Wheel-Axle Mechanism Option for Ground Metering of Herbicides in Animal Drawn Sprayers

The aim in applying herbicide or any pesticide for that matter is to effectively distribute the appropriate amount on the target. This is to ensure that the desired result is achieved while minimizing non target area contamination. Too much pesticide can cause unacceptable crop damage or leave excessive residues in the crop or soil. It also increases the spraying cost by using more pesticide. To apply a pesticide effectively the application equipment must be well maintained (to avoid delays caused by breakdowns) and accurately calibrated.The purpose of the sprayer is to accurately meter and distribute pesticides. Pesticides are packaged in concentrated form to facilitate handling. In order to uniformly distribute the active ingredient of the pesticide over the area sprayed, it must be diluted with a suitable carrier (in most cases, water). The diluted pesticide must then be uniformly distributed in a manner that gives optimum coverage with minimal drift potential. (Murdoch 1986). Animal drawn sprayers must necessarily meter herbicide or any pesticide in synchrony with the motion of the animals. Anything to the contrary shall result in excess deposition of pesticide at bends when the animals would temporarily slow down to execute the bend and also when they are compelled to stop for rest or as occasion may warrant. This project introduces a novel mechanism- The Wheel Axle Mechanism, to ensure that pesticides are metered accordingly and accurately.