AU2012204121A1

AU2012204121A1 - Attachment for Agricultural Sprayer

Info

Publication number: AU2012204121A1
Application number: AU2012204121A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew John Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-15
Filing date: 2012-07-12
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-12
Also published as: AU2012204121B2

Abstract

Abstract An attachment 100 for an agricultural sprayer 12 of the kind having a solution 5 tank 16 in which a solution of an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying. The attachment 100 comprises a series of holding tanks 14 for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which is obtained from a bulk storage container. A manifold 102 is provided for controlling the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the storage container to the 10 holding tanks 14, and from the holding tanks 14 to the solution tank 16 wherein, in use, operator exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemical can be minimised. Drawing suggested to accompany Abstract: Figure 7 ib 00 14e

Description

ORIGINAL AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention title: "ATTACHMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER" Applicant: ANDREW JOHN PETERSON Associated Provisional Application No.: 2011902832 The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 "ATTACHMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL SPRAYER" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an attachment for an agricultural sprayer and 5 relates particularly, though not exclusively, to such an attachment for a self propelled sprayer. Background to the Invention Agricultural machinery company, John Deere, produces and has produced several variations of its 30 and 4000 Series self-propelled agricultural 10 sprayers, which are essentially a combination of a tractor and truck for spraying crops and fields. The self-propelled sprayer carries a large solution tank for containing a solution of concentrated agricultural chemical mixed with water, and is fitted with a boom spray for applying the chemical spray solution to a field or crop. A hydraulically driven pump is provided onboard to 15 pump concentrated agricultural chemical from a centrally located storage container into the solution tank. A venturi-style inductor is provided for mixing the concentrated agricultural chemical with water as it is pumped into the solution tank. The concentrated agricultural chemicals are kept in storage containers stored 20 in a centrally located loading station, typically in a shed on the farm. The shed is specially designed with a concrete loading pad for containing spills, as the concentrated agricultural chemicals are highly toxic and should not be released into the soil as they may leach into groundwater. Special protective gear should be worn when handling these chemicals for occupational health 25 and safety (OH&S) reasons. The chemicals are typically stored in 20 litre containers, 110 litre drums or a 1000 litre shuttle (IBCs). In spite of the OH&S precautions accidental spillage and exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemicals during handling still occurs, creating a potential hazard for operators and the environment. Therefore there is a need 30 for a system that reduces the likelihood of accidental spillage and exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemicals.

3 In a typical agricultural scenario, spraying of a field must occur within a short time frame prior to seeding, and therefore the sprayer may be operating at the same time as a planter but in different fields. Several different types of chemical spray may be required to prepare the field. However the need to 5 return to the loading station to refill the solution tank with a different chemical creates inconvenient delays and costly downtime. The present invention was developed with a view to providing an attachment for an agricultural sprayer/that provides improved spraying efficiency. Although the attachment will be described with particular reference to a self 10 propelled sprayer, it will be appreciated that it may also be employed with other types of spraying equipment such as a tractor-drawn sprayer. References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. 15 Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment for an agricultural sprayer of the kind having a solution tank in 20 which a solution of an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying, the attachment comprising: a holding tank for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which is obtained from a bulk storage container; and, a manifold for controlling the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from 25 the storage container to the holding tank, and from the holding tank to the solution tank wherein, in use, operator exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemical can be minimised. Preferably the holding tank is one of a plurality of holding tanks for holding different types of concentrated agricultural chemical. Advantageously the 30 plurality of holding tanks comprises a plurality of different sized tanks.

