Aerial Application Liquid System Loadout
Product Measured With Weigh Tank: Dispensed Into Batch Tanks or Directly Into Planes
PROJECT: Pontiac Flying Service, Lexington, Illinois
OVERVIEW
In Pontiac Flying Service’s aerial application business, the main focus is to perform crucial fungicide application on corn and soybeans in the summer. The application window is very tight, and they need lots of airplanes to cover the acres.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
The prior loadout system in the building was outdated and slow so they needed to gain efficiency to maximize the number of acres they could apply. Along with having loads waiting for the planes when they land, they wanted to accurately measure chemicals and record order data for record keeping.
Their Kahler system has up to 32 products between bulk tanks and mini-bulks. The product is measured using a weigh tank and then dispensed into batch tanks or directly into the plane. Each batch tank has its own pump, valving, and air purge capabilities, along with level sensors to confirm product presence before filling. The system sequences the batch tank valves as needed for recirculation or dispensing through a 3” or 2” fill line. Pontiac Flying Service was able to retrofit their facility to enhance the speed and efficiency of their liquid load-out operations to meet current and future demand more effectively.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY
Kris Petersen, Manager and Pilot, Pontiac Flying Service
“We've used Kahler at other facilities since 2012 and we knew that's what we needed to do to speed things up and make it more efficient for us.
A lot of guys come here to help us out and they show up and they see all the airplanes and they think it's going to be absolute chaos. After a few days they're extremely impressed and they can't understand how we're able to run all these airplanes as quickly and efficiently as we do. And we tell them the secret is the Kahler Automation and our staff.
Accuracy and record keeping is phenomenal compared to what we used to do. We used to use meters and reset them all the time. Now with the scales and the weighing of everything, it comes out to pinpoint accuracy, and we have a record of everything that goes in the tank for every load.
Kahler was very thorough on the setup, the design, and then the final installation to get everything set up.”
