Air blast sprayer project

ERE · Aug 17, 2009

Here are a couple of pics of the air blast sprayer that I made for the vineyard. It works beautifully and cost me about $400 instead of $3500 that the cheapest one I could find over the counter. Unfortunately this is the project that I busted up my hand on before the growing season started, so it wasn't completed until about a month ago. Next year I may set it up to spray both sides of a row at once, but for this season, I'm very happy with it.

Robert_in_NY · Aug 18, 2009

What are you spraying? That will get the job done and is a lot cheaper then a new unit. the last new air blast sprayer I priced was $20k for a 400 gallon TurboMist which is a top of the line unit and one that will last for ever on large acerage. My only problem is I have small acerage still that needs an airblast so I have been buying used till I can justify a new unit.

Have you used the sprayer yet for actual spraying? If so how was the coverage in the canopy?

ERE · Aug 18, 2009

I only spray a half acre of vines (vinifera varieties). This is a retired guys hobby vice a business. I Think I just woke up stupid one morning 4 years ago and thought that grapes would be fun. Wow, four years later and I'm finally ready for my first crop and every critter bug and disease is fighting me tooth and nail for the grapes. The bears, coons and fox were beat by the electric fence, but the birds have taken about 25% of my merlot this year. I broke down and ordered netting which I hope arrives today. We have to spray for every 10 days or so in Virginia's hot, humid climate for the mildews and rots. Sprayer coverage is very good. It isn't as good as my neighboring vineyards real air blast, but is is still very good, and hugely better than anything else I've used. I think if I added a fourth nozzle to the side, that that coverage would be about perfect. I get even coverage and good penetration into the canopy, but I can find leaves that don't have both sides completely wet if I go throught the vine by hand. I've used it 4 times and am still "tuning" it with different air velocities and spray tip sizes.

rvaitor · Sep 15, 2009

ERE said:
I only spray a half acre of vines (vinifera varieties). This is a retired guys hobby vice a business. I Think I just woke up stupid one morning 4 years ago and thought that grapes would be fun. Wow, four years later and I'm finally ready for my first crop and every critter bug and disease is fighting me tooth and nail for the grapes. The bears, coons and fox were beat by the electric fence, but the birds have taken about 25% of my merlot this year. I broke down and ordered netting which I hope arrives today. We have to spray for every 10 days or so in Virginia's hot, humid climate for the mildews and rots. Sprayer coverage is very good. It isn't as good as my neighboring vineyards real air blast, but is is still very good, and hugely better than anything else I've used. I think if I added a fourth nozzle to the side, that that coverage would be about perfect. I get even coverage and good penetration into the canopy, but I can find leaves that don't have both sides completely wet if I go throught the vine by hand. I've used it 4 times and am still "tuning" it with different air velocities and spray tip sizes.

Could you post a little more on your set-up - looks like a leaf blower attached to a manifold with the spray rig putting the product out inside the blower outlets.

What are you spraying with and don't you get in all over you and ingest it as well? Do you wear protective gear?

Great looking set-up.

Thanks,

ERE · Sep 17, 2009

Rvaitor, you pretty well nailed what it is. I purchased a push type wheeled leaf blower, and welded it onto a 3ph general purpose carrier bracket that I got from TSC. The original sprayer rig was also wheeled so I cut off the wheels and welded it to the same bracket. I put the tank at a 15 degree tilt angle so that I wouldn't loose suction when I was on the hill in the vineyard. The output of the leaf blower is channeled by 3" tubing that came from Grizzley and was originally meant for shop dust collector systems. The sprayer tips are mounted inside the blower tubes right at the exit, so that they get a huge velocity increase when spray is on. Each pump (spray and recirc) has a separate switch that sit beside my seat so that I can turn on from the driver seat. All and all, I am pleased with it. I will probably add a fourth nozzle this winter, but that will require a somewhat larger capacity pump.

I spray multiple types of fungicides, and an occasional insecticide as recommended by the vineyard guys at Virginia Tec. I don't get any spray on my because I only spray if wind is zero to 1 MPH. The spray tips are about 4 feet behind me and the tractor is moving forward at 2 to 2.5 mph. Despite that, I wear full clothing that I launder after each spraying and a full-face-mask, powered respirator with a tyvek hood.

rvaitor · Sep 19, 2009

ERE said:
Rvaitor, you pretty well nailed what it is. I purchased a push type wheeled leaf blower, and welded it onto a 3ph general purpose carrier bracket that I got from TSC. The original sprayer rig was also wheeled so I cut off the wheels and welded it to the same bracket. I put the tank at a 15 degree tilt angle so that I wouldn't loose suction when I was on the hill in the vineyard. The output of the leaf blower is channeled by 3" tubing that came from Grizzley and was originally meant for shop dust collector systems. The sprayer tips are mounted inside the blower tubes right at the exit, so that they get a huge velocity increase when spray is on. Each pump (spray and recirc) has a separate switch that sit beside my seat so that I can turn on from the driver seat. All and all, I am pleased with it. I will probably add a fourth nozzle this winter, but that will require a somewhat larger capacity pump.

I spray multiple types of fungicides, and an occasional insecticide as recommended by the vineyard guys at Virginia Tec. I don't get any spray on my because I only spray if wind is zero to 1 MPH. The spray tips are about 4 feet behind me and the tractor is moving forward at 2 to 2.5 mph. Despite that, I wear full clothing that I launder after each spraying and a full-face-mask, powered respirator with a tyvek hood.

Thanks, maybe when you get it dialed in you could post a material lists so those of us that find this intriguing might try and duplicate it. That tank and pump look a little small for what you're trying to do. What's the story on the powered respirator?

I'm really nervous about spraying stuff, plan to try and knock down some weeds this fall and next spring.

ERE · Sep 20, 2009

The tank size is 35 gal which works OK for my small vineyard. I have a 65 gal tank also, but didn't use it for this rig. You are right about the spray pump. It is 2.1gpm and is marginal for the three nozzles tips I have selected; I'll probably go to a bigger one when I add a fourth nozzle this winter.

The power respirator is made by 3m. They and others, have different models. It is a comfortable full face respirator that attaches to a blower and battery pack that sits on my belt. The battery is Li and is rated for a full 8 hours. Most of the vineyard around here use powered respirators that are integrated into hard hats. They are extremely pricey however. I get pretty much the same effect by putting a $1.50 tyvek hood over my head.

If all you are going to do is spray herbacide and don't intend to spray upward, as in an orchard or vineyard, I would think that all you need is a normal respirator and a windless day. Check the label for the product - they all talk about protective clothing requirements.

bbcbradley · Nov 7, 2013

That looks exceptional. I have a L3000 Kubota and a half acre vineyard that's screaming for it! What are the air/liquid nozzles that you used? Thanks lots! Bill

bbcbradley · Nov 7, 2013

That looks exceptional. I have a L3000 Kubota and a half acre vineyard that's screaming for it! What are the air/liquid nozzles that you used? Thanks lots! Bill