Subtopic: Calculation of performance parameters – field capacity, efficiency, performance index, application rate and losses
Question Statement:
In a tractor-mounted spinning disc fertilizer broadcaster, an ideal triangular (pyramid) distribution pattern across the spread width requires what degree of swath overlap between adjacent passes to achieve minimum Coefficient of Variation ($CV$) and uniform application?
Options:
(A) $50\%$ overlap (swath spacing equal to half of total throw width)
(B) Zero overlap
(C) $10\%$ overlap
(D) $90\%$ overlap
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
A triangular distribution pattern tapers linearly from peak rate at the center to zero at the throw edges. Overlapping adjacent swaths by 50% (effective swath spacing = 0.5 × throw width) sums the complementary triangles into a uniform, flat rectangular profile across the field.