Apparatus and method for direct application of treatment liquid to growing vegetation

摘要

An applicator is mounted to a transverse boom carried by a tractor and moved through a field at such a height as to directly contact target vegetation above a selected level, and avoid application of treating liquid to any shorter, desirable vegetation. The applicator includes an outlet manifold, a plurality of receivers connected to an inlet manifold, a respective plurality of generally vertically oriented, transversally spaced non-porous applicator rods each extending between the outlet manifold and a respective receiver, an elevated reservoir for treating liquid, and a pump for recirculating back to the reservoir excess treating liquid which has flowed down outsides of the rods and into the receivers without having been brushed-off onto vegetation contacted by the rods. The outlet manifold and receivers are provided with filters, and each receiver is provided with a trash shield, all for preventing clogging and for facilitating clean-out of the treating liquid flow path. Each applicator rod at its upper end is grooved in a way that facilitates spreading of the treating liquid on the rod while minimizing spillage.