SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A new tender truck mix system gets input mixing rates right, right in the field.
Mixmate automatically custom blends liquid fertilizers or crop protection products in the field, according to a prescription map and job number.
“Each batch is mixed on site in the field when you need it,” said Mixmate inventor Doug Applegate.
“When conditions change throughout the day, the operator can make adjustments for wind, temperature, weed size, crop density or any other variable.
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“How often does the sprayer get to a field and radios in that the weeds are smaller or larger than you expected? If you have the capability to mix at the field, you can adjust for those kinds of variables.”
Another common scenario is the sprayer and tender arriving as scheduled just as the rain moves.
That’s bad news if the truck is carrying a hot mix, but if the tender is carrying concentrate chemicals, the crew can move on to a sunnier locale.
“If the tender truck is already carrying a hot mix from the central plant, there’s no choice but to spray it or find another field that needs the same blend,” Applegate said.
“Mixmate lets the operator dial in the exact blends he wants to fit immediate conditions. It’s a time issue. If you have to change your plans at the last minute, you can do that.”
The system also lets the operator mix the exact amount of chemical for the acres that will be sprayed. If he shows up and sees that flooded potholes are now dry enough to spray, he can do the mix for the correct number of acres.
Applegate said safety and environmental concerns were also motivations when designing the Mixmate. It makes more sense to keep the chemicals separated until they’re needed, he added.
“If you’re hauling concentrate product, that means you’re hauling way less gallons. If there’s an accident or a spill, cleanup is much easier,” he said.
“But when you’re hauling hot mix from a central plant, you could be facing an expensive cleanup of thousands of gallons. And the spill can get into waterways.”
Applegate said the system is easy to use. The operator enters the prescription map and job order into the Mixmate computer, along with the number of acres to be sprayed with that batch.
The computer then meters the correct volume of each liquid into the 10-gallon stainless steel tank. The system uses weight sensors instead of flow meters to obtain a more accurate reading of the liquid. An inclinometer on the tank makes corrections if the tender truck is on a slope.
“Flow meters need calibration all the time,” he said.
“That’s why we got rid of them. With a weight sensor, you calibrate by simply pouring in exactly five gallons of water. That provides a given weight. And that’s it for calibration. The scale lets us measure concentrate product down to one fluid ounce.”
The system can also be dialed in for sensitive, low volume operations such a seed treatments.
“The weight sensors are extremely sensitive,” he said.
“If you let your cell phone sit on the tank, it’ll throw off your readings.
“At the other end, there’s no problem mixing batches for 1,600 gallon sprayers. A pump at the bottom of the mix tank sends the batch to the sprayer.
“So if the prescription calls for 40 gallons of a certain liquid, the system simply supplies four 10 gallon allotments.”
The computer also makes a detailed inventory of the amount, time and location of each batch mix and other details that the producer might need.
Applegate said most spray operations have switched to mini bulk tanks, and the Mixmate has three valves for mini bulks. The computer opens and closes the motorized ball valves to meter the precise amount of each chemical into the tank.
For jugs, the mix tank has a vertical high pressure clean water nozzle to rinse residual chemical. The pressure switch automatically activates the washer as the operator holds the upturned jug over the nozzle.
Applegate said Mixmate uses a wireless computer that the operator can take with him in the sprayer cab.
“If you see something in the field you think you should adjust for, you can make those adjustments on the go in the field and order up the next batch from the cab so it’s ready and waiting.”
Mixmate uses a Windows 7 tablet operating system, which is a host for the Mixmate software.
Mixmate made its public debut at the InfoAg Precision Farming Conference in Springfield this summer. InfoAg is a bi-annual meeting that includes the latest in leading edge precision farming.
Applegate said he expects Mixmate to carry a price tag of about $10,000 when the units become available in January.
For information, contact Applegate by phoning 661-524-8355, e-mailing doug.applegate@agtelligent.com or visiting www.agtelligent.com .
