle body to open and inject the liquid between the shut-off valve and the nozzle cap.
The system, which won a gold medal for innovation at the recent LAMMA Show, is compatible with all types of sprayer. Knight says its plan is to offer the technology via a third party making it available to a wide range of manufacturers across the globe.
Boom levelling upgrades
Knight has also introduced its in-house designed Contour Master for more precise boom height control and terrain following. The system provides boom height and levelling as well as control of the 6G option.
It uses independent distance sensors – 4 on the standard version and six on the 6G variant (for 30m and 36m Tri-Fold booms). The 6G option provides an additional VG pivot point between the mid and outer boom sections providing +/-8° of adjustment at the boom ends on top of +/- 5° of movement from the sprayer’s backframe.
