Sprayer nozzle lighting – why it is worth spraying after dark
Many plant protection product labels require the product to be applied only outside bee activity – that is, late in the evening, at night or early in the morning. Working with a sprayer at these times also has independent agronomic advantages. The problem is that without nozzle lighting there is no practical control over the application.
Advantages of spraying after dark and early in the morning
- Less wind – reduces spray drift and increases application precision
- Higher humidity – slows the evaporation of droplets, giving the active substances more time to penetrate the plant tissue
- Lower temperature – reduces heat stress on plants and improves the effectiveness of heat-sensitive products
- Protection of pollinators – bees and bumblebees are active during the day; spraying after dark or early in the morning eliminates the risk of insects coming into contact with the spray liquid. For many registered plant protection products this is a requirement stated directly on the product label
What nozzle lighting gives you
Lamps mounted directly at the nozzle bodies or on the boom allow the operator to observe on an ongoing basis:
- the shape and symmetry of the spray cone at each nozzle
- even operation of the whole boom
- clogged or damaged nozzles
Detecting irregularities during work makes it possible to stop the application at that spot immediately – without having to make another pass.
Why LED
Nozzle lighting works in harsh conditions: constant boom vibration, spray liquid, dust, changing temperatures. LEDs have the advantage here: they are resistant to shocks and vibration, with the right IP rating they cope well with field conditions, they are compact (easy to integrate at the nozzle or on the boom) and they have a long service life.
You will find our range of lighting for agricultural sprayers at zemot.com.pl: Sprayer lighting.