Drag Hose Applicator for Crop Row Nutrient Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying liquid nutrients to fields, such as liquid manure, often result in soil compaction and damage to crops due to the weight and length of the equipment used, particularly when a reel with a long drag hose is pulled across the field, and there is a need for efficient nutrient application between crop rows without leakage into adjacent water bodies.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an elongated flexible drag hose wound onto a power-driven reel, supported by a trailer or vehicle, with a pivotally connected boom and applicator that allows the hose to be maintained between crop rows, enabling axial movement and synchronized rewinding, minimizing soil compaction and damage while ensuring continuous nutrient application across the field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large reel wound with a drag hose is carried by a trailer pulled into the field, then liquid nutrients can be applied to the field, but the combined weight of the reel, drag hose, liquid and trailer significantly compacts the soil and can damage the crops
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the nutrient delivery function into two separate components: a stationary supply reel that remains outside the field and a lightweight applicator that moves between crop rows. This segmentation eliminates the need to transport heavy reels and large volumes of liquid nutrients into the field, thereby preventing soil compaction and crop damage while maintaining continuous nutrient application capability
Solution Approach 2:
A long, lightweight drag hose acts as an intermediary element connecting the stationary supply reel to the moving applicator. This intermediary allows liquid nutrients to be delivered over extended distances without requiring the applicator to carry heavy tanks or the reel to be transported into the field, thus solving the soil compaction problem while enabling continuous nutrient supply
2Area of stationary object
If the equipment turns to apply liquid to another group of crop rows, then coverage of the entire field is achieved, but the heavy equipment can damage the end crop rows in the field
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the heavy supply reel from the lightweight applicator, the system allows the applicator to make frequent turns between crop rows without the penalty of turning heavy equipment. The applicator's minimal weight enables it to navigate field turns smoothly, achieving complete field coverage while protecting vulnerable end crop rows from damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic positioning where the lightweight applicator can be rapidly deployed and repositioned between different groups of crop rows. This dynamic approach allows flexible navigation and turning maneuvers that minimize soil disturbance and crop damage, in contrast to static heavy equipment that requires wide turning radii and causes significant damage
3Productivity
If a long drag hose is used to cover extensive field areas, then nutrient application efficiency is improved, but the weight and length of the hose and reel significantly compact the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the long drag hose into two functional segments: a stationary portion wound on the supply reel that remains outside the field, and a moving portion that extends to the applicator. This segmentation allows the use of long hoses for efficient field coverage while keeping the heavy reel stationary, thereby preventing soil compaction during application operations
Solution Approach 2:
The drag hose serves as a flexible intermediary that transmits liquid nutrients over long distances without requiring the applicator to carry heavy tanks or the reel to be moved into the field. This intermediary function enables extended field coverage and improved application efficiency while eliminating the soil compaction caused by transporting heavy equipment and materials
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid nutrients are applied to a first group of rows of standing crops by pulling a drag hose from a reel located at one end of a field and between two crop rows with the drag hose connected to an applicator pulled by a tractor or track units. The hose provides a liquid supply to the applicator. At the opposite end of the field, the applicator is turned 180°, and in one embodiment, a boom pivots to project from one end of the applicator to the drag hose. The applicator returns down adjacent crop rows back to the first end of the field with the applicator connected to the drag hose while the reel simultaneously retracts the drag hose between the two crop rows. The reel is moved axially to a third group of crop rows along with the applicator, and the steps are repeated.