Intelligent water and fertilizer integration apparatus for irrigating standard agricultural fields

When people talk about integrated irrigation systems, many people immediately imagine complex computers and sensors, but in practice everything comes down to the simple physics of moving liquids and the reliability of conventional valves.

Design errors and real limitations

In 2022, we installed a system based on German controllers in the Krasnodar region. Engineers were so carried away by dosing accuracy that they forgot about local voltage drops. After three months, the farmers returned to the semi-automatic mode - the device generated an error with every jump above 250V.

Specifically forstandard agricultural fieldsWhat is important is not so much super-accurate dosing as resistance to Russian conditions. Dust during harvesting, vibration from tractors, the quality of local fertilizers - this is what determines the actual service life.

Chinese type manufacturersShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltdthis was understood before others. Their devices are specially designed with a reserve of pump power - not exactly according to calculations, but plus 15-20%. It’s a small thing, but in the winter of 2023 this saved the system when working with freezing suspensions.

Practice of implementation and adaptation

The website https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru mentions “design and construction of hydraulic structures?”, but few people read the section about water requirements. In the Voronezh region, we encountered the problem that iron in artesian water clogged the nozzles within two months. We had to supplement the standard equipment with additional filters - the same ones that the company offers as an option.

It’s interesting that Chinese engineers themselves do not always understand our seasonal characteristics. Theirintelligent water and fertilizer integration apparatuswas originally designed for constant temperatures above zero. We had to jointly refine the heating of critical components - especially areas with solenoid valves.

Now their equipment is already supplied with Russian specifications, but the first batches of 2021 required serious modifications on site. Although we must pay tribute - there were almost no complaints about the reliability of mechanical components.

Economics versus technology

Many customers require maximum automation, but in reality, for grain crops, three watering programs per season are sufficient. Expensive multi-mode systems are often idle - agronomists choose proven schemes and do not risk experimenting.

Here's the approachShandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdturned out to be practical - their basic models provide just the necessary minimum: EC/pH control, four application channels, dry-running protection. Everything else is optional. By the way, their water filtration system worked really well with our fertilizers - there were no cases of insoluble sediment in the pipes.

At the same time, the company does not hide the fact that some components are produced in China under German licenses. But assembly and adaptation are already on site, in Russia. This is an important point for service.

Unobvious technical nuances

Few people pay attention to the material of adapters for connecting to Russian pipes. Standard Chinese threads do not always fit our valves. In early versions of devices fromShandong LingyaoThere were problems with leakage at the joints - then we switched to combined fittings.

Another point is the color of the case. The black device in the summer in the sun heated up to 60°C, which caused false alarms of the temperature sensors. Now they offer a light gray option, although it is 3-4% more expensive.

But the most important thing is theirintelligent water and fertilizer integration equipmentI really learned how to work with Russian fertilizers. The first batches “stuck” on humic preparations - the substance is too viscous for standard pumps. Now they offer special modifications for organic fertilizers.

Prospects and limitations

Now we are testing their new remote control system - in theory, it allows you to control the process from your smartphone. But in practice, far from cities, the connection is unstable, so the main functionality is still duplicated by the local controller.

Forstandard agricultural fieldsFor now, the hybrid option is optimal - automation of basic processes plus the possibility of manual adjustments. Complete ?intelligence? still requires too ideal conditions.

In general, the direction is promising - especially considering that the company is gradually localizing the production of spare parts in Russia. Already, repairing a pump does not take a month, as before, but 2-3 days.