Dribble bars..

[James 6920]

We have moved to 36m boom width for this year, and we have always used chafer stream bars for all liquid fert applications, but we will need some more to cover the extra 12m of boom, looking at the current stream bars there getting old and worn, and would probably need to change a fair few in the current set, but I’m aware the BFS make the new Autostreamer dribble bar, and was pondering on wether to change from the Chafers to the Autostreamers, anyone got any opinions on them would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fred.950]

We have moved to 36m boom width for this year, and we have always used chafer stream bars for all liquid fert applications, but we will need some more to cover the extra 12m of boom, looking at the current stream bars there getting old and worn, and would probably need to change a fair few in the current set, but I’m aware the BFS make the new Autostreamer dribble bar, and was pondering on wether to change from the Chafers to the Autostreamers, anyone got any opinions on them would be greatly appreciated.

We are going to swap from autostreamers back to the Chafers

 

[James 6920]

We are going to swap from autostreamers back to the Chafers

For what reason?? Cost? Reliability?

 

[fred.950]

For what reason?? Cost? Reliability?

We can’t get a consistent output from each bar across hills. Although they are excellent for reducing scorch at low pressure we just can’t get it across the whole boom.
We have spoken to BFS and they said definitely a sprayer problem as they will work at 0.7 bar but sprayer people say it’s definitely a dribble bar issue

 

[grainboy]

Have a set of Chafer with restrictors for a 24 m boom available,

 

[stroller]

We can’t get a consistent output from each bar across hills. Although they are excellent for reducing scorch at low pressure we just can’t get it across the whole boom.
We have spoken to BFS and they said definitely a sprayer problem as they will work at 0.7 bar but sprayer people say it’s definitely a dribble bar issue

I noticed some striping with my bfs ones. I had put in an extra line so I didn't have to keep swapping between bars and nozzles, and thought I could get away without putting in line filters, was ok for the first year but a sort of stringy stuff built up in the rubber bits and reduced the flow between the individual bars but not over the whole book. Since I put filters in they've been fine.

 

[Rich Beach]

I know you pay a bit extra for the Chafer streamers but IMO the extra is well worth it. Been on liquid fert for many years & have rarely had any scorch even at higher pressures ie 2.5 bar as long as you are sensible with the weather conditions. The BFS bars are OK but nowhere near as good as the Chafer ones. Would also be surprised if the Chafer ones have worn at all.

 

[James 6920]

I know you pay a bit extra for the Chafer streamers but IMO the extra is well worth it. Been on liquid fert for many years & have rarely had any scorch even at higher pressures ie 2.5 bar as long as you are sensible with the weather conditions. The BFS bars are OK but nowhere near as good as the Chafer ones. Would also be surprised if the Chafer ones have worn at all.

When I say worn, there showing there age in terms of cracking, odd nozzle snapped off, and the sliders sooo stiff you snap the handle off when altering rates, I guess what I’m looking at is the fact the BFS auto streamers don’t require adjusting for different rates, which is good as we do change rates a lot and with a 36m boom is a time saver. And they would probably be better for variable rate applications.

 

[Rich Beach]

I was referring to the BFS dribble bars. Wasn't really aware of the BFS auto streamers which look a really good option particularly if applying different rates a lot of the time. Thanks for making me aware of these.

 

[BFSfertilisers]

We can’t get a consistent output from each bar across hills. Although they are excellent for reducing scorch at low pressure we just can’t get it across the whole boom.
We have spoken to BFS and they said definitely a sprayer problem as they will work at 0.7 bar but sprayer people say it’s definitely a dribble bar issue

The BfS AutoStreamer uses pressure to adjust the rate of application. The design of them is such that a small increase in pressure gives a sizable increase in output to cater for variable rate application. So a two fold rise in pressure will give a five fold increase in output. This therefore does exacerbate any variation in pressure along a wide boom and especially on a slope or hillside. Wide booms and hillsides DO have an effect on pressure within the spray line no matter what the sprayer manufacturers say. It's the same pumping water through a long pipe - the pressure drops along its length.
So in defence of the BfS AutoStreamer it is doing what it should, even if this is undesirable in a given situation. It could well be that a standard BfS Dribble Bar in that situation would be preferable.
The BfS AutoStreamer can not be used on a sprayer with a pressure-only based sprayer controller, it must be flow based or be able to switch to flow based only.
(other dribble bars are available but they are all copies of the original and best!) [Places hard hat on head]

 

[BFSfertilisers]

When I say worn, there showing there age in terms of cracking, odd nozzle snapped off, and the sliders sooo stiff you snap the handle off when altering rates, I guess what I’m looking at is the fact the BFS auto streamers don’t require adjusting for different rates, which is good as we do change rates a lot and with a 36m boom is a time saver. And they would probably be better for variable rate applications.

