by Making sure your equipment is ready before spring field operations will help you avoid stress and save time when weather-related window closures occur. In the majority of crop production operations, the sprayer is an essential piece of equipment. A well-maintained, clean, and correctly positioned sprayer will help guarantee timely and high-quality applications of insecticides and fertilizer in the spring.
Contents
Nozzle Configuration and Choice
An essential component of high-quality spray applications is the spray nozzles. Examine the goods you intend to use in 2020 and determine whether your current nozzles are compatible with them at the pressures and speeds you intend to use them. We are going to discuss the different parts of the flex sprayer.
Nozzle Requirements
Certain pesticides, such as 2,4-D and dicamba, have very specific nozzle requirements, while other compounds, such as glyphosate, provide users with more options. For instance, according to the nozzle requirements on page three, only four varieties of TeeJet nozzles are authorized for use with Enlist Duo herbicide. To choose the right nozzle for a given application while applying numerous goods, consult the label containing the strictest nozzle specifications.
Nozzle Flow Rates
A PWM (pulse-width modulated) spray system can give a wider variety of nozzle flow rates while maintaining droplet size more consistently if you run at a wide range of speeds and pressures throughout the season.
Precautions
It’s excellent practice to run the sprayer with water to test the nozzle function before the season begins. Make sure you wear the appropriate personal protection equipment and safely do things. This enables you to examine the flow via every nozzle. This helps you identify worn, plugged, or damaged nozzles, but it can take some time. A Spot-On Calibrator is one instrument that can help expedite and simplify this process.
Cleaning Process
On a typical rail boom system, nozzles with debris accumulation can result in notable variations in flow between nozzles. The debris will induce rate variation throughout the boom and cause the impacted nozzle to feel different pressure than non-plugged nozzles on another section of the boom.
Access Water Quality
This demonstrates how crucial it is to assess the water quality you are spraying and take the necessary precautions to shield your system from particles. This could entail cleaning the nozzles more frequently and adding more strainers to the machine’s loading lines. Examining the nozzle alignment while doing this is also a good idea. Mounts or nozzle holders may flex or slide (particularly if booms repeatedly collide with the ground or other obstacles). Maintaining the ideal spray pattern on your machine is ensured by proper alignment.
Plumbing Solutions
Regular cleaning of the machine’s plumbing is always advised to prevent chemical buildup and any cross-contamination. Before you go to the field in 2020, make sure to double-inspect these areas.
To prevent particle matter from entering the solution system or nozzles, strainers are essential. It is always advised to clean the machine’s strainers regularly. Several strainers are mounted on the boom or chassis of some machines. (Screen 2)
Look for hoses that are loose, drooping, or excessively worn in the machine plumbing. Hoses that are kinked or sagging might obstruct the flow of solutions and trap chemicals in these regions. Tie up loose hoses and replace worn hoses.
Cleaning Process of Different Parts
Take off the solution tube end caps, look for buildup, and clean them if necessary.
Remove the insert and check that it is clean and can move freely depending on the type of flowmeter your system employs. Get your machine’s flowmeter recalibrated. You can get help with this process from your local rate control supplier or equipment dealer.
Condition of Flex Sprayer Parts
Because of where they are located, fencerow nozzles on a machine usually break first. If your machine has one, ensure sure the plumbing and nozzles are in good condition and the system functions properly before using it. Look for any signs of leaks or chemical residue near fittings. If the systems have foam markings, examine them.
General Upkeep of Machinery
Verifying the mechanical soundness of your sprayer is crucial. For a list of requirements and checklists to review during this process, go to your owner’s manual. Verify that machine fluids are at the right level, filters are clean and in excellent condition, greaseable parts and joints are adequately lubricated, and tire mounting nuts are correctly torqued and in good shape.
Safe from Lubrication
The frequency of maintenance required for several boom suspension components to guarantee proper movement could affect the effectiveness of boom height control. Sprayer tyres also require inspection and evaluation. The high speeds and axle weights of sprayer tyres require that they be correctly inflated and in good working order. One approach to get ready for a smooth spring is to take the time to inspect and repair your sprayer now.
Because sprayers use a lot of moving parts that need to be lubricated and apply potentially corrosive materials, they need regular maintenance. This can drastically reduce downtime. Remember to use spray tips, flowmeters, and product strainers. To administer the proper amount of chemical to the plant or ground, these parts need to be cleaned or inspected frequently.
Conclusion
As they deteriorate, flowmeters and spray tips should also be calibrated frequently. You can have problems getting the right application rate, nozzle pattern, or droplet size if they’re not working properly. As instructed by the operator’s manual, take great care to oil every single grease point.
