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18/09/2016
LP-OMLINK-B
BOOM SPRAYER
CALIBRATION
Each Croplands boom is fitted standard with non-
drip nozzle bodies so that when the liquid flow
is switched off, the bodies will not drip. Supplied
on all Croplands’ booms are AirMix air-induction
ultra-low drift nozzles - now an industry standard to
reduce the likelihood of spray drift.
The liquid flow to the boom can be stopped
& started as required (such as when turning at
headlands or where the operator does not want to
spray) by using the spray control unit provided on
the sprayer.
To ensure the right application of herbicide or crop
protection product is applied to the target crop, the
user should calibrate the AgriPak linkage sprayer
to ensure the correct application rate is used for the
chemical being used.
The information for the product to be applied (spray
target rate and spray quality) is usually supplied
by the chemical manufacturer on their product
label. Alternatively, a trained agronomist should be
consulted.
Part of the calibration process is to determine the
flow required to meet the required target spray rate,
and this information can be used to determine what
speed of travel will best suit your application and
what nozzle and spraying pressure to use.
Failure to calibrate a sprayer before operating may
result in ineffective or crop damage
Calibration
To accurately apply crop protection or herbicides
through a spray boom, the following procedure
should be undertaken.
1. Measure your speed of travel.
2. Check the nozzle spacing, and
3. Select an appropriate nozzle for the product
being applied, and check nozzle output in Litres
per minute (L/min), along with spraying pressure.
CAUTION
Check the current Croplands Optima
Buyers Guide for Nozzle information,
or purchase a copy of the Nufarm
Spraywise™ Spray Application Guide.
CAUTION
Do not operate a sprayer without
calibration or before calibration has
been completed.
WARNING
Always only use clean water when
calibrating or checking a sprayer. Never
calibrate with chemical present in the tank.
Failure to follow this instruction can lead to
poisoning and serious illness.
1. Speed of travel
Check your tractor speed. If you have an accurate
speedometer, this will suffice. If not, measure the
distance you have travelled in one minute in metres,
and divide this by 16.7:
»
e.g. 120 metres travelled in one minute ÷ 16.7 =
7.18 km/hour.
»
If this is impractical, measure the distance
travelled in 30 seconds, double it, and then
divide by 16.7.
»
Repeat at least twice, from a running start, to
ensure accuracy.
2. Nozzle spacing
Standard nozzle spacing on a Croplands boom
is 50cm. This is also an industry standard for the
use of 110 degree nozzle tips as fitted standard to
Croplands booms.
3. Select Nozzle Type & Size
Select the Nozzle Type & Size according to:
»
Chemical recommendations.
»
Application rate required.
»
Pressure setting.
»
Swath width.
»
Chosen speed of travel (Use actual speed of
travel, refer to step 2).
The right nozzle, application rate, spray quality
and nozzle pressure will best be advised by your
agronomist or consulting with the manufacturer
of the product you are applying. The Croplands
calibration guide covers these options in more
detail.
Included on page 29 is a basic nozzle chart to
show nozzle sizes, outputs and application rates at
varying speeds.
NOTE
Nozzle spray patterns and spray
angles should be visually checked for
accuracy and the nozzle replaced if not
spraying correctly.
