WO2023022585A1

WO2023022585A1 - Herbicide applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2023022585A1
Application number: PCT/MY2022/050028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Devanand VASU; Md. Hamdi B. AHMAD SANI; Noor Adnin B. MAT DAN; Erman Shah B. ABDUL RAZAK
Original assignee: Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Sime Darby Plantation Intellectual Property Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2021-08-18
Filing date: 2022-04-21
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-18

Abstract

The present invention provides a herbicide applicator apparatus which is detachably connected to a movable vehicle, the apparatus includes a water pump engine (1) converts fuel into power to operate a water pump (2), a water pump (2), at least one suction hose (3), at least one tank or container (4) to store an herbicides solution, at least one spraying hose (5), at least one spraying lance regulator (6), at least one nozzle (7) and at least one disc (8), wherein the water pump (2) is to rotate a pump pulley connected to the water pump engine (1), the at least one suction hose (3) is to draw or pull the herbicides solution from the at least one tank or container (4) to the at least one spraying hose (5) to produce an outflow of the herbicides solution through the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) for discharge of the herbicides solution via the at least one nozzle (7) to the at least one disc (8) to spray the herbicides solution.

Description

HERBICIDE APPLICATOR

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an herbicide applicator.

BACKGROUND

The list of prior arts or published information in this specification should not be taken as an acknowledgement that this present invention is common general knowledge or is part of the state of the art.

Weeds are plants growing in areas where they are not wanted and are more harmful than useful, even after their possible beneficial effects have been taken into account (Koch et al, 1983). Chung (1997) reported that since weeds can reduce crop growth and yield, interfere with harvesting, crop recovery and other agricultural operations, control measures are necessary. According to Corley et al. (1976), the following four types of weeding operations will be necessary in areas where legume covers are maintained:

• circle weeding of palm circles - for young palms, circle weeding is normally carried out to prevent weed competition;

• strip weeding to provide access for harvesting and other field operations - more relevant for mature palms;

• selective spot weeding to remove noxious weeds from the legume covers or natural ground covers; and

• periodic control of legume covers if growth is too vigourous - de-creeping for example.

[Source: http://www. aarsb. com. my/establishment-weeding-operations-in-immature-oil-palms]

The agriculture sector remains a significant development factor in Malaysia. Oil palm and rubber are the two major crops contributing to national development in terms of export earnings, and rice is vital for the national food consumption. However, weeds continue to be an important constraint for oil palm, rubber, and rice production. Weed management in Malaysia is highly reliant on herbicides; however, other control measures are integrated, including cultural, physical, biological, and mechanical methods. Thus, herbicides accounted for 83% of the total pesticide usage in the year 2014.

[Source: Weed management issues, challenges, and opportunities in Malaysia, September 2017Crop Protection 134, D0l:10.1016/j.cropro.2017.08.027]

The tropical climate zone which receives high rainfall and good sunlight is conducive for oil palm cultivation. At the same time these natural factors are also highly conducive for weed growth. Weeds can affect crop in many ways such as nutrient and water competition, yield reduction and retarding palm growth. Several species of weeds have been reported to cause adverse effect on oil palm yields. [Source: GABI, https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20113086117]

Weeds in oil palm are such as grasses, broad-leaf weeds, creeping and woody type weeds, fems, epiphytes and others. Weed management is important for oil palm growth, hence, the area around the oil palm tree must be free of growth of weeds especially for young palms to ensure the roots are not in competition with the weed. Application of herbicides to control growth of weeds have become common over the years. Weed management is important as weeds can affect the growth of the oil palm trees by reducing its oil yield and growth as the oil palm trees are in competition with the weeds for nutrient, water, sunlight and space to grow. Weeds require substantial amounts of nutrients for growth as well. Good weed control around palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) not only aims to reduce nutrients competition between the palms and surrounding weeds but could also facilitate effective fertilising, harvesting, and in-field fresh fruit bunch (FFB), and loose fruit collection-transportation operations in the plantations. The circle for weed control around the base of planted palm tree is usually 1 .0 m radius at the time of planting and is gradually expanded to 2.0 m by the time the palm has reached 18 to 24 months. A new machine system has been designed, developed and evaluated for extensive circle spraying of oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in an effort to overcome the inefficient spraying problem with the conventional spraying system. The machine system consists of a four-wheeled drive 4WD prime mover with front mounted machine attachments for the circle spraying operation. The configuration of the circle spraying attachment consists of a hexagonal curved spray boom, lifting arm, opening-tilting mechanism unit, storage tank, spray pump, solid cone nozzles, and associate hydraulic system. Field performance tests on the machine system showed an average effective field capacity of 7.89 ha per man per day and when compared to the earlier reported effective field capacity of the walking sorav-ooerated equipment using Serena LT16 knapsack sprayer a difference of 1.97 time for circle spraying of mature palms grove. Reduction in the human energy expenditure of 101.28 kJ man- 1 h-1 or 10.68 % but an increase in the spraying cost of 1 .53 USD ha-1 or 24.9 % were obtained with the machine system against the walking spraying-operated equipment using Serena LT16 knapsack sprayer. Justification for machine system to be cost effective could be satisfied if the present effective field capacity is increased to 1 .263 time with good skilled operator or if the current R&D cost is reduced to 0.41 time. This is because the improved field capacity of new machine system could not rationalize its current R&D cost. Admittedly, the machine system has great potential to overcome the limitations with the current employed machine/equipment in the circle spraying operation of oil palms in the plantation. This machine is called a ‘prime mover¹, more or less a utility vehicle with multiple attachments and applications. In this case they’ve equipped it with a ‘circle sprayer¹, with six booms that can open and close around the tree for applying crop protectants such as weed control. See Figure 1.

[Source: Scientia Agricola, On-line version ISSN 1678-992X, Sci. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) vol.69 no.2 Piracicaba Mar./Apr. 2012, https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162012000200002] There are many big oil palm plantation groups which are using the Retained Pressure Manual Knapsack Sprayer with the various optional low volume nozzles.

[Source: https://www. mycrop. com. my/weed-management/]

The knapsack sprayer is conventional means of spraying herbicides / herbicides management. Most oil palm estates are slowly moving into mechanised means of spraying herbicides on young and mature oil palm trees. However, knapsack sprayers are still required for use at the field for immature oil palm trees. This is because after planting, the oil palm fronds will be close to the ground and hence not accessible for machines to drive through the paths for spraying purposes.

The ATTILA by RB Spray Tech Sdn. Bhd. is a spinning disc sprayer for the controlled droplet application of herbicides. [Source: https://www.rbspraytech.com/our-products/handheld-cda-sprayers/atila-cda]. See Figure 2. The spinning disc sprayer here uses batteries and gravity flow mechanism with ultra-low volume (ULV) (25L/ha) calibration to reduce water usage which results in 1 worker having 10L per sprayer. 1 worker can cover about 6 ha/day for an 8 hour working period. This sprayer and method is not efficient and effective due to ineffectiveness to operate on uneven ground which prevents operations via natural gravity flow. Apart from this, maintenance cost is also very high for this sprayer. The ULV dispersions is very fine about 50 microns which is easily drifted by the wind.

