G. Tihanov*

Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

(Manuscript received 6 February 2024; accepted for publication 15 May 2024)

Abstract. Analysis of the consumption rate when spraying sunflower with a self-propelled sprayer Horsch Leeb 5.300 VN has been made. By using data from the Horsch Telematics system, data have been downloaded from which the actual operating speed of the self-propelled sprayer during spraying has been determined. The consumption rate per hectare of 200 l/ha has been studied and the factors that cause the fluctuation in the set consumption rate for spraying have been determined. The set spray pressure value has been found to vary from 1.53 to 4.57 bar. Analysis of the sprinkling height of the working solution onto the plants has been presented, which is quite small – 40 cm on average. This is quite possible because there is a 4-2 distribution of sprinklers, i.e. 4 /four/ sprinklers at a distance of 50 cm from each other and 2 /two/ intermediate sprinklers at a distance of 25 cm. This allows the boom wings to drop as low as possible to the plant during spraying. Analysis of the performance indicators of the self-propelled sprayer has been made. It can be seen that upon entering the field, the sprayer had been spraying at an operating speed of 11.57 km/h and the set pressure had been 4.76 bar, and at the time of visualization, it was lower – 4.43 bar. When spraying inside the field, the sprayer sprayed at 20-25 km/h, fully complying with the spraying consumption rate with 99% accuracy. We also have perfect consumption rate compliance and automatic pressure and sprinkler regulation.