4 Preferably each tank holds a predetermined volume of concentrated agricultural chemical so that a variety of desired volumes of concentrated agricultural chemical can be held by selecting various combinations of the different sized holding tanks. 5 Preferably the manifold comprises a plurality of holding tank ports, a corresponding plurality of inlet ports and a corresponding plurality of outlet ports, the inlet ports for connection to a bulk storage container for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical into the respective holding tanks via the respective holding tank ports, and the outlet ports for 10 connection to the solution tank for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the respective holding tanks to the solution tank. Preferably each pair of inlet/outlet ports is provided with a three-way valve for switching between filling and mixing modes. Preferably the attachment further comprises a pump for loading the holding 15 tanks with concentrated agricultural chemical from a bulk storage container. Preferably the pump is an electrically driven diaphragm pump. Preferably the attachment further comprises a support structure for supporting the various components of the attachment, including the holding tanks and manifold. Typically the support structure comprises a plurality of 20 support plates for supporting the respective holding tanks, and a horizontal support member on which the respective support plates are mounted. Advantageously the support member is adapted to be bolted onto a pair of OEM support masts provided on the rear of the sprayer for supporting the parallelogram mount for the spray boom. 25 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an agricultural sprayer for spraying chemicals on crops and fields, the sprayer comprising: a solution tank in which a solution of agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying; 5 a holding tank for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which may be obtained from a bulk storage container; and, a manifold for controlling the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the storage container to the holding tank, and from the holding tank to the 5 solution tank wherein, in use, operator exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemical can be minimised. Preferably the holding tank is one of a plurality of holding tanks for holding different types of concentrated agricultural chemical. Advantageously the plurality of holding tanks comprises a plurality of different sized tanks. 10 Preferably each tank holds a predetermined volume of concentrated agricultural chemical so that a variety of desired volumes of concentrated agricultural chemical can be held by selecting various combinations of the different sized holding tanks. 15 Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that 20 a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following 25 detailed description of several specific embodiments of the agricultural sprayer attachment, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-propelled agricultural sprayer with a first embodiment of the attachment according to the present 6 invention fitted thereto; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the agricultural sprayer of Figure 1 with the spray boom removed for clarity; Figure 3 (a) is front perspective view of a manifold and pump assembly 5 employed the attachment for an agricultural sprayer shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 (b) is right rear perspective view of the manifold and pump assembly shown in Figure 3 (a); Figure 3 (c) is left rear perspective view of the manifold and pump assembly shown in Figure 3 (a); 10 Figure 3 (d) is side elevation view of the manifold and pump assembly shown in Figure 3 (a); Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the main components employed in the attachment for an agricultural sprayer shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a top perspective view similar to Figure 4 with the support 15 structure omitted; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the plumbing for the attachment for an agricultural sprayer shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a rear elevation of a self-propelled agricultural sprayer with a second embodiment of the attachment according to the present 20 invention fitted thereto; Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the holding tanks employed in the attachment for an agricultural sprayer shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is front perspective view of a manifold and pump assembly employed the attachment for an agricultural sprayer shown in Figure 7; 25 Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the manifold and pump assembly shown in Figure 9; and, Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the manifold and pump assembly shown in Figure 9.

