It is estimated that about 200000 dusters are actually in use in Europe, especially in the Southern zone.
As required the EU Directive 128/2009/EC, this type of machines, employed mainly for distributing dry sulfur dust in vineyards, are subject to a mandatory functional inspection as all other kinds of equipment used for pesticide distribution.Postprint (updated version

Balsari, Paolo

Gil Moya, Emilio

Marucco, Paolo

UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC

Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  97   Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters Paolo Balsari (DISAFA, Italy) Paolo Marucco (DISAFA, Italy) Emilio Gil (UPC, Spain)        Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters 8 Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  98  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196            Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters  This document has been compiled by the SPISE Technical Working Group 8.  Authors: Paolo Balsari (DISAFA, Italy) Paolo Marucco (DISAFA, Italy) Emilio Gil (UPC, Spain)       Contents  1. FOREWORD 99 2. INTRODUCTION 99 3. PRE-INSPECTION 101 3.1 Cleaning 101 3.2 Power transmission parts and moving parts of the equipment 101 3.3 Structural parts and framework 101 3.4 Lockable foldable parts 101 3.5 Blower 102 3.6 Static discharge devices 103 4. INSPECTION 103 4.1 Tank 103 4.2 Filling hole 104 4.3 Tank agitation system 104 4.4 Pipes and hoses for the dust extraction and distribution (Equipment category A and B) 105 4.5 Controls and regulation systems 105 4.6 Blower 107 5 TEST METHODS 107 5.4.1 Duster with mechanical extraction 108 5.4.2 Duster with an air flow extraction 108 5.5.1 Air speed outlet (symmetry) 109 6. REFERENCES 89     Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  97   Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters Paolo Balsari (DISAFA, Italy) Paolo Marucco (DISAFA, Italy) Emilio Gil (UPC, Spain)        Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters 8 Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  98  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196            Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters  This document has been compiled by the SPISE Technical Working Group 8.  Authors: Paolo Balsari (DISAFA, Italy) Paolo Marucco (DISAFA, Italy) Emilio Gil (UPC, Spain)       Contents  1. FOREWORD 99 2. INTRODUCTION 99 3. PRE-INSPECTION 101 3.1 Cleaning 101 3.2 Power transmission parts and moving parts of the equipment 101 3.3 Structural parts and framework 101 3.4 Lockable foldable parts 101 3.5 Blower 102 3.6 Static discharge devices 103 4. INSPECTION 103 4.1 Tank 103 4.2 Filling hole 104 4.3 Tank agitation system 104 4.4 Pipes and hoses for the dust extraction and distribution (Equipment category A and B) 105 4.5 Controls and regulation systems 105 4.6 Blower 107 5 TEST METHODS 107 5.4.1 Duster with mechanical extraction 108 5.4.2 Duster with an air flow extraction 108 5.5.1 Air speed outlet (symmetry) 109 6. REFERENCES 89     Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  99    Foreword The SPISE Working Group was established in 2004 during the first SPISE workshop. There the participants welcomed the thought of Dr. Eng. Ganzelmeier (JKI) that a working group should work on further steps for the harmonization and mutual acceptance of equipment inspections. In the following years, thanks to SPISE engagement, a constant exchange of information has been made possible within the working group and consultations went on between the EC and MS on improving the sustainability of plant protection. The founding members of the SPISE working group came from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. In the ambit of SPISE working Group several Technical Working Groups (TWG) have been recently created with the aim to prepare advice about the items taken into account by the EU Directive 128/2009/EC but still not considered in the actual ISO/CEN Standards. SPISE TWG 8 in particular, has defined advice on what are the parts and the requirements of equipment and the criteria to use for the functional inspection of dusters. The present document is intended to provide technical indications about the steps to follow for making the correct inspection of this equipment.   INTRODUCTION  It is estimated that about 200000 dusters are actually in use in Europe, especially in the Southern zone. As required the EU Directive 128/2009/EC, this type of machines, employed mainly for distributing dry sulfur dust in vineyards, are subject to a mandatory functional inspection as all other kinds of equipment used for pesticide distribution. All types of dusters actually in use, are characterized by a tank where the sulfur dust is contained and by a radial fan to generate the air flow for the dust distribution. The main difference between these, is represented by the dust extraction system from the tank wherewith it is possible to divide the equipment in two different categories:  A) provided with a tank  with internal air flow;  B) provided with a tank without air flow.   The first category includes machines featured by two type of dust extraction system  (figure 1) that consist in an adjustable opening at the bottom of the tank, from which the dust can fall on the radial fan simply by gravity or by a mechanical system. The sulfur coming from the opening is conveyed towards the spouts on the two sides of the machine by the air stream of the radial fan. In the first case (fallen by gravity) the precise dosage of the dust, is difficult due to the poor precision of the control system. Also the quality of dust distribution is generally poorly uniform (Marucco and Balsari, 2004), with deposits on leaves and bunches that generally are below 50% of the amount applied. The second type of dust extraction system allow a more precise dosing of the sulfur dust and can improve the quality of dust distribution with respect to the first one.  