
15
Part No. GP-POMBA001108 - Rev 4
Section 4 Boom Spray Calibration Guide
Boom sprayers out of calibration will not deliver the desired
amount of chemical onto the paddock. This can result in:
Increase in chemical costs
Increase in crop effect
Decrease in efficiency
Potential loss in yield
Even a minor 10 % change in flow rate will add up to
large sums…
Therefore it is advisable to calibrate the boom sprayer at
least every 12 months. This is less complicated than many
people think. The following procedure is aimed to provide
a practical on-farm guide.
The following equipment is needed:
A watch, displaying seconds
A jug, displaying a volume scale
At least one new nozzle of the type fitted onto the boom
Nozzle tip reference tables to determine flow rates
and spray quality (available from Nufarm/Croplands)
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Calculator
Nozzle cleaning brush
Tape measure, or other device to measure a distance of
100m
Before starting the calibration the spray equipment needs to
be checked to eliminate basic faults.
Nozzles – all fitted nozzles should be of the same type
and size. Their spray pattern should be even (nozzles
and strainers may need to be cleaned and may need to
be replaced if necessary).
Boom – hoses and joins should be checked for leaks.
All systems should be in operating order.
Tank – should be half filled with water.
The boom spray calibration is affected by two main factors:
Travel speed (Step 1) and
The output of nozzles (Step 2 – 5)
In the following procedure these two factors are checked
independently, but ultimately, they are inseparably
linked together.
■
■
■
■
■
■
A)
B)
GENERAL
To measure travel speed accurately it is important to do so
by travelling over an exact distance (commonly 100 m) and
to measure the time it takes to travel that distance. To mark
the precise distance the use of a measuring tape is essential.
Permanent markers will make this measured stretch a handy
tool on farm.
It is advisable to undertake the calibration in the gear and
RPM’s the applications are commonly done with. The tank
should be half filled. Sufficient run up assures that the starting
line is crossed already travelling at desired speed. It is
worthwhile to repeat the procedure at least twice to eliminate
any possible error. The travel speed in km/h can then be
calculated from this simple formula:
km/h = Distance (m) x 3.6 / time (sec).
EXAMPLE
It took 20 sec (measured twice to be sure) to travel 100m.
The speed is 100 m x 3.6 / 20 sec = 18 km/h.
STEP 1: SPEED CALIBRATION
20 sec
100m
At first it is necessary to work out what the nozzle output should be. The nozzles can then be checked to see if they are
delivering the flow rate they are supposed to deliver. For this calculation three things need to be determined:
What is the preferred application speed (already measured)
What is the preferred water rate per ha
What is the nozzle spacing on the rig
1)
2)
3)
STEP 2: CALCULATION OF NOZZLE FLOWRATE
Nozzle spacing
The most common spacing between nozzles
on boom sprayers is 50 cm. It is important
to be sure about the correct nozzle spacing,
and if in doubt, measuring is advisable.
EXAMPLE
The measurement was 50 cm.
Application Volume
The desired application volume in L/ha can be
obtained from pesticide labels or other publications
from manufacturers (e.g. Nufarm Boom Spray
Application Guide).
EXAMPLE
The product used was Roundup PowerMax® for control of
summer weeds and the information from Nufarm advised
that 40 - 70 L/ha was a sufficient water rate. Because the
paddock contained stubble, it was recommendable to use a
higher water rate. Therefore the 70 L/ha rate was chosen.
Calculation
A simple formula is transforming all this ‘large scale’ application information into a single, easy to measure
‘output per nozzle, per minute’ figure.
L/min/nozzle = Nozzle flow rate in litre per minute
L/ha = Water application rate per hectare
Km/h = Driving speed
W= Width of nozzle spacing in cm
60000 = Constant
EXAMPLE
The desired water rate was 70 L/ha, applied with a speed
of 18 km/h and the boom had a nozzle spacing of 50 cm:
L/min = 70 l/ha x 18 km/h x 50 cm
60000 = 1.05 L/min
To achieve this goal every single nozzle needed to
deliver 1.05 L/min.
x
–
0.c
123
456
789
1,984
+
=
÷
mrmcm–
m+
L/min/nozzle = L/ha x km/h x W (cm)
60000
Nozzles deliver different flow rates and droplet sizes
(more commonly called spray quality) at varying pressures.
