Pesticide Application Equipment For Use In Agriculture Manually Carried Equipment

Describes the main types of manually-operated or manually-carried pesticide application equipment. Gives details of design and shows the type of nozzle needed to treat crops and to improve the safety and efficiency of the spraying operation.

This book describes the main types of manually-operated or manually-carried pesticide application equipment. Most of the small-scale farmers in the developing countries, who have used pesticides, rely on a lever operated knapsack sprayer. These sprayers are now manufactured in many of the developing countries, who are introducing modern designs. The details of the design and the types of nozzle needed to treat crops and improve safety to the user are described. Changes in manufacturing techniques are resulting in certain plastics being used instead of brass. The less expensive compression sprayers are also described as these may become more important on the smallest farms. Details of the range of nozzles that can be used with hydraulic sprayers are given so the user can make a better selection of nozzle to apply pesticides more efficiently. Equipment used to apply reduced volumnes such as the spinning disc applicators is important, especially in areas where water supplies are difficult to obtain. Fog, granule, dust and other special applicators are also described. Specifications for the main types of applicator are given to assist those who have to purchase the equipment. The remaining sections provide guidance on safe application of pesticides and maintenance of the equipment. A glossary of terms is included.

The FAO minimum requirements in this publication are based on existing international, European and national standards and other published references. The guidelines provide a practical aid to assist purchasing and other agencies to avoid buying or approving sprayers with quality and design limitations, which could compromise operator and environmental safety. Member countries should adopt them immediately, to begin to eliminate substandard and unsafe sprayers from national markets and ultimately from the international scene.

The guidelines in this document outline how governments can influence pesticide safety by controlling the quality of new pesticide application equipment manufactured in or imported into a country. They address government officials in plant protection, environmental and other concerned authorities. By incorporating into national legislation, a requirement for manufacturers and importers to declare that application equipment meets acceptable, international standards of safety and durability, or to set up national or regional testing and certification procedures, it should be possible to gradually reduce and ultimately to eliminate sub-standard application equipment from farms.

Primarily concerned with machinery testing and evalution from the user's viewpoint. However, includes testing for manufacturers.

The FAO minimum requirements in this publication are based on existing international, European and national standards and other published references. The guidelines on standards consist of detailed specifications and requirements, supported by test procedures, for the major types of agricultural pesticide sprayers. The aim of these guidelines is to provide manufacturers and governments with practical and consistent quality assurance systems.