24
Operation
PARTS MANUALS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT smithco.com
TURF MANAGEMENT
Turf management chemicals are made for four general purposes:
1. Fungicides: Prevent or cure fungus on turf grass. They are made in 2 general types:
• Systemic - Chemicals enter the plant system and protect or cure it of, fungus.
• Contact - Kills fungus with which it comes into contact.
2. Insecticides: Eliminate damaging insects and worms (such as grubs, beetles, ants, etc.)
3. Herbicides: Control and eliminate undesirable weeds and grass from turf areas and non-turf areas such
as bunkers, trails, fences, etc.
4. Nutrients & Fertilizer: Promote growth, beauty and color in turf grass.
Some materials have to be applied so that they get into the soil below the plant leaves, This is called "soil appli-
cation". In order to do this, they are best applied with a large volume of water. They are often then watered-in
using the irrigation system. This type of chemical material includes systemic chemicals and chemicals de-
signed to destroy pests which live in the thatch and the soil.
Other materials must be applied to reach a problem that is present on the plant leaves. This is called “Foliar
Application” and requires a lower volume of water. Instead of irrigation water, these materials are further activated
by dry air and sunshine. They include contact fungicide and many herbicides.
The user of sprayers and chemicals must follow the directions provided with the spray material. It is the only
way to insure safe and effective results. It provides information on how much chemical and how much water is to
be applied to the area to be sprayed.
Though there are many types and sizes of nozzles, two specific types have proven most successful in turf grass
management.
• The first type is target-directed. It sprays material in a direct line downwards to the target turf grass.
These are flat fan nozzles, commonly referred to as TeeJet nozzles. They are available in a wide variety of
sizes for any required discharge volume rate. They are the best for many contact or foliar applied pesti-
cides. They are spaced either 10" (25 cm) or 20" (51 cm) apart and overlap one another by about
1
/
3
.
• The second type useful in turf management are broadcast type nozzles. They are commonly referred to
as raindrop or floodjet nozzles. They spray a hollow-cone shaped pattern of much larger droplets which fall
quickly to the turf under their own weight. They are best for systemic pesticides or any material requiring a
large volume of water for soil application. The larger droplets are not as subject to drift from wind and are a
safer, more environmentally friendly choice in many situations.
HOSE & HANDGUN SPRAYING
A handgun (hand-nozzle or hand-lance) is used to control and direct the spray pattern to the ground, shrub or
tree. They must be constructed of long lasting and noncorrosive materials such as brass, stainless or aluminum.
The handgun fits to a hose of any length from the sprayer allowing operator mobility. The hose should be as
short as possible while still permitting operator mobility.
Liquid looses pressure due to friction as it travels through the hose, 1-3 psi (0.07-0.21 bar) for each foot (30 cm)
of hose. For most operations
1
/
2
" (1.25 cm) inside diameter hose is adequate. Trees over 40 ft (12 m) high re-
quire
3
/
4
" (2 cm) inside diameter hose and a sprayer pump capable of delivering a volume of at least 20 gpm (75
lpm) and a pressure of at least 400 psi (28 bar).
Summary of Contents for Spray Star 3185
Page 30: ...28 Nozzle Charts ...
Page 33: ...31 NOTES ...
