Chapter 12

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
 Unit 7 Objectives:
 Identify various nozzles and their functions
 Understand how to calibrate sprayers
 Awareness of drift precautions and how to reduce drift risk

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
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Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
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 Airborne mosquito vs leaf fungus

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
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 Too big: land and run off
 Too small: not heavy enough and drift

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
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Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
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Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
 Nozzle Nomenclature
 Various types of nozzles
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Flow rates
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Spray angles
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Droplet sizes
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Spray patterns
 Often coded by the manufacturer to identify spray characteristics

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
 Tip number
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Nozzle type
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Flow rate
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Spray-fan angle
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May also list operating conditions
 Sprayer Calibration Guidelines
 Three variables affecting application rate:
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Nozzle flow rate
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Ground speed of the sprayer

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration

Effective sprayed width/nozzle
 Application rate can be determined w/ the following equation
 GPA = spray applied g/ac
 GPM = output/nozzle, g/m
 MPH = ground speed
 W = effective spray width/nozzle, inches
GPA= GPM * 5840
MPH * W

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
 For broadcast spraying
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W = the nozzle spacing
 For band spraying
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W = the bandwidth
 Row crop applications
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W = row spacing (bandwidth) divided by # nozzles per row
 5940 = constant that converts all units to gallons/ac

Unit 7: Application Equipment
& Calibration
 Selecting the proper nozzle tip
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Determine the required flow rate from each nozzle at a selected application rate
(GPA), MPH, W
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Flow rate/nozzle
GPM = GPA * MPH * W
5940

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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Select a nozzle that produces the required flow rate and droplet size when operated within the recommended pressure range
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Range of droplet sizes = droplet spectrum
 6 categories
 Very fine (VF, red)
 Fine (F, orange)
 Medium (M, yellow)
 Coarse (C, blue)
 Very coarse (VC, green)
 Extremely coarse (XC, white)

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Depends on nozzle space and spray height
 Higher = increased overlap
 Lower = decreased overlap
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Nozzle: 20 in apart
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Overlap: 50%
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10 in overlap

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Effective swath width: distance each successive swath should offset in order to allow the edges of neighboring swaths to overlap
 Swath: path

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Effective swath = total / 1 + overlap
 Overlap = 50% (.50)
 Total swath = 40 inches (area covered)
 ? Need to find effective swath ?
 40 / 1 + .5 = 27 inches effective swath

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Apply the right amount you need to know how much area you have
 Application rate: amount of material applied per unit treated
 Most areas irregular shaped
 Combination of several geometric shapes
 Basic dimensions are measured in feet
 Area = square feet
 Acre = area / 43,560(amt of square feet)

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Rectangle:
 Length * width
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Square feet
 Divide by 43,560 to get acre
 400 ft long
 200 ft wide
 Area = 80,000 ft 2 (400 * 200)
 Acre = 80,000 ft 2 / 43,560 ft 2 = 1.84 acres

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Triangle
 Length of one side (longest side) (base)
 Multiplied by the height
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Straight from the point
 Divide by two
 Base = 40 ft
 Height = 30 ft
 Area = 600 ft 2 ( 40 * 30 = 1200 / 2 = 600 ft)

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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 p r 2
 p
diameter radius
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Diameter = divide by 2 to get radius
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 Area = 3.14 * 40 * 40 = 5,024 ft 2

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Circle
 Diameter = 80 ft
 80 / 2 = 40
 3.14 * 40 * 40 = 5,024

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Used to treat volumes
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Volume of water in a pond, volume of grain (bushels) in a bin
Area * height or depth
 Pond = 5 acres
 Depth = 3 ft
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5 * 3 = 15
 Grain bin
 Floor area = 1,256 ft 2
 Height = 40 ft
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1256 * 40 = 50,240 ft 3
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50,240 / 1.25(cubic feet per bushel) = 40,192 bushels

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Liquid = gallons, quarts, pints, fluid ounces
 Label tells how much active ingredient in formulation
 Dry = pounds, ounces
 Label: 25WP
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25% active ingredient by weight

