Drag Hose Nutrient Applicator for Reduced Soil Compaction
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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 equipment, and inefficient nutrient distribution, especially when using long reels and trailers, which can lead to nutrient leakage into water bodies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a power-driven hose reel with a drag hose that is wound onto a trailer or vehicle, where the hose is extended and retracted between crop rows with a tractor and boom system, allowing for axial movement and synchronization of hose unwinding and rewinding to maintain the hose between rows, minimizing soil compaction and optimizing nutrient application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large reel with extended drag hose is pulled into the field to apply liquid nutrients, then the nutrient application coverage is improved, but the soil compaction and crop damage increase due to the substantial weight of the reel, hose, and liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heavy reel and liquid nutrient storage from the moving applicator unit and leaves them stationary at the field edge. Only the lightweight applicator with drag hose is pulled into the field, dramatically reducing the weight causing soil compaction while maintaining extensive nutrient application coverage through the stationary reel's extended hose
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into two independent parts: a stationary nutrient storage and reel unit at the field edge, and a mobile applicator unit that moves between crop rows. This segmentation allows the heavy components to remain stationary (avoiding compaction) while the lightweight applicator performs the actual nutrient distribution
2Productivity
If liquid nutrients are applied after crops have begun to grow, then nutrient utilization efficiency is improved, but the risk of nutrient leakage into water bodies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies liquid nutrients at the optimal time window after crops have begun to grow but before they enter their major nutrient consumption phase. This preliminary action ensures crops can absorb nutrients effectively while the root system is still developing and less prone to leakage into water bodies
3Area of stationary object
If a tractor and applicator turn 180 degrees at the opposite end of the field to apply nutrients to another group of rows, then complete field coverage is improved, but crop damage increases at the end rows
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator unit dynamically adjusts its position and orientation as it moves through the field. The boom and drag hose are designed to be flexible and adjustable, allowing the system to navigate turns and reach different row groups without rigid mechanical constraints that would cause crop damage during 180-degree turns
Data Source
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AI summary
Liquid nutrients are continuously 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 a boom having one end pivotally connected to an applicator and a tractor. The boom provides a liquid supply line from the drag hose to the center or one end of the applicator. At the opposite end of the field, the tractor and applicator turn 180° while the boom pivots to prefect from one end of the applicator to the drag hose. The tractor returns down adjacent rows back to the first end of the field with the boom projecting to the drag hose while the reel simultaneously retracts the hose between the two crop rows. The reel is moved axially to a third group of rows, and the steps are repeated.