HOW TO QUICKLY CALIBRATE YOUR SPRAYER

Written by Jenny Giggins | 19-Nov-2018 00:47:14

Calibration and the correct preparation of boom sprayers is highly important as it plays a vital role in the correct application of chemicals. Applying the right amount of chemicals at the right time is a major factor in ensuring successful control of insects, diseases and weed which is important for growing high-yielding crops or pastures. The incorrect rate of application can be catastrophic, especially for herbicides as it may damage not only your crop, but also the surrounding environment.

Calibrating your boom sprayer will ensure your chemicals are applied evenly and at the prescribed rate by the manufacturer. Correct calibration of your sprayer is quick and easy as described below and it is important this is done more than once a year and should be check regularly to ensure the correct rate of application. It is also important to check the rate of application between different chemicals as this may be different chemical to chemical.

Approximate time to calibrate: 30 minutes

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED TO CALIBRATE YOUR BOOM SPRAYER

Measuring Jug with Litres
Timer
Measuring Wheel or Tape Measure (100m)
Tooth Brush (to clean any nozzles that get blocked)

HOW TO

This process can be used to calibrate a UTV, ATV, tow behind or 3PL sprayer. This is recommended before boom spraying to ensure you are applying the right amount of spray chemical.

1. Measure 100m and mark start and finish.

2. Drive the measured distance and time it (make sure you are travelling at spraying speed before the start point to be accurate).

3. Set the correct spraying pressure.

4. Catch the output from each nozzle (15 seconds per nozzle) and then calculate the 'average nozzle output'. Do this by adding together the individual outputs and then dividing by the number of nozzles tested. See example below for a 600L tank with a 8m spray boom with 16 nozzles.

CALCULATION	EXAMPLE
Calculating for [output] Average Nozzle Output x 4 = Output x Nozzles = Output __ml x 4 = __ml/min x [nozzles] = [output]ml/min Covert ml/min to L/min: ml/min = L/min 1000	Average Nozzle Output: 150ml Nozzles: 16 Calculation: 150ml x 4 = 600ml/min x 16 = 9,600ml/min = 9.6L/min
Calculating for [time spraying] Tank Capacity ÷ Output/min = Time Spraying [tank] ml = [time spraying]min [output]L/min Covert min to hr: min = hr 60	Tank Capacity: 600L Output/min: 9.6L/min Calculation: 600L ÷ 9.6L/min = 62.5 minutes = 1.04hr
Calculating for [travel distance] Time Spraying x Speed = Travel Distance [time spraying] x [speed]m/hr = [travel distance] m Covert km/hr to m/hr = km x 1000 = m	Speed = 12km/hr: 12,000 m/hr Time Spraying: 1.04hr Calculation: 1.04hr x 12,000m/hr = 12,480m
Calculating for [area] Distance Travelled x Boom Length = Area [travel distance]m x [boom length]m = [area] Convert m to ha = m = ha 10,000	Boom Length: 8m Distance travelled: 12,480m Calculation: 12,480m x 8m = 99,840m = 9.98ha
Calculating for L/ha Tank Capacity ÷ Area Covered = L/ha Rate [tank]L = L/ha [area]ha	Tank Capacity: 600L Spraying Distance: 9.98 Calculation: 600L ÷ 9.98 = 60L/ha

5. Check the nozzles - if any of the outputs deviates by more than 10% from the manufacturers guidelines, the nozzle should be replace or cleaned.

6. Compare the recommended rate - if the litres per hectare (L/ha) rate is not within 5% of the intended rate, you must adjust the pressure or the speed of travel. (You will need to repeat steps 2 - 6).

7. Ensure you read the label of the chemical for recommended rate of application.

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