Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AGRICULTURAL CROP SPRAYING APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to spraying of
agricultural crops and relates particularly but not
exclusively to spraying of tall agricultural crops such as
fruit trees.
Background Art
Hitherto, apparatus has been provided for
spraying tall agricultural crops such as fruit trees
planted in rows. Typically, an orchard will have multiple
rows of trees. The prior apparatus has included a pair of
arms one of which overhangs a row of trees on a left side
of the apparatus and the other overhangs a row of trees on
a right side of the apparatus as the apparatus traverses
longitudinally between the rows. The wings of the
apparatus have an upper horizontally extending part that
passes over the top of the crop, and a lower upright
extending part which carries sprays so that spray liquid
can be sprayed onto the trees. Quite often, the height of
the crop varies and in the case where the crop is of lower
height than other crop, the spray is discharged above the
crop and considerable spray does not reach the crop and is
wasted. Further, because the wings are fixed relative to
a prime mover of the apparatus, it has been difficult to
move the apparatus within the orchard between the rows as
the apparatus leaves one path between adjacent rows to
turn around and move in the opposite direction between
adjacent rows. Further, general road transport of the
apparatus has been difficult owing to the bulky nature of
the wings and their width that extends transversely of the
direction of travel of the apparatus.
There is a need for a different arrangement of
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spraying apparatus.
Statements of the invention
According to one aspect of the present invention
there is provided spraying apparatus for spraying
agricultural crops, particularly but not exclusively
fruit trees, planted in adjacent rows where the apparatus
will, in use, pass between adjacent rows in a direction
parallel to the rows,
said apparatus having two horizontally spaced
upright spray arm assemblies each with sprayers attached
thereto, one spray arm assembly, in use, holding sprayers
facing one row of the crop and the other spray arm
assembly, in use, holding sprayers facing an adjacent row
of the crop,
each spray assembly having a sprayer in an upper
part, and a sprayer in a lower part, and
spray arm assembly first moving means able to move
an upper part of at least one of the spray arms
assemblies relative to a lower part of the spray arm
assembly so a central axis of spraying from the sprayer
in the upper part will be directed in a downward
direction toward an upper part of the crop.
Spray arm assembly second moving means can be
provided which are able to move the upper part and the
lower part of at least one of the spray arm assemblies as
a whole laterally inwardly or outwardly relative to the
longitudinal direction of the row to accommodate for
different width crops and/or different crop row widths.
In some forms of the invention, the upper part of
each spray arm assembly is articulated to a respective
lower part of the spray arm assembly so said upper part
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can swing relative to the lower part about a generally
horizontally extending axis.
The upper part of each spray arm assembly can have
at least two sprayers, and the lower part of each spray
arm assembly can also have at least two sprayers.
The spray arm assemblies can be carried by
respective supporting arms that extend in a generally
horizontal direction, said supporting arms being swing
connected to the apparatus so they can swing in a
generally horizontally extending plane laterally inwardly
and outwardly relative a central longitudinal axis of the
apparatus and carry the respective spray arm assemblies,
and wherein said second moving means is able to move the
supporting arms so the spray arm assemblies, in turn,
move as a whole laterally inwardly or outwardly.
The spray arm assemblies can be carried by the
supporting arms by a connection that is proximate to the
generally horizontally extending axis where the upper
part can swing relative to the lower part, so the lower
part hangs downwardly from said connection and said upper
part extends upwardly from said connection.
The swing arms can be interconnected by a linkage
that permits uniform interlinked swinging of both
supporting arms inwardly or outwardly of said apparatus.
Each spray arm assembly can be connected with a
tracking mechanism to rotate the lower part about a
generally upright axis as the supporting arm are moved
inwardly and outwardly, whereby a central axis of
spraying from each sprayer will be generally
perpendicular to the direction of the crop rows.
The apparatus can include a tank for spray liquid
and wherein said tank is disposed between said spray arm
assemblies.
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Each supporting arm can be connected to the
apparatus at a forward end of the apparatus relative to a
direction of intended travel of the apparatus and so the
supporting arms extend in a direction rearwardly.
