Chapter 5

Crop Protection Machinery

ABE 131
AB MACHINERY AND MECHANIZATION

REYNOLD M. CAOILI, PhD

Mariano Marcos State University
College of Engineering
Department of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering
OUTLINE
A. Mechanical weeders and cultivators
B. Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
C. Sample Problem Solving
Learning Objectives
At the end of the chapter, the student must be able to:

• identify the equipment used to maintain and protect

crops;
• determine the different types of weeders;
• determine the different types of sprayers;
• study and identify the construction of weeder and
sprayer;
• compute problems involving weeding and spraying
operations; and
• perform actual laboratory/ field operations and
performance testing of harvesting and threshing
machinery.
 CROP PROTECTION
Crop protection – process of providing plants the
conditions that will make them free of weeds,
pests and diseases.

• the growing stage between planting and

flowering constitutes the longest stay in the field
and the most vulnerable period of the crop.

• weeds compete with the available moisture and

nutrients if left uncontrolled.

• pests and diseases multiply above the economic

threshold levels if left uncontrolled.
 CROP PROTECTION
Methods of Pest Control

1. Cultural control – modification of cultural practices

such as time of planting and crop rotation.

2. Ecological control – change in the environment of the

crop and the pest which favors the survival of the crop
such as flooding to kill insects and weeds.

3. Biological control – introduction of certain insects

which feed on pests, application of chemosterilants to
render the male sterile, or planting of certain plants
whose odor drive pests away.
 CROP PROTECTION
Methods of Pest Control

4. Physiological control – breeding and planting of pest

resistant varieties.

5. Chemical control – application of chemicals to control

weeds, pests and diseases.

6. Flame control – use of flame for the selective burning

of weeds in crops whose stem is not injured by a short
exposure to intense heat.

7. Mechanical control – use of tools, implements and

machines to reduce or eliminate weeds and insects
such as in land preparation, cultivation and weeding.
 Mechanical Control
• Yield losses due to uncontrolled weeds alone are
significantly high (Table 1).

Table 1. Yield losses due to uncontrolled weeds.

Percent Yield Losses
Crop
Average Range
Lowland rice 69 37 – 97
Upland rice 79 41 – 100
Corn 50 18 – 80
Soybean 69 55 – 100
Peanut 65 35 – 94
 Mechanical Control
• Labor for weeding is highest among the different
operations for lowland rice production (Table 2)

Table 2. Manual labor use by operation for lowland rice.

Operation Man-days/ha
Seedling preparation 7.33
Irrigation 6.24
Land preparation (carabao) 27.98
Transplanting (hand transplanting) 15.52
Fertilizer application (broadcasting) 2.76
Weeding (push-type weeder) 75.0 – (38%)
Rodent control 1.84
Chemical application (spraying) 4.5
Harvesting 27.89
Threshing 11.40
Bagging and hauling 5.07
Drying 8.95
Milling 3.94
TOTAL: 198.42
 Mechanical Control
Classification of weeders:

A. By design of soil working part:

1. Blade type – rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal

shapes with cutting edges sharpened and hardened
for soil cutting and weed uprooting.

2. Tine type – straight or curved, round or square

cross-section steel rods sharply pointed and
hardened at the soil working end.

3. Rotary type – curved spikes or paddles attached

radially to a common axle which rotate when pushed
forward to uproot and bury weeds.
 Mechanical Control
Classification of weeders:

B. By power source:

1. Manual weeders – hand-held or push-type weeders

for upland or lowland.

a. Hand-held weeders – utilize the blade and tine

type of soil working parts with short (< 0.5 m),
medium (< 1 m) and long (> 1 m) handles.

b. Push-type weeders – utilize any of the three

types of soil working parts for upland (wheel hoe)
and lowland (rotary weeder) weeding.
 Mechanical Control
Classification of weeders:

B. By power source:

2. Animal-drawn weeders – soil working parts are

mounted on a frame or tool bar pulled by an animal
for upland weeding.

3. Tractor-drawn weeders – soil working parts are

mounted on a frame or tool bar pulled by a two-wheel
or four-wheel tractor for upland weeding.

