Development of a multibody model of a sprayer

A multibody model of a sprayer boom including the suspension was developed by
using ADAMS 11.0 (Mechanical Dynamics). The model was designed with the aim to describe the dynamic behaviour of different types of booms and suspensions (double trapezium, trapezium, pendulum, …). This was obtained by creating a general model in which geometrical (dimensions) and mechanical parameters (mass and inertia, friction coefficients, stiffness and damping coefficients of the hinges, …) of the system were easily modified. A graphical
interface especially designed authorised this easy modification. The validation of the model was obtained by measuring in real conditions the frame movements as solicitations and the boom movements as responses. The method was applied on a trailed sprayer equipped with a boom of 24 m and a trapezoidal suspension. Good accordance was found between measured and simulated vertical displacements. The model may decrease the development costs of suspension and boom designs.