The supporting arms can be swung to be generally
parallel to one another and wherein the length of the
supporting arms is such that when swung to this
condition, both spray arm assemblies will be positioned
at a rear of the apparatus behind the tank, whereby to
minimise the width dimensions of the apparatus, for
example to facilitate movement of the apparatus when
spraying is not being performed.
The upper part of each spray arm assembly can the
released from said first moving means so when said
supporting arms are swung to be generally parallel to
each other, the upper parts can be swung about the
generally horizontally extending axis where they are
articulated so the upper parts lie over a top of the
apparatus and extend in a direction forwardly of the
apparatus, whereby to minimise the height dimensions of
the apparatus, for example to facilitate movement of the
apparatus when spraying is not being performed.
The apparatus can be attached to a prime mover by a
hitch so there will be an integrated prime mover and
apparatus, and where said prime mover has two wheels and
where said apparatus has two wheels.
An engine of said primer mover can be disposed at a
position so a centre of mass of said prime mover is
forward of the prime mover wheels and where the apparatus
wheels are rearward of the apparatus whereby a moment
force will be applied from the centre of mass of the
prime mover in an upward direction to the hitch to assist
maintaining the apparatus against downward movement
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relative to the hitch, the arrangements also
advantageously permitting for a sharp turning circle of
the integrated prime mover and apparatus, and minimal
tail swing of the apparatus that would otherwise occur if
the apparatus wheels were closer to a front of the
apparatus.
According to another aspect of the present invention
there is provided spraying apparatus for spraying
agricultural crops, particularly but not exclusively
fruit trees, planted in adjacent rows where the apparatus
will, in use, pass between adjacent rows in a direction
parallel to the rows,
said apparatus having two horizontally spaced
upright spray arm assemblies each with sprayers attached
thereto, one spray arm assembly, in use, holding sprayers
facing one row of the crop and the other spray arm
assembly, in use, holding sprayers facing an adjacent row
of the crop, and
spray arm assembly moving means able to move at
least one of the spray arm assemblies as a whole
laterally inwardly or outwardly relative to the
longitudinal direction of the row to accommodate for
different width crops and/or different crop row widths.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In order that the invention can be more clearly
ascertained, an example of a preferred embodiment will
now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein:
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Figure 1 is a side elevation view of one example
of apparatus for spraying crop such as fruit trees,
Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in
Figure 1,
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus
showing the spraying of tall crops such as fruit trees,
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but
showing spraying of lower height crop such as lower height
fruit trees than shown in Figure 3,
Figure 5 is a detailed schematic diagram showing
supporting arms that carry spray arm assemblies,
Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the
apparatus showing the supporting arms swung to minimise
the width and height dimensions of the apparatus to
facilitate movement of the apparatus when spraying is not
being performed,
Figure 7 is a hydraulic circuit diagram showing
operation of various rams in the apparatus,
Figure 8 is a further hydraulic circuit diagram
showing operation of fans that disperse spray into the
atmosphere from sprayers mounted on the apparatus, and
Figure 9 is a further hydraulic circuit diagram
showing how spray liquid is pumped to fan nozzles.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring generally to Figures 1 - 4, it can be
seen that the example of the apparatus 1 is attached with
a prime mover 3 through a hitch 5. The apparatus has a
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chassis part 7 carried by ground engaging wheels 9 that
have an axle 11 suitably mounted to the chassis 7. The
chassis 7 carries a spray liquid tank 13 in which spray to
be sprayed onto the crops can be carried. The spray tank
has a filling lid 15. The prime mover 3 has an air
conditioned cabin 17 with filtered air circulation. This
substantially inhibits the driver of the prime mover 3
from inhaling spray that would otherwise pass into the
cabin 17.
The chassis 7 has a pair of upright frame arms 19
at a forward end relative to the hitch 5. The upright
frame arms 19 are interconnected at the top with a cross
arm 21. A pair of struts 23 interconnect between the
cross arm 21 and the chassis at a point adjacent the hitch
5 and provide rigidity to the frame arms 19. This is
clearly shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 also shows that each
of the upright frame arms 19 is displaced at a forward end
of the apparatus relative to the hitch 5 and in front of
the spray tank 13. Each of the upright frame arms 19
carries a respective supporting arm 25 which is mounted
for swinging about an upright central longitudinal axis of
each of the upright frame arms 19. Thus, each of the
supporting arms 25 can swing relative to the apparatus 1
in a generally horizontally extending plane. A collar 27
is received over the outside of each of the upright frame
arms 19 and the supporting arms 25 are welded thereto.
