45
SECTION 7
SPRAYING INFORMATION
CALIBRATION WORK SHEET
Step 1
Check the Sprayer is in Good Working Order
Step 2
Determine Actual Speed of Travel
Measure and mark a straight path of 100 metres (or
more) of travelling conditions similar to the orchard or
vine yard you are going to spray.
Half fill the spray tank & record the time (in seconds) to
travel the measured distance.
Make sure that the tractor is travelling at spraying speed
when you pass the start and finish marks and ensure the
fan and pump are at operational speed.
If you have a hectare metre or automatic controller you
need to check the speed calibration of the controller.
Tractor model
Gear
Range
Dual power
Engine RPM
Speed in Km/h
Kilometres per Hour = Distance traveled (m) x 3.6
Step 3
Determine Spraying Volume Required
It is essential to determine the liquid volume per hectare
required to effectively spray a crop without overspraying or
underspraying.
Use your own experience or a registered rate calibration
consultant to determine effective volume in litres per hectare.
........................................................ litres/ha
Step 4
Determine Sprayer Configuration
Number of row(s)
to be sprayed in one pass
Total number
of nozzles to be used:
Step 5
Determine & Select Nozzles
Determine nozzle flow rate required:
Litres/Minute/Nozzle
=
Litres/Ha x Km/hr ÷ 600 ÷ Total
Number of Nozzles Used x Row
Spacing (m) x Number of Rows in
One Pass
x ÷ 600 ÷ x x
= litres/minute/nozzle
Once the flow rate per nozzle is known, select an appropriate
nozzle size from the nozzle charts [refer to pages 4.9-4.11].
Nozzle Selection
Step 6
Fit & Test Selected Nozzles
The most important calibration is to test for
actual litre per hectare.
Fill your spray tank to overflowing and run the sprayer for
one minute, at the above operating settings, and record
the total litres per minute used.
Output/min (l/min)
=
Output (litres) ÷ Time (minutes)
÷ = litres/min
Step 7
Calculate the Actual Application Rate
To calculate actual application rate (litres per hectare),
use the following formula::
Application Rate (l/ha)
=
Total Sprayer Output (l/min) x 600
÷ Speed (Km/hr) ÷ Row Spacing (m)
÷ Number Rows in One Pass
x 600 ÷ ÷ ÷
= litres/ha
Record your data:
Farm location
Crop to be sprayed
Canopy width (m)
Canopy Height (m)
Spray Volume litres/ha
No. Rows in one pass
No. of nozzles used
Litres/minute/nozzle
Nozzle pressure
Nozzle type
Nozzle size &colour
Tested Output in l/min
Actual Litres/Hectare
Note: If your sprayer has a flow meter fitted, you should calibrate it regularly.
The calibration setting on the tag is a factory setting only and needs to be regularly
checked - taking into consideration changes in density and/or viscosity of the
product to be sprayed.
Summary of Contents for CROPAIR 300
Page 61: ...61...
