Water and Fertilizer Integration Machine with Timer Main Buyer Country

When you hear about machines for integrating water and fertilizers with a timer, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is a universal solution for everyone. But in practice, requests differ radically in different countries. For example, in Uzbekistan the emphasis is on resistance to high temperatures, while in Kazakhstan they require compatibility with outdated irrigation systems. We at Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd initially thought that the timer module was just an add-on, but it turns out that for some regions it becomes a key element, especially where water is supplied on a schedule.

Peculiarities of demand in the CIS countries

If we take Uzbekistan, buyers there often ask about the accuracy of fertilizer dosing. It’s not easy to “water with fertilizer,” but to maintain the proportions at different water hardnesses. We once delivered a batch of machines to the Fergana Valley, and local agronomists complained that with a high salt content in the water, nitrogen fertilizers precipitated. We had to modify the filtration system - this is the case when the standard approach did not work.

And in Kazakhstan, especially in the northern regions, frost resistance is important. I remember in the Kostanay region, one client bought a car without taking into account winter storage - as a result, in the spring I had to change half of the sensors. Now we always clarify the operating temperature conditions. By the way, on the website https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru we have included this point in the technical requirements section, but many still skip it when ordering.

Interestingly, in Russia the demand is different - they more often demand integration with smart agriculture systems. For example, in the Krasnodar Territory they prefer cars that can work in conjunction with weather stations. This is logical: if you know that it will rain, you can postpone watering with fertilizer. But there is a nuance here - not everyone is ready to pay for such automation; they consider it overkill.

Technical details that are often missed

There is one problem with the timer - setting it. It seems that you have set the time and that’s it, but in reality it is important to take into account the pressure in the system. We once tested the car in low pressure conditions (less than 2 atmospheres), and the timer worked with an error of up to 15 minutes. This is critical for crops with a short growing season. We had to add a pressure compensator - a small part, but without it in the mountainous regions of Tajikistan the equipment worked unstably.

Another point is compatibility with different types of fertilizers. Liquid complex fertilizers are one thing, and dry soluble fertilizers are another. In Turkmenistan, for example, they prefer to use potassium sulfate in powder, which tends to crystallize in tubes. We had to develop a flushing system after each cycle. This increased the cost of the machine, but without this, in hot climates, the equipment would fail within a season.

By the way, about materials. Stainless steel is not always a panacea. In the coastal regions of Azerbaijan, where there is a high salt content in the air, even stainless steel becomes covered with corrosion points. For such cases, we at Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC began to offer an option with a polymer coating - more expensive, but lasts longer in aggressive environments.

Experience of implementation in real conditions

Last year we supplied machines for integrated irrigation to Kyrgyzstan for an apple growing project. There they used a timer tied to the growth phases of trees. Interestingly, local experts themselves proposed a modification - adding the ability to adjust soil moisture. We made changes to the software, and the result exceeded expectations - saving water up to 20% without loss of yield.

But in Belarus there was a less successful experience. They tried to use the machine in a greenhouse complex, but did not take into account the specifics of the substrate (coconut fiber). It turned out that the standard settings were not suitable - the water was distributed unevenly. I had to redo the injector system. Now we offer a separate configuration for greenhouses, although initially we thought there was no difference.

As for service, this is a separate issue. In Moldova, for example, clients prefer to service equipment themselves, while in Armenia, on the contrary, they require regular service support. We have adapted the approach: for each region we create a package of spare parts, taking into account local conditions. For example, for areas with high mineralization of water, we always add additional fine filters.

Economic aspects of choice

Price is not always the determining factor. In Georgia, for example, they are willing to pay more for equipment, but require that it be compatible with the existing infrastructure. We somehow lost the contract because our machine required a separate pumping station, and the client already had an old but working system installed. Now we always clarify the parameters of existing equipment.

The payback period is also an interesting point. In Ukraine they calculate it very carefully and require accurate calculations. And in Azerbaijan they often look at the reliability and reputation of the manufacturer. This was a lesson for us: in different countries we need to emphasize different advantages of the equipment.

By the way, about guarantees. In Russia they require at least 3 years, but in Uzbekistan they are often limited to one year. But at the same time, in Uzbekistan they are more strict about compliance with the maintenance schedule. We even developed a special reminder system for clients from this region - it turned out to be in demand.

Prospects for technology development

Now I see a trend towards miniaturization. Especially for small farms in the mountainous regions of Tajikistan, where every square meter counts. We experimented with compact models, but ran into a problem - reducing the size led to a decrease in dosing accuracy. A compromise had to be found, and the result was the Compact Plus model with an improved mixing system.

Another area is energy efficiency. In Kazakhstan, where there are power outages, the ability to work from alternative sources is important. We tested solar panels, but so far the results are ambiguous - for stable operation you need a lot of sun, and on cloudy days the system is unstable. Perhaps a hybrid solution would be better.

What will definitely develop is remote control. Already now in Russia and Belarus there is a demand for cars with the ability to control via a mobile application. But it’s important not to overdo it here—excessive control complexity scares off many practitioners. We found a middle ground: basic functions through the application, advanced functions through the web interface for agronomists.