4. Power weeders – rotary type weeder driven by its

own engine for lowland weeding.
 Mechanical Control
• Capacity and performance of weeders (Table 3)

Table 3. Capacity and performance of some weeders tested in the

Philippines
Weeding
Plant Damage
Name of weeder Hours per Ha Index
(%)
(%)
Lowland weeders (rice):
Spin tiller 63 93 3
Single-row rotary 70 91 5.4
Single-row rotary and paddle 80 88 5.5
Double-row rotary 45 88 5.6
Power weeder 99 78 4.3
Upland weeders (corn):
Light blade hoe 120 86 6.2
Blade hoe 114 86 6.0
V-blade 180 81 12.3
Wheel hoe 110 94 11.5
 Mechanical Control
• Types of hand held weeders (Figure 1)

Figure 1. Hand held weeders

 Mechanical Control
• Types of push-type weeders (Figures 2 and 3)

Figure 2. Wheel hoe (upland) Figure 4. Rotary weeder (lowland)

 Mechanical weeders and cultivators

• PAES 141: 2004 Agricultural Machinery – Weeder –

Specifications

• PAES 141: 2005 Agricultural Machinery – Weeder –

Specifications (Circulated)

• PAES 142: 2004 Agricultural Machinery – Weeder –

Methods of Test

• PAES 142: 2005 Agricultural Machinery – Weeder –

Methods of Test (Circulated)
 Chemical Control
• Most popular way of applying chemicals in the
Philippines is with the use of knapsack sprayers.

• Sprayers are used primarily for the application of

herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and plant
nutrients

Functions of a Sprayer:
1. Break the liquid into droplets of effective size
2. Distribute the spray solution uniformly
3. Regulate the spraying rate
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Basic components:
1. Chemical supply : Tank
2. Energy source : Pump and pressure chamber
3. Atomizer : Nozzles
4. Control device : Cut-off valve
5. Conductors : Flexible hose and rigid lance
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Principles of creating hydraulic energy:

1. Pressure is created by adding liquid to a

chamber with fixed volume of air (Ex.
Knapsack sprayer) (Figure 4)

2. Pressure is created by adding air to a

container with a fixed volume of liquid (Ex.
Compression sprayer)(Figure 5)
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
1. strainer and filler hole
2. Adjustable lever arm
3. Grip
4. Shoulder pad
5. Tank
6. Delivery tube
7. Agitator
8. Pressure chamber
9. Valve assembly
10. Piston
11. Pump cylinder
12. Nozzle
13. Gasket
14. Lance end fitting
15. Pressure gauge
16. Lance
17. Lance and fitting
18. Gasket
19. Cut-off device
20. Nipple
21. Delivery hose
22. Shoulder strap
Figure 4. Knapsack sprayer
Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Figure 5. Compression sprayer

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
• Operation of knapsack and compression sprayers
(Figures 6 and 7)

Figure 6. Operation of knapsack sprayer

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
• Operation of knapsack and compression sprayers
(Figures 6 and 7)

Figure 7. Operation of compression sprayer

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Nozzles
• Performance is dependent on hydraulic energy as
follows:
1. The higher the pressure, the smaller the
droplets
2. The higher the pressure, the higher the flow
rate
3. The higher the pressure, the wider the spray
angle
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Types of nozzles

1. Cone type – produces a cone shaped pattern of

spray which could be hollow or solid cone (Figure
8).
• Best suited for spraying crops because it
produces a spray in which droplets approach
the leaves from several angles.
• The pressure is high and then orifice is small.
Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Figure 8. Cone nozzle pattern

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Types of nozzles

2. Fan type – produces a flat pattern (Figure 9)

• Best suited for spraying flat surfaces as in the

application of herbicides.
• The pressure is low and the orifice is large.
Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Figure 9. Fan nozzle pattern

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
PAES 112 : 2000. Agricultural Machinery – Lever-Operated Knapsack
Sprayer – Specifications

PAES 113 : 2000. Agricultural Machinery – Lever-Operated Knapsack

Sprayer – Methods of Test

PNS/BAFS 331: 2022. Production Machinery – Knapsack Sprayer –

Specifications (New)

PNS/BAFS 332: 2022. Production Machinery – Knapsack Sprayer –

Methods of Test (New)

PNS/BAFS 375:2023. Agricultural-Power – Sprayer – Specifications

PNS/BAFS 376:2023. Agricultural Power – Sprayer – Methods of Test

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Sprayer calibration

• For a given sprayer, the following factors

should be measured:

1. Nozzle discharge at different pumping

rates, q (L/min)
2. Effective working width or swath, W (m)
3. Walking speed, S (m/min)

• Compute for the application rate, Q (L/ha)

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Sample Problem 1
Using the results of the calibration test of a
knapsack sprayer, determine the application rate in
L/ha. Effective width or swath is 1.5 m, average
walking speed is 20 m/min, and discharge rate is
1.5 L/min.

