Calibrating Nozzles
Frequency of Calibration
Even though a sprayer's operation can be theoretically determined using mathematical formulas, there are still many reasons to verify that the output is what it should be. For example,
-
wear (especially on nozzles)
-
damaged or malfunctioning parts (such as pressure gauges)
-
plugged or restricted passages (such as strainers and hoses)
Obviously, pre-season visual checks are not adequate for accurate application, nor is the fact that equipment and nozzle tips are new. Also, manufacturer's catalogs are only guidelines; fine-tuning a sprayer is the operator's responsibility.
A sprayer's output should be checked:
-
after any adjustments
-
when switching to a new chemical or application rate
-
after a week of continuous use under the same circumstances
Verifying the results of an adjustment is standard procedure for all John Deere products. Never make adjustments to a sprayer without then verifying the output from the nozzles.
|