What is the purpose of bleed valves at the ends of the spray boom?

The purpose of bleed valves at the ends of the spray boom is to prevent pressure buildup from trapped air. In an aerial application system, maintaining optimal pressure is crucial for accurate and effective pesticide distribution. When the system is filled with liquid, air can become trapped, leading to pressure changes that can adversely affect spray performance.

Bleed valves provide an outlet for this trapped air, allowing it to escape and ensuring that the spray system operates smoothly without any obstructive pressure build-up. This helps to maintain consistent spray patterns and improves overall application efficiency.

While other options may relate to aspects of spray application or management of chemicals, they do not pertain specifically to the function of bleed valves. For instance, bleed valves do not enable pesticide reuse, eliminate residual pesticides, or adjust spray angles—all of which are functions carried out by other components of the aerial application system.