Evaluation of Horizontal Patternators According to International Standard Requirements for Boom Sprayers

HighlightsHorizontal distribution according ISO Standard 16119 is a measurement procedure to evaluate boom sprayers.ISO Standards 5682-1 and 5682-2 establish technical requirements for horizontal patternators.In this study, three types of patternators were evaluated to test their capability to meet the standards.The evaluated patternators showed similar results for spray distribution patterns.Minor deviations from ISO Standard 5682 did not imply differences according ISO Standard 16119.Abstract. Uniformity of spray volume distribution is one of the officially established measurements for the evaluation of horizontal boom sprayers according to ISO Standard 16119 and requirements established by ISO Standard 16122. Measurement of spray distribution patterns requires the use of specific devices such as horizontal patternators, which are included in the technical specifications for ISO Standards 5682-1 and 5682-2. Three such devices were tested, including two manual patternators (fixed and mobile) and one electronic patternator. According to information provided by the manufacturers, all three patternators align with ISO requirements. This study evaluated and compared the results obtained with the three patternators. Specifically, the horizontal distributions measured by the patternators were evaluated and compared using four nozzle types (XR 11003, AIXR 11003, TTJ60 11003, and AITTJ60 11003), three boom heights, and three operating pressures. Tests were conducted to quantify single-nozzle spray patterns, the coefficient of variation (CV) of the entire boom distribution, the liquid recovery capability of the three patternators, and the ability to simulate the entire boom spray distribution from a single-nozzle spray pattern. Results demonstrated correct functioning of all three patternators, resulting in identical conclusions considering the requirements established in the ISO standards. The CV values of the horizontal distributions were less than 10% for all cases. Moreover, the trends in values for all the evaluated factors (nozzle type, boom height, and operating pressure) were the same, independent of the patternator used. Keywords: ISO 16119, ISO 16122, ISO 5682, Liquid recovery, Nozzle spray pattern, Patternator, Spray boom, Transverse distribution, Uniformity.