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RFO Rotor Flow Sensor in Agriculture Sprayers

 

Today’s modern farmer has access to numerous pieces of equipment that aids them in being able to tend to larger amounts of land and grow more food efficiently.  Farm equipment may include harvesters, cutters and shredders, loaders, planting equipment, sprayers, and tillers to name a few.  Agriculture (ag) sprayers are an important tool for the farmer and helps them tend to hundreds of acres of crops.  However, ag sprayers must be precise as spraying the crop with the incorrect amount can kill the crop or not provide the correct amount of nutrients.  In addition, fertilizers are a large expense for farmers so there is no room for waste.   

 

Challenge: Finding a reliable flow sensor that can withstand high vibration, inclement weather and harsh chemicals, and still provide an accurate flow rate to the ag sprayer.

Most flow sensors cannot handle the corrosiveness of agriculture fertilizers or if they can, are too costly to integrate.  In addition, the flow sensors need to accommodate a small amount of debris and indicate properly without becoming clogged. 

 

Solution: Gems RFO Rotor Flow Sensor


Gems Rotor Flow Sensor can be constructed from a polypropylene, brass or stainless-steel body, which ensures high chemical compatibility with agriculture fertilizers.  With a flow range down to .1 gallons per minute or up to 60 gallons per minute (depending on port size), Gems RFO has a vast flow sensing range.  The Gems RFO works based on a paddlewheel design which allows any debris in the media to flow through and not get clogged. 

The rotor flow sensor also has a clear polysulfone lens which allows for a quick visual indication.  This design also allows for simple troubleshooting and maintenance by removing the lens and clearing any obstructions.  With solid-state electronics packaged securely within the RFO, it can withstand being exposed to the elements and still sense the flow rate accurately.  This is crucial for the ag sprayers as precision dosing is crucial to a high crop yield.  In addition, being able to optimize the amount of fertilizer helps farmers stay within their budget. 

 

Additional Sensor Options for Agriculture: