Buggy flow rates and truck/buggy pattern comparisons of granular spreaders
2004
Diallo, Y. | To, S.D.F. | Smith, D.B.
Tests for the feasibility of a variable rate applicator using a buggy-type spreader were first run for potash, ammonium nitrate, and triple super phosphate. A second study compared the spread patterns for potash when using buggy and truck-type spreaders under similar wind conditions. The mass flow rate test results for potash, ammonium nitrate, and triple super phosphate showed a significant, linear relationship between gate opening and flow rates. Buggy swath deposit coefficients of variation (CVs) of less than or equal to 15% were only obtained with swath widths of 2 or 3 m (6.5 or 10 ft). The average CV for potash deposits from the buggy and a truck were similar under the conditions tested. At similar application rates, the truck and buggy produced effective swath widths of 5 and 4 m (16 and 13 ft), respectively. Most across-the-swath and in-the-direction-of-traveldeposit CVs exceeded 15%. For fertilizer applications with a CV of 15%, one would expect the maximum deposit within a given swath to be 80% (i.e., maximum/minimum deposit ratio = 1.8) larger than the smallest deposit. While a CV of 15% is considered to be a desirable target, the levels of variation in fertilizer deposits can still be large.
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