Project Number: 6402-22000-059-07
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 15, 2009
End Date: Aug 14, 2012

Objective:
Evaluate and present improvements to a hydraulically operated variable-rate aerial application system used to apply liquid crop production materials.

Approach:
The Autocal II aerial flow controller allows target flow to be maintained regardless of ground speed. An expanded use of this controller is to provide variable flow to meet the needs of site-specific application. To accomplish this, the SATLOC M3 guidance system with global positioning communicates with the flow controller to signal when an application boundary has been reached via a programmed prescription map. System tests are required to determine accuracy of application at specified field boundaries and to investigate response time to changing flow requirements. Field testing will indicate needed changes to control algorithms, and the manufacturer will modify the control programs to improve controller response and accuracy of application.