Application Decisions for the New Millennium? Robert E. Wolf Extension Specialist Agrichemical Technology Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept.

Application Decisions for the New Millennium?

Robert E. WolfExtension Specialist Agrichemical TechnologyBiological and Agricultural Engineering Dept.

Crop Protection Equipment and Calibration

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 quality) Drift!!!!!!! Variable rates Site-specific


199935 Million

199820-30

Million

19979 Million

1996-1 Million

R-U Ready Soybean Explosion

Acreage of roundup ready ready (genetically modified) soybeans under cultivation in the United States.


Application Equipment: Two basic types of application systems:

Liquid (sprayers) Granular


Equipment cost today?

How much do these machines cost?



How much does this machine cost?



How much do these machines cost?

What are the trends today!

Who should spray?


Decisions about who sprays: Time/busy? Tractor available? Knowledgeable of crop protection

products? Pesticide safety concerns? Pros and cons for custom application vs.

self-application? Technically up to date on sprayers and

the proper application techniques?


Options to consider on a sprayer:

How many acres to spray/acres per hour? What tank capacity and type of tank material? Type and size of pump? What boom width and style? Gallons per acre desired?

Adjustable or fixed axle? Tire style-radial or bias? Boom plumbing options (spacing, nozzle bodies)? Boom controller–how many sections? Controller options-with or without radar? Foam marker, rinse system, batch meter, chemical

inductor, joy stick controller? Water source, tender system and driver?


Sprayer Cost Options: Buy the sprayer outright Leasing programs

$3,000 – $6,000 3-5 years, low interest New or modern system

Partnership purchases(neighbors) Commercial sprayers Scheduling critical


Cost per acre summary table:

Acres 3,500.00$ 5,500.00$ 6,500.00$ 1000 3.50$ 5.50$ 6.50$ 1500 2.33$ 3.67$ 4.33$ 2000 1.75$ 2.75$ 3.25$ 2500 1.40$ 2.20$ 2.60$ 3000 1.17$ 1.83$ 2.17$ 3500 1.00$ 1.57$ 1.86$ 4000 0.88$ 1.38$ 1.63$ 4500 0.78$ 1.22$ 1.44$ 5000 0.70$ 1.10$ 1.30$

Cost of Lease


Liquid systems:

What are the considerations? Should you upgrade or start new?


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:

What about the cost of the nozzle?


Nozzle Types:

Flat Spray Tips: 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:

Demonstrates Turbo Flat vs TurboDrop-5 MPH Wind


Selecting the proper nozzle:

Legal issues!!Following the label!


Misapplication:

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

Misapplication


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


Nozzles are important because:

Control the amount – GPA. Determine uniformity of

application. Affects the coverage. Influences the drift potential.


1. Control the Amount applied:

Nozzle Flow Rate is affected by:

Orifice size Pressure Solution

characteristics


Rated Pressure =40 psi for most nozzle types10 psi for turbo flood nozzles

Nomenclature:

Stainless Steel Insert Orifice

Trade Name

Fan angle and flow rate-orifice size

Extended Range

VisiFlo Color Coding

(S,H,P,K,SS)


Typical nozzle numbering systemExtended-range

flat-fan

XR 11004 XR Extended-range

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


Nozzle Selection Chart:


Nozzle Selection Chart: Turbo Flood


MATERIALS AND WEAR

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Brass

Zytel

Stainless

Kematal

Hard Stainless

Thermoplastic

11.4

7.5

6.1

2.1

1.2

0.4

Percent increase in nozzle flow rateFlat-fan spray nozzles after 40 hour test


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)


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!


Calculations

GPA=

5940

#$!@&%!#$!@&%!


Calculations

GPA=

5940

Ok, now I remember!Ok, now I

remember!


Nozzle size - Variables

Nozzle flow rate (GPM) Ground speed (MPH) Effective sprayed width (W) Application rate (GPA)


Application Rate Equation

GPAGPM X 5940

MPH X W

Equation # 1

Calculates for application rate Represents total amount

applied for an acre

Calculates for application rate Represents total amount

applied for an acre


Flow Rate Equation

GPMGPA x MPH x W

5940

Equation # 2

Calculates for amount of flow from one nozzle

Represents the size of nozzle to put on the sprayer

Calculates for amount of flow from one nozzle

Represents the size of nozzle to put on the sprayer


GPA = ______________________GPM = ______________________MPH = ______________________W = ______________________

5940 = a constant to convert gallons per minute, miles per hour, and inches to gallons per acre

miles per hour

nozzle spacing - inches

Where:

gallons per acregallons per minute


1. Nozzle Flow Rate - Gallons Per Minute (GPM)

To double the nozzle output, the pressure must increase times

2. Ground speed - Miles Per Hour (MPH)

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 .

4

1/2

1/2

Variables


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?


• 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?

GPM Example


GPA Example Solution

GPM=? GPA=? MPH=? W=?

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

GPMGPA x MPH x W

5940


GPM Example Solution

GPMGPA x MPH x W

5940

5940

20x12x12GPM

Answer.48


Selecting the proper nozzle….

Page 51 TeeJet Catalog


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

Selecting the proper nozzle….

.48


Electronics/Rate Controllers


MEASURE SPEED

Speed(MPH)Distance(ft) x 60

Time(seconds) x 88

(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!


A. Surface Tension

B. Density

C. Viscosity

Effects droplet size, not flow

Weight/unit volume density - flow rate decreases

Resistance to flow

Spray Solution Characteristics


Spraying Solutions other that water:28% CONVERSION – see page 124, SS

28% = _______ lbs/gal

Specific Gravity =Weight of 28%/gal divided byweight of water/gal

=

Application Decisions for the New Millennium? Robert E. Wolf Extension Specialist Agrichemical Technology Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept.

Documents

ounceacre u

u pros

u adjustable

u timebusy

crop protection u rates

crop protection equipment

u controller options

calibration equipment