CROP SPRAYING POCKET GUIDE 2016
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CROP SPRAYING POCKET GUIDE 2016 HYPRO® NOZZLES

Spray nozzles have been manufactured at Pentair’s Cambridge, UK site for 60 years, initially under the Lurmark name and now the Hypro ® brand. Pentair is also the leading international producer of agricultural pumps sold under Hypro ® , Shurflo ® and Berkeley ® brand names. Hypro ® spray nozzles, sprayer pumps and components are fitted by the world’s premier manufacturers of spray equipment. Pentair is an $7.5 billion company with more than 100 manufacturing sites and 30,000 employees worldwide. Pentair offer a full range of flow management, filtration, thermal management and equipment...

Working with Hypro Nozzles SPRAY CLASSIFICATION For conventional hydraulic nozzles, spray quality varies according to nozzle size (defined by nozzle flow in l/min and colour) and with pressure. Spray quality is usefully defined by the Volume Median Diameter (VMD) which is the droplet size where half of the volume of spray is in larger and half is in smaller droplets. The BCPC International Spray Classification System groups spray quality into five categories: VERY FINE, FINE, MEDIUM, COARSE AND VERY COARSE, each category covers a range of VMDs. Spray manufacturers usually indicate the...

fewer droplets, so spray coverage is compromised. Large droplets are also more likely to bounce off plant leaves. In addition to choosing larger droplets, spray drift can be reduced by reducing turbulence, for example by lowering boom heights and slowing down spraying speeds. AIR INDUCTION (AI) NOZZLES Air Induction nozzles incorporate air inlet holes in their design which mixes air and fluid to make larger air-filled droplets (as shown right). These droplets have larger VMDs, a more uniform droplet size and fewer driftable fine droplets. Because they contain air as well as fluid they do...

IDENTIFYING WIND SPEED The BCPC advises that wind speeds of 3.2 to 6.5 km/h (2 - 4 mph) are ideal for spraying. The table below explains how to judge windspeed. If conditions deteriorate and spraying has to stop, any spray that is left in the tank must be agitated and ideally regularly recirculated to prevent settling and blockages once spraying resumes. Approximate air speed at boom height* Beaufort Description scale Visible signs Less than 2 km/h (Less than 1.2 mph) Smoke rises vertically Only use medium or coarse spray quality Direction shown by smoke drift Acceptable spraying conditions...

SELECTING SPRAY VOLUME RATE Acceptable water rates can be found on the agrochemical product label (in litres of water per hectare) with recommended upper and lower limits. Select a rate based on the spray coverage that is required, considering the target and the chemical mode of action; e.g. covering a dense canopy with a contact acting spray will require the higher end of the volume range. If in doubt use higher water volumes. Also consider the limits of the sprayer pump capacityand make sure you allow plenty of spare capacity for agitation. SPRAY PATTERNATION Hypro flat fan nozzles are...

Sprayer Calibration Sprayers should be re-calibrated every 100 hectares (250 acres) of spraying. Check and clean all filters and ensure the pump feed and delivery lines are free of restrictions prior to calibration. To calibrate a sprayer, always using clean water only: I. Using a calibrated measuring cylinder, measure the output from a minimum of four nozzles (at least one from each boom section) and compare it to the flow rates shown in the nozzle tables on pages 14-28. Pentair offers equipment that allows you to check the pressure and spray output at the nozzle, for more details see page...

Nozzle Care CLEANING Blocked nozzles should be cleared by soaking in water and cleaning with a soft brush and air line. NEVER blow through the nozzle orifice by mouth. Do not poke with wire or pins, as this will cause damage to the nozzles. At the end of spraying, nozzles should be removed, soaked, cleaned and refitted especially where a different chemical is going to be sprayed next time. WEAR AND TEAR Nozzles wear out in the course of normal use. This wear cannot be seen visually so nozzles should be regularly calibrated. Keep one unused nozzle aside from each new set as a comparison. The...

Popular Nozzle Types Hypro produces a huge array of nozzles for every conceivable application, the following popular nozzle types cover the majority of agricultural application requirements: Guardian AIRTM 110° Finer Air-induction Nozzles (see p14) Good spray coverage, with reduced drift, ideal for lower water rates. Suitable for a wide variety of applications to cereals, oilseed rape and other combinable crops. 3 star at 1.25-1.5 bar Guardian AIR Twin 110° Finer Air-induction Nozzles (see p15) A twin spray with 30° incline forward and backwards to help penetration and spray distribution in...

Cone Spray SwirlTip Disc and Core 80˚ - 90˚ Nozzles (see p25) Finely atomised droplets in hollow cone pattern. Designed for band spraying of contact acting chemicals. Can also be used with air blast and mist sprayers at higher pressure. Flood Spray PoliJet and Deflectip Anvil 55° - 130° Nozzles (see p26) Medium to coarse spray with uniform distribution. Resistant to clogging. Polijet range is designed for use with knapsack sprayers. ESI Liquid Fertiliser Nozzles (see p27) One of the most compact liquid fetiliser nozzles on the market. A unique nozzle array and jet stabilising diffuser...

Nozzles for Targets To get the best chemical performance at the key spray timings, it is essential to choose the nozzle that gives good target coverage considering both the spray quality and a suitable incline. PRE-EMERGENCE HERBICIDES Good coverage over soil clods helps prevent weed escape. The absence of a crop can exacerbate spray drift for these applications. Recommended nozzles: Guardian AIR Twin: Reduces drift to help create more autumn spray days. Twin 30° inclines give effective coverage of soil clods. See page 15. VPTech 80: A 30° inclined spray with mixed droplet spectrum....