Crop Protection Equipment and Calibration Basic Training Presentation

Changes in the Application Industry! Historically inefficient process Increased cost per acre for crop protection Rates are changing (< an ounce/acre) More pest specific products (foliar) Biotechnology and GMO’s – Issues???? More sophisticated equipment (electronics) $$$ Environmental impact (water and air) Variable rates Site-specific 2 4

R-U Ready Soybean Explosion 1996-1 Million 1998 20-30 Million Acreage of roundup ready ready (genetically modified) soybeans under cultivation in the United States. 1997 9 Million 1999 35 Million

Equipment cost today? How much do these machines cost? $150,000 - 200,000 +

Equipment cost today? How much does this machine cost? $250,000 - 300,000

What about the cost of the nozzle?

Application Equipment and Calibration Outline Discuss Misapplication Basic Application Equipment Components of a Sprayer System Designs Understanding Nozzles Importance of Nozzles Calibration and Nozzle Selection Spray Solution Affect on Output Ground Speed

Application is Important: Many complaints to chemical company representatives involve improper application of chemicals. Improper mixing procedures Travel speed errors Uniformity of coverage Incorrect quantities added to the tank Particle drift Selection and maintenance of nozzles

Misapplication Facts: Farmland Insurance Based on insurance claim payouts!

Application Equipment: Two basic types of application systems: Liquid (sprayers) Granular

Basic application devices: Hand can pump sprayers Backpack sprayers Boom sprayers High pressure sprayers Air-assist sprayers Aerial (spray and granular) Granular

Sprayer Components: Tanks (contamination issues) Pump, Strainers, Agitation Pressure gauge Hoses, Flow control assemblies Electronics: monitors-computers- controllers (GPS/GIS) Distribution system Nozzles!!!!!!!!!

Types of Pumps: Roller Pump Centrifugal Pump Diaphragm Pump Piston Pump Peristaltic Pump (Squeeze or hose pump – chemical injection)

Plumbing Diagram

Plumbing Diagram

Plumbing Diagram:

Nozzle Types: Cone Spray Tips: Flat Spray Tips: Raindrop Extended Range Flat-fan Drift Reduction Flat-fan Turbo Flood Flat-fan Turbo Flat-fan AI Flat-fan TurboDrop Cone Spray Tips: Raindrop

Spray Characteristics are Important to Understand:

Selecting the proper nozzle: Legal issues!! Following the label!

Nozzles are important because:

Misapplication: Without proper attention to the nozzle, you may end up with a Misapplication

1. Control the Amount applied: Nozzle Flow Rate is affected by: Orifice size Pressure Solution characteristics

Nomenclature: Rated Pressure = 40 psi for most nozzle types Extended Range Trade Name (S,H,P,K,SS) Stainless Steel Insert Orifice VisiFlo Color Coding Fan angle and flow rate-orifice size Rated Pressure = 40 psi for most nozzle types 10 psi for turbo flood nozzles 7

Typical nozzle numbering system Extended-range flat-fan XR 11004 XR 110 110 degree fan angle 04 0.4 GPM @ 40 psi Even flat-fan – (Band applications) 8002E E Even spray pattern 80 80 degree fan angle 02 0.2 GPM @ 40 psi Turbo flood - (small capacity) TF- 4 TF Turbo flood 4 4 GPM @ 10 psi Turbo flood – (Floater capacity) QCTF - 40 QCTF Quick attach turbo flood 40 4.0 GPM @ 10 psi EQU 5 Manufacturers use their own nozzle numbering system. Keep the manufacturer’s product catalog handy for quick reference.

MATERIALS AND WEAR Percent increase in nozzle flow rate Flat-fan spray nozzles after 40 hour test 8

2. Set up for Uniformity Goal is to put the material on evenly from nozzle to nozzle, end of boom to end of boom, and across the entire field. 20-inch spacing requires 17-19” above target for 50-60% overlap.

3. Will determine coverage: Need knowledge of the product being used. Systemic Contact What is the target? Soil grass broadleaf (smooth, hairy, waxy)

$64 Million Question? 4. Will affect drift: Movement of spray particles off-target. Creating smaller spray drops will result in increased drift. Is it Coverage vs Drift? What is the answer? $64 Million Question?

Calibration/Nozzle Selection What is the first step? Use label to select the application volume product rate Choose an appropriate travel speed Effective width of application nozzle spacing Calculate GPM – Flow rate per nozzle Select the correct size of nozzle!

#$!@&%! GPA= 5940 Calculations

Ok, now I remember! GPA= 5940 EQU 23 Calculations

Nozzle size - Variables Nozzle flow rate (GPM) Ground speed (MPH) Effective sprayed width (W) Application rate (GPA) 9

Application Rate Equation Calculates for application rate Represents total amount applied for an acre

Flow Rate Equation Calculates for amount of flow from one nozzle Represents the size of nozzle to put on the sprayer

Where: GPA = ______________________ GPM = ______________________ MPH = ______________________ W = ______________________ 5940 = a constant to convert gallons per minute, miles per hour, and inches to gallons per acre gallons per acre gallons per minute miles per hour nozzle spacing - inches 14

Variables 4 1/2 1/2 1. Nozzle Flow Rate - Gallons Per Minute (GPM) To double the nozzle output, the pressure must increase times 4 2. Ground speed - Miles Per Hour (MPH) 1/2 Doubling the ground speed reduces GPA rate by___ 3. Effective Sprayed Width (W) (Nozzle spacing, band width, number of nozzles on drop) Doubling the effective sprayed width per nozzle decreases the application rate by . 1/2 12

Electronics/Rate Controllers How does your system work when speed changes? Is it pressure based? What is the effect of going slower? What is the effect of going faster?

Application Nozzle type GPA MPH -INCH SPACING GPM = x x 5940 GPM = = The correct nozzle is used at psi. 21

GPM Example You want to broadcast a foliar herbicide at 12 GPA traveling 12 MPH using extended range flat-fan nozzles on 20-inch spacing. Use equation to calculate for flow rate?

GPA Example Solution GPM=? GPA=? MPH=? W=? GPM=? GPA=12 MPH=12 W=20

GPM Example Solution Answer .48

Selecting the proper nozzle…. Page 51 TeeJet Catalog

Selecting the proper nozzle…. Calculate GPM (formula) Look under ‘Capacity of 1 nozzle in GPM’ column Match to pressure-psi Choose the size needed Operate at given pressure and speed used in formula to achieve GPA .48

Spray Solution Characteristics A. Surface Tension B. Density C. Viscosity Effects droplet size, not flow Weight/unit volume density - flow rate decreases Resistance to flow 11

Spraying Solutions other that water: 28% CONVERSION – see page 124, SS 28% = _______ lbs/gal Specific Gravity = Weight of 28%/gal divided by weight of water/gal = 17

1.28 28% CONVERSION 10.65 28% = _______ lbs/gal Specific Gravity = Weight of 28%/gal divided by weight of water/gal 10.65 10.65 1.28 = 8.34 18

Conversion factor = square root of specific gravity of 28% x = 19

Conversion factor = square root of specific gravity of 28% 1.13 x = 1.13 20

MEASURE SPEED (1 MPH = 88 Feet traveled in 60 seconds) Measure the ground speed in an area similar to the conditions of the area to be sprayed! 15

Nozzle Selection Chart: