Go slower. Spray more. Tom Wolf 1 & Jason Deveau 2 1 Agrimetrix Research & Training, Saskatoon 2 OMAFRA Application Tech. Specialist, Simcoe
Go slower. Spray more.Tom Wolf1 & Jason Deveau2
1 Agrimetrix Research & Training, Saskatoon2 OMAFRA Application Tech. Specialist, Simcoe
• High travel speeds increase drift potential.
• High travel speeds increase drift potential.
WAKE + TURBULENCE
• Tom was told this guy was traveling >25 k/hr!
• We were told this guy was traveling >25 k/hr!
• No one would really do this… right?
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Med Coarse Fine Med X. Coarse
XR80-03 AIXR110-025 XR110-04 XR110-05 DR110-05
On-
swat
h de
posi
t (%
of a
pplie
d)• If it’s drifting, then it’s not on
target.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Med Coarse Fine Med X. Coarse
XR80-03 AIXR110-025 XR110-04 XR110-05 DR110-05
On-
swat
h de
posi
t (%
of a
pplie
d)
Low boomSlow speed
High boomFast speed
• If it’s drifting, then it’s not on target.
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Med Coarse Fine Med X. Coarse
XR80-03 AIXR110-025 XR110-04 XR110-05 DR110-05
On-
swat
h de
posi
t (%
of a
pplie
d)
Low boomSlow speed
High boomFast speed
• If it’s drifting, then it’s not on target.
• Lower boom and slower speed can mean >10% more on-swath. Even with smaller droplets!
• Can we counter high speeds and high booms with larger droplets?
Field SprayerTravel speed 13.0 km/h, Application volume 100 L/ha
Wind speed (km/h)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Airb
orne
drif
t At 5
m (%
of e
mitt
ed)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
XR8003y = -0.85 + 0.18 xr2 = 0.79AI110025y = -0.16 + 0.04 xr2 = 0.72
30” Boom height at 14 mph vs. 20” and 8 mph
Field SprayerTravel speed 13.0 km/h, Application volume 100 L/ha
Wind speed (km/h)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Airb
orne
drif
t At 5
m (%
of e
mitt
ed)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
XR8003y = -0.85 + 0.18 xr2 = 0.79AI110025y = -0.16 + 0.04 xr2 = 0.72
Turbo
TeeJ
et 11
005
30” Boom height at 14 mph vs. 20” and 8 mph
Field SprayerTravel speed 13.0 km/h, Application volume 100 L/ha
Wind speed (km/h)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Airb
orne
drif
t At 5
m (%
of e
mitt
ed)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
XR8003y = -0.85 + 0.18 xr2 = 0.79AI110025y = -0.16 + 0.04 xr2 = 0.72
TeeJet AI11004
Turbo
TeeJ
et 11
005
30” Boom height at 14 mph vs. 20” and 8 mph
Field SprayerTravel speed 13.0 km/h, Application volume 100 L/ha
Wind speed (km/h)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Airb
orne
drif
t At 5
m (%
of e
mitt
ed)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
XR8003y = -0.85 + 0.18 xr2 = 0.79AI110025y = -0.16 + 0.04 xr2 = 0.72
TeeJet AI11004
Turbo
TeeJ
et 11
005
30” Boom height at 14 mph vs. 20” and 8 mph
AI gives 2-fold driftreduction
Field SprayerTravel speed 13.0 km/h, Application volume 100 L/ha
Wind speed (km/h)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Airb
orne
drif
t At 5
m (%
of e
mitt
ed)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
XR8003y = -0.85 + 0.18 xr2 = 0.79AI110025y = -0.16 + 0.04 xr2 = 0.72
AI110025, 20” Boom, 8 mph
TeeJet AI11004
Turbo
TeeJ
et 11
005
30” Boom height at 14 mph vs. 20” and 8 mph
AI gives 2-fold driftreduction
Field SprayerTravel speed 13.0 km/h, Application volume 100 L/ha
Wind speed (km/h)
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
Airb
orne
drif
t At 5
m (%
of e
mitt
ed)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
XR8003y = -0.85 + 0.18 xr2 = 0.79AI110025y = -0.16 + 0.04 xr2 = 0.72
AI110025, 20” Boom, 8 mph
TeeJet AI11004
Turbo
TeeJ
et 11
005
30” Boom height at 14 mph vs. 20” and 8 mph
AI gives 2-fold driftreduction
Add lower boom and slower speed for 4-fold reduction
The “perfect” level boom shot… impossible?
