SPRAYING INFORMATION &

CALIBRATION PROCEDURES

RS052010
 spraying information & calibration procedures

INTRODUCTION

Accurate calibration is an essential element of any spraying function as it ensures that the pesticide/
herbicide is applied at the rate on the product label. Application in excess of the recommended rate is
prohibited, can damage crops and is uneconomical.

Calibration must always be carried out:

When spraying for the first time with new spray equipment
At the beginning of each season
After changes of nozzle tips, spraying pressure or speed
After every 100 hectares of spraying

The following pages give some information on how to calculate spray application rates, a sample
worksheet and a blank copy for you to print to record your calculations on. There is also general
information about types of nozzles and spray techniques.

Please note: This information is general in nature and no responsibility or liability is accepted by Rapid
Spray. In no sense does this document constitute advice or recommendations.

Freecall: 1800 011 000

PH: 61 2 6578 8100

Fax: 61 2 6571 2951

35 Enterprise Cres
PO Box 3119
Singleton NSW 2330
Australia

email: rapid.sales@rapidspray.net
www.rapidspray.net

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 spraying information &ISJ
calibration
AGRICULTURAL
procedures
NOZZLES

SPRAYING

Spraying coverage

Overall spraying is when the entire field is to be treated.

The width that each nozzle sprays, adjusted for spray overlap,
is the distance between nozzles on the spray boom.

Band spraying is when planted rows or unplanted gaps are

treated. The width that each nozzle sprays is the width of the
treated band.

Sprayer Speed
Forward speed of the spraying machine should be measured accurately. Sensors should be calibrated
after installation or servicing. Wheel-driven speedometers should be calibrated whenever the driving
surface changes, such as after cultivation. Speed can be determined if it is known how long it takes to
drive a measured distance:

distance in metres x 3.6

Speed in Km/h =
time in seconds

Higher speeds (12-20 Km/h) improve work rates and timeliness; lower speeds (8-12 Km/h) give improved
canopy penetration and reduce spray drift.

Application Rate
Read the pesticide label closely to determine an appropriate spray application rate. If a range of
acceptable application rates is listed, choose a rate that best matches your situation. For example,
application rates of less than 150 l/ha will increase work rates and improve timeliness whereas higher
application rates (>150 l/ha), are required for good coverage in dense canopies.

Flow Rate
Determine the exact flow required from the nozzles by calculating:

l/ha x km/h x nozzle spacing (m)

l/min =
600

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 spraying information & calibration procedures

TECHNICAL SUGGESTIONS

Following you will find some formulas and charts, that can be Use of no-water based solutions
very useful for proper spraying. The reported values have been calculated using water.
In case of liquids with a different specific weight (density), if you
How to calculate the forward speed want to know the real delivery, you have to multiply the values
Speed is a basic datum to calculate the sprayed volume on the charts with a conversion factor, as follows:
(litres/hectares or GPA).
When its not possible to have a speedometer (and when you Density kg/dm3 0,85 0,90 0,95 1 1,10 1,15 1,20 1,25 1,30 1,40
want to check its precision), you can do the following: Conversion factor 1,08 1,05 1,03 1 0,95 0,93 0,91 0,89 0,88 0,85
- Fill half the tank
- Measure 100 mt on the field Obviously, the more density, the more pressure you need to
- Drive the distance using gear position and RPM, that you require reach the required delivery.
for spraying. Record the time it takes you.
- Repeat the previous point at least 5 times and calculate the Pressure drop
average time it took you to drive 100 mt This is the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet
- Apply the following formula: of a hydraulic plant. Beside of the pipe length, this drop is due
to branches lines, curves, filters, valves, sections variations etc.
s In our catalog we report the values indicated on the technical
V = 3,6 charts of our products.
t
Filtering elements size
V= Speed (km/h)
The filter efficacy depends on the positioning of the correct net
s = Distance (mt)
size on the different points of hydraulic system. On the chart
t = Time (1 seconds)
you can find the minimum required net size:
or:
l/ha Filter (mesh)
d ISO Nozzle 8 km/h Suction Lines Booms
60 3 bar
S = 88
ISO 11001 11002 < 120 l/ha 50 80 100
t
> 120 l/ha
ISO 11003 11006 32 50 80
< 450 l/ha
S= Speed (MPH)
ISO > 11008 > 450 l/ha 16 32 50
d = Distance (ft)
t = Time (1 seconds)
This way you have:
How to calculate delivery and sprayed volume
- correct filtration
Before spraying you need to choose the correct nozzle, accord-
- low pressure drop
ing to volume and speed. You can do this calculation with the
- low maintenance = low costs
help of several nozzle delivery charts, but if you want to know
the exact delivery of the nozzle you are using, you can do the
following:

MEASUREMENT CONVERSION
DVi
Q=
60.000 Volume
unit English Metric
Q = Nozzle delivery (l/min)
1 lt. 0.2199 Imp. gal. 0.26417 US gal.
D = Application rate (l/ha)
V = Speed (km/h) 1 US Gallon 0.833 Imp.gal. 3.785 lt.
i = Nozzle spacing (cm) 1 Imp. Gallon 1.2 US gal. 4.546 lt.

or: Delivery
DSi unit English Metric
Q= 0.26417 US GPM
5940 1 l/min
0.22 Imp. GPM
Q = Nozzle delivery (GPM) 1 l/ha 0.1069 US GPA
D = Application rate (GPA) 1 US GPM 0.833 Imp. GPM 3.785 l/min
S = Speed (MPH) 1 Imp.GPM 1.2 US GPM 4.546 l/min
i = Nozzles spacing (inch) 1 GPA 9.346 l/ha
How to calculate the required pressure
When the charts dont report the pressure value, which allows Pressure
the nozzles to supply the required delivery, you can use the unit English Metric
following formula to calculate it: 1 bar 14.503 psi 0.1 Mpa
1 Mpa 145.03 psi 10 bar
1 psi 0.069 bar
P1 = (Q1 / Q2)2 P2 0.0069 Mpa

P1 = required pressure
P2 = pressure on the chart
Q1 = required delivery
Q2 = delivery on the chart

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 spraying information &ISJ
calibration
AGRICULTURAL
procedures
NOZZLES

CALIBRATION PROCEDURES
The following table gives a step-by-step guidance on the standard method of sprayer calibration
See page 6 for a copy of this table with blank fields for data entry.

BOOM SPRAYERS HYDRAULIC NOZZLES EXAMPLE

Spray VOLUME
Read the LABEL Product Dose
Spray QUALITY

Measure TIME per 100 Metres Measure time in seconds over land similar to that to be sprayed

Calculate SPEED SPEED = 360 divided by TIME

km/h seconds

Measure Nozzle SPACING Normally 0.5 metres (50cm)

Measure TIME per 100 Metres OUTPUT = VOLUME x SPEED x SPACE 600
litres/min litres/hectare km/h metres

Refer to nozzle manufacturers data charts or other sources

Select NOZZLE and select the size and type of nozzle that will produce the
calculated OUTPUT and required spray QUALITY

NOW, CHECK THE CALIBRATION ON THE SPRAYER

With water, check outputs of 4 or more nozzles using a

calibrated jug or flow meter.
Check Nozzle OUTPUT
Check all nozzles are aligned correctly and spray patterns
are good

Calibrate SPRAYER SPEED = 360 divided by TIME

km/h seconds

As the nozzle output and therefore the spray volume are less than target figures,
increase the pressure to, say 2.5 bar and repeat the calibration to achieve 200 litres/hectare

NOW, RECORD THE DETAILS AS CALCULATED

Nozzle fitted

Spray Volume

Spray Pressure

Spray Quality

Forward Speed

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 spraying information & calibration procedures
CALIBRATION PROCEDURES - PRINT VERSION

To print this page, select Print from the File menu, choose Current Page from the print options.

