Selecting Nozzles while Selecting Nozzles while Calibrating Your Field Calibrating Your Field

SprayerSprayerCecil TharpCecil Tharp

Pesticide Education ProgramPesticide Education Program

Montana State University ExtensionMontana State University Extension

Proper Calibration OffersProper Calibration Offers

Better Pest Control Environmental and human safety Effective use of time Save $$

Backpack Sprayer Backpack Sprayer (GPA) 128 (GPA) 128thth Acre Method Acre Method

Use water when calibratingUse water when calibrating Use same nozzles and filters as when sprayingUse same nozzles and filters as when spraying Measure an 18 ½ by 18 ½ ft area.Measure an 18 ½ by 18 ½ ft area. Spray area with water and time how long it takesSpray area with water and time how long it takes

Constant speed and constant pressureConstant speed and constant pressure

Spray water into a container for same amount of Spray water into a container for same amount of time.time.

Ounces = Gallons Per Acre AppliedOunces = Gallons Per Acre Applied

Sample ScenarioSample ScenarioUsing 128Using 128thth Acre Scenario Acre Scenario

Takes 10 seconds to spray 128Takes 10 seconds to spray 128thth Acre Acre In 10 seconds you spray 10 ounces.In 10 seconds you spray 10 ounces. What is the GPA output?What is the GPA output?

10 GPA

CALIBRATING BOOM CALIBRATING BOOM SPRAYERSSPRAYERS

Find GPA? How?Find GPA? How?

Product Label RecommendationsProduct Label Recommendations

Your product label often describes the proper Your product label often describes the proper GPA (gallons per acre) for your sprayer.GPA (gallons per acre) for your sprayer.

ex. 20 GPA is recommendedex. 20 GPA is recommended

Use the 5940 METHOD to find your nozzle sizeUse the 5940 METHOD to find your nozzle size GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940

5940 method5940 method

GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940 GPA = Gallons Per Acre (product label) GPM = Gallons per Minute collected from a

single nozzle (Make sure all nozzle are within a 5% range.)

5940 is a constant MPH = Field Speed W = 1) width between nozzles in inches or 2)

width of a broadjet swath in inches.

Selecting the Appropriate Nozzle GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940 Let’s say you need to spray 20 GPA, you Let’s say you need to spray 20 GPA, you

have 30” spaced nozzles, and you will have 30” spaced nozzles, and you will drive 5 mph.drive 5 mph.

GPM = 20 GPA * 30” * 5mph / 5940GPM = 20 GPA * 30” * 5mph / 5940 0.505 or 0.5 GPM nozzles needed0.505 or 0.5 GPM nozzles needed

Selecting Nozzles (TeeJet.com)Selecting Nozzles (TeeJet.com)

Solid Stream NozzlesSolid Stream Nozzles Handgun sprayers Handgun sprayers

(livestock, tree pests, (livestock, tree pests, crevice treatment)crevice treatment)

Cone NozzlesCone Nozzles Complete penetration Complete penetration

desireddesired

Fan Pattern NozzlesFan Pattern Nozzles Uniform spray coverageUniform spray coverage Most CommonMost Common

Find the correct nozzlesFind the correct nozzles

Flat Fan NozzlesFlat Fan Nozzles Standard: 30 – 60 PSI Standard: 30 – 60 PSI Even (E): uniform / banded applicationsEven (E): uniform / banded applications Extended Range (XR or LFT): 15 – 25 PSI / drift Extended Range (XR or LFT): 15 – 25 PSI / drift

control can be as high as 60 PSIcontrol can be as high as 60 PSI ex. XR8001SSex. XR8001SS

Spray angles are 65, 73, 80, and 110Spray angles are 65, 73, 80, and 110 We obtained 0.5 GPM so you would need a We obtained 0.5 GPM so you would need a

nozzle labeled with 05.nozzle labeled with 05.

Selecting the right Nozzles Selecting the right Nozzles (what material)(what material)

Nozzle MaterialNozzle Material Nozzle LifeNozzle Life

Brass (B)Brass (B) PoorPoor

Nylon Nylon FairFair

Stainless Steel (S)Stainless Steel (S) GoodGood

Plastic Plastic GoodGood

Hardened Stainless SteelHardened Stainless Steel ExcellentExcellent

Nozzle DescriptionNozzle Description

Ex. XR8001SSEx. XR8001SS 11stst 2 letters are the acronym for type of nozzle 2 letters are the acronym for type of nozzle

(Extended Range Flat Fan)(Extended Range Flat Fan) Last 2 numbers are always GPM = .1 GPMLast 2 numbers are always GPM = .1 GPM Numbers remaining determine the width of your Numbers remaining determine the width of your

spray from each nozzle: 80 degrees / spray from each nozzle: 80 degrees / determines height of your sprayerdetermines height of your sprayer

Last 2 letters are always material. = Stainless Last 2 letters are always material. = Stainless SteelSteel

Examples of what you will see:Examples of what you will see:

Some Examples of Nozzle Material AcronymsSome Examples of Nozzle Material Acronyms XR8004VS -  Stainless Steel with Visflo color-coding    XR8004VS -  Stainless Steel with Visflo color-coding     XR11004-VP -  Polymer with VisiFlo color-coding     XR11004-VP -  Polymer with VisiFlo color-coding     XR11004-VK -  Ceramic with polypropylene VisiFlo color-coding     XR11004-VK -  Ceramic with polypropylene VisiFlo color-coding     XR8010SS -  Stainless Steel     XR8010SS -  Stainless Steel     XR11004VB -  Brass with VisiFlo color-coding (110°)XR11004VB -  Brass with VisiFlo color-coding (110°)

Double Check your GPA AnnuallyDouble Check your GPA Annually

Goal: To determine how many gallons of liquid your sprayer actually emits onto 1 acre.

