2023-24 Autumn

AG 39201:
Farm Machinery
Laboratory (0-0-3)
Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
 Laboratory 5: Study of
agricultural drone sprayer
Advantages of using drones

• Quick and timely application

• No yield loss due to wheel tracks

• No direct contact prevents humans from

hazardous chemicals

• No soil compaction

• Applications are not limited by wet soil

 Precision agricultural application using drones

Multispectral
images

Storage
NIR
Camera

Variable rate
Mapping
Drone

Controller

Propeller

BLDC Motor

Nozzle

Tank

Other components

1. GNSS 5. Camera
2. Remote controller 6. IMU (Roll, Pitch & Yaw)
3. Autopilot (controller) 7. Altimeter
4. Battery
Laboratory Observations

1. UAV Model/type
2. Overall dimensions (L × W × H) in mm
3. Weight in kg
4. Propeller length in mm
5. Power source for spraying
6. Pump discharge in L/ min
7. Spray flow rate in L/ min
8. Number of nozzles
9. Nozzle spacing in mm
10. Type of nozzle
11. Spray angle in degrees
12. Tank capacity in L
Field Performance

1. Theoretical Field Capacity (ha/h) :

Working width × Actual speed of operation
2. Actual Field Capacity (ha/h) :
(Field length × Field width) / Total time
3. Field Efficiency (%) :
Actual Field Capacity × 100 / Theoretical Field Capacity
4. Spray Application Rate (L/ha):
Spray discharge rate (L/h) / Actual field capacity (ha/h)