2018 SHORTLISTED
IN-FURROW LIQUID APPLICATION SYSTEM
LIQUID SYSTEMS (SA)
Category:
PRODUCT DESIGN
AGRICUTURE AQUACULTURE EQUIPMENT
Design:
PETER BURGESS
About
Liquid Systems (SA) pioneered the development of precision liquid delivery systems for planters and seeders and is now a world leader in design and manufacture of Precision In-furrow Liquid Application Systems for broadacre farming. Designed for injection of liquid nutrients directly into the furrow our products deliver benefits in nutrient use efficiency, enhanced soil health, crop disease prevention and improved productivity to our customers around the world.
Design Challenge
Farming is an input-intensive industry. Efficient fertiliser utilisation is critical for farmers and becoming increasingly important for global food security. With greater environmental regulation of farming also on the horizon, accuracy and uniformity of fertiliser application at seeding is essential. With no universal liquid application equipment able to accurately deliver multiple liquids in one pass on the market, our challenge was to design products capable of applying fertilisers and other nutrients precisely, uniformly and reliably to maximise their effectiveness in all operating and environmental conditions. With hundreds of different brands of planters & seeders in use around the world the products also needed to be adaptable for installation on any kind of tillage equipment.
Design Solution
Liquid Systems (SA) embarked on an extensive R&D program to overcome the design challenge. Our Precision In-furrow Liquid Application System was the end result. A total system solution consisting of Single and Dual Rate Control Modules and “Stacker” Distribution Systems incorporating our own custom designed injection moulded components. With slow pace of embracing new technology in agriculture new products must be designed to be integrated into existing equipment. Our products can be factory installed on new equipment or retrofitted on existing machinery. Our custom designed wiring harnesses provide seamless integration with many of the industry’s leading brands of Precision Ag field computers. Key design considerations included delivery accuracy & uniformity, reliability, adaptability, safety and ease of use for the operator.
Design Impact
Impact of our products has been positive and wide ranging from a commercial, environmental and cultural perspective. The ability to deliver a precise amount of fertiliser where it’s needed most reduces both the amount of fertiliser required and the effort needed to apply the fertiliser. As well as improved productivity for the farmer, there are flow-on benefits for the environment with reduced waste and runoff into waterways. Our products are contributing significantly to the development of liquid fertiliser industry and a cultural shift away from granular to liquid fertilisers in the markets we serve. Feedback from our export destinations reports improved productivity, enhanced soil health and reduced environmental impact validating our approach and commitment to designing internationally competitive products.
Other Key Features
Liquid Systems (SA) supplies products and services to farmers, machinery dealers and OEMs on 5 continents including Australia, Central Asia, Europe, North and South America. Prior to the introduction of our products, there were no universal in-furrow liquid fertiliser application systems or equipment on the market capable of providing accurate delivery rates with verified even distribution. Farmers were experimenting with home-made or inferior quality equipment made using off the shelf parts with minimal accuracy and control. Our products have been engineered with high quality components to inject multiple liquids in one pass at set rates under controlled positive pressure all the way to the furrow. Our systems produce smooth, accurate stream delivery with inherent anti-blockage mechanisms and strong volume based low pressure tank agitation to accommodate and maintain physical integrity of wide range of liquid nutrients. Our design centric thinking has produced a suite of precision products that contribute to improved agricultural practices around the world. Operationally, export business has increased our revenue by around 25%, improving cashflow and allowing us to employ additional staff. Another key benefit has been the exposure our company has received overseas resulting in increased sales and opportunities for collaboration on research and product development projects with internationally recognised companies. John Deere, the world’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturer, recognised the value of our design and now purchase our components for factory installation of liquid fertiliser configurations of their row-crop planters in the USA.