Gps-Ag's new generation weed identification spraying technology, released to the world market first in Australia, has passed extensive testing and is now commercially available to growers. Trials have proven to be very successful with higher operational speeds achieved than was first planned.
gps-Ag Sales Manager Adam Hutton is extremely happy with the trials of the new WEEDit product, a new selective spraying system which helps farmers to significantly lower chemical usage and therefore costs.
WEEDit is now being fitted to a wide variety of boom spray's with consistent impressive results. Some farmers are even claiming up to 90% chemical cost reduction. The 2 significant features to the success of the product is, fast reaction solenoid valves opening in 1millisecond and highly responsive sensors taking ground samples at 40,000 times per second. As the boom travels over a weed it is immediately recognised by the sensor which sets off the solenoid valve and chemical is directed onto the weed.
"The sensors are so fast in detecting live plant matter that the signal command from the sensor to trigger the solenoid in fact needs to be delayed; otherwise the nozzles will fire too early! Quite amazing even at 25km/h." says Mr Hutton. "WEEDit selective spraying has certainly passed my initial expectations. Early trials in Australia were good, but this last 6 months of fine tuning has really presented us with a high performance product."
It uses innovative red light colour technology that is partially shifted to Near Infrared when passed over live plant chlorophyll. The system requires no ongoing manual calibration and allows the operator to change the sensitivity of the sensor via one touch button in the cab. Sensors are spaced at 1m on the boom and operated at a height of 1m off the ground. One sensor can control 5 solenoids each at 20cm spacing's.
Units are currently being fitted and dispatched for commercial use. Contact gps-Ag for more information on or by email at info@gps-ag.com.au.
