Adding small boom to 15 gallon

BurningBushFarm · May 10, 2011

Sorry I am double posting -- put this over on the general projects list, but thought one of youse here might have the know-how:

We are thinking of adding a little boom sprayer to a 15 gallon tank to spread herbicide in our pasture. (Death to Buttercups!)

Have found some great DIY directions online -- question is --

Our tank has a 1 gpm rate. Will that be enough to handle a small 2 nozzle boom?

Thanks.

rhett · May 10, 2011

BurningBushFarm said:
Our tank has a 1 gpm rate. Will that be enough to handle a small 2 nozzle boom?

Thanks.

Yes, if the GPM flow rate of the two nozzles does not exceed the pumps GPM at pressure desired. Check the pump specifications sheet for GPM at different pressures. Lower pressures will have a little higher GPM rate.

Nozzle Examples: (most nozzle part number rates are at 40psi - red highlighted)
TeeJet TP8004E nozzle = 0.49 GPM @ 60psi or 0.40 GPM @ 40psi or 0.28 GPM @ 20psi
TeeJet TP8003E nozzle = 0.37 GPM @ 60psi or 0.30 GPM @ 40psi or 0.21 GPM @ 20psi
TeeJet TP8002E nozzle = 0.24 GPM @ 60psi or 0.20 GPM @ 40psi or 0.14 GPM @ 20psi

Nozzle sizing and quantity used is determined by the pumps capacity.

Adding a Bypass Pressure Regulator to the system is very desirable because lower pressures have larger droplet sizes which are less prone to wind drift. Also in some cases additional nozzles can be added to the boom.

In hot weather RoundUp (Glyphosate) likes and needs more water when applied, so a 1 % mix or even a 1/2 % mix is recommended, wetting the vegetation a little better spraying heavy.

Because of the learning I received, I am very pleased from assembling my own spray system. The knowledge is worth more than the money saved building myself. Not only will the chemicals be applied in accordance with Law, monies saved on proper chemical application add up fast.

TeeJet has down loadable brochures, catalog and how to's. Very informative stuff. TeeJet Nozzles

Now I need to go buy 2 or 3 more 55 gallon plastic drums.

Good Luck

clemsonfor · May 10, 2011

Id just buy a boom sprayer. But to answer your question id say no, i think you need closer to 3GPM for a boom sprayer. The most you may put out may be 2 nozzels which would be more like 2 nozzles angled from the tank not really a boom. At this you would only be putting out 1GPM. With many herbiciedes wanting you to spay anywhere from 40 (fine mist) to 110(runof spray) gallons per acre you will have to go very slowly to put out the recomended rate of herbicide per acre. Remember active ingrediant per acre is different than spray per acre, than concentrate per acre. Many times it may say 12 oz concentrate/acre than can be sprayed in anywhere from 50-150 gallons of water per acre. Any amout of water can be used in that range based on the vegitaion you have to saturate it. Think about if you have waist tall fescue Vs ankle deep bermuda. It will take a heap more water to cover the fescue than the bermuda.

rhett · May 10, 2011

OK, spaying chemicals properly and in accordance with labeling is why Many States regulate the sales of chemicals. To purchase some chemicals in Bulk the buyer must have completed a study course with Proof of Certification. The broad leaf herbicide 2,4-D is one that is regulated here.

A higher GPM (gallons per minute) pump will increase productivity by allowing more nozzles on the boom with higher GPM delivery per nozzle. As "clemsonfor" stated, concentrate percentage per gallon will determine the speed of application by a GPA (gallons per acre) Conversion. Wetting is critical with herbicides, fertilizers not so much.

Mrs. BurningBushFarm, with a 15 gallon tank and a 1 GPM pump a boom sprayer can be setup, but for spraying any sizable acreage it will take some time to properly apply the chemicals. Smaller orifice nozzles means less fluid dispensed. That and you will be remixing the tank every 15 minutes. TeeJet has the FieldJet 1/4-KLC-5 nozzle which should work for you and be the easiest to setup and learn from. Only one nozzle used.

Spray Guns Valves Teejet Sprayer Tank Centrifugal Banjo Pump Tractor GPS
FieldJet 1/4-KLC-5 nozzle
Spray width 18 feet plus, depending on pressure
1 GPM @ 40psi (21 foot width at 36 inch height)
1/4 inch Male Pipe Threaded (easy to find fittings for hose)
Get your helping husband to mount it somehow.
Not too much cost to begin learning and actual field tests.

FieldJet PDF Document http://www.teejet.com/media/b8c4cd48-5bfc-417e-874a-2981f94651fc-CAT50-US_LoRes_p035.pdf

I am only trying to promote the value of learning. Done according to the label by not over or under applying a product will save major $$$ in the long run. Plus the satisfaction knowing one tried their best.

Good Luck

clemsonfor · May 11, 2011

rhett said:
OK, spaying chemicals properly and in accordance with labeling is why Many States regulate the sales of chemicals. To purchase some chemicals in Bulk the buyer must have completed a study course with Proof of Certification. The broad leaf herbicide 2,4-D is one that is regulated here.