Other herbicides applicator machines currently used in the oil palm estates are as per Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Weeding strategy in oil palm plantation plays a significant role in ensuring greater production yields. Most of the plantation companies are very concerned with weeding practice to guarantee their crop can produce higher productivity as well as to maintain the oil quality. Current practice of weeding strategy in oil palm plantation involves using labour workers. These labour workers carrying a backpack of herbicide and manually spray the weed in the field. It is known that the manual practice of weeding is very inefficient and dangerous to human beings. At present, herbicides are uniformly applied in the field, even though researchers have shown that the spatial distribution of weed is non- uniform. If there are means to detect and identify the non-uniformity of the weed spatial distribution, then it would be possible to reduce herbicide quantities by application only where weeds are located.

[Source: Machine Vision System for Automatic Weeding Strategy in Oil Palm Plantation using Image Filtering Technique, By Kamarul Hawari Ghazali, Mohd. Marzuki Mustafa and Alni Hussain, Published: October 1st 2009, DOI: 10.5772/8215]

Chinese Utility Model CN212753947 U describes a medicament application technology field, claims an agricultural herbicide spraying device, comprising a motor; a nozzle and a bottom plate; the output end of the motor is fixedly connected with the first bevel gear; the first bevel gear is engaged with the second bevel gear; the lower side of the motor is fixedly connected with the mixing box; the left side of the mixing box is provided with a feeding port; the lower side of the mixing box is fixedly connected with the bottom plate; the right side of the upper end of the bottom plate is fixedly connected with a vertical plate; the left side of the vertical plate is fixedly connected with the second liquid outlet pipe; the right end pipeline of the second liquid outlet pipe is connected with the spraying frame; the left end pipeline of the second liquid outlet pipe is connected with the cylinder body; the left side pipeline of the cylinder body is connected with the first liquid outlet pipe; the left side of the first liquid outlet pipe is embedded in the mixing box; the lower side of the cylinder body is fixedly connected with the bottom plate; the inner wall of the cylinder body is slidingly connected with the piston. The utility model has simple structure, using mechanical structure to implement mixing and extruding spraying process of the herbicide, saving the administration time, and convenient to move, greatly reducing the physical strength of the worker, with available value in the medicine application technology field. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212728568U describes a chemical herbicide spraying device for forestry, comprising a spraying box, spraying box front side surface and left and right two side surfaces are respectively fixedly connected with vertical slide rail in the vertical direction; the vertical slide rail is slidingly installed with a vertical electric sliding cylinder, and each side of the spraying box surface is provided with two vertical electric sliding cylinder; the vertical electric sliding cylinder is located on the same horizontal height; the side surface of the vertical electric sliding cylinder is fixedly connected with a transverse sliding rail; the transverse sliding rail is surrounded on the front side of the spraying box and left and right two side surfaces; and two ends of the transverse sliding rail are respectively fixedly connected with a limiting block; the transverse sliding rail is slidingly installed with a transverse electric sliding cylinder; the outer side surface of the transverse electric sliding cylinder is fixedly connected with a spraying pipe; the outer side surface of the spraying pipe is fixedly installed with a nozzle; the lower part of the spraying box is fixedly connected with a liner; the right side in the liner is fixedly connected with a connecting pipe; the middle part of the connecting pipe is fixedly installed with a water pump. The utility model realizes spraying chemical herbicide in multiple directions; it saves time and labour; and the spraying range is wider; the effect is better and the practicability is strong. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212660930U claims a forestry chemical herbicide spraying device, belonging to the technical field of forestry treatment, comprising a base, the upper end of the base is fixedly embedded with a medicine mixing tank, the medicine mixing tank is provided with a double-layer filter screen cloth, the inner side of the double-layer filter screen cloth is equipped with a mixing medicine mixing frame; the lower end of the medicine mixing tank is connected with a medicine conveying pump; two ends of the medicine conveying pump are connected with a medicine conveying pipe; the front end of the medicine conveying pipe is connected with a spraying machine; the lower end of the spraying machine is connected with a medicine spraying disc. The utility model has novel design, convenient operation and good use effect; it can perform self-dispensing, and the dispensing speed is fast; the medicine is fully mixed enough, improving the dissolving rate of the medicine, and can uniformly spray weeding agent in large area, improving the working efficiency; it also can fully filter the medicine slag generated after finishing the solid medicine dispensing, preventing the dregs from blocking the spraying hole. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212260263U claims a herbicide uniformly spraying device, comprising a bearing bottom plate; the left side surface of the top end of the bearing bottom plate is provided with a medicine box body; the middle surface of the top end of the medicine box body is provided with a stirring motor; one end of the stirring motor is rotatably connected with a stirring shaft; the outer surface of the stirring shaft is provided with a plurality of stirring blades; one side of the stirring shaft is provided with a brush frame; the right side surface of the top end of the bearing bottom plate is provided with a supporting frame; the middle surface of the top end of the supporting frame is provided with a lifting motor; one end of the lifting motor is rotatably connected with a screw rod; two sides of the screw rod are provided with a light rod sliding rail; the outer part of the screw rod is connected with a lifting base matched with the outer part of the polished rod sliding rail; the top part of the lifting base is provided with a spraying water pipe; the herbicide is uniformly spraying device, effectively preventing the herbicide precipitation and hanging wall; the herbicide proportion after stirring is more uniform, further improving the herbicidal effect; it is convenient to adjust the different herbicide spraying height matched with the height of the grass, improving the use range. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN211881881U relates to the technical field of herbicide, and claims a forestry chemical herbicide spraying device, comprising a liquid storage box body, the right side of the liquid storage box body is fixedly connected with a motor box. the forest chemical herbicide spraying device; the stirring motor drives the stirring rod to rotate; the stirring rod drives the stirring impeller to stir the herbicide; the stirring stirring impeller is driven to rotate; the stirring hopper is mainly used for stirring the sediments at the suspended part and the bottom of the top part of the liquid storage box body; mixing the suspended substance and precipitate with the herbicide main body, reducing the production of suspended substance and precipitate; the stirring and mixing effect is better; by rotating the horizontal spraying pipe and the centralized spraying pipe, making the joint or centralized spraying joint corresponding to the transfusion pipe; switching different spraying modes; is suitable for large-sheet lawn, spraying suitable strip-shaped lawn belt; it can save herbicide, reduce waste, the herbicide spraying device, stirring and mixing effect is good, and it is convenient to change the spraying mode. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN211793970U claims an agricultural herbicide spraying device, comprising a base, a first motor and a second motor; the top end of the base is fixedly installed with a spraying box; and the inner part of the spraying box is provided with a stirring mechanism; the right side of the spraying box is provided with a spraying water pipe; the left side of the top end of the spraying box is provided with a water inlet mechanism; the right side of the top end of the spraying box is provided with a discharging mechanism. The utility model is provided with a stirring mechanism; the effect of mixing the medicine and water is better; the efficiency of weeding is better; the discharging mechanism can be injected into the inner part of the spraying box by the medicine; then the water enters into the spraying box through the water inlet pipe; at the same time, when the water in the spraying box is full, the water faces the baffle to extrude, then the baffle is rotated, the baffle is closed to the water inlet pipe, the water is continuously injected into the interior of the spraying box; the water and the medicament can be mixed; the water and medicament can be automatically injected; it reduces the manual operation, and it is convenient to use. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN210901115U relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery, and claims an agricultural mechanical equipment for herbicide spraying, comprising a mounting plate, the bottom of the mounting plate is fixedly connected with a combination plate, the left and right sides of the binding plate are fixedly connected with a driving motor; the driving motor far away from output end of one side is fixedly connected with a rotating rod, the rotating rod is fixedly connected with a rotating wheel far away from one end of the drive motor, the top of the mounting plate is fixedly connected with a water storage tank, the top of the water tank is fixedly connected with a water injection pipeline; the water storage tank of left and right two sides are fixedly connected with the water pump. The utility model rod traction force by the driving motor controls the rotation cam to rotate, the rotation of the force the cam intermittent stress stress block, so transmission plate under the action of the reset spring pulls out the water pipes to carry out reciprocating action, so as to improve the effect of the whole spraying quality and efficiency by reciprocating motion of the spraying structure. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Chinese Utility Model CN212087774U claims a weeding device for agricultural planting, comprising a barrel body; a spraying rod; the surface of the barrel body is symmetrically provided with a fixing beam; the other end of the fixing beam is provided with a fixing block; the fixing block is provided with a screw rod; the bottom end of the screw rod is provided with a fixing block; two ends of the fixing block are provided with a pulley; the fixing block surface is provided with a holding rod; the holding rod is provided with a fixing plate; the fixing plate is provided with a placing plate; pulley land, convenient for moving the sprinkler; the sprayer moves and sprays the herbicide; the sprayer moves more time-saving and labour-saving; it avoids the shoulder of the user when the knapsack sprayer is stressed for a long time and the pain; the toggle rod at the outer side of the end of the spraying rod is used for pulling the more tightly plant; opening the field of spraying and exposing the tightly covered weeds, convenient spraying herbicide and spraying uniformly, avoiding the condition of omission. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

