How to use a backpack air-assisted sprayer: save chemicals and labor when spraying orchards

Many fruit growers have heard of air-assisted sprayers, especially the backpack type, which is light, flexible and particularly suitable for hilly and mountainous areas, greenhouses and small to medium-sized orchards. Its biggest difference from traditional manual sprayers is that it relies on the high-speed airflow generated by a fan to break the spray liquid into fine mist and send it deep into the crop canopy. The droplets have strong penetration, and both the front and back of leaves can be covered with the spray, so the control effect is naturally better than that of ordinary sprayers.

1. Why air-assisted spraying saves chemicals and labor

Ordinary sprayers rely on liquid pump pressure for atomization, and the droplets are large and prone to running and dripping; air-assisted sprayers use "hydraulic atomization + secondary atomization by wind force," making the droplets finer and more uniform, and can also use wind force to blow the mist into the interior of the tree canopy, reducing missed spraying spots. In actual use, on the same plot of land, both the amount of pesticide and the amount of water used can be significantly reduced, and spraying is also much faster. One person can do the work while carrying it, which is very practical for individual growers and small plots.

2. Key points for purchase and operation

Before buying, first think clearly about your own plot conditions: tree height, row spacing width, and whether the terrain is flat. Choose a moderate tank capacity; too large is tiring to carry, too small means frequent refilling. Check whether the fan air volume and air pressure match the crop, and it is best if the nozzle angle can be adjusted. There are also particular points in operation: when mixing chemicals, add water first and then the chemicals, and secondary dilution is safer; try to work with the wind or with a side wind to avoid blowing mist onto yourself; choose early morning or late evening when the temperature is low and wind speed is low for spraying, as the liquid is less likely to evaporate and drift, making the effect more stable.

3. Daily maintenance should not be neglected

After each use, the tank, lines and nozzles must be rinsed clean with clear water to prevent chemical crystallization from clogging the nozzle holes; if there are debris or branches and leaves at the fan air inlet, clean them promptly. Before long-term storage, drain the residual liquid from the tank, wipe the whole machine dry and place it in a cool, dry place; avoid prolonged exposure of rubber hoses to sunlight, which causes aging. Before starting the machine for the next working season, let it run idle for a few minutes first, listen for any abnormal noise and check for leaks, and only start spraying in the field after confirming everything is normal.

Finally, a reminder: when purchasing plant protection machinery, agricultural machinery purchase subsidy policies vary from place to place. Whether a specific model can be subsidized and how much the subsidy is should be based on the subsidy catalog and standards published by the local agricultural machinery authorities. Choose the right machine and use the right method, and spraying will no longer be such tiring and chemical-wasting work.