METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUID NUTRIENTS BETWEEN PARALLEL ROWS OF STANDING CROPS

摘要

Liquid nutrients are continuously applied to rows of standing crops by pulling a drag hose from a reel located at one end of a field and between two crop rows with a boom having a forward end pivotally connected to an applicator mounted on a tractor and a rearward end supported by a wheel. The boom carries a supply line having a rearward end connected to the drag hose and a forward end connector to the applicator having the same length as the boom. At the opposite end of the field, the tractor and applicator turn 180° while the boom passes over the applicator. The tractor returns down a second plurality of rows back to the first end of the field while the reel simultaneously retracts the hose between the two rows of crops. The reel is moved to a third plurality of rows the steps are repeated.

主权项

1. A method of efficiently applying liquid nutrients between parallel rows of standing crops growing in a field with minimal damage to the crops, the method comprising the steps of
winding an elongated flexible and drag hose onto a power driven hose reel with the drag hose having an inlet and an outlet, supporting the hose reel with a vehicle for axial movement of the hose reel adjacent a first end of the field and perpendicular to the rows of crops, connecting the outlet of the drag hose extending from the hose reel to a rearward end of a supply line supported by an elongated boom having a rearward end portion supported by a boom wheel, pivotally connecting a forward end portion of the boom to a central portion of an elongated applicator with the central portion of the applicator connected to a tractor adapted to move between the rows with the applicator extending transversely of the rows, connecting a forward end of the supply line to a liquid distribution line of the applicator with the distribution line having outlets located between the rows of crops, pumping the liquid nutrients from a supply source into the inlet of the drag hose supported by the hose reel, pulling the drag hose with the tractor and boom from the hose reel between two adjacent rows of crops with the hose reel rotating on its axis while the applicator and distribution line supply the liquid nutrients to a first plurality of rows of crops, maintaining the drag hose between the two adjacent rows of crops while pulling the drag hose from the reel with the tractor and boom, turning the tractor and applicator at an opposite second end of the field while swinging the boom and supply line over the applicator and positioning the tractor with the applicator transversely to a second plurality of rows of crops, returning the tractor and the applicator to the first end of the field while supplying the liquid nutrients through the drag hose, supply line and distribution line to the second plurality of rows of crops, maintaining the drag hose between the two rows of crops with the boom and supply line extending laterally from the tractor while rewinding the drag hose onto the hose reel, synchronizing the rewinding of the drag hose onto the hose reel with the returning of the tractor and applicator, moving the hose reel axially with the vehicle to a third plurality of rows of crops, and repeating the above steps to apply the liquid nutrients to the third plurality of rows of crops.