1.5 Calibration, Cleaning, Maintenance the Application Equipment

Last update Nov 12, 2019
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Calibration

Calibration is a compulsory exercise…

  • Calibration in terms of application of CPP refers to the process of calculating and/or setting the delivery rate using the application equipment.
  • Calibration is a compulsory exercise, to guarantee the legal amount of product and water will be treated to the target area

Calibration should be done:

  • When spraying the first time with new equipment
  • At the beginning of each season
  • After changing nozzle, speed or spraying pressure 
  • Minimum two times in a spray season

Before calibrating a sprayer

  • Put your protective clothing on first
  • Ensure that the sprayer was cleaned after last use, if not – clean the sprayer
  • Add clean water to the sprayer
  • Ensure that the sprayer operates correctly without leakages
  • Clean filters and correct nozzle adjustment

Calibration of the sprayer could be done via two methods:

  1. Calibration formula
  2. One filling method

Sprayer calibration – simple option: one filling method

1. Check the sprayer and mark an area of 100m² (10 x 10m)

2. Add clean water in clean sprayer and start pumping

3. Practice spraying on the marked area

Make sure the pressure chamber is filled

4. Fill up with clean water till point of overflowing

Measure the uptake rate by refilling the sprayer till point of overflowing

5. Calculate application rate l/ha

Uptake rate in l x 100 = l/ha

 

Calibration before spraying is necessary to ensure that the required dosage will be accurately applied to the target area!

 

Factors influencing application – weather

Always check weather conditions, allow sufficient time!

1. Wind

2. Rain

3. Sun

 

Cleaning Procedure

  • Thoroughly CLEAN the sprayer WITH CLEAN WATER – the inside, the outside and the parts of the sprayer, including but not exclusive to filters, lances, nozzles, brushes, mixing equipment, etc.
  • FILL THE SPRAYING TANK WITH CLEAR WATER & triple rinse (with the use of approx. 2l for average sized tanks)
  • WASH THE OUTSIDE of the spraying equipment with a cloth to remove all spray residues
  • Do NOT DISPOSE OF LEFT–OVER SPRAY into ditches, streams, wells or any source of drinking water
  • Do NOT LEAVE UNUSED spray mixture in the tank
  • Only now the spraying equipment can be STORED IN ITS DESIGNATED AREA

 

Check and maintenance of a sprayer

REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF SPRAYERS IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT IT IS WORKING CORRECTLY

OCCASIONALLY SPRAYERS will malfunction and require repair, regardless of HOW WELL THEY ARE MAINTAINED

 

Common Problems

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