Sprayers101 Archive
Search our archive of expert-written, data-driven analysis of spraying techniques, equipment, strategies, and more.
Continuous rinsing for airblast sprayers
Why Rinse? Airblast sprayers are not rinsed as frequently or as diligently as field sprayers. This is primarily because they are not used to…
Air Orientation for Wrap-Around Sprayers
One of the pleasures of working in agricultural extension is when you’re able to help a grower solve a problem. This was one of…
ExactApply: How to add “Section Flow %” Module to Run Screen
The John Deere ExactApply system has a pulsing feature, more commonly known as “Pulse Width Modulation” (PWM). From the operator’s perspective, it’s important to…
The Capstan EVO: PWM for the masses
Capstan Ag brought Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to spraying in the mid 1990s. Over the past 20 years, it has become commonplace on Case…
Exploding Sprayer Myths (ep.10): Airblast Coverage
Here in Episode 10 of Exploding Sprayer Myths we’ve coaxed @Nozzle_Guy back into the orchard. This is part two of a two-part mini series…
The Challenges of Spraying by Drone
Spray application by drone is here. It’s common practice in South East Asia, with a very significant proportion of ag areas now treated that…
New Use for Bourgault 1460 Field Sprayer
This week I spoke with Gerry Bell, a producer from near Gravelbourg in southern Saskatchewan (a beautiful town with a historic downtown, church and…
How Low Can You Go?
There’s a lot of talk about lowering the boom to reduce drift and make twin fan nozzles more effective. But how low can we…
Boom Heights at Fan Angles Worksheet
Use this spreadsheet to calculate the minimum boom heights needed for various applications. Some caution: The values are theoretical and assume the fan angles…
Six Spray Technology Skills for Agronomists
Agronomists help farmers manage their crop with advice on everything from crop cultivars to fertilizer rates to marketing. It’s challenging to be an expert…
How to Calibrate an Airblast Sprayer Operator
When an extension specialist, equipment retailer or consultant is asked to calibrate an airblast sprayer, they would be well advised to calibrate the sprayer…
Recirculating Booms – Introduction to the Concept
A lot of people are intimidated by sprayer plumbing. One look at the spaghetti bowl of spray mix and hydraulic hoses and valves, and…
How Airblast Spray Droplets Behave (or Misbehave)
Some pesticide labels require or prohibit certain droplet sizes to reduce the potential for drift. But, even when labels are silent about size restrictions,…
Techniques to Improve Spray Productivity
In almost all agronomic practices, timing is key. There are certain, and often small, windows of opportunity for getting a task done without losing…
Do Labels Help us Apply Pesticides Properly?
It happened three times this spring. As is often the case, I was contacted by growers who wanted help with herbicide application. In most…
Evaluating Electrostatic Spraying in Carrot
This research was performed with Dennis Van Dyk, OMAFA Vegetable Crop Specialist. In 2018, MS Gregson introduced a line of electrostatic sprayers (the Ecostatik) in…
Electrostatic Spraying in Agriculture
Dear reader: This article is intended to provide basic information on how electrostatic sprayers work in an agricultural setting. The author does not sell…
Adjuvants in the airblast tank
Spray adjuvants are tank mix additives that either physically or chemically influence the efficacy, consistency or safety of pesticides. For example, adjuvants can improve…
Diagnosing Airblast Coverage
Assuming there are no mechanical or maintenance problems, water-sensitive paper can be used to diagnose sprayer performance. Go here to read more about water-sensitive paper. Interpreting…
Spraying Sweet Corn
This article was written with information from George Hamilton, Field Extension Specialist with New Hampshire Cooperative Extension (retired), and from Dr. Ben Werling, West…
Air-Assist Improves Coverage in Field Corn
Why aren’t there more air-assist boom sprayers in Canada? I can understand why field croppers might hesitate to pay for the feature because it’s…
What is Delta T and why is it important for spraying?
Humidity is important in spraying. With the average tank of pesticide being 90 to 99.5% water, evaporation plays an important role in both droplet…
Biobeds for Pesticide Waste Disposal
One of the most challenging aspects of a spray operation is the disposal of leftovers or rinsate containing pesticides. Let’s be honest, too much…
Plot Sprayer Calibration Worksheet
Need a worksheet for calibrating a plot sprayer? Well, we just so happen to have one here: Plot Sprayer Calibration (May 15, 2018)
Spraying in Dusty Conditions
Dusty conditions are common in spraying, and in dry springs they are often associated with a further challenge, drought-stressed plants. There is no magic…