Development of a variable rate applicator for uniform fertilizer spreading
Keywords:
variable rate technology, fertilizer application, uniform spreading, spinner, granular applicator, fertilizer amount controlAbstract
Environmental impact and economic concerns have driven a variable rate technology (VRT). Spinner spreaders were mainly used for granular fertilizer application since they are simple in design, inexpensive, and can cover large areas. However, the spreader was not adequate for VRT because uniformity changes drastically while varying application rates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a variable rate applicator with uniform spreading patterns. A commercial spreader was modified with a controller and electric actuators for controlling fertilizer discharge directions and amounts. Database was established to determine the optimum discharge direction according to the fertilizer application amount. The uniformity of spreading patterns in accordance with the spread amount per set unit area was evaluated by the statistical coefficient of variation (CV) lower than 15% is assumed to prevent damage to the crop. Test results showed that CVs were 8%, 9%, and 8%, respectively, for a tractor in race track mode (adjacent passes in same direction of travel) at 200 kg/hm2, 300 kg/hm2, and 400 kg/hm2. This indicates that the fertilizer was spread uniformly, while the coefficient of variation was 12% at 200 kg/hm2 in back and forth mode (adjacent passes in the opposite direction of travel). Overall, the results suggest that the race track mode is suitable for operation of a tractor to ensure uniform spreading of fertilizer when applying at variable rates. The future goal is to establish a system for automatic variable rate application according to location in connection with soil analysis and geographic information systems. Keywords: variable rate technology, fertilizer application, uniform spreading, spinner, granular applicator, fertilizer amount control DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191202.3242 Citation: Han C-W, Lee S-Y, Hong Y-K, Kweon G-Y. Development of a variable rate applicator for uniform fertilizer spreading. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(2): 82–89.References
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[8] Parish R L. Broadcast spreader pattern sensitivity to impeller/spout height and PTO speed. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2002a; 18(3): 297–299.
[9] Parish R L. Rate setting effects on fertilizer spreader distribution patterns. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2002b; 18(3): 301–304.
[10] Yildirim Y, Kara M. Effect of vane height on distribution uniformity in rotary fertilizer spreaders with different flow rates. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2003; 19(1): 19–23.
[11] Hofstee J W, Huisman W. Handling and spreading of fertilizers—part 1: physical properties of fertilizer in relation to particle motion. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1990; 47: 213–234.
[12] Pettersen J M, Svendsen J A, Ovland S. A method of studying the influence of fertilizer particle size on the distribution from a twin-disc spreader. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research 1991; 50: 291-303.
[13] Olieslagers R, Ramon H, De Baerdemaeker J. Calculation of fertilizer distribution patterns from a spinning–disc spreader by means of simulation. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1996; 63(2): 137–152.
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[16] Grift T E. Spread pattern analysis tool (SPAT)—part 1: development and theoretical examples. Trans of the ASAE, 2000; 43(6): 1341–1350.
[17] Grift T E, Walker J T, Gardisser D R. Spread pattern analysis tool (SPAT)—part 2: examples of aircraft pattern analysis. Trans of the ASAE, 2000; 43(6): 1351–1363.
[18] Han C W, Park H J, Lee S Y, Hong Y K, Lee D H, Kweon G. Pattern analysis of a single-disc granule spreader for uniform application of fertilizer. J. Agric. Life Sci. 2015; 49(5): 321–332. (in Korean)
[19] Han C W, Hong Y K, Kim D C, Kweon G. Particle motion analysis on the disc of a granule fertilizer spreader for uniformity control. J. Agric. Life Sci. 2016; 50(5): 225–237. (In Korean)
[20] ASAE. Procedure for measuring distribution uniformity and calibrating granular broadcast spreaders. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standards, 2004; S341.3: 198-201.
[21] Gardisser D R. Agricultural aircraft setup. Pub. MP351. Little Rock, Ark.: Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, 1993.
[2] Kweon G, Grift T E. Feed gate adaptation of a spinner spreader for uniformity control. Biosystems Engineering, 2006; 95: 19–34.
[3] Kweon G. Analysis and control of rate and uniformity for granular fertilizer application systems. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 2006.
[4] Kweon G, Grift T E, Miclet D, Virin T, Piron E. Analysis and control of uniformity by the feed gate adaptation of a granular spreader. Journal of Biosystems Engineering, 2009; 34: 95–105.
[5] Sawyer J E. Concepts of variable rate technology with considerations for fertilizer application. Journal of Production Agriculture, 1994; 7(2): 195–201.
[6] Fulton J P, Shearer S A, Chabra G, Higgins S F. Performance assessment and model development of a variable-rate, spinner-disc fertilizer applicator. Trans of the ASAE, 2001; 44(5): 1071–1081.
[7] Parish R L. The effect of spreader fill level on delivery rate. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 1999; 15(6): 647–648.
[8] Parish R L. Broadcast spreader pattern sensitivity to impeller/spout height and PTO speed. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2002a; 18(3): 297–299.
[9] Parish R L. Rate setting effects on fertilizer spreader distribution patterns. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2002b; 18(3): 301–304.
[10] Yildirim Y, Kara M. Effect of vane height on distribution uniformity in rotary fertilizer spreaders with different flow rates. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2003; 19(1): 19–23.
[11] Hofstee J W, Huisman W. Handling and spreading of fertilizers—part 1: physical properties of fertilizer in relation to particle motion. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1990; 47: 213–234.
[12] Pettersen J M, Svendsen J A, Ovland S. A method of studying the influence of fertilizer particle size on the distribution from a twin-disc spreader. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research 1991; 50: 291-303.
[13] Olieslagers R, Ramon H, De Baerdemaeker J. Calculation of fertilizer distribution patterns from a spinning–disc spreader by means of simulation. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 1996; 63(2): 137–152.
[14] Dintwa E, Tijskens E, Olieslagers R, De Baerdemaeker J, Ramon H. Calibration of a spinning disc spreader simulation model for accurate site-specific fertilizer application. Biosystems Engineering, 2004; 88(1): 49–62.
[15] Parish R L. A computer program for spread pattern analysis. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 1987; 3(1): 14–16.
[16] Grift T E. Spread pattern analysis tool (SPAT)—part 1: development and theoretical examples. Trans of the ASAE, 2000; 43(6): 1341–1350.
[17] Grift T E, Walker J T, Gardisser D R. Spread pattern analysis tool (SPAT)—part 2: examples of aircraft pattern analysis. Trans of the ASAE, 2000; 43(6): 1351–1363.
[18] Han C W, Park H J, Lee S Y, Hong Y K, Lee D H, Kweon G. Pattern analysis of a single-disc granule spreader for uniform application of fertilizer. J. Agric. Life Sci. 2015; 49(5): 321–332. (in Korean)
[19] Han C W, Hong Y K, Kim D C, Kweon G. Particle motion analysis on the disc of a granule fertilizer spreader for uniformity control. J. Agric. Life Sci. 2016; 50(5): 225–237. (In Korean)
[20] ASAE. Procedure for measuring distribution uniformity and calibrating granular broadcast spreaders. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Standards, 2004; S341.3: 198-201.
[21] Gardisser D R. Agricultural aircraft setup. Pub. MP351. Little Rock, Ark.: Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, 1993.
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Published
2019-04-06
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Han, C.- woo, Lee, S.- yoon, Hong, Y.- ki, & Kweon, G. (2019). Development of a variable rate applicator for uniform fertilizer spreading. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 12(2), 82–89. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/3242
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Power and Machinery Systems
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