Thus, the collars 27 act as supports and bearings for the
supporting arms 25 in their swinging motion. It can be
seen that the collars 27 extend downwardly from the cross
arm 21 at the top of the upright frame arms 19. Each of
the supporting arms 25 is welded to a lower part of a
respective collar 27. A pair of supporting struts 29
connect with an outer extremity of each of the supporting
arms 25 and an upper part of the collars 27. This
provides for maintaining each of the supporting arms 25 at
a generally horizontally extending position. The struts
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29 have been shown only in some of the figures in order to
aid clarity. The outer or free ends of each of the
supporting arms 25 carries a spray assembly collar 31
which is suitably welded to each of the respective
supporting arms 25.
A spray assembly shown generally by numeral 33
comprises an upper part 35 and a lower part 37. Each of
the upper parts 35 and lower parts 37 are elongate tubes.
The top of the lower part 37 carries a swing plate 39
fixed thereto. The upper part 35 is swing connected
relative to the lower part 37 so it can articulate and
swing about a generally horizontally extending axis 41
(see Figures 3 and 4). Thus, the upper part 35 is
physically swing connected relative to the lower part 37
at the top of the lower part 37. Each of the spray
assemblies 33 includes sprayers 43. The sprayers 43 are
known spraying devices sold under the name Quantum Mistl'
Fan Type HP-219E from Croplands, Crnr Cavan and Duncan
Roads, Dry Creek 5094, South Australia. Each sprayer 43
has a motor driven fan to move air through the sprayers
43. The sprayers 43 also contain individual spray nozzles
spaced around an outer perimeter. Thus, when spray liquid
is sprayed from the nozzles, the fans move air through the
sprayers 43 and disperse the spray outwardly of the
apparatus towards the crops such as fruit trees.
Typically, the fan motors are driven by hydraulic fluid
from a hydraulic pump carried by the apparatus/prime
mover. Spray is ejected from the spray nozzles by a
suitable pump driven by a hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic
pump carried by the apparatus/prime mover.
Respective hydraulic rams 45 are connected
between a part of the swing plate 39 and a part of the
upper part 35 of the spray assembly 33. This is shown in
Figures 2, 3 and 4. Thus, as the spray assembly 33 is
carried by the supporting arms 25 at an upper part of the
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lower part 37 of the spray assembly 33, the upper part 35
can be caused to swing about the horizontally extending
axis 41 in a direction inwardly or outwardly by the rams
45 retracting or extending. Thus, it is clear that the
spray assemblies 33 are carried by the supporting arms 25
proximate to the generally horizontally extending axis 41.
In this arrangement, the lower part 37 hangs downwardly
from the connection at the collar 31 and the upper part 35
extends upwardly from the connection of the collar 31.
Thus, the upper part 35 is able to be moved by moving
means, comprising the rams 45, relative to the lower part
37 so that a central axis of spraying from the sprayers 35
in the upper part 35 will be directed in a downward
direction towards an upper part of the crop. This is
shown in Figure 4 where the central axis 47 of the
sprayers 43 in the upper part 35 are directed in a
downward direction towards an upper part of the crop 49.
Here, in Figure 4, the crop 49 (being diagrammatic and
representative of a fruit tree crop) is of lower height
than the crop 49 shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, it is
seen that the upper part 35 is moved by the moving means,
being the rams 45, so that the upper part 35 is directly
upright above the lower part 37. It can be seen in Figure
3 that the central axis of spraying of each of the
sprayers 43 is generally horizontal.
In the example, there are two sprayers 43 in the
upper parts 35 and two sprayers 43 in the lower parts 37.
If desired, a single sprayer 43 may be provided on each of
the upper parts 35 and lower parts 37. Alternatively,
other numbers of sprayers 43 may be utilised in the upper
parts 35 and lower parts 37. Further, different numbers
of sprayers 43 may be utilised in the upper parts 35
relative to the lower parts 37.
