No Drip Rope Wick Applicator

No Drip Rope Wick Applicator ROPE WICK APPLICATORS Rope Wick Applicators 5-3-9 New from Bowman Mfg., Newport, Ark., is a revolutionary rope wick applicator that moves up to 10 times more liquid through the ropes than conventional rigs, yet is virtually drip-proof ù even when standing still. "In all out preliminary trials and field tests, it has run circles around conventional rope wick applicators," says Morris Bowman, inventor-manufacturer. "We use the same new-style rope in our new applicator that other manufacturers use ù a polyester, diamond-shaped braid over an acrylic center. The big difference between ours and all others on the market is that we have developed a method of moving ten times as much spray material through each rope with scarcely a drop of spillage. "Last year, many farmers in drouth-stricken areas reported poor results with Roundup, apparently because conventional rope-wick or carpet-type applicators were unable to rub enough Roundup on drouth stressed Johnson grass and other weeds to kill them," Bowman told FARM SHOW. "If they increased the flow rate enough to kill the stressed weeds, they created a dripping problem which damaged the crop. Our new design concept solves the problem." Here, according to Bowman, is how it works: The applicator consists of two horizontal 4 in. dia. plastic pipes with one pipe about 1 ft. above and 1 ft. in front of the other. Individual rope sections run diagonally between the pipes. The top pipe is pressurized, forcing spray solution into each rope. The bottom horizontal pipe is under a vacuum. "Pressure in the top pipe keeps individual ropes completely saturated to the point where they are on the verge of dripping with liquid. But, instead of dripping to the ground, the excess liquid running through each rope is sucked up and into the lower vacuum tube where it is recycled back around to the upper tube. With this combination of pressure and vacuum, we are able to increase the flow rate considerably and still not get any dripping or spillage. We have run a sprayer for 12 hours standing still, continuously recycling spray solution through the dripping-ropes without any visible sign whatsoever of any spray dripping onto the ground or crops below. In the field, the only chemical you lose is that which rubs off on the weeds. And, with our diagonal design, every tall-growing weed gets hit with a generous amount of chemical to virtually insure a complete kill, even under drouthy growth conditions." The new Bowman rope wick applicator was slated to go into production as this issue of FARM SHOW went to press. Available in a standard 20-ft. model (including the folding wings) it reportedly will be priced at "at about the same or slightly less than conventional rope wick applicators," according to Bowman. Its available in standard 3 pt. hitch for rear mounting but. can also be adapted for front mounting. "Owners of conventional Bowman rope wick applicators can buy this new rope wick applicator and use the hardware from their original applicator to carry it." For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bowman Mfg., Route 3, Box 705, Newport, Ark. 72112 (ph 501 523-2785)

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