7 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments A first embodiment of an attachment 10 in accordance with the invention, for 5 an agricultural sprayer 12, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, comprises a holding tank 14 for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which may be obtained from a bulk storage container (not illustrated). The agricultural sprayer 12 is of the kind having a solution tank 16 in which an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying. The chemical solution in 10 the solution tank 16 is applied to a field via a spray boom 18. In the illustrated embodiment the agricultural sprayer 12 is self-propelled; however the attachment 10 may also be fitted to a tractor-drawn sprayer. The attachment 10 may also be incorporated into the design of the agricultural sprayer 12 and hence be made integral to the sprayer during manufacture. 15 The attachment 10 further comprises a manifold 20 for controlling the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from a bulk storage container to the holding tank 14, and from the holding tank 14 to the solution tank 16 (see Figures 3 and 5). The manifold 20 will be described in more detail below. The attachment 10 facilitates the transfer of chemicals at a central location on a 20 farm, using a closed system wherein, in use, operator exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemical can be minimised. Preferably the holding tank is one of a plurality of holding tanks 14 for holding different types of concentrated agricultural chemical. In the illustrated embodiment six holding tanks 14a to 14f are provided; however any suitable 25 number of holding tanks may be employed depending on the application. Advantageously the plurality of holding tanks 14 comprises a plurality of different sized tanks. Preferably each tank 14 holds a predetermined volume of concentrated agricultural chemical so that a variety of desired volumes of concentrated agricultural chemical can be held by selecting various 30 combinations of the different sized holding tanks. In the illustrated embodiment the holding tanks 14a, 14b and 14c are each 8 100 litre tanks, whereas holding tanks 14d, 14e and 14f are each 200 litre tanks. Preferably the holding tanks 14 are manufactured from a translucent, chemically resistant, plastics material, and have a series of graduated markings provided on an outer surface to give a visual indication of the 5 volume of liquid held in the tank. For example graduated markings may be provided at 10 litre intervals to permit the tank 14 to be partially filled to the required volume. This increases the number of permutations and combinations of tank volumes that can be employed to hold the desired volume of concentrated agricultural chemical. 10 For example, if 550 litres of concentrated agricultural chemical is required, then two of the 200 litre tanks, 14d and 14e, may be filled, together with one of the 100 litre tanks 14a and half of another 100 litre tank 14b. A large range of volumes of concentrated agricultural chemical can thus be held in the holding tanks 14. Also different chemicals can be held in different holding 15 tanks to further increase the flexibility and versatility of the agricultural sprayer. The size and number of the holding tanks 14 may also limited or set by the available space and load-bearing capacity of the sprayer 12. As can be see most clearly in Figure 3, the manifold 20 preferably comprises a plurality of holding tank ports 22, a corresponding plurality of inlet ports 24 20 and a corresponding plurality of outlet ports 26. In the illustrated embodiment the holding tank ports 22 connect directly to each of the six holding tanks 14. The inlet ports 24 connect to the bulk storage container (not illustrated) via a common inlet pipe 25, for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical into the respective holding tanks 14 via the respective holding tank 25 ports 22. The outlet ports 26 connect via a closed loop common outlet pipe 27 to the solution tank 16, for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the respective holding tanks 14 via the respective holding tank ports 22 to the solution tank 16 for mixing with water. Preferably each set of holding tank/inlet/outlet ports of manifold 20 is 30 provided with a three-way valve 30 for switching between filling and mixing modes. In the illustrated embodiment the three-way valves 30 are manually 9 operated BANJO (Trade Mark) valves. In a first (filling) position, the valves 30 permit the flow of concentrated chemical into the inlet port 24 (from the bulk storage container) and out of the holding tank port 22 (to the corresponding holding tank 14). In a second (mixing) position, the valves 30 5 permit the flow of concentrated chemical into the holding tank port 22 (from the corresponding holding tank 14) and out of the outlet port 26 (to the solution tank 16). Preferably the attachment 10 further comprises a pump 32 for loading the holding tanks 14 with concentrated agricultural chemical from a bulk storage 10 container. Preferably the pump is an electrically driven diaphragm pump 32, which in this embodiment is mounted in connection with the manifold 20, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 3. With a valve 30 in the first (filling) position, the concentrated agricultural chemical can be pumped from the bulk storage container via pump 32 into a selected holding tank 14. 15 An inlet pipe 34 (see Figures 5 and 6) for the pump 32 can be connected directly to the bulk storage container using a MICRO MATIC (Trade Mark) dry break coupling 36. The dry break coupling 36 allows safe transfer of hazardous chemical from the bulk storage container to the holding tanks 14 and/or the solution tank 16. (Dry break coupling 36 is shown in a rest position 20 in Figures 4 and 5.) An outlet port (not visible ) of the pump 32 is connected to the common inlet pipe 25 of the manifold 20. The manifold 20 also comprises a seventh three-way valve 30g, which also has an inlet port 24g connected to the pump 32, and a first outlet port 26g connected to the common inlet pipe 25 of the manifold, and a second outlet 25 port 28g connected to the solution tank 16. Figure 6 illustrates schematically the plumbing of the various components of the attachment 10. The seventh three-way valve 30g can be switched a first position to allow concentrated chemical to be pumped directly into the solution tank 16 as it is being filled with water. When valve 30g is switched to a second position, as shown in 30 Figure 6, it connects the pump 32 to the inlet pipe 25 of the manifold, and 10 permits loading of one or more of the holding tanks 14 while another tank 14 is being emptied into the solution tank 16. Solution tank 16 is loaded in a conventional manner using the OEM pump 40 installed on the sprayer 12. In the illustrated embodiment the pump 40 is a 5 centrifugal pump 40 which draws fresh water into the tank 16 through fresh water suction line 42 and via an OEM venturi inductor 44. The inductor 44 is designed to mix the concentrated chemical with fresh water before it is loaded into the solution tank 16. First and second OEM pump valves 46a and 46b are used to switch the pump 40 between loading and spraying modes. 10 The valves 46 are shown switched to the loading mode in Figure 6. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 6, a chemical inlet port 48 of the inductor 44 connects to the common outlet pipe 27 of the manifold 20 via an OEM inductor hopper 50. Hopper 50 would typically be used for loading a dry (particulate) chemical concentrate into the inductor 44. 15 In order to load concentrated chemical from one or more of the holding tanks 14, the respective three-way valves 30 are switched to the filling position (as shown in Figure 6 and the pump 40 is started to draw the chemical into the tank 16, together with fresh water, via the suction created by the venturi inductor 44. In the spraying mode of pump 40, the valves 46 are switched to 20 the spraying mode (opposite to that shown in Figure 6) so that chemical solution is drawn from the solution tank 16 and pumped via pump 40 to the spray nozzles 60 on the spray boom 18. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the complete assembly of attachment 10. Figure 4 includes a support structure 64 for supporting the various components of the 25 attachment 10, including the holding tanks 14 and manifold 20. Figure 5 omits the support structure 64 for clarity. Support structure 64 comprises a plurality of support plates 66 for supporting the respective holding tanks 14, and a horizontal support member 68 on which the respective support plates 66 are mounted. Support member 68 is typically bolted onto a pair of OEM 30 support masts 70 provided on the rear of sprayer 12, for supporting the parallelogram mount for the spray boom 18.

