AUGUST 2001

Spring is spraying season and one of the most important times of the year for farmers. With only a few weeks left to prepare, TTi compiled a quick guide to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running and get the best results.

 

Safety First!

We can’t claim to offer Australia’s Safest Tanks and Trailers or Sprayers unless we warn users about the dangers of ignoring personal protective equipment (PPE)
Though secondary to workplace instructions, procedures, training and supervision, PPE can greatly reduce the risk of injury to lungs, head, feet, eyes, skin and body
When considering PPE, it is important to note what you will be exposed to, in what quantities and for how long
Without doubt, PPE should be regarded as a secondary measure for safety. Nothing beats putting proper knowledge into action when it comes to processes, equipment, and chemical usage

 

Pressure Regulator & Gauge

Pressure regulators are used to ensure consistent spraying pressures, cutting off the flow of liquids (or gases) at a certain pressure
It’s important to pay attention to your spray pressure as variations cause change in application rate, droplet size and spray pattern.

 

Booms

Spray booms greatly reduce the effort and time required to evenly distribute your water and/or chemical. Many considerations should be observed when choosing the right boom to suit your application, including:

» Nozzle selection, alignment, type and operating pressure
» Boom height and stability
» Filtration, water or carrier application rates
» Speed of operation and marking systems
» In order to achieve desired overlapping, the height of your boom should be adjusted according to nozzle manufacturers’ specifications

 

Nozzle Options

Nozzle choice is paramount to ensuring accuracy when spraying. Nozzles regulate application volume at a set operating pressure, travel speed, and spacing. Spray drift can be minimised by using nozzles which produce the largest droplet size, while delivering sufficient coverage at the desired application rate and pressure

Common nozzle types used in agricultural spraying include fan, hollow-cone, full-cone, and others with special features such as air induction and drift reducing

Read More » “The Importance of Choosing the Right Nozzle”

 

Operator’s Comfort

What could be more important? Ease of use is the essential buying clincher, and nobody wants to break their back doing an everyday task!

Look for features such as shoulder straps, carrying handles, convertible handles for right or left hand use, double action pumps, backrests, auto-rewind reels, and other luxury options

 

Read More »  “The top 10 ways to keep your sprayers ship shape”

 

Hose

When selecting a spray hose for your unit, it’s important to consider these factors:

Accessibility » Get the reach you need out of your hose! Choose the right length to get around those tricky corners in the back paddock when you’re spraying.

Pressure Rating » Determined by the pressure rating of your pump, eg. 40bar.

Avoid Joining » It’s simple… avoid joining, avoid snagging!

Hose material » Nylon or rubber materials help your hose slide easily back into place, without drag

Non-kinking » Look for non-kinking features to prevent cracks and leaks.

 

Foam Marking Kits and GPS Guidance Systems

Improve spraying accuracy and reduce chemical wastage with foam marking kits and GPS guidance systems.

Foam marking kits drop foam from the ends of your boom, ensuring you don’t overlap. GPS Spray Systems such as the TeeJet Matrix Pro and Centreline 220 are ideal for replacing foam markers when broad-acre spraying.

 

Chemical to Water Ratio

Protect crops by referring to the chemical spray char. Check that the ratio of chemical to water is suitable for the spraying target

 

Calibration

Calibrating the sprayer helps determine how much water/chemical mix the sprayer puts out. This involves measuring the total spray output of the unit, travel speed, swath width and subsequently, application rate. Never calibrate the tank when filled with chemicals, always flush out completely with clean water first.

It is vital to calibrate the sprayer in order to prevent poor weed, insect or disease control, which could result in damaged crops.

 

DEPI says: “Calibration ensures that you get good coverage of the target surface and that you spray the correct amount without wastage. It saves you time and money, results in a more effective and efficient spraying job, and protects the environment.

For more information on calibrating your spray unit, please contact the manufacturer. TTi’s Operator Handbooks can be found with almost all products listed on each page of the website as a downloadable PDF file

 

Weather Conditions

The wind will change and your face will stay that way!

Wise words, grandma, and perhaps a little more true than we would like! Though the potentially hazardous physical outcome of the wind changing may not be in question so much as the condition of your crop, it is very important to pick the day you spray.

DEPI says: “Before you start, check that the weather conditions are suitable for spraying (i.e. wind speeds between 3-15 km/h, blowing away from sensitive crops/areas, Delta T between two and eight, temperature below 28oC, no inversion layer present). If the weather is unstable or unpredictable, don’t spray. Continue to monitor weather conditions while spraying and stop spraying if it turns unfavourable.”

 

Maintenance

Just like cleaning the house, washing the car and feeding the kids, it’s essential to care for your investment. Checks should be carried out multiple times during the spraying season, and throughout the year.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”. If this maxim is good enough for Benjamin Franklin, it is good enough for us. It pays to be informed about your equipment.

 

Parts and Maintenance of LinkOn Plus Sprayer in Australia manufactured by TTi