An innovative machine for spraying fruit trees, designed in this case for citrus fruits, but which can be used in olive groves, pecans and other woods, offers the possibility of independently varying the air flow of each its eight nebulization mouths as well as regulating the flow of dosed liquid during the advance. That is: apply less agrochemicals.
Its sensors detect the presence or absence of the tree and therefore the application is carried out only where it corresponds, with which the 2,000 litres/ha that are usually applied to fruit trees can be reduced to 500 litres/ha, always in based on the volume of foliage to be treated.
“That’s an autonomous robot is monitored by telemetry from the office, but in addition up to 5 units can be operated simultaneously working from two rows of plants on both sides, preventing the insect from moving from one half to the other to avoid application” explained the expert of Jacto, Rodrigo Madeira.
Thus, two synchronized robots can apply the entire canopy simultaneously, which is a much more efficient control than whitefly, for example, which usually attacks fruit trees. It can operate around the clock, equipped with alarms that notify when fuel is needed. The operation control is autonomous and is regulated by a console.
Arbus 4000 Jav, presented by Jacto Argentina at Expoagro, offers the safety of autonomous equipment, with a function that stops the machine, in the presence of an obstacle such as an animal or a person, sending the information via telemetry to the virtual operator to decide whether or not to continue the work. When the broth in the tank runs out, it has the ability to automatically return to the refueling point. And after being dispensed, they also automatically return to the last dot sprayed.
Based on the number of fruits detected, it is possible to estimate the productivity per hectare and, based on the color detected, program the start of the harvest.
The Arbus 4000 pulverizes with 8 electric turbines powered by two generators driven by its 132 HP Diesel engine.
An unmanned agrochemical application aircraft asks for a clue
The aircraft reduces risk and operational costs compared to larger manned vessels and allows spraying approximately 30 hectares per flight.
Entering the Ternium stand, a small plane called Manganga. It is an unmanned aircraft for phytosanitary applications that began to be developed at the end of 2017 by Ariel Stocchi, young doctor in Material Sciences, Conicet researcher, together with some colleagues of the institute, members of the University of Mar del Plata and the Aerodyca company, which set up a public-private consortium to shape the project that received the silver medal at the Ternium Awards ceremony at Expoagro.
The plane It was designed for Argentine production conditionshas a wingspan of 4.30 meters (width from wing tip to other) and weighs 150 kilos, flies at 100-120 km/h, has a 30 HP internal petrol engine and less than 300 cm3, and has a tank capable of loading 60 liters of product allowing to spray between 20 and 30 hectares per flight.
For its operation a flight route is preloaded, which the same team determines how it will cover, the device takes off, makes passes and when the tank is empty it returns to be reloaded and continue with the batch.
with this vehicle operating costs are reduced of application per acre than those of a manned aircraft, so, for a small batch, it pays to go with this device. Fuel consumption is much lower, not counting what it has to do with insurance, garage, logistics, inspections, etc.”, he added. Furthermore, “the application is more precise thanks to the automation, with the use of GPS RTK (real time kinematics), it is more controlled and allows those 60 liters of product to cover 20 or 30 hectares, depending on the dose “.
Mangangá is intended as a complementary tool for conventional applicators, so that they can use it in medium batches with greater operational ease and at a lower cost.
They have been carrying out tests and adjustments to autonomous operation for some months and expect to have it ready to go on the commercial market this year, for which they are looking for investment partners.
Source: Clarin