11 One of the 1000 litre holding tanks 14c is mounted on a lower side of the sprayer 12, as can be seen most clearly in Figures 1 and 2, adjacent the OEM venturi inductor 44. Support plates 66c and 66g are provided to support the holding tank 14c, and a further support plate 66h is provided to support 5 the manifold 20. Pipes or hoses 72 connect the respective holding tanks 14 to the holding tank ports 22 of manifold 20. A second embodiment of an attachment 100 in accordance with the invention, for an agricultural sprayer 12, is illustrated in Figures 7 to 11. The attachment 100 is similar in many respects to the attachment 10 of Figures 1 10 to 6, and therefore the similar parts will be identified using the like reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. The attachment 100 comprises a holding tank 14 for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which may be obtained from a bulk storage container (not illustrated). As with the first embodiment, the agricultural sprayer 12 is of the kind having a 15 solution tank 16 in which an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying. Preferably the holding tank is one of a plurality of holding tanks 14 for holding different types of concentrated agricultural chemical. As with the first embodiment, six holding tanks 14a to 14f are provided. The attachment 100 further comprises a manifold 102 for controlling the flow 20 of concentrated agricultural chemical from a bulk storage container to the holding tanks 14, and from the holding tanks 14 to the solution tank 16 (see Figures 7, 9, 10 and 11). As can be see most clearly in Figures 9, 10 and 11, the manifold 102 preferably comprises a plurality of holding tank ports 122, a corresponding plurality of inlet ports 124 and a corresponding plurality of 25 outlet ports 126. As with the previous embodiment, the holding tank ports 122 connect directly to each of the six holding tanks 14. The inlet ports 124 connect to the bulk storage container (not illustrated) via a common inlet pipe 125, for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical into the respective holding tanks 14 via the respective holding tank ports 122. The 30 outlet ports 126 connect via a closed loop common outlet pipe 127 to the solution tank 16, for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical 12 from the respective holding tanks 14 via the respective holding tank ports 122 to the solution tank 16 for mixing with water. Preferably each set of holding tank/inlet/outlet ports of manifold 102 is provided with a three-way valve 104 for switching between filling and mixing 5 modes. In a first (filling) position, the valves 104 permit the flow of concentrated chemical into the inlet port 124 (from the bulk storage container) and out of the holding tank port 122 (to the corresponding holding tank 14). In a second (mixing) position, the valves 104 permit the flow of concentrated chemical into the holding tank port 122 (from the corresponding 10 holding tank 14) and out of the outlet port 126 (to the solution tank 16). Preferably the attachment 100 further comprises a pump 106 for loading the holding tanks 14 with concentrated agricultural chemical from a bulk storage container. As with the first embodiment, the pump is an electrically driven diaphragm pump 106, which in this embodiment is mounted in connection 15 with the manifold 102, as can be seen most clearly in Figures 9-11. The manifold 102 also comprises a seventh three-way valve 104g, which also has an inlet port 24g connected to the pump 106, and a first outlet port 126g connected to the common inlet pipe 125 of the manifold, and a second outlet port 28g connected to the solution tank 16. The seventh three-way valve 20 104g operates in a similar manner, and performs a similar function, to the three-valve 30g of the first embodiment as described above. Now that preferred embodiments of the attachment for an agricultural sprayer have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the described 25 embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following: (i) The provision of one or more onboard holding tanks extends the versatility of the agriculture sprayer significantly.