The supporting arms 25 are able to swing in a
generally horizontal plane, as noted previously. This
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swinging enables the spray assemblies 33 to move laterally
inwardly and outwardly relative to a central longitudinal
axis of the apparatus. This, in turn, causes the spray
arm assemblies 33 to be carried as a whole laterally
inwardly or outwardly relative to the apparatus 1. Thus,
as the apparatus 1 is moved between adjacent rows of crop
49, the supporting arms 25 can be moved inwardly or
outwardly to, in turn, move the spray assemblies 33
inwardly or outwardly, placing the sprayers 43 in a
position to maximise the spraying of the crops 49 and to
adjust for different width spacing of the rows of the
crop.
Figure 5 shows how the supporting arms 25 are
able to swing. The sprayers 43 have been omitted from
Figure 5 in order to aid clarity of the figure. Swing
plates 51 are physically connected relative to the collars
27. A moving means comprising a ram 53 is connected with
an outer free end of one of the swing plates 51 and a
cross arm between the upright frame arms 19. It should be
noted that the swing plates 51 and the ram 53 have not
been shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 or 4 in order to aid clarity
of those figures. A link arm 55 is pivotally connected to
each of the respective swing plates 51 at equal radius
distances from the respective upright axis of swinging of
supporting arms 25. Thus, as the ram 53 is extended or
retracted, the supporting arms 25 are moved laterally
inwardly and outwardly relative to a central longitudinal
axis of the apparatus in a uniform linked manner. Thus,
the supporting arms 25 move the spray arm assemblies 33 as
a whole laterally inwardly or outwardly of the apparatus
1. Further, each of the swing plates 39 is connected at
its outer end with a further link arm 57 which, in turn,
connects with a fixed part of the apparatus 1 in a pivotal
manner. Thus, as the supporting arms 25 are moved
inwardly and outwardly by the moving means, being the ram
53, the swing plates 39 are caused to track together.
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This causes the spray assemblies 33 to rotate about a
generally upright axis of the collars 31 (and the central
longitudinal axis of the lower parts 37), so that a
central axis 47 of spraying from the sprayer 43 is
maintained generally perpendicular to the direction of the
row of the crops. In other words, the sprayers 43 are
rotated about an upright axis so that they are all facing
generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the
apparatus 1 and generally perpendicular to the direction
of the crop rows 49.
Referring now to Figure 6, it is shown how the
spray assemblies 33 can be moved for general transport of
the apparatus/prime mover when not spraying crops. This
minimises the width and height of the apparatus and makes
for relatively easy movement when not spraying crops
compared to if the spray assemblies 33 were in a generally
spraying, in use, condition. Here, the supporting arms 25
have been moved to lie generally parallel to one another
and parallel with the longitudinal central axis of the
apparatus/prime mover. It can be further seen that the
upper parts 35 have been swung about the generally
horizontally extending axes 41, so that the upper parts 35
lie over a top of the apparatus 1 and extend in a
direction forwardly of the apparatus 1. It should also be
noted that the sprayers 43 in the lower part 37 are now
rearwardly facing away from the apparatus. Thus, the
spray assembly 33 has been rotated about a generally
upright axis to enable the sprayers 43 to be oriented in
this way. In order to achieve the necessary swing of the
upper part 35 forwardly of the apparatus and the movement
of the sprayers 43 to be rearwardly facing, it is
necessary to release the coupling with the link arms 57,
and the rams 45. Suitable quick release mechanisms may be
provided for this purpose.
Figure 6 also shows that the ground engaging
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wheels 9 of the apparatus 1 are situated rearwardly of the
apparatus 1. Figure 6 also shows that ground engaging
wheels 59 of the prime mover 3 are positioned to be
relatively close to the hitch 5. This arrangement permits
for a tight turning circle which is needed when the
apparatus/prime mover reaches an end of travel of rows and
needs to turn to move through an adjacent set of rows or
crop. Further, because the ground engaging wheels 9 are
at the rear of the apparatus 1, there is minimal overhang
and tail swing of the apparatus 1 that would otherwise
occur if the apparatus 1 wheels 9 were closer to the front
of the apparatus. This minimises possible crop damage
from the overhanging of the tail end of the apparatus. In
addition, Figure 6 shows that a centre of mass 61 of the
prime mover 3 is situated forwardly of the drive axis of
the ground engaging wheels 59. This, in turn, provides a
moment force in an upward direction to the hitch 5 to
assist maintaining the apparatus 1 against downward
movement relative to the hitch 5.
