Unveiling Tank-Liquid Sloshing Effect on Joint Boom Stability of a Field Sprayer Under Different Running Process

The strong vibration excited by the tank-liquid sloshing of the field sprayer can result in uneven spraying, vehicle-body cartwheel, and the break of the boom during running process. So, it is crucial to investigate the stability of a field-sprayer boom under hazardous operating conditions on a specified ground surface, focusing on the coupled effects of tank-liquid sloshing, boom-connection stiffness, and nozzle jetting-force characteristics. A fluid–structure interaction framework combining volume of fluid (VOF)-based sloshing simulation, finite element modeling, and full-scale experiments is developed. It is shown that high liquid-filling ratios significantly amplify transient sloshing forces during braking and swerving, inducing strong direction-dependent boom vibrations and a distinct resonance band near 50–60 Hz. Increasing connection stiffness raises natural frequencies and reduces damping, thereby enlarging vibration amplitudes. The jetting-force amplitude attenuates X-direction vibration, while frequency variation produces notable resonance excitation aligned with the harmonics of the boom. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate strong consistency, validating the proposed model. The findings reveal key coupling mechanisms governing boom stability and provide practical guidance for structural optimization and vibration suppression in field sprayers.