A higher GPM (gallons per minute) pump will increase productivity by allowing more nozzles on the boom with higher GPM delivery per nozzle. As "clemsonfor" stated, concentrate percentage per gallon will determine the speed of application by a GPA (gallons per acre) Conversion. Wetting is critical with herbicides, fertilizers not so much.

Mrs. BurningBushFarm, with a 15 gallon tank and a 1 GPM pump a boom sprayer can be setup, but for spraying any sizable acreage it will take some time to properly apply the chemicals. Smaller orifice nozzles means less fluid dispensed. That and you will be remixing the tank every 15 minutes. TeeJet has the FieldJet 1/4-KLC-5 nozzle which should work for you and be the easiest to setup and learn from. Only one nozzle used.

Spray Guns Valves Teejet Sprayer Tank Centrifugal Banjo Pump Tractor GPS
FieldJet 1/4-KLC-5 nozzle
Spray width 18 feet plus, depending on pressure
1 GPM @ 40psi (21 foot width at 36 inch height)
1/4 inch Male Pipe Threaded (easy to find fittings for hose)
Get your helping husband to mount it somehow.
Not too much cost to begin learning and actual field tests.

FieldJet PDF Document http://www.teejet.com/media/b8c4cd48-5bfc-417e-874a-2981f94651fc-CAT50-US_LoRes_p035.pdf

I am only trying to promote the value of learning. Done according to the label by not over or under applying a product will save major $$$ in the long run. Plus the satisfaction knowing one tried their best.

Good Luck

You added to what i said. I have certification and am a licensed applicator as well. It can get confusing if you dont even have the slightest clue as to what is being discussed. I type slower than i think and sometimes my posts are jumbled, sorry for that.

Just to show the differences here in SC and GA we can buy 2,4-d and glyphosate in any size container you want without restriction.

But again, you need to study read and know what is stated on the lable if not call the company and ask them and tell them what you are trying to accomplish and they can make a recomendation based on that.

Agreed the small tank is best used to spray fence lines or spot spray 2,4,d onto the dandelions not broad application as you will have to drive excruciatingly slowly and fill the tank all the time unless you hook up some sort of nurse tank situation and then why not just buy a 50 gal boom sprayer on wheels?

smstonypoint · May 11, 2011

clemsonfor said:
Agreed the small tank is best used to spray fence lines or spot spray 2,4,d onto the dandelions not broad application as you will have to drive excruciatingly slowly and fill the tank all the time unless you hook up some sort of nurse tank situation and then why not just buy a 50 gal boom sprayer on wheels?

Another possibility would be to build (or buy) a wick applicator that you could mount or your tractor/ATV/UTV. Plans are available; e.g., http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/spray/pubs/documents/Aavimhowtomakearopewick.pdf

Steve

BurningBushFarm · May 11, 2011

Aaugh!

Great advice all (especially liked that wiiiide spray nozzle!)

But I forgot to mention the tank was to be used primarily on the back of the lawn mower. Just figured y'all were so handy that you'd have some experience.

One reason we went for the smaller tank is the weight and volume factor. We arent't planning on doing large pastures. That bush hogging seems to be fine for that. (Cut'em before they go to seed.)

Here's what we did -- found great paper online about making a small boom. In process of looking for the parts (Tractor Supply useful...) ended up burrowing into the manufacturer's website and found a boom they sold for their 1 GPM unit .. which included the full parts list -- which they sold.

So we were able to order a few of the harder to find pieces. Good prices. Great service. Should have it together soon. Will use it primarily to take out 2 acres of buttercups. Other pastures have smaller concentrations of weeds we are cutting, but this will be useful there also.

Thanks for the responses.

clemsonfor · May 12, 2011

BurningBushFarm said:
Aaugh!

Great advice all (especially liked that wiiiide spray nozzle!)

But I forgot to mention the tank was to be used primarily on the back of the lawn mower. Just figured y'all were so handy that you'd have some experience.

One reason we went for the smaller tank is the weight and volume factor. We arent't planning on doing large pastures. That bush hogging seems to be fine for that. (Cut'em before they go to seed.)

Here's what we did -- found great paper online about making a small boom. In process of looking for the parts (Tractor Supply useful...) ended up burrowing into the manufacturer's website and found a boom they sold for their 1 GPM unit .. which included the full parts list -- which they sold.

So we were able to order a few of the harder to find pieces. Good prices. Great service. Should have it together soon. Will use it primarily to take out 2 acres of buttercups. Other pastures have smaller concentrations of weeds we are cutting, but this will be useful there also.

Thanks for the responses.

I really think your missing what i am saying as well as the others. Your tank and pump Physically are not big enough to put out the required amount of herbicide per acre per 1000 sq feet what ever practically. If your just going to drive over to a "patch" of dandelions and turn it on it will work, you still will have to drive very slowly but you can do it. Remember weather you have 1 nozzel or 10 your max output is only 1GPM . This will be a problem if you have say 4 nozzels they will each be putting out such a small amount that you will have to go very slowly like 1-2 mph or go over it twice.If this is what your going to do then its gonna work but i hardly see how the extra expense and time will be worth it, cause effectivly all you are doing is spot spraying. Now instead of pulling up and hitting it all with a wand you now have to drive in tight circles and turn the pump on and off to hit what you want. I think a want is a better choice since you can aim it and not have to drive over it and you will apply more in a shorter amount of time.