Precision Ag Solutions Scott Strehle

Products and Services I Provide PWM Pressure control for large sprayers PWM rate control for small sprayers Auto boom height control for suspended boom sprayers Embedded electronics applications for ag implements and equipment Consulting on making systems work together to obtain desired results

Why did develop these products Price There was a lack of available knowledge and support for these products I wanted to build a product exactly for our needs I wanted to build a product that was reliable I wanted our farm to be as efficient as possible with an increase in quality

What is PWM sprayer control Pulse Width Modulation Cycling a electrical current on and off for a specific time length. Spray nozzles are turned on and off at 10 times a second. The length of time that the solenoid is on for that 1/10 of a second is calculated with feedback given to the microcontroller from a pressure transducer. If the pressure is too low the duty cycle of the solenoid is lowered to increase the pressure. If it too high the duty cycle is raised to lower pressure.

Oscilloscope screen shots from the display 50 % Duty Cycle 10 % Duty Cycle80 % Duty Cycle

Why is there a need for constant pressure Drift Control Constant Droplet Size Increased Speed Range Greater productivity with better quality

Drift control Controllable factors contributing to driftable droplets Small nozzle size Greater pressure With the use of a PWM pressure control you increase your nozzle size You can maintain a constant pressure over a larger speed range You have the ability to lower your pressure spraying against a susceptible crop while maintaining speed

Constant droplet size Herbicides work best when they are applied at the correct droplet size Too small and they may drift off target Too large and they can bounce off target The volume of eight 250 micron droplets equals the volume of one 500 micron droplet

Comparison of traditional vs PWM 435hp Versatile tractor pulling a 1500 gal sprayer with 83 ft booms

Increased speed range You are able to maintain a constant droplet size over a greater speed range Borders, ditches and difficult parts of the field get the weeds killed also Where conditions allow, greater speeds are achieved with less risk of drift

Speed examples Average speed of 14.9 MPH Average productivity of 150 AC/HR Average speed of 12.9 MPH Average productivity of 124 AC/HR

Large Sprayer PWM control system design Works with all existing rate controllers You can utilize all of the existing rate controllers boom sections without buying additional valves. For example Agleaders new isobus rate controllers will be capable of controlling 36 boom sections. The system is expandable with the addition of extra modules System control is done with a small display in the cab of the tractor An automatic boom height control can also be ran on the same system with the addition of some hydraulic valves and ultrasonic sensors.

Additional system possibility's Pressure control for variable rate application of liquid fertilizers Eliminates the problem of large system pressure fluctuations for large changes in volume of liquid fertilizers applied. Also giving you much more precise autoswath control up to 36 sections Currently we are testing an application for NH3 to maintain liquid ammonia all the way to the shank. Greatly reducing volume differences shank to shank. Achieving close to single boom section per a shank up to 36 sections

System Price Currently there are 3 other manufactures with similar systems The price for these systems have been roughly $200 a foot for a sprayer My target price is in the $100 to $120 a foot range. This is dependent on the particular system and options.

Small Sprayer Rate Control with PWM 4 wheeler, UTV, Truck and 3 point type sprayers Works on the same principal as the large sprayer systems. You control the rate with PWM instead of Pressure. Pressure can be controlled with a pressure regulator, control of a 12 volt pump or hydraulic pump. 12 volt or hydraulic is much more accurate Customizable to meet the needs of the job.

Benefits You gain the benefit of an increased speed range while maintaining rate and pressure. Makes a useful tool for complimenting a large sprayer with the ability leave a border and pick it up later. Greater productivity while saving on chemical costs.

4 Wheeler Sprayer

Other Services Embedded electronic controllers for Implements and tractors. Support for custom built implements such as drills, sprayers and other tools. Custom electronics to make systems work together. Custom hydraulic controls. NH3 boost pump control for applicators. Hydraulic control for air-cart and drill applications (implementing VR application). Whatever you can think of we can make it work within reason. Custom fabrication CNC mill and lathe work Specialty welding