Vega - the birth of a new sprayer star
The Vega trailed field sprayer
The arrangement of the valve blocks
LEMKEN presents a concept study for a new trailed field sprayer
Since taking over sprayer producers Jacoby and RTS, in 2005, LEMKEN has already successfully developed and introduced the Sirius mounted sprayer range to the market. For Agritechnica 2011, they present Vega, the first trailed sprayer designed by LEMKEN engineers. It is a concept study designed to allow customer feedback before being fully developed for the market.
At first glance, the new tank shaping catches the eye, but there are also important technical details. Besides the 5,000 litre version, presented at Agritechnica, models with 3,000 and 4,000 litres tank volume are planned. Inside, the tank is centrally divided by a baffle, to ensure constant weight distribution even when the tank is part-filled. A large ladder with a broad platform provides easy access to the tank. The chassis is integrated in the frame leaving extraordinarily large ground clearance to protect tall crops.
Many features of the Vega are completely new. It provides fully automatic valve blocks, arranged in a row similarly to that of a hydraulic valve block. All valves, on the suction and pressure side, are electrically switched, so there is no longer the need to place them physically at the operation centre. With Vega, all valves are integrated into the hoses in a way that reduces overall hose length and minimises spray residue. The valves are operated remotely, either from the cab, or from a remote terminal adjacent to the induction hopper and water connections.
A new combination of parallelogram and vertical mast serves to lift the boom. Lifting height can be adjusted from 0.5 to 3 metres enabling the Vega to suit even extremely tall crops such as maize or rape. The parallelogram connection optimises ground clearance in the field as well as the centre of gravity for transport.
The new rear-folded SEH aluminium boom is designed with minimum weight but maximum strength, and uses a completely new rectangular aluminium profile. Its construction height provides sufficient space for multi-nozzle holders with 3 or 5 nozzles. All nozzles and nozzle bodies, as well as all electric and hydraulic lines, are optimally protected within the boom profile. LEMKEN engineers have used rivet technology from the aircraft industry to save weight in the boom. Much heavier bolt connections are avoided. Automatic locks fix joints rigidly, once unfolded, on booms from 15 to 30m.
Inside the boom, a circulation line provides fast reaction after switching the valves on or off with minimal residue quantities. With the El-Tec electrical individual nozzle control, all nozzles are switched with separate valves to increase application precision. It can be upgraded with the El-Tec Pro electric field sprayer flow monitor that has been awarded a silver medal at Agritechnica 2011.
The two separate boom arms are centrally supported by the vertical axle of the sprayer. They are connected to especially arranged packs of spring cushions which optimally cushion horizontal movements. Rotation sensors enable electronic control of the boom arm angle from -8° to +15°. With the new vertical pendulum suspension the slope adaptation can be easily adapted to the current conditions.
After a successfully completed trial period, market introduction for the Vega sprayer is planned for 2013.