Applications
Agricultural sprayers are machines designed to ensure the controlled and uniform distribution of plant protection products and liquid fertilizers on crops. Thanks to the integration of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems, these machines ensure precise treatment even over large areas and in variable field conditions.
The growing need to reduce waste, optimize costs, and comply with environmental regulations makes it essential to use position, tilt, and pressure sensors capable of monitoring the main operating variables in real time. Reliable sensors improve treatment quality, protect crops, and increase the overall efficiency of the machine.
Requirements:
Driving pedals and control levers position control
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Steering angle control
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Spray boom height adjusting
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Spray boom angle adjusting
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Suspension position control
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Side wings opening and closing control
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Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
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Spraying system pressure monitoring
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Hydraulic pump flow rate adjustment
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Tank level measurement
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Tank level display
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Requirement:
Driving pedals and control levers position control
In agricultural sprayers, accurate control of the angular position of the controls allows the on-board electronics to correctly interpret the operator’s intent, ensuring a proportional and progressive response of the traction system and hydraulic functions.
Precise detection of the position of the pedals and levers improves maneuverability, optimizes forward speed control, and helps maintain consistent treatment distribution quality, reducing waste and overlap.
Solution:
For accurate control of the angular position of pedals and control levers, Gefran offers the GRArotary sensor with shaft , a robust and versatile solution designed for agricultural machinery applications.
Main features:
- Non-contact Hall effect magnetic technology, which guarantees measurement stability and long operating life
- Available with analog and digital outputs, also in a redundant version
- E1 approved sensor in accordance with ECE-R10
Thanks to these features, the GRA rotary sensor is a reliable solution for controlling sprayer commands, ensuring precision, operational continuity, and effective integration into on-board electronic systems.
Requirement:
Steering angle control
During treatment operations, the sprayer must maintain a stable and controlled trajectory to avoid overlaps or untreated areas. Accurate monitoring of the steering angle allows you to optimize the response of the steering system, improve precision in direction changes, and reduce operator fatigue.
Furthermore, in machines equipped with assisted or automatic steering systems, accurate detection of the steering angle is a fundamental parameter for ensuring safety, dynamic control, and correct interaction between the mechanical and electronic systems.
To ensure precise and reliable steering control, Gefran offers the GRN shaftless rotary sensor and the TWIIST multivariable linear sensor, solutions designed for applications on mobile machines operating in harsh environments.
GRN shaftless rotary sensor:
- Non-contact Hall effect magnetic technology, ideal for repetitive movements and long operating life
- Compact size and easy to install
- Offers high resistance to shock and vibration, ensuring solid performance over time
TWIIST multivariable linear sensor
- Multivariable measurement for simultaneous monitoring of multiple parameters
- High reliability and signal stability
- Ideal for advanced architectures and sophisticated electronic systems
Thanks to these solutions, it is possible to achieve stable and precise Steering angle control, improving the maneuverability of the sprayer and the overall quality of field operations.
Requirement:
Spray boom height adjusting
During field operations, the sprayer must maintain a constant distance between the spray boom and the crop or ground. Variations in height can compromise the quality of the treatment, resulting in over- or under-dosed areas.
Accurate control of the lift cylinder position allows the boom height to be dynamically adjusted to ground conditions, improving distribution uniformity and helping to reduce environmental impact. Precise linear position measurement is therefore a key element in operational efficiency and treatment quality.
Solution:
To ensure precise and reliable adjustment of the spray boom height, Gefran offers the RK-5magnetostrictive linear sensor( ), ideal for installation inside hydraulic cylinders.
Main features:
- Direct installation inside the hydraulic cylinder, without external bulk
- Non-contact magnetostrictive technology, ensuring measurement stability and long operating life
- High resistance to shocks, vibrations, and contaminants typical of the agricultural environment
Thanks to these features, the RK-5 linear position sensor is a robust and accurate solution for controlling the height of the boom, helping to improve the effectiveness of the treatment and the operational continuity of the sprayer.
Requirement:
Spray boom angle adjusting
During field operations, the spray boom may be subject to changes in attitude due to uneven ground or dynamic stresses. Incorrect tilt can compromise distribution uniformity, increasing the risk of overlap or untreated areas.
Continuous monitoring of the tilt angle allows for compensation of tilt variations and maintains a constant distance between the nozzles and the crop. The use of linear position, rotation, tilt, and pressure sensors allows for the integration of boom tilt control within the machine’s electronic system, improving precision and operational stability.
