How to Setup Boom Sprayer Nozzles
The proper use of pesticides requires a correct setting, or calibration, of a boom sprayer. If the setting is off or incorrect, it is highly probable that the environment will become contaminated by too much chemical spray. If it is too little, the job of controlling pests will not be achieved and you will waste your time. Using the "tank refill" method is the easiest way to set and calibrate a boom sprayer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Two wood stakes
- Surveyor tape
- Measuring tape
- Graduated bottle
- Graduated gallon bucket
Instructions
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1
Make sure that the sprayer does not have a worn or blocked nozzle, or screens with dirt debris. Remove the end caps of the boom and allow water to flow through the boom to ensure that it is unblocked and that any accumulated dirt is expelled.
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2
Fill the spray tank with water and start the sprayer. Afterwards, adjust the pressure regulator to the operating pressure condition. Spray from each nozzle for about 25-30 seconds and collect the water in a graduated bottle. Ensure that the spray output from any one nozzle does not vary more than 10 percent of the water flow output of the other nozzles. If it does, this means that you must replace the damaged nozzle.
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3
Locate an area that contains soil that is like the area that you will be working on. Get two stakes and insert them in the ground 660 feet apart from each other. Apply surveyor's tape to the top of each individual stake so that you can locate them.
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4
Put clean water in the tank and make sure to record the level of fluid. Before you calibrate, choose your pressure and operating speed. Record the throttle setting in the tractor when the tractor speed is selected. As you apply pesticide, the speed and pressure selected for calibration must be used.
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5
Shut the sprayer off and stop the tractor about 25 feet from the first stake. Get the right RPM by increasing the speed of the engine as the tractor brakes are set.
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6
Allow the tractor to move forward by releasing the brakes while not moving the throttle. As the boom passes by the first stake, make sure that you turn on the sprayer and turn it off as you pass by the second stake in the ground.
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7
Use a graduated bucket to refill the spray tank. Make a note of the water amount that is needed to raise the fluid to the line marked on the tank previously. The following formula can be utilized to know the rate of application of the sprayer:
Gallons per acre (GPA) = Gallons to refill X 66 /spray width (feet)
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