Boom Sprayer Shortcut Method to Determine GPA Longhand Method

Check nozzle spacing and heightCheck nozzle spacing and height

Boom Level or Nozzle Angle Boom Level or Nozzle Angle CorrectCorrect

Worn Spray TipsWorn Spray Tips

Verify that all nozzles are equalVerify that all nozzles are equal

Nozzle OutputNozzle Output

Check nozzle output for 1 minute and get Check nozzle output for 1 minute and get averageaverage

If each nozzles output is not greater or If each nozzles output is not greater or less than 5% off of average, all is well.less than 5% off of average, all is well.

How?How?

5% error level5% error level

To find 5% Find your average…48 oz Move the decimal place one space to the left. 48. =

4.8 This is a 10% error Divide by 2 = 2.4. This is 5% error Now add 2.4 to 48 for +5% Subtract 2.4 from 48 for 5% Error range = 45.6 and 50.4 Any nozzle output between 45.6 and 50.4 is OK!

GPA for Boom Sprayer cont.GPA for Boom Sprayer cont.Shortcut MethodShortcut Method

11stst – Determine Nozzle output is same. – Determine Nozzle output is same.

22ndnd – Flag out Course Length based on your nozzle spacing – Flag out Course Length based on your nozzle spacing

18” = 227’ course length18” = 227’ course length

20” = 204’ course length20” = 204’ course length

30” = 136’ course length30” = 136’ course length

40” = 102’ course length40” = 102’ course length Or 340 / spacing in feet Or 340 / spacing in feet

33rdrd - Drive course in gear and rpm you - Drive course in gear and rpm you

will use when spraying andwill use when spraying and

time yourself.time yourself.

GPA for Boom Sprayer cont..GPA for Boom Sprayer cont..

Conduct 2 or 3 times and get averageConduct 2 or 3 times and get average

44thth - Collect liquid from 1 nozzle for this - Collect liquid from 1 nozzle for this

amount of timeamount of time

55thth - Ounces of liquid collected = GPA - Ounces of liquid collected = GPA

Sample Scenario Boom SprayerSample Scenario Boom Sprayer

18” wide nozzles, 6 nozzles18” wide nozzles, 6 nozzles What to do?What to do? Travel 227’ and timeTravel 227’ and time 30 seconds30 seconds Measure amount delivered in that 30 Measure amount delivered in that 30

secondsseconds 15 ounces in 30 seconds15 ounces in 30 seconds 15 GPA15 GPA

You know GPA, now how much You know GPA, now how much solution do you need?solution do you need?

Acres * GPA = Volume in TankAcres * GPA = Volume in Tank 10 acres * 30 GPA = 300 Gallons10 acres * 30 GPA = 300 Gallons

How much chemical do you need?How much chemical do you need?

Acres * product rate = Total Product Acres * product rate = Total Product Product Rate = 2 pints / AcreProduct Rate = 2 pints / Acre You will be spraying 10 acresYou will be spraying 10 acres 20 pints of product20 pints of product

Sample QuestionsSample Questions

You have an output of 20 GPA You have an output of 20 GPA You need to spray 300 acresYou need to spray 300 acres#1 - How much of a spray mixture will you #1 - How much of a spray mixture will you

need?need? 6000 gallons6000 gallonsYou need to apply 2 oz / acre of Warrior 1E.You need to apply 2 oz / acre of Warrior 1E.#2 - How much product do you put in tank?#2 - How much product do you put in tank? 600 oz of Warrior600 oz of Warrior

Questions ContinuedQuestions Continued

#3 You have 20” nozzles and travel 204’ in #3 You have 20” nozzles and travel 204’ in 25 seconds.25 seconds.

-You collect 10 ounces in 25 -You collect 10 ounces in 25 seconds.seconds.

-What is your GPA?-What is your GPA?

10 GPA10 GPA

Question continuedQuestion continued

You are trying to select a nozzle and it reads You are trying to select a nozzle and it reads XR11004BXR11004B..

#4 What type of nozzle is this?#4 What type of nozzle is this? Extended Range Flat FanExtended Range Flat Fan

#5 What angle of spray mist is emitted from these nozzles?#5 What angle of spray mist is emitted from these nozzles? 110 degrees110 degrees

#6 How low can you hold this boom at this spray angle?#6 How low can you hold this boom at this spray angle? 15 – 18”15 – 18”

#7 How many gallons per minute does this nozzle emit at a standard #7 How many gallons per minute does this nozzle emit at a standard pressure?pressure? .4 Gallons Per Minute (standard 40 PSI).4 Gallons Per Minute (standard 40 PSI)

#8 What material is this?#8 What material is this? BrassBrass

#9 What is the nozzle life of this nozzle?#9 What is the nozzle life of this nozzle? PoorPoor

Questions?Questions?

#10: What width and length would easily #10: What width and length would easily qualify for using the short cut 128qualify for using the short cut 128thth acre acre method for calibrating your backpack method for calibrating your backpack sprayer?sprayer?

18 1/2 x 18 ½ feet

QuestionsQuestions