1. Sprayer Calibration Using the K.I.S.S. Method Craig Runyan, Water Programs Coordinator Extension Plant Sciences Department New Mexico State University

2. Steps to Proper Application *Know the Pest *Consider alternative controls *Know the surface area measurement *Insure accurate application rate *Use appropriate PPE *Carefully calculate & measure tank mix

3. Sprayer Constants Four elements of sprayer operation. When any one changes, the equipment MUST be Recalibrated -Ground speed -Spray pressure -Nozzle orifice size -Number of nozzles

4. Getting Started What You Need -Personal Protective Equipment -Measuring tape 50 ft or > -Measuring beaker in fluid ounce graduations -Stop watch or sweep second hand -Calculator (for the mathematically challenged) What You Need to Know 43560 128

5. Step 1 Determine Effective Spray Width (ESW) ESW(broadcast) = nozzle spacing x # of nozzles Example - ESW = 20” x 8 = 160” or 13.3 ft ESW (banding) = band width x # of nozzles Example - ESW = 6” x 8 = 48” or 4 ft

6. Step 2 Measure off a Test Area (TA) ESW x any convenient length Example - 13.3’ x 50’ = 665 sq. ft.

7. Step 3 Determine the # of Test Areas/Acre # of sq. ft./Acre = TA/Acre # of sq. ft./TA Example 43560 sq. ft./Acre 665 sq. ft./TA = 65.5 TA’s/Acre Note: For application rates per 1000 sq.ft., substitute 43560 with 1000.

8. Step 4 Determine time required to cover TA Operate sprayer with speed and pressure at field operating conditions Reach field operating speed before entering the course Determine an average of three timed trials

9. Step 5 Determine sprayer output for Test Area -Use field operating pressure -Catch individual nozzle output over time required to cover TA -Measure each nozzle and compare output relative to others Note: Maximum + 5% nozzle variation Determine total output/TA Avg. fl. oz./nozzle x # of nozzles = total fl. oz. Example - 6fl. oz./nozzle x 8 nozzles = 48fl. oz./TA

10. Step 6 Determine sprayer output/Acre fl. oz./TA x # of TA’s/Acre = fl.oz./Acre Example 48fl.oz./TA x 65.5 TA’s/Acre = 3,144fl.oz./Acre Convert to Gallons/Acre fl.oz./Acre fl.oz./Gallon = Gallons/Acre Example - 3,144fl.oz./Acre 128fl.oz./Gallon = 24.5Gallons/Acre