Technological Advancements in Manure Spreading
Farmers have relied on manure fertilization for almost as long as farming has been around. Technological advancements have made spreading manure easier throughout the years with new concepts like dragline systems that reduce the amount of soil compaction by eliminating the need to drive heavy tanks full of manure back and forth in the field. The reduced weight of dragline systems also allows operators to get into the field earlier in the season without fear of damaging wet fields.
The invention of the manure pump allows for faster spreading than ever before. Now the practice has reached an all new level of efficiency.
Thanks to the rise of digital technology, even the practice of managing pumps has become seamlessly integrated into a handy phone application. Before such an app was invented, farmers would have to hire workers to monitor each pump and control the flow to maintain optimal pressure and prevent spills. However, Bambauer’s Watchdog application makes this disjointed process a thing of the past, bringing all of the control and information right to your fingertips.
Essentially, each pump in the sequence is outfitted with sensor technology to monitor the flow and overall mechanical efficiency of each pump. These integrated sensors then remotely transmit this data to the user’s app display, while the user in turn has full control over the operation of each machine. This allows for a seamless exchange between the user and their dragline operation.
Long gone are the days of sprinting out to a pump to frantically shut it off as you rack up spillage. With apps like Watchdog, you can see the pressure changes all in place and will be alerted if any major fluctuations occur. With the app’s smart stabilization ability, Watchdog can even navigate and regulate pump pressure by itself with its cruise control feature. Furthermore, Watchdog tracks mechanical information as well and will alert the user of malfunctions. It can also safely turn off pumps with gradual pressure changes to minimize spillage and maintenance costs. Since the “brains” of the system is located on-board along with all the sensors, the pump can still protect itself even when there isn’t a data connection.
This technology truly takes this once tedious process to the next level, far removed from the olden days of carting and spreading manure manually. Besides ensuring a quicker and more hassle-free experience, the Watchdog system also saves operators money due to spillage and additional labor costs. Watchdog also makes the pumping process more accessible to newcomers who lack dragline experience in manure pump operation.
Whether you know exactly what settings you want to run and need control and customizability, or you’re just starting out and need things to run smoothly with the help of a cruise control feature, Watchdog can only serve to help farmers to optimize their farming practices, while cutting down on the costs, time, and stress of getting your field the nourishment that it needs. If you’re in the market for a new dragline system or an update to your current dragline system (Watchdog can be retro-fit onto existing units), seriously check out what apps like Watchdog have to offer. Once you get your hands on such centralized efficiency, it’ll be tough to go back.
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