SPRAYING INFORMATION & CALIBRATION PROCEDURES

spraying information & calibration procedures INTRODUCTION Accurate calibration is an essential element of any spraying function as it ensures that the pesticide/ herbicide is applied at the rate on the product label. Application in excess of the recommended rate is prohibited, can damage crops and is uneconomical. Calibration must always be carried out: • When spraying for the first time with new spray equipment • At the beginning of each season • After changes of nozzle tips, spraying pressure or speed • After every 100 hectares of spraying The following pages give some information on how to...

spraying information &ISJ AGRICULTURAL NOZZLES calibration procedures SPRAYING Spraying coverage Overall spraying is when the entire field is to be treated. The width that each nozzle sprays, adjusted for spray overlap, is the distance between nozzles on the spray boom. Band spraying is when planted rows or unplanted gaps are treated. The width that each nozzle sprays is the width of the treated band. Sprayer Speed Forward speed of the spraying machine should be measured accurately. Sensors should be calibrated after installation or servicing. Wheel-driven speedometers should be calibrated whenever...

spraying information & calibration procedures TECHNICAL SUGGESTIONS Following you will find some formulas and charts, that can be very useful for proper spraying. How to calculate the forward speed Speed is a basic datum to calculate the sprayed volume (litres/hectares or GPA). When it’s not possible to have a speedometer (and when you want to check its precision), you can do the following: - Fill half the tank - Measure 100 mt on the field - Drive the distance using gear position and RPM, that you require for spraying. Record the time it takes you. - Repeat the previous point at least 5 times...

SPRAYING INFORMATION & CALIBRATION PROCEDURES CALIBRATION PROCEDURES The following table gives a step-by-step guidance on the standard method of sprayer calibration See page 6 for a copy of this table with blank fields for data entry. BOOM SPRAYERS HYDRAULIC NOZZLES EXAMPLE

spraying information & calibration procedures CALIBRATION PROCEDURES - PRINT VERSION To print this page, select Print from the File menu, choose Current Page from the print options. BOOM SPRAYERS HYDRAULIC NOZZLES Spray VOLUME Product Dose Spray QUALITY Measure TIME per 100 Metres Measure time in seconds over land similar to that to be sprayed Calculate SPEED SPEED = 360 divided by TIME Measure Nozzle SPACING Measure TIME per 100 Metres OUTPUT = VOLUME x SPEED x SPACE ÷ 600 Refer to nozzle manufacturers data charts or other sources and select the size and type of nozzle that will produce the...

spraying information &ISJ AGRICULTURAL NOZZLES calibration procedures SPRAY PATTERN TYPE Flat Fan pattern Available as a tapered spray for boom applications or an even spray for single nozzle applications; e.g. knapsacks. They have an elliptical orifice, which produces a narrow oval pattern. Tapered nozzles produce a triangular spray pattern where most of the spray is deposited immediately under the nozzle. By overlapping tapered sprays across a boom, an even distribution across a boom can be obtained. Deflect pattern Also known as anvil or flood nozzles, deflect nozzles produce wide angled flat...

spraying information & calibration procedures SPRAYING For effective spraying ensure you have taken the following factors into account 1. Work Rates • Speed of operation • Water points or nurse tanks • Rate of travel • Swath width • Spray volume applied 2. Wind and drift • Wind Speed • Wind Direction • Airspeed at boom height Avoid spraying on still warm days as convection currents may cause drift in unpredictable directions. Optimum wind speeds are between 3km/h to 7 km/h. • Wind direction and drift is controlled by;: • Reducing nozzle height • Reducing pressure and using larger nozzles • Fit...