Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Chapter 12

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Unit 7 Objectives: Identify various nozzles and their functions Understand how to calibrate sprayers Awareness of drift precautions and how to reduce drift risk

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Most common applied Sprays Granule Powder  Direct injection  gas

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Equipment and method specialized to specific use ID target What is the pest? How does the pesticide work? Where it should be applied? (on plant, soil)  Airborne mosquito vs leaf fungus

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Adequate coverage reach target and stay there Particle size  Too big: land and run off  Too small: not heavy enough and drift

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration All part will be affected

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Spot Portion of total area Dandelions Band Narrow strip Between rows of corn  Uniform within strip

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Broadcast Entire field Insect infestation

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration

Spray pattern that applies over the adjoining area to improve uniformity Expressed in percentages

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration

Nozzle Nomenclature Various types of nozzles Flow rates Spray angles Droplet sizes Spray patterns Often coded by the manufacturer to identify spray characteristics

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Tip number Nozzle type Flow rate Spray-fan angle May also list operating conditions Sprayer Calibration Guidelines Three variables affecting application rate: Nozzle flow rate Ground speed of the sprayer

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Effective sprayed width/nozzle Application rate can be determined w/ the following equation GPA = spray applied g/ac GPM = output/nozzle, g/m MPH = ground speed W = effective spray width/nozzle, inches GPA=GPM * 5840 MPH * W

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration For broadcast spraying W = the nozzle spacing For band spraying W = the bandwidth Row crop applications W = row spacing (bandwidth) divided by # nozzles per row 5940 = constant that converts all units to gallons/ac

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Selecting the proper nozzle tip Determine the required flow rate from each nozzle at a selected application rate (GPA), MPH, W Flow rate/nozzle GPM =GPA * MPH * W 5940

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Select a nozzle that produces the required flow rate and droplet size when operated within the recommended pressure range Range of droplet sizes = droplet spectrum  6 categories  Very fine (VF, red)  Fine (F, orange)  Medium (M, yellow)  Coarse (C, blue)  Very coarse (VC, green)  Extremely coarse (XC, white)

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Depends on nozzle space and spray height Higher = increased overlap Lower = decreased overlap Nozzle: 20 in apart Overlap: 50% 10 in overlap

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Effective swath width: distance each successive swath should offset in order to allow the edges of neighboring swaths to overlap Swath: path

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Effective swath = total / 1 + overlap Overlap = 50% (.50) Total swath = 40 inches (area covered) ? Need to find effective swath ? 40 / = 27 inches effective swath

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Apply the right amount you need to know how much area you have Application rate: amount of material applied per unit treated Most areas irregular shaped Combination of several geometric shapes Basic dimensions are measured in feet Area = square feet Acre = area / 43,560(amt of square feet)

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Rectangle: Length * width Square feet Divide by 43,560 to get acre 400 ft long 200 ft wide Area = 80,000 ft 2 (400 * 200) Acre = 80,000 ft 2 / 43,560 ft 2 = 1.84 acres

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Triangle Length of one side (longest side) (base) Multiplied by the height Straight from the point Divide by two Base = 40 ft Height = 30 ft Area = 600 ft 2 ( 40 * 30 = 1200 / 2 = 600 ft)

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Circle  r 2  = “pi” 3.14 r = radius  Diameter = divide by 2 to get radius 40 ft radius Area = 3.14 * 40 * 40 = 5,024 ft 2 diameter radius

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Circle Diameter = 80 ft 80 / 2 = * 40 * 40 = 5,024

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Used to treat volumes Volume of water in a pond, volume of grain (bushels) in a bin Area * height or depth Pond = 5 acres Depth = 3 ft 5 * 3 = 15 Grain bin Floor area = 1,256 ft 2 Height = 40 ft 1256 * 40 = 50,240 ft 3 50,240 / 1.25(cubic feet per bushel) = 40,192 bushels

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Liquid = gallons, quarts, pints, fluid ounces Label tells how much active ingredient in formulation Dry = pounds, ounces Label: 25WP 25% active ingredient by weight

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration “of 100” 20% = 20 of 100 % = part/whole * 100 Part = whole * %/100 5% of a mixture for application Total = 64 fluid ounces How many ounces? Part ? = 64 * 5/100 Part = 3.2 ounces

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Whole = part * 100/% Need 6oz active ingredient of a 20% formulation Whole ? = 6 oz * 100/20% Whole = 30 oz

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration To mix the right amount you need to know: What area treated? Rate of the formulation? Total amount needed? How much pesticide is needed to treat 20 acres with 3 ounces per acre? What is the area? 20 acres What is the application rate? 3 oz per acre How much is needed? 20*3 60 oz

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration How much the area can treat Tank capacity /application rate = treatable area 50 lbs of granules, 2 lb per 100 square ft. How much can be treated? 550/2 = 25lbs granules/hundred square ft 300 gallons applied at 15 gallons per acre. How much can be treated? 3300/15 = 20 acres

Labels restrict how much applied in one year Two applications: same active ingredient First = 3 oz per 1000 square feet How much of a 2 liter formulation can be used if limit is 6 oz per thousand square feet? Second application can not exceed 3 oz

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Spray most common Most diluted with carrier Usually water Can be other agents ( liquid fertilizer)

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Many different kinds of equipment Basic parts in common Pump Peristaltic, centrifugal, turbine, roller, diaphragm, piston Centrifugal: Low pressure (140 psi) High volume

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Roller Smaller Low and medium pressure(300psi) Not as many gallons per minute as centrifugal Diaphragm: Medium flow rate Medium to high pressure(725psi) Piston: Low flow rate High pressure(1000psi)

