Sprayer Need help with sprayer calibration

[lhfarm]

This is an old Demco RMB 55 gallon 10' boom sprayer. As you can see from the tag it was built in 86. The Demco Web site does have a manual for the current version of this sprayer, but no calibration information. The sprayer tips are marked S.S. Co. TK-1.5. My searching hasn't turned up any useful information.

I'm going to be spraying Roundup. I have a hydro, and will be able to maintain a constant speed. I just need to figure what that needs to be. The pump seems to be set for 40psi and there are four nozzles on the boom. The pattern (sprayed on gravel) looks pretty uniform.

Any suggestions for calculating amount of Roundup I'll need for 3 acres and my driving speed?

Thanks,

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

This is an old Demco RMB 55 gallon 10' boom sprayer. As you can see from the tag it was built in 86. The Demco Web site does have a manual for the current version of this sprayer, but no calibration information. The sprayer tips are marked S.S. Co. TK-1.5. My searching hasn't turned up any useful information.

I'm going to be spraying Roundup. I have a hydro, and will be able to maintain a constant speed. I just need to figure what that needs to be. The pump seems to be set for 40psi and there are four nozzles on the boom. The pattern (sprayed on gravel) looks pretty uniform.

Any suggestions for calculating amount of Roundup I'll need for 3 acres and my driving speed?

Thanks,

In Tennessee the local ag extension service provides a free manual regarding weed control. It has a very good section on sprayer calibration. The maunal is available online at UT | Weed Science. If for some reason you have trouble accessing the info online, send me a private message with your address and I'll copy the pages and send them to you.

 

[checkers]

Hi, I just happened to see your post as I was leaving the site. Don,t have but a minute and will be gone for a while.
Your nozzles are Spraying Systems Floodjets, size #1.5 with a capacity of .30 gallon per minute at 40 PSI. That equates to about 11 gallons per acre at 4 MPH with a nozzle spacing of 20 inches.
Spraying Systems website is Spraying Systems Co. - Experts in Spray Technology - Spray Nozzles - Spray Control - Spray Analysis - Spray Fabrication Also go to Untitled Document for calibration procedures- use the procedure for hebicide broadcast spraying.
I don,t spray much Roundup, but when I do I use 1 to 1.5 gal per acre.
Good Luck.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I just went to the referenced website, and the weed control manual is indeed there. Just go to the sprayer cailbration pages and you should be good to go and ready to launch. I have used the 1/128 acre method in the past and it is fairly easy and quite accurate. Also, you will want to spray around 2 qts/acre of roundup.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

I don,t spray much Roundup, but when I do I use 1 to 1.5 gal per acre.

Just curious as to what strength glysophate you use? That rate sounds very high to me. The 41% sold at most co-ops and farm stores recommends the 2 qts./acre that I mentioned above. That 1-1.5/gal per acre would get pretty expensive and would be overkill in my humble opinion.

 

[Rockin' G Ranch]

Here is the best sprayer calibration method I've found. Sprayer Technology Part I,II and III.


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Glysophate should be applied at 1-2 quarts per acre.

 

[checkers]

I work in the sports turf and athletic field industry and we use glyphosate in field renovation projects. Almost all of our work is with bermudagrass with a normally thick canopy so it is more cost effective to use a higher rate and knock it out with one application.
You are right that for many applications a lower rate will be adequate. When I use a spot sprayer for weeds I mix 2 or 3 oz per 1k sq ft.

 

[lhfarm]

Just a quick thank you for the all sites/information. I appreciate the quick responses and feel much more confident that I'll get this done in a safe and effective manner.

 

[lhfarm]

Just a quick follow-up. I finished spraying with the tank almost empty - the calibration and calculations worked perfectly. I waited a couple of weeks to report in, just to make sure I got the mix right . I can tell from the one big green streak - where I got off a row - that the rest is dying.

A foam marking system sure would be nice. Maybe next year.

Thanks to all of you again. Another TBN success story.