Calibration 2014 Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator Training Program University of Wisconsin Extension 1 of 40

Calibration 2014 Purpose of Calibration To deliver the correct rate of pesticide AND Apply it uniformly over the target area Photo source: Syngenta 2 of 40

Calibration 2014 Purpose of Calibration Errors can lead to crop injury or loss of money 3 of 40

Calibration 2014 Mini-Sprayers and Pattern Each nozzle is a “mini-sprayer” 1. Nozzle/boom height 2. Nozzle angle 3. Nozzle spacing 4 of 40

Calibration 2014 Spray Rate 1.Nozzle flow rate 2.Speed of travel 5 of 40

Calibration 2014 Spray Rate – Nozzle Flow Rate 1.Nozzle flow rate 2.Speed of travel Pressure OK for small adjustments Have to increase 4x to double output 6 of 40

Calibration 2014 Spray Rate – Nozzle Flow Rate 1.Nozzle flow rate 2.Speed of travel For larger changes in output, consider changing the nozzle Gallons per minute - GPM XR degree angle 0.3 GPM at 40 psi 7 of 40

Calibration 2014 Spray Rate – Speed of Travel 1.Nozzle flow rate 2.Speed of travel One to one Speed up put less out Easy way to make changes 8 of 40

Calibration 2014 Spray Rate – Speed of Travel 1.Nozzle flow rate 2.Speed of travel Speed (MPH) = distance in feet x 0.68 time in seconds 9 of 40

Calibration 2014 The 4 steps to Calibration 1. Determine Required Flow Rate 10 of 40

Calibration 2014 The 4 steps to Calibration 1. Determine Required Flow Rate 2. Actual Flow Rate – Uniformity of Flow Rate 11 of 40

Calibration 2014 The 4 steps to Calibration 1. Determine Required Flow Rate 2. Actual Flow Rate – Uniformity of Flow Rate 3. Adjust to Flow Rate 12 of 40

Calibration 2014 The 4 steps to Calibration 4. Determine how much pesticide and water to add to the tank 1. Determine Required Flow Rate 2. Actual Flow Rate – Uniformity of Flow Rate 3. Adjust to Flow Rate

Calibration st Step – Determine Flow Rate MPH - Decide speed GPA - Gallons per Acre are given by label W - Nozzle spacing in inches GPM = MPH x GPA x W of 40

Calibration st Step – Determine Flow Rate GPM = MPH x GPA x W 5940 Example: Wish to spray Whoop-IT. The label says to apply at 1 pt/A in 15 to 20 GPA. You wish to travel at 8 MPH GPM = 8 MPH x 15 GPA x GPM = 0.3 This is your “required” flow rate 15 of 40

Calibration nd Step – Actual Flow Rate Required flow rate is 0.3 GPM If all your nozzles are within 5% error of 12.8 fl oz in 20 seconds of 40

Calibration nd Step – Actual Flow Rate Required flow rate is 0.3 GPM But if you are NOT within 5% of your required flow rate then... You actually collect 8.5 fl oz in 20 sec  0.2 GPM 17 of 40

Calibration nd Step – Adjust Flow Rate 1.Speed GPM= MPH x x GPA W of 40

Calibration nd Step – Adjust Flow Rate 1.Speed MPH= W x GPA 5940 xGPM 19 of 40

Calibration nd Step – Adjust Flow Rate 1.Speed MPH= 15 inches x 15 GPA 5940 x0.2 GPM 5.3 MPH 20 of 40

Calibration nd Step – Adjust Flow rate 1.Speed 2.GPA GPM= MPH x x GPA W of 40

Calibration nd Step – Adjust Flow rate 1.Speed 2.GPA GPA= 15 inches x 8 MPH 5940 x0.2 GPM 10 GPA This is below the label 15 to 20 GPA rate range 22 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add You must know: The product rate The required spray rate (GPA) Tank capacity of or field size 23 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add 500-gallon tank Sprayer is calibrated at 20 GPA 32 fl oz Glyphosate 41 per acre 24 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add Step 1: how many acres will each tankful spray Acres per = 500-gal tank = 25 acres tank 20 GPA 25 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add to a Full Tank Step 2: how much Glyphosate 41 to add to each tank? Product per= 25 acres x 32 fl oz/A tank = 800 fl oz  6 gal + 2 pt 26 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add to a Partial Tank 15-acre field Sprayer is calibrated at 20 GPA 12 fl oz/A of Headline fungicide 27 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add Partial Tank Step 1: how much water to add to the tank? Water per= 15 acres x 20 GPA tank = 300 gals of mix 28 of 40

Calibration th Step – Amount to Add to a Partial Tank Step 1: how much Headline? Product per = 15 acres x 12 fl oz per acre tank = 180 fl oz  1 gal pt 29 of 40

Calibration th Step – Adjuvant Rates Rate expressed as product per Acre Rate expressed as a percentage Amount needed = product rate x acres = 2 pts crop oil x 16 acres = 32 pts (4 gals) Amount needed = percentage x gals spray mix = 0.25% x 250 gals 100 = gals adjuvant  5 pts 30 of 40

Calibration of 40

Calibration 2014 Granular Applications – Ounces per 1000 ft of row 30” row  2.5 ft  ft 2 = 17,424 ft long 2.5 ft for an acre 2.5’ 17,424 ft 32 of 40

Calibration 2014 Granular Applications – Ounces per 1000 ft of row 2.5’ 17,424 ft 1000 ft x 8.8 lbs = 0.5 lb  8 ozs per 17, 424 ft 1000 ft 33 of 40

Calibration 2014 Granular Applications – Ounces per 1000 ft of row Step 1: Mark a distance of 1,000 feet in the field Step 2: Adjust each hopper unit to recommended settings Step 3: Ready the hopper units for measuring output Step 4: Drive the measured distance 34 of 40

Calibration 2014 Granular Applications – Ounces per 1000 ft of row Step 5: Weigh material from each unit Unit Weight (ounces) of 40

Calibration 2014 Granular Applications – Ounces per 1000 ft of row Step 6: Adjust units not within 5% of the recommended rate of 8 oz Five percent of 8 ounces is: 8 ounces x.05 Recalibrate units whose output is: less than 7.6 ounces or greater than 8.4 ounces 36 of 40

Calibration 2014 Granular Applications – Ounces per 1000 ft of row Step 5: Weigh material from each unit Unit Weight (ounces) X X Acceptable Range in output 7.6 – 8.4 ounces 37 of 40

Calibration 2014 Why calibrate, I have one of these? 38 of 40

Calibration 2014 Why calibrate I have one of these? It is always a good idea to check: Equipment wears out Equipment can be off Constants in the computer may be wrong Slippage can lead to the wrong speed And of 40

Calibration 2014 Why not make sure it is working? GPS Gone Wrong! What DID you do Father!?! The gizmo said to turn RIGHT! 40 of 40

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