✓ Duster is a machine to apply chemical in dust form. Dusters make use of air streams to carry pesticides in finely divided dry form on the plants.
#. A duster essentially consists of:
1. Hopper
2. Agitator
3. Feed control
4. Fan or blower and
5. Delivery nozzle.
Types of Duster:
✓ There are several types of dusters in the common use, such as:
1. Plunger Type
2. Knapsack Type
3. Rotary Type
4. Power Operated Duster
1. Plunger Type Duster:
✓It is a simple duster with a small piston.
✓The piston drives a current of air over the dust in the hopper.
✓The dust is carried away through a delivery spout.
✓Small hand pump dusters of this type are available and are suitable only where the area to be dusted is small like vegetable or flower garden.
2. Knapsack Type Duster:
✓It has powder container on the back of the operator.
✓It has a hopper through which a current of air is blown to pick up the dust.
✓The air current is produced by lever operated leather bellows.
✓Shoulder straps are generally provided in such dusters and they can be easily carried in the fields.
✓These dusters are suited for small areas only.
3. Rotary Duster:
✓It has hand operated rotor in front of the operator.
✓For spraying tall crops, more force of delivery is required, hence rotary dusters are preferred.
✓Dust is fed from a hopper into a current of air produced by a rotary fan and is blown out through a delivery pipe.
✓ The rate of delivery can be regulated by a valve below the hopper. The delivery force is controlled by controlling the speed of the fan.
4. Power Operated Duster:
✓ It consists of a power driven fan, a hopper and a delivery spout.
✓The fan creates strong air flow which causes the dust to blow off from the hopper to a considerable distance either vertically or horizontally.
✓The direction of the dust is regulated by a movable delivery spout suitably fitted with the unit.
✓ These types of dusters are used for large areas.
#. Essential spare parts to be kept in stock:
1. Agitator
2. Feed control lever
3. Feeding brush
4. Shaft for crank
5. Crank handle
6. Hose couplings and clips
7. Breast plate
8. Nozzle
9. Nuts and screws.
#.Care and Maintenance of Dusters:
1. Duster should be thoroughly cleaned before and after use with a suitable brush.
2. The hopper should be filled with dust about half of its capacity.
3. The lid of the hopper should be closed during the operation
4. In rotary dusters, the handle should be cranked at 30 to 35 revolutions per minute for efficient performance.
5. Check the blockage before use.
#. Care and Maintenance of sprayer:
1. Washers should be soaked into oil and water before use.
2. The ends of the spray nozzle should be unscrewed and cleaned before starting the work.
3. Do not disturb the packing until a leak is observed.
4. In power sprayer Lubricating oil of the engine should be changed as per the user manual.
5. In power sprayer Recommended oils and fuels should always be used in the engine.
6. Spray nozzle and spray gun should be thoroughly cleaned after use.
#.General precautions for the safe use of insecticides:
1. The name on the container should be read carefully and manufacturer’s instruction should be followed.
2. The pesticides should be kept always in container with proper name.
3. The pesticides should be stored in a safe and locked place so that children may not touch them.
4. The pesticides should never be placed near food stuff or medicines.
5. Empty containers of dangerous pesticides should not be used for any alternative purpose.
6. Necessary protective clothing should be used while handling pesticides. The pesticide bags should not be torn but it should be cut with a knife.