A fluid sprayer includes a tank containing fluid therein and a nozzle assembly in communication with the tank to receive fluid therefrom and to atomize the fluid. The fluid sprayer also includes a blower assembly positioned upstream of the nozzle assembly for dispersing the atomized fluid from the nozzle assembly into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer and a discharge chute positioned downstream of the blower assembly into which the atomized fluid from the nozzle assembly is sprayed before being discharged vertically upward and into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer. The nozzle assembly includes at least one discharge port having a discharge axis oriented perpendicular to a direction of airflow exiting the discharge chute.

A fluid sprayer includes a tank containing fluid therein and a rotary atomizer in communication with the tank to receive fluid therefrom and to atomize the fluid. The fluid sprayer also includes a blower assembly positioned upstream of the rotary atomizer for dispersing the atomized fluid from the rotary atomizer into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer and a discharge chute positioned downstream of the blower assembly into which the atomized fluid from the rotary atomizer is sprayed before being discharged upward and into the surroundings of the fluid sprayer. The rotary atomizer includes a plurality of fan blades coupled to a hub. The fan blades are operable to impart rotation to the hub in response to an airflow generated by the blower assembly flowing around the fan blades.

The present invention is directed to an applicator having an agricultural product pneumatic conveying system which meters particulate material from one or more source containers at the application equipment and transports the particulate material to evenly distribute the particulate material from the applicator. The pneumatic conveying system employs large diameter supply lines connected between the metering devices at the source containers and delivery nozzles, where the supply lines operate to move and mix the particulate material from the source containers to the nozzles. The particulate material is metered from the source containers into the supply lines via a number of airlocks that can be operated without allowing airflow from the large diameter supply lines to enter the source containers through the airlocks. In addition, the metering devices can b e operated in collective or independent variable manners to allow for sectional control and turning compensation.

A vehicle platform comprises a central body that can support one or more implement configurations, such as sprayer booms, or planting row units. A plurality of adjustable legs extends downward from the central body. An arm assembly has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end is pivotably coupled the central body and the second end coupled to a support beam. A plurality of nozzle assemblies is supported from the support beam. An arm actuator is arranged to control a transverse position of the support beam and the nozzle assemblies with respect to a reference point on the central body, such that each nozzle assembly may be aligned with a row of seeds or plants.

A method of operating a fluid sprayer includes supplying a first fluid selected from a group consisting of larvicide, adulticide, and a barrier repellant to a nozzle assembly at a first regulated pressure. The method further includes changing the first regulated pressure to a second regulated pressure different than the first regulated pressure. The method further includes supplying a second fluid selected from the group to the nozzle assembly at the second regulated pressure.

A system, apparatus and method for providing task-specific ride-height control in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize a controllable ride-height trailing arm suspension system for independently joining each wheel to a frame of the applicator. Each trailing arm suspension system includes upper and lower suspension arms, an extensible air strut, and an angular position sensor operatively interconnected to one another and disposed between a rolling axis of the ground engaging wheel independently supported by that suspension system and a point of attachment of the suspension system to the frame, such that the position sensor detects a relative angular position between the upper and lower suspension arms at a present extension of the air strut. An electronic control unit utilizes the angular positions detected by the sensors, in conjunction with a desired task input, to control the air struts in a manner providing a ride-height corresponding to the desired task input.

A sprayer boom support for an agricultural sprayer including two articulated arms that are coupled in an articulated manner on both sides of the sprayer, wherein each articulated arm is comprised of bar sections that are formed in a composite material consisting of a reinforcing agent chosen from carbon fibre, fibreglass, aramid fibre, boron fibre or a combination thereof, and a matrix of epoxy, vinyl ester, phenolic or polyester resin, the bar sections having a tube geometry with a substantially rectangular cross section with rounded vertices and arched sides, the length of two of its equal sides being constant along the bar section.

A system, apparatus and method for controlling the height of a frame of a self-propelled high ground clearance, agricultural product applicator above a ground surface utilize a trailing link suspension system including an extensible air strut, for connecting ground engaging wheels of the applicator to the frame of the applicator. The trailing arm suspension system includes an upper suspension arm attached to the frame, a lower suspension arm providing sole support of a ground engaging wheel attached to the lower arm, and the extensible air strut interconnected between the upper and lower arms. Height of the applicator above the ground surface is controlled by regulating a flow of pressurized air to the air strut, to thereby control extension of the air strut.

A system, apparatus and method for detecting and controlling the height of a frame of a self-propelled agricultural product applicator above a ground surface utilize a trailing link suspension system including an angular position sensor and extensible air strut, for connecting ground engaging wheels of the applicator to the frame of the applicator. Height of the applicator above the ground surface is determined by measuring relative angular rotation of upper and lower suspension arms of the suspension system about a suspension pivot axis, using the angular position sensor. Height is controlled by regulating a flow of pressurized air to the air strut, to thereby control extension of the air strut in a manner that controls a frame to axle, ride-height, distance of the suspension system.

An illustrative embodiment of a dual applicator machine having a dual applicator system may be configured through adding a dry product delivery system to an existing agricultural sprayer having a liquid product delivery system. The dual applicator machine may include a liquid product delivery system and a dry product delivery system that allow each separate system to perform either individually and independently or simultaneously. An illustrative embodiment of a dual applicator machine may be configured as a high-clearance agricultural sprayer having a frame, a cab, and a boom positioned in front of the cab. The dual applicator machine may be configured with liquid product tank(s) and powered by wheels attached to the frame via wheel mounting beams. The dual applicator machine may also include a dry product tank and a dry product meter system in fluid communication with both the dry product tank and a dry product delivery tube.