14
s
ectiOn
5 — O
peratiOn
Using the Sprayer
Press the sprayer switch to the “ON” position.
1.
Determine your spray path.
2.
Turn on the main valve to allow flow of fluid to the
a.
left, center, and right spray nozzles.
Turn the right-hand spray nozzle off to shut off
b.
flow of fluid to the right side of the unit when the
spreader chute deflector is used.
Turn on the spray wand valve to use the spray wand.
c.
Note:
The main valve must be turned off for independent
flow to the spray wand.
To adjust the rate and width of fluid flow, adjust how far
3.
the main, right, or spray valves are open.
Using the Spreader
Press the spreader switch to the “ON” position to start the
1.
spreader impeller.
Note:
The impeller operates all the time when the switch
is activated, and operates at a constant speed providing a
uniform spread pattern. The application rate will vary with
travel speed. Refer to the chart on the next page.
Determine your spread path:
2.
To achieve the widest spreading path, press the
a.
hopper shut-off lever forward to open the right-
hand and center holes, and press the spreader 3rd
hole lever forward to open the left-hand hole.
Pull the spreader 3rd hole lever down to close the
b.
left-hand hole and spread ONLY to the center and
right-hand side of the unit.
Press the spreader 3rd hole lever up to open the
c.
left-hand hole and keeping the hopper shut-off in
the OPEN position, push the spreader side deflector
lever forward to spread only to the center and left-
hand side of the unit.
To spread ONLY to the left-hand side of the unit,
d.
press the spreader 3rd hole lever forward to open
the left-hand hole and pull back the hopper shut-off
lever to the OFF slot to close the right-hand and
center holes.
To limit your spreading path to the width of the unit,
e.
keep the 3rd hole closed and press the spreader side
deflector lever forward to prevent spreading to the
right-hand side of the unit.
Spreader Tips
Operate the spreader at a consistent speed (approximately
1.
3.5 m.p.h. is recommended) and is achieved when the
speed control lever is set for application.
Always close the holes before filling the hopper.
2.
Be sure the screen is in place to prevent lumps or paper
3.
scraps from plugging the holes in the hopper bottom.
Always start driving forward before opening the hopper
4.
holes; close the hopper holes before forward motion is
stopped.
Empty the spreader after each use. Wash the spreader
5.
thoroughly and allow it to dry. Keep the impeller clean.
Lubricate all moving parts. See “Lubrication” in the
6.
Maintenance section.
Spreader Calibration
Two items must be considered when calibrating a spreader. The
first is the distribution pattern of the spreader, i.e., the pattern
the product makes as it strikes the ground after being thrown
out by the spreader’s impeller. There are many factors which
affect the distribution pattern of a spreader and some of them
relate directly to the product being spread. For this reason, we
recommend that the spreader be calibrated separately for every
product to be applied. Spreader calibration should be checked
at least once a month, or more often when the spreader is used
frequently.
The second item is the product application rate, i.e., the amount
of product applied per thousand square feet. This is important
because over-application can be costly and may cause plant
injury, while under-application will reduce the effectiveness of
the product.
TO CALIBRATE A SPREADER, MAKE SURE TO:
Check the spreader discharge holes with all the levers in
1.
the closed positions.
If the discharge holes are not fully closed, adjust the jam
2.
nuts on the rate plate on/off cable located on the hopper
shut-off.
Recheck the discharge holes with the hopper still in the
3.
closed position. Repeat this procedure until the holes are
fully closed.
TO ACHIEVE A UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION PATTERN:
The most accurate method for checking pattern uniformity is to
lay out shallow boxes or pans in a row on a line perpendicular to
the direction of spreader travel. Eleven boxes or pans, two inches
high placed on one-foot centers will provide accurate calibration.
To conduct the test:
Begin with the pattern slide completely open and set the
1.
rate control arm at the suggested approximate setting.
Make three passes over the boxes, driving the spreader
2.
in the same direction each time. The product caught in
each box is then evaluated to determine the distribution
pattern.
Weighing the product in each box is the most accurate, but
3.
a simpler method is to pour the contents of each box into a
separate small vial or bottle.
Set the eleven vials or bottles side-by-side in order. This
4.
makes the pattern variation quite visible.
To reduce the amount of discharge to the right side
5.
(operator’s right), the pattern slide should be partially
closed and the test repeated until the distribution pattern
is uniform.
