Cereals 2009: Altek offers individual nozzle shut-off

11 June 2009

AUTOMATIC boom section shut-off using GPS is nothing new, but UK spraying equipment specialist Altek has joined up with US firm Harrison Ag Technologies to offer what it calls the next step in chemical saving technology – individual nozzle shut-off.

Smart Nozzle technology, available for any sprayer with air-operated shut-off, is reckoned to be capable of saving 10-15 per cent of chemical or liquid fertiliser volume, cutting overlaps to 1 per cent, and uses a CAN-Bus network rather than individual pneumatic shut-offs.

With the spray line shut off but pressurised, a Bluetooth remote control unit can be used to switch on/off individual nozzles from outside the cab for checking and replacement when required.

Altek says the system can work with all spray controllers on the market, and can be used in manual mode where a GPS signal is unavailable.

Switching time-lags can be programmed into the controller as desired.

Cost is approx £9,500 for a 24m sprayer.