To control the tilt of the spray boom, Gefran offers the GIBtilt sensor( ) and the GR3P rotary sensor with shaft, complementary solutions for monitoring trim and relative angles.
GIB tilt sensor
Main features:
- MEMS technology for precise measurement of inclination with respect to gravity
- Robust structure, suitable for harsh agricultural environments
GR3P rotary sensor with shaft
Main features:
- Non-contact Hall effect magnetic technology
- Sealed housing for protection against dust and moisture
- High resistance to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures
Thanks to these solutions, it is possible to ensure accurate control of the spray boom’s position, improving the uniformity of the treatment and the overall efficiency of the sprayer.
Requirement:
Suspension position control
Sprayers, especially self-propelled ones with wide booms, operate on uneven terrain and are subject to high dynamic stresses. Continuous monitoring of the suspension position allows the frame alignment to be controlled and reduces oscillations that could affect the height and inclination of the spray boom.
Precise control of the suspension travel improves machine stability, increases safety during road transport, and helps maintain the stability of the spray boom, which is essential for uniform treatment distribution.
Gefran offers the TWIIST linear position sensor, an innovative and reliable solution for monitoring the position of suspensions on agricultural sprayers.
Main features:
- Patented multivariable technology, with integrated position and dynamic measurement
- Available with analog and CAN bus outputs
- Designed for harsh mobile environments, resistant to shock, vibration, and chemical contaminants
Thanks to these features, TWIIST sensors are an effective solution for monitoring suspension position, contributing to vehicle stability, operational reliability, and continuity of work for agricultural sprayers.
Requirement:
Side wings opening and closing control
The side wings allow the working width of the agricultural sprayer to be extended or reduced, adapting it to different field conditions and road transport requirements. Precise monitoring of the angular position of the wings is essential to ensure synchronized movements, avoid excessive stress on the structure, and prevent incomplete opening or closing.
Accurate control of these kinematic movements improves operator safety and protects the spray boom from accidental damage, contributing to the machine’s operational continuity.
Solution:
To control the opening and closing of the side wings, Gefran offers the GRA rotary shaft sensor, designed for applications on mobile machines operating in harsh environments.
Main features:
- Non-contact Hall effect magnetic technology, which guarantees a long operating life
- Available in single or redundant output versions
- E1 approved sensor in accordance with ECE-R10
Thanks to these features, the GRA sensor allows reliable monitoring of the position of the side wings, ensuring controlled movements, greater safety, and protection of the bar structure.
Requirement:
Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
The hydraulic circuit is the system through which power is transmitted to the various parts of the machine. Continuous and precise pressure control allows stable operating conditions to be maintained, overloads to be prevented, and any anomalies to be detected promptly.
Accurate pressure measurement helps improve system efficiency, reduce stress on components, and extend the operating life of the machine, ensuring continuity and reliability in field operations.
Solution:
Gefran offers KM series pressure sensors, available with analog and digital (KMC) outputs, designed for hydraulic applications on mobile machines.
Main features:
- Small size, allowing installation even in confined spaces
- Protection rating up to IP69K, ideal for agricultural environments subject to dust, mud, and high-pressure washing
- SIL2/PLd certified, ensuring high functional safety standards
Thanks to these features, KM and KMC pressure sensors ensure reliable control of the hydraulic circuit, contributing to operational continuity and protection of machine components.
Requirement:
Spraying system pressure monitoring
In the spraying system, the fluid pressure determines the correct atomization and flow rate to the nozzles. Uncontrolled variations can compromise the uniformity of distribution, resulting in overdosing or untreated areas.
Continuous pressure control allows the delivery process to be kept stable, the treatment to be adapted to operating conditions, and the overall efficiency of the agricultural sprayer to be improved, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Solution:
For monitoring the pressure of the spraying system, Gefran offers the TPLA low pressure sensor, designed to ensure accurate and stable measurement in low pressure distribution circuits typical of agricultural sprayers.
Main features:
- Piezoresistive technology, optimized for accurate and stable measurement of low pressures
- Compact structure for direct integration into the distribution circuit
- Suitable for applications with agricultural fluids and aqueous mixtures
Thanks to these features, the TPLA sensor guarantees stable and reliable control of the spraying pressure, helping to improve the effectiveness of the treatment and the operational efficiency of the machine.
