How to check your boom sprayer tips to ensure they are putting out the proper amounts, in an even disbursement. This is one of the most overlooked maintenance steps for sprayers, but is critical to your success and key to proper application of pesticides.
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Before starting, be sure to put on the proper protective equipment for any chemicals that have been used in the sprayer. Be sure to check the pesticide label for any specifics. Goggles gloves long sleeves and closed toe shoes are some common, minimum requirements.
The first thing we're going to do is check for consistent output on each spray tip. In order to do this, we need to make sure the sprayer is clean and then to fill it approximately full with water.
For this demonstration, we'll hold a graduated container under each spray tips and collect the output for one minute at a pressure you would be using for your application. Check the sprayer manual and chemical label for recommendations. Once we've collected output from each spray tip we'll need to make sure that the flow rates are approximately the same. Any tips that differ by more than five percent from the average need to be cleaned or replaced. After any cleaning or replacing of tips you need to recheck the flow rate.
As an example, we tested a sprayer with seven spray tips. The total output was 281 ounces. We then divide this by our seven spray tips to get forty point one ounces, the average output per spray tip. To figure out our acceptable output range of five percent from the we take the average output of the spray tip 40.1 ounces and multiply that by 0.05. The result is 2 ounces. Any spray tip whose output differs from 40.1 ounces by more than 2 ounces should be cleaned or replaced.
When the average output of the spray tip varies from the manufactures specs by more than 10% the tips are worn enough to justify replacing with a complete new set.
Once we have the spray tips out putting at a consistent rate we need to make sure they are also laying down a uniform pattern which is crucial for an effective pesticide application. It's not enough to apply the pesticide in proper amount it must also be applied evenly over the target area. The of non-uniform pesticide application are most evident when herbicide bands are uneven and streaking results. Spray pattern uniformity is affected by boom height condition of spray tips and operating pressure. Also check that all spray tips are of the same type. A frequent cause of poor spray patterns is using spray tips with different spray angles on the same boom.
To check the pattern uniformity, adjust the boom height for the spray tip angle and spray tip spacing as instructed in the instruction manual. Using water run the sprayer at the desired speed and pressure on a clean dry surface so that you can observe the spray pattern as water evaporates. Clean and replace any spray tips that produce a poor spray pattern. Readjust the boom height if necessary and recheck the spray pattern if any tips need to be replaced or cleaned. Recheck the flow rates.
For help testing existing spray tips or choosing the right spray tip replacements contact Gemplers product support. We've got professional grade tools, expert advice and solutions for you and your crew.
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