Spray equipment calibration pest & weed

Equipment Calibration

(Guessing is NOT a Strategy)

Our Equipment. Your Success.www.QSpray.com

Andrew GreessNPMA SW Conference

Albuquerque, NM

January 2011

Before We Start:

- Share experiences

- Ask Questions


Calibration Outline:

- Equipment to be Calibrated

- Why Calibrate?

- Calibration Caveats

- Factors affecting Calibration

- Tools Required

- ExamplesOur Equipment. Your Success.

www.QSpray.com

Calibration Examples:- Per Minute Application

Power Sprayer Pest Control

B&G/Backpack Pest Control

Fogger/Actisol Pest Control

Dusters Pest Control






- Per Acre Application

Granulators Pest Control

Power Sprayer Weed Control

Boom Sprayer Weed Control

Backpack Weed Control

Why Calibrate?


Why Calibrate?


- Control Chemical Costs

Why Calibrate?



- Proper Results

Why Calibrate?



- Proper Results

- Safety Risks

Why Calibrate?



- Proper Results

- Safety Risks

- Liability Risks

Why Calibrate?



- Proper Results

- Safety Risks

- Liability Risks

- Label/Regulatory Compliance

Calibration Caveats:


- Your calibration if valid only for a specific piece of

equipment, settings & conditions.





- If settings or conditions change, RECALIBRATE!






- Just because you calibrated 6 months ago, doesn’t

mean you know what is going on today.






- Just because you calibrated 6 months ago, doesn’t

mean you know what is going on today.

- If your mix rate or application techniques are off,

calibration doesn’t matter.

Factors Affecting Calibration:


- Engine Speed



- Engine Speed

- Pump Settings/Pressure



- Engine Speed


- Equipment Age & Wear



- Engine Speed



- Hoses & Fittings



- Engine Speed



- Hoses & Fittings

- Spray Tips



- Engine Speed



- Hoses & Fittings

- Spray Tips

- Equipment Settings, e.g., Agitation



- Engine Speed



- Hoses & Fittings

- Spray Tips

- Equipment Settings, e.g., Agitation

If anything changes,

RECALIBRATE!

Tools You Need for Calibration:




- The Equipment being calibrated




- Appropriate work place (not in client’s driveway)

X





- Measuring Device – with appropriate calibration






- Receptacle (to catch water/material)







- Water Source







- Water Source

- Stop Watch (second hand)







- Water Source

- Stop Watch (second hand)

- Paper, Pencil, Calculator

Calibration Examples:






- Per Acre Application

Granulators Pest Control

Power Sprayer Weed Control

Boom Sprayer Weed Control

Backpack Weed Control


Math

Ahead

Calibration Examples:Power Sprayer – Determine Gallons per Minute (GPM)



- Easier with 2 people




- Fill spray tank with clean water





- Find the right size catch bucket






- Set the sprayer EXACTLY (speed, gun, tip, etc.)







- Fill a bucket for exactly 1 minute








- Measure the water








- Measure the water

- Repeat & confirm


Calibration Examples:Manual Sprayer (B&G, Backpack) – Determine GPM


Calibration Examples:Manual Sprayer (B&G, Backpack) – Determine GPM

- Fill tank with water


- Pump & spray EXACTLY how you will be using the sprayer


- Measure the water

- Repeat & confirm


Calibration Examples:Foggers/Actisol Sprayers – Determine GPM




2 Methods:

- Measure the liquid

- Weigh the liquid


2 Methods:

- Measure the liquid

- Weigh the liquid

- Don’t recommend

using water

Calibration Examples:Foggers/Actisol Sprayers – Measure the Liquid

- Start with an empty tank

- Measure a precise amount of liquid

- Put the liquid in the tank






- Set the unit EXACTLY (speed, gun, tip, etc.)

- Operate sprayer for exactly 1 minute








- Pour remaining liquid into measuring device

- Calculate liquid used

- Repeat & confirm

Calibration Examples:Foggers/Actisol Sprayers – Weigh the Liquid


- Weigh the empty unit





- Weigh a precise amount of liquid, e.g., 16 oz.


















- Weigh the unit


- Repeat & confirm Our Equipment. Your Success.www.QSpray.com

Calibration Examples:Electric Dusters – Determine Pounds per Minute


Calibration Examples:Electric Dusters – Determine Pounds per Minute


Same as Foggers

- Weigh empty unit

- Weigh dust

- Use unit for exact time period

- Re-weigh unit to determine usage

Calibration Examples:Granulators – Determine Pounds per Acre



1. I do not believe you can get an accurate calibration while

walking around a home applying granules





2. Do not recommend relying on unit specs (speed, granule

size, unit wear)





2. Do not recommend relying on unit specs (speed, granule

size, unit wear)

3. Determine square footage then put down the correct

amount of granules



- Weigh the granulator when empty

- Fill the granulator

- Weigh the full granulator

- Subtract the weight of the granulator to get the weight of

granules the device can hold



- At the Property,

determine the square footage to be treated

- E.G., 50’ x 50’ Home (50+50+50+50=200’ perimeter)

- 200’ perimeter x 10’ wide band = 2000 square feet

- Talstar Granules, 3 lbs/1000 sq ft (read label)

- Need to apply 6 lbs around this houseOur Equipment. Your Success.

www.QSpray.com

Calibration Examples:Power Sprayer – Determine Gallons per Acre (GPA)



- Fill tank with water (e.g., exactly 50 gallons)

- Find a suitable test area (asphalt or concrete)

- Measure out a test plot (e.g., 100’ x 40’, 4000 sq ft)



- Fill tank with water (e.g., exactly 50 gallons)

- Find a suitable test area (asphalt or concrete)

- Measure out a test plot (e.g., 100 x 40, 4000 sq ft)


- Spray the test plot

- Determine how many gallons were used, e.g. 15 gallons


Calibration Examples:- THE MATH

Example: We used 15 gallons on 4000 square feet.

How many gallons do we need per acre?





15 gallons = X gallons

4000 sq ft 40,000 sq ft (1 acre)





15 gallons = X gallons

4000 sq ft 40,000 sq ft (1 acre)

X = 150 gallons

Use this to calculate tank mix rate


Calibration Examples:Backpack Sprayers – Determine GPA



- Layout a test plot, e.g., 50’ x 20’






- Set the sprayer & pump EXACTLY (speed, gun, tip, etc.)







- Set the sprayer & pump EXACTLY (speed, gun, tip, etc.)


- Pour remaining liquid into measuring device


- Calculate GPA

- Use GPA to calculate tank mix rate



Label Rate = 4 oz/1000 square feet

Use 4 oz in 2 gallons or 8 oz in a 4 gallon backpack


Calibration Examples:Boom Sprayer – Determine Gallons per Acre (GPA)

- Herbicide Applications

- Separate Training Class

- Lots of Methods

Ground Speed

Stationery

Volume

1/128 Method

- Links at Qspray.com


Calibration – The Easy Way


Digital Flow Meters

Calibration Keys:


- Calibration can be critical to your success

- Calibration is for specific equipment, settings & conditions

- If anything changes or time passes, recalibrate

- Calibration is one piece of the pie (mix rate, technique, etc.)

- If you don’t know how, ask for help

More Info on Spray Equipment:


Cheat Sheets: www.Qspray.com/termites

Pest Management Magazine articles

www.SprayEquipmentBlog.com

follow on Twitter & FB: Andrew Greess

Contact: info @ qspray.com or (800) 675-7485

Call us when you need sprayers/parts/advice

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Spray equipment calibration pest & weed