AU2021107311A4

AU2021107311A4 - -Fully adjustable vine and small tree row spraying machine

Info

Publication number: AU2021107311A4
Application number: AU2021107311A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bent Baek
Original assignee: Greentech International Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Greentech International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

Title of innovation: Fully adjustable vine and small tree row spraying machine ABSTRACT An agricultural spray machine innovated including a pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms to pass over a row of vines and/or tree to be sprayed. Each pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms, carrying a plurality of fan spray heads, supported by a cantilever arm, and can be rotatable about a mast sleeve, whereby positioned in a transport position to a spread operating position. Each telescopically adjustable curved arms can be adjusted in height relative to the ground and relative to the height of fruit region of the vine and/or tree canopy which are being treated with chemical spray for controlling pest and diseases. 6/8 AC E 17,,c 1B1 7w CL 0 0 000 16a 00016004 Figure7a

Description

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Title of invention: Fully adjustable vine and small tree row spraying machine

Summary of Innovation

[0001] An agricultural towable trailer spraying machine innovated to spray rows used for viticultural or small trees, including a pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms (16, 18) to pass over a row of vines or small trees to be treated with chemical spray. Each pair of arm (16, 18) includes a plurality of fan spray heads (6, 6a, 6b) and each arm (16, 18) is mounted on a support arm (13, 14) rotatable about a vertical axis, whereby the curved arm (16, 18) can be rotated/swang from a transport position to a spread operating position. Each pair of arms (16, 18) has a telescopically adjustable lower parts hence the lower spray heads (6b) are adjustable in height relative to the ground and relative to the height of fruit region of the vine and/or tree canopy which are being treated with chemical spray for controlling pest and diseases.

Technical Field

[0002] This innovation relates to improvements in and relating to machines for spraying agricultural chemicals on vine rows and small trees for controlling pests and diseases.

Background

[0003] Spraying agricultural chemicals have been applied by an air blast sprayer to spray away from a trailer carrying an air blast sprayer to spray chemicals toward a vine or tree by using large volume of high pressure air. Most conventional air blast type sprayers can only spray two half row at a time and are not suited to sloping ground or terraced land due to the limited control over where the water/chemical spray is targeted, and this is the particular case when spraying vine rows along terraced land. For example, table grapes are considerably perishable post-harvest due to the growth of undesired microorganisms. Among them, Botrytis represents a model organism because of its degrading potential and the huge economic losses caused by its infection.

Technical problem

[0004] Researchers provide an overview of the recent primary chemical and biological control treatments adopted against the development of Botrytis in table grapes. Many growers focus on different approaches with organic and sustainable production greatly reducing toxic chemical control for increase quality of table grapes. However, it is a balance for preventive spraying and for crop protection depending on weather conditions and in many cases lose a lot of crop due to poor and inaccurate spray technology and off targets and hence chemical drift problems due to inabilities of quickly adjusting the machine to target spray and treatment of specific part of the vine and/or tree canopy.

[0005] When growing many varieties of vines and small fruit trees the fruit height relative to the ground differ greatly and has absence of uniformity. Therefore, it is essential to be able to adjust the machine to spray specific regions within the vine and/or tree canopy.

Solution to Problem

[0006] This innovation is addressing the effectiveness and the functions such as being able adjust all fan spray heads into predetermined optimum positions for targeting the spray to specific regions within the vine and/or tree canopy. The results has been proven from tests that this reduced the volume of chemical required but also reduce chemical drift problems because the airborne spray material are directed into the canopy in upwardly and downwardly directions simultaneously from both sides of the vine and/or tree canopy. The most important aspects of this innovation is the position and the adjustability of the fan spray heads and hence the adjustments of the telescopically adjustable curved arms to achieve improved spray coverage and penetration of the vine and/or tree canopy.

Advantageous Effects of Innovation

[0007] Experimentally testing a prototype machine having adjustment of all fan spray heads into predetermined optimum position for targeting the spray to specific regions within the vine and/or tree canopy and simultaneously from both sides of the vine and/or tree canopy proved significant improvement of distribution pattern of droplet spray coverage and uniformity (compared with the conventional spray systems like air-blast machines).

Industrial applicability

[0008] This innovation herein described has a significant industrial application and is susceptible to the viticulture, wine industry, and fresh fruit/table grape industrial application and all type of stone fruit industry. Particularly, this innovation is suitable when using different types of chemical protection during different growing stages thought-out the growing season. Furthermore, because of the adjustability, this innovation will reduce the volume of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) which is becoming a significant environmental concern. Currently, for Australia alone the value of the table grape industry has excided $500 million and exciding 220,000 tonnes export market of table grapes covering 25,000 hectares.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order to more fully describe the innovation reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1. Is a side view of one form of the innovation with the arms in the transport position, only the arms on the near side being shown.

