ePlumbing – Automated Liquid Control
One of the most popular options across our trailed and self propelled crop sprayers is the Chafer ePlumbing system. First launched in 2014 and continually developed ever since, ePlumbing automates plumbing operations across the sprayer to maximise productivity and eliminate user errors. Controlled via a 7” colour eTerminal at the filling station, operators can choose plumbing modes at the touch of a button, as well as utilising automatic filling, dilution and rinsing programs for accurate liquid control.
Liquid Control
ePlumbing utilises a combination of two and three way valves to control the flow of liquid around the machine. Rather than mounting a motor on the standard five way valves ePlumbing is joined in a manifold layout, preventing liquid being pressured into incorrect areas on the machine. Unlike competing systems the valves themselves are CANbus controlled, which can be accurately positioned to within a single degree of rotation, allowing variable control of features such as tank agitation. The valves offer real time feedback to guarantee a desired position has been reached, or alert the user that a valve may be damaged or blocked. This prevents cross contamination occurring, something which would be missed on a system with the more basic valve.
Using Chafer ePlumbing
Using the encoder on the right of the eTerminal allows selection of all the plumbing modes required for spraying, filling, rinsing and transferring liquid around the machine. Once selected the manifold systems operates the electric control valves ensuring liquid is directed exactly where it is required. This can be carried out from both the filling station and the cab seat.
eFill – Automated Filling
Both the main spray and clean water tanks can be filled automatically using the eFill program. Operators select either the main or rinse water tank they will be filling, before selecting the required volume in fifty litre increments or selecting the “full fill” option. The machine will then begin filling the chosen tank to the correct level, with the screen showing current progress of the fill.
During filling the operator can lower the hopper and select to use the mixer circuit to induct chemical in the tank. This drops the filling speed from upwards of 800 litres per minute, down to around 150 litres a minute allowing time for complex tank mixes. Once induction is complete the system is returned to direct filling ensuring the remainder of the tank is filled as quickly as possible. At any time during filling the automated system can be paused, this allows additional time for induction of chemical without the need for reprogramming. When the desired level is achieved the fill port is closed to prevent backfilling and the system moves into recirculation mode and shuts off the pump.
eClean – Automated Wash Cycles
Rinsing out the sprayer is a vital part of the spraying process preventing residue build up and more importantly removing the opportunity for crop damage to occur through cross contamination of chemicals. eClean has modes for both quick machine rinses at the end of the day and more thorough washouts required when moving between chemicals.
Boom Clean – The simpler of the two rinse programmes “Boom Clean” is exactly as it sounds in that it rinses clean water through the boom plumbing, before returning the washings to the main tank. Operators select the amount of clean water to be used from the rinse tank, before deciding how long they would like the booms to be rinsed. Once confirmed the system will pull liquid from the rinse tank and pressure it through the feed tubes and boom lines before purging the liquid back into the main tank. This rinse cycle is perfect for the end of the day when not changing between actives, as it is a quick rinse that prevents chemicals settling out in the line overnight. Liquid fertiliser users have also utilised this rinse to purge the line of fertiliser before folding at the end of a block of land, preventing fertilisers running onto the machine itself.
Full Clean – To prevent cross contamination caused by a build up of residual chemicals within the machine, eClean ensures the full machine is thoroughly washed out. Like the Boom Clean cycle, the Full Clean starts with the operator deciding how machine rinse water is to be used in the cleaning cycles. The times can then be chose for rinsing through the boom, tank rinse, agitation, induction and regulation plumbing circuits. This allows the operator to very carefully tailor the intensity of the wash cycle based on the chemical they have been using and the chemical on the next spray recommendation. Once selected the cycle can begin and a progress screen informs the operator which part of the rinse the eClean system is performing. The process which the plumbing system uses to rinse the machine is designed to ensure every part of the plumbing system is thoroughly cleaned, allowing operators to be confident the machine has been properly cleaned. Once complete the washings can be sprayed out.