MARTIN DEERLINE BLOG

Consistent application and accuracy when spraying can have a huge impact on the crop, the soil and your pocketbook.

With boom sprayers your spray quality can be greatly affected by travel speed which in turn affects the application of product. If travel speed changes; flow rate also needs to change to maintain the desired application rate.

The most precise way to accomplish this is through a technology known as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). On sprayers equipped with PWM, each nozzle body has an electronic shut-off valve that turns on and off multiple times a second creating an intermittent pulse spray.

The pulses are so quick that it doesn't affect overall coverage or droplet size ensuring a consistent application. A change in travel speed caused by a low spot or hill doesn't affect pressure any more, resulting in accurate spray coverage across varying conditions.

Below is a video demonstration of PWM on both a John Deere sprayer and a competitive model.

• Site-specific application rates - the ability to apply more or less product to specific areas of the field
• Sectional control - individual nozzles can be shut off and turned on as required preventing overlaps and allowing for turn compensation
• Real time flow rate changes - resulting in more precise and efficient application, ultimately reducing inputs and their associated costs

Ultimately, PWM technology allows for an improved spray quality and precision when applying herbicides, fungicides or pesticides.

John Deere's PWM technology, ExactApply, is available on all new sprayers and as a retrofit kit for R4030, R4038 and R4045 sprayers with stainless steel plumbing.

Learn more about ExactApply here or from your local Martin Deerline Ag Sales representative.