Malaysian Patent MY161952A describes a knapsack sprayer for spraying a liquid mixture comprising; a tank to store the liquid mixture; a rigid tube; a pump mechanism mounted to the tank to draw the mixture out of the tank to the rigid tube at high velocity; a flexible connecting tube connecting the pump mechanism to the rigid tube: a nozzle screwed to a distal end of the rigid tube to release the mixture as dispersed droplets; characterized in that a containing means to contain a liquid substance is connected to the tank; a valve is provided at the connection of the tank and the containing means to control the amount of substance that flows into the tank; a cushioning means is attached to the side of the tank that faces the back of the user when the sprayer is in use; a handle and wheels assembly is mounted on the tank; and the rigid tube is adjustable in length. This prior art does not describe the herbicide applicator of the present invention.

The oil palm industry is very dependent on labour and requires many workers for its operations. Complete reliance on foreign workers is not an ultimate solution but only a temporary measure. In the face of raising labour issues such as labour costs, mechanisation and automation programmes are being ramped up by industry players to tackle the associated labour issues. The mechanisation of the oil palm sector is not considered as a luxury, but an imperative and is vital for industrial players to pursue further as the oil palm sector could be helped with more efficient use of labour and reduced dependence on foreign workers. The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry of Malaysia in January 2017 has also established a RM30 million oil palm mechanisation fund to promote mechanisation activities within the industry. The aim of this is to fund mechanisation based research activities, acquisition of mechanisation technologies and hosting of competitions I programmes. [Source: theedgemarkets.com]

The labour shortfall is adding urgency to longstanding plans for industry mechanisation. Sime Darby Plantation (SDP), the world's biggest palm oil company by land size, is hastening development and trials to deploy light machines that will aid in field upkeep, removing harvested crops and applying fertiliser. It is also turning to remote sensing and artificial intelligence to drive precision farming, making the most efficient use of farm inputs and field workers. IOI said it has a revitalised mechanisation plan, and aims to mechanise fertilising and pesticide spraying as well as automate mill operations, while FGV Holdings plans to mechanise an extra 30,000ha over the next three years. Malaysia on average allots one worker for every 8ha, but the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) wants a "quantum leap" in technology that would double the land area for each worker to 16ha. This would reduce reliance on labour, which accounts for around 30 per cent of production costs. [Source: Malaysia's palm oil industry trying to hire local workers, 19 August 2020]

The labour shortage issue faced by the domestic plantation industry is expected to reduce productivity and harvesting even further during the peak cycle season at the end of the year 2020. MPOA states that local planters have already lost up to about 25% of potential yield throughout the series of Movement Control Orders (MCOs) right to the current Recovery MCO (RMCO) in the year 2020, without the services of some 37,000 foreign workers who had been sent home during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. [Source: Labour shortage heightens losses in palm oil yield, 14 September 2020]

[this section left Intentionally blank] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides herbicide applicator apparatus which is detachably connected to a movable vehicle, the apparatus includes a water pump engine converts fuel into power to operate a water pump, a water pump, at least one suction hose, at least one tank or container to store an herbicides solution, at least one spraying hose, at least one spraying lance regulator, at least one nozzle and at least one disc, wherein the water pump is to rotate a pump pulley connected to the water pump engine, the at least one suction hose is to draw or pull the herbicides solution from the at least one tank or container to the at least one spraying hose to produce an outflow of the herbicides solution through the at least one spraying lance regulator for discharge of the herbicides solution via the at least one nozzle to the at least one disc to spray the herbicides solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Above recited features of the present invention may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not considered limiting of its scope as the invention may perform effectively to other equally effective embodiments.

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 illustrates a machine system designed, developed and evaluated for circle spraying of oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) [Source: Scientia Agricola, On-line version ISSN 1678-992X, Sci. agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) vol.69 no.2 Piracicaba MarJApr. 2012, https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103- 90162012000200002],

Figure 2 illustrates the ATTILA by RB Spray Tech Sdn. Bhd. is a spinning disc sprayer for the controlled droplet application of herbicides. [Source: https://www.rbspraytech.com/our-products/handheld-cda- sprayers/atila-cda].

Figures 3 to 5 illustrates other types of herbicides applicator machine currently used in some of the oil palm estates.

Figure 6 illustrates the side view of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the top view of the apparatus of the present invention. Figure 8 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention using a mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle with a 200L tank using a single disc.

Figure 9 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention using a mechanical buffalo as a movable vehicle with a 400L tank using double discs.

Figure 10 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention using a tractor as the movable vehicle with a 1 ,000L tank using double discs.

Figure 11 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention using a tractor as the movable vehicle with a 1 ,000L tank using double discs.

Figure 12 illustrates apparatus of the present invention for spraying herbicides for tall woody weeds.

Figures 13 to 16 illustrates results obtained from using the apparatus of the present invention.

The numbering In all figures as described above refers to the various parts of the apparatus of the present Invention:

• (1) - water pump engine;

• (2) - water pump;

• (3) - at least one suction hose;

• (4) - at least one tank or container;

• (5) - at least one spraying hose;

• (6) - at least one spraying lance regulator;

• (7) - at least one nozzle;

• (8) - at least one disc;

• (9) - at least one rod; and

• (10) - at least one beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

PRESENT INVENTION

While the present invention is described herein by way of example using illustrative drawings and embodiments, it should be understood that the detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed but in contrary the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is described herein by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the features through the description. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to embodiments set forth herein. Therefore, embodiments are provided so that this disclosure would be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of invention to those skilled in the art. Numeric values and ranges and materials as provided in the detailed description are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and is not intended as limiting in scope. The words such as ‘including", "comprising", "having", ‘containing’ or “involving" and other variations is intended to be broad and cover the subject matter as described including equivalents and additional subject matter not recited such as other components or steps.