13 (ii) The closed system formed by the interconnection of the holding tanks and manifold help to minimise the risk of spillage and/or operator exposure to hazardous concentrated chemicals. (iii) The provision of a plurality of onboard holding tanks enables various 5 combinations and volumes of concentrated chemicals to be carried by the sprayer while spraying, minimising costly downtime when refilling the solution tank at a central loading station. (iv) The manifold enables the desired volumes and combinations of chemical solutions to be loaded into the solution tank with 10 minimum interruption to spraying. It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from 15 the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. For example, the arrangement and plumbing of the holding tanks and manifold may vary considerably from that illustrated, depending on the sprayer on which the attachment is fitted or integrated. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. 20 25 30

Claims

1. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer of the kind having a solution tank in which a solution of an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying, the attachment comprising: a holding tank for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which is 10 obtained from a bulk storage container; and, a manifold for controlling the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the storage container to the holding tank, and from the holding tank to the solution tank wherein, in use, operator exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemical can be minimised. 15

2. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 1, wherein the holding tank is one of a plurality of holding tanks for holding different types of concentrated agricultural chemical.

3. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 2, wherein the plurality of holding tanks comprises a plurality of different sized tanks. 20

4. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 3, wherein each tank holds a predetermined volume of concentrated agricultural chemical so that a variety of desired volumes of concentrated agricultural chemical can be held by selecting various combinations of the different sized holding tanks. 25

5. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of holding tank ports, a corresponding plurality of inlet ports and a corresponding plurality of outlet ports, the inlet ports for connection to a bulk storage container for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical into the respective 30 holding tanks via the respective holding tank ports, and the outlet ports for 15 connection to the solution tank for permitting the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the respective holding tanks to the solution tank.

6. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 5, wherein each pair of inlet/outlet ports is provided with a three-way valve for switching 5 between filling and mixing modes.

7. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 6, wherein the attachment further comprises a pump for loading the holding tanks with concentrated agricultural chemical from a bulk storage container.

8. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 7, wherein 10 the pump is an electrically driven diaphragm pump.

9. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment further comprises a support structure for supporting the various components of the attachment, including the holding tanks and manifold. 15

10. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 9, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of support plates for supporting the respective holding tanks, and a horizontal support member on which the respective support plates are mounted.

11. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 10, wherein 20 the support member is adapted to be bolted onto a pair of OEM support masts provided on the rear of the sprayer for supporting the parallelogram mount for the spray boom.

12. An agricultural sprayer for spraying chemicals on crops and fields, the sprayer comprising: 25 a solution tank in which a solution of an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying; a holding tank for holding a concentrated agricultural chemical which may be obtained from a bulk storage container; and, 16 a manifold for controlling the flow of concentrated agricultural chemical from the storage container to the holding tank, and from the holding tank to the solution tank wherein, in use, operator exposure to the concentrated agricultural chemical can be minimised. 5

13. An agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 12, wherein the holding tank is one of a plurality of holding tanks for holding different types of concentrated agricultural chemical.

14. An agricultural sprayer as defined in claim 13, wherein the plurality of holding tanks comprises a plurality of different sized tanks. 10 15. An attachment for an agricultural sprayer of the kind having a solution tank in which a solution of an agricultural chemical mixed with water is held prior to spraying, the attachment substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

15 Dated this 12 th day of July 2012 20 Andrew John Peterson by his Patent Attorneys Janet Stead & Associates