Please note that the BfS AutoStreamer will only work on a flow based control system for reasons stated in the other post. Please check before committing to a set. Some you can switch from pressure to flow based which is fine.

 

[fred.950]

The BfS AutoStreamer uses pressure to adjust the rate of application. The design of them is such that a small increase in pressure gives a sizable increase in output to cater for variable rate application. So a two fold rise in pressure will give a five fold increase in output. This therefore does exacerbate any variation in pressure along a wide boom and especially on a slope or hillside. Wide booms and hillsides DO have an effect on pressure within the spray line no matter what the sprayer manufacturers say. It's the same pumping water through a long pipe - the pressure drops along its length.
So in defence of the BfS AutoStreamer it is doing what it should, even if this is undesirable in a given situation. It could well be that a standard BfS Dribble Bar in that situation would be preferable.
The BfS AutoStreamer can not be used on a sprayer with a pressure-only based sprayer controller, it must be flow based or be able to switch to flow based only.
(other dribble bars are available but they are all copies of the original and best!) [Places hard hat on head]

Many thanks for the reply, I hope you can see from the pictures the problem we encounter with the autostreamers although it doesn’t really do justice to the degree of slope but it runs downhill to the right. Do you think your standard dribble bars would overcome this? Also do you know anyone that might want 72 secondhand autostreamers?

 

[B'o'B]

Many thanks for the reply, I hope you can see from the pictures the problem we encounter with the autostreamers although it doesn’t really do justice to the degree of slope but it runs downhill to the right. Do you think your standard dribble bars would overcome this? Also do you know anyone that might want 72 secondhand autostreamers?

I think I remember it right in saying that if your boom has a difference in hight from one end to the other of 1m then there is a 1bar difference in pressure at each end of the boom. Even if I haven’t remembered the exact figures correctly it is a surprisingly big pressure drop and makes a big difference in nozzle output on a standard nozzle let a lone a autostreamer!

 

[e3120]

I think I remember it right in saying that if your boom has a difference in hight from one end to the other of 1m then there is a 1bar difference in pressure at each end of the boom. Even if I haven’t remembered the exact figures correctly it is a surprisingly big pressure drop and makes a big difference in nozzle output on a standard nozzle let a lone a autostreamer!

Only 0.1 bar per metre for water, bit more for fert, as proportional to density. But the picture above is worth a few thousand words.

 

[B'o'B]

Only 0.1 bar per metre for water, bit more for fert, as proportional to density. But the picture above is worth a few thousand words.

Thanks for the correction. Only 10 fold out, a politician would have been happy to get that close!
It still makes quite a difference especially with an autostreamer type nozzle as can be seen!

 

[Brisel]

Many thanks for the reply, I hope you can see from the pictures the problem we encounter with the autostreamers although it doesn’t really do justice to the degree of slope but it runs downhill to the right. Do you think your standard dribble bars would overcome this? Also do you know anyone that might want 72 secondhand autostreamers?

Wow - just how steep is that? One foot against the side window?

That doesn't look good for even dosing. I see why you have gone away from Autostreamers. I've never had any such issues on my steep banks with 36m and Chafer Streambars with 1" spray lines. Like normal nozzles, as long as you've got your pressure restrictor on each one and good plumbing not restricting flow then you should be ok.

 

[fred.950]

Wow - just how steep is that? One foot against the side window?

That doesn't look good for even dosing. I see why you have gone away from Autostreamers. I've never had any such issues on my steep banks with 36m and Chafer Streambars with 1" spray lines. Like normal nozzles, as long as you've got your pressure restrictor on each one and good plumbing not restricting flow then you should be ok.

It’s fairly steep but not horrendous so now I’m wondering if it’s something else causing it

 

[stroller]

It’s fairly steep but not horrendous so now I’m wondering if it’s something else causing it

Do you have filters in the line and have you taken the bars apart and looked at the rubber valves/nozzles?

 

[warksfarmer]

We have moved to 36m boom width for this year, and we have always used chafer stream bars for all liquid fert applications, but we will need some more to cover the extra 12m of boom, looking at the current stream bars there getting old and worn, and would probably need to change a fair few in the current set, but I’m aware the BFS make the new Autostreamer dribble bar, and was pondering on wether to change from the Chafers to the Autostreamers, anyone got any opinions on them would be greatly appreciated.

Got a 24m set of BFS Autostreamers for sale for £600 if it’s any use? I think they are about £20 each new. These are hardly used.

 

[Rich Beach]

Just a question re differing pressure at end of boom. If you have recirculating lines then surely this cannot be so ?