Background

Weed is a general term for any plant growing where it is not wanted. Ever since humans first attempted the cultivation of plants, they have had to fight the invasion by weeds into areas chosen for crops. Weeds interfere with a variety of human activities, and many methods have been developed to suppress or eliminate them. In agriculture, weed control is essential for maintaining high levels of crop production. [Source: https://www.britannica.com/plant/weed]

Weeds can affect crop in many ways such as nutrient and water competition, yield reduction and retarding palm growth. Several species of weeds have been reported to cause adverse effect on oil palm yields. [Source: CABI, https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20113086117]

Weeds in oil palm are such as grasses, broad-leaf weeds, creeping and woody type weeds, fems, epiphytes and others. Weed management is important for oil palm growth, hence, the area around the oil palm tree must be free of growth of weeds especially for young palms to ensure the roots are not in competition with the weed. Application of herbicides to control growth of weeds have become common over the years. Weed management is important as weeds can affect the growth of the oil palm trees by reducing its oil yield and growth as the oil palm trees are in competition with the weeds for nutrient, water, sunlight and space to grow as weeds require substantial amounts of nutrients for growth.

Oil palm estates in Malaysia and Indonesia mostly use herbicides as it the most cost effective way to get rid of the weeds. Manual weeding is expensive and regeneration of the weeds are faster, hence, the high reliance on herbicides. Most common way for spraying herbicides are via lever-operated knapsack sprayers which are done manually by the workers. Herbicides can be obtained in either liquid or powder versions which are then mixed with water to obtain herbicides solution. Some machines have been tested for herbicides spraying in coastal estates, however, knapsack sprayers are still commonly used in inland estates due to its difficult / challenging terrains.

The oil palm industry is labour-intensive which requires many workers for the various parts of operations in the oil palm estates. This present invention focuses on the improvement or mechanisation of herbicide spraying and application for oil palm trees. The conventional method of herbicide weeding is very much labour intensive and productivity per worker is roughly about 4 ha/day and requires a gang of 6 to 8 workers to cover 25 ha to 28 ha per day.

Present invention provides an improved means to spraying herbicides, rather than manual means of using knapsack to do the spraying. The present invention focuses on spraying herbicides on young and mature oil palm trees right up to old and mature oil palm trees (i.e. oil palm trees > 3 years old to 25 years old). The knapsack sprayer is conventional means of spraying herbicides / herbicides management. Most oil palm estates are slowly moving into mechanised means of spraying herbicides on young and mature oil palm trees. However, knapsack sprayers are still required for use at the field for immature oil palm trees. This is because after planting, the oil palm fronds will be close to the ground and hence not accessible for machines to drive through the paths for spraying purposes.

All prior arts as listed and referred to above do not specifically describe the apparatus of the present invention. Hence, there remains a need in the art to provide a herbicides applicator per present invention with benefits and objectives as further described below which cannot be found from the prior art documents, hence, the inventors believe that this invention is novel and inventive.

The prior art documents listed above does not disclose an apparatus per present invention. Apart from that, it is also not obvious by just reading the prior art documents or information as listed above for experts in the field of interest to derive the apparatus of the present invention as the parameters for the present invention have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations, discussions with combined expertise and experience in this field, which parameters and/or combination could not be determined without much efforts, testing and/or analysis or by just reviewing prior art documents in this field.

Objectives of the present invention

According to Figures 6 to 12, the present invention provides a herbicide applicator apparatus which is detachably connected to a movable vehicle, the apparatus includes a water pump engine (1) converts fuel into power to operate a water pump (2), a water pump (2), at least one suction hose (3), at least one tank or container (4) to store an herbicides solution, at least one spraying hose (5), at least one spraying lance regulator (6), at least one nozzle (7) and at least one disc (8), wherein the water pump (2) is to rotate a pump pulley connected to the water pump engine (1), the at least one suction hose (3) is to draw or pull the herbicides solution from the at least one tank or container (4) to the at least one spraying hose (5) to produce an outflow of the herbicides solution through the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) for discharge of the herbicides solution via the at least one nozzle (7) to the at least one disc (8) to disperse the herbicides solution to the targeted areas.

Weeding is important to ensure no competition for soil nutrients, water and sunlight between the weeds and oil palm trees. It is also important to ensure circles around the palms are free for crop recovery and accessibility.

As the oil palm industry is very dependent on labour, it is crucial to contribute in solving the current issue with regards to shortage of the workers in the oil palm estates as labour issues will reduce productivity and harvesting. This present invention provides a means to address the labour issue to allow the oil palm industry to operate as how it should without being heavily dependent on labour.

Herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals are often toxic to humans, animals and palms, and should be used sparingly and with care. Application of chemicals should always be carried out wearing full protective clothing including rubber gloves, boots, gas mask or mouth cover, safety glasses and rubber apron. The most commonly used knapsack sprayers are the so-called lever-operated knapsack sprayers’.

[Source: https//akvopedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_Oil_Palm_Farming_L_/_Storing_L_and_spraying_L_chemicals]

Issues currently faced by the industry pertaining to the manual means of herbicides spraying are as follows:-

• With current situation whereby the industry is facing shortage of workers, labour intensive works such as herbicides spraying has become an issue.

• Apart from that, the manual spraying requires the usage of 16L knapsack sprayers which are carried on the backs of the workers for long time and distances.

• Worker’s exposure to the herbicides is also a serious matter of concern to the health of the workers.

The apparatus of the present invention was tested in coastal estates or estates with flat terrains and inland estates (where the terrains and field accessibility at the inland estates are more challenging than coastal estates). Despite that, the coverage achieved by the apparatus of the present invention in inland estates exceeds industry standards / productivity whereby:

• the present invention using tractor as the movable vehicle is able to achieve at least 28 ha/day per worker as opposed to conventional method of herbicide weeding using knapsack sprayer with productivity per worker of about 4 ha/day and requires a gang of 6 to 8 workers to cover 25 ha to 28 ha per day (estates with flat terrains);

• the present invention using mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle is able to achieve at least 15 ha/day per worker (inland estates); and • the present invention using mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle is able to achieve at least 18 ha/day per worker (estates with flat terrains).

The following types of weeding operations can be done at the oil palm plantations [Source: Coriey et. al. (1976)]-. circle weeding of palm circles, normally carried out to prevent weed competition;

- strip weeding to provide access for harvesting and other field operations; and

- selective spot weeding to remove noxious (harmful / poisonous) weeds.

One object of the present invention to allow for the conduct of circle weeding, strip weeding and/or selective spot weeding based on needs and requirements of individual oil palm plantations.

Another object of the present invention to provide a mechanised means for spraying of herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water) to targeted areas in the oil palm estates for an efficient and effective weeding management.

A further object of the present invention to provide an herbicide applicator which is suitable for use at both coastal estates (which consist of flat and undulating terrains) or estates with flat terrains and inland estates (which consist of hilly to steep terrains with terraces).

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an herbicide applicator using the concept of rotating discs at high speeds to disperse atomised droplets of the herbicides solution to the oil palm trees for circle, strip and/or selective spot spraying of for weeding management at the oil palm estates.

An object of the present invention to provide an herbicide applicator which is able to achieve a minimum or at least 28 ha/day/worker using a tractor as the movable vehicle (for estates with flat terrains), minimum or at least 15 ha/day/worker using the mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle (for inland estates) and a minimum of at least 18 ha/day/worker using the mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle (for estates flat terrains).