Given: Effective width or swath = W = 1.5 m

Walking speed = S = 20 m/min
Discharge rate = q = 1.5 L/min

Required: Application rate, Q (L/ha)

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)

Given: Effective width or swath = W = 1.5 m

Walking speed = S = 20 m/min
Discharge rate = q = 1.5 L/min

Required: Application rate, Q (L/ha)

Solution:
A /t= area covered per minute = W x S
A/t = 1.5 m X 20 m/min = 30 m2/min

10,000 m 2 / ha
t = time per hectare = 2 = 333.33 min/ha
30 m /min
Q = application rate = q x t
Q = 1.5 L/min x 333.33 min/ha = 500 L/ha
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Sample Problem 2
The application rate of a certain insecticide is
recommended at 4 L/ha. Using the results of the calibration
test of a 16-liter knapsack sprayer, determine the amount of
insecticide to mix with water per loading of the sprayer.
Discharge rate of the sprayer is 1.2 L/min, effective width or
swath is 1.5 m, and average walking speed is 20 m/min.

Given: Insecticide application rate, Q = 4 L/ha

Sprayer capacity, SP = 16 liters
Discharge rate, q = 1.2 L/min
Swath, W = 1.5 m
Walking speed, S = 20 m/min

Required: Amount of insecticide to mix with water per

sprayer loading
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Given: Insecticide application rate, Q = 4 L/ha
Sprayer capacity, SP = 16 liters
Discharge rate, q = 1.2 L/min
Swath, W = 1.5 m
Walking speed, S = 20 m/min

Required: Amount of insecticide to mix with water per sprayer loading

Solution:
𝑆𝑃 16 𝐿/𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
T1 = Time per load = = = 13.33 min/load
𝑞 1.2 𝐿/𝑚𝑖𝑛

A1 = Area covered per load = W x S x T1

= 1.5 m x 20 m/min x 13.33 min/load
= 400 m2/load

X1 = Amount of insecticide per load

4𝐿 400m2 1ha
X1 = Q x A1= 𝑥 x 2 = 0.16 L/load
ℎ𝑎 load 10000m
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Sample Problem 3
From the sample problem #2, determine:
a. Determine the number of sprayer loadings per hectare;
and
b. Determine the total volume of water applied per hectare
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Given: Insecticide application rate = 4 L/ha
Sprayer capacity = 16 liters
Discharge rate = 1.2 L/min
Swath = W = 1.5 m
Walking speed = S = 20 m/min

Required: number of sprayer loadings per hectare (NL)

total volume of water applied per hectare, (VT)

Solution:
10,000 m 2 /ha
NL = Number of loadings = 2
= 25 loads/ha
400 m /load

VT = Total volume = 25 loads/ha X 16 L/load = 400 L/ha

 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Sample Problem 4 (Pre-board 2004)
The application rate of a certain chemical is
recommended at 10 kg/ha. Using the results of the
calibration test of a 15-liter knapsack sprayer,
determine the amount of chemical to dissolve in
water per loading of the sprayer. Discharge rate of
the sprayer is 0.75 liters per minute. Effective width
of swath is 1.5 meters. Average walking speed is 20
meters per minute.
a. 0.6 liters/load
b. 0.7 liters/load
c. 0.8 liters/load
d. 1.0 liters/load
 Chemical Applicators (Sprayers)
Sample Problem 5 (Pre-Board Problem)
If a boom sprayer has 6 nozzles with a total
spray swath of 6 m and each nozzle discharges 0.6
liter/min, what is the application rate if the operating
speed is 25 m/min?

a. 480 L/ha
b. 240 L/ha
c. 40 L/ha
d. 120 L/ha
References:

SMITH, H. P. 1976. Farm Machinery and Equipment. Mc-Graw Hill Book Company. New York.

RICHEY, C. B. 1961. Agricultural Engineers Handbook. Mc-Graw Hill Book Company. New York.

Agricultural Engineering Board Reviewer on Agricultural Power. Machinery and Mechanization. UPLB

PAES 141: 2004. Agricultural Machinery – Weeder – Specifications

PAES 141: 2005. Agricultural Machinery – Weeder – Specifications (Circulated)

PAES 142: 2004. Agricultural Machinery – Weeder – Methods of Test

PAES 142: 2005. Agricultural Machinery – Weeder – Methods of Test (Circulated)

PAES 112 : 2000. Agricultural Machinery – Lever-Operated Knapsack Sprayer – Specifications

PAES 113 : 2000. Agricultural Machinery – Lever-Operated Knapsack Sprayer – Methods of Test

PNS/BAFS 331: 2022. Production Machinery – Knapsack Sprayer – Specifications (New)

PNS/BAFS 332: 2022. Production Machinery – Knapsack Sprayer – Methods of Test (New)

PNS/BAFS 375:2023. Agricultural-Power – Sprayer – Specifications

PNS/BAFS 376:2023. Agricultural Power – Sprayer – Methods of Test

For more information contact:

REYNOLD M. CAOILI, PhD

Mariano Marcos State University
College of Engineering
Department of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering

email address:
rmcaoili@mmsu.edu.ph
reynoldmcaoili@yahoo.com
FB Account Name:
Reynold M. Caoili

Contact Number:
(+63) 09356852107