Referring now to Figure 7, there is a hydraulic
circuit diagram showing operation of the respective rams
45, and 53. Figure 7 shows a hydraulic controller 61 used
for providing hydraulic fluid to the respective rams 45,
53. The symbol D and the symbol T are respectively for
hydraulic Divided Pressure or hydraulic Tank which are
conventional hydraulic circuit indications for hydraulic
circuit lines. From Figure 7 it can be deduced that rams
45 may be operated independently of each other, thus
permitting the upper parts 35 of the spray assembly 33 to
move independently and not in unison if required.
Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a
hydraulic circuit diagram for driving the fan motors of
the sprayers 43. Here, fluid under pressure is supplied
via D from a flow divider 63 (See Figure 9). The fluid is
provided to a gear divider 65 which supplies two fluid
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outlets 67, 69 which are provided for driving the lower
sprayer motors 43 and the upper sprayer motors 43
respectively. Only the sprayer motors 43 on one side of
the apparatus have been shown. A similar arrangement is
provided for sprayers 43 on the opposite side of the
apparatus. Thus, fluid under pressure travels through
outlets 67, 69 to respective flow dividers 71, 73. The
flow dividers 71, 73 allow for control of the speed of the
sprayer motors 43, and any excess hydraulic fluid is
supplied directly back to the Tank. The flow dividers
allow for adjustment of the sprayer motors 43 so that the
fans can be adjusted to suit particular crops. Solenoid
control valves 75/77 are provided with the respective flow
dividers 71, 73 to cause hydraulic fluid to flow directly
back to the tank T in the event that respective fan motors
43 in the upper part, or the lower part are not required
to be operated.
Figure 9 shows the hydraulic circuitry for
driving a pump 79 which supplies spray fluid under
pressure from the tank 13. Here, a flow divider 63 is
provided and supplies the D fluid outputs to the hydraulic
circuit shown in Figures 7 and 8. The flow divider 63
receives hydraulic fluid under pressure P from a main
hydraulic pump carried by the apparatus/prime mover. The
output from the flow divider 63 passes to the pump 79 and
the correct pump RPM is controlled from the flow divider
63. A solenoid valve 81 is provided to cause hydraulic
fluid to return to the tank in the event the pump 79 is
not required to be operated.
Modifications may be made to the invention as
would be apparent to persons skilled in the agricultural
sprayer arts. For example, the apparatus/prime mover may
have drive motors for each of the ground engaging wheels
59. Thus, the apparatus/prime mover may be a four wheel
drive device. Alternatively, it may be a two wheel drive
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device where the apparatus 1 is towed behind the driven
prime mover 3. Further, the prime mover 3 may have four
ground engaging wheels 59. Further, instead of mounting
the supporting arms 25 so they swing about an upright axis
forwardly of the apparatus 1, they may be mounted so that
they swing about a rearwardly positioned upright axis and
extend forwardly. Whilst each spray assembly 33 has been
shown as linked to upper part 35 and lower part 37, each
of the parts may be separately mounted and not
interconnected. Further, whilst each spray assembly 33
has been shown with an upper part 35 and a lower part 37,
it may be provided with three or more parts, where the
third and further parts are mounted one above the other at
the upper end of the upper part 35, and each mounted for
swinging about a respective generally horizontally
extending axis, and swingable by respective rams 45. In
this way, the spray assemblies may be "shaped" to the
general contour of the trees in the crop. This is
particularly useful for trees such as avocado trees and
other similar large tree crops.
These and other modifications may be made without
departing from the invention, the nature of which is to be
determined from the foregoing description.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art
publication is referred to herein, such reference does not
constitute an admission that the publication forms a part
of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia
or any other country.
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In the claims which follow and in the preceding
description, except where the context requires otherwise
due to express language or necessary implication, the word
"comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or
"comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to
specify the presence of the stated features but not to
preclude the presence or addition of further features in
various embodiments of the invention.