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 “of 100” 20% = 20 of 100
 % = part/whole * 100
 Part = whole * %/100
 5% of a mixture for application
 Total = 64 fluid ounces
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How many ounces?
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Part ? = 64 * 5/100
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Part = 3.2 ounces

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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 Need 6oz active ingredient of a 20% formulation
 Whole ? = 6 oz * 100/20%
 Whole = 30 oz

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 To mix the right amount you need to know:
 What area treated?
 Rate of the formulation?
 Total amount needed?
 How much pesticide is needed to treat 20 acres with 3 ounces per acre?
 What is the area? 20 acres
 What is the application rate? 3 oz per acre
 How much is needed? 20*3 60 oz

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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 Tank capacity /application rate = treatable area
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50 lbs of granules, 2 lb per 100 square ft. How much can be treated?
 50/2 = 25lbs granules/hundred square ft
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300 gallons applied at 15 gallons per acre. How much can be treated?
 300/15 = 20 acres

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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 Two applications: same active ingredient
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First = 3 oz per 1000 square feet
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How much of a 2 liter formulation can be used if limit is 6 oz per thousand square feet?
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Second application can not exceed 3 oz

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Spray most common
 Most diluted with carrier
 Usually water
 Can be other agents ( liquid fertilizer)

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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 Peristaltic, centrifugal, turbine, roller, diaphragm, piston
 Centrifugal:
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Low pressure (140 psi)
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High volume

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Roller
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Smaller
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Low and medium pressure(300psi)
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Not as many gallons per minute as centrifugal
 Diaphragm:
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Medium flow rate
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Medium to high pressure(725psi)
 Piston:
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Low flow rate
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High pressure(1000psi)

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Tanks
 Safely hold solution
 Strong
 Chemically resistant
 Proper shape for agitation
 Easy to clean
 Agitation
 Hydraulic
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Circulates through pump and back into mix
 Mechanical
 paddles

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Strainers
 Filters for foreign objects
 Hoses
 Proper size, strength, and material
 Pressure gauge
 Allows applicator
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Pump working
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Monitor application for problems
 Sudden drop or rise
 Measure near nozzle
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Most force

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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Spring loaded
 Adjusted to open at desired pressure
 Divert excess flow back in to tank
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Ball valve
 Restricts flow
 Nozzles
 Uniformity
 Reduce drift
 Amount sprayed

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
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 Orifice
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The spray opening
 Determined by nozzle
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Bigger nozzle: bigger orifice: more liquid can pass
 Measured
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Gallons per minute at different pressures
 Don’t increase pressure to get more spray
 Increase drift
 Get larger nozzle

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Individual requirements
 Mounting
 Overlap
 Misuse = poor results
 On boom
 Same size and type

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Clean thoroughly after each use
 Prevent contamination
 Nozzles
 Use nozzle brush

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Selecting the right size orifice (nozzle) and operating pressure
 Applied properly and make adjustments
 Three factors affecting how much is applied
 Application per minute
 Speed
 Spray width

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Calculation
 Flow rate of nozzle (GPM)
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Relationship between GPM & PSI
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See equation pg. 316
 Speed (MPH
 Effective spray width (W)
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GPA = GPM * 5,940 / MPH * W
 Find GPM
 Collect clean water from sprayer for 1 minute
 Determine fluid ounces divide by 128

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Example:
 How many gallons are applied per acre of the nozzle provides 0.3 gpm, are 20 inches apart, and you travel
12 miles per hour?
 GPM = 0.3
 MPH = 12
 W = 20
 GPA = 0.3 (GPM) * 5,940 / 12 (MPH) * 20 inches
 GPA = 1,782 / 240 = 7.4 GPA

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Measure MPH ( DO NOT RELY ON
SPEEDOMETER)
 MPH = feet * 60 / seconds * 88
 Half full of clean water
 Drive on similar terrain to what will be sprayed
 Time how long it takes
 How fast are you going if it takes 68 seconds to walk 300 feet?
 MPH = 300 * 60 / 68 * 88
 18,000 / 5,984 = 3.0 MPH

