ROVER MK1 REMOTE CONTROL SELF-PROPELLED SPRAYER INNOVATION 4.0 REMOTE CONNECTIONS SUSTAINABILITY DIGITALIZATION SAFETY FOR OPERATOR

BOLOGNA 9 -13 NOVEMBRE NOVEMBER 2022 NOVITÀ TECNICNSHE TECHNICAL INNOVATIO 35010 Villanova di Cam posampiero (PD) Via Cornara, 40 Tel. (+39) 049-922007 2 www.carrarospray.com ROVER MK1 ESPOSIZIONE INTERNAZIONALE DI MACCHINE PER L’AGRICOLTURA E IL GIARDINAGGIO AND INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL GARDENING MACHINERY EXHIBITION NOVITA’ TECNICA/T ECHNICAL INNOVATIO N DI CHE SI TRATTA/WH AT IS IT Irroratrice compatta, elet trica, comandata a distanza, semovente e cingolata. Compact, electric, rem otely-controlled, self-propelled crawled sprayer. IN COSA CONSISTE L’INNOVAZIONE/WH AT IS INNOVATIVE La macchina...

Description and operation Remote controlled tangential atomizer developed within the POR FESR 2014-2020 project of the Veneto region, for R&D activities of new sustainable technologies of new industrial products, with the collaboration of the Universities of Verona (Department of Computer Science) and Padua (Department of Territory and Systems Agro-Forestry) and engineered and manufactured by Carrarospray. It is a completely electric self-propelled system, with lithium batteries, an empty mass of about 480 kg, a track of 60 cm and a lateral encumbrance that varies from 75 cm up to a maximum of...

General features Graphic representation of the tool, with indication of the main components. In the schematic representation, the following components are visible: 1 – Two 18 cm wide tracks driven by 2 electric motors and a pair of reducers with worm screw which allows to operate at a maximum speed of 1-1.5 m/s 2 – Powder coated support steel frame and foldable to allow the lifting of the hydraulic part and give access to the engine compartment 3 – 120 l polyethylene tank with graduated scale, coupled with a pump piston, capable of a maximum flow rate of 54 l/min from 0 to 20 bar, 4 – Flow and...

Elements of originality of the atomizer The ROVER MK1 was developed for the closed environment of a greenhouse, where compact dimensions, contained masses and precision in distribution are required of plant protection products specifically to operate in the characteristic narrow spaces of a greenhouse or a sloping vineyard, and for this he sees as strengths: - The compact size - The presence of a ventilation system with adjustable width and height - The presence of an electric propulsion with lithium batteries - Optimization in the sizing of the traction system and hydraulic system, which allow...

Compact size Greenhouse growing conditions are characterized by frequent use of baulature and by the presence of rows arranged close together even with plants with a significant vertical development and with high vegetative vigor and therefore with relatively narrow lanes. For this reason there is a need for compact size machines (narrow track), capable of reaching a sufficiently high height during treatments and still stable. The Rover MK1 summarizes these characteristics thanks to its small overall dimensions and its working width adjustable in height and width.

On the left, the arrows indicate the width adjustment system; on the right the arrows show the nozzles, all of which can be selected or excluded according to the specific treatment requests

Ventilation system The ventilation system consists of two vertical bars, one on each side of the selfpropelled vehicle, electrically operated at an alternating current voltage of 230 V and with a control system that allows operation at both low and high speeds (respectively 1000 and 1300 rpm ). The two bars are independent, so they can operate in the following ways: - Symmetrical (when, for example, the vehicle operates centrally with respect to the greenhouse) - Asymmetrical with one active and one deactivated bar or with two fans operating at different regimes (necessary when, for example,...

Electric propulsion and reduced power The use of an electric propulsion in a tool designed for greenhouse operations brings numerous benefits, which further support the originality of the vehicle: - The availability of an electric propulsion makes it possible to optimize distribution and the regulation of the power to the tracks, the pump and the fans, operating so independent - The absence of mechanical transmissions allows to maintain the mass and dimensions totals of the vehicle, gaining flexibility in movement control - Absence of polluting emissions confined within the greenhouse, and potentially...

Tracks The rover has a track of 60 cm and a width measured externally to the tracks of about 78 cm and a center of gravity located at a height of about 50-65 cm (variable according to the degree of filling of the tank). These characteristics give the equipment high static stability, despite the high height reached by the fans (2 m). The presence of two relatively large tracks increases this stability even in all movements, giving safety in movements even in areas characterized by a certain slope. But the use of tracks also plays an important role in terms of load distribution. With an overall...

Experimental evaluation In order to verify the functional effectiveness of the tool subject of the report, tests were carried out at the University of Padua, in Legnaro (PD). The study took into consideration tests concerning: - Maneuverability - Efficiency in treatments - The consumption In order to allow a better and more correct evaluation of the results, a parallel experiment was carried out with a system which in some way can constitute a traditional comparison system consisting of a tractor with a diesel engine with a maximum power of 11.1 kW. The tractor was equipped with a mounted sprayer...

Maneuverability A first comparison concerned the forward speeds. The range of feed speeds available is defined by the reduction ratio of the gearbox and by the regulation system integrated in the controller. The self-propelled system under analysis gave evidence of the pre-set advance possibilities shown in Figure 8 and included between a minimum of 0.14 m/s (0.49 km/h) and 0.7 m/s (2.54 km/h). These are obviously low speeds, but defined on the basis of typical speeds progress in greenhouses or on slopes, especially when there is the presence of dense vegetation which could require greater attention...