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Dec 29, 2023

Boom Sprayer Technology: 14 Products Providing Full Coverage for Applicators

At the recent Midwest AG Industries Exposition (MAGIE), hosted by the Illinois

At the recent Midwest AG Industries Exposition (MAGIE), hosted by the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA), there were several key takeaways that attendees, especially custom applicators, could appreciate. But there was perhaps no bigger takeaway than how the latest in boom technology was on full display at the McLean County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, IL.

WilgerQuick Flange (QF100) plumbing system makes a better sprayer boom, simply fixing current issues in spray plumbing management (e.g., boom hygiene/rinsing, recirculation, nozzle run-on, boom weight, high flow requirements, PWM adaptation). The flanged fitting platform is futureproofed for new development and technologies (e.g., spot spraying, dual boom spraying, etc.) The spraying system removes all traditional threads from the sprayer (which are typical maintenance or failure points), replacing them with a common 1" flange. The QF100 product line is engineered for better boom flow, hygiene, and superior function and flexibility. The system can be retrofit onto any sprayer tube with 1.315" OD, with a variety of tube to flange adapters, including the new ‘through-pipe’ and ‘cut-pipe’ adapters that make retrofitting even easier. Stay tuned for new QF100 fittings being released in 2023 and beyond.

Willmar FabricationThe SPK645 hooded retro fit kit can be installed on most self-propelled makes and models and will cover 60- to 80 feet depending upon boom length. Nozzle spacing can range from 15 to 20 inches, and the hoods come in yellow or grey colors. The system uses lightweight aluminum brackets engineered to fit specific sprayers, says the company. The Gen II broadcast hood is also EPA approved for reducing buffers in some applications.

IntelligentAgRecon SpraySense is the industry's first real-time spray monitoring system designed to give farmers a nozzle-by-nozzle analysis of flow rate, pressure and droplet size to improve spray quality and accuracy — preventing weed escapes, wasted chemicals, reapplications and yield loss.

TrimbleWeedSeeker 2 is Trimble's next generation spot spray system. The sprayer component helps growers become more efficient by utilizing advanced optical sensors and powerful processing that detects and sprays plants smaller than a dime, up to 25 miles-per-hour. When a weed passes underneath the WeedSeeker 2 sensor, the linked spray nozzle is signaled to turn on and precisely deliver herbicide to kill the weed, reducing the amount of chemical applied by up to 90%. This means farmers see immediate cost savings on chemical bills without slowing down, not to mention less weeds with chemical resistance and more high yielding crops. Simply put, WeedSeeker 2 saves you money, reduces the presence of resistant weeds, and maximizes your crop yielding potential, the company says.

Capstan AG SystemsThe PinPoint III Envelop is designed to work with Blended Pulse PWM application. According to the company, the system can handle the highest speeds, biggest booms, and largest flow rates in the industry. In operation, the PinPoint III Envelop integrates directly through its ISOBUS VT/UT display to provide operators with key information for the most targeted application possible.

Pommier AmericaThe company features aluminum booms, with the newest being the B3 line-up. Available with two or three foldable sections, these lightweight booms can be installed on sprayers ranging in lengths from 80- to 180-feet. Nozzle spacing of 15- or 20-inches is possible. According to the company, this boom is lighter than some 120-foot steel boom.

WilgerThe COMBO-RATE fence-row nozzle is an adjustable nozzle that mounts directly onto the last Combo-Rate nozzle body on a sprayer boom. The fence-row nozzle is compact to avoid ground contact and is adjustable in 15° increments to ensure applicators are able to customize their spray swath to their field and spraying conditions. The fence-row nozzle ensures the outlet is flushed with normal boom flushing procedures, as well as removing the need for a dedicated fence-row nozzle supply line. It is compatible with ANY Combo-rate nozzle bodies with a stackable port, including the new CR Boom End Flush valve for a complete recirculating sprayer boom + fence-row nozzle. Depending on spray swath required, pair the fence-row nozzle with Wilger's new DX series of narrow angle nozzles, available in 20°/40°/60° angles and a variety of sizes.

Raven Applied TechnologyRaven's latest advancement in boom control is AutoBoom XRT. The industry-leading radar sensor technology uses simultaneous ground and canopy detection to maintain optimal spray height for maximum product efficacy. Pressure-based control allows for smooth movement and quicker reaction time while center rack stability technology with optional dampers gives the operator complete control, maximizing boom life.