Higher travel speeds make the boom pitch and yaw.
The “perfect” level boom shot… impossible?
Higher travel speeds make the boom pitch and yaw.
• Boom height is also critical when using dual fans on wheat heads.
Boom Height - Wheat
20 in 30 inWheat
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
54
37
59 59
3836
1-Upper 2-Mid 3-Lower
Spra
y de
posi
t (%
of a
pplie
d)
PenultimateFlagHead
Boom height vs. coverage in wheat
20 inch 30 inchDistance to target
Boom Height - Wheat
20 in 30 inWheat
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
54
37
59 59
3836
1-Upper 2-Mid 3-Lower
Spra
y de
posi
t (%
of a
pplie
d)
PenultimateFlagHead
Boom height vs. coverage in wheat
~20% Improvement
20 inch 30 inchDistance to target
So slow down to reduce drift and
improve coverage.
So slow down to reduce drift and
improve coverage.
Should we lobby government to add 4 hours to each day?
So slow down to reduce drift and
improve coverage.
Should we lobby government to add 4 hours to each day?
Maybe there’s time left on the plate that we can claw back…
Idling 33%
Transport22%
Spray-ing 45%
Engine Hours
JD Link: 8 R4045 (450 engine hr/yr average)
151 h
97 h
203 h
So, what can we do
differently?
www.sprayers101.com
Let’s collect some numbers…
1 - Fill EfficiencyThe easiest path to efficiency gain
Go to www.sprayers101.com and type “nurse” in Search bar
Go to www.sprayers101.com and type “nurse” in Search bar
Faster fill with a 3” pump
Photo: Landon Friesen (@Landon707)
2 - Sprayer CleanoutThe most mysterious sprayer activity
Let’s define some terms:
Let’s define some terms:
Cleaning: Total decontamination performed when changing chemicals, moving into sensitive crops, and at the end of every spray day.
Let’s define some terms:
Cleaning: Total decontamination performed when changing chemicals, moving into sensitive crops, and at the end of every spray day.
Requires the use of a detergent and any label-required additive.
Let’s define some terms:
Cleaning: Total decontamination performed when changing chemicals, moving into sensitive crops, and at the end of every spray day.
Requires the use of a detergent and any label-required additive.
Requires the operator to address filters and dead-end plumbing areas.
• There are lots of places for residue to hide…
Research has shown that sprayers can retain 10-15% of the original
concentration in empty/fill valves, boom ends &
filters...
P.G. Anderson et al. 2010
…while rinsate still measured only 1-2% at the
nozzle.
Hypro’s ExpressTM Nozzle Endcap
Hypro’s ExpressTM Nozzle Endcap
• Eliminates section-ends.
Hypro’s ExpressTM Nozzle Endcap
• Eliminates section-ends.
• Faster stops and starts.
Hypro’s ExpressTM Nozzle Endcap
• Eliminates section-ends.
• Faster stops and starts.
• Some question of build up (calypso) but may have valves in future.
• Adding valves and 90˚ bends works.
Rinsing: Dilutes residual spray mix, but does not address dead-end plumbing.
Rinsing: Dilutes residual spray mix, but does not address dead-end plumbing.
Should be performed every few loads, when moving empty sprayer between fields, and at minimum if the operator has (unwisely) decided not to fully clean the sprayer at the end of the day.
The power of dilution
The power of dilution
Dilution Factor = Rinse volume + Remaining spray mix
Remaining spray mix
The power of dilution
Dilution Factor = Rinse volume + Remaining spray mix
Remaining spray mix
• A single rinse of 150 gal. to 20 gal. leftover mix: Dilution factor of 8.5.