Further, the object of the present invention is to allow for the herbicides solution to be dispersed to a range of between 5 m to 6 m (dispersion range or swath width) for both inland and coastal estates, more than current industry standards with respect to herbicides spraying for weeding management. This spraying range is more than enough for efficient circle, strip and selective spot spraying to ensure weeds around the targeted areas are cleared.

Another object of the present invention is that the apparatus is able to be modified to spray from both sides of the apparatus (left and right) during each spraying cycle or from one side only (left or right) during each spraying cycle or adjusted for switch spraying (spraying on one side first, then to the other side and back to the same side and repeated as often as needed) during each spraying cycle (which is suitable for herbicides spraying at inland estates as trees are mostly arranged on one side). One spraying cycle means spraying of the herbicides solution to the targeted areas for weeding purposes until the at least one tank or container (4) is completely emptied.

Another object of the present invention to provide a safe means for herbicide spraying as the workers will be safe from exposure to hazardous chemicals (herbicides) during preparation of the herbicides solution and also to herbicides drift during spraying which is common to happen during manual spraying of herbicides.

Yet another object of the present invention which is to provide an herbicides applicator which is easy to maintain, safe to use, stable, can operate smoothly and is sustainable.

Further, it is also an object of the present invention to provide circle and strip spraying with coverage area of around 60% to 72% per ha as opposed to 30% per ha using knapsack sprayer and 40% to 45% per ha using other machines currently available for purchase based on testing by the inventors of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is that the ratio of worker using a mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle with the herbicides applicator of present invention vs. the knapsack sprayer of 1 :4 workers and a ratio of worker using a tractor as the movable vehicle with herbicides applicator of this present invention vs. the knapsack sprayer of 1 :8 workers.

Also, the object of the present invention is to provide a mechanised means for spraying the herbicides solution which ultimately is able to eliminate manual means of doing so.

Benefits of the present invention ere as follows:-

Based on the expertise, observation and testing by the inventors to operate the apparatus of the present invention in the most efficient way as possible based on intended results, practicality of ground conditions and cost effectiveness, the following were observed:-

- the apparatus of the present invention provides a means to eliminate entirely manual spraying of herbicides using knapsack sprayer;

- the apparatus of the present invention was tested in both coastal estates or estates with flat terrains and inland estates. Inland estates with terrains and field accessibility more challenging than coastal estates or estates with flat terrains is still able to obtain coverage / ha which exceeds current industry standards / productivity; - any types of movable vehicle can be used with the herbicides applicator of the present invention depending on individual estates’ requirements;

- the apparatus of the present invention using tractor as the movable vehicle is able to achieve a minimum coverage of 28 ha/day per worker (for flat terrains) in comparison to manual means of using knapsack sprayer which is only to cover a 4 ha/day per worker - the productivity is increased by at least 4 to 7 times using the apparatus of the present invention as opposed to conventional means of using knapsack sprayer.

- the apparatus of the present invention using mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle is able achieve a minimum coverage of 15 ha/day per worker (for inland estates) and a minimum of 18 ha/day per worker (for flat terrains);

- suitable for circle, strip and/or selective spot herbicides spraying and also for spraying tall woody weeds;

- highly pressurised herbicides solution as dispersed from the at least one nozzle (7) towards the outer edge of the at least one disc (8) which is rotating at high speeds in a range of between 157 radian/second to 191 radian/second (1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm) is able to produce a good throw (sufficient swath width / dispersion range) in a range of between 5m to 6m (which exceeds current industry standards);

- the efficient and effective dispersion range / swath width produced by the present invention doesn't require the herbicides applicator the need of any extension lance to ensure sufficient throw of the herbicides solution per some conventional machines being used in the estates which makes the machine unstable for use (especially at inland estates) and could cause mobility issues as well. Extension lance is not preferred to be used especially at inland estates due to safety issues and movable vehicle is also not able to move smoothly especially with respect to the turning radius. Overall, any extension beyond the wheel base disrupts the operator's estimation and mobility.

- the herbicides applicator of the present invention can be adjusted to use at least one disc (8) or more depending on preference and requirements of the user of the present invention;

- the herbicides applicator of the present invention can be adjusted to conduct spraying on one side only (i.e. left or right) per spraying cycle or on both sides (i.e. left and right) per spraying cycle or switch spraying (i.e from left to right and back or right to left and back, switching back and forth as much as required per spraying cycle) using at least one disc (8) or more on each side depending on preference and requirements. The switching mode of operations allows for continuity of work at inland estates which improves productivity significantly instead of spraying on one side only and returning back to the same area for spraying on the other side;

- the apparatus of the present invention is easy to move / manoeuvre in the oil palm estates - for both inland and coastal estates or estates with flat terrains; - the operator is safe from chemical drift as opposed to manual means of using knapsack spraying where the operator is easily exposed to hazardous herbicides solution whereby in some instance could be deadly; and

- easy and cheap to manufacture the herbicides applicator of the present invention compared to other conventional machines currently being used.

The Present invention

This present invention is an herbicides applicator, detachably connected to a movable vehicle for spraying herbicides solution.

This present invention is suitable for both coastal estates (which consist of flat and undulating terrains) and inland estates (which consist of hilly to steep terrains with terraces).

The concept of the present invention is using rotating discs to disperse droplets of the herbicides solution to the targeted areas in the oil palm estates for circle, strip and selective spot spraying of the herbicides solution for weeding management at the oil palm estates.

Herbicides are firstly mixed with water and added into the at least one tank or container (4). Tank capacity will depend on the movable vehicle used for the present invention depending on the preference and user. This calibrated dosage and amount is based on requirements of each individual estates as determined by type of herbicides used, manufacturers and experts in the field of interest. Calibrated amount means predetermined amount of herbicides mixed with water required for the purposes of the present invention - for application of herbicides at specified rate of chemical to the target surface of the weeds. Calibrated amount is important to ensure correct amount is sprayed without wastage and also that the herbicides dosage is effective to kill / poison the weeds. This will depend on the recommendation of expertise depending on types and brands of herbicides used depending on the preference of the user of the apparatus of the present invention.

The required dosage or calibrated amount of herbicides required will depend on each estate’s requirements and needs as advised by the experts. Any types of herbicides can be used for the present invention as long the herbicides are suitable for high volume spraying and not hazardous when atomised into small droplets for use by the apparatus of the present invention, for example such as glyphosate isopropylamine 41% a.i. w/w used for grasses and mixed with methyl metsulfuron 20% a.i. w/w for broadleaf weeds and others.

The apparatus of the present invention must generally be calibrated prior to use (on a daily basis or as when required) to ensure the correct dosage, amount of herbicides solution and spraying application rate per hectare (L/ha) are determined and set for the most effective and efficient spraying of herbicides to the targeted areas in the oil palm estates.

The at least one tank or container (4) is to store the herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water). The amount of herbicides solution to be stored in the at least one tank or container (4) is based on the movable vehicle’s space and loading capacity depending on the preference and needs of the user. The at least one tank or container (4) of the present invention can be in any shape as preferred by the user of the apparatus of the present invention, but cylindrical drum is generally preferred as it is able to provide a much higher volume or space to store the herbicides solution.

For the purposes of this present invention, herbicides solution as contained in the at least one tank of container (4) of volume 200L, 400L and 1 ,000L is used to demonstrate the apparatus of the present invention. The movable vehicle is a mechanical buffalo if carrying the at least one tank or container (4) with volume of 200L and 400L and the movable vehicle is a tractor if carrying the at least one tank or container (4) with volume of 1 ,000L. When the at least one tank or container (4) is empty (after each spraying cycle), the operator will drive the movable vehicle to the designated area for refiling purposes and to begin operations all over again for at least an 8-hour working period.