Case IHGet the most out of every tankful, every hour and every acre with AIM Command FLEX advanced spray technology. AIM Command FLEX delivers consistent, flexible, and accurate application, regardless of speed or terrain. Independent rate and pressure control, turn compensation, 36 virtual boom sections for more precise on/off control, and an ISOBUS-compliant single interface rate controller provide the dependable technology you need for high-efficiency spraying. For superior accuracy, AutoBoom XRT automatic boom height control detects changes in terrain and automatically adjusts the boom to maintain a consistent, level height above the ground. AIM Command FLEX and AutoBoom XRT are available as a factory-equipped option on all Patriot series sprayers and Trident liquid/dry combination applicators.

WilgerThe Combo-Rate Boom End Flush Valve is a robust powerhouse of a sprayer boom fitting. It integrates a number of critical boom features into a robust and ultra-compact fitting. It integrates the last nozzle body with a full flush port directly below, a recirculating port directly above, for a powerhouse of function in an easy-to-use valve. Wilger's new QF100 line gives the ability to remove all dead-space in the boom that can cause chemical residue to accumulate at the end of a boom pipe. It also passively purges air from a sprayer which dramatically reduces nozzle run-on. The valve is compatible with any COMBO-RATE stacking turrets or components, giving a ton of options for even the newest PWM and spot spraying systems.

HagieFirst introduced on 120-foot booms for model year 2018 sprayers, Hagie has expanded its Hybrid boom line-up with a full range of boom widths that offer improved stability, reduced weight, and AutoFold. Working widths are available in 60/90-, 60/100-, 60/120-, and 70/132-feet. Booms now have the option to fold horizontally. The booms feature hydraulic main boom breakaway in addition to the three-way spring applied end boom breakaway. Optional Norac with Active Wing Roll is also available. John Deere AutoTrac Vision and RowSense are now available on Hagie STS and DPS sprayers. Both can be field- or factory-installed. This gives operators the ability to use AutoTrac for post-emergence applications in row crops during early row crop stages or use AutoTrac RowSense in later-season corn.

ShockAvoidThe Sigalarm System consists of a cab mounted control panel and boom mounted sensors. In operation the control panel unit allows machine operators to adjust settings and get information on where their boom arms are in relations to potential hazards, such as power lines. Each unit comes with two wireless sensors that are installed at the end of the booms.

John DeereJohn Deere ExactApply nozzle control systems help ensure solution gets to the crop at exactly the right rate and droplet size across a wider range of speeds. ExactApply is a six-nozzle turret with multiple modes of operation that helps maintain target rate and pressure and is available as a factory-installed option, or as a retrofit to Deere 400, 600, and 4 Series Sprayer models. All model years of Deere R4030, R4038, R4044, R4045, and R4060 Sprayers can be upgraded to include ExactApply intelligent nozzle control. ExactApply performance upgrade kits are compatible with steel and carbon fiber booms. Additionally, the sprayer requires stainless-steel plumbing and nozzle spacing of 15 or 20 inches. ExactApply performance upgrade kits are compatible with the Deere GreenStar 3 2630 Display, 4600 CommandCenter Display, and the 4640 Universal Display. By maintaining a target rate and pressure over a wide range of speeds, ExactApply can cover up to 20 more acres per hour (based on a 2-mph increase in operating speed) with more consistent spray deposition, saving on input costs and preserving more of the crop's yield potential.

Diamond MowersThe Integrated Boom Control (IBC) system was created to give the operator single hand control, enhanced safety features and an optional, industry-leading Smart Screen — making this boom control system more capable than ever. The IBC Joystick, although not compatible with certain tractor models, is built into a custom armrest and provides full control of the machine, as well as an emergency stop button, right at the operator's fingertips. The IBC Smart Screen is available as an upgrade option that tracks and feeds data, provides detailed diagnostics for troubleshooting in the field, and allows the operator to customize boom speeds and joystick sensitivity. Finally, the custom armrest includes five adjustment locations and allows the user to position the joystick for their preferred operating style.

This included various systems to help improve and target crop protection product application, from John Deere's ExactApply, Intelligent Ag's Recon SpreadSense, and Capstan's PinPoint III Envelop, to hoods for sprayers from Willmar Fabrication, designed to reduce off-target drift.

One of the more interesting boom accessories was an alarm system exhibited by ShockAvoid. This paired two boom arm sensors with an in-cab display to allow operators to monitor if their unfolding/folding booms were too close to power lines while applying in crop fields, preventing a potentially dangerous situation for all involved.

View these products, and all the latest in boom sprayer technology, including accessories, parts, and components, in the slideshow above.

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