The power of dilution
Dilution Factor = Rinse volume + Remaining spray mix
Remaining spray mix
• A single rinse of 150 gal. to 20 gal. leftover mix: Dilution factor of 8.5.
• But, serial dilution means 50 gal. to 20 gal. leftover, three times: Dilution factor of 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 = 43!
Photo source Monsanto demo plots: Chatham, Ontario
• Here are serial dilution rinses, sprayed on conventional soybeans
Photo source Monsanto demo plots: Chatham, Ontario
• Here are serial dilution rinses, sprayed on conventional soybeans
Photo source Monsanto demo plots: Chatham, Ontario
• Here are serial dilution rinses, sprayed on conventional soybeans
Photo source Monsanto demo plots: Chatham, Ontario
• Here are serial dilution rinses, sprayed on conventional soybeans
• No clean water tank? Add one!
Continuous Rinsing
• Europe has adopted a different way to rinse.
Continuous Rinsing
• Europe has adopted a different way to rinse.
• By adding a small dedicated pump, clean water moves directly to the rinse nozzles while the main pump sprays the rinsate.
Continuous Rinsing
1. Minimize remainder (accurate mixing).
1. Minimize remainder (accurate mixing).
2. Engage rinse pump as pressure drops (in field).
1. Minimize remainder (accurate mixing).
2. Engage rinse pump as pressure drops (in field).
3. Let it build up a bit, then drive and spray.
1. Minimize remainder (accurate mixing).
2. Engage rinse pump as pressure drops (in field).
3. Let it build up a bit, then drive and spray.
4. Ensure pump capacity slightly less than boom rate (air bubbles help).
1. Minimize remainder (accurate mixing).
2. Engage rinse pump as pressure drops (in field).
3. Let it build up a bit, then drive and spray.
4. Ensure pump capacity slightly less than boom rate (air bubbles help).
5. Spray until empty.
Research in Europe showed continuous rinsing reduced
residue at the nozzle to 2% in far less time, without the operator
leaving the cab.
Working with HJV, we modified a RoGator 700 for Canada’s
Outdoor Farm Show in 2016.
1 - From fresh water tank via existing lines to a manifold…
1 - From fresh water tank via existing lines to a manifold…
2 – …into two, 7.5 gpm (@50 psi) electrical roller pumps…
1 - From fresh water tank via existing lines to a manifold…
2 – …into two, 7.5 gpm (@50 psi) electrical roller pumps…
3 - …through backflow prevention valves…
1 - From fresh water tank via existing lines to a manifold…
2 – …into two, 7.5 gpm (@50 psi) electrical roller pumps…
3 - …through backflow prevention valves… 4 - …teed into the existing rinse system.
CleanWater
Tank
Boom
MainPump
RinsePump
Sample Testing
…it’s only a model.
Remember
• The biggest result here is that it took <1/3 of the time vs. 3x rinsing… never leaving the cab.
• The biggest result here is that it took <1/3 of the time vs. 3x rinsing… never leaving the cab.
• That translates to ~10 minutes versus 30-40.
• The biggest result here is that it took <1/3 of the time vs. 3x rinsing… never leaving the cab.
• That translates to ~10 minutes versus 30-40.
• Perhaps if detergent (or ammonia) was added to the clean rinse tank, it might be better still… we’ll explore it this summer.
3 - BoomsThe most poorly-designed sprayer part?
Aluminum
Carbon Fibre
Better Suspension
NOW! With faster fills, more efficient cleaning and longer booms, our
new productivity is greatly improved!
Even if we slow down.
Measure
Evaluate
Improve
Time your operation step-by-step. Don’t guess!
Measure
Evaluate
Improve
Time your operation step-by-step. Don’t guess!
Then, make a change and measure the impact.
Tom Wolf@nozzle_guy
Jason Deveau@spray_guy
Learn more about spraying
www.sprayers101.com