The pressure needed to produce a certain flow rate for
a specific nozzle type and size can be found in specific
tables (Croplands Optima Catalogue, Nufarm Nozzle
Charts, TeeJet®Catalogue).
For efficacy and legal reasons it is important to be clear
about the spray quality a specific nozzle type is going
to produce. If in doubt an advisor should be consulted.
For example, it is not desirable to calibrate and set
up a nozzle type and size that can only spray FINE to
MEDIUM spray quality when the chemical that is going
to be put out has to be sprayed with a COARSE to VERY
COARSE spray quality. To minimise chemical loss through
drift it is advisable to choose a set up that is producing the
coarsest spray quality without compromising efficacy.
Desired spray quality information can be obtained from
chemical labels or additional information put out by
manufacturer (e.g. Nufarm Boom Spray Application Guide,
Croplands Optima Catalogue).
EXAMPLE
The chemical to be used was Roundup PowerMAX. To control
summer weeds, the coarsest spray quality, the product should
be sprayed with is COARSE, according to the Nufarm
Boomspray Application Guide. The boom was fitted with
AirMix®025 nozzles. According to the Nufarm Nozzle Chart
reference, the pressure set up needed to be around 3.3 bar to
get the desired flow rate of 1.05 L/min. The Nufarm Nozzle
Chart showed that at 3.3 bar this nozzle type and size is
producing a COARSE spray quality. Therefore this nozzle type
was suited for the planned application.
The boomsprayer needed to be set up to spray at 3.3 bar to
deliver the desired flowrate and spray quality.
STEP 3: SELECTING PRESSURE AND SPRAY QUALITY
BOOM SPRAY
CALIBRATIONGUIDE
Boom sprayers out of calibration will not deliver the desired
amount of chemical onto the paddock. This can result in:
Increase in chemical costs
Increase in crop effect
Decrease in efficiency
Potential loss in yield
Even a minor 10 % change in flow rate will add up to
large sums…
Therefore it is advisable to calibrate the boom sprayer at
least every 12 months. This is less complicated than many
people think. The following procedure is aimed to provide
a practical on-farm guide.
The following equipment is needed:
A watch, displaying seconds
A jug, displaying a volume scale
At least one new nozzle of the type fitted onto the boom
Nozzle tip reference tables to determine flow rates
and spray quality (available from Nufarm/Croplands)
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Calculator
Nozzle cleaning brush
Tape measure, or other device to measure a distance of
100m
Before starting the calibration the spray equipment needs to
be checked to eliminate basic faults.
Nozzles – all fitted nozzles should be of the same type
and size. Their spray pattern should be even (nozzles
and strainers may need to be cleaned and may need to
be replaced if necessary).
Boom – hoses and joins should be checked for leaks.
All systems should be in operating order.
Tank – should be half filled with water.
The boom spray calibration is affected by two main factors:
Travel speed (Step 1) and
The output of nozzles (Step 2 – 5)
In the following procedure these two factors are checked
independently, but ultimately, they are inseparably
linked together.
■
■
■
■
■
■
A)
B)
GENERAL
To measure travel speed accurately it is important to do so
by travelling over an exact distance (commonly 100 m) and
to measure the time it takes to travel that distance. To mark
the precise distance the use of a measuring tape is essential.
Permanent markers will make this measured stretch a handy
tool on farm.
It is advisable to undertake the calibration in the gear and
RPM’s the applications are commonly done with. The tank
should be half filled. Sufficient run up assures that the starting
line is crossed already travelling at desired speed. It is
worthwhile to repeat the procedure at least twice to eliminate
any possible error. The travel speed in km/h can then be
calculated from this simple formula:
km/h = Distance (m) x 3.6 / time (sec).
