Transcript Sprayer Calibration

Sprayer Calibration
Using the
K.I.S.S. Method
Craig Runyan, Water Programs Coordinator
Extension Plant Sciences Department
New Mexico State University
Steps to Proper Application
*Know the Pest
*Consider alternative controls
*Know the surface area measurement
*Insure accurate application rate
*Use appropriate PPE
*Carefully calculate & measure tank mix
Sprayer Constants
Four elements of sprayer operation. When any
one changes, the equipment MUST be
Recalibrated
-Ground speed
-Spray pressure
-Nozzle orifice size
-Number of nozzles
Getting Started
What You Need
-Personal Protective Equipment
-Measuring tape 50 ft or >
-Measuring beaker in fluid ounce graduations
-Stop watch or sweep second hand
-Calculator (for the mathematically challenged)
What You Need to Know
43560
128
Step 1
Determine Effective Spray Width (ESW)
ESW(broadcast) = nozzle spacing x # of
nozzles
Example - ESW = 20” x 8 = 160” or 13.3 ft
ESW (banding) = band width x # of nozzles
Example - ESW = 6” x 8 = 48” or 4 ft
Step 2
Measure off a Test Area (TA)
ESW x any convenient length
Example - 13.3’ x 50’ = 665 sq. ft.
Step 3
Determine the # of Test Areas/Acre
# of sq. ft./Acre = TA/Acre
# of sq. ft./TA
Example 43560 sq. ft./Acre
665 sq. ft./TA
= 65.5 TA’s/Acre
Note: For application rates per 1000 sq.ft., substitute 43560 with 1000.
Step 4
Determine time required to cover TA
•Operate sprayer with speed and pressure
at field operating conditions
•Reach field operating speed before
entering the course
•Determine an average of three timed
trials
Step 5
Determine sprayer output for Test Area
-Use field operating pressure
-Catch individual nozzle output over time
required to cover TA
-Measure each nozzle and compare output
relative to others
Note: Maximum + 5% nozzle variation
Determine total output/TA
Avg. fl. oz./nozzle x # of nozzles = total fl. oz.
Example - 6fl. oz./nozzle x 8 nozzles = 48fl. oz./TA
Step 6
•Determine sprayer output/Acre
fl. oz./TA x # of TA’s/Acre = fl.oz./Acre
Example 48fl.oz./TA x 65.5 TA’s/Acre = 3,144fl.oz./Acre
•Convert to Gallons/Acre
fl.oz./Acre
fl.oz./Gallon = Gallons/Acre
Example - 3,144fl.oz./Acre
128fl.oz./Gallon = 24.5Gallons/Acre