The 500-series mounted sprayers can be fitted with the vacuum recirculation system (VRS). This continuous recirculation system ensures continuous agitation of the spraying liquid in the spray lines, also when not spraying. Therefore the risk of chemical sedimentation in the spraylines is heavily reduced (less risk of blocked nozzles). The VRS system further provides that after filling the sprayer with chemical, the spraylines are immediately charged and the right

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NOTE: Recirculation can be reduced by using agrochemical (mixtures) solutions having a density and viscosity which are significantly higher than water. Due too this higher viscosity and density the flow in the lines is reduced.

You will find a separate function diagram of the sprayer with vacuum recirculation system in "Function Diagram" in the section "Operation of the Machine".

At the end of each spray line section, the end plugs are replaced by hose barbs to which a hose is fitted which is connected to the solution tank.

In addition the VRS system comprises:

• Non-return valves at the end of each spray line section (A)
• Electrically operated 3-way ball valve to open/close the recirculation line (B)
• Electrically operated two-way ball valve (C) to switch the VRS injector on/off
• Injector to create vacuum (D)
• Manifold recirculation lines (E)
• Central non-return valve (F)
• Recirculation filter (G)
• Manually operated 3-way ball valve to select recirculation source (H)

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The manually operated VRS 3-way valve (H) determines from where the liquid is drawn through the recirculation and spray lines back into the solution tank. The arrow on the handle indicates from where the liquid is drawn through the spray lines by the injector.

The following positions of the VRS 3-way valve are possible:

1. Recirculation (liquid aspiration) from rinse tank (rinsing)
2. Recirculation (liquid aspiration) closed
3. Recirculation (liquid aspiration) from solution tank (recirculation)

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1-Solution tank
2-Rinse tank
3-Suction valve (recirculation)
4-Pump
5-Suction valve
6-Suction filter

7-Filter (recirculation)
8-Central non-return valve (recirculation)
9-Electric spray pressure regulator
10-Electric valve (recirculation line)

11-Main shut-off valve
12-Electric valve (injector)
13-Primary pressure regulator
14-Injector
15-Boom section valves

16-Non-return valve (spray line)
17-Suction line
18-Return line
19-Pressure line

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The vacuum recirculation system automatically works whenever the pump is running and the main shut-off valve is closed. The delivery of the pump (water when filling, spray liquid when agitating, clean water when rinsing) is directed to an injector (14) on top of the tank at an increased pressure (pressure of primary pressure regulator).

When the main shut-off valve is closed, the electrically operated 2-way valve (12) is opened to supply the injector with liquid and the electric 3-way valve for the recirculation line is opened to allow recirculation.

The injector (venturi device) creates a depression (vacuum) so the liquid is drawn from the tank through the spray lines and back into the solution tank. The liquid is circulated past the nozzle through the spray lines, section valves and pipework in the opposite direction, without spraying from the nozzles.

The manually operated VRS 3-way valve (3) determines from where the liquid is drawn through the recirculation and spray lines back into the solution tank. The arrow on the handle indicates from where the liquid is drawn through the spray lines by the injector.

The following positions of the VRS 3-way valve are possible:

1. Recirculation (liquid aspiration) from rinse tank (rinsing)

During filling, agitating and spraying, the VRS suction valve needs to be in position 3. As soon as the pump is running and the main shut-off valve is closed, the spray liquid will start recirculating.

At the recirculation manifold at the centre frame of the spray boom a recirculation filter is fitted. The recirculation filter (7) provides filtering of the unfiltered spray liquid which is drawn from the solution tank past the nozzles. A 50 mesh filter (red) is fitted as standard. This filter has a mesh width of 280 micron (0.28 mm) and is suitable for flat fan nozzles of the 02 type (or comparable sizes) and larger. A finer 80 mesh filter (blue) can be fitted for smaller nozzles. This filter has a mesh width of 180 micron (0.18 mm).

The filter must be cleaned regularly (in any case after each use). This can be done simply by unscrewing the filter cup and removing the filter element. To unscrew the filter cup a 24 mm wrench is required. Regular cleaning of the filter will prevent silting up, which could reduce the recirculation capacity.

The central non-return valve (8) is an extra safety feature. During malfunctions or pollution of one of the non-return valves (16) of the spray line sections, this central non-return valve prevents undesired circulation of spray liquid from the spray lines to the tank during spraying.

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1-Solution tank
2-Rinse tank
3-Suction valve (recirculation)
4-Pump
5-Suction valve
6-Suction filter

7-Filter (recirculation)
8-Central non-return valve (recirculation)
9-Electric spray pressure regulator
10-Electric valve (recirculation line)

11-Main shut-off valve
12-Electric valve (injector)
13-Primary pressure regulator
14-Injector
15-Boom section valves

16-Non-return valve (spray line)
17-Suction line
18-Return line
19-Pressure line

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As soon as the main shut-off valve is opened, the recirculation system is automatically switched off. The electric 2-way valve to the injector will be closed and the electric 3-way valve for the recirculation system is changed over. With the main shut-off valve and boom section valves open, the delivery liquid from the pump

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1-Solution tank
2-Rinse tank
3-Suction valve (recirculation)
4-Pump
5-Suction valve
6-Suction filter

7-Filter (recirculation)
8-Central non-return valve (recirculation)
9-Electric spray pressure regulator
10-Electric valve (recirculation line)

11-Main shut-off valve
12-Electric valve (injector)
13-Primary pressure regulator
14-Injector
15-Boom section valves

16-Non-return valve (spray line)
17-Suction line
18-Return line
19-Pressure line

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With VRS it is possible to rinse the spray lines (with empty solution tank) without having to spray. In this way all the undiluted remaining liquid from the pressure and spray lines can be flushed back into the solution tank, where they can be diluted with clean water.

