Cecil Tharp MSU Pesticide Education Program Pesticide Education Specialist Department of Animal and Range Montana State University

Step 1. Select appropriate type of nozzle Step 2. Determine sprayer speed Step 3. Determine output (GPA) and droplet size from label. Step 4. Select appropriate type and sized nozzle to deliver desired GPA from available charts or use the 5940 equation.

 Solid Stream Nozzles  Handgun sprayers (livestock, tree pests, crevice treatment)  Cone Nozzles  Complete penetration desired  Spot sprays and some fungicides  Cluster nozzles or broadjets  used either without a boom or at the end of booms  Used in rough terrain.  Sprays a wide swath with only a few nozzles (from 5 – 80’).

 Flood nozzles are often used for applying liquid fertilizers or fertilizer-pesticide mixtures or for directing herbicide sprays up under plant canopies. 15 – 25 psi  Flat Fan Nozzles are often used for broadcast applications for herbicide, insecticide and fungicide applications. Narrow oval spray pattern. Most common. Can vary from 15 – 100 psi depending on type of flat fan.

 Flat Fan Nozzles  Pre 80’s  Standard nozzles: 30 – 60 PSI  1980’s  Extended range nozzles: 15 – 60 PSI  Extended Range Nozzles (1980’s)  Extended Range (XR )  1 st two – three numbers: Spray angles  65, 73, 80, and 110  Last two numbers: NOZZLE FLOW RATE  0.5 GPM = Nozzle labeled with 05.  What does this mean: XR8001SS? XR8001SS  XR = Extended Range  80 degree spray pattern  0.1 gallons per minute  Stainless steel

 Ex. XR8001SS  1 st 2 letters are the acronym for type of nozzle (Extended Range Flat Fan)  Last 2 numbers are always GPM =.1 GPM  Numbers remaining determine the width of your spray from each nozzle: 80 degrees / determines height of your sprayer  Last 2 letters are always material. = Stainless Steel

Nozzle MaterialNozzle Life Brass (B)Poor Nylon Fair Stainless Steel (S)Good Plastic Good Hardened Stainless SteelExcellent

Nozzle MaterialNozzle Life Brass (B)Poor (inexpensive) Nylon Fair Stainless Steel (S)Good Plastic Fair (breaks down to solvents) Hardened Stainless SteelExcellent

 Surveys indicate 71% of MT certified private applicators have sprayed when they knew it was too windy.  Surveys indicate 33% of MT certified private applicators caused spray drift damage to adjacent crops.

 Turbo Teejet Nozzle (TT): Flat Fan type/15 – 90 psi  Pressure reducing turbulence chamber.  Reduce spray drift by 50% compared to XR  Hypro Guardian Nozzle: Flood type/15 – 115psi  Pressure reducing turbulence chamber.  Excellent choice for rate controllers (var. pressure)  Medium to coarse droplets  Reduce spray drift by 50% compared to XR

 Flat fan nozzle  Internal orifice that regulates flow.  Air is mixed with spray solution  Larger droplets  Droplets shatter on impact increasing coverage  Venturi Design I: mid 90’s  High Pressure AI models (40 – 110 psi)  Venturi Design II: 2000 – 2005  Low Pressure AI models (20 – 70 psi)

Figure obtained from Dr. Bob Wolf (KSU).

Studies and Figure by Dr. Bob Wolf, Kansas State University. Research conducted by Dr. Bob Wolf (Kansas State University)

 XR  Chamber Designs: ex.  Turbo Teejet  AI nozzle

Make a test strip to verify MPH Distance (feet) x 60 Time (seconds) x 88 It takes 1 minute to travel 88 feet 88’ x 60 / 60 seconds x 88 = 1MPH How many mph does that equal? 1 MPH

 Your product label often describes the proper GPA (gallons per acre) for your sprayer.  example. 20 GPA is recommended  Plug in desired field speed.  Use the 5940 METHOD to find nozzle size

 GPM = GPA * W * MPH / 5940  Let’s say you need to spray 20 GPA, you have 30” spaced nozzles, and you will drive 5 mph.  GPM = 20 GPA * 30” * 5mph / 5940  or 0.5 GPM nozzles needed Purchase nozzles rated at 0.5 GPM!

 Check your pesticide product label or use droplet size according to general guidelines.

 If we are driving 5mph and a desired GPA is 10.  You wish to deliver medium droplets

You have an applicator who wishes to apply a contact insecticide to manage grasshoppers. The product label requires fine droplets at 20 GPA. He will be traveling at 5 mph. # 1 What nozzle would you recommend? Extended Range Nozzle: XR11003 at 50 psi #2 If the label required coarse droplets and you had a sensitive crop nearby. What nozzle would you recommend? Extended Range Nozzle: XR8005 at 20psi Turbo Teejet Nozzle: TT11004 at 30psi *Air Induction Teejet: AI11025 at 80psi

An applicator who wishes to control noxious weeds is using a pesticide labeled for extremely coarse droplets at an output of 40 gallons per acre. He is flexible with field speed. #3 What nozzle and mesh screen would you recommend and at what speed and pressure? Air Induction Teejet: AI11006 at 30PSI and 4 mph (50 mesh)? Air Induction Teejet: AI11008 at 40PSI and 6 mph (50 mesh) Turbo Teejet: TT11008 between 4 and 5 mph at 20 psi (50 mesh)

An applicator is using air induction nozzles and is complaining about the efficacy of the product he is using. He is using AI11004 at 40 psi to achieve an output of 30 GPA. #1 What would you recommend? #1 Applicator could raise his spray pressure. 60PSI at 5 mph or 90PSI at 6 mph #2 Applicator could change to a variety of different nozzles example: Turbo Tee-Jet or XR nozzles. #3 Possibly add spray adjuvant for better coverage