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Effective spray width (W)
 Distance between nozzles
 Band applications - width of the band
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Check label for range
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Change nozzle
 Calculate GPM (what you need)
 Rate (GPA)
 Speed (MPH)
 Effective spray width (W)

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 GPM = GPA * MPH * W / 5,940
 Example: What flow rate should a nozzle provide if you apply 25 GPA in a 15 inch band traveling 4 miles per hour?
 GPA = 25
 MPH = 4
 W = 15
 GPM = 25 * 4 15 / 5,940
 GPM = 1,500 / 5,940 = 0.25 GPM

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Small areas
 Test course
 Clean water
 Gallons per minute

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Components:
 Hopper
 Meter
 Agitator
 Distributor
 Calibration
 Put plastic bag under outlet
 Simulate spreading 100 square feet
 Distance = area / effective swath

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Example: If your spreader pattern is 4 feet wide how far do you have to travel to cover
100 square feet?
 Distance = 100 sq.ft / 4 feet = 25 feet

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Extended Range Flat-fan Nozzles
 Frequently used for soil & foliar applications
 80 ° fan angles
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20” centers, 17-19” boom height
 110 ° fan angles
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30” centers, 20-22” boom height
20” centers, 10-12” boom height
 50% overlap recommended

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Soil Application
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1030 psi, drift risk at psi’s >30
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40 psi should only be used for foliar application where penetration of canopy is essential
 Even Flan-Fan Nozzles
 Very uniform coverage
 Used only for banding over the row
 Psi operation range = 15-30 psi

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Band widths & boom heights
Band width
8”
10”
12”
15”
80 ° series boom height
95 ° series boom height
5”
6”
7”
9”
4”
5”
6”
8”

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Flooding Flat-fan Nozzles
 Wide-angle, flat-fan pattern
 Used to apply
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Herbicides
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Mixed herbicides
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Liquid fertilizers
Spacing = 40” or less
 8-25 psi operational range
 100% overlap recommended
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Doesn’t provide as complete coverage as other nozzles

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 More sensitive to psi adjustments
 Can be mounted vertical, horizontal, or at any angle depending on need
 Turbo Flood Nozzles
 Combine precision & uniformity of flat-fan and flooding nozzles
 Increases droplet sizes & pattern uniformity
 Operating psi 8-25
 50% overlap

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Turbo Flat-fan Nozzles
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Drift reduction over wider range of psi’s (15-
90)
30” spacing, 50% overlap
 Raindrop Nozzles
 Recommended when drift is a major concern
 20-50 psi operation range
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Wide angle, hollow cone spray pattern
No more than 30” spacing, angle at 30° from vertical

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Best used w/ soil applied herbicides
 100% overlap is best for good coverage
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Especially in foliar applications
 Wide-Angle Full-Cone Nozzles
 Produces larger droplet sizes to reduce drift over wide psi ranges
 Produces 120 ° spray angle
 15-40 psi
 Only 25% overlap recommended

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Hoods
 Hoods on the sprayer nozzles and booms can be effective or extremely ineffective depending on the use
 Concept is to reduce drift
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How can it actually cause more drift?
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How can it work effectively?
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Do you think row hoods are a good idea?
 What advantages would they provide?

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Emerging technologies
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Optical sensors
 Sensor detects weeds
 Activates spray nozzle to emit chemical
 Protect sensitive crops
 Reduce drift
 Reduce chemical costs of application
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Electronics for precision application
 Monitors for ground speeds, pressure, flow rates, etc.
 How will it improve chemical effectiveness/efficiency?

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration

Precision Agriculture (VRT)
 Use of GPS/GIS technologies to apply chemicals/fertilizers
 Concentrate herbicide applications to areas where the weeds are
 Reduce or eliminate chemical application to areas where there are no weeds present
 Reduces cost of chemical applications
 Reduces environmental contamination risks

Unit 7: Application Equipment &
Calibration
 Find an article related to Precision
Agriculture.
 Write a 1 page response/summary of the article.
 Bring to class to share.
 Worth 40 pts.