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Chapter 6Chapter 6

Equipment Equipment

&&

CalibrationCalibration

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Equipment SelectionEquipment Selection

Depends on…Depends on…– target– type of application– pest to be controlled– pesticide formulation

EquipmentEquipment– liquid sprayers, granular applicators,

injectors, aircraft

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Calibration of equipment is crucial to obtain the correct application rate according to the label.

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Pesticide DepositPesticide Deposit

Deposit on target depends on…Deposit on target depends on…

– concentration in tank

– rate of discharge

– equipment speed

– swath width evaporation and drift excluded

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Application Equipment Application Equipment ComponentsComponents

TanksTanks

AgitatorsAgitators

StrainersStrainers

PumpsPumps

Pressure Pressure

RegulatorsRegulators

Pressure GaugePressure Gauge

Hoses Hoses

NozzlesNozzles

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TanksTanks

Large enough for tasksLarge enough for tasks

Stainless steel and fiberglass Stainless steel and fiberglass

are bestare best

Shut off valve requiredShut off valve required

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AgitatorsAgitators

Pesticide formulation Pesticide formulation determines agitation determines agitation requirementrequirement– liquid conc., soluble powders,

emulsions…. Less…. By- pass

– wettable powers more… mechanical

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AgitatorsAgitators

MechanicalMechanical

HydraulicHydraulic

– by pass from pressure relief valve

may not be sufficient

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StrainersStrainers

Prevent foreign material from Prevent foreign material from plugging working partsplugging working parts

Nozzle strainers not a substitute Nozzle strainers not a substitute for pressure line strainerfor pressure line strainer

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Centrifugal PumpCentrifugal Pump

High volumes at low pressuresHigh volumes at low pressures Used with abrasive materialsUsed with abrasive materials Not self- primingNot self- priming Pressure regulators not neededPressure regulators not needed InexpensiveInexpensive

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Gear PumpGear Pump

Simple & low costSimple & low cost Low pressureLow pressure Not affected by solventsNot affected by solvents Disposable Disposable

when wornwhen worn

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Roller PumpsRoller Pumps Low pressure, positive displacement, Low pressure, positive displacement,

self- primingself- priming Similar to gear pumps, but abrasion Similar to gear pumps, but abrasion

resistant, repairableresistant, repairable Somewhat more Somewhat more

costlycostly

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Diaphragm PumpDiaphragm Pump

Similar in pressure & volume to Similar in pressure & volume to gear pumpsgear pumps

Very abrasion resistantVery abrasion resistant

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Piston PumpsPiston Pumps

High volumesHigh volumes High pressuresHigh pressures Rugged & versatileRugged & versatile

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Pressure RegulatorsPressure Regulators Controls pressureControls pressure

– rate deliver to nozzles By -passes excess material back By -passes excess material back

to tankto tank

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Pressure RegulatorsPressure Regulators

Two typesTwo types

– simple relief valves

– pressure unloaders

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Pressure GaugePressure Gauge

EssentialEssential– pressure affects delivery

Gauges do wear Gauges do wear out or become out or become cloggedclogged

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HosesHoses

Composition (chief liner Composition (chief liner material)material)

ConstructionConstruction– reinforcement, rigidity, flexibility

Working pressureWorking pressure SizeSize

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NozzlesNozzles

Complete assembly consists of..Complete assembly consists of..– Body– Screen– Cap– Tip or orifice plate

Many designs are availableMany designs are available– all spread a liquid into droplets

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Manufacturer tech sheets are crucial.

Application rate depends on ground speed and pressure

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Never operate at higher pressures to compensate for the wrong size.

This will cause nozzle wear and drift.

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Nozzle MaterialsNozzle Materials

AluminumAluminum BrassBrass CeramicCeramic PlasticPlastic NylonNylon Stainless steelStainless steel Tungsten carbideTungsten carbide

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Carbide & stainless steel are most abrasion resistant.. More expensive.

No single material is perfect for all applications methods.

