Spraying set ups

[bert]

From previous posts we are thinking of downsizing our sprayer which will effectively mean more work due to a smaller tank size. We will be loosing 1500l of capacity which with root crops means 7.5ha per load. More filling, more road work etc.
So I’m just wondering about how we are spraying which generally is 200l of water at 2.5bar pressure mainly through fan jets. Crops are combinables, pots, onions and carrots with a bit of grass. Speed varies with the terrain so slower in roots at 10km/hr up to 14km/hr in combinables.
I’ve seen a few posts on twitter of people operating at lower water volumes of 125l/ha for combinables but at 3.5 bar pressure?

What’s right?

Why the down size? hell of a lot of capacity lost is 1500litres

 

[Brisel]

Why the down size? hell of a lot of capacity lost is 1500litres

The lack of manoeuvrability for a trailed in beds?

 

[oakleaf]

Why the higher water volumes in grassland? Ignoring product labels and the slower forward speeds for a moment, you’re hitting massive targets so as long as the chemical hits the leaf I don’t see the need for so much water.

Edit: I appreciate that contact material does not move within the plant so needs to be a fine spray for maximum droplet numbers & better coverage even of the underside of the leaves. Most grassland herbicides are translocated so this is less important.

Well, in general its what the label recomends and the feeling at home is that a higher water rate improves the job so thats what we do .

 

[Brisel]

Well, in general its what the label recomends and the feeling at home is that a higher water rate improves the job so thats what we do .View attachment 798466 View attachment 798468 View attachment 798470

Over here if the label says "you must..." then it's a legal requirement for you to record it apply it that way. I was just wondering what other reasons it was done for.

 

[oakleaf]

Maybe we are wrong but feel that a higher volume will give a better coverage especially where there is a high density of crop and surely a better coverage will give better translocation but perhaps it doesnt.
Also generally only spraying 8 to 10 ha at a time so with a 3500 litre sprayer its easy to put out 300l/ha.
Water availability is not an issue ( even last summer) so why cut rates ? We are not trying to cover large areas in a day.
I suppose if l was of an inquisitive nature l would spray a field half @ 200 l/ha and half at 300 and observe any differences but TBH l was always one who RTFM and went by it.

 

[snarling bee]

We do most of ours at 100l with 03 flat fans at about 3 bar. Use 03 BBJ for Lerap or if wind over 2mph/sensitive areas.

200l/ha is only the standard because that's what they do in trials with hand held trials equipment, where they can only go at walking pace. 100l/ha for many applications has been proved to work better, if it can be done with reference to the label.

 

[mountfarm]

Why the down size? hell of a lot of capacity lost is 1500litres

Well the trailer sprayer is 20 yrs old and needs a major overhaul. Pretty much everything needs doing from the axle, spray lines, major boom repair, pump and valve etc. With us doing most of the work it’s pushing £10,000. The sprayer is worth £10,000 as it stands. We’ve also got a 120hp tractor which originally we thought would handle the mounted sprayer but we’re going to trade that for something around 160hp instead but it can sit on the sprayer most of the year. And as point out trailed sprayers and bed work isn’t ideal and messy. We don’t want to buy a used sprayer so SP is off the list as they are silly expensive.

 

[Flintstone]

Guardian Air at 3 bar if it’s not beeezy, and 2 bar if it is.

100 litres through 025’s gives me about 10-12 kph depending on desired pressure.

Flat fan for small targets like BG with pre-drill glypho.

 

[Manny]

025 guardian airs @ 3 bar for big targets, 025 flat fans or 03 defy 3D for small or pre em. Most things sprayed at 12kph and 100lt/ha in good conditions. Pre em up to 200lt, on a good day up pressure to about 5bar, poorer days slow down.

 

[devonshire farmer]

I'm inbetween, do everything at 150l/ha.

Normally spray about 3 bar though.

Never sprayed below 2 bar.

Same here 150ltrs almost standard for me on cereals unless an away block then may drop to about 135 if it saves 2 trips!