The second category of dusters regards a more advanced type of machines (figure 2), featured by pneumatic systems to extract the powder from the tank. This category and these provided with the mechanical dust extraction system allow a more precise dosing of the sulfur dust and can improve the quality of dust distribution respect to the conventional models (Marucco and Balsari, 2004). Actually no EN or ISO Standards concerning the requirements and methods of brand new dusters performances’ verification or for the functional inspection of those in use are available. This considered, Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  100  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  SPISE working Group members believe it is necessary to provide a specific SPISE Advice on how to make the functional inspection of dusters following, when possible, the harmonized Standard EN ISO 16122 (parts 1 for general components and part 3 for dosing systems, if provided) and some of the referring documents realized and used by some Member States, where this type of equipment are already inspected (Spanish manual for the functional inspection of the sprayers in use downloading at: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/agricultura/temas/medios-de-produccion/manualdeinspecciondeequiposdeacuerdoalanormaune-en13790_tcm7-422883.pdf). This SPISE advice is divided in two different sections, which refer respectively to the pre-inspection and to the inspection.  The first regards all the preliminary controls made by the inspector at the beginning of the inspection and mainly consists of visual checks. The parts of this section are common to both categories of dusters previously described (A and B). The second section regards the test methods and the procedures to realize the functional check of the equipment and the instruments necessary to carry out the measurements. For this reason, in some part of the section, the test methods described are specific referred to each of the two categories of dusters.              Fig. 1 - Example of conventional duster (category A) (Photo: DiSAFA)                                Fig. 2 - Example of pneumatic duster (category B) (Photo: DiSAFA)  Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  101  PRE-INSPECTION  3.1 Cleaning The sprayer shall be clean externally and internally. Shall not be there any pesticide residues into the tank or on the external surface (figure 3) that can be a source of contamination for the inspector or the environment. Method of verification: visual check.                   Fig. 3 - Example of not clean duster (Photo: DiSAFA)  3.2 Power transmission parts and moving parts of the equipment The power take-off (PTO) drive shaft, the power input connection (PIC) and the universal joints shall be equipped with suitable and undamaged guards and protective devices, that shall work properly (figure 4). Method of verification: visual check.       Fig. 4 - Example of the PTO connection point and its guarding (Photo: DiSAFA)  3.3 Structural parts and framework Structural parts and framework of the duster shall be without permanent deformation, significant corrosion or considerable defects.  The hitching device shall be in good condition and shall work properly. Method of verification: visual check. 3.4 Lockable foldable parts Locking of foldable parts of the duster, if present, shall works properly and without defects. Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  102  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196   Method of verification: visual check. 3.5 Blower 3.5.1 General The blower (fan, casing) shall be without mechanical deformations, excessive wear and corrosion that could be able to significant vibration or malfunctions. (figure 5)  Moreover it shall be verified that:              — all blades are present and without damages;              — guarding to prevent access to the fan is present and in good conditions. Method of verification: visual and functional check. Measurement according to 4.6.       Fig. 5 - Example of the blower and its guarding (Photo: DiSAFA; Spanish manual for the inspection of the sprayers in use) 3.5.2 Clutch If the blower is provided with a clutch to switched off it separately from other driven parts of the sprayer, this device shall function properly (figure 6).  Method of verification: visual and functional check.   Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  103  Fig. 6 - Example of the clutch to switched off the blower (Photo: Spanish manual for the inspection of the sprayers in use)  3.6 Static discharge devices All metallic parts of the equipment that can conduct static electricity (framework, screw conveyor, blower, controls and regulation systems, cables) shall be connected with a static discharge device (figure 7).   Method of verification: visual check according to 5.1.                                               Fig. 7 – Example of static discharge devices (Photo: Spanish manual for the inspection of the sprayers in use) INSPECTION  4.1 Tank The inspection of the tank is different between the two dust extraction systems available.  - Tank without internal air flow (A- conventional duster: mechanical and gravity dust extraction) (figure 8) - Tank with internal air flow (B- pneumatic duster: pneumatic dust extraction) (figure 9)               tank fan spouts dose adjustment Mechanical dust extraction tank fan spouts dose adjustment Gravity dust extraction Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  104  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196    Fig. 8 – Scheme of the two type of tank without internal air flow (Photo DiSAFA)            Fig. 9 – Scheme of the tank with internal air flow (Photo DiSAFA) 4.1.1 Lid (For tank category A and B) The duster tank shall be provided with a suitable lid that shall be tightly sealed to prevent any dust dispersion and shall avoid unintended opening (figure 10). Method of verification: visual check  Fig. 10 – Example of lid and filling hole (Photo DiSAFA) 4.2 Filling hole The diameter of the tank filling hole should allow a safe and easy introduction of the dust in the tank.  Method of verification: visual check 4.3 Tank agitation system 4.3.1 Tank category A (tank without internal air flow)  The mechanical agitation system in the tank, if present, shall work properly (figure 11). Method of verification: functional check. Measurement according to 5.2.1.  spouts tank fan dose adjustment Pneumatic dust extraction Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  105   Fig. 11 – Example of mechanical agitation system (Photo DiSAFA) 4.3.2 Duster category B (tank with internal air flow)  The agitation system in the tank, generated by the internal air flow it shall assure a correct agitation (figure 12). No leakages shall be present from the tank. The lid shall be airtight (pressurized tank). Method of verification: functional check. Measurement according to 5.2.2.   Fig. 12 – Example of agitation system generated by the internal air flow (Photo DiSAFA) 4.4 Pipes and hoses for the dust extraction and distribution (Equipment category A and B) Shall not be present air leakages from pipes and hoses for the dust extraction.  Method of verification: functional check. Measurement according to 5.3. 4.5 Controls and regulation systems 4.5.1 System for switching on/off the dust distribution The system for switching on or off the dust distribution shall operate properly. The duster must be equipped with a system which allows to carry out the distribution from one side only (figure 13). Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  106  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196   Method of verification: functional check.   Fig. 13 – Example of system for switching on or off the dust distribution from one side only (Photo: DiSAFA) 4.5.2 Device for adjusting the dust rate 4.5.2.1 General Device for adjusting the dust rate shall work properly. This device shall be lockable in the intended dose rate position and shall be provided with a zero position that enables to switch off the machine without spreading any dust from the spouts (figure 14). Method of verification: visual and functional check                                     Fig. 14 – Example of device for adjusting the dust rate provided with a zero position that enables to switch off the machine without spreading any dust from the spouts (Photo: DiSAFA)  Seventh European Workshop on Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers – SPISE 7 -, Athens, Greece, September 26 – 28, 2018  Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut 196  107  4.5.2.2 Indications to select the intended rate The device for adjusting the dust rate shall be provided with clear indications (marks) to select the intended rate and shall be operated from the operator`s position during working (figure 15).  Method of verification: visual check.                                                             Fig. 15 – Example of device for adjusting the dust rate (Photo: DiSAFA) 4.6 Blower   4.6.1 Air speed outlet symmetry The air speed outlet shall be symmetrical on the left and right hand side  The measurement (optional) of the air speed has to be carried out at the spouts and 1.5 m away from them.  The maximum difference of the average air speed between the corresponding measurement position at the two sides shall be ±20%. Method of verification: Visual check. Optional functional check according to 5.5.1. 4.6.2 Fan rotational speed The blower shall be checked verifying the absence of vibrations (due to imbalance), friction between the body and the fan or wrong orientation of the blades. The fan rotational speed shall not differ by more than ±10% compared to values indicated by the manufacturer. Method of verification: visual check. Optional functional check according to 5.5.2 TEST METHODS  Check of static discharge devices The static discharge devices shall be checked with a visual inspection of the connection of all the metallic parts of the dusters. 

Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters

It is estimated that about 200000 dusters are actually in use in Europe, especially in the Southern zone.

As required the EU Directive 128/2009/EC, this type of machines, employed mainly for distributing dry sulfur dust in vineyards, are subject to a mandatory functional inspection as all other kinds of equipment used for pesticide distribution

UPCommons

Bulletin: Spise AdviceBulletin: Spise Advic

Gil, Emilio

JKI Open Journal Systems (Julius Kühn-Institut)

English

https://upcommons.upc.edu/bitstream/2117/130504/1/Advice%20for%20the%20functional%20inspection%20of%20the%20dusters.pdf

Advice for the functional inspection of the dusters

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