Figure 2. This is the rear view showing the arms in the transport position.

Figure 3. Shows a pair of arm that is one side of the trailer/vehicle. It illustrates the telescopically adjustable curved arms.

Figure 3(a). Is a view showing the arms in the spread condition - operating position. It also illustrates the top centre fan spray head that is adjustable in height relative to the top of the vine/tree canopy.

Figure 4. Is a view along the lines of 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the position when the two pair of curved arms are in transport folded in position,

Figure 4(a). Illustrates the two pair of curved arms in the operating position,

Figure 4(b). Illustrates a side view of the upper end of the mast,

Figure 5. Illustrates a top view of the entire machine when in the transport position,

Figure 6. Illustrates a plan view of the machine with the arms in the operating position,

Figure 7. Illustrates a rear view of the arms in the operating position when on ground/land.

Figure 7(a). Illustrates a rear view of the innovation when operating on terraced or sloping ground/land,

[0010] Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11. Illustrations of the advancements in the adjustment of the telescopically adjustable curved arms to suit the required chemical volume in relation to the canopy width, canopy height and particularly the fruit height relative to the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INNOVATION

[0011] Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 7(a) of the drawings, there is shown a sprayer including a tank (1) mounted on a towed trailer (2) having wheels (3) and a drawbar (4). A pump (5) supplies spray material from the tank (1) to the fan spray heads (6) and (7) by spray lines (not shown). A standard farm tractor (1a) is towing powering the trailer/chassis. The fan spray head consists of a shroud cowling and a group of nozzles in front of a fan that is driven by electric or hydraulic motors supplied with electrical or hydraulic power from an alternator or hydraulic pump (8) driven by power take off shaft (9) from the tractor through a control system to the trailer are mounted two masts (11) and (12) on which are rotatable mounted cantilever arm (13) and (14), the cantilever arm (14) being longer than the cantilever arm (13). To the end of cantilever arm (13) there is suspended by a hinge point (15) a pair of telescopically curved arms (16, 16a) which carry the fan spray heads (7, 7a, 7b) and to the end of cantilever arm's vertical axis (14) which is suspended by hinge point (17) a pair of telescopically curved arms (18, 18a) carrying the fan spray heads 6, 6a, 6b).

[0012] The cantilever arm (13) carrying the telescopically curved arms (16, 16a) can be moved from a transport position as shown in Figures 2 and 5 to an operating position as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 by the hydraulic cylinder (21) which is rotatable about mast (11) as shown in Figures 4.

[0013] The cantilever arm (14) carrying the telescopically curved arms (18, 18a) can be moved from a transport position as shown in Figures 2 and 5 to an operating position as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 by the hydraulic cylinder (22) which is rotatable about mast (12) as shown in Figures 4.

[0014] The hydraulic cylinders (21, 22) are both pivoted and connected to a frame portion main mast (23). The hydraulic cylinders ends (21, 22), being pivoted to a frame portion (23) the two masts (11) and (12). Thus it will be seen that by actuation of the cylinder (21, 22), the arms will move in rotational directions moving the arms (13, 14) from the transport position to the operating position and vice versa. A mechanism is also provided to raise and lower each cantilever arm (13) and (14) to vertically adjust the telescopically curved arms and hence the fan spray units depending upon the canopy of the vines/trees and also whether the vines/trees are terraced as shown.

[0015] Illustrated in Figure 4b an adjustable link, such as hydraulic cylinders (24) and (25) are pivoted to the upper end of the masts (11) and (12) and connected to the respective arms (13) and (14) whereby the height of each of the curved arms can be individually adjusted to suit the vines/trees height.

[0016] Figure 4b shows a detail of the upper end of a mast (11), (12) the arms (13), (14) and hydraulic cylinders (24, 25) being attached to a rotatable sleeve (29) fitted to each of the masts (11) and (12).

[0017] Furthermore by referring to Figure 3, where the illustration of only one of the telescopically curved arms is shown, that is arms (18, 18a), the spacing between the arms can be adjusted to accommodate for various widths of canopy of the vines. Each of the arms (18) are pivoted to a bracket (26) being attached to a sleeve (28a) a hydraulic cylinder (27) acting between brackets (28) on the respective arms thus controlling the spacing between the telescopically curved arms (18, 18a). Figure 3a illustrates the arms (18, 18a).

[0018] Each of the arms (16 and 18 are connected by the hinge points (15 and 17) to the respective cantilever arms (13 and 14), which hinge points include a hinge about a substantially vertical axis. This is necessary to provide a means whereby the hinge (15) arms are maintained in a position approximately normal to the vine row being sprayed. By this engineering feature the angle the spray heads spray would vary depending on the distance of the curved arms are adjusted from the respective mast, varies depending upon the distance of the vine from the trailed/vehicle.

[0019] Therefore, the telescopically curved arms (16) and (18) are provided with adjuster horns (30) and (31), and to these are attached cables (32) and (33) anchored at their other ends to the frame of the masts (23). On the opposite side of the respective horns tension springs (34) and (35) provide tension between the respective horns (30) and (31) and the respective cantilever arms (13) and (14). Thus it will be seen that as the cantilever arms (13) and (14) rotate about the respective masts, the cables and springs will move the arms so that the spray heads are approximately normal to the canopy of the vine.

[0020] As explained above the cantilever arms (13) and (14) are of differing lengths, and this is provided that when the arms are rotated to the transport position the telescopically adjustable curved arms, having the spray heads mounted, are positioned one pair behind the other pair as shown in Figures 1,2, 5 and 6.

[0021] It will be seen that the innovation provides a sprayer while particularly directed to spraying vine/tree rows is not limited thereto. In many situation there is a minimum headland or distance between the end of the row of vines/trees and an obstruction such as a fence. However with the sprayer of the present innovation when the end of the row is reached, the arms are folded to the transport position thus permitting the sprayer to be manoeuvred into position for the next pass along the row of vines.

[0022] Referring to Figure 7 and 7a. This innovation provides advancements in the consistency of chemical applications because of telescopically adjustable curved arms to suit the required chemical volume in relation to the canopy width, canopy height and particularly the fruit height relative to the ground and also to accommodate for sloping ground.

[0023] Furthermore by referring to Figure 3, where the illustration of only one of the telescopically curved arms is shown, that is arms (18, 18a), the spacing between the arms can be adjusted to accommodate for various widths of canopy of the vines.

[0024] Referring to Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11. This innovation provides advancements in the adjustment of the telescopically adjustable curved arms to suit the required chemical volume in relation to the canopy width, canopy height and particularly the fruit height relative to the ground.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INNOVATION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A towable trailer spraying machine innovated to spray rows of vines or trees, said machine including at least one pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms each carrying a plurality of fan spray heads to direct liquid spray material into a vine or tree canopy to be treated, for pest and diseases, said pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms being mounted on the end of a cantilever arm rotatable about a mast sleeve on the machine, means (hydraulic cylinder) to rotate the cantilever arm, first adjustable link means (hydraulic cylinder) between the mast sleeve and the cantilever arm to raise and lower the pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms, and second adjustable link means (hydraulic cylinder) to swing out to the side of said towable trailer and change the position of said pair of said telescopically adjustable curved arms, wherein the rotatable cantilever arm is stationed between an operating position and a transport position behind the machine trailer.

2. A towable spraying machine innovated as defined in claim 1 wherein said machine is a trailed vehicle, there being two pairs of telescopically adjustable curved arms, one pair on each side of said trailed vehicle, and wherein one cantilever arm is longer than the other so that when the cantilever arms are rotated into the transport position one is stationed rearwardly of the other, for transport and ease of manoeuvring in restricted parts of the field.

3. A spraying machine innovated as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms are mounted on a pivot at the end of the individual cantilever arms, whereby the individual pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms are maintained to position the fan spray heads generally and approximately normal to the vine or tree canopy as the individual cantilever arm rotates about its mast sleeve.

4. A spraying machine innovated as defined in claim 3 wherein the spray arms adjacent the pivot are connected at one side to a tension cable member attached to a fixture on the machine's mast structure and a tension spring on the other side to maintain tension in the cable member, the tension member thus maintaining the orientation of the pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms, carrying the fan spray heads, relative to the canopy.

5. A spraying machine innovated being a trailed vehicle as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each individual pair of telescopically adjustable curved arms consists of two upper curved parts and two lower curved parts, each carrying at least one fan spray head, having smaller diameter than the upper curved parts, hence able to telescopically slide inside the upper curved parts and in between the upper curved parts one centrally located and height adjustable fan spray head is situated and the lower curved telescopic parts are independently adjustable in height relative to the ground, relative to any of the other fan spray heads and relative to the fruit height within the vine and/or tree canopy, and both lower pair of telescopically curved parts and the centrally located fan spray head can be adjust by means of either hydraulic actuator or lifted by a powered cable and lowered by gravitational force or optionally adjusted by clamping bolts.

End of claims for this Patent

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