Replacing Your Spray Nozzle Robert E Wolf Extension

Replacing Your Spray Nozzle Robert E. Wolf Extension Specialist Application Technology Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Productivity The application triangle Off-site protection Efficacy

Powered Boom Sprayers:

Sprayer Components: • • • Tanks (contamination issues) Pump, Strainers, Agitation Pressure gauge Hoses, Flow control assemblies Electronics: monitors-computerscontrollers (GPS/GIS) • Distribution system • Nozzles!!!!!

Nozzle Technology: • Nozzles designed to reduce drift • Improved drop size control • Emphasis on ‘Spray Quality’

Nozzles Replacement: • Replacing worn spray nozzles protects against the danger of a chemical misapplication. • A combination of calibration and visual observation can be used to determine whether nozzles need to be replaced. – Increased flow rate – Poor patterns

Nozzle Replacement: • Influenced by: – Nozzle material – Sprayed solution – Pressure used – Cost of application error vs nozzle replacement cost

MATERIALS AND WEAR Percent increase in nozzle flow rate Flat-fan spray nozzles after 40 hour test

Nozzles are important because: • Control the amount – GPA. • Determine uniformity of application. • Affects the coverage. • Influences the drift potential.

Where do you start? • Calibration • Pattern quality

Calibration!!!! Ensuring that the spray output is what it is supposed to be!

Calibration includes: • Calculating the amount of product needed. • Mixing properly and safely. • Adjusting the equipment to deliver the desired rate uniformly. • Determining effective swath/overlap. • Checking accuracy during operation. • Detecting and correcting errors. • On a regular basis.

Electronics/Rate Controllers: • What is the purpose? • How does your system work when speed changes? • Is it pressure based? • What is the effect of going slower? • What is the effect of going faster?

Electronic Control Systems: Rate Controller systems include…. • • Speed sensor Servo-valve/flow meter Calculation Adjustment on-the-go

Control the Amount applied: Nozzle Flow Rate is affected by: • Orifice size • Pressure • Solution characteristics

Nomenclature: Extended Range Trade Name (S, H, P, K, SS) Stainless Steel Insert Orifice Visi. Flo Color Coding Fan angle and flow rateorifice size Rated Pressure = 40 psi for most nozzle types 10 psi for turbo flood nozzles

Typical nozzle numbering system: Extended-range flat-fan Even flat-fan – XR 11004 XR Extended-range 110 degree fan angle 04 0. 4 GPM @ 40 psi E Even spray pattern 80 80 degree fan angle 02 0. 2 GPM @ 40 psi TF-4 TTJ- 04 TF-TTJ Turbo Turf Flood 4 . 4 GPM @ 10 psi. 4 GPM @ 40 psi QCTF - 40 QCTF Quick attach turbo flood 40 4. 0 GPM @ 10 psi 8002 E (Band applications) Turbo flood – Turf flood (small capacity) Turbo flood – (Floater capacity)

#$!@&%! GPA= 5940 Calculations

Calibration/Nozzle Selection: • What is the first step? • Use label to select the – application volume – product rate • Choose an appropriate travel speed • Effective width of application – nozzle spacing • Calculate GPM – Flow rate per nozzle • Select the correct size of nozzle!

Ok, now I remember! GPA= 5940 Calculations

Flow Rate Equation: Equation # 2 • Calculates for amount of flow from one nozzle • Represents the size of nozzle to put on the sprayer

GPM Example Solution: Answer . 71

Selecting the proper nozzle…. • • • Calculate GPM (formula) Look under GPM column Match to pressure-psi Choose the size needed Operate at given pressure and speed used in formula to achieve GPA . 71

Checking for accuracy!!!

MEASURE SPEED (1 MPH = 88 Feet traveled in 60 seconds) Measure the ground speed in an area similar to the conditions of the area to be sprayed!

Set up for Uniformity: Goal is to put the material on evenly from nozzle to nozzle, end of boom to end of boom, and across the entire area. 20 -inch spacing requires 17 -19” above target for 50 -60% overlap. Nozzle mount angle?

Replacement decision: Pattern quality

Pattern Quality

The benefits: • Replacing worn nozzles protects against possible chemical misapplication • Combining calibration and visual observation for best decisions • Must be done on a regualar basis • Can be done ahead of time to prevent wasting valuable time • Change when flows and patterns are not up to standards.

Nozzles, tools and information: • Spraying Systems – Tee. Jet (nozzles and calibration tools) • http: //www. teejet. com/ms/teejet/ • Greenleaf Technologies (nozzles and calibration tools) • http: //www. turbodrop. com/ • Hypro Pumps (nozzles, fittings, ect. ) • http: //www. hypropumps. com/ • Redball LLC (pattern check device) • http: //www. redballproducts. com/

US Open - 2003