The water pump engine (1) functions to convert fuel into power to operate the water pump (2) for the water pump (2) to rotate the pump pulley as connected with the speed control of the water pump engine (1). Any types of engine can be used for the present invention based on preference of the user. The inventors have used a 4-stroke single cylinder engine with air cooler with a power of 3,600 rpm for the herbicides applicator to illustrate the purpose of the apparatus of the present invention.

The rotation of the pump pulley generates a centrifugal force in order to create a pressurised herbicides solution with pressure of about 35 bar or 3.5 X 10*6 Pa. The inventors of the present invention have determined that the engine power of 3,600 rpm is sufficient as the rotation speed for the pump pulley. However, the speed can be adjusted based on cost and also preference of the user of the apparatus of the present invention.

The at least one suction hose (3) is able to create sufficient pressure to be able to suck (draw or pull) the herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water) from the at least one tank or container (4) to the at least one spraying hose (5). Any types of suction hose can be used for the apparatus of the present invention. The inventors of the present invention have used the at least one suction hose (5) with a diameter of at least 15mm, preferably diameter range of between 20 mm to 30 mm as determined to be sufficient for water suction purposes by testing of the inventors of the present invention. The suction capacity is in a range of between 25 L/min to 30 L/min as tested and determined by the inventors of the present invention.

The minimum length of the at least one suction hose (3) is in a range of between 1 .0m to 1 .5m. The maximum length of the at least one suction hose (3) is in a range of between 2.0m to 3.0m. This length is sufficient as tested by the inventors of the present invention to obtain the intended results of the present invention without requirement for any extension lance.

At least one spraying hose (5), preferably a flexible high pressure spraying hose to produce the outflow of the pressurised herbicides solution, is connected to the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) to allow spraying / discharge of the highly pressurised herbicides solution via the at least one nozzle (7) as contained at the bottom of the at least one spraying lance regulator (6).

Based on the expertise, observation and testing by the inventors of the present invention, the spraying hose with a diameter of between 15 mm to 25 mm is sufficient to obtain the intended results of the apparatus of the present invention.

At least one spraying lance regulator (6) is used to regulate flow rate of the herbicides solution from the at least one spraying hose (5) out of the at least one nozzle (7). The spraying capacity or volume of herbicides solution from the at least one nozzle (7) is in a range of between 25 L/min to 35 L/min as tested by the inventors of the present invention is able to provide the intended results of the apparatus of the present invention.

The at least one nozzle (7) of the apparatus of present invention must be adjusted and orientated accordingly, to ensure that the highly pressurized herbicides solution as discharged from the at least one nozzle (7) as contained at the bottom of the spraying lance regulator (6) hits directly at the outer edge of the at least one disc (8) which is rotating at high speeds. The angles of the at least one disc (8) are adjusted to ensure maximum throw of the herbicides solution based on the pressure, velocity and gravity for intended swath width or dispersion range at the targeted areas for weeding management purposes. The at least one disc (8) must also be checked and orientated to ensure that the at least one disc (8) rotates evenly before the apparatus is ready for use.

The at least one nozzle (7), preferably two or more as contained at the bottom of the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) is to disperse the pressurised herbicides solution out from the at least one spraying regulator (6) onto the outer edge of the at least one disc (8). The at least one disc (8) atomises the pressurised herbicides solution to form fine atomised herbicides solution droplets to be dispersed to the targeted areas. Any types of nozzle (7) as contained at the bottom of the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) can be used for the present invention as long it is able to disperse the pressurised herbicides solution towards the outer edge of the at least one disc (8) for strip and circle spraying, such as copper cone jet nozzle, plastic cone jet, fat jet or others, preferably copper cone nozzle due to its long lasting durability feature. Cone jet nozzle is preferred for spraying highly pressurised herbicides solution based on the investigation of the inventors, however, any type of nozzles can be used based on preference of the user of the present invention. Nozzle is a key component of any spraying machines. The type of nozzles used and its size (diameter) would depend on what is being sprayed, for this instance nozzles chosen will be suitable for spraying highly pressurized herbicides solution, however, nozzles used for each herbicides applicator is preferable to all be the same size and type for the best efficient spraying and to obtain optimum results. The pressure range of the nozzles can be determined from the manufacturer’s specification and type of nozzles are selected based on preference of the user of the present invention.

The angle of the at least one nozzle (7) is adjustable, hence, able to provide additional spray angle, longer throw distance (dispersion range I swath width) in a range of between 5m to 6m with a radius coverage range of between 180° to 270°. The angle of the at least one nozzle (7) can be adjusted to a range of between 15° to 30° which allows the pressurised herbicides solution to hit the outer edge of the at least one disc (8) in a focused and narrow stream, dispersing the atomised droplets of the herbicides solution towards the targeted areas with a radius coverage range of between 180° to 270°. The at least one nozzle (7) acts like a waterjet with high kinetic energy directed to at least one disc (8) which creates centrifugal force required for dispersing the atomised droplets of the herbicides solution to the targeted areas with a spray application rate in a range of between 150 L/ha to 200 L/ha.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferable for each spraying lance regulator (6) to have at least 3 nozzles (7) to obtain the desired swath width or dispersion range. The swath width as obtained from the use of the apparatus of this present invention is then used to calculate the spraying application rate as determined to be most efficient / suitable for use with the herbicides applicator of the present invention. The at least one nozzle (7) is spaced in a range of between 20cm to 30cm from at the at least one disc (8) in order to obtain the intended swath width or dispersion range for circle, strip and/or selective spot spraying at the targeted areas in the oil palm estates, as determined and tested by the inventors of the present invention.

The concept of the present invention is using rotating discs (8) at high speeds in a range of between 157 radian/second to 191 radian/second (1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm) to atomise the pressurised herbicides solution to form fine atomised droplets of the herbicides solution to be dispersed to targeted areas in the oil palm estates for circle, strip and/or selective spot spraying for weeding management at the oil palm estates. The diameter of the at least one disc (8) is in a range of between 20cm to 22cm as tested and determined by the inventors of the present invention in order to obtain the dispersion range or swath width in a range of between 5m to 6m (using at least one disc (8)), which exceeds current industry standards.

Swath width refers to the width or dispersion range of the treated areas where the atomised droplets of the herbicides solution are dispersed from the apparatus of the present invention. The spray swath or dispense rage for weeding management is important to get good coverage of the target areas in the oil palm estates. Swath is a continuous rectangular shape which is based on the velocity of the pressurised herbicides solution. The swath width generally increases with increased spray angle, rotation speed of the at least one disc (8) and spray application rate per hectare. General practice would require the oil palm circle radius to be free of weeds in a range of between 2 m to 2.5 m for young and mature oil palm trees right up to old and mature oil palm trees. The average swath width or dispersion range for this present invention is between 5 m to 6 m which is adequate and sufficient for circle, strip and/or selective spot spraying which exceeds current industry standards.

At least one disc (8) is sufficient for the purpose of the present invention, however, two (double discs) or more can be used depending on requirements and preference of the user of the present invention.

