calibration and calculations made easy for turfgrass applicators fred fishel, uf/ifas dept. of...

Calibration and Calculations Made Calibration and Calculations Made Easy for Turfgrass ApplicatorsEasy for Turfgrass Applicators

Fred Fishel, UF/IFAS Dept. of Fred Fishel, UF/IFAS Dept. of AgronomyAgronomy

S. Priest, UF/IFAS

1-800-226-1764 1-800-226-1764

oror

http://IFASbooks.ufl.eduhttp://IFASbooks.ufl.edu

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives1. Describe methods for calculating the

areas of different shaped sites.2. Know how to calibrate application

equipment by the area to be treated or by the amount of pesticide in the equipment.

3. Select nozzles for application equipment.4. Check nozzles for uniform output.5. Calculate travel speed.6. Describe how to calibrate a granule

spreader.

F.M. Fishel, UF/IFAS

Application Error is CostlyApplication Error is Costly• Wastes money

• Pest control failure

• Environmental damage

• Plant injury

• Legal penalties

FDACS

“Streaking” of a golf green from application error.

What is Calibration?What is Calibration?


When to Calibrate?When to Calibrate?


Area MeasurementArea Measurement• Squares and rectangles

• Triangles

• Circles

S. Priest, UF/IFAS

Using a measuring wheel.

Area MeasurementArea Measurement• Squares and rectangles

230 feet

520 feet

230 x 520 = 119,600 ft2

119,600 ÷ 43,560 = 2.75 acres

Area MeasurementArea Measurement• Triangles

270

ft

180 ft

(180 x 270) ÷ 2 = 24,300 ft2

Area MeasurementArea Measurement• Circles

68 ft

68 ÷ 2 = 34 ft

34 x 34 x 3.14 = 3,630 ft2

Area MeasurementArea Measurement• Irregular shapes

68 ft

1,856 ft + 3,230 ft + 105,400 ft + 3,630 ft = 114,116 ft2 or 2.62 acres

58 f

t

32 ft 85 f

t

76 ft

1,240 ft

85 f

t

SafetySafety


Equipment ChoiceEquipment Choice

S. Priest, UF/IFAS S. Priest, UF/IFAS

SpeedSpeed

FDACS

Handheld and Backpack SprayersHandheld and Backpack Sprayers

T. Bowman, VA Tech Univ.

Calibrate by AreaCalibrate by Area

M.J. Weaver, VA Tech Univ.M.J. Weaver, VA Tech Univ.

Calibrate by AreaCalibrate by Area40

ft

65 ft

40 x 65 = 2,600 ft2

• Takes 80 seconds to cover 1,000 ft2

• Output is 57 oz per 1,000 ft2

• Equivalent to 148.2 ounces per 2,600 ft2

• 5.2 ounces of herbicide needed to add to 143 ounces of water

Calibrate by VolumeCalibrate by Volume


Percent DilutionPercent Dilution

Percentage Decimal Equivalent

100% 1.00

10% 0.10

2% 0.02

0.5% 0.005

CDMS

Dilution ExampleDilution Example

• To treat 18 azaleas:– Label rate of insecticide = 3 ounces per gallon– 12 seconds to spray 1 azalea– 10 ounces collected in 12 seconds– 18 azaleas x 10 ounces = 180 ounces– 180 ÷ 128 = 1.4 gallons– 3 ounces x 1.4 gallons = 4.2 ounces


• To mix 3 gallons of a 2% solution:– 2 ÷ 100 = 0.02– 0.02 x 128 = 2.6 ounces– 2.6 x 3 = 7.8 ounces

UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office


• 0.25 ÷ 100 = 0.0025

• 0.0025 x 128 = 0.32 ounces

• 0.32 x 3 = 0.96 ounces

CDMS

NozzlesNozzles

• 4 main parts:– Body– Cap– Strainer– Tip


NozzlesNozzles

• Nozzle materials:– Brass– Plastic or polymer– Aluminum– Stainless steel– Ceramic S. Priest, UF/IFAS

NozzlesNozzles

• Spray pattern:– Cone– Flat fan


NozzlesNozzles


NozzlesNozzles

S. Priest, UF/IFAS

Spraying Systems Co.

Spray GunsSpray Guns

S. Priest, UF/IFAS


M.J. Weaver, VA Tech Univ.



• 200 x 5 = 1,000 ft2

• Average time is 78 seconds

• Collect 5.25 gallons in 78 seconds

• 5.25 x 43.56 = 228.7 gallons per acre

Boom SprayersBoom Sprayers


Nozzle spacing

No

zzle

hei

gh

t

Spray angle

Spray overlap

Top of target

N.C. State Univ.

Checking Spray PatternChecking Spray Pattern

UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office


Streaks

N.C. State Univ.


Photo source unknown

Acceptable Calibration Variation Acceptable Calibration Variation = = ++10% of the output10% of the output

• EXAMPLE– Desired output = 15

gallons per acre (gpa)– 15 x 0.10 = 1.5– 15 + 1.5 = 13.5 to 16.5– An output between 13.5

and 16.5 gpa would be considered acceptable.

S. Priest, UF/IFAS

Checking Nozzle OutputChecking Nozzle Output

• Most agricultural sprayers have more than one nozzle.

• Possible source of variation.

• Do an output test to check for uniformity.

• 10% variation is ok.



• Catch output from each of 4 nozzles for 30 seconds.– Nozzle 1 = 42 ml– Nozzle 2 = 48 ml– Nozzle 3 = 40 ml– Nozzle 4 = 39 ml

• Overall average = 42 ml


• Overall average = 42 ml• 42 + 4.2 = 37.8 to 46.2 ml = acceptable range– Nozzle 1 = 42 ml = ok– Nozzle 2 = 48 ml = not ok, too much– Nozzle 3 = 40 ml = ok– Nozzle 4 = 39 ml = ok

Calibrating a Boom SprayerCalibrating a Boom Sprayer


Measure Ground SpeedMeasure Ground Speed


Measure Ground SpeedMeasure Ground Speed

• What is the speed of a golf cart sprayer driven over a test run of 200 feet if three runs are timed at 40, 43, and 39 seconds?– (40 + 43 + 39) ÷ 3 = 40.7 seconds– 40.7 ÷ 60 seconds per minute = 0.68 minutes

per test run– 200 feet ÷ 0.68 = 294.1 feet per minute– Feet per minute ÷ 88 = mph– 294.1 ÷ 88 = 3.3 mph

Collect OutputCollect Output

• GPA = (GPM x 5,940) ÷ (MPH x W)– GPA = gallons per acre– GPM = gallons per minute– 5,940 = conversion factor– MPH = miles per hour– W = nozzle spacing in inches


Collect OutputCollect Output

• Will use a spray volume of 30 GPA

• MPH = 4.5

• Nozzle spacing = 20 inches

• Average nozzle output = 0.44 GPM

• GPA = (0.44 x 5,940) ÷ (4.5 x 20) = 29 GPA

How Much Product to Add?How Much Product to Add?• Label rate = 5 pints per acre

• Area to treat = 2.5 acres

• Spray tank capacity = 200 gallons

• Sprayer output = 29 GPA


How Much Product to Add?How Much Product to Add?• 200 ÷ 29 = 6.9 acres• 2.5 x 29 = 72.5 gallons• 2.5 x 5 = 12.5 pints or 1.6 gallons of product• 72.5 – 1.6 = 70.9 gallons of water


Rotary Spreader CalibrationRotary Spreader Calibration

S. Priest, UF/IFAS

S. Priest, UF/IFAS


S. Priest, UF/IFAS


W. Buhler, N.C. State Univ.


G.K. Jenkins, Design and Production, Raleigh, N.C.

P.A. Hipkins, VA Tech Univ.

Distance/swath width to equal 1,000 ft2

Swath width Length needed

6 ft 167 ft

8 ft 125 ft

10 ft 100 ft

12 ft 83 ft

CDMS


• Label rate = 50 lbs

• Swath = 12 ft

• Beginning = 2 lbs

• Caught = 1.06 lbs

• Rate per 1,000 ft2 = 1.06 lbs

• Rate per acre = 46.2 lbs



N.C. State Univ.

CDMS


P.A. Hipkins, VA Tech Univ.

Photo/Diagram CreditsPhoto/Diagram Credits• University of Florida/IFAS• FDACS• Virginia Tech University• N.C. State University• Spraying Systems Co.• CDMS• G.K. Jenkins, Design and Production, Raleigh, N.C.

Fred Fishel, Ph.D.Department of AgronomyUniversity of Florida/IFASCopyright 2008 University of Florida

Mention of trade names in this presentation is solely for providing specific information. It is not a guarantee or warranty of the products named, and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others of suitable composition. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer’s label.

calibration and calculations made easy for turfgrass applicators fred fishel, uf/ifas dept. of...

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