Drift-Reducing Nozzles Rich Affeldt Extension Crop Scientist Jefferson County Acknowledgment: Dr. Tom Wolf, Agri-Food Canada Dr. Bob Wolf, Kansas State University Mark Mellbye, OSU Extension

Quick review: Nozzles Are Labeled by Spray Angle and Output An 8002 is? 80 0 And? 0.2 gpm at 40 psi.

Choosing nozzles is usually a balance between coverage and drift potential.

Nozzle Types

Conventional Flat Fan (XR) Proven Wide pressure range Potential for drift

Drift Reduction – Pre-Orifice TeeJet DG Drift Guard Turbo TeeJet Turbo FloodJet

Drift Guard (DG) Pre-orifice chamber reduces internal nozzle pressure psi creates similar amount of fines as normal flat fan at psi Higher pressure prevents tailing-off at ends of boom Flat FanDrift Guard

Turbo TeeJet (TT) Pre orifice turbulence chamber Wide angle, flood- type, psi Medium to coarse droplets

Turbo TeeJet (TT)

Air Induced (Venturi-type) Venturi chamber mixes air with spray solution Coarse droplets with few fines Not like conventional nozzles at low pressure

Air Induced (Venturi-type) Be aware of: –Differences in pressure operating range –Ease of cleaning –Ability to fit into existing nozzle caps Eight brands available in North America

TeeJet Air Induction Other similar designs Stainless steel tip Available even fan psi –Best from psi Requires special cap

Greenleaf TurboDrop Most proven psi –Best from TurboDrop XL –Lower pressure version

Greenleaf AirMix Relatively new Lower pressure than most venturi-type –15-90 psi –Best from psi

New release in 2007: XR outlet with venturi air aspirator design More compact than AI style 2-piece with removable pre- orifice AI XR TeeJet

Next Generation Air Induction Nozzles: More compact Larger drops Operates at lower pressures Percentage of fines do not increase with pressure Turbo Injection - TTI

Next Generation Air Induction Nozzles: More consistent droplet All-in-one cap and screen Wide angle with 20 degree incline Aim forward or backword Guardian

Volume Median Diameter

Nozzles-Recommended Use

40 psi XR nozzle 70 psi AI nozzle

Comparison with Greenleaf venturi type % spray < 100 microns About 2%

Comparison with Greenleaf venturi type % spray < 100 microns 2%

Nozzle Summary 1. Conventional (XR) Proven, wide pressure range, drift prone 2. Pre-orifice (DG, TT) Proven, higher pressures, 50% less drift 3. Low-Pressure Air Induced (“venturi”) Reasonable press., more water, 50-70% less drift 4. High Pressure Air Induced (“venturi”) Higher press, more water, 70-95% less drift

Twin Jet Nozzles Often marketed for “better canopy penetration” Research at KSU in soybean showed less canopy penetration than a single orifice nozzle

Calibration!!!! The next phase! Ensuring that the spray droplet spectrum is what it is supposed to be to maximize efficacy while minimizing drift!

Volume Median Diameter

Source: Crop Life – July 2002 > >551

Droplet Selection/Calibration:

Droplet Spectra Classification*

Greenleaf Droplet chart:

Volume Median Diameter (VMD) 40 psi 40 psi 40 psi 70 psi % less than 210 Microns Bob Klein, U of Nebraska Percent fines

On the Internet –Summary of drift reducing nozzles –A leading expert on nozzle technology – Regional supplier of GreenLeaf nozzles

VariTarget: Speed variations from 2-20 MPH Application rates of 5-40 GPA Variable area pre orifice Variable area spray orifice Optimize spray droplet size Maintain efficacy and minimize drift