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Regular Flat Fan NozzleRegular Flat Fan Nozzle

Used for broadcast spraying on Used for broadcast spraying on

boomboom

30-50% pattern overlap, 40 psi30-50% pattern overlap, 40 psi

Calibrate frequently to check for Calibrate frequently to check for

nozzle wearnozzle wear

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Off Center NozzlesOff Center Nozzles

Roadside and railroad workRoadside and railroad work

Specialized booms for Specialized booms for

obstructionsobstructions

Possible wide application in a Possible wide application in a

single passsingle pass

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Other Nozzle TypesOther Nozzle Types

BoomlessBoomless

– wide swath without a boom

– affected by winds

Whirling disksWhirling disks

– reduce fine droplets

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Sprayers for Right-of-Way Sprayers for Right-of-Way MaintenanceMaintenance

Backpacks to aircraftBackpacks to aircraft Often specialized for tasksOften specialized for tasks

– don’t try to clean herbicides from sprayers used for other pesticide applications

– *ammonia or detergent at 1 qt per 25 gallons of water * test before using

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Portable SprayersPortable Sprayers

Compressed airCompressed air

– convenient spot and small zone

treatment

Mist blowerMist blower

– greater coverage zone, faster

– greater drift potential

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Sprayers Carried by Sprayers Carried by VehiclesVehicles

Higher pressure sprayerHigher pressure sprayer

– wide range of uses, with

modifications

Low pressure boom sprayersLow pressure boom sprayers

Aerial sprayersAerial sprayers

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Boom Sprayer AdjustmentBoom Sprayer Adjustment

Nozzle spacingNozzle spacing

Nozzle tip orificeNozzle tip orifice

PressurePressure

Ground speedGround speed

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CalibrationCalibration

Correct & effective amount of Correct & effective amount of pesticide is deliveredpesticide is delivered

Saves money & legal problemsSaves money & legal problems– exceeding legal rate

Reduces off target movementReduces off target movement

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Calibrating Boom SprayersCalibrating Boom Sprayers

Check nozzlesCheck nozzles Clean nozzles and screensClean nozzles and screens Check delivery for each nozzleCheck delivery for each nozzle Select ground speedSelect ground speed Select pump pressureSelect pump pressure Measure swath widthMeasure swath width

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Calibrating Boom SprayersCalibrating Boom Sprayers

Measure watered deliver in one Measure watered deliver in one minute by all nozzlesminute by all nozzles

Determine the amount of time to Determine the amount of time to cover one acrecover one acre

Minutes per acre = 1

ground speed x swath width x .002

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Calibrating Boom SprayersCalibrating Boom Sprayers

Convert to gallons per acreConvert to gallons per acre

Gal per acre = gal per minute x min per acre

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Calibrating Boom SprayersCalibrating Boom Sprayers

If amount delivered is too little…If amount delivered is too little…

– increase pump pressure

– decrease ground speed

– use larger nozzles

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Calibrating Boom SprayersCalibrating Boom Sprayers

If amount delivered is too much..If amount delivered is too much..

– decrease pump pressure

– increase tractor speed

– use smaller nozzles

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Dosage Regulated Dosage Regulated ApplicationsApplications

Based on target size and Based on target size and

material concentrationmaterial concentration

– spray to drip

– basal spraying

– frill treatment

– stump treatment

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Error FactorsError Factors

Improperly measuring and Improperly measuring and

mixingmixing

Over applicationOver application

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Chapter 7Chapter 7

Public RelationsPublic Relations

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Public RelationsPublic Relations

Differences in perceptionDifferences in perception CarelessnessCarelessness Other areas of concernOther areas of concern

– water ways– toxic plants– farm operations– pets– brown out

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Avoid Job ProblemsAvoid Job Problems

Choose contractors carefullyChoose contractors carefully

Write contacts carefullyWrite contacts carefully

– follow up on performance

Consistent policiesConsistent policies

Educate the publicEducate the public

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ContractorsContractors

You’re selling your reputationYou’re selling your reputation Choose employees carefullyChoose employees carefully Train employeesTrain employees Keep recordsKeep records Inspect workInspect work Follow- up on complaintsFollow- up on complaints

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Applicators Should...Applicators Should...

Have product informationHave product information

– labels, MSDS

Respond to public inquiriesRespond to public inquiries

Be professionalBe professional

– be polite, overall appearance