The invention relates generally to agricultural product application equipment such as self-propelled sprayers and, in particular, to an agricultural product delivery system in which a support structure mounted to the chassis frame is configured to rigidly support a primary product storage tank for a spray system in which the tank has a capacity of at least 500 gallons and in which the tank utilizes a non-metallic material.
Agricultural machines such as high-clearance sprayers are getting larger and more complex. Such sprayers typically include a product tank for storing a volume of product for delivery onto an agricultural field and a product delivery pump to convey product from the product tank through plumbing components for release out of spray nozzles that are spaced from each other along the width of a boom. The product tank utilizes a metallic material, typically stainless steel, for rigidly supporting the significant weight of liquid stored therein, oftentimes having a volume exceeding 1000 gallons. However, providing such large tanks in stainless steel can be costly. A need therefore exists for an increasingly cost-effective way to conduct spraying operations in the field while still accommodating the same weight and volume requirements as before.
The present invention provides an agricultural product delivery system in which a support structure or skid well is configured to rigidly support a primary product storage tank that is manufactured from a non-metallic material such as polyethylene or plastic. The product storage tank can have a capacity of at least 500 gallons, and preferably 1000 gallons, and the support structure can include multiple support ribs spaced along sides of the tank for providing rigid support for the tank and preventing deformation when filled with liquid. In addition, the product storage tank can include one or more contours or cavities for accommodating smaller chemical injection tanks positioned therein. Such chemical injection tanks can also be rigidly supported by the support structure. A spray system can mix liquid from the product storage tank and chemical from a chemical injection tank for spraying a field.
In one aspect, a “poly” product tank is integrated onto an agricultural machine along with two injection tanks. The poly product tank can be used to reduce the cost of the machine while also providing the ability to inject chemical using a chemical injection system. The main product tank can remain cleaner while just carrying water or a small variant of mixtures. The poly product tank can sit on a skid and can supply a product pump with a carrier liquid. This can be similar in function to stainless steel tanks, but cost may be reduced due to material selection. The tank combination can be set up to include two optional 50-gallon injection tanks. The poly product tank is advantageously shaped to incorporate and allow space for such injection tanks.
Specifically then, one aspect of the present invention can provide an agricultural product delivery system, including: multiple wheels supporting a chassis having a chassis frame; a product storage tank for storing a liquid; a support structure mounted to the chassis frame, the support structure being configured to rigidly support the product storage tank; and a spray system configured to deliver liquid from the product storage tank onto an agricultural field, in which the product storage tank has a capacity of at least 500 gallons, and in which the product storage tank utilizes a non-metallic material for holding the liquid.
Another aspect of the present invention can provide a self-propelled agricultural sprayer, including: multiple wheels supporting a chassis having a chassis frame; a product storage tank for storing liquid; an injection tank for storing a chemical concentrated liquid; a support structure mounted to the chassis frame, the support structure being configured to rigidly support the product storage tank and the injection tank; and a spray system configured to mix liquid from the product storage tank and chemical concentrated liquid from the injection tank for delivery onto an agricultural field, the spray system comprising: a spray boom supported by the chassis and including multiple spray nozzles; and a pump arranged between the spray boom and product storage tank, in which the product storage tank has a capacity of at least 500 gallons, in which the injection tank is smaller than the product storage tank, and in which the product storage tank and the injection tank each utilize a non-metallic material for holding liquid.
Other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout.
Referring now to the drawings and specifically to
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With additional reference to
For achieving a cost-effective way to conduct spraying operations in the field, the product storage tank 28 is manufactured from a non-metallic material, such as polyethylene or plastic, for holding the liquid. Notwithstanding this construction, with the support structure 42 providing rigid support, the system 40 can accommodate the weight and volume requirements of the product storage tank 28. In operation, the spray system 24 can deliver liquid from the product storage tank 28, spray nozzles that are spaced from each other along the width of boom 30, for delivery onto an agricultural field.
With additional reference to
In addition, the product storage tank can include one or more contours or cavities 60 for accommodating one or more smaller chemical injection tanks 62 for storing a chemical concentrated liquid positioned therein. The injection tanks 62 can be filled with the chemical concentrated liquid through top mounted filling ports 63. The spray system 24 can mix liquid from the product storage tank 28 and chemical from an injection tank 62 for spraying a field. The injection tanks 62 are typically smaller than the product storage tank 28, having a capacity of less than 100 gallons, and preferably 50 gallons. The injection tanks 62 can also be manufactured from a non-metallic material, such as polyethylene or plastic, for holding the chemical concentrated liquid.
The injection tanks 62 can be rigidly supported by the same support structure 42. In one aspect, first and second injection tanks 62a and 62b, respectively, can be rigidly supported by the support structure 42 on opposing sides of the product storage tank 28. Moreover, the first and second injection tanks 62a and 62b, respectively, can be rigidly supported on opposing sides of a rear side 64 of the product storage tank 28. The support structure 42 can include rigid, metallic vertical extensions 66 (see
Accordingly, the product storage tank 28 and the support structure 42 can provide a cost-effective way to conduct spraying operations in the field, supporting in excess of 1000 gallons of liquid, with rigid support and without deformation. The product storage tank 28 can include a tank lid 70 for accessing an interior volume of the tank, such as for filling the tank with liquid. The product storage tank 28 can also include an access port and gauge 72, such as a sight gauge, for measuring an amount of liquid in the interior volume. The product storage tank 28 can also include a hand rinsing station 74 for allowing an operator to access the liquid, typically water, such as for hand washing.
Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the above invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the underlying inventive concept.