Considerations for Selecting Turf Spray Tips Maximizing control while minimizing spray drift!

Changes in the Application Industry! Historically inefficient process Increased cost of pesticides Product rates are changing (< an ounce/acre) More pest specific products Biotechnology and GMO’s (Roundup Ready, Bt’s) More sophisticated equipment (electronics) $$$ Variable rates Site-specific Focus on Drift

Equipment cost today?

Sprayer Components:

Spray Characteristics are Important to Understand: Demonstrates Turbo Flat vs TurboDrop-5 MPH Wind

Misapplication: Without proper attention to the nozzle, you may end up with a …… Misapplication

Why is the Nozzle Important? Amount of spray applied Uniformity of the spray Coverage on the target Amount of off-target drift

1. Control the Amount applied: Nozzle Flow Rate is affected by: Orifice size Pressure Solution characteristics Water Fertilizer

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!

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

GPM Example Solution: Answer.71

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 Selecting the proper nozzle…..71

Electronics/Rate Controllers 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?

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!

2. 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.

3. Will determine coverage: Need knowledge of the product being used. Systemic Contact What is the target? Soil Grass Broadleaf (smooth, hairy, waxy) Leaf orientation – time of day

4. Will affect drift: Movement of spray particles off-target. Creating smaller spray drops will result in increased drift. Is it Coverage vs Drift? What is the answer? $64,000 Question?

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

What’s New - Turf?

Turbo Turf Flood Nozzle Flat Spray Pattern Uniform spray distribution Tapered edge 50% overlap Turbulation chamber Pre-orifice design Large-drift resistant droplets

Raindrop compared to a Turbo Turf Flood Raindrop DropTurbo Turf Flood 5.0 MPH wind at 40 psi

Turbo Turf Flood at 40 psi and 10 mph, 1 pass Raindrop at 40 psi and 10 mph, 1 pass % Area Coverage-6.1 % Area Coverage-21.8 % Area Coverage-0.5 % Area Coverage-0.7 Area represented is between 4 & 8 ft. from end of boomArea represented is between 2 & 4 ft. from above boom

Air-Induction/Venturi Nozzles Where air is drawn into the nozzle cavity and exits with the fluid.

Air/Induction – Venturi Nozzle: Greenleaf – TurboDrop Air intake venturi section Mixing Chamber - air and spray solution blended Pattern tip forms large air- bubble drops Exit tip flow 2X venturi orifice Better Penetration? Reduced run-off? Improved coverage? Adequate efficacy? Reduced drift?

XR 40, 80 PSI Turbodrop 40, 80 PSI Boom Drift

XR Flat-fan and Turbo Flat-fan compared to Venturi Style Nozzle MPH wind at 40 psi XR vs TurboDropTurbo Flat vs Turbo Drop

Broadleaf Efficacy Study 2001 Spray Tips and Volume Confront Trimec Classic No Significant differences

Broadleaf Efficacy Study 2001 Spray Tips and Volume Interaction Confront Trimec Classic No Significant differences

Example Reference Graph Cumulative Volume Fraction Drop Size (microns) very fine/ fine fine/medium medium/ coarse coarse/ very coarse very coarse/ extremely coarse VF F M C VC XC New Label language- EPA Reviewing Public Comments Public ‘Listening Sessions’ planned Sometime in 2003?? Match the crop protection product to the target Adhere to label guidelines based on an industry standard ASAE S-572 Buffer Zones or No Spray Zones Maximize Efficacy Minimize Drift EPA Requested Changes Coming!!!!

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