Calibrating Sprayers for Droplet Size….….according to the label

Robert E. Wolf Extension Specialist Application Technology

Biological and Agricultural Engineering

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

Nozzle Efficacy/Drift Slope

• XR, TR

• Turbo Flood• Turbo TeeJet• Wilger Designs

• Air Mix• AI XR• GuardianAir

• AI• Ultra Low Drift• Turbo Drop

• TTI

Extended Range

Chamber Design

Venturi Design - I

Venturi Design - II

Nozzle development timeline

Nozzles-Recommended Use

Spray Management Valves

Spray Management Valve

2024283236404448

40 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Liquid Pressure (psi)

Max

Ver

tical

Rea

ch (

ft)

Gun #2 - 20 Gun #2 - 60 Gun #2 - 120

13

6.4

16

57.1 8.8

.9

1.8 2.2

# along curves aredischarge rates in GPM

Vertical Reach at Various Pressures (Spray Gun)

Accurate and efficient applications:Increase Efficacy – Minimize Drift

Converting to a flat-fan and/or drift reducing nozzle

Nozzles are important because:

• Control the amount – GPA.• Determine uniformity of application.• Affects the coverage.• Influences the drift potential.

Calibration!!!!

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

Calibrating Boom Sprayers – MF2894

Calibration/Nozzle Selection:

• What is the first step?• Use label to select the

– application volume– product rate

• Choose an appropriate travel speed - MPH

• Effective width of application– nozzle spacing

• Calculate GPM – Flow rate per nozzle

• Select the correct size of nozzle!

Flow Rate Equation:

GPM GPA x MPH x W5940

Equation

• Calculates for amount of flow from one nozzle

• Represents the size of nozzle to put on the sprayer

See Page 173, TeeJet Catalog 50A

GPM Example Solution:

GPM GPA x MPH x W5940

594020x12x7.5GPM

Answer .30gpm

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

.30

Page 9, 12, 14, 15

SpotOn Electronic Calibration ToolSuccessful Farming Sponsored and will publish findings.

Scott Bretthauer - U of IJim Wilson - SDSURandy Taylor - OSUBobby Grisso & Pat Hipkins - VTUMark Hanna – ISUBob Wolf – KSU

Calibration!!!!The next phase!

Ensuring that the spray droplet spectrum is what it is supposed to be to maximize

efficacy while minimizing drift!

ASABE S-572.1 Droplet Size Standard

2009

Spray Quality Categories

ASABE Standard S-572.1Category (symbol) Color CodeExtra Fine (XF) PurpleVery Fine (VF) RedFine (F) OrangeMedium (M) YellowCoarse (C) BlueVery Coarse (VC) GreenExtra Coarse (XC) WhiteUltra Coarse (UC) Black

2009

S572

NEW

NEW

Source: Crop Life – July 2002

>150

151-250

251-350

351-450

451-550

>551

ASABE Standard

Page 4

Page 6

- Sole ingredient is 2,4-D: Generate COARSE or COARSER

spray droplets (ASABE S-572)

- When mixed with other actives that require a medium or fine

spray apply as MEDIUM or COARSER spray.

See Page 182, TeeJet Catalog 50A

Selecting The Proper Nozzle

• Calculate GPM (formula)• Look under GPM column• Choose the size needed• Match pressure(psi) and

Droplet Classification• Operate at given pressure and

speed used in formula to achieve GPA and the desired droplet size

Page 9, 12, 14, 15

MEDIUM

0.30 gpm

Fact Sheet: MF2869

www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf

www.turbodrop.com

 

Boom Buster – Evergreen Products

XP BoomJet TeeJet

Boom Extender: Hypro

Total Drift Ranked:

INT 908

Control

Interlock

0.8

Tap W

ater +

oil

Tap W

ater 3

Tap W

ater 1

Form

ula 1

Interlock

1.25

Tap W

ater 2

Superb

HC + Inter

lock

#PX056-Z

AG 06037

AG 080500.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

36.5 37.7 37.8 41.6 44.1 50.1 53.3 53.9 57.7 61.5 63.571.4 74.6

a

cde de

ef effg

g

aaabc

ab

bcd cde

water average

Volume Median Diameter (VMD)

050

100150200250300350400450500

11004XR 11004TT TF 2 11003AI

Mic

rons

Water RWM + 2%AMSRWM + 1% AMS + Array RWM + 2% AMS + BorderRWM + 2% AMS + Placement

40 psi 40 psi 40 psi 70 psi

% less than 210 Microns

37 51 36 35 45 23 30 14 15 26 19 22 14 13 22 10 17 29 29 15

Bob Klein, U of Nebraska

Percent fines

Disclaimer:

• Brand names appearing in this presentation are for identification and illustration purposes only.

• No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/Thanks!

For more information contact:rewolf@ksu.edu