Self-propelled sprayer / duster for treatment in citrus orchards

• Grant number: 98/09614-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: November 01, 1998
• End date: April 30, 1999
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Agricultural Machinery and Implements
• Principal Investigator: Tomomassa Matuo
• Grantee: Tomomassa Matuo
• Company: Herbicat Ltda
• City: Catanduva

Abstract

The present proposal intends to develop a selfpropelled duster for the treatment of citrus orchards entirely mounted on a modified tractor, with the objective of obtaining greater efficiency in the work and in the treatment, of gaining better maneuverability, greater height - in order to have more favorable angles for covering the high parts of the plant -, to diminish losses during the application and to improve the security and comfort of the operator. An important objective is to minimize losses, leading to reduced production costs, less environmental contamination and greater safety for the operator. The intended sanitization treatment of citrus trees is one of the main production cost components, accounting for more than a third of the overall cost. The use of the plant-sanitization products applied to the crown of the tree (insecticides + acarus killers + fungicides), during the year 1996, absorbed close to US$ 120 million. In spite of the intensive use of sanitization products, the operation of phytosanitary treatment is characteristically extremely wasteful. Losses during the application by mechanized process using turbo atomizers, which is the principal process, are in excess of 63 per cent. In 1988, we presented a model of an applicator that made use of various basic components through the use of which the loss was reduced to 24 per cent. This invention won an award at the XV National Convention of Brazilian Inventions, receiving the “Governor of the State of São Paulo” Award. (AU)