The herbicide applicator can be adjusted to spray herbicides solution from: one side only (left or right) using a single disc (8) on each side; or one side only (left or right) using double discs (8) on each side; or both sides (left and right) using a single disc (8) on each side; or both sides (left and right) using double discs (8) on each side; or one side only or both sides using more than two discs (8), depending on the preference and needs of the user of the herbicides applicator of the present invention.

The spraying of the herbicides solution can be done on one side only for each spraying cycle (i.e. spraying is done on the left side only for each spraying cycle or spraying is done on the right side only for each spraying cycle); or

The spraying of the herbicides solution can be done on both sides simultaneously (left and right) for each spraying cycle (suitable for spraying at estates with flat terrains or evenly planted trees in the estates); or

The spraying of the herbicides solution can be done on one side first and then the spraying switches over to the other side to continue with the spraying and can switch again if and where necessary for each spraying cycle. This can go on until the at least one tank or container (4) has been emptied accordingly. This is especially suitable for spraying herbicides solution at the weeds for inland estates where the terrain is not straight and even with the trees arranged on one side of the terrain. The switching mode of operations allows for continuity of work at inland estates which improves productivity significantly instead of spraying on one side only and returning back to the same area for spraying on the other side.

At least one spraying hose (5) and at least one spraying lance regulator (6) is sufficient for the herbicides applicator of the present invention, however can have more than one depending on the number of discs (8) used by the user of the present invention. If two discs (8) are used, two spraying hose (5) and two spraying lance regulator (6) would be required for the to be used. The at least one spraying hose (5) and the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) must be adjusted to be at different angles if more than one disc (8), spraying hose (5) and spraying lance regulator (6) are used at the same side for spraying, especially for areas with weeds of various heights.

The at least one disc (8) rotates in a high speed in a range of between 157 radian/second to 191 radian/second (1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm) is able to produce fine atomised herbicides solution droplets when the pressured herbicides solution as discharged from the at least one nozzle (7) touches the outer edge of the at least one disc (8) for spraying at targeted areas, as determined by the inventors of the present invention.

The at least one disc (8) is a rotating disc (in high speeds) is to atomise the pressurised herbicides solution to produce fine atomised herbicides solution droplets and to disperse or discharge the pressurised herbicides solution in rotation motion towards the weeds.

It has been determined by numerous testing and trials by the inventors of the present invention that spray application rate per hectare (L/ha) of the herbicides applicator to be in a range of 150 L/ha to 200 L/ha (in atomised droplets) and this range is used to demonstrate the apparatus of the present invention. 150 L/ha to 200 L/ha provides sufficient wetting of the weeds for efficient weeding management in the oil palm estates. However, the spray application rate per hectare (L/ha) may vary per estate basis depending on the age, height and density of the oil palm trees in the oil palm estates based on preference and requirements of the user of the apparatus if the present invention.

The at least one rotating disc (8) is to disperse or discharge the atomised droplets of the highly pressurised herbicides solution via rotation motion to the targeted areas in the oil palm estates. The rotational kinetic energy from the rotation motion causes the at least one disc (8) to rotate at high revolution per minute (rpm) in a range of 1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm (157 radian/second to 191 radian/second) and which allows the herbicides solution in atomised droplets to be dispersed in a radius coverage range of between 180° to 270°. The use of at least one disc (8) which rotates at high speeds to produce and disperse atomised droplets of the highly pressurised herbicides solution does not require the need of extended lance per some conventional machines’ design. Extended lance would make the movable vehicle less stable, speed of movable vehicle slower and less hectarage covered per day per worker. Conventional spray machines require extension or extended lance system which impacts the turning radius of the tractor and thus is fragile (not as stable as the herbicides applicator of the present invention).

The at least one disc (8) sits on a free rolling bearing which rotates based on the trajectory of the pressurised herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water). Preferably the at least one disc (8) is made from metal as the at least one disc (8) is solid, tougher / sturdier than plastic parts, and cheaper than using stainless steel. A rolling bearing allows the at least one disc (8) to rotate or spin both ways. The at least one disc (8) is preferably to be close to the at least one nozzle (7) to ensure dispersion of the pressurised herbicides solution is the best or efficient as possible. The present invention can also be used for tall woody weeds (as tali as 12 to 20 feet) which are usually taller than the weeds such as soft grasses per Figure 12. For woody weeds, air blowers may be used to assist in getting additional height of spraying the herbicides solution to be able to reach heights of between 12 to 20 feet or more. The air blowers are located at the upper part area of the at least one disc (8) to avoid the herbicides solution being biown away by the winds (i.e. to avoid wastage from wind drifts / non-efficient spraying of herbicides solution). The angle of the air blower is preferably not more than 45 degrees as beyond that, the spraying velocity for the most efficient / effective way of spraying the herbicides solution will be affected by earth’s gravity. It is preferable for at least two discs (8) on one side to be used for purposes of spraying taller weeds to achieve good height required for spraying herbicides for tall weeds.

The at least one rod (9) is required as a support mechanism for the apparatus of the present invention, preferably made from metal, solid, sturdy, strong which can be used for long term and stable material. The at least one beam (10) is also required as a support mechanism for the apparatus of the present invention, preferably made from metal, solid, sturdy, strong which can be used for long term and stable material.

Any type of moveable vehicle can be used for the present invention. The movable vehicle of the present invention can be a three-wheeler or four-wheeler, preferably a four wheeler and can be selected based on ground conditions, accessibility and affordability of individual estates based on needs and preference of the user of the apparatus of the present invention, such as the mechanical buffalo, tractor, 4M crane and others. The movable vehicles are chosen based on the terrains of the oil palm estates as long the movable vehicle does not cause any damage at the travelling path and also safe and stable for us at the intended areas. Speed of the movable is preferably in a range of between 4 km/h to 7 km/h which is enough to provide sufficient and efficient spraying to arrive at the claimed benefits and advantages of the present invention.

A tractor as the moving vehicle of the apparatus of the present invention is able to carry a load of at least 1 ,000L or more herbicides solution in the at least one tank or container (4). Average working speed is approximately in a range of between 4 km/hr to 7km/hr. Swath width or dispersion range obtained by the herbicides applicator of this present invention is able to provide a coverage area of about 60% to 72% per hectare. Other conventional machines are only able to provide a coverage about 40% to 45% as tested by the inventors of the present invention. Ratio of worker using a tractor (carrying a 1 ,000L tank) as the movable vehicle with the herbicides applicator of the present invention vs. the manual means of using a knapsack sprayer is 1 :8 workers.

A tractor is suitable and more preferred to be used at coastal estates rather than inland estates due to its size and capacity and the difficult terrains of the inland estates.

A mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle of the apparatus of the present invention is able to carry a load of at least 200L of herbicides solution in the at least one tank or container (4) if used for spraying solutions at inland estates and a load of at least 400L or more if used for herbicides spraying at coastal estates or estates with flat terrains.

The challenge here is to access challenging I difficult terrains at inland estates and this apparatus of the present invention proofs that it is efficient and easy to manoeuvre and to be used at the inland estates. Mechanical buffalo is smaller than a tractor hence is more suitable to be used at the inland estates as opposed to using a tractor. Usage of the apparatus of the present invention is able to eliminate completely herbicides spraying using manual means (i.e. knapsack spraying means).

