Applicator with multiple offset booms and method of controlling the same
An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator includes a supply compartment to hold the product, a pneumatic conveying system, a metering system, and a controller. The pneumatic conveying system includes first delivery line operably connected to an airflow source and to the supply compartment, and a second delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment. The metering system includes a first metering device associated with the first delivery line and a second metering device associate with the second delivery line. The controller controls the air flow source, the first metering device to meter product to result in a first mixed flow of airflow and product for the first delivery line, and the second metering device to meter product with the airflow to result in a second mixed flow of airflow and product for the second delivery line.
1. An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering agricultural product to a field, the applicator comprising:
a primary boom arm having a first application section;
a secondary boom arm having a second application section, the secondary boom arm being offset from the primary boom arm in a front-rear direction of the applicator;
a supply compartment to hold agricultural product;
a pneumatic conveying system comprising:
an airflow source to provide an airflow;
a first delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment, the first delivery line including a first plurality of outlets supported at the first application section; and
a second delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment, the second delivery line including a second plurality of outlets supported at the second application section;
a metering system operably connected between the supply compartment and the pneumatic conveying system, the metering system comprising a first metering device associated with the first delivery line and a second metering device associated with the second delivery line; and
a control system configured to:
control the airflow source;
control the first metering device at a first time to meter the agricultural product with the airflow to generate a first mixed flow of airflow and agricultural product for the first delivery line; and
control the second metering device at a second time to meter the agricultural product with the airflow to generate a second mixed flow of airflow and agricultural product for the second delivery line, the control of the first metering device and the second metering device being individual, the second time being after the first time.
2. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the airflow source includes:
a fan operable to provide the airflow;
a first valve coupled to the first delivery line, the first valve being operable to control a pressure of airflow in the first delivery line; and
a second valve coupled to the second delivery line and to control a pressure of airflow in the second delivery line, and
wherein the control system controls the airflow source by controlling the fan to provide the airflow, the first valve to adjust the pressure of airflow in the first delivery line, and the second valve to adjust the pressure of airflow in the second delivery line.
3. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first metering device includes a first metering wheel and a first motor for rotating the first metering wheel,
wherein the second metering device includes a second metering wheel and a second motor for rotating the second metering wheel.
4. The applicator of claim 3 , wherein the control system controls a rotational speed of the first metering wheel and the rotational speed of the second metering wheel.
5. The applicator of claim 1 , further comprising a third boom arm having a third application section,
wherein the pneumatic conveying system further comprises a third delivery line, the third delivery line being operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment, the third delivery line including a third plurality of outlets supported at the third application section,
wherein the metering system further comprises a third metering device associated with the third delivery line,
wherein the control system is further configured to control the third metering device at a third time to meter the agricultural product with the airflow to generate a third mixed flow of airflow and agricultural product for the third delivery line, the third metering device being controlled separately from the first metering device and the second metering device, the third time being separate of the second time.
6. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the primary boom arm includes a further application section,
wherein the pneumatic conveying system comprises a further delivery line, the further delivery line being operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment, the further delivery line including a further plurality of outlets supported at the further application section,
wherein the metering system comprises a further metering device associated with the further delivery line,
wherein the control system is configured to control the further metering device at a further time to meter the agricultural product with the airflow to generate a further mixed flow of airflow and agricultural product for the further delivery line, the further metering device being controlled separately from the first metering device and the second metering device, the further time being separate of the second time.
7. The applicator of claim 5 , wherein the second time is after the third time.
8. The applicator of claim 6 , wherein the second time is after the further time.
9. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the second time is offset from the first time based at least in part on the offset of the secondary boom arm from the primary boom arm in the front-rear direction of the applicator.