Successful Farming Sprayer Calibration Project Robert E. Wolf Associate Professor - Extension...

Successful Farming Sprayer Calibration Project

Robert E. Wolf

Associate Professor - Extension Specialist Application Technology

Bio & Ag Engineering

Kansas State University

Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Calibration!!!!

Ensuring that the spray output is what it is supposed to be!

Calibration/Nozzle Selection:

• What is the first step?• Use label to select the

– application volume– product rate

• Choose an appropriate travel speed - MPH

• Effective width of application– nozzle spacing

• Calculate GPM – Flow rate per nozzle

• Select the correct size of nozzle!

Page 9 – Turbo Flat-fan

Page 12 – XR Fat-fan

Page 15 – AI Flat-fan

Nozzle Selection Chart:Nozzle Selection Chart:

Checking for accuracy

• Check several new nozzles– flow rate within 5-7% of desired output?

• Check flow rate frequently– adjust pressure to compensate for small

changes output due to wear

• Replace nozzles & recalibrate when:– output > 7% change from new nozzle– when pattern becomes uneven

Nozzle types tested: Spraying Systems/TeeJet - newly purchasedXR11003, TT11003, AI11003, TTJ11003, and TTI11003XR= conventional, TT = chamber, AI = venturi (air induction), TTJ = double outlet chamber, and TTI = chamber and venturi in combo

Raven 440 Controller: 40 PSI - 10 GPA - 8.9 MPH (radar measured)Distance traveled during test = 726 linear feetTime to travel 726 feet = 56 sec (converts to 8.9 MPH – matches radar)Area sprayed during the test = 1 acre (726 * 60/43,560)Nozzle flow rate – chart standard for 03 orifice = 0.3 gpm at 40 PSI

0.3 gpm converts to 38.4 ounces/min = 0.64 ounces/secondExpected output in test travel time (56s) = 35.8 oz/min/nozzle (0.64 *

56)Suggested error standard (TeeJet) of + or – 5 to 7% from expected

flowWe used + or – 7% as our allowable from expected output

35.8 * .07 = 2.5 ounces35.8 – 2.5 = 33.3 ounces for lower end limit35.8 + 2.5 = 38.3 ounces for higher end limit

Test Parameters

Male Catheter Rubber placed over nozzle cap for each collection. Served as the air inlet plug for AI and TTI plugged test in rep 5.

XR

TTTTJ

AI

TTI

Surgical hose on AI

Rate Controller Output - 10 GPA Expected

8.5

9

9.5

10

10.5

Stationary on-the-go on-the-go on-the-go plugged

Collection Method

GP

A

37 nozzles – 4 types (9), 10 GPA, 8.9 MPH, 40 PSI

XR 11003 - Reps Averaged

35.6

37.1

35.8

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Ou

nce

s

stationary bag average expected

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

XR 11003

35.6

36.6

37.4 37.3

35.8

30.031.032.0

33.034.035.036.037.0

38.039.040.0

stationary bag-1 bag-2 bag-3 expected

Collection Method

Ou

nce

s

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

TT 11003 - Reps Averaged

31.7

34.3

33.3

35.8

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Ou

nce

s

stationary bag average bag-venturi plug expected

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

TT 11003

34.3

33.1 33.4 33.4

31.7

35.8

30.031.032.0

33.034.035.036.037.0

38.039.040.0

stationary bag-1 bag-2 bag-3 bag-venturi plug expected

Collection Method

Ou

nce

sred lines = + or - 7% from expected

AI 11003 - Reps Averaged

34.733.9

37.9 35.8

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Ou

nce

s

stationary bag average bag-venturi plug expected

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

Air Induction - AI 11003

34.733.8 33.9 33.9

37.9

35.8

30.031.032.0

33.034.035.036.037.0

38.039.040.0

stationary bag-1 bag-2 bag-3 bag-venturi plug expected

Collection Method

Ou

nce

sred lines = + or - 7% from expected

TTJ 11003 Reps Averaged

33.7

31.9

34.1

35.8

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Ou

nce

s

stationary bag average bag-venturi plug expected

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

TTJ 11003

34.133.4 33.8 33.9

31.9

35.8

30.031.032.0

33.034.035.036.037.0

38.039.040.0

stationary bag-1 bag-2 bag-3 bag-venturi plug expected

Collection Method

On

ces

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

TTI 11003

36.835.8

36.2

30.031.032.0

33.034.035.036.037.0

38.039.040.0

stationary bag-venturi plug expected

Collection Method

Ou

nce

s

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

37 nozzles – 4 types (9), 35.8 oz. expected, + or - 7% error

10 GPA, 8.9 MPH, 40 PSI

Rep Average for Nozzle Location on Boom

30.0

31.032.0

33.034.0

35.0

36.037.0

38.039.0

40.0

AI

XR AI

TT

J

AI

TT

J

XR TT

TT

TT

J

XR

XR AI

TT

J

AI

TT

XR AI

XR

TT

J

TT

TT

TT AI

XR TT

TT

XR

TT

J

TT

J

TT AI

TT

J

AI

TT

J

XR

TT

J

Boom Locatiion

Ou

nce

s

Summary by Nozzle Type - Reps Averaged

30.031.032.033.034.035.036.037.038.039.040.0

XR TT AI TTJ TTI

Ou

nce

s

stationary bag average bag venturi plug expected

red lines = + or - 7% from expected

•37 nozzles – 4 types (9), 35.8 oz. expected, + or - 7% error•10 GPA, 8.9 MPH, 40 PSI

Calibration!!!!The next phase!

Ensuring that the spray droplet spectrum is what it is supposed to be to maximize

efficacy while minimizing drift!

ASABE S-572 Droplet Size Standard

See Page 182, TeeJet Catalog 50

Droplet Selection/Calibration:

p. 15

Disclaimer:

• Brand names appearing in this presentation are for identification and illustration purposes only.

• No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned.

www.bae.ksu.edu/faculty/wolf/

For more information contact:

rewolf@ksu.edu