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Tanks Safely hold solution Strong Chemically resistant Proper shape for agitation Easy to clean Agitation Hydraulic Circulates through pump and back into mix Mechanical paddles

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Strainers Filters for foreign objects Hoses Proper size, strength, and material Pressure gauge Allows applicator Pump working Monitor application for problems  Sudden drop or rise Measure near nozzle Most force

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Pressure and flow control Controlled with valves Spring loaded  Adjusted to open at desired pressure  Divert excess flow back in to tank Ball valve  Restricts flow Nozzles Uniformity Reduce drift Amount sprayed

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Amount of spray Orifice The spray opening Determined by nozzle Bigger nozzle: bigger orifice: more liquid can pass Measured Gallons per minute at different pressures  Don’t increase pressure to get more spray  Increase drift  Get larger nozzle

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Individual requirements Mounting Overlap Misuse = poor results On boom Same size and type

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Clean thoroughly after each use Prevent contamination Nozzles Use nozzle brush

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Selecting the right size orifice (nozzle) and operating pressure Applied properly and make adjustments Three factors affecting how much is applied Application per minute Speed Spray width

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration

Calculation Flow rate of nozzle (GPM) Relationship between GPM & PSI See equation pg. 316 Speed (MPH Effective spray width (W) GPA = GPM * 5,940 / MPH * W Find GPM Collect clean water from sprayer for 1 minute Determine fluid ounces divide by 128

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Example: How many gallons are applied per acre of the nozzle provides 0.3 gpm, are 20 inches apart, and you travel 12 miles per hour? GPM = 0.3 MPH = 12 W = 20 GPA = 0.3 (GPM) * 5,940 / 12 (MPH) * 20 inches GPA = 1,782 / 240 = 7.4 GPA

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Measure MPH ( DO NOT RELY ON SPEEDOMETER) MPH = feet * 60 / seconds * 88 Half full of clean water Drive on similar terrain to what will be sprayed Time how long it takes How fast are you going if it takes 68 seconds to walk 300 feet? MPH = 300 * 60 / 68 * 88 18,000 / 5,984 = 3.0 MPH

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Effective spray width (W) Distance between nozzles Band applications - width of the band Check label for range Change nozzle Calculate GPM (what you need) Rate (GPA) Speed (MPH) Effective spray width (W)

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration GPM = GPA * MPH * W / 5,940 Example: What flow rate should a nozzle provide if you apply 25 GPA in a 15 inch band traveling 4 miles per hour? GPA = 25 MPH = 4 W = 15 GPM = 25 * 4 15 / 5,940 GPM = 1,500 / 5,940 = 0.25 GPM

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Small areas Test course Clean water Gallons per minute

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Components: Hopper Meter Agitator Distributor Calibration Put plastic bag under outlet Simulate spreading 100 square feet Distance = area / effective swath

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Example: If your spreader pattern is 4 feet wide how far do you have to travel to cover 100 square feet? Distance = 100 sq.ft / 4 feet = 25 feet

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Extended Range Flat-fan Nozzles Frequently used for soil & foliar applications 80° fan angles 20” centers, 17-19” boom height 110° fan angles 30” centers, 20-22” boom height 20” centers, 10-12” boom height 50% overlap recommended

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Soil Application psi, drift risk at psi’s >30 40 psi should only be used for foliar application where penetration of canopy is essential Even Flan-Fan Nozzles Very uniform coverage Used only for banding over the row Psi operation range = psi

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Band widths & boom heights Band width80° series boom height 95° series boom height 8”5”4” 10”6”5” 12”7”6” 15”9”8”

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Flooding Flat-fan Nozzles Wide-angle, flat-fan pattern Used to apply Herbicides Mixed herbicides Liquid fertilizers Spacing = 40” or less 8-25 psi operational range 100% overlap recommended Doesn’t provide as complete coverage as other nozzles

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration More sensitive to psi adjustments Can be mounted vertical, horizontal, or at any angle depending on need Turbo Flood Nozzles Combine precision & uniformity of flat-fan and flooding nozzles Increases droplet sizes & pattern uniformity Operating psi % overlap

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Turbo Flat-fan Nozzles Drift reduction over wider range of psi’s (15- 90) 30” spacing, 50% overlap Raindrop Nozzles Recommended when drift is a major concern psi operation range Wide angle, hollow cone spray pattern No more than 30” spacing, angle at 30° from vertical

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Best used w/ soil applied herbicides 100% overlap is best for good coverage Especially in foliar applications Wide-Angle Full-Cone Nozzles Produces larger droplet sizes to reduce drift over wide psi ranges Produces 120° spray angle psi Only 25% overlap recommended

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Hoods Hoods on the sprayer nozzles and booms can be effective or extremely ineffective depending on the use Concept is to reduce drift How can it actually cause more drift? How can it work effectively? Do you think row hoods are a good idea?  What advantages would they provide?

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Emerging technologies Optical sensors  Sensor detects weeds  Activates spray nozzle to emit chemical  Protect sensitive crops  Reduce drift  Reduce chemical costs of application Electronics for precision application  Monitors for ground speeds, pressure, flow rates, etc.  How will it improve chemical effectiveness/efficiency?

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Precision Agriculture (VRT)  Use of GPS/GIS technologies to apply chemicals/fertilizers  Concentrate herbicide applications to areas where the weeds are  Reduce or eliminate chemical application to areas where there are no weeds present  Reduces cost of chemical applications  Reduces environmental contamination risks

Unit 7: Application Equipment & Calibration Find an article related to Precision Agriculture. Write a 1 page response/summary of the article. Bring to class to share. Worth 40 pts.