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

Productivity Efficacy Off-site protection The application triangle

Powered Boom Sprayers:

Sprayer Components: Tanks (contamination issues) Pump, Strainers, Agitation Pressure gauge Hoses, Flow control assemblies Electronics: monitors-computers- controllers (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?

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

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

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

Typical nozzle numbering system: Extended-range flat-fan XR 11004XRExtended-range degree fan angle psi Even flat-fan – (Band applications) 8002EEEven spray pattern 8080 degree fan angle psi Turbo flood – Turf Turf flood (small capacity) TF-4 TTJ- 04 TF-TTJTurbo Turf Flood psi.4 40 psi Turbo flood – (Floater capacity) QCTF - 40QCTFQuick attach turbo flood psi

Calculations GPA= 5940

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!

Calculations GPA= 5940 Ok, now I remember!

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

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 – TeeJet (nozzles and calibration tools) Greenleaf Technologies (nozzles and calibration tools) Hypro Pumps (nozzles, fittings, ect.) Redball LLC (pattern check device)

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