More sprayer innovations from Kverneland

PWM availability is for iXtrack T4 and T6 trailed models, in the guise of iXflow-Pulse, and in combination with the heavy duty HSS 30-40m boom. PWM offers greater accuracy and precision through fine-tuning of droplet size, plant coverage and water volumes.

Using Raven’s Hawkeye to underpin the system, Kverneland Group Mechatronics has integrated PWM control into its existing iXspray software. This manages the duty cycle for opening and closing times of individual nozzles while maintaining droplet size and pressure, without impacting on the desired application rate.

Advantages include an extension of the working range of a single nozzle system, plus a greater ability to cater for speed changes. These include curve compensation to manage the boom speed differential from one end to the other; starting and stopping on headlands; slowing down during turning; and adapting to speed changes when going up or downhill.

Less contact with pesticides

Closed chemical transfer is another development for iXtrack trailed sprayers, which avoids the need to manually open containers and measure out the contents.

With closed chemical transfer, pesticides flow in a controlled and measured manner, even with part-can volumes. Suction and pressure connections allow empty containers to be thoroughly rinsed before removal from the transfer mechanism.

Additional changes found on the iXtrack T4 range include an increased tank capacity of 5,300-litres, bridging the gap between the flagship 4,600-litre T4 and the entry-level 6,400-litre T6 model.

In addition, the T4 series is now available with Kverneland’s innovative HC vertical folding boom, in working widths up to 30m. The HC boom offers single-side spraying, and asymmetric and symmetric folding of three, four or five boom sections, lending itself to those with narrow headlands or no headland at all – for example in vegetable production.

The vertical folding HC boom is available from 18–30m, and can be equipped with five, seven, nine or 11 sections, or in combination with iXflow-E boom line recirculation and individual electric nozzle control.

Technology continues to evolve with the introduction of Twin Fill software to simplify multi-tank management with combinations using the iXter B mounted sprayer with the iXtra front tank.

Twin Fill ensures that the correct volumes of liquid in the correct concentrations for each tank, and are correctly mixed, split and transferred. When induction is complete, Twin Fill then ensures both tanks are correctly topped-up to the requested volumes with clean water. It is a process that avoids having to measure out all pesticides twice, and in different amounts, to separately fill a twin tank set-up.

Read more spring spraying news.