EXAMPLE
It took 20 sec (measured twice to be sure) to travel 100m.
The speed is 100 m x 3.6 / 20 sec = 18 km/h.
STEP 1: SPEED CALIBRATION
At first it is necessary to work out what the nozzle output should be. The nozzles can then be checked to see if they are
delivering the flow rate they are supposed to deliver. For this calculation three things need to be determined:
What is the preferred application speed (already measured)
What is the preferred water rate per ha
What is the nozzle spacing on the rig
1)
2)
3)
STEP 2: CALCULATION OF NOZZLE FLOWRATE
Nozzle spacing
The most common spacing between nozzles
on boom sprayers is 50 cm. It is important
to be sure about the correct nozzle spacing,
and if in doubt, measuring is advisable.
EXAMPLE
The measurement was 50 cm.
Application Volume
The desired application volume in L/ha can be
obtained from pesticide labels or other publications
from manufacturers (e.g. Nufarm Boom Spray
Application Guide).
EXAMPLE
The product used was Roundup PowerMax® for control of
summer weeds and the information from Nufarm advised
that 40 - 70 L/ha was a sufficient water rate. Because the
paddock contained stubble, it was recommendable to use a
higher water rate. Therefore the 70 L/ha rate was chosen.
Calculation
A simple formula is transforming all this ‘large scale’ application information into a single, easy to measure
‘output per nozzle, per minute’ figure.
L/min/nozzle = Nozzle flow rate in litre per minute
L/ha = Water application rate per hectare
Km/h = Driving speed
W= Width of nozzle spacing in cm
60000 = Constant
EXAMPLE
The desired water rate was 70 L/ha, applied with a speed
of 18 km/h and the boom had a nozzle spacing of 50 cm:
L/min = 70 l/ha x 18 km/h x 50 cm
60000 = 1.05 L/min
To achieve this goal every single nozzle needed to
deliver 1.05 L/min.
x
–
0.c
123
456
789
1,984
+
=
÷
mrmcm–
m+
L/min/nozzle = L/ha x km/h x W (cm)
60000
Nozzles deliver different flow rates and droplet sizes
(more commonly called spray quality) at varying pressures.
The pressure needed to produce a certain flow rate for
a specific nozzle type and size can be found in specific
tables (Croplands Optima Catalogue, Nufarm Nozzle
Charts, TeeJet®Catalogue).
For efficacy and legal reasons it is important to be clear
about the spray quality a specific nozzle type is going
to produce. If in doubt an advisor should be consulted.
For example, it is not desirable to calibrate and set
up a nozzle type and size that can only spray FINE to
MEDIUM spray quality when the chemical that is going
to be put out has to be sprayed with a COARSE to VERY
COARSE spray quality. To minimise chemical loss through
drift it is advisable to choose a set up that is producing the
coarsest spray quality without compromising efficacy.
Desired spray quality information can be obtained from
chemical labels or additional information put out by
manufacturer (e.g. Nufarm Boom Spray Application Guide,
Croplands Optima Catalogue).
EXAMPLE
The chemical to be used was Roundup PowerMAX. To control
summer weeds, the coarsest spray quality, the product should
be sprayed with is COARSE, according to the Nufarm
Boomspray Application Guide. The boom was fitted with
AirMix®025 nozzles. According to the Nufarm Nozzle Chart
reference, the pressure set up needed to be around 3.3 bar to
get the desired flow rate of 1.05 L/min. The Nufarm Nozzle
Chart showed that at 3.3 bar this nozzle type and size is
producing a COARSE spray quality. Therefore this nozzle type
was suited for the planned application.
The boomsprayer needed to be set up to spray at 3.3 bar to
deliver the desired flowrate and spray quality.
STEP 3: SELECTING PRESSURE AND SPRAY QUALITY
BOOM SPRAY
CALIBRATIONGUIDE