Rinse water from the rinse tank can be drawn directly into the spray lines if the 3-way recirculation suction

After rinsing the spray lines with VRS in this way, the main shut-off valve and boom section valves should be opened shortly to clean also the nozzle holders and nozzles.

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The following procedure for dilution of the residual spray liquid and cleaning of the complete sprayer provides important information about:

• Steps which need to be followed to rinse all the different hoses and spray lines properly
• Most effective way to dilute and spray out the residual spray liquid
• Most efficient use of available water of the rinse tank to clean the sprayer

IMPORTANT:

Pay attention to the following points:

• Crop protection chemicals and spray solutions which adhere intensely to the tank walls, hoses and spray lines need to be cleaned more intensively with cleaning agents and require longer rinsing.

• Cleaning agents (see also "Cleaning the Machine" in this section) can be added to the rinse tank from step 1 of the cleaning procedure below.

• The more rinse water is used, the better the residual spray liquids will be diluted.

• It is recommended to perform the cleaning procedure twice if the machine is strongly polluted.

The following points need to be followed up in order to allow a thorough cleaning of the sprayer:

• Crop protection chemical(s) were completely diluted in the solution tank before spraying was started (i.e. the residual spray liquid has a normal concentration)
• Chemical inductor has been already rinsed and cleaned during the filling of chemicals
• Tank agitation was continuously switched on during spraying
• Solution tank has been sprayed empty as far as possible; at nearly empty tank level, the circulation valve has been set to recirculation (return to suction side of the pump) (F) and, if possible with the chemicals used, the agitation has been switched off (C).
• VRS suction valve (B) is still set to suction from solution tank

A-4-way suction ball valve for spraying pump
B-Manual operated 3-way ball valve to select recirculation source
C-Pressure selection valve
D-Circulation valve
E-Return to tank
F-Return to suction side of the pump (circulation)

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• PTO can remain engaged during the complete cleaning procedure (use only increased PTO speed above stationary speed when VRS needs to work)

Follow steps 1-24 to completely clean the sprayer.

Dilution of residual spray liquids:

1.

Close all section valves and open the master valve via the control box (saves rinse water, not spilled by VRS injector)

2.

Set circulation valve (D) to return to tank (E)

3.

Set pressure selection valve (C) to tank rinsing nozzles

4.

Set suction valve of sprayer pump (A) to suction from rinse tank (switch on PTO at low speed)

5.

Set pressure selection valve (C) during 10 seconds to agitation (and afterwards set it back to tank rinsing nozzles)

6.

Set circulation valve (D) to circulation (F) (return to suction side of the pump)

7.

Set pressure selection valve (C) to closed position (chemical inductor) to switch off tank rinsing nozzles when 30 litres of rinse water (mounted sprayer) have been used to clean the tank (can be read at level indicator of solution tank)

8.

Set suction valve of sprayer pump (A) to suction from solution tank

9.

Close the master valve and open all boom section valves via the control box (sprayboom will now be pre-rinsed with diluted spray liquid through the VRS system) to circulate the diluted spray liquid for some minutes through the boom at an increased PTO speed (540 rpm)

Dilution and cleaning of VRS system:

10.

Set VRS suction valve (B) to suction from rinse tank

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11.

Close all boom section valves except one, and then open and close the individual boom section valves one after the other. Close each boom section valve if per section about 10-15 litres of rinse water (outer sections should be rinsed longer as inner sections) has been circulated from the rinse tank to the solution tank (cleaning section by section). Finally close the VRS suction valve if all sections have been rinsed.

Spraying out diluted residual spray liquid:

12.

Reduce the PTO speed (but still high enough to open the check valves of the nozzles to spray)

13.

Spray the solution tank with diluted residual spray liquid empty by opening the master valve and all section valves via the control box. Operate all boom section valves and optional edge nozzles a couple of times in order to clean the valves as well

Tank cleaning:

14.

Close all boom section valves and open the master valve via the control box (saves water, not spilled by VRS injector)

15.

Set the pressure selection valve (C) to tank rinsing nozzles and set the suction valve of the sprayer pump (A) to suction from rinse tank

16.

Set the circulation valve (D) temporarily to return to tank (E) to allow the pump to suck liquid and then back to circulation (F) (return to suction side of the pump)

17.

Suck about 50 liters from the rinse tank to clean the tank

18.

Set the pressure selection valve (C) to a closed position (chemical inductor) to switch off the tank rinsing nozzles and set the suction valve (A) of the sprayer pump back to suction from the solution tank

19.

Spray the tank again empty and close all section valves via the control box afterwards

Rinse and clean machine:

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20.

Set suction valve of sprayer pump (A) to suction from rinse tank

21.

Set the circulation valve (D) temporarily to return to tank (E) to allow the pump to suck liquid and then back to circulation (F) (return to suction from pump)

22.

Set the pressure selection valve (C) to tank rinsing nozzles with suction valve (A) of the sprayer pump to suction from rinse tank

23.

Spray the rinse tank completely empty

24.

Finally, set all valves back to spraying position: Agitation switched on, tank rinsing nozzles closed (C) and VRS suction valve (B) set to suction from tank and circulation valve (D) to return to tank (E)

VRS System Maintenance


The Vacuum Recirculation System does not require special maintenance, except a thorough and regular cleaning and rinsing of the sprayer with clean water. If for maintenance purposes diaphragms of the nozzle holders have to be removed, the boom section valves of the relevant section should be closed first. Otherwise the spray line could be drained.

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