Development and Performance Evaluation of an ATV-Mounted Boom Sprayer for Weed Control in Large Agricultural Areas

Abstract

This research aimed to develop and evaluate the performance of a prototype herbicide sprayer designed for mounting on All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), commonly used in fruit orchards. The development addressed weed management challenges in large-scale durian orchards of a community enterprise in Chanthaburi province, focusing on issues of labor cost, efficiency, and chemical application safety. The prototype consisted of a 20-liter electric spray tank and a 1-meter-wide spray boom constructed from PVC conduit, fitted with five mist nozzles. Field tests were conducted on a 1-rai (1,600 m²) plot using a 125 cc ATV operating at an average speed of 3-5 km/h. The performance test results of the developed sprayer set showed that it could operate in a real setting with an average spraying time of just 19.77 minutes per rai. and an ATV fuel consumption rate of 0.33 liters per rai. Compared to the conventional backpack spraying method, the new system reduced operational time by over 60% and total operational costs (fuel and labor) by 62.3%. It also increased the daily work capacity from 4 rai to 10 rai and significantly enhanced operator safety by minimizing direct chemical exposure. Therefore, the developed ATV-mounted sprayer represents an appropriate, highly efficient, cost-effective, and safer technology for farmers in large-scale agricultural settings.