BOOM SPRAYERS HYDRAULIC NOZZLES DATA

Spray VOLUME
Read the LABEL Product Dose
Spray QUALITY

Measure TIME per 100 Metres Measure time in seconds over land similar to that to be sprayed

Calculate SPEED SPEED = 360 divided by TIME

km/h seconds

Measure Nozzle SPACING Normally 0.5 metres (50cm)

Measure TIME per 100 Metres OUTPUT = VOLUME x SPEED x SPACE 600
litres/min litres/hectare km/h metres

Refer to nozzle manufacturers data charts or other sources

Select NOZZLE and select the size and type of nozzle that will produce the
calculated OUTPUT and required spray QUALITY

NOW, CHECK THE CALIBRATION ON THE SPRAYER

With water, check outputs of 4 or more nozzles using a cali-

brated jug or flow meter.
Check Nozzle OUTPUT
Check all nozzles are aligned correctly and spray patterns
are good

Calibrate SPRAYER SPEED = 360 divided by TIME

km/h seconds

If the nozzle output and therefore the spray volume are less than target figures,
increase the pressure to, say 2.5 bar and repeat the calibration to achieve 200 litres/hectare

NOW, RECORD THE DETAILS AS CALCULATED

Nozzle fitted

Spray Volume

Spray Pressure

Spray Quality

Forward Speed

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 spraying information &ISJ
calibration
AGRICULTURAL
procedures
NOZZLES

SPRAY PATTERN TYPE

Flat Fan pattern

Available as a tapered spray for boom applications or an even spray for single nozzle
applications; e.g. knapsacks. They have an elliptical orifice, which produces a narrow oval
pattern. Tapered nozzles produce a triangular spray pattern where most of the spray is
deposited immediately under the nozzle. By overlapping tapered sprays across a boom,
an even distribution across a boom can be obtained.

Deflect pattern
Also known as anvil or flood nozzles, deflect nozzles produce wide angled flat pattern
when operated at low pressures (1-2 bar). The nozzles generally produce a coarse, even
spray and are ideal for use with knapsack sprayers or mounted on tillage equipment.

Hollow cone pattern

Nozzles produce a hollow circular footprint. Hollow cones are used on air-assisted sprayers
and traditional boom sprayers when good coverage in dense canopies is required.

THE ADOPTION OF LOW DRIFT NOZZLES

Spray Drift comprises small, wind bourne droplets of pesticide carried away from the intended target area into
the environment.
Recent research has shown that up to 20% of pesticides being released is contained in droplets less than 100m
in diameter. These, of course, are drift prone droplets capable of travelling great distances taking the benefits of
the pesticide away from the target, to contaminate the environment.
INTERNATIONAL SPRAY JETSs Low Drift Nozzles are developed with a dual orifice nozzle tip which generates
larger droplets even at standard spray pressures, with a significant reduction in the percentage of droplets below
103m, therefore reducing the percentage of pesticide available for transmission to non-target areas.
Low Drift nozzles really helps to reduce environmental impact by reducing the percentage volume of driftable
droplets, minimising off-target spray contamination.

Percentage Volume of Droplets <103m at 3 bar pressure

Typical
110 STANDARD
FLAT FAN
SF110015 SF11002 SF11003 SF11004

LOW DRIFT
110 NOZZLE
LD110015 LD11002 LD11003 LD11004

Percentage reduction
in volume of droplets
below 103m using 33% 42% 48% 54%
LOW DRIFT tips

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 spraying information & calibration procedures

SPRAYING

For effective spraying ensure you have taken the following factors into account

1. Work Rates
Speed of operation
Water points or nurse tanks
Rate of travel
Swath width
Spray volume applied

2. Wind and drift

Wind Speed
Wind Direction
Airspeed at boom height
Avoid spraying on still warm days as convection currents may cause drift in unpredictable directions.
Optimum wind speeds are between 3km/h to 7 km/h.
Wind direction and drift is controlled by;:
Reducing nozzle height
Reducing pressure and using larger nozzles
Fit low-drift nozzles producing larger droplets

3. Field Work (See diagram)

Swath marking and spraying
Mark out to ensure proper pass matching use flags foam
markers or tramlines
Where large obstructions exist in the middle of an area to
be sprayed, mark out and spray the area like a separate
headland.
The perimeter of the field should be sprayed first. The
width of two swaths will give adequate turning space at
the ends of spray runs.
Never spray while turning.

4. Speed
Maintain a constant speed when spraying. Should you need to increase your spraying speed, larger
delivery nozzles must be fitted. Re-calibrate as required.