Requirement:
Hydraulic pump flow rate adjustment
The hydraulic pump, particularly in variable displacement configurations, requires precise control of the regulating element to correctly modulate the fluid flow rate according to operating conditions.
Accurate monitoring of the pump control position optimizes the energy efficiency of the system, reduces stress on components, and maintains stable working conditions. Precise adjustment also helps improve the dynamic response of the machine and the overall reliability of the system.
Solution:
For regulating the flow rate of the hydraulic pump, Gefran offers the GRN shaftless rotary encoder, designed for precise control of angles and positions in mobile machine applications.
Main features:
- Non-contact Hall effect magnetic technology, which guarantees long operating life
- Compact design for integration in confined spaces
- High resistance to shock, vibration, and harsh environmental conditions
Thanks to these features, the GRN sensor ensures reliable and stable adjustment of the pump flow rate, helping to improve the efficiency and operational continuity of the sprayer.
Requirement:
Tank level measurement
In agricultural sprayers, continuous monitoring of the mixture level in the tank allows for optimized treatment management, avoiding unexpected interruptions and preventing the pumping system from running dry.
Accurate level measurement also improves the precision of treated area planning, reduces product waste, and ensures constant control of the resources used during field operations.
Solution:
For measuring the tank level using the hydrostatic principle, Gefran offers the TPLA low-pressure pressure sensor, designed for accurate detection of the liquid column in agricultural applications.
Main features:
- Piezo-resistive technology, ideal for stable measurement of low pressures generated by the liquid column
- High stability and measurement accuracy even in the presence of level variations and operating vibrations
- Robust structure resistant to contaminants and harsh environmental conditions
Thanks to these features, the TPLA sensor allows reliable Tank level measurement , helping to improve operational efficiency and treatment effectiveness.
Requirement:
Tank level display
During filling or direct field control, it is essential that the operator can visually check the liquid level by moving a lever on an external graduated scale. The system consists of an internal float connected to a mechanical linkage that transmits the level change to the external indicator.
In this configuration, a rotary sensor installed on the mechanism shaft detects the angular position of the lever, converting the mechanical movement into a proportional electrical signal that can be integrated into the on-board system. This provides a dual reading—mechanical and electronic—which increases operational safety, facilitates loading operations, and reduces the risk of overfilling or errors in assessing the residual volume.
Solution:
For tank level display, Gefran offers the GR3P rotary sensor with shaft, which can be installed directly on the kinematic shaft.
Main features:
- Non-contact Hall effect magnetic technology, which guarantees measurement stability and long operating life
- Sealed housing, resistant to dust, moisture, and chemicals
- Available with accessory control levers for direct connection to the mechanical kinematics or to the graduated scale level indicator
Thanks to these features, the GR3P sensor allows the mechanical level display to be reliably integrated with the machine’s electronic system, ensuring continuous control and operational safety.
Operating principle:
The agricultural sprayer is designed to distribute the liquid mixture precisely and evenly over crops through a spray bar equipped with calibrated nozzles. The pumping system draws the fluid from the tank and conveys it to the distribution circuit, where the operating pressure and flow rate determine the quality and uniformity of the treatment.
At the same time, the hydraulic system manages the movements of the boom — lifting, tilting, and opening the side wings —ensuring stability and adaptation to ground conditions. Controlling the machine’s attitude and boom height is essential for maintaining a constant distance from the ground and ensuring uniform coverage.
During operation, linear position, rotation, tilt, and pressure sensors detect key parameters such as boom height, tilt angle, control position, hydraulic circuit pressure, and spray system pressure. Continuous monitoring of these variables allows the machine to adapt to operating conditions, improvingtreatment efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing overallsafety.
Requirements and technology:
Agricultural sprayers operate in variable and often challenging working environments, where distribution accuracy, boom stability, and process parameter control are essential to ensure effective and sustainable treatments. Soil conditions, speed variations, and mechanical stresses require reliable measurement systems capable of providing accuratereal-timedata.
The main technological requirements include:
- Driving pedals and control levers position control
- Steering angle control
- Spray boom height adjustment
- Spray boom angle adjustment
- Suspension position control
- Side wings opening and closing control
- Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
- Spray system pressure monitoring
- Hydraulic pump flow rate adjustment
- Tank level measurement
- Tank level display
Gefran meets these requirements with a complete range of linear position, rotation, tilt,and pressure sensorsdesigned to ensure precision, reliability, and continuous operation in agricultural sprayers and all crop protection machines.