Trials, findings and summary

Based on testing, trials and observations of the inventors of the apparatus of the present invention, the following was observed:-

Apparatus 1 : Herbicide applicator with a mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle with a tank capacity of 200L tested at inland estates (steep to hilly terrains)

Apparatus 2 : Herbicide applicator with a mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle with a tank capacity of 400L tested at inland estates (steep to hilly terrains)

Apparatus 3 : Herbicide applicator with a tractor as the movable vehicle with a tank capacity of

1,000L tested at coastal estates or estates with flat terrains

The spray application rate for all the apparatus are adjusted to be in a range of between 150 L/ha to

200 L/ha.

Apparatus 1 (per worker) illustrates a productivity increase by a minimum of close to 4 times when compared to conventional means of using knapsack sprayer which is able to only cover about 4 ha/day per worker. Apparatus 2 (per worker) illustrates a productivity increase of at least 4.5 times in comparison to conventional means of using knapsack sprayer. Apparatus 1 and apparatus 2 have been tested in inland estates, however is also suitable to be used at coastal estates which has less challenging / difficult terrains. Therefore, the productivity increase will be much higher if used at coastal estates or estates with flat terrains. Apparatus 3 (per worker) is tested in coastal estates due its size, weight and suitability for use at coastal estates with straight paths. Apparatus shows a productivity increase of at least 7 times in comparison to conventional means.

Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 shows the results from using the apparatus (herbicide applicator) of the present invention. All the figures show that that the weeding was successful with the use of the apparatus of the present invention as the area above shows good and complete kill of the weeds at targeted areas.

It can be summarised that:

• spray application rate per hectare in a range of between 150 L/ha to 200 L/ha of the herbicides solution as contained in the at least one tank or container (4) with volume such as 200L, 400L, 1 ,000L or others is adequate for sufficient wetting of areas with the herbicides solution (herbicides mixed with water) for weeding management purposes;

• the spray application rate per hectare in the range of 150L/ha to 200 L/ha is also chosen as the rate in this range ensure minimal drift from high travelling speed of the highly pressurised herbicides;

• rotation speed of the at least one disc (8) is in a range of between 1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm (157 radian/second to 191 radian/second) which is able to provide a good dispersion range (throw length) or swath width in a range of between 5m to 6m which exceed industry standards; and

• productivity is increased by at least 4 to 7 times using the apparatus of the present invention as opposed to conventional means of using knapsack sprayer.

Therefore, the results supports the claimed benefits of the present invention which are:-

- the apparatus of the present invention was tested in both coastal estates or estates with flat terrains and inland estates. Inland estates with terrains and field accessibility more challenging than coastal estates or estates with flat terrains is still able to obtain coverage / ha which exceeds current industry standards / productivity;

- any types of movable vehicle can be used with the herbicides applicator of the present invention depending on individual estates’ requirements;

- highly pressurised herbicides solution as dispersed from the at least one nozzle (7) towards the outer edge of the at least one disc (8) which is rotating at high speeds in a range of between 1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm (157 radian/second to 191 radian/second) is able to produce a good throw (sufficient swath width / dispersion range) in a range of between 5m to 6m (which exceeds current industry standards);

- the efficient and effective dispersion range / swath width produced by the present invention doesn’t require the herbicides applicator the need of any extension lance to ensure sufficient throw of the herbicides solution per some conventional machines being used in the estates which makes the machine unstable for use (especially at inland estates) and could cause mobility issues as well. Extension lance is not preferred to be used especially at inland estates due to safety issues and movable vehicle is also not able to move smoothly especially with respect to the turning radius. Overall, any extension beyond the wheel base disrupts the operator’s estimation and mobility;

- the herbicides applicator of the present invention can be adjusted to conduct spraying on one side only (i.e. left or right) per spraying cycle or on both sides (i.e. left and right) per spraying cycle or switch spraying (i.e. from left to right and back or right to left and back, switching back and forth as much as required per spraying cycle) using at least one disc (8) or more on each side depending on preference and requirements. The switching mode of operations allows for continuity of work at inland estates which improves productivity significantly instead of spraying on one side only and returning back to the same area for spraying on the other side;

- the apparatus of the present invention is easy to move / manoeuvre in the oil palm estates - for both inland and coastal estates or estates with flat terrains;

- the operator is safe from chemical drift as opposed to manual means of using knapsack spraying where the operator is easily exposed to hazardous herbicides solution whereby in some instance could be deadly; and

- easy and cheap to manufacture the herbicides applicator of the present invention compared to other conventional machines currently being used. It can be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention was tested in both coastal estates or estates with flat terrains and inland estates where the terrains and field accessibility are more challenging than coastal estates. Despite that, the coverage achieved by the apparatus of the present invention in inland estates exceeds industry standards I productivity whereby the present invention using tractor as the movable vehicle is able to a minimum of 28 ha/day per worker (for estates with flat terrains) can be achieved and present invention using mechanical buffalo as the movable vehicle is able to a minimum of 15 ha/day per worker (for inland estates) and a minimum of 18 ha/day per worker (for estates with flat terrains).

Further, it can be appreciated that the parameters for the present invention are not obvious for a person skilled in the art and have been determined by the inventors based on numerous trials conducted, observations, discussions and combined expertise, which would not be able to be determined without much efforts and analysis. All prior arts as listed and referred to above do not specifically describe the herbicides applicator of this present invention. To the best of our knowledge, the present invention is novel and inventive.

Various modifications to these embodiments as described herein are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The description is not intended to be limited to these embodiments as shown with the accompanying drawings but is to provide the broadest scope possible as consistent with the novel and inventive features disclosed. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims.

Claims

1. A herbicide applicator apparatus which is detachably connected to a movable vehicle, the apparatus includes:

* a water pump engine (1) to convert fuel into power to operate a water pump (2);

* a water pump (2);

* at least one suction hose (3);

* at least one tank or container (4) to store an herbicides solution;

* at least one spraying hose (5);

* at least one spraying lance regulator (6);

* at least one nozzle (7); and

* at least one disc (8); wherein, the water pump (2) is to rotate a pump pulley connected to the water pump engine (1), the at least one suction hose (3) is to draw or pull the herbicides solution from the at least one tank or container (4) to the at least one spraying hose (5) to produce an outflow of the herbicides solution through the at least one spraying lance regulator (6) for discharge of the herbicides solution via the at least one nozzle (7) to the at least one disc (8) to disperse the herbicides solution.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the pump pulley creates pressurised herbicides solution of at least 3.5 x 10^A6 Pa (35 bar).

3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least one suction hose (3) has a diameter of at least 15mm.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least one spraying hose (5) has a diameter of at least 15mm.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle (7) is placed at bottom of the at least one spraying regulator (6).

6. The apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the angle of the at least one nozzle (7) is adjusted in a range of between 15° to 30°.

7. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the at least one disc (8) is at least

8. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the rotation speed of the at least one disc (8) is in a range of between 157 radian/second to 191 radian/second (1 ,500 rpm to 1 ,820 rpm).

9. The apparatus of the present invention to Claim 1 , wherein the spray application rate per hectare is at least 150 L/ha.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein at the least one disc (8) sits on a free rolling bearing which allows the at least one disc (8) to rotate based on trajectory of the herbicides solution to disperse the herbicides solution with a radius coverage range of between 180° to 270°.

11 . The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the dispersion width of the herbicides solution is at least 5m.

12. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein spraying of herbicides solution can be done from one side only or simultaneously from two sides or more.

13. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the apparatus of the present invention can be used for circle, strip and/or selective spot spraying of the herbicides solution.

14